English 9H Vocabulary

abscond

(verb) to leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest from unlawful action such as theft

accost

(verb) approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively

niche

(verb or adjective) (1) a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment; (2) a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service; (3) a shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament

preclude

(verb) to make impossible, prevent, shut out

retribution

(noun) punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act

insidious

(adj) proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

nostalgia

(noun) longing for the past

imminent

(adj) about to happen

lament

(verb) to express sorrow; to grieve; (noun) an expression of grief

ambivalent

(adjective) having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

facade

(noun) the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind)

innate

(adjective) inborn; natural; inherent

engender

(verb) to produce, cause, or bring about

stagnant

(adjective) not running or flowing; motionless; inactive

stoic

(noun) person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining; (adjective) emotionless, indifferent to pleasure or pain

din

(noun) a loud, unpleasant, or prolonged noise

disdain

(v.) to look upon with scorn; to refuse scornfully; (n.) a feeling of contempt

formidable

(adjective) inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

guile

(noun) sly or cunning intelligence

prodigious

(adj.) immense; extraordinary in bulk, size, or degree

impudent

(adj.) disrespectful

evasive

(adj.) deliberately vague or ambiguous; avoiding a clear response

rebuke

(verb) to criticize sharply; to reprimand

maudlin

(adj.) overly sentimental and emotional

zenith

(noun) the highest point

augment

(verb) to make (something) greater by adding to it; increase

languish

(verb) (of a person or other living thing) lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble

pernicious

(adjective) having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

semblance

(noun) the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

virtuous

(adjective) having or showing high moral standards