The Razor's Edge Vocab Pages 1 & 2

vicissitude

quality or state of being changeable; a favorable or

unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance

intrinsic

belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a

thing

verisimilitude

the quality of having the appearance of truth

apprehension

suspicion or fear especially of future evil

lavish

expended or produced in abundance; marked by

profusion or excess

indefatigable

incapable of being fatigued; untiring

alacrity

promptness in response; cheerful readiness

cajole

to persuade with flattery or gentle urging; to coax

pedantry

an ostentatious and inappropriate display of

learning

piety

dutifulness in religion; devoutness

incongruous

not harmonious; incompatible; disagreeing

vivacious

lively in temper, conduct, or spirit

impediment

a thing that interferes with or slows the progress of

prominent

standing out readily; noticeable; conspicuous;

widely and popularly known

sententious

given to or abounding in excessive moralizing

recalcitrant

obstinately defiant of authority or restraint; difficult

to manage or operate

amenable

readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperate;

willing

exasperate

to excite the anger of; enrage; to cause irritation or

annoyance to

profound

having intellectual depth and insight; difficult to

fathom or understand

ingenuous

showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candor

complacency

self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by

unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies

provincial

limited in outlook; narrow

reticent

inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech

inquisitive

given to examination or investigation; inclined to

ask questions

vehement

marked by forceful energy; intensely emotional

impetuous

marked by impulsive vehemence or passion

arduous

hard to accomplish or achieve; difficult; marked by

great labor or effort

incredulous

unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true

sordid

marked by baseness or grossness; vile; filthy

languish

to be or become feeble or weak or dispirited

unrequited

not reciprocated or returned in kind

sojourn

a temporary stay

uncouth

awkward and uncultivated in appearance, manner,

or behavior; rude

desultory

marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or

purpose; not connected with the main subject

sullen

gloomily or resentfully silent or repressed

provocative

serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate

meander

to follow a winding or intricate course; to wander

aimlessly or casually without urgent destination

profuse

exhibiting great abundance

patronize

to adopt an air of condescension toward

deplorable

deserving censure or contempt; wretched;

lamentable

obscure

not clearly seen or easily distinguished; relatively

unknown

hackneyed

lacking in freshness or originality

incapacitate

deprive of capacity or natural power; disable

duplicity

the belying of ones true intentions by deceptive

words or action