vocab unit 4

atrophy

atrophy

the wasting away of a body organ or tissue, any progressive decline or failure, to waste away

concord

a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity, a treaty, pact, covenant

disarray

disorder, confusion, to throw into disorder

frenetic

frenzied, highly agitated

grouse

a type of game bird, a complaint, to complain, grumble

incumbent

obligatory, required, one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

jocular

humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

mordant

biting or caustic in thought, manner or style, sharply bitter or harsh

pusillanimous

contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

stratagem

a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

bastion

a fortified place, stronghold

consummate

complete or perfect in the highest degree, to bring to a state of completion or perfection

exigency

urgency, pressure, urgent demand, pressing need, an emergency

flotsam

floating debris, unimportant or discarded material

glean

to gather bit by bit, to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers

incarcerate

to imprison, confine, jail

ludicrous

ridiculous, laughable, absurd

nettle

a prickly or stinging plant, to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger, to vex or irritate severely

pecuniary

consisting of or measured in money, of or related to money

recumbent

in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting