Vocabulary Definitions and Explanations

Vocabulary List and Definitions

A

• Ameliorate
    - Definition: To improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming.

B

• Aplomb
    - Definition: Poise, assurance, great self-confidence, perpendicularity.

• Bombastic
    - Definition: Pompous, or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas.

• Callow
    - Definition: Without experience; immature, not fully developed; lack of sophistication and poise; without feathers.

• Drivel
    - Definition: Saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish; aimless talk; to waste or fritter away foolishly.

• Epitome
    - Definition: A summary, condensed account, an instance that represents a larger reality.

• Exhort
    - Definition: To urge strongly, advise earnestly.

• Ex Officio
    - Definition: By virtue of holding a certain office.

• Infringe
    - Definition: To violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds.

• Ingratiate
    - Definition: To make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others.

• Interloper
    - Definition: One who moves in where he/she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder.

• Intrinsic
    - Definition: Belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part.

• Inveigh
    - Definition: To make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval.

• Lassitude
    - Definition: Weariness of body or mind, lack of energy.

• Millennium
    - Definition: A period of one thousand years; a period of great joy.

• Occult
    - Definition: Mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means.

• Permeate
    - Definition: To spread through, penetrate, soak through.

• Precipitate
    - Definition: To fall as moisture, to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height.

• Stringent
    - Definition: Strict, severe, rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste.

• Surmise
    - Definition: To think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; idea that lacks definite proof.