Vocabulary Level H Unit 2

apprise

(v.) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice

bibulous

(adj.) found of or inclined to drink; absorbent

claque

(n.) a group of people hired to applaud a performer or performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers; an opera hat

lachrymose

(adj.) given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious

lexicon

(n.) a dictionary of a language; the special vocabulary

microcosm

(n.) a miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system

obfuscate

(v.) to darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder

purview

(n.) the range, extent, or scope of something; in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute

sanguine

(adj.) having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook

vassal

(n.) a person under the protection of a fuedal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servent; (adj.) subservient

aegis

(n.) protection; patronage; sponsorship

deracinate

(v.) to pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of

exegesis

(n.) an explanation of a text; a critical interpretation

indigenous

(adj.) orginating in the country or region where found, native; inborn; inherent

melee

(n.) a confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling

minuscule

(adj.) very small, tiny; (n.) a lowercase letter

paternalism

(n.) the policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner of a father dealing with his children

polarize

(v.) to cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause light to vibrate in a pattern

solecism

(n.) a substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake

verisimilitude

(n.) the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable