HAM LIT Semester 2 Vocab

cynical

inclinced to distrust or deny the goodness or sincerity of human motives

demagogue

a leader who appeals to the emotions and prejudices of people, especially to advance his or her power

deprecate

to express disapproval of; to depreciate one’s effort

diffident

lacking in self-confidence; shy

dilettante

one who studies an art or science for mere amusement

divulge

to reveal something private or secret

dogmatic

stating an opinion in an authoritative, superior, or arrogant manner

dolorous

mournful, sad

droll

amusing in an odd way

effigy

an image of a person or thing; usually a crude image of a hated person

emulate

to imitate; to try to equal or better

enigma

a puzzling or seemingly inexplicable situation, person, etc.

erudite

scholarly; characterized by wide knowledge

evoke

to call forth; to draw forth

expatriate

one who chooses to leave his or her native country

expound

to explain; to set forth point by point; to interpret

extradite

to turn a prisoner over to the jurisdiction of another country or state where the crime was allegedly com

exult

to rejoice over a success or victory

fiasco

a complete failure

formidable

hard to overcome or deal with; causing fear or awe

frustrate

to disappoint; thwart, baffle

galvanize

to startle into sudden activity

gauche

lacking social grace

gregarious

fond of the company of others; belonging to a flock

harry

to torment

heresy

a belief, usually religious, opposed to the established doctrine

humility

an absence of vanity

hypercritical

overly critical; too severe in judgement

implacable

cannot be appeased or pacified

incisive

sharp; keen; penetrating

inert

having no power to act or move; inactive

insipid

without flavor; tasteless; dull; lifeless

jaundiced

prejudiced by envy or resentment; cynical

jingoism

extreme patriotism; favoring an aggressive, warlike foreign policy

latent

present, but not active; hidden

levity

lightness or gaiety of disposition; lack of seriousness

liege

a lord, master, or sovereign

mercenary

one who works for money, especially a hired soldier

mundane

ordinary, common; earthly, not spiritual

naive

simple in nature; not affected; innocent simplicity; childlike