unit 3-5 Vocab

Amnesty

Amnesty

(n) a general pardon for an offense against a government: in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution 

Autonomy

(n) self-government; political control 

Caveat

 (n) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior 

Equitable

(adj) fair, just, embodying principles of justice 

Flout

(v) to mock, treat with contempt 

Precept

 (n) a rule of conduct or action 

Scathing

(adj) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm 

Transient

(adj) lasting only a short time, fleeting

(n) one who stays only for a short time

Unwieldy

 (adj) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity

Vapid

(adj) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force 

Affable

(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

Amorphous

(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion

Aura

(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

Contraband

(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited

Gossamer

(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth

Inscrutable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

Irrevocable

(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back

Resilient

(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly

Reverberate

(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

Sleazy

(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable

Abominate

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

Acculturation

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

Circuitous

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

Commiserate

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

Expedite

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Inadvertent

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

Nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

Noncommittal

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

Vitriolic

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

Wheedle

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end