Vocabulary Workshop Level G Unit 5 and 6
esoteric
(adj.) intented for or understood by only a select few, private, secret
depraved
(adj.) marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles
moot
(adj.) open to discussion and debate, unresolved; (v.) to bring up for discussion; (n.) a hypothetical law case argued by students
sylvan
(adj.) pertaining to or characteristic of forest; living or located in a forest; wooded, woody
ubiquitous
(adj.) present or existing everywhere
inane
(adj.) silly, empty of meaning or value
intermittent
(adj.) stopping and beginning again, sporadic
neophyte
(n) a new convert, beginner, novice
motif
(n) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design
perspicacity
(n) keenness in observing and understanding
sophistry
(n) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy
diatribe
(n.) a bitter and prolonged verbal attack
effigy
(n.) a crude image of a despised person
figment
(n.) a fabrication of the mind; an arbitrary notion
travesty
(n.) a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation; a disguise, especially the clothing of the opposite sex; (v.) to ridicule by imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion
idiosyncrasy
(n.) a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify
penchant
(n.) a strong attraction or inclination
nuance
(n.) a subtle or slight variation (as in color, meaning, quality), delicate gradation or shade of difference
surveillance
(n.) a watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined observation
fiat
(n.) an arbitrary order or decree; a command or act of will or consciousness
complicity
(n.) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an accomplice
agnostic
(n.) one who believes that nothing can be known about God; a skeptic; (adj.) without faith, skeptical
ignominy
(n.) shame and disgrace
acuity
(n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)
derelict
(n.) someone or something that is abandoned or neglected; (adj.) left abandoned; neglectful of duty
indictment
(n.) the act of accusing; a formal accusation
equity
(n.) the state of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim
garner
(v.) to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use
delineate
(v.) to portray, sketch, or describe in accurate and vivid detail; to represent pictorially
hallow
(v.) to set apart as holy or sacred, sanctify, consecrate; to honor greatly, revere
enervate
(v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring
indubitable
(adj.) certain, not to be doubted or denied
plenary
(adj.) complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members
overweening
(adj.) conceited, presumptuous; excessive, immoderate
sumptuous
(adj.) costly, rich, magnificent
abject
(adj.) degraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved
mundane
(adj.) earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary
testy
(adj.) easily irritated; characterized by impatience and exasperation
fecund
(adj.) fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive
reputed
(adj.) according to reputation or general belief; having widespread acceptance and good reputation; (part.) alleged