Unit 6: Vocabulary

anomalous

anomalous

(adj.) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement, the act of slandering or defaming

bizarre

(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities

cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice, to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises

castigate

(v.) to punish severely, to criticize severely

contrive

(v.) to plan with ingenuity, invent, to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan

demagogue

(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices an false claims and promises in order to gain power

disabuse

(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking

ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom

fetter

(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural), anything that confines or restrains, (v.) to chain or shackle, to render helpless or impotent

heinous

(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful

immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant

insurgent

(n.) one who revels or rises against authority, (adj.) riding in revolt, refusing to accept authority, surging or rushing in or on

megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality

sinecure

(n.) a position requiring little or no work, an easy job

surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation, made or accomplished by fraud

transgress

(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary, to sin, violate a law

transmute

(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another

vicarious

(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another