unit 9 vocab terms

acclamation

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

synonyms: ovation, cheering, plaudits

antonyms: booing, hissing, jeers, catcalls

bucolic

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

synonyms: rustic

antonyms: urban, metropolitan

calumniate

(v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously

synonyms: defame, libel

antonyms: flatter, whitewash, praise

chary

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident

synonyms: wary, skittish
antonyms: heedless, reckless, incautious

collusion

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation

synonyms: conspiracy, plot, connivance, cahoots

dilettante

(n.) a dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way; (adj.) superficial

synonyms: amateur, trifler

antonym: professional

imperturbable

(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady

synonyms: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled

antonym: excitable

increment

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition

synonyms: accretion, gain

antonyms: loss, reduction, decrease

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order

synonym: (n.)directive

antonyms: (v.) forbid, ban, outlaw

paltry

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy

synonyms: measly, meager, piddling, trivial

antonyms: gigantic, immense, colossal

paroxysm

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

synonyms: fit, seizure

pedantry

(n.) a pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details

synonyms: nit-picking, hairsplitting, pettifoggery

peregrination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country

synonyms: journey, wandering, odyssey

redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

synonyms: evocative, reminiscent, aromatic

antonyms: unevocative, odorless

refulgent

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent

synonyms: luminous, splendid

antonyms: dim, dark, obscure, dingy, dull, murky

shibboleth

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism

synonyms: catchphrase, password, slogan

tyro

(n.) a beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill

synonym: neophyte

antonyms: veteran, past master, expert

unremitting

(adj) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless

synonyms: constant, incessant, unrelenting

antonyms: desultory, intermittent

vacillate

(v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will

synonyms: seesaw, fluctuate, oscillate

antonym: persevere

vituperative

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding

synonyms: abusive, scurrilous, insulting

antonyms: complimentary, laudatory, flattering