Unit 2 vocab English III

Accost (v.)

To approach and speak to first; to confront in a challenging or aggressive way.

Animadversion (n.)

A comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval.

Avid (adj.)

Desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager.

Brackish (adj.)

Having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink.

Celerity (n.)

Swiftness, rapidity of motion or action.

Devious (adj.)

Straying or wandering from a direct course; done in a shifty or underhanded way.

Gambit (n.)

An opening move involving risk or sacrifice to gain a later advantage.

Halcyon (n. / adj.)

A legendary bird; calm, peaceful, happy, golden, or prosperous.

Histrionic (adj.)

Pertaining to actors; theatrical, artificial, or melodramatic.

Incendiary (adj. / n.)

Designed to cause fires or strife; an arsonist or one who causes strife.

Maelstrom (n.)

A whirlpool of great size and violence; a destructive, violent situation.

Myopic (adj.)

Nearsighted; lacking foresight or a realistic view of a situation.

Overt (adj.)

Open, not hidden; expressed in an easily recognized way.

Pejorative (adj.)

Tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or disparagement.

Propriety (n.)

The state of being proper; standards of socially acceptable behavior.

Sacrilege (n.)

Improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred.

Summarily (adv.)

Without delay or formality; briefly, concisely.

Suppliant (adj. / n.)

Asking humbly and earnestly; a petitioner or humble suitor.

Talisman (n.)

An object believed to confer magical powers or serve as a charm.

Undulate (v.)

To move in waves or with a wavelike motion and appearance.