Educated Ch. 19-40 Vocab

brood (v)

to think a lot about something in an unhappy way

discourse (n)

to talk about something especially for a long time

euphemism (n)

a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive

impregnable (adj)

not able to be captured by attack

innate (adj)

existing from the time a person or animal is born

galvanize (v)

to excite about something so that action is taken

unperturbed (adj)

calm and relaxed; not upset or worried

emphatic (adj)

said or done in a forceful or definite way

squalor (n)

very bad and dirty conditions

visceral (adj)

coming from strong emotions and not from logic or reason

callous (adj)

feeling or showing no sympathy for others

lofty (adj)

of high rank or admirable quality

righteous (adj)

morally good; following religious or moral laws

ungainly (adj)

awkward or clumsy

vie (v)

to compete with others in an attempt to get or win something

eminent (adj)

successful, well-known and respected

lithe (adj)

moving in an easy and graceful way

dissonance (n)

an unpleasant combination of musical sounds

recant (v)

to publicly say that you no longer have an opinion or belief that you once had

destitute (adj)

extremely poor

collude (v)

to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest

purport (v)

to claim to be or do a particular thing when this claim may not be true

fester (v)

to become painful and infected

cadence (n)

a regular beat or rhythm

hegemony (n)

influence or control over another country, a group of people, etc.

acrid (adj)

sharp or bitter in taste or odor; very harsh or unpleasant

cajole (v)

to persuade especially by flattery or false promises

incongruous (adj)

strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected

adherent (n)

a follower of a leader, party, or profession

deference (n)

a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something

docile (adj)

easily taught, led, or controlled

zealot (n)

a person who has very strong feelings about something (such as religion or politics) and who wants other people to have those feelings

fray (n)

a fight or brawl

bedlam (n)

a very noisy and confused state or scene

incensed (adj)

furious

berate (v)

to scold in a loud and angry way

crass (adj)

having or showing no understanding of what is proper or acceptable; rude and insensitive

fractious (adj)

causing trouble; hard to manage or control

secular (adj)

not religious (relating to the physical world rather than the spiritual)

illustrious (adj)

admired and respected because of greatness or achievement