educated vocab 4&5

adversarial

adj. involving opposition or conflict

ambivalent

adj. having mixed or contradictory feelings

anxious

adj. worried or uneasy

apt

adj. suitable or likely; quick to learn

assertive

adj. confident and forceful

banal

adj. lacking originality

critical

adj. disapproving; or essential

didactic

adj. intended to teach

dogma

n. principle laid down as undeniably true

infuse

V to fill or inspire

insidious

adj. harmful in a subtle way

inviolable

adj. never to be broken or dishonored

mocking

adj. making fun of in a cruel way

myriad

adj. countless or a large number

nicety

n. small detail or refinement

nostalgic

adj. longing for the past

objective

adj. unbiased

optimistic

adj. hopeful and confident

platitude

n. remark that is dull or overused

posit

V put forward

sincere

adj. genuine; free from deceit

skeptical

adj. doubtful or questioning

tedium

n. state of being boring or monotonous

adherent

n. a supporter or follower of a cause

antediluvian

adj. extremely old-fashioned or outdated

aperture

n. an opening, hole, or gap

callous

adj. insensitive disregard for others

credence

n. belief or acceptance as true

deference

n. humble submission or respect

diffidence

n. modesty or shyness from lack of confidence

diaspora

n. dispersion of a people from their homeland

dissertation

n. a long essay or written treatment of a subject

distend

to swell or expand from pressure

docile

adj. easily taught, led, or managed

eminent

adj. famous and respected; distinguished

estrangement

n. state of being alienated or separated

fetide

adj. having an unpleasant smell

Incongruous

adj. not in harmony or consistent with surroundings

dithe

adj. flexible and graceful

obsolescence

n. state of becoming outdated or no longer used

profane

adj. lacking reverence for the sacred; irreverent

rationalization

n. justification, excuse

reconnaissance

n. military observation or exploration

secular

adj. not connected with religion

zealot

n. person fanatical about beliefs