IX.

VOCABULARY

tumid abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas

filigree delicate and intricate ornamentation
rubric category name
intemperance excess in action and immoderate indulgence of appetites
narcissist someone who is excessively self-centered
tautology useless repetition
uxorious foolishly fond of or submissive to your wife
quixotic not sensible about practical matters
abhorrent offensive to the mind
elixir a substance believed to cure all ills
potpourri a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
actuarial relating to statistics to calculate insurance premiums
ciliated having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections
raspy unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
acidulous being sour to the taste
sesquipedalian a very long word (a foot and a half long)
dolorous showing sorrow
dogma a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely
trepidation a feeling of alarm or dread
matrix an enclosure within which something originates or develops
benevolent showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding
benign kind in disposition or manner
belligerent characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
beacon a fire that can be seen from a distance
impetuous characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
ineluctable impossible to avoid or evade
assemblage several things grouped together or considered as a whole
xenophobia a fear of foreigners or strangers
vexation anger produced by some annoying irritation
peruse examine or consider with attention and in detail
pernicious exceedingly harmful
experiential of or relating to direct observation or participation
skein coils of worsted yarn
unfettered not bound or restrained, as by shackles and chains
chaperone one who accompanies and supervises young people
brazen unrestrained by convention or propriety
affliction a cause of great suffering and distress
doppelganger a person who is almost identical to another
droll comical in an odd or whimsical manner
beleaguer annoy persistently
oversight an unintentional omission from failure to notice something
dotage mental infirmity as a consequence of old age
nettle plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation
levity a manner lacking seriousness
buccaneer someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea
IX. VOCABULARY

vanity feelings of excessive pride

acuity sharpness of vision
parity functional equality
equivalence essential comparability and interchangeability
impasse a situation in which no progress can be made
indiscrete not divided or divisible into parts
exhume dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
purvey supply with provisions
cloister residence that is a place of religious seclusion
preamble a preliminary introduction, as to a statute or constitution
axiom a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof
aphasia inability to use language because of a brain lesion
desuetude a state of inactivity or disuse
insularity lack of openness to new ideas; narrow-mindedness
ichthyology the branch of zoology that studies fishes
conceit the trait of being unduly vain
purgatory a temporary state of the dead in Roman Catholic theology
dissemination the act of dispersing or diffusing something
indemnification compensation for loss or damage or for trouble and annoyance
megalomania a psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur
restitution the act of restoring something to its original state
hearsay gossip passed around by word of mouth
pusillanimous lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
malevolence wishing evil to others
ennui the feeling of being bored by something tedious
prosaic lacking wit or imagination
precocity intelligence achieved far ahead of normal development
invidious containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
gregarious temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
effrontery audacious behavior that you have no right to
torpor a state of motor and mental inactivity
pummel strike, usually with the fist
manumit free from slavery or servitude
detonation the act of setting off an explosive
profundity the quality of being physically deep
presage a foreboding about what is about to happen
fleece outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
diurnal having a daily cycle or occurring every day
stentorian very loud or booming
dainty something considered choice to eat
extol praise, glorify, or honor
hurtle move with or as if with a rushing sound
obviate do away with
fete an elaborate party, often outdoors
euphoria a feeling of great elation
guru a Hindu or Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher
IX. VOCABULARY

occurring in the same period of time

contemporaneous
concierge a caretaker in an apartment complex or hotel
concatenation the act of linking together as in a series or chain
nepotism favoritism shown to relatives or friends by those in power
zealot a fervent and even militant proponent of something
zany ludicrous or foolish
Zeitgeist the spirit of the time
zephyr a slight wind
zero in direct onto a point or target
yoke a wooden frame across the shoulders for carrying buckets
waif a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
probity complete and confirmed integrity
cupidity extreme greed for material wealth
melee a noisy riotous fight
sophist someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
milieu the environmental condition
dulcet pleasing to the ear
odoriferous emitting a smell, especially an unpleasant smell
maelstrom a powerful circular current of water
fracas a noisy quarrel
carrion the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
carcass the dead body of an animal
cabal a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
cachet an indication of approved or superior status
vortex a powerful circular current of water
peroration the concluding section of a rhetorical address
glib artfully persuasive in speech
plausible apparently reasonable, valid, or truthful
puissant powerful
gruel a thin porridge
bombastic ostentatiously lofty in style
tithe a levy of one tenth of something
denouement the outcome of a complex sequence of events
fortitude strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
gist the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
malaise a feeling of mild sickness or depression
agog highly excited
agape with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
nebula an immense cloud of gas and dust in interstellar space
rancid having an offensive smell or taste
euthanasia the act of killing someone painlessly
censorious harshly critical or expressing censure
recondite difficult to understand
abstruse difficult to understand
sashay walk with a lofty proud gait, often to impress others
IX. VOCABULARY

bellicose having or showing a ready disposition to fight

cathartic emotionally purging
clique an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
guileless innocent and free of deceit
sinuous curved or curving in and out
regatta a series of boat races
countermand cancel officially
salubrious promoting health
frenetic fast and energetic in an uncontrolled or wild way
importune beg persistently and urgently
imbroglio an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
imp one who is playfully mischievous
slake satisfy, as thirst
apposite being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
precinct an administrative district of a city or town
tourniquet a bandage that stops the flow of blood by applying pressure
convivial occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
truculent defiantly aggressive
mendicant a pauper who lives by begging
slick made smooth, as by ice, grease, or water
factitious not produced by natural forces; artificial or fake
fictitious formed or conceived by the imagination
limn make a portrait of
commensurate corresponding in size or degree or extent
nuance a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
nostalgia a longing for something past
naive marked by or showing unaffected simplicity
naivete lack of sophistication or worldliness
disparity inequality or difference in some respect
equanimity steadiness of mind under stress
atavistic characteristic of a throwback
hypocrite a person who professes beliefs that he or she does not hold
hypothesis a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
hypochondriac a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
hypodermic a piston syringe that is fitted with a needle for injections
gestate be pregnant with
resplendent having great beauty
voluble marked by a ready flow of speech
ersatz an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation
obsolescent becoming disused or outdated
surly unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
arid lacking sufficient water or rainfall
polyglot a person who speaks more than one language
homespun made of cloth woven in one's household
alliteration use of the same consonant at the beginning of each word
arbitrary based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
IX. VOCABULARY

pedantic marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning

virulent extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
reprobate a person without moral scruples
traduce speak unfavorably about
goad stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
jostle make one's way by pushing or shoving
sanctimonious excessively or hypocritically pious
bemused perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
unabashed not embarrassed
pliant capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
billowing characterized by great swelling waves or surges
bedizen decorate tastelessly
delineate represented accurately or precisely
evolutionist a person who believes in Darwinian theory
ornery having a difficult and contrary disposition
quandary state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
inimitable matchless
promulgate state or announce
contusion an injury in which the skin is not broken
psychosis severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost
stalemate a situation in which no progress can be made
effeminate lacking traits typically associated with men or masculinity
expiate make amends for
beatific resembling or befitting an angel or saint
awl a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching holes
tureen large deep serving dish with a cover
careen move at high speed and in an uncontrolled way
sociopath a person with an antisocial personality disorder
alimony support paid by one spouse to another after separation
motley consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
insensate devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
pandemic existing everywhere
simper smile in an insincere, unnatural, or coy way
mortician one whose business is the management of funerals
masochist someone who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment
philistine a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
renegade someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
plumb exactly vertical
abattoir a building where animals are butchered
plethora extreme excess
pastiche a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work
cenotaph monument to honor those whose remains are interred elsewhere
mezzanine intermediate floor just above the ground floor
privation the act of stripping someone of food, money, or rights
bacchanalian used of riotously drunken merrymaking
congeal solidify, thicken, or come together
IX. VOCABULARY

execrable unequivocally detestable

cornucopia a horn filled with fruit and grain symbolizing prosperity
discombobulated having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
protuberance something that bulges out or projects from its surroundings
palimpsest a manuscript on which more than one text has been written
verisimilitude the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true
gaudy tastelessly showy
extemporaneous with little or no preparation or forethought
beseech ask for or request earnestly
ominous threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
incredulous not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
halcyon a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
palliative moderating pain or sorrow by making it easier to bear
placid calm and free from disturbance
furor an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
pantomime a performance using gestures and movements without words
motif a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work
quatrain a stanza of four lines
dreary lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
recant formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
camouflage an outward semblance misrepresenting the nature of something
verdant characterized by abundance of vegetation and green foliage
parley a negotiation between enemies
palaver loud and confused and empty talk
essay an analytic or interpretive literary composition
empirical derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
stratify form, arrange, or deposit in layers
bemoan regret strongly
aggrandize embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of
aperture a natural opening in something
diagnostic concerned with identifying the nature or cause of something
ambrosia the food and drink of the gods
wilderness a wild and uninhabited area left in its natural condition
hubris overbearing pride or presumption
haughty having or showing arrogant superiority
hauteur overbearing pride with a superior manner toward inferiors
sundry consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
miscellaneous having many aspects
provender food for domestic livestock
verve an energetic style
theology the rational and systematic study of religion
temperate not extreme
disparate fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
lexicon a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words
deify exalt to the position of a God
leeway a permissible difference
IX. VOCABULARY

antecedent a preceding occurrence or cause or event

precarious not secure; beset with difficulties
prevaricate be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
tergiversate be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead
fulminate cause to explode violently and with loud noise
syndrome a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
acquiesce agree or express agreement
menagerie a collection of live animals for study or display
diadem an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
astringent tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
elysian relating to the abode of the blessed after death
brocade thick expensive material with a raised pattern
incinerate become reduced to ashes
addle mix up or confuse
effete excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent
clangor a loud resonant repeating noise
parry impede the movement of
plague any large-scale calamity
dissident a person who objects to some established policy
antebellum belonging to a period before a war
viand a choice or delicious dish
prophylactic preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
sere having lost all moisture
adventitious associated by chance and not an integral part
commiserate feel or express sympathy or compassion
creed any system of principles or beliefs
churlish having a bad disposition; surly
apocryphal being of questionable authenticity
philology the humanistic study of language and literature
flourish grow vigorously
phalanx any closely ranked crowd of people
accord concurrence of opinion
fulsome unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
anarchist an advocate of the abolition of governments
denigrate attack the good name and reputation of someone
fulcrum the pivot about which a lever turns
certitude complete assurance or confidence
saucy improperly forward or bold
passe out of fashion
disingenuous not straightforward or candid
tenet a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
rampart an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
anterior of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
sycophantic attempting to win favor by flattery
languor inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
moiety one of two approximately equal parts
IX. VOCABULARY

frisson an almost pleasurable sensation of fright

scurrilous expressing offensive, insulting, or scandalous criticism
febrile of or relating to or characterized by fever
kosher conforming to dietary laws
slack not tense or taut
caravan a procession traveling together in single file
eleemosynary generous in assistance to the poor
boondoggle work of little or no value done merely to look busy
embryonic of an organism prior to birth or hatching
manifestation a clear appearance
brace a support that steadies or strengthens something else
autochthonous originating where it is found
vindictive disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
vindicate show to be right by providing justification or proof
renege fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
tintinnabulation the sound of a bell ringing
prestidigitation manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
montage the technique of splicing together different sections of film to convey
an idea
cohort a band of warriors
calumny a false accusation of an offense
vestige an indication that something has been present
thesis an unproved statement advanced as a premise in an argument
acerbity a sharp bitterness
rotundity the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
coeval of the same period
cant a slope in the turn of a road or track
abnegate deny or renounce
dearth an insufficient quantity or number
demographic a statistic characterizing human populations
litotes understatement for rhetorical effect
malapropism misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
expatriate a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
ligament a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages
mote a tiny piece of anything
lien the right to take and hold the property of a debtor
moratorium suspension of an ongoing activity
kudos an expression of approval and commendation
hiatus an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
sybaritic displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
wangle accomplishing something by scheming or trickery
modality the manner or style in which something is done
absquatulate run away, taking something or somebody along
tantamount being essentially equal to something
adroit quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
polarize cause to concentrate about two conflicting positions
IX. VOCABULARY

wiggle move to and fro

neophyte a participant with no experience with an activity
ember a hot, smoldering fragment of wood left from a fire
inveterate habitual
consul a diplomat appointed to protect a government's interests
urbane showing a high degree of refinement
threadbare thin and tattered with age
gnaw bite or chew on with the teeth
tardy after the expected or usual time
tawdry tastelessly showy
pejorative expressing disapproval
theocracy a political unit governed by a deity
inscrutable difficult or impossible to understand
indubitable too obvious to be doubted
rejuvenate make younger or more youthful
prodigal recklessly wasteful
prodigy an unusually gifted or intelligent person
unctuous unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
gawk look with amazement
squalid foul and run-down and repulsive
squall a loud and harsh cry
squalor sordid dirtiness
sordid foul and run-down and repulsive
opera a drama set to music
plausible apparently reasonable, valid, or truthful
jingoism fanatical patriotism
egoism concern for your own interests and welfare
aneurysm an abnormal bulge caused by weakening of an artery wall
bedlam a state of extreme confusion and disorder
vignette a brief literary description
feckless generally incompetent and ineffectual
liturgy a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
attrition the act of rubbing together
regalia paraphernalia indicative of royalty or other high office
paraphernalia equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
fortuitous lucky; occurring by happy chance
pogrom organized persecution of an ethnic group, especially Jews
intransigence stubborn refusal to compromise or change
dilettante an amateur engaging in an activity without serious intention
loquacious full of trivial conversation
spate a sudden forceful flow
hiatus an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
comity a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility
utopia ideally perfect state
dystopia state in which the conditions of life are extremely bad
litany a prayer led by clergy with responses from the congregation
IX. VOCABULARY

decrepitude a state of deterioration due to old age or long use

hubris overbearing pride or presumption
ramshackle in poor or broken-down condition
pecuniary relating to or involving money
harangue a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
promulgation a public statement containing information about an event
acrid strong and sharp, as a taste or smell
pique call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
aegis armor plate that protects the chest
cask a cylindrical container that holds liquids
interloper someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another
pestilence any epidemic disease with a high death rate
conformist someone who follows established standards of conduct
eddy a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
punitive inflicting punishment
caper a playful leap or hop
antiquated so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
recrimination mutual accusations
aficionado a serious devotee of some activity, genre, or performer
aural of or pertaining to hearing or the ear
avuncular being or relating to an uncle
testy easily irritated or annoyed
zany ludicrous or foolish
zeugma rhetorical use of a word to govern two or more words
zilch a quantity of no importance
unconscionable greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
conscientious characterized by extreme care and great effort
mausoleum a large burial chamber, usually above ground
maudlin very sentimental or emotional
macabre shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
stodgy excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull
a priori reasoned from a general principle to a necessary effect
vapid lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
fetid offensively malodorous
polemic a verbal or written attack, especially of a belief or dogma
finicky fussy, especially about details
timorous shy and fearful by nature
premiere the first public performance of a play or movie
cohere cause to form a united, orderly, and consistent whole
recumbent lying down; in a position of comfort or rest
engender call forth
expiate make amends for
declaim recite in a skilled and formal way
insurrection organized opposition to authority
emend make corrections to
emeritus a professor or minister who is retired from assigned duties
IX. VOCABULARY

gruff blunt and unfriendly or stern

scourge something causing misery or death
reverie an abstracted state of absorption
repercussion a remote or indirect consequence of some action
soliloquy speech you make to yourself
mea culpa an acknowledgment of your error or guilt
machete a large knife used as a weapon or for cutting vegetation
temerity fearless daring
distrait having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
distraught deeply agitated especially from emotion
protean taking on different forms
languid lacking spirit or liveliness
modality the manner or style in which something is done
rapine the act of despoiling a country in warfare
pablum worthless or oversimplified ideas
credible capable of being believed
credit an estimate of ability to fulfill financial commitments
felicity pleasing and appropriate manner or style
efficacy capacity or power to produce a desired result
imperturbable marked by extreme calm and composure
antipathy a feeling of intense dislike
assuage provide physical relief, as from pain
laconic brief and to the point
aver declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
decorum propriety in manners and conduct
irascible quickly aroused to anger
parochial relating to or supported by or located in a parish
tread put down, place, or press the foot
nonpareil model of excellence or perfection of a kind
confrere a person who is member of one's class or profession
tempestuous characterized by violent emotions or behavior
philology the humanistic study of language and literature
modality the manner or style in which something is done
verdure green foliage
sidereal of or relating to the stars or constellations
salubrious promoting health
invective abusive language used to express blame or censure
condone excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
egregious conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
eclectic selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
affidavit written declaration made under oath
pleonasm using more words than necessary