Sadlier-Oxford Vocab Level H - Unit 6

abortive

(adjective)

failing to accomplish an intended aim or purpose; only partially or imperfectly developed

bruit

(verb)

to spread the news, reports, or unsubstantiated rumors

contumelious

(adjective)

insolent or rude in speech or behavior; insultingly abusive; humiliating

dictum

(noun)

a short saying; an authoritative statement

ensconce

(verb)

to settle comfortably and firmly in position; to put or hide in a safe place

iconoclastic

(adjective)

attacking or seeking to overthrow popular or traditional beliefs, ideas, or institutions

in media res

(adverb)

in or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things

internecine

(adjective)

mutually destructive; characterized by great slaughter and bloodshed

maladroit

(adjective)

lacking in skill or dexterity; lacking tact, perception, or judgment

maudlin

(adjective)

excessively or effusively sentimental

modulate

(verb)

to change or vary the intensity or pitch; to temper or soften; to regulate, adjust

portentous

(adjective)

foreshadowing an event to come; causing wonder or awe; self-conciously weighty, pompous

prescience

(noun)

knowledge of events or actions before they happen; foresight

quid pro quo

(noun)

something given in exchange or return for something else

salubrious

(adjective)

conducive to health or well-being; wholesome

saturnalian

(adjective)

characterized by riotous or unrestrained revelry or licentiousness

touchstone

(noun)

a means of testing worth or genuineness

traumatic

(adjective)

so shocking to the emotions as to cause lasting and substantial psychological damage

vitiate

(verb)

to weaken, debase, or corrupt; to impair the quality or value of

waggish

(adjective)

fond of making jokes; characteristic of a joker; playfully humorous or droll