vocab level g unit 1-7

acquisitive

eager to acquire and possess things, especially material possessions or ideas

arrogate

to claim or seize without justification or authority

banal

lacking originality, overused, and therefore uninteresting

belabor

to argue or explain something repeatedly in excessive detail

carping

persistently critical or complaining, often in an unjustified way

coherent

logically connected and consistent

congeal

to solidify or coagulate, often from a liquid state to a more solid form

emulate

to try to equal or surpass by imitating, often with admiration

encomium

a formal expression of praise or admiration

eschew

to deliberately avoid or abstain from something

germane

relevant and appropriate to the subject at hand

insatiable

impossible to satisfy, especially when it comes to desires or appetites

intransigent

unwilling to compromise or change one's views or position

invidious

likely to cause resentment or anger due to unfairness or perceived injustice

largesse

generosity in bestowing gifts or financial aid

reconnaissance

the exploration or survey of an area to gather information, often for military purposes

substantiate

to provide evidence to support or prove something as valid

taciturn

reserved or uncommunicative in speech, often preferring silence

temporize

to avoid making a decision or commitment in order to gain more time

tenable

capable of being defended or justified, especially in an argument or position

accost

to approach and speak to someone aggressively or assertively

animadversion

strong disapproval or criticism

avid

having a keen interest or enthusiasm for something

brackish

slightly salty, often used to describe water

celerity

speed or quickness in movement or action

devious

showing a lack of fairness or honesty, often through trickery

gambit

a strategy or tactic used to gain an advantage, often involving a sacrifice

halcyon

calm, peaceful, and happy, often used to describe a past period

histrionic

overly theatrical or exaggerated in behavior or expression

incendiary

capable of causing fires or explosions; provocative in nature

maelstrom

a powerful, swirling vortex or storm, especially of water

myopic

having a limited perspective or understanding; short-sighted

overt

open and observable, not secret or hidden

pejorative

expressing a negative or disparaging opinion

propriety

socially accepted and proper behavior

sacrilege

the violation or desecration of something sacred

summarily

done quickly and without detailed consideration

suppliant

expressing a humble request or plea

talisman

an object thought to bring luck or protection

undulate

to move in a smooth, wavelike motion

cavort

to jump or dance around excitedly, often in a playful way

credence

belief or acceptance that something is true or valid

decry

to publicly express disapproval or condemnation of something

dissemble

to conceal or disguise one's true feelings or motives

distraught

deeply troubled or agitated, often due to emotional stress

eulogy

a formal speech or tribute in praise of someone, especially after their death

evince

to show or express clearly

exhume

to dig up a body or remains, typically for examination or reburial

feckless

weak, ineffective, or lacking initiative

murky

unclear, dark, or cloudy, often metaphorically used for something confusing or opaque

nefarious

extremely wicked or villainous

piquant

stimulating or pleasantly sharp in taste or character

primordial

existing from the very beginning; original

propinquity

nearness or proximity in place, time, or relationship

unwonted

unusual or not commonly encountered

utopian

relating to an ideal society or perfect world

verbiage

excessive or unnecessary use of words, often to confuse or obscure meaning

verdant

lushly green, especially with vegetation

viscous

having a thick, sticky consistency, resisting flow

atrophy

a gradual decline or wasting away, especially of body tissue or organs

bastion

a stronghold or fortification, often metaphorical for a place of protection

concord

a state of harmony or agreement between people or groups

consummate

complete or perfect in every way

disarray

a state of disorder or confusion

exigency

an urgent or pressing need or demand

flotsam

the debris or wreckage from a ship, often floating on water

frenetic

wild, fast-paced, and energetic, often to the point of being chaotic

glean

to gather or collect something bit by bit, often after the main collection

grouse

to complain or grumble about something, often in a petty way

incarcerate

to imprison or confine someone, often in a jail or prison

incumbent

necessary or required, especially as a duty or responsibility

jocular

characterized by joking or humor

ludicrous

laughably absurd or ridiculous

mordant

sharply critical or biting, often in a way that is darkly humorous

nettle

to irritate or provoke, often in a minor or annoying way

pecuniary

related to money or financial matters

pusillanimous

lacking courage or determination; cowardly

recumbent

lying down or reclining, often in a relaxed position

stratagem

a deceptive or cunning plan to achieve a particular goal

acuity

sharpness or keenness of perception, often in vision or understanding

delineate

to describe or portray something precisely or in detail

depraved

morally corrupt or wicked

enervate

to weaken or exhaust physically or mentally

esoteric

understood by or intended for only a select few with specialized knowledge

fecund

capable of producing abundant offspring or growth

fiat

an authoritative order or decree, often with the force of law

figment

something imagined or fabricated, not real

garner

to gather or collect something, especially information or resources

hallow

to make something holy or sacred through reverence or ritual

idiosyncrasy

a peculiar characteristic or behavior unique to an individual

ignominy

public shame or disgrace

mundane

ordinary, dull, or commonplace

nuance

a subtle difference or variation in meaning or tone

overweening

excessively arrogant or self-confident

penchant

a strong liking or inclination toward something

reputed

widely recognized or believed to be true

sophistry

the use of fallacious reasoning or argument with the intention to deceive

sumptuous

rich, luxurious, and of high quality, especially in appearance or feel

ubiquitous

present or found everywhere

abject

degraded, miserable, or wretched