English- Vocab 1

criterion

standard; basis for judgement

cliché

an overused saying or idea

emigrate

to move to a new country, to expatriate

aggregate

sum total; a collection of separate things mixed together

complacent

self-satisfied, overly pleased with oneself

apotheosis

elevation to divine status

abate

to subside; to reduce

prudent

careful; having foresight

volatile

quick to evaporate; highly unstable; explosive

zealous

enthusiastically devoted to something; fervent

ironic

meaning the opposite of what yo seem to say; using words that mean something other than what they seem to mean

emulate

to strive to equal or excel, usually through imitation

concise

brief and to the point

benefactor

one who provides help, especially in the form of a gift or donation

innate

existing since birth; inborn; inherent

daunt

to make fearful; to intimidate

tangible

touchable; palpable

accost

to approach and speak to someone aggressively

rogue

a criminally dishonest person; a scoundrel

magnanimous

forgiving; unrestful; noble in spirit; generous

adulation

wild or excessive admiration; flattery

expedient

providing an immediate advantage; serving immediate self-interests; practical

aberration

something not typical; deviation from the standard

virtuoso

a masterful musician; a masterful practitioner in some other field

penitent

sorry; repentant; contrite

ostensible

apparent (but misleading); professed

contrived

artificial; labored

renounce

to give up formally or resign; to disown; to have nothing to do with anymore

sordid

vile; filthy; squalid

juxtapose

to place side by side

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; happening for only the briefest period

venerate

to revere; to treat as something holy, especially because of growing age

attrition

gradually wearing away, weakening, or loss; a natural or expecting decrease in numbers or size

infinitesimal

very, very, very small; infinitely small

congenial

agreeably suitable; pleasant

microcosm

the world in miniature

assimilate

to take in; to absorb; to learn thoroughly

aloof

uninvolved; standing off; keeping one’s distance

proximity

nearness

volition

will; conscious choice

sagacious

discerning; shrewd; keen in judgement; wisecircum

circumvent

to frustrate as though by surrounding

address

to speak to; to direct one’s attention to

premise

an assumption; the basis for conclusion

partisan

one who supports a particular person, cause, or idea

maudlin

silly and overly sentimental

visionary

a dreamer; someone with impractical goals or ideas about their future

disinterested

not taking sides; unbiased

antecedent

someone or something that went before; something that provides a model for something that came after it

forbear

to refrain from; to abstain