Unit 2 Vocab

Articulate

Expressing oneself readily, clearly, and effectively

Callous

Being hardened and thickened; feeling no emotion

Complacency

Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers of deficiencies

Cynical

Believing the worst of human nature and motives

Epigram

A witty saying

Expatriate

A person who lives in a foreign country

Iconoclast

A person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

Intimidation

A slight suggestion or vague understanding

Pact

A formal agreement between individuals or parties

Precarious

Dependent on chance and circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments - lacing security and stability

Privy

Informed about something secret or not generally known

Requisite

Needed for a particular purpose: essential, necessary

Sedative

Tranquilizer

Bleak

exposed and barren and often windswept; lacking in warmth or life

Dismisal

Showing or causing gloom or lack of merit

Sumptuous

Extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent

Regal

Of notable excellence or magnificence; suitable for a king

Haughtily

Blatantly and disdainfully proud; having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior

Incessant

Continuing or following without interruption; unceasing

Strident

Characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

Chiffon

A sheer fabric especially of silk

Proprietary

Of, relating to, or characteristic of an owner or title holder

Hauteur

Arrogance

Ascertain

To determine; to make certain or clear

Defunct

No longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning

Disconcerting

Confusing; disturbing; causing emotional disturbance

Erroneous

Incorrect; wrong

Nebulous

Hazy, vague, indistinct, or confused

Obtrusive

Tending to push self-assertively forward; brash

Permeate

To fill up, seep into; to saturate

Punctilious

Painstaking; meticulous; strict attention to minute details

Sporadic

Periodic; random; happening at irregular intervals

Turgid

Excessively ornate or complex in style or language