vocabulary workshop level f unit 1-12
transmute
To change from one nature, substance, or form to another
contrive
To plan with ingenuity, invent; to bring about as the result of a scheme or plan
salutary
(adj) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome
scathing
(adj) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm
nebulous
(adj) cloudlike, resembling a cloud, cloudy in color, not transparent, vague, confuesd, indistinct synonym: hazy, fuzy, cloudy, murky, opaque, indeterminate antonym: definite, distinct, clear, sharply focused
egregious
(adj) conspicuous, standing out from the mass unfavorably synonym: glaring, flagrant, blatant synonym: glaring, flagrant, blatant
culpable
(adj) deserving blame, worthy of condemnation synonym: guilty, delinquent, peccant, blameworthy antonym: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
pretentious
(adj) done for show, striving to make a big impression, claiming merit or position unjustifiably, making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious synonym: inflated, ostentatious, affected antonym: unassuming, unaffected, modest
vapid
(adj) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force
straitlaced
(adj) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical
equitable
(adj) fair, just, embodying principles of justice
sepulchral
(adj) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal
torpid
(adj) inactive, sluggish, dull synonym: lethargic, otiose, languid antonym: energetic, dynamic, vigorous
transient
(adj) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n) one who stays only a short time
unwieldy
(adj) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity
axiomatic
(adj) self evident, expressing a universally accepted principle or rule
astute
(adj) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom synonym: acute, sagacious, judicious, wily antonym: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
dilatory
(adj) tending to be delay or procrastinate, not prompt, intended to delay or postpone synonym: stalling, slow, tardy, laggard antonym: prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
fractious
(adj) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable
soporific
(adj) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n) something that induces sleep
irresolute
(adj) unable to make one's mind, hesitating synonym: indecisive, vacillating, wavering antonym: determined, decisive, unwavering
slovenly
(adj) untidy, dirty, careless synonym: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax antonym: neat, tidy, careful, meticulous
evanescent
(adj) vanishing, soon passing away, light and airy synonym: ephemeral, transient, transitory antonym: everlasting, immortal, imperishable
Lurid
(adj.) Causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint
Unctuous
(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable
Petulatant
(adj.) Peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset
Provincial
(adj.) Pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple plain design that originated in the countryside; (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony
Hackneyed
(adj.) Used so often as to lack freshness or originality
Jaded
(adj.) Wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence)
Meritiorious
(adj.) Worthy, deserving recognition and praise
resilient
(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
fortuitous
(adj.) accidental, by chance
gauche
(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy S-inept, uncouth, maladroit A-adroit, tactful, diplomatic, politic
hypothetical
(adj.) based on an assumption or guess; used as a provisional or tentative idea to guide or direct investigation
intrinsic
(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
palpable
(adj.) capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized S-tangible, plain, obvious, manifest A-intangible, insubstantial, incorporeal
sedentary
(adj.) characterized by or calling for continued sitting; remaining in one place
Winsome
(adj.) charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)
scurrilous
(adj.) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul mouthed
affable
(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
specious
(adj.) deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking real merit S-deceptively plausible, sophistic, casuistic A-valid, sound, solid, genuine
censurable
(adj.) deserving blame or correction S-blameworthy, discreditable, reprehensible A-commendable, laudable, meritorious
Prosaic
(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic
efficacious
(adj.) effective, producing results
recondite
(adj.) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding
Redundant
(adj.) extra, excess, more than is needed; wordy, repetitive; profuse, lush
munificent
(adj.) extremely generous, lavish
pernicious
(adj.) extremely harmful; deadly, fatal S-injurious, deleterious, baleful, noxious A-harmless, innocuous, salutary, salubrious
corpulent
(adj.) fat; having a large, bulky body
gratuitous
(adj.) freely given, not called for by circumstances, unwarranted
Deleterious
(adj.) harfmul, injurious
perceptive
(adj.) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation S-insightful, discerning, observant A-dense, thick, obtuse, dim-witted
covert
(adj.) hidden, disguised, a purposefully kept secret; sheltered, secluded; (n.) a sheltered place, a hiding place
florid
(adj.) highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, showy S-flushed, ruddy, flowery, frilly, flamboyant A-pale, ashen, pallid, sallow, austere, stark
intemperate
(adj.) immoderate, lacking in self-control; inclement
dispassionate
(adj.) impartial; calm, free of emotion
Implicit
(adj.) implied or understood though unexpressed; without doubts of reservations, unquestioning; potentially contained in
inscrutable
(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically
irrevocable
(adj.) incapable or being changed or called back
squeamish
(adj.) inclined to nausea; easily shocked or upset; excessively fastidious or refined
salient
(adj.) leaping, jumping, or springing forth; standing out (n.) a projection or bulge S-striking, notable, protrusive, obvious A-inconspicuous, recessive
contingent
(adj.) likely but not certain to happen, possible (n.) a representative group forming part of a larger body S-conditional, dependent, a detachment A-independent of, unconnected with, certain
Ostentatious
(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy
ignoble
(adj.) mean, low, base
abstemious
(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline S-temperate, sobre, moderate A-indulgent, immoderate, intemperate
occult
(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural
susceptible
(adj.) open to; easily influenced; lacking resistance
imperious
(adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling
discursive
(adj.) passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another, rambling, roving, nomadic S-disgressive, diffuse, wandering, episodic A-short and to the point, succinct
querulous
(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful
sedulous
(adj.) persistent, showing industry and determination
debonair
(adj.) pleasant, courteous, lighthearted; smooth and polished in manner and appearance
bombastic
(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
dowdy
(adj.) poorly dressed, shabby; lacking smartness and good taste S-frumpy, tacky, frowsy, drab A-chic, stylish, elegant, fashionable
insular
(adj.) relating to, characteristis of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience
bovine
(adj.) resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive
erudite
(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic
amorphous
(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
Incisive
(adj.) sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness)
motley
(adj.) showing great variety; composed of different elements or many colors; (n.) a jester's costume; a jester
Contiguous
(adj.) side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time
acrimonious
(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone
stringent
(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
stalwart
(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute (n.) brave person, mainstay
subservient
(adj.) subordinate in capacity or role; submissively obedient; serving to promote some end
provocative
(adj.) tending to produce a strong feeling or response; arousing desire or appetite; irritating, annoying
sleazy
(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean or disreputable
gossamer
(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth
callow
(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
Scantimonious
(adj.)making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than-thou
Politic
(adj.)prudent, shrewedly concieved and developed; artful, expedient
ex officio
(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office
Scintillating
(adj., part.) spearkling, twinkling, exceptionally brilliant (applied to mental or personal qualities)
amnesty
(n) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution
avarice
(n) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth synonym: cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
precept
(n) a rule of conduct or action
caveat
(n) a warning to caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior
anathema
(n) an aobject of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation synonym: malediction, imprecation, abomination antonym: benediction, blessing
penury
(n) extreme poverty, barrenness, insufficiency synonym: destitution, want, indigence antonym: affluence, abundance, luxury, opulence
novice
(n) one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience synonym: neophyte, tyro, trainee, apprentice antonym: veteran, past master, pro, expert
adulation
(n) praise or flattery that is excessive synonym: adoration, idolizatoin, hero-worship antonym: ridicule, derision, scorn, odium
autonomy
(n) self government, political control
supposition
(n) something that is assumed or taken for granted, without conclusive evidence synonym: assumption, presumption, hypothesis
Coalition
(n.) A combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose
Hiatus
(n.) A gap, opening, break (in the sense of having an element missing)
Innuendo
(n.) A hint, indirect suggestion, or reference (often in a derogatory sense)
Prerogative
(n.) A special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence
Decadence
(n.) Decline, decay, or deterioration; a condition or period of decline or decay; excessive self indulgence
Umbrage
(n.) Shade cast by trees; foliage giving shade; an overshadowing influence or power; offense, resentment; a vague suspicion
Approbation
(n.) The expression of approval or favorable opinion, praise; official approval
fetter
(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent
annotation
(n.) a critical or explanatory note or comment, especially for a literary work
reprobate
(n.) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked, corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemn
Clangor
(n.) a loud ringing sound; (v.) to make a loud ringing noise
Paragon
(n.) a model of excellence or perfection
millennium
(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
Caricature
(n.) a respresentation (especially a drawing) in which the subject's features are deliberately exaggerated; (v.) to present someone or something in a deliberately distorted way
bedlam
(n.) a state or scene of uproar and confusion, commotion, pandemonium, chaos, anarchy
invective
(n.) a strong denunciation or condemnation; abusive language; (adj.) abusive, vituperative
epitome
(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
gauntlet
(n.) an armored or protective glove; a challenge; two lines of men armed with weapons with which to beat a person forced to run between them; an ordeal
Cupidity
(n.) an eager desire for something; greed
denizen
(n.) an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place S-resident, dweller, habitué A-alien, outsider, stranger, foreigner
heresy
(n.) an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred S-unorthodox belief, heterodoxy A-orthodoxy
equanimity
(n.) calmness, composure, refusal to panic
dissention
(n.) disagreement, sharp difference of opinion
consternation
(n.) dismay, confusion
perfidy
(n.) faithlessness, treachery
odium
(n.) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct
contraband
(n.) illegal traffic, smuggled goods; (adj.) illegal, prohibited
propensity
(n.) natural inclination or predilection toward
interloper
(n.) one who moves in where he or she in not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
aplomb
(n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
drivel
(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; (v.) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
aura
(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality
gist
(n.) the essential part, main point, or essence
lassitude
(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
blazon
(v) to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely
extricate
(v) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
abate
(v) to make less in amount, degree, etc. to subside, become less; to nullify, deduct, omit synonym:diminish, decrease, subside, let up antonym: intensify, increase, magnify, wax
flout
(v) to mock, treat with contempt
recapitulate
(v) to review a series of facts, to sum up synonym: review, summarize, sum up, go over
resuscitate
(v) to revive, bring back to consciousness or existance synonym: revitalize, reanimate, restore, reactivate
equivocate
(v) to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation, to be deliberately vague or ambiguous synonym: to talk out of both sides of one's mouth, palter, hedge antonym: to speak one's mind plainly
filch
(v) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts
scourge
(v) to whip, punish severely; (n) a cause of affliction or suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism
Expostulate
(v.) To attempt to dissuade someone from some course or decision by earnest reasoning
Elicit
(v.) To draw forth, bring out from some source
Simulate
(v.) To make a pretense of, imitate; to show the outer signs of
Assuage
(v.) To make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench
Intercede
(v.) To plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement
Transcend
(v.) To rise above or beyond, exceed
remonstrate
(v.) to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to
impugn
(v.) to call into question; to attack as false
Enthrall
(v.) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison
dissipate
(v.) to cause to disappear; to scatter, dispel; to spend foolishly, squander; to be extravagant in pursuit of pleasure
Absolve
(v.) to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt
corroborate
(v.) to confirm, make more cetain, bolster, stubstantiate, verify S-refute, contradict, undermine, discredit
dun
(v.) to demand insistently, especially in payment of a debt; (n.) a creditor; (adj.) dark, dull, drab, dingy
disavow
(v.) to deny responsibility for or connection with
repudiate
(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
precipitate
(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height, to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process
infer
(v.) to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply
accrue
(v.) to grow or accumulate over time; to happen as a natural result
foist
(v.) to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or geniune; to bring about by stealth, dishonestly, or coercion S-pass off, palm off, fob off
ameliorate
(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
aggrandize
(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth, to build up or intensify; to make appear greater
Extenuate
(v.) to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by making partial excuses
inveigh
(v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
ingratiate
(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
sear
(v.) to make or become dry and withered; to parch, dessicate, singe
relegate
(v.) to place in a lower position; to assign, refer, turn over; to banish
Enhance
(v.) to raise to a higher degree; to increase the value or desirability of
reverberate
(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
expurgate
(v.) to remove objectionable passages or words froma written text; to cleanse, purify
Paraphrase
(v.) to restate in other words; (n.)a statement that presents a given idea in new language
pillage
(v.) to rob of goods by open force (as in war), plunder; (n.) the act of looting; booty
satiate
(v.) to satisfy completely; to fill to excess (adj.) full, satisfied S-gratify, cloy, surfeit, gorge A-starve, deprive entirely of
disseminate
(v.) to scatter or spread widely S-disperse, publicize, broadcast, circulate A-bring together, concentrate, muster, conceal, hide
permeate
(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through
surmise
(v.) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof
procrastinate
(v.) to unnecessarily delay, postpone, put off
exhort
(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
infringe
(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
inculcate
(v.)to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly S-instill, implant, infuse, ingrain, imbue A-efface, extirpate, root out
demagogue
A leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
anomalous
Abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual
bizarre
Extremely strange, unusual, atypical
immutable
Not subject to change, constant
infraction
a breaking of a law or obligation, violation
aspersion
a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming
megalomania
a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality
proclivity
a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
sinecure
a position requiring little or no work; an easy job
ferment
a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
brusque
abrupt, blunt, with no formalities
vitriolic
bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
crass
coarse, unfeeling; stupid, crude, vulgar
sangfroid
composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
nominal
existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
grandiose
grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated
redoubtable
inspiring fear or awe; illustrious, eminent; formidable, fearsome
noncommittal
not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
insurgent
one who rebels or rises against authority
vulnerable
open to attack; capable of being wounded
cadaverous
pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse; wasted; haggard
vicarious
performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another
beneficent
performing acts of kindness or charity; doing good; humanitarian
seditious
resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
adventitious
resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
inadvertent
resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
circuitous
roundabout, not direct
austere
severe or stern in manner; w.o adornment or luxury, simple, plain; forbidding
surreptitous
stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
restitution
the act of restoring someone/thing to the rightful owner/former state; making good on a loss; compensation
acculturation
the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend
tenuous
thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly suported
ascribe
to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute
cajole
to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises
desecrate
to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute, profane
disconcert
to confuse; to disturb the composure of, upset
enjoin
to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
reprove
to find fault with, scold, rebuke, chide
disabuse
to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
transgress
to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law
abominate
to have an intense dislike or hatred for
debase
to lower in character, quality, or value; to degrade, cheapen
expiate
to make amends, make up for; to avert
expedite
to make easy, cause to progress faster
mitigate
to make milder or softer, to moderate in force or intensity, lessen
concoct
to prepare by combining ingredients, to devise, fabricate, invent
castigate
to punish severely; to criticize severely
peculate
to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use
commiserate
to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
prate
to talk a great deal in a foolish or aimless fashion, prattle
wheedle
to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
inconsequential
trifling, unimportant, trivial, negligible
punctilous
very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety
heinous
very wicked, offensive, hateful
ennui
weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom