Unit 1-3 Vocab F

abominate (v)

to hate something because you think it is offensive, unpleasant, or wrong

acculturation (n)

taking on ways or practices (e.g. food or language) of a culture that isn’t your own

adventitious (adj)

happening by chance or accident, not planned

ascribe (v)

to say that something is the result of a particular reason or person

circuitous (adj)

not taking the most direct route; going in a roundabout way

commiserate (v)

to feel sorry for someone and share in their sadness or disappointment

enjoin (v)

to strongly tell or command someone to do something

expedite (v)

to make something happen faster or more quickly

expiate (v)

to make up for something wrong you have done

ferment (v)

to stir up trouble or excitement that can lead to change

inadvertent (adj)

something that happens by accident

nominal (adj)

very small or insignificant in amount, or existing in name only without real power

noncommittal (adj)

refusing to commit to a decision or opinion

peculate (v)

to steal or take something that was trusted to you, especially money

proclivity (n)

a natural habit or desire to do something

sadistic (adj)

getting pleasure from hurting or being cruel to someone else

seditious (adj)

encouraging people to oppose the government or not obey the law

tenuous (adj)

weak, uncertain, or likely to change or break

vitriolic (adj)

bitterly sarcastic and full of anger, often intended to wound

wheedle (v)

to persuade someone to do something by being nice or flattering them

approbation (n)

approval or praise

assuage (v)

to make something less painful or less worrying; to calm down or soothe

coalition (n)

a group of people who join together for a common cause

decadence (n)

behavior that is considered immoral because it concentrates too much on pleasure

elicit (v)

to get a response, answer, or feeling from someone

expostulate (v)

strongly disagree with someone or try to talk them out of doing something

hackneyed (adj)

something that is overused and not interesting anymore

hiatus (n)

a period of time when something does not happen

innuendo (n)

saying something indirectly, often hinting at something hurtful or sexual

intercede (v)

to step in and help settle a disagreement or argument between others

jaded (adj)

feeling tired, bored, or cynical because you’ve experienced too much of something, often with disappointment

lurid (adj)

full of unpleasant or sexual details that are meant to shock or interest people

meritorious (adj)

deserving praise or recognition

petulant (adj)

easily irritated or angered, especially in a childish way

prerogative (n)

a right that a particular person or group has

provincial (adj)

having a limited or narrow viewpoint, often because of living in a small or rural area

stimulate (n)

to imitate or copy something to make it look, feel, or act like the real thing

transcend (v)

to rise above or go beyond the limits of something

umbrage (n)

a feeling of anger caused by being offended

unctuous (adj)

trying too hard to be friendly or polite, often in a way that seems fake or dishonest

ameliorate (v)

to improve something, or make it less severe (especially if it’s bad or difficult)

aplomb (n)

a confident relaxed manner when dealing with a difficult situation

bombastic (adj)

using fancy o complicated words intended to impress people, but not saying much

callow (adj)

young and inexperienced; not fully developed in understanding

drivel (n)

silly or meaningless talk that isn’t worth paying attention to

epitome (n)

perfect example of something

exhort (v)

to strongly encourage to urge someone to do something

ex officio (adj,adv)

automatically having a certain role or responsibility because of the job you hold

infringe (v)

to get involves in someone else’s rights, space, or time in a way that isn’t fair or allowed

ingratiate (v)

to try to get someone to like you by doing things to please them, often by being overly nice or flattering

interloper (n)

someone who gets involved in a situation where they are not wonted or don’ belong

intrinsic (adj)

something that comes from within and is a natural part of who you are

inveigh (v)

to passionately and angrily speak out against something

lassitude (n)

feeling so tired that you don’t want to do anything

millennium (n)

a period of 1,000 years

occult (adj)

related to mysterious or supernatural powers, like magic, that most people don’t understand

permeate (v)

to pass through or soak into every part of something

precipitate (v)

to cause something to happen suddenly or quickly, often unexpectedly

stringent (adj)

very strict or severe, especially in rules or standards

surmise (v)

to guess something is true without having all the facts