Monday, August 18, 2014

Vocabulary #1

Adumbrate - describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
   Ex- The ending of the novel was adumbrated in the first chapter.
Apotheosis - the elevation of a person; model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
   Ex- Michael Jackson was the apotheosis of pop.
Ascetic - practicing great self-denialthe practice of rigorous self-discipline; someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
   Ex- Jacob chose to live an ascetic life because of his strict religious beliefs.
Bauble - a mock scepter carried by a court jester; cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
   Ex- You didn't carry that bauble with you for twenty years to sacrifice it now.
Beguile - attract; cause to be enamored; influence by slyness
   Ex- She used her daughter's identity to beguile the two men.
Burgeon - grow and flourish
   Ex- As car prices go down, car dealers are expecting sales to burgeon.
Complement - something added to complete or make perfect; either of two parts that mutually complete each other; a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction; one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response; make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to
   Ex- Jane's flashy necklace complemented her outfit.
Contumacious - willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
   Ex- The wrongdoer can be separately indicted for his contumacious actions.
Curmudgeon - a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
   Ex- Our friend tells us that he is studying to become a curmudgeon in his old age.
Didactic - instructive (especially excessively)
   Ex- Her novels for children were very didactic.
Disingenuous - not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
   Ex- James was being disingenuous to hide the fact that his statement was invalid.
Exculpate - pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
   Ex- The suspect's normal reaction will be to try to exculpate himself.
Faux pas embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation
   Ex- Unfortunately I made a faux pas and greeted Jim with the first thing that popped into my mind.
Fulminate - cause to explode violently and with loud noise; come on suddenly and intensely; criticize severely
   Ex- Brooke fulminated when she found out her boyfriend cheated on her.
Fustian - pompous or pretentious talk or writing
   Ex- The author was negatively known for his fustian work.
Hauteur - overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
   Ex- She behaved with such hauteur that she intimidated everyone around her.
Inhibit - limit the range or extent of; to put down by force or authority
   Ex- The pollutants may inhibit the trees' ability to reproduce.
Jeremiad - a long and mournful complaint
   Ex- Kate wouldn't end her jeremiad about how much she didn't like school.
Opportunist -  taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit; noun a person who places expediency above principle
   Ex- He is a fearless opportunist who has always wanted to be a god.
Unconscionable - greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; lacking a conscience
   Ex- Jack's unconscionable decision got him in trouble with the law.

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