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