Vocabulary 10

blithe

(adj.) cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned. The blithe optimism of youth.

'crestfallen

(adj.) discouraged, dejected, downcast. Comfort the crestfallen losers.

so'norous

(adj.) full, deep, or rich in sound; impressive in style. Soothed by the sonorous music.

'garrulous

(adj.) given to much talking, tediously chatty. Impatient with the garrulous old woman.

in'superable

(adj.) incapable of being overcome. An insuperable obstacle to success.

con'tentious

(adj.) quarrelsome, inclined to argue. Annoyed by his contentious manner.

di'sheveled

(adj.) rumpled, mussed; hanging in disorder. Always seemed to be untidy and disheveled.

'lamentable

(adj.) to be regretted or pitied. Victim of a lamentable accident.

'sinuous

(adj.) winding, having many curves; lithe and flexible. The dancer's sinuous movements.

a'skew

(adj., adv.) twisted to one side, crooked; disapprovingly. With his tie all askew.

'respite

(n.) a period of relief and rest. Seek respite from worry.

retri'bution

(n.) a repayment; a deserved punishment. Suffered retribution for his crimes.

'wastrel

(n.) a wasteful person, spendthrift; a good-for-nothing. The self-destructive life of a wastrel.

mis'nomer

(n.) an unsuitable or misapplied name. Felt that the title was a misnomer.

ex'ponent

(n.) one who advocates, speaks for, or explains. An ardent exponent of modern art.

'vanguard

(n.) the foremost part of an army; the leading position in any field. Be in the vanguard of progress.

acqui'esce

(v.) to accept without protest; to agree or submit. Acquiesce to their demands.

pro'fess

(v.) to affirm openly; to state belief in; to claim, make a pretense of. Profess satisfaction in our work.

a'llure

(v.) to entice, tempt; (n.) a strong attraction. Allure with promises of great wealth.

'covet

(v.) to wish for enviously; to desire something belonging to another. Covet his videocassette collection.