Vocabulary 6

anomalous

(adj) abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual Feeling protection of friend but knowing of his difficulties placed me in an ________________ position

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities His request for a large loan fir an indefinite length of time was met with a ____________ refusal

bizarre

(adj.) extremely strange, unusual, atypical Years from now I will look at this picture and wonder what sort of __________ costume I was wearing.

immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant Scientist labored to discover a set of laws of the universe.

vicarious

(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another In search of ________________ excitement, we watched movies of action and adventure

surreptitous

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

heinous

(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful A town so peaceful, quiet, and law-abiding was bound to be horrified by so _____________ a crime.

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 The old phrase "chain gang" refers to a group of prisoners forced to work, each one joined to the next by linked _________________. It is said that good inventors do not _________________. themselves with conventional thinking

aspersion

(n.) a damaging or derogatory statement; the act of slandering or defaming Think twice before casting ___________ on his honesty, for he might be telling the truth.

megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality Sudden fame and admiration can make people feel unworthy-- or it can bring on feelings of_________________.

demagogue

(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power Often a show of angry concern conceals the self-serving tactics of a _______________

sinecure

(n.) a position requiring little or no work; an easy job The office of Vice President of the United States was once considered little more than a _________________.

insurgent

(n.) one who rebels or rises against authority; (adj.) rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority; surging or rushing in or on George Washington and his contemporaries were _____________ against Britain. The army was confident that they could crush the ______________ forces.

ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom some people seem to confuse sophistication with _________________

transmute

(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another To __________________ distrust into cooperation along that war-torn border will take more than talk and treaties

Cajole

(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or promises With a smile, a joke, and a second helping of pie, she would ___________ him into doing what she wanted

disabuse

(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking He thinks that all women adore him, but my sister will probably ______________ him of that idea

transgress

(v.) to go beyond a limit or boundary; to sin, violate a law The penitent citizens promised never again to _______________ the laws of the land.

contrive

(v.) to plan with ingenuity; to bring about through a plan She can ____________ wonderful excuses; but when she tries to offer them, he uneasiness gives her away

castigate

(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely After he ____________ the unruly children, they settled down to study quietly