Vocab Unit 2 (Level F)

Do wee need new laws to combat crime, or rather, more _____ enforcement of the laws we already have?

stringent

I ____ that you did well on your test when you bolted through the front door as though you had just won the lottery.

surmised

In this situation we cannot act on the basis of what may be ____, but only in accordance with what is definitely known.

surmised

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

ameliorate

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

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)

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

exhort

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

infringe

(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds

The publisher will take prompt legal action against anyone who ___ on the copyright of this book.

infringes

Kathy baked cookies for her book club, hoping to ___ herself so that she would be nominated as president.

ingratiate

The song had a pleasant, ___ melody that gained it quick popularity and then caused it to be forgotten just as quickly.

ingratiating

After the unexpected defeat, the members of the team wanted to be alone and regarded anyone who entered the locker room as an ____

interloper

In stating that "All men are created equal and endowed...with certain inalienable rights," the Declaration of Independence proclaims the ____ value of every human being.

intrinsic

It is easy to ____ against "dirty politics," but less easy to play a positive role, however small, in the political process.

inveigh

Marian Wright Edelman has never succumbed to ______ but has instead remained a tireless advocate of children's rights since the 1960s.

lassitude

"I'm sure your every wish will be granted," I assured the demanding child, my tongue firmly in my cheek, "when and if the ____ ever comes!"

millenium

The large trees that surrounded the strange mansion ____ our view of the building

occulted

A sour odor of decay, stale air, and generations of living ___ every corner of the old tenament.

permeated

If you desire a strong garlic flavor that ___ the dish, use fresh, minced garlic rather than garlic powder.

permeates

When the bridge suddenly collapsed in the high winds, the people on is at the time were ______ to their deaths in the watery abyss below.

precipitated

intrinsic

(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

occult

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural

bombastic

(adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas

stringent

(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

callow

(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

ex officio

(adj., adv.) by virtue of holding a certain office

millennium

(n.) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy

epitome

(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality

interloper

(n.) one who moves in where he or she is 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

lassitude

(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy

One way to ____ your fears of giving a speech is to put your audience with ease with a personal anecdote.

ameliorate

I trust that we shall have the will to improve what can now be improved and the patience to bear what cannot now be ____.

ameliorated

Although the music - an etude by Schumann - was not familiar to him, the pianist followed the sheet music and played the piece with great ____.

aplomb

She handled a potentially embarrassing situation with cool ___

aplomb

His message may seem _____, but there is a solid framework of practical ideas underlying the rather pompous language.

bombastic

I can usually forgive a ____ display of feeble jokes and showing off - but not by someone who has passed his fortieth birthday!

callow

After the speaker had droned on pointlessly for half an hour, an angry man in the front row stood up and said, " Must we continue to listen to all this childish ___?"

drivel

This famous definition by a British general ___ the nature of war: "long periods of intense boredom punctuated by short periods of intense fear."

epitomizes

Because I believe in spreading governmental powers among several officials, I am opposed to having the Mayor serve as ____ head of the Board of Education.

ex officio

We are all ready and willing to do what must be done; what we need is leadership - not _______!

exhortation