English Vocab 1

mar

verb – to damage, ruin, deface

wistfully/wistful

adv/adj – full of wishful yearning or longing, often with sadness

supercilious

adj. – having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy; cocky

compulsion

noun – a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, esp. one that is irrational or contrary to one's will

deft

adj. – quick and skillful

contemptuously/contemptuous

adv/adj – showing or feeling disapproval or disdain toward something a person considers mean, vile, or worthless; scornful

infinitesimal

immeasurably small; less than an assignable quantity

cynical

adj. – distrusting, criticizing, or mocking the motives of others; pessimistic; glass is half empty mentality

solemn

adj. - formal; serious; sober; lacking humor or happiness

anemic

adj. - weak; lacking power, vigor, vitality; wishy-washy **the spelling has changed since Fitzgerald’s time

vitality

noun - liveliness; energy (physical and/or mental); spirit; vigor

discreet

adj. - marked by caution, prudence, or modesty and wise self-restraint; subtle

defer

verb - to yield respectfully in judgment or opinion to another [usually followed by “to”; ex: Because she is an accountant, I defer to my mom on questions regarding my taxes.]

incessant

adj. - never-ending; ceaseless

impressive hauteur/haughty

noun - pride, arrogance; cockiness adj. – cocky, snobby

strident

adj. - loud, harsh, grating, or shrill

permeate

verb – to fill up, seep into; to saturate

innuendo

noun - an indirect hint or suggestion about a person or thing, especially of an insulting or an offensive nature

erroneous

adjective - incorrect; wrong

ascertain

verb - to determine; to make certain or clear

vacuous

adjective – empty; lacking ideas or intelligence; stupid

implore

verb - to beg urgently

ineptly/inept

adverb/adjective - lacking skill; awkward; clumsy

dissension

noun - disagreement; difference of opinion

disintegrate

verb - to decay; decompose; break up

sporadic

adj - periodic; random; happening at irregular intervals

punctilious

adj - painstaking; meticulous; strict attention to minute details

disconcerting

adj - confusing; disturbing; causing emotional disturbance

retribution

noun - something justly deserved; taking revenge or correcting a wrong

sinister

adj - evil; bad; wicked

juxtaposition

noun - placing two or more things side by side to emphasize the link or contrast

succulent

adj – 1) juicy; 2) rich in desirable qualities