Senior Vocab 1-50

disconsolate

sad beyond ability to be comforted

founder(ed)

fail utterly; collapse, break down, literally or metaphorically

litany

any long and tedious address, recital, or list

irreverent

showing lack of due respect or veneration

lugubrious

excessively mournful

suffuse

cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across

sojourn

a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)

acquisitive

eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas, often negative connotation

indecorous

not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

compunction

a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

voracious

having a wolf-like appetite, either for food or for something else, such as power; unflattering greediness.

flippant

showing inappropriate levity/respect

perfidy

an act of deliberate betrayal

affable

diffusing warmth and friendliness

sinewy

Something muscular, with a tight and stretched toughness, rugged and powerful.

somnambulent

appearing as if sleepwalking or in a trance-like state

abdicate

give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations

echelon

position in a social hierarchy

edifying

enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement

heretical

Something that departs from normally held beliefs (especially religious, political, or social norms)

liaison

a channel for communication between groups or an illicit relationship

churlish

having a bad disposition; surly

slovenly

negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt

propensity

a natural inclination

august

profoundly honored or esteemed, regal.

intransigent

impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason

obstinate

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

subterfuge

something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity

explicate

elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses

repugnant

offensive to the mind

obsequious

attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery

infelicity

inappropriate and unpleasing manner or style (especially manner or style of expression)

foible

a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character

remuneration

the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses

perturb

disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed

morose

sullen, gloomy, sad, glum, and depressed — not a happy camper.

convivial

occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

repose

freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)

parlous

fraught with danger

serendipity

good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries

denizen

a person who inhabits a particular place

gossamer

a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture

filigree

delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)

phalanx

any closely ranked crowd of people (ex. troops)

gallantry

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

zenith

the highest point (of something)

detritus

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

placid

not easily irritated, calm

inchoate

only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

mercurial

liable to sudden unpredictable change