Vocab Quiz 1 - Oedipus the king

abashed

feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious

abject

most unfortunate or miserable

also means “of the most contemptible kind” and “showing utter resignation” or hopelessness” and “showing humiliation or submissiveness”

adjure

ask for or request earnestly

also means “command solemnly”

beseech

ask for or request earnestly

blanch

turn pale, as in fear

blight

a state or condition being devastated or run-down

includes devastation of food supply and the deaths of women and babies during childbirth

calumny

a false accusation of an offense

charlatan

a flamboyant deceiver

the same meaning as “mountebank” and “tricksy beggar priest”

defile

spot, stain, or pollute

derision

the act of treating with contempt

mocking or insulting behavior

destitute

poor enough to need help from others

disrepute

the state of being held in low esteem

losing respect or a good reputation

emulous

eager to surpass others

ethereal

of heaven or the spirit

expiation

the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing

showing remorse

extirpate

destroy completely, as if down to the roots

fetter

a shackle for the ankles or feet

flout

treat with contemptuous disregard

to intentionally ignore, disregard or show contempt for a rule or law

glib

artfully persuasive in speech

impious

lacking piety or reverence for a god

mitigate

lessen or try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

obdurate

showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings

stubborn

overwhelm

overcome by superior force

overwrought

deeply agitated especially from emotion

petulance

an irritable feeling