english final 9r

Somber

depressing, gloomy, dark

legacy

something handed down from one who has gone before or from the past; a bequest

phobia

a persistent, illogical fear

insouciant

calm and carefree; lighthearted

sundry

various, several, miscellaneous

callous

unfeeling, insensitive; having calluses

prowess

exceptional skill and bravery

generalize

general rather than specific; to form a general conclusion

dearth

scarcity; lack

revere

to regard with great devotion or respect, to honor

edifice

a building, especially one of imposing appearance or size

paradox

a statement that seems true but at the same time seems to also have an opposite truth

penitent

sorrow and remorse for past misdeeds

muse

to ponder; meditate; think about at length

gloat

to brag greatly

pique

irritation, resentment stemming from wounded pride; to arouse curiosity

dispel

to drive away; to dissipate

ramification

a branching out; a development growing out of and often complicating a problem or pain

allure

to entice with something desirable; tempt

commodious

spacious, roomy, capacious

orthodox

conventional, doing it by the book, sticking to established principles

fawn

exhibit affection; seek favor through slave-like flattery; to "suck up" to something

lethargy

laziness, tiredness; languor

masticate

to chew

archaic

belonging to an earlier time, ancient; outdated

gazebo

an outdoor structure with a roof and open sides

abhor

to hate very much, to detest utterly

plight

a condition, state, or situation, especially an unfavorable or unfortunate one

callow

immature and inexperienced

euphonious

pleasing to the ear

quirk

(n.) a peculiar way of acting; doing something in a not normal way

mores

customary cultural standards; moral attitudes, manners, habits

comprise

to consist of; to include, to contain, to be made up of

cache

(n.) a hiding place; something hidden or stored

bucolic

rural or rustic in nature, country-like

affidavit

a sworn written statement

abstruse

hard to understand

oblique

at an angle; indirect or evasive

Dilemma

a difficult situation where one must choose between two or more choices

vertigo

the sensation of dizziness

intervene

to come between; to mediate, to occur between times

stupefy

to make numb with amazement; to stun into helplessness

bleak

depressing, discouraging, harsh, cold, barren, raw

ajar

partially open

demure

to object, to make exemption

Catharsis

an emotional or psychological cleansing that brings relief or renewal

alleviate

to make less severe; to relieve, to lessen

Domain

a territory over which one rules, has influence or powers

candor

truthfulness; sincere honesty

aftermath

events following some occurrence; a consequence of

Creditor

a person or entity to whom money is owed

Pillage

to rob of goods by violent seizure, plunder; to take as spoils

Antecedent

going before; preceding; an occurrence or event preceding another

Embody

to give bodily form to; to personify; to make part of a system

Verbatim

using exactly the same words, word for word

Truncate

to shorten by cutting off

Remorse

A strong feeling of sadness or guilt for having done something wrong

Forsake

to abandon, to give up, to renounce

Deft

dexterous, skillful

Ubiquitous

the quality of being everywhere (or seeming to) at the same time

Entice

to lure, to attract, to tempt in a pleasing fashion

Philanthropy

love of mankind, especially through charitable gifts and deeds

Misanthropy

someone who hates mankind

Mirage

unreal reflection; an optical illusion

Noisome

stinking; offensive; disgusting

Coup

the violent overthrow of a government by a small group; a victorious accomplishment

Hoard

to accumulate for future use; stockpile

Languish

To become weak or feeble; sag with loss of strength

Cloister

a tranquil, secluded place

Oust (House)

to eject; to force out; to banish

Wane

To decrease gradually

Fraught

teeming with; laden; full; involving; accompanied by

Chasm

a deep opening in the earth's surface; a gorge; differences of opinion, interests, loyalties

Erudite

deeply learned, scholarly

Also-ran

one who is defeated in a race, election, or other competition; loser

Elfin

small and sprightly; mischievous, fairylike

Aggrandize

to exaggerate, to cause to appear greater in power, influence

Ensemble

a coordinated outfit or costume; a musical group

Tether

a rope or chain that allows limited movement; the limit of one's resources or strength

Claimant

a person making a claim

Bulwark

a defensive wall

Chattel

an item of personal, movable property; slave

Connoisseur

an expert, particularly in matters of art and taste

Cacophony

harsh or loud noise

Roster

a list of names

Milieu

environment; setting; surroundings

Bludgeon

a short club used as a weapon (Ex. Baseball bat)

Ambiance

mood, feeling; general atmosphere

Coterie

a circle of close associates or friends

Cranny

a small opening

Lassitude

weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

Girth

distance around something

Aptitude

Capacity for learning; natural ability

Queue

to form or to wait in line

ambivalence

conflicting feelings

edification

enlighten; instruct

elocution

the art of public speaking

kismet

destiny, fate

ablution

act of cleansing; washing

carrion

dead and rotting flesh