Sadlier Unit 13

mesmerize ~ to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

contrite ~ regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; thoroughly penitent

opprobrium `disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach

decorous ~ well behaved, dignified, socially proper

captious ~ excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up

efficacy ~ the power to produce a desired result

ghoulish ~ revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead

facade ~ the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may lie behind)

abstruse ~ extremely difficult to understand

engender ~ to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume form

deign ~ to think it appropriate or suitable to one’s dignity to do something; to condescend

cynosure ~ the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct

incongruous ~ not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

machination ~ a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

desiccated ~ thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid and uninteresting

canard ~ a false rumor, fabricated story

cognizant ~ aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

affront ~ an open or intentional insult; a slight; to insult to one’s face; to face in defiance, confront

putative ~ generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized, inferred

ethereal ~ light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)