English 12A Vocabulary Unit 7

Allay

(v.) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

Bestial

(adj.) beastlike; beastly, brutal; subhuman in intelligence and sensibility

Convivial

(adj.) festive, sociable, having fun together, genial

Coterie

(n.) a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with a common interest

Counterpart

(n.) a person or thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement

Demur

(v.) to object or take exception to; (n.) an objection

Effrontery

(n.) shameless boldness, impudence

Embellish

(v.) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details

Ephemeral

(adj.) lasting only a short time, short-lived

Felicitous

(adj.) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy

Furtive

(adj.) done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, secret, shifty; stolen

Garish

(adj.) glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way

Illusory

(adj.) misleading, deceptive; lacking in or not based on reality

Indigent

(adj.) needy, impoverished

Inordinate

(adj.) far too great, exceeding reasonable limits; excessive

Jettison

(v.) to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome

Misanthrope

(n.) a person who hates or despises people

Pertinacious

(adj.) very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of, refusing to be put off or denied

Picayune

(adj.) of little value or importance, paltry, measly; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded

Raiment

(n.) clothing, garments