Vocabulary 5

Altruistic - Unselfish, concerned with how others are doing

-- Most people support ^^altruistic^^ programs to help the less fortunate of this world.

Assent - To express agreement

-- Workers hope that the threat of a long strike will force management to ^^assent^^ to their demands.

Benefactor - One who does good to others

-- Without the help of many ^^benefactors^^, most charities would be unable to carry out their work.

Chivalrous - Marked by honor, courage, and courtesy

-- In today’s busy world, where people are often heedless of others, a ^^chivalrous^^ act is admired by all.

Clemency - Mercy, humaneness, mildness

-- Many judges are willing to show ^^clemency^^ to first offenders who express regret for their wrongdoing.

Dearth - A lack, scarcity, inadequate supply

-- An employer may complain of a ^^dearth^^ of qualified applicants for available jobs.

Diffident - Shy, lacking confident

-- Many a ^^diffident^^ suitor has lost his beloved to a bold rival.

Discrepancy - A difference; a lack of agreement

-- But there was some ^^discrepancy^^ in him.

Embark - To go abroad; to make a start; invest

-- Columbus spent years raising money before he was able to ^^embark^^ on his perilous ocean voyage in search of a passage to the Far East.

Facile - Easily done or attained

-- Writing is a ^^facile^^ process for some authors, but a laborious ask for others.

Indomitable - Unconquerable; refusing to yield

-- All who hear of the remarkable deeds of Harriet Tubman admire her ^^indomitable^^ courage in the face of grave danger.

Infallible - Free from error; absolutely supply

-- Some critics seem convinced that their expert knowledge makes them ^^infallible^^ judges of the quality of an artist’s work.

Plod - To walk heavily or slowly

-- After the blizzard, we had to ^^plod^^ through deep snow drifts to reach the nearest stores.

Pungent - Causing a sharp sensation; stinging/biting

-- The kitchen of the French restaurant was filled with the ^^pungent^^ aroma of onion soup.

Remiss - Neglectful in performance of one’s duties

-- When I am ^^remiss^^ in doing daily chores, I have to spend a big part of the weekend catching up.

Repose - To rest; lie down; relaxation or peace of mind

-- The mortal remains of thousands who fell in America’s wars ^^repose^^ in Arlington National Cemetery.

Temerity - Rashness or boldness

-- Few of his subordinates had the ^^temerity^^ to answer the general back.

Truculent - Fierce and cruel

-- People with ^^truculent^^ dispositions can make life miserable for those who have to work with them.

Unfeigned - Sincere, real, without pretense

-- The novelist won high praise for her ability to portray the ^^unfeigned^^ emotions of children.

Virulent - Extremely poisonous; full of malice

-- The First Amendment protects the right of free speech for everyone, even those with ^^virulent^^ views that are repugnant to most people.