Vocab 13

Dilapidated

fallen into despair or partial ruin, usually from neglect

Dilatory

inclined to put things off; intend to postpone something

Diligent

hardworking; thorough and persistent

Dire

a) dreadful or disastrous; bleak or cheerless
b) urgent

Discomfit

a) to defeat or frustrate
b) to perplex, confuse, or embarrass completely

Discourse

a). oral exchange of ideas or conversation; a lengthy discussion, written or spoken
b). to talk about or discuss in length

Discriminate

a) to distinguish between two or more things, often by differences
b) to behave unfairly toward a person or group because of prejudice

Disparage

to speak slightingly or of undervalue

Disparity

difference or inequality as of age, character, or quality

Distraught

deeply distressed or agitated

Divulge

to make known, make public

Docile

easy to manage, teach, train, or discipline

Dormant

inactive, as if in sleep, suspended in use, growth or development

Drastic

violently forceful and swift; extreme

Duplicity

deliberate deception in speech or conduct

Decrepit

elderly and infirm, worn out or ruined because of age or neglect

Ramshackle

in a state of severe disrepair

Dingy

gloomy and drab

Shipshape

in good order; trim and near

In disrepair

poor condition of a building or structure due to neglect

Run into the ground

to mismanage to the point of ruin

Laggard

slower than desired or expected

Dawdling

waste time; be slow

Sluggish

slow moving or inactive; lacking energy and alertness

Lackadaisical

lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy

Lethargic

sluggish and apathetic

Dillydallying

waste time through aimless wandering and indecision

Temporizing

a). avoiding making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time

b). temporarily adopt a particular course in order to conform to the circumstances

Expeditious

done with speed and efficiency

"Drag one's heals"

walk slowly and wearily or with difficulty

Assiduous

showing great care and perseverance

Sedulous

showing dedication and diligence

Indefatigable

persistently tirelessly

Slothful

lazy

Indolent

wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy

Perfunctory

carried out with minimum of effort or reflection

Calamitous

catastrophic or disastrous

Grievous

very severe or serious

Dismal

depressing; dreary

Somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy

Salubrious

healthy

Inconsequential

not important or significant

"Dire financial straits"

a truly difficult financial situation

Rout

a disorderly retreat of defeated troops

Trounce

defeat heavily in a contest

Thwart

prevent from accomplishing something; oppose successfully

Foil

prevent from succeeding; frustrate the efforts or plans of

Treatise

a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject

Sermon

a talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a church service and based on a passage from the Bible

Colloquy

a conversation

Expatiate

to make amends for

Precis

a summary or abstract of a text or speech

Synopsize

to summarize

Discern

perceive or recognize

Perspicacity

shrewdness

Acumen

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain

Discernment

the ability to judge well

Depreciate

diminish in value over a period of time

Derogate

deviate from

Decry

publicly denounce

Extol

praise enthusiastically

Laud

praise highly, especially in a public context

Overwrought

in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety

Perturbed

feeling anxiety or concern, unsettled

Impassive

not feeling or showing emotion

Impart

make known; communicate; bestow

Tractable

easy to control or influence

Amenable

open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled

Compliant

inclined to agree with others or obey rules, especially to an excessive degree

Perverse

showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable often in spite of the consequences

Intractable

hard to control or deal with

Obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

Latent

hidden or concealed

Inert

lacking the ability or strength to move

Torpid

mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

Volatile

liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse

Rigorous

extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate

Potent

having great power, influence, or effect

Draconian

excessively harsh and severe

Ineffectual

not producing any or the desired effect

Guile

sly or cunning intelligence

Dissimulation

concealment of one's thoughts, feelings or character

Chicanery

the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose

Double-Dealing

the practice of working to people's disadvantage behind their backs

Probity

having strong moral principles; honesty and decency

"A judas Kiss"

false love, an act of betrayal

See the Writing on the Wall

clear signs that something unpleasant or unwelcome is going to happen

A Doubting Thomas

a skeptical person who refuses to believe something without proof

A Good Samaritan

a good citizen

The Salt of the Earth

a very good, honest person

A Jonah

a jinx, someone who brings bad luck

Serve Two Masters

to give equal support to two different causes or groups

Turn the Other Cheek

to decide not to do anything to hurt someone who has hurt you

Manna from Heaven

good that has happened just at the right time that it was needed

Cast Pearls Before Swine

to give or offer something valuable to someone who does not understand its value

Indian Summer

a period of unusually dry, warm weather occurring in late autumn

Go Dutch

share the cost of something, especially a meal, equally

Get Your Irish Up

cause someone to become angry

A Scotch Verdict

an inconclusive decision or pronouncement

A Mexican Standoff

a confrontation among two or more sides that no side can win