Unit 6 Level H Vocab

abortive

(adj) failing to accomplish an intended aim or purpose; only partially or imperfectly developed

bruit

(v) to spread news, reports, or unsubstantiated rumors

contumelious

(adj) insolent or rude in speech or behavior; insultingly abusive; humiliating

dictum

(n) a short saying; an authoritative statement

ensconce

(v) to settle comfortably and firmly in position; to put or hide in a safe place

inconclastic

(adj) attacking or seeking to overthrow popular or traditional beliefs, ideas, or institutions

in medias res

(adv) in or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things

internecine

(adj) mutually destructive; characterized by great slaughter and bloodshed

maladroit

(adj) lacking skill or dexterity; lacking tact, perception, or judgment

maudlin

(adj) excessively or effusively sentimental

modulate

(v)to change or vary the intensity or pitch; to temper or soften; to regulate, adjust

portentous

(adj) foreshadowing an event to come; causing wonder or awe; self consciously weighty, pompous

prescience

(n) knowledge of events or actions before they happen; foresight

quid pro quo

(n) something given in exchange or return for something else

salubrious

(adj) conducive to health or well-being; wholesome

saturnalian

(adj) characterized by riotous or unrestrained revelry or licentiousness

touchstone

(n) a means of testing worth or genuineness

traumatic

(adj) so shocking to the emotions as to cause lasting and substantial psychological damage

vitiate

(v) to weaken, debase, or corrupt; to impair the quality or value of

waggish

(adj) fond of making jokes; characteristic of a joker; playfully humorous or droll