vocab quiz

1. odious (adj) exciting or deserving hatred or repugnance

2. portent (n) something that foreshadows a coming event

3. skulk (intran v) to move in a stealthy or furtive manner

4. apathy (n) lack of interest or concern

5. arbitrary (adj) depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law

<the manner of punishment is arbitrary>

6. concede (v) to accept as true, valid, or accurate <the right of the state to tax is generally

conceded> ; to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly

7. contrite (adj) grieving and penitent for sin or shortcoming

8. impede (v) to interfere with the slow progress of

9. mercurial (adj) characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood

10. rapt (adj) transported with emotion: wholly absorbed: engrossed

11. undermine (v) to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly

12. avarice (n) excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain: greediness

13. consummate (adj) extremely skilled and accomplished <a consummate liar>

14. duplicity (n) contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the

belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action

15. impregnable (adj) incapable of being taken by assault : unconquerable

16. ostentatious (adj) marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes

pretentious display

17. obsequious (adj) marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness

18. ephemeral (adj) lasting a very short time

19. laconic (adj) using or involving the use of a minimum of words: concise to the point of

seeming rude or mysterious

20. precarious (adj) characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger

21. transgress (v) to go beyond limits set or prescribed by violate <transgress divine law>

22. ubiquitous (adj) existing or being everywhere at the same time: constantly encountered

23. vie (v) to strive for superiority

24. wanton (adj) lewd, bawdy; merciless, inhumane <wanton cruelty>; having no just

foundation or provocation: malicious <a wanton attack>

25. cryptic (adj) having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning

  1. furtive (adj) attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

  2. discretion (n) the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information.

  3. insidiously (adj) intended to entrap or beguile; operating in a seemingly harmless way but with grave effect.

  4. belying (v) contradicting or showing something to be false; to reveal an opposite truth.

  5. pretentious (adj) attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.

  6. fawning (v) excessively flattering or praising; displaying exaggerated affection or attention, often to gain favor.

  7. provocation (n) action or speech that makes someone annoyed or angry, especially deliberately.