Elite vocab #101-200 (definitions)

reprehensible

(adj) deserving to be severely criticized

lethargic

(adj) dull; sluggish; moving slowly

pulpit

(n) a podium used for preaching

edible

(adj) able to be eaten

artifact

(n) an object produced by human work, esp. one of historical or archaeological interest

quiver

(v) to shake; to tremble from fear or cold

languish

(v) to lose strength or health; to remain neglected

collaborate

(v) to work together, esp. at an intellectual effort

utopia

(n) an ideally perfect place

turbid

(adj) cloudy, muddy; in a state of turmoil

altruistic

(adj) unselfish; benevolent; caring more for others than oneself

delve

(v) to look for; to search; to investigate

recede

(v) to go back; to withdraw

avocation

(n) a hobby

patron

(n) a sponsor; a supporter; a regular customer

raiment

(n) clothing

bellow

(v) to yell very loudly; to shout

pervade

(v) to spread through or be present throughout

penitent

(adj) feeling regret

exude

(v) to give off; to emit; to radiate

conducive

(adj) tending to bring about

feral

(adj) existing in a wild or untamed state

vindictive

(adj) seeking revenge; marked by a desire to hurt

immortal

(adj) deathless

conspicuous

(adj) easy to notice; obvious; apparent

deference

(n) yielding an opinion, desire, or position to another out of respect

salient

(adj) important, prominent, most noticable

unseemly

(adj) not decent or proper

remorse

(n) sadness or regret for what one has done

mercenary

(adj) greedy; motivated by desire or money

fetid

(adj) having a bad odor

drab

(adj) dull or dreary; monotonous

prodigal

(adj) exceedingly or recklessly wasteful

patronize

(v) to sponsor or support; to be kind or helpful in a snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior

plausible

(adj) appearing worthy of belief or trust

allure

(n) the power to attract with something desirable

lenient

(adj) inclined not to be strict

pertinent

(adj) relevant

serene

(adj) calm and peaceful

indubitable

(adj) certain; indisputable (“not doubtable”)

inaugurate

(v) to formally bring into office at the beginning of the term

covert

(adj) concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

solace

(n) comfort in a time of distress

insidious

(adj) subtly harmful; stealthy, sneaky

atrophy

(n) a wasting away, esp. of body tissue

altercation

(n) a heated or noisy arguement

foment

(v) to stir up negative feelings, esp. those that lead to violent action

purloin

(v) to steal, oft. in violation of a trust

caesura

(n) a break or pause

acquiesce

(v) to agree without protest

conscientious

(adj) showing care and precision; painstaking

crass

(adj) dull-witted; unrefined

impart

(v) to give a portion of; to make known

spendthrift

(n) one who spends money wastefully

tabulate

(v) to count

adroit

(adj) naturally skillful, esp. dealing with difficult circumstances

dexterous

(adj) skillful with the hands or mind

redolent

(adj) aromatic; fragrant; suggestive

foreboding

(n) a sense of impending evil, esp. one without definite cause

denouement

(n) conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax

subsidy

(n) monetary assistance

prevalent

(adj) dominant; widespread

incumbent

(adj) necessary or obligatory;

(n) a person who currently holds a particular position

mimic

(v) to copy closely, esp. with intent to ridicule

beacon

(n) a signaling light; a source of guidance or inspiration

supplant

(v) to take the place of

scythe

(n) a long handled, bladed instrument used for harvesting crops

shard

(n) a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g., glass or pottery; a small piece of something

wayward

(adj) stubbornly going against what is expected or required in order to satisfy one’s own desires

effrontery

(n) bold and insulting behavior

vagary

(n) an erratic notion or action

agile

(adj) quick and easy in movement; mentally alert

glut

(adj) an oversupply

cursory

(adj) superficially done; performed rapidly

spurn

(v) to push or drive away contemptuously with or as with the foot

comply

(v) to yield or act in accordance with requests, conditions, etc.

peccadillo

(n) a minor sin

incendiary

(adj) causing or capable of causing fire; stirring up trouble

impunity

(n) exception from punishment or harm

proficient

(adj) very skillful, esp. through training

precede

(v) to go before

benefactor

(n) one who helps and supports others

flout

(v) to intentionally and obviously disobey

erode

(v) to wear away slowly

spate

(n) a large number or amount of something; esp. in a brief time

imbue

(v) to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone

credulous

(adj) tending to believe too easily

bravura

(n) a showy display

omniscient

(adj) all-knowing

untenable

(adj) indefensible, or impossible to maintain

veneer

(n) an attractive, ultimately misleading outward show; thin layer

legible

(adj) capable of being read or deciphered

recount

(v) to tell in detail

prevaricate

(v) t speak or write evasively in order to avoid telling the truth

sedentary

(adj) sitting down most of the time

veracious

(adj) honest; truthful

venerate

(v) to look upon with respect and honor

raconteur

(n) one who tells stories with skill

leaning

(n) a preference or inclination

premature

(adj) happening, done, arriving, or existing before the proper time