List 4 Feb 4 - Feb 10

altruistic

altruistic

showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish.

annotate

add notes to (a text or diagram) giving explanation or comment.

austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

avuncular

relating to an uncle.

bolster

support or strengthen; prop up.

capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

catalyst

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

combat

take action to reduce or prevent (something bad or undesirable).

conspicuous

standing out so as to be clearly visible.

contemplative

expressing or involving prolonged thought.

contrive

to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent

counterproductive

having the opposite of the desired effect.

cunning

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

deflect

cause (something) to change direction by interposing something; turn aside from a straight course.

defunct

no longer existing or functioning.

demonstrative

(of a person) tending to show feelings, especially of affection, openly; serving as conclusive evidence of something; giving proof.

deviate

depart from an established course.

devoid

entirely lacking or free from.

dictum

a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source.

divert

cause (someone or something) to change course or turn from one direction to another.

docile

ready to accept control or instruction; submissive.

elicit

to call forth or draw out (something, such as information or a response)

elliptical

(of speech or writing) using or involving ellipsis, especially so as to be difficult to understand.

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time.

erroneous

being wrong or inaccurate.

exotic

originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country.

finesse

intricate and refined delicacy.

flippant

frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity

formulate

create or devise methodically (a strategy or a proposal).

gratuitous

given or done free of charge; uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted.

hackneyed

(of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite.

hibernation

the condition or period of an animal or plant spending the winter in a dormant state.

iconoclast

a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions. a destroyer of images used in religious worship.

impeccable

(of behavior, performance, or appearance) in accordance with the highest standards of propriety; faultless.

implacable

unable to be placated (make less angry or hostile).

inane

silly; stupid.

induce

succeed in persuading or influencing (someone) to do something.

insular

ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience. relating to or from an island.

interminable

endless (often used hyperbolically).

intrusive

causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcome or uninvited.

latent

existing in hidden or dormant form

legendary

of, described in, or based on legends. remarkable enough to be famous; very well known.

levy

an act of levying a tax, fee, or fine.

malfeasance

wrongdoing, especially by a public official.

marvel

be filled with wonder or astonishment.

meditation

the action or practice of meditating.

mercurial

(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind. of or containing the element mercury.

militant

combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

nostalgia

a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

noteworthy

interesting, significant, or unusual.

ornamental

serving or intended as an ornament; decorative.

orthodox

(of a person or their views, especially religious or political ones, or other beliefs or practices) conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved; (of a thing) of the ordinary or usual type; normal.

ostentatious

characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.

overwrought

in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety.

patriot

a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

paucity

the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.

prescriptive

relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method.

presumption

an idea that is taken to be true, and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain.

proficient

very good at doing something especially through practice.

prompt

done without delay; immediate.

proximity

nearness in space, time, or relationship.

relinquish

voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.

reluctant

unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.

renounce

formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession).

repertory

the performance of various plays, operas, or ballets by a company at regular short intervals.

resonance

the quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating.

secretive

(of a person or an organization) inclined to conceal feelings and intentions or not to disclose information.

speculate

form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

submission

the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person.

succulent

(of food) tender, juicy, and tasty

supercilious

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.

superlative

of the highest quality or degree. an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of praise.

supplant

to take the place of (another) especially by force or treachery.

toxic

poisonous

transitory

not permanent.

trenchant

vigorous or incisive in expression or style.

truncate

shorten the duration or extent of.

unanimous

of one mind; in complete agreement; agreed.

ungainly

(of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy.

verbose

using or expressed in more words than are needed.

verdict

a decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.

versatile

able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.

visionary

(especially of a person) thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom.

whimsical

playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.

wistful

having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.

cannibalistic

relating to or characterized by cannibalism.

chronicle

record (a related series of events) in a factual and detailed way

composer

a person who writes music, especially as a professional occupation.

conflagration

an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.

consolidate

make (something) physically stronger or more solid.

contingency

a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.

conventional

normal, ordinary, and following the accepted way

decorum

behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety.

dexterous

showing or having skill, especially with the hands.

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.

discard

get rid of (someone or something) as no longer useful or desirable.

dispense

distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people.

egotistical

excessively conceited or absorbed in oneself; self-centered.

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.

erudite

having or showing great knowledge or learning.