Unit 4 Vocab

Word

Part of Speech

Definition

Synonyms

Atrophy

Noun,

verb

The wasting away of a body organ or tissue, any decline, or failure.

To waste away

Degeneration, deterioration, wither

Bastion

Noun

Fortified place, stronghold

Citadel, rampart, parapet

Concord

Noun

A state of agreement, harmony, unanimity, a treaty, pact, covenant

Consensus, harmony, accord

Consummate

Adj

Verb

Complete or perfect to the maximum

To bring in a state of completion or perfection

Masterful

Clinch, conclude

Disarray

Noun

Verb

Disorder, confusion

To throw into disorder

Disorganisation

Dishevel, mess up

Exigency

Noun

Urgent pressure, demand, pressing need, emergency

Requirement, crisis

Flotsam

Noun

Floating debris, homeless, and impoverished people

Floating wreckage

Frenetic

Adj

Frenzied, very agitated

Frantic, overwrought

Glean

Verb

Gather bit by bit, gather small amounts of grain left by reapers.

Cull, pick up

Grouse

Noun

Verb

Wild game bird

To complain, grumble

Kvetch, bellyache

Incarcerate

Verb

Imprison, confine, jail

Intern

Incumbent

Adj

Noun

Required, obligatory.

One who holds a specific position/office at the time spoken

Mandatory, unnecessary

Jocular

Adj

Humorous, jesting, jolly, joking.

Wagish, facetious, droll

Ludicrous

Adj

Ridiculous, laughable, absurd

Risible, preposterous

Mordant

Adj

Biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style, sharply or harshly.

Acrimonious, acidulous, sardonic, scathing

Nettle

Noun

Verb

Prickly, stinging plant

Arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger, to vex or irritate severely.

Peeve, annoy, incense, gall

Pecuniary

Adj

Consisting of or measured in money, relating to money 

monetary

Pusillanimous

Adj

Contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited

lily-livered

Recumbent

Adj

In a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of sleeping or resting

Prone, supine, inactive

Stratagem

Noun

A scheme to outwit or deceive the opposition or an opponent.

Trick, ploy, subterfuge