Chapters 1-30 Vocab

acronym

A word formed from the first letter of each word in a series

affix

to attach a part to the beginning or end of a word

coinage

a newly invented word or phrase

colloquial

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

diminuitive

a suffix denoting smallness, youth, familiarity, affection, or contempt

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it, a figurative word substitution

oxymoron

an expression that contradicts itself

palindrome

a word spelled the same backword and forward

portmanteau

one word made by combining parts of two others

spoonerism

A phrase with comically switched word sounds

apprehensive

fearful or anxious or uneasy, especially about the future

categorical

without exception

conclusive

decisive

dubious

doubtful

indeterminate

vague

precarious

Dangerous; risky; lacking in security or stability

qualm

a sense of uneasiness

tentative

uncertain; provisional

unequivocal

perfectly clear, obvious

vacillate

to swing indecisively between opinions or actions

beguile

to charm

benevolent

with kind intentions

decorum

appropriate behavior

demeanor

manner of behavior

feral

untamed

ignoble

dishonorable; shameful, mean, unethical

mores

accepted standards and customs of a social group

provincial

narrow-minded, areas far from large cities or capitols, unsophisticated

unseemly

not suitable; inappropriate or improper

wily

trickery, deception

aggrandize

to increase in power or influence, and to make greater or to exaggerate

exorbitance

a extreme, unreasonable expense or price

grandiose

pretending to be important

gratuitous

not needed, unnecessary; unjustified

intemperate

lacking moderation

multifarious

having great variety

oppulence

a great wealth or abundance

profligate

recklessly wasteful in the use of resources

satiate

to fully satisfy

surfeit

an excessive amount

assertive

acting with confidence and force; sure of one's self

brazen

bold; rude or defiant

complasiant

wanting to please

docile

gentle; easily manageable or teachable; tame

flamboyant

flashy; showy; vivid

intrepid

fearless; having unwavering courage

mellow

relaxed and unhurried; easygoing

pacific

of a peaceful nature; calm

strident

loud, harsh, grating, or shrill

unabashed

not embarrassed; composed

affect

to influence; to change

effect

to bring about; a result

depridation

an act of attacking or plundering; a raid

deprivation

a lack of necessary items; loss

disinterested

free of bias or self-interest; impartial

uninterested

not interested; indifferent

emigrate

to leave one’s country

immagrate

to settle in a nonnative country

precede

to come before something in time

proceed

to go forward or onward with an action

didactic

intended to teach

edify

to instruct in order to improve

elucidate

to explain or make clear

erudite

possessing great knowledge and scholarship

esoteric

understood only by an elite group

imbue

to inspire or influence thoroughly

indoctrinate

to instruct in certain principles or beliefs

pedagogy

the art of teaching

pedantic

overly concerned with book learning or formal rules

pundit

a person who is an expert in a particular subject or field

aegis

sponsorship, protection, backing, or support of a person

amends

compensation for a wrong

conciliatory

peacemaking; appeasing; intended to overcome distrust, animosity, or conflict

conducive

to make a certain situation or outcome likely or possible

extricate

to free from a constraint or difficulty

importune

to annoy with repeated requests

mediate

to help two sides agree

mitigate

to make less severe, serious, or painful

patronize

to treat as inferior

renovate

to restore something to a better condition

austerity

severe and rigid restrictions

depreciate

to decrease in value

equity

net value or quality of being fair

frugal

careful of spending money or using things when not needed

indigent

impoverished; poor, in need

munificent

Generous in giving

pecuniary

having to do with money

recession

The act of withdrawing or going back

remunerate

To compensate or pay for services or work done

solvent

Able to pay one’s debts

acrimonious

Bitter or sharp in language or tone

chastise

To punish

debunk

To expose or make fun of a false claim

derogatory

Insulting; belittling

disparage

To speak of in a disrespectful way

harass

To irritate constantly

impugn

To attack or challenge as false or questionable

innuendo

An indirect or subtle expression of something

invective

Strongly critical language

vilify

To make vicious insulting comments about; to slander