s2 vocab

assimilate (v)

to absorb fully to make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully

exorbitant (adj.)

unreasonably high, excessive

inundate (v)

to flood, overflow; to overwhelm by numbers or size

meander (v.)

to wander about, wind about

obstreperous (adj.)

noisy; unruly, disorderly

pensive (adj.)

thoughtful, melancholy

perilous (adj.)

dangerous

shoddy (adj.)

of poor quality; characterized by inferior, dishonest workmanship

surly (adj.)

angry and bad tempered; rude

tirade (n.)

a long, angry speech, usually very critical

assurance (n.)

a pledge; freedom from doubt, self-confidence

asylum (n.)

an institution for care for children, elderly people, etc; a place for safety

console (v.)

to comfort

dilate (v.)

to make or become larger or wider

dross (n.)

trash or rubbish; useless items

dwindle (v.)

to lessen, diminish

flippant (adj.)

lacking in seriousness, disrespectful

immunity (n.)

resistance to disease, freedom from some charge or obligation

institute (v.)

to establish, set up

liability (n.)

a debt, something disadvantageous

preposterous (adj.)

ridiculous, senseless

pugnacious (adj.)

quarrelsome, fond of fighting

rabid (adj.)

furious, violently intense, unreasonably extreme

realm (n.)

a kingdom

rejuvenate (v.)

to refresh or relieve

remunerate (v.)

to reward, pay

sparse (adj.)

meager, scant, scattered

sterling (adj.)

genuine, excellent

venture (n.)

a risky or daring undertaking

warp (v.)

to twist out of shape

auxiliary (adj.) (n.)

(adj.) giving assistance or support, (n.) a helper, aid

candid (adj.)

frank, sincere; impartial

cubicle (n.)

a small room or compartment

drudgery (n.)

work that is hard and tiresome

envoy (n.)

a representative or messenger (as of a government)

escalate (v.)

to elevate; to increase in intensity

expedient (n.) (adj.)

(n.) a means to an end; (adj.) advantageous, useful

feign (v.)

(v.) to pretend; make believe with the intention of decieving

flair (n.)

a natural quality, talent, or skill; a distinctive style

grievous (adj.)

causing sorrow or pain; serious

heterogeneous (adj.)

composed of different kinds, diverse

horde (n.)

a vast number (as of people)

impel (v.)

to force, drive forward

incredulous (adj.)

disbelieving, skeptical

inscribe (v.)

to write or engrave; to enter a name on a list

monologue (n.)

a speech by one actor; a long talk by one person

prognosis (n.)

a forecast of the probable course and outcome of a disease or situation

rasping (adj.)

with a harsh, grating sound

repugnant (adj.)

offensive, disagreeable, distasteful

shackle (v.) (n.)

(v.) to put into chains; (n.) a chain, fetter

adept (adj.)

thoroughly skilled

aspire (v.)

to have ambitious hopes or plans; strive toward a higher goal, desire earnestly; to ascend

bleak (adj.)

bare, dreary, dismal

chide (v.)

to blame, scold

despicable (adj.)

worthy of scorn, contemptible

diminutive (adj.)

small, smaller than most others of the same type

emancipate (v.)

to free from slavery; to release or liberate

erroneous (adj.)

incorrect, containing mistakes

exploit (v.)

to make improper use of for personal profit

extemporaneous (adj.)

made or delivered on the spur of the moment

impair (v.)

to make imperfect, damage, harm

influx (n.)

a coming in, inflow

languid (adj.)

drooping; without energy, sluggish

mire (n.)

mud; wet swampy ground; a tough situation

obtrusive (adj.)

forward; undesirably prominent; thrust out

pallor (n.)

an extreme or unnatural paleness

rancid (adj.)

stale, spoiled

render (v.)

to provide or give; to cause to become

sordid (adj.)

wretchedly poor; run-down; mean or selfish

slipshod (adj.)

untidy in dress, personal habits, etc.; careless, sloppy

brevity (n.)

shortness

contend (v.)

to fight, struggle; to compete; to argue

cordial (adj.)

in a friend manner, hearty; cheery

debacle (n.)

an overwhelming defeat; a complete collapse

demure (adj.)

sober or serious in manner, modest

depreciation (n.)

a lessening in value; a belittling

divulge (v.)

to tell, reveal; to make public

exonerate (v.)

to clear from a charge or accusation

garble (v.)

to distort in such a way as to make intelligible

illustrious (adj.)

very famous, distinguished

proponent (n.)

one who puts forward a proposal; one who supports a cause or belief.

quaver (v.)

to shake, tremble

recoil (v.)

to spring back, shrink

recoup (v.)

to make up for, regain

reek (v.)

to give off unpleasant smells; to give a strong impression

relentless (adj.)

unyielding, harsh, without pity

reconcile (v.)

to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign

squander (v.)

to spend foolishly, waste

staccato (adj.)

detached or disconnected in sound or style

statute (n.)

a law

appreciable (adj.)

sufficient to be noticed or measured

brawny (adj.)

strong, muscular

congenial (adj.)

getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant

concise (adj.)

expressing much in a few words

haphazard (adj.)

by chance, not planned; lacking in order

intolerable (adj.)

unbearable

laborious (adj.)

not easy, requiring hard work; hardworking

versatile (v.)

able to do many things well; capable of many uses

vindicate (v.)

to clear from hint or charge of wrongdoing; to defend successfully against opposition; to justify

wily (adj.)

sly, shrewd, cunning