Folger F List 9

abate — (v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to lessen or reduce

adulation — (n.) excessive praise or flattery

anathema — (n.) something or someone intensely disliked; a curse or strong denunciation

astute — (adj.) shrewd; showing practical intelligence and good judgment

avarice — (n.) extreme greed, especially for wealth

culpable — (adj.) deserving blame; guilty or blameworthy

dilatory — (adj.) slow to act; intended to delay or procrastinate

egregious — (adj.) extremely bad; glaring or flagrant (especially in a negative way)

equivocate — (v.) to speak vaguely or ambiguously to avoid telling the truth or committing

evanescent — (adj.) quickly fading or disappearing; short-lived

irresolute — (adj.) unsure; unable to make decisions

nebulous — (adj.) unclear, vague, or poorly defined

novice — (n.) a beginner or someone new to a skill or activity

penury — (n.) extreme poverty or lack of resources

pretentious — (adj.) trying to appear more important or impressive than is true; showy

recapitulate — (v.) to summarize or restate the main points

resuscitate — (v.) to revive or bring back to life or consciousness

slovenly — (adj.) messy, untidy, or careless in appearance or behavior

supposition — (n.) an assumption or idea taken as true without proof

torpid — (adj.) inactive, sluggish, or mentally dull