"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" Vocabulary List #2

Inalienable

Incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another

Grievance

A complaint about a wrong that causes resentment

Innocuous

Not injurious to physical or mental health

Cavalier

Showing a lack of concern or seriousness

Pandemonium

A state of extreme confusion and disorder

Castigate

Inflict severe punishment on

Predisposition

An inclination in advance to react in a particular way

Abatement

The act of making less active or intense

Ubiquitous

Being present everywhere at once

Elusive

Skillful at evading capture

Renowned

Widely known and esteemed

Stipulate

Make an express demand or provision in an agreement

Ingenuity

The property of showing inventiveness and skill

Precedent

An example that is used to justify similar occurrences

Fiduciary

Relating to or of the nature of a legal trust

Virulent

Infectious; having the ability to cause disease

Serendipity

Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries

Proprietary

Protected by trademark or patent or copyright

Ambiguous

Open to two or more interpretations

Stringent

Demanding strict attention to rules and procedures