APLang Vocab 2

acuity (noun)

sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

The acuity of most people’s hearing diminishes as they grow older.

delineate (verb)

to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially

The architects will delineate the main features of their plan at the next client meeting.

depraved (adj)

marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles

Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray is about a depraved man whose portrait reveals his wickedness.

enervate (verb)

to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

Unfortunately, the great musician’s mind was enervated by disease in the last decade of her life.

esoteric (adj)

intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

The fraternity developed a set of esoteric rites that had to be performed by anyone seeking

membership.

fecund (adj)

fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

The remarkably fecund mind of Albert Einstein produced theories that revolutionized the science of physics.

fiat (noun)

an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or consciousness

The ruler instituted several new fiats.

figment (noun)

a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion

The silhouette of a man on the porch was a mere figment of your overheated imagination.

garner (verb)

to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use

Over the years, the writer was able to garner some wisdom that she passed on to others in her books.

hallow (verb)

to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln hallows the battlefield on which the Union soldiers fought and died.

idiosyncrasy (noun)

a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify

The fact that the plurals of some nouns are formed irregularly is an idiosyncrasy of English grammar

ignominy (noun)

shame and disgrace

He went from glory to ignominy.

mundane (adj)

earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affair; concerned with what is ordinary

The painter left all mundane concerns to her sister while she single-mindedly pursued her artistic goals.

nuance (noun)

a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, and quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference

In his writing, the poet paid close attention to every nuance of meaning in the words he chose.

overweening (adj)

conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate

It was the overweening confidence of the candidate that prevented her from acknowledging her weaknesses.

penchant (noun)

a strong attraction or inclination

A teacher with a penchant for belaboring the obvious is bound to be boring

reputed (adj)

according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation

Although he is the reputed head of crime syndicate, he has never spent time in jail.

sophistry (noun)

reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy

The couple was beguiled into buying a bigger house than they needed by the clever sophistry of the broker.

sumptuous (adj)

costly, rich, magnificent

The sumptuous feast honoring the king’s birthday was followed by musical entertainment.

ubiquitous (adj)

present or existing everywhere

The ubiquitous eye of the TV camera threatens to rob citizens of any sense of privacy