Vocabulary 3

Quiz 10/27/06


articulate (v.) utter clearly in distinct syllables; capable of speech

cavort (v.) frolic

credence (n.) belief as to the truth of something

decry (v.) to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless

dissemble (v.) disguise; to give a false or misleading appearance

distraught (adj.) distracted; frantic; deeply agitated

eulogy (n.) high praise or commendation

evince (v.) exhibit

exhume (v.) dig up, uncover

feckless (adj.) weak, ineffective

murky (adj.) unclear, dim

nefarious (adj.) wicked

piquant (adj.) spicy

primordial (adj.) primeval, original

propinquity (n.) proximity

unwonted (adj.) unexpected; unusual

utopian (adj.) idealistic

verbiage (n.) wordiness, overabundance or superfluity of words

verdant (adj.) of the color green

viscous (adj.) having a gluey consistency

Vocabulary 2

Quiz Friday, 10/20/06

accost – (v.) confront


animadversion – (n.) critical remark, criticism


avid – (adj.) eager in pursuit of an interest


brackish – (adj.) briny, somewhat salty


celerity – (n.) speed, quickness


devious – (adj.) tricky, cunning, sneaky


gambit – (n.) strategy, maneuver


halcyon – (adj.) calm, peaceful


histrionic – (adj.) theatrical, very dramatic, of or relating to actors, acting, or theater


incendiary – (adj.) tending to excite, inflame; (n.) one who excites or inflames


maelstrom – (n.) a violent whirlpool; tumult


myopic – (adj.) near-sighted, defective vision of distant objects


overt – (adj.) open, not secretive


pejorative – (adj.) having negative connotations, disparaging, derogatory


propriety – (n. pl.) socially acceptable behavior


sacrilege – (n.) violation of something considered sacred


summarily – (adv.) done without delay or formality, abruptly


suppliant – (n.) one who petitions, pleads


talisman – (n.) A lucky charm


undulate – (v.) move in a wave-like motion

Vocabulary 1

Quiz 10/10/06

acquisitive–adjective- tending or seeking to acquire and own, often greedily; eager to get wealth, possessions, etc.: our acquisitive impulses; acquisitive societies.

arrogate–verb (used with object)- (1) to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously; assume or appropriate to oneself without right; (2) to attribute or assign to another; ascribe

banal–adjective- devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite

belabor–verb (used with object)- (1) to explain, worry about, or work at (something) repeatedly or more than is necessary; 2) to assail persistently, as with scorn or ridicule

carping–(1) adjective-characterized by fussy or petulant faultfinding; querulous: carping criticism;(2) –noun-petty faultfinding.

coherent–adjective- (1) logically connected; consistent; (2) cohering; sticking together

congeal–verb- (used with object), verb (used without object)- to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing

emulate–verb (used with object)- to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass

encomium–noun- a formal expression of high praise; eulogy

eschew-verb (used with object)- to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid

germane–adjective- closely or significantly related; relevant; pertinent

insatiable–adjective- not satiable; incapable of being satisfied or appeased

intransigent– adjective- refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising; inflexible. –noun- a person who refuses to agree or compromise, as in politics.

invidious– adjective- calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful

largesse– noun- (1) generous bestowal of gifts; (2) the gift or gifts, as of money, so bestowed

reconnaissance-noun- a search made for useful military information in the field, esp. by examining the ground

substantiate- verb (used with object)- to establish by proof or competent evidence: to substantiate a charge.

taciturn–adjective- (1) inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation; (2) dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.

temporize–verb (used without object)- (1) to be indecisive or evasive to gain time or delay acting; (2) to comply with the time or occasion; yield temporarily or ostensibly to prevailing opinion or circumstances

tenable-adjective capable of being held, maintained, or defended, as against attack or dispute