Sadlier Unit 13

Mesmerize

To hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

Contrite

Regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; thoroughly penitent

Opprobrium

Disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach

Decorous

Well behaved, dignified, socially proper

Captious

Excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up

Efficacy

The power to produce a desired result

Ghoulish

Revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead

Facade

The front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind)

Abstruse

Extremely difficult to understand

Engender

To bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume form

Deign

To think it appropriate or suitable to one’s dignity to do something; to condescend

Cynosure

The center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct

Incongruous

Not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

Machination

A crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

Desiccated

Thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid and uninteresting

Canard

A false rumor, fabricated story

Cognizant

Aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

Affront

An open or intentional insult; a slight; to insult to one’s face; to face in defiance, confront

Putative

Generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized, inferred

Ethereal

Light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)