SF & F: Unit 4-6

atrophy

(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure

(v.) to waste away

bastion

(n.) a fortified place, stronghold

concord

(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant

consummate

(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree
(v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection

disarray

(n.) disorder, confusion
(v.) to throw into disorder

exigency

(n.) urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

flotsam

(n.) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people

frenetic

(adj.) frenzied, highly agitated

glean

(v.) to gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers

grouse

(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint
(v.) to complain, grumble

incarcerate

(v.) in imprison, confine, jail

incumbent

(adj.) obligatory, required
(n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of

jocular

(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

ludicrous

(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd

mordant

(adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh

nettle

(n.) a prickly or stinging plant
(v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely

pecuniary

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

pusillanimous

(adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

recumbent

(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting

stratagem

(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end

Acuity

(n.) Sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

Delineate

(v.) To portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially.

Depraved

(adj.) Marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles.

Enervate

(v.) To weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring.

Esoteric

(adj.) Intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret.

Fecund

(adj.) Fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive.

Fiat

(n.) An arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or consciousness.

Figment

(n.) A fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion.

Garner

(v.) To acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use.

Hallow

(v.) To set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere.

Idiosyncrasy

(n.) A peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify.

Ignominy

(n.) Shame and disgrace.

Mundane

(adj.) Earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary.

Nuance

(n.) A subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality)

Overweening

(adj.) Conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate.

Penchant

(n.) A strong attraction or inclination.

Reputed

(adj.) According to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation; (part.) alleged.

Sophistry

(n.) Reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy.

Sumptuous

(adj.) Costly, rich, magnificent.

Ubiquitous

(adj.) Present or existing everywhere.

Abject

(adj.) Extremely bad or severe; showing complete hopelessness or misery.

Agnostic

(adj./n.) Uncertain or noncommittal about something, especially the existence of God.

Complicity

(n.) Involvement as an accomplice in a wrongful act.

Derelict

(adj./n.) Abandoned and falling into ruin; a person without a home or job.

Diatribe

(n.) A forceful and bitter verbal attack.

Effigy

(n.) A sculpture or model representing a person, often burned in protest.

Equity

(n.) Fairness and justice in treatment; the value of ownership in property or stocks.

Inane

(adj.) Lacking sense or meaning; silly and pointless.

Indictment

(n.) A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime; strong criticism.

Indubitable

(adj.) Impossible to doubt; unquestionable.

Intermittent

(adj.) Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous.

Moot

(adj.) Open to debate; having no practical significance.

Motif

(n.) A recurring element or theme in artistic work.

Neophyte

(n.) A beginner or novice in any field.

Perspicacity

(n.) The quality of having keen mental perception and understanding.

Plenary

(adj.) Complete in every respect; attended by all members.

Surveillance

(n.) Close observation, especially of a suspected person.

Sylvan

(adj.) Relating to woods or forests; pleasantly rural.

Testy

(adj.) Easily irritated; impatient and somewhat bad-tempered.

Travesty

(n.) A false or distorted representation of something; a mockery.