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