Vocab unit 13, 14, 15

Explicate (ex' pli cate) Usage: The students listened attentivley as the math teacher explicated the geometry theorem.

(v.) To make plain or clear, explain; to interpret Synonyms: Clarify, elucidate, untangle, spell out Antonyms: confuse, bewilder, obscure, obfuscate

Loll (loll) Usage: There is nothing I would rather do on a hot, humid summer afternoon than loll in a hammock under a tree

(v.) to act in a lazy manner; to lounge; to recline; droop Synonyms: loaf, loiter, sag, dangle Antonyms: straighten, energize, ascend

Somnolent (som' no lent) Usage: By the end of an enormous Thanksgiving feast, most diners usually feel quite somnolent

(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep Synonyms: groggy, soporific Antonyms: alert, lively, wide-awake, stimulating

Phlegmatic (phleg mat' ic) Usage: Sloths are such phlegmatic creatures that they have earned the reputation of being the slowest animals on the earth

(adj.) slow-moving, sluggish; unemotional Synonyms: lethargic, indolent, torpid, stolid, impassive Antonyms: emotional, sensitive, thin-skinned, excitab

Infinitesimal (in fin i tes' i mal) Usage: To a fussy housekeeper, even an infinitesimal amount of dust on a laptop is unacceptable.

(adj.) so small as to be almost immeasurable; minute Synonyms: tiny, miniscule, microscopic, unnoticeable Antonyms: vast, immense, huge, infinite

Loquacious (lo qua' cous) Usage: My dinner companion was so loquacious that our conversation quickly turned into a monologue

(adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking Synonyms: gossipy, voluble, garrulous, long-winded Antonyms: silent, reticent, close-mouthed, terse, taciturn

Droll (droll) Usage: The hero or heroine of a popular sitcom may be surrounded by a cast of droll eccentrics

(adj.) amusingly odd Synonyms: comical, humorous, whimsical Antonyms: humorless, solemn, dour

Applicable (ap' pli ca ble) Usage: The protection against being tried for the same crime twice is not applicable in some cases.

(adj.) capable of being applied; relevant, suitable Synonyms: appropriate, fit, apt, apposite Antonyms: inappropriate, unsuitable, irrelevant

Abrasive (a bra' sive) Usage: Within every family there are some relationships that tend to be abrasive

(adj.) causing irritation, harsh; grinding or wearing down Synonyms: (adj.) chafing, grating, rasping, erosive Antonyms: (adj.) smooth, polished, satiny, oily, unctuous

Voluble (vol' u ble) Usage: Reporters never give much credence to tips that they recieve from voluble but unreliable informants, however persistent.

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent Synonyms: loqucious, garrulous, long-winded, prolix Antonyms: uncommunicative, reticent, taciturn, terse

Raucous (rau' cous) Usage: A raucous voice can be a liability for someone wishing to pursue a career in television journalism

(adj.) disagreeably harsh-sounding; disorderly Synonyms: boisterous, clamorous, strident Antontnyms: placid, tranquil, peaceful, serene, pastoral

Zealous (zeal' ous) Usage: Most members of my family are zealous supporters of our local high school's basketball, baseball, and football teams

(adj.) eager, earnest, devoted Synonyms: ardent, feverent, devout, dogged, gung ho Antonyms: reluctant, unwilling, averse, tepid

Stentorian (sten tor' i an) Usage: Some public speakers favor a stentorian delivery and emphatic gestures to drive home their message to their listeners.

(adj.) extremely loud Synonyms: Thundering, booming, deafening, earsplitting Antonyms: hushed, inaudible, whispered, muted

Magnanimous (mag nan' I mous) Usage: The general's victory was so decisive that he could afford to be magnanimous toward his former enemies

(adj.) generous in forgiving, above small meanness Synonyms: unselfish, charitable, noble, bighearted Antonyms: petty, selfish, unforgiving, spiteful

Innocuous (in noc' u ous) Usage: Conversation at a dinner party may sometimes be confined to pleasant and innocuous generalities.

(adj.) harmless, inoffensive, insignificant Synonyms: feeble, impotent, unobjectionable, insipid Antonyms: harmful, dangerous, pernicious, toxic, virulent

Exuberant (ex u' ber ant) Usage: Unable to control their exuberant spirits, the fans of the popular singer cheered their idol proudly.

(adj.) high-spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant Synonyms: lively, ebullient, irrepressible, lavish Antonyms: depressed, despondent, sulky, restrained

Vehement (veh' e ment) Usage: The defendant's vehement protestations of innocence failed to convince the jurors

(adj.) intense, forceful, powerful Synonyms: emphatic, fierce, vigorous, impassioned Antonyms: apathetic, lukewarm, subdued, muted

Vivacious (vi va' cious) Usage: A vivacious individual will certainly never lack for companions

(adj.) lively, sprightly, full of energy Synonyms: spirited, animated, ebullient Antonyms: dull, spiritless, listless, indolent, languid

Dissonant (dis' so nant) Usage: The clamor of dissonant voices could be heard clearly through the closed doors of the meeting room

(adj.) not in harmony; disagreeing at odds Synonyms: grating, strident, unmelodious, irreconcilable Antonyms: harmonious, agreeing, euphonious

Recticent (ret' i cent) Usage: She is understandably reticent about discussing her most deeply held beliefs with a group of total strangers.

(adj.) not inclined to speak; reserved; reluctant Synonyms: taciturn, close-mouthed, tight-lipped Antonyms: talkative, garrulous, voluble, long-winded

Implacable (im plac' a ble) Usage: The peoples of the Artic have shown that nature need not be an implacable foe.

(adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding Synonyms: relentless, inexorable, unappeasable Antonyms: lenient, indulgent, permissive, flexible

Receptive (re cep' tive) Usage: People will generally be receptive to criticism of their work if it is given in a constructive manner

(adj.) open and responsive to ideas or suggestions Synonyms: open-minded, tolerant, amenable Antonyms: narrow-minded, intolerant, hidebound

Nondescript (non de script') Usage: Fashion critics judged the designer's fall clothing line to be disappointingly nondescript

(adj.) ordinary, not outstanding; not easily classified Synonyms: plain, unremarkable, unimpressive Antonyms: distinctive, remarkable, vivid, prepossessing

Sedate (se date') Usage: At concerts of classical music, audiences generally behave in a sedate and attentive manner.

(adj.) quiet, settled, sober; (v.) to administer a tranquillizer Synonyms: (adj.) unruffled, composed, cool and collected Antonyms: (adj.) loud, brash, flashy, flamboyant, garish, flighty

Mandatory (man' da tor y) Usage: A union contract may stipulate that members are to receive a mandatory annual cost-of-living increase

(adj.) required, obligatory Synonyms: compulsory, requisite, imperative Antonyms: optional, voluntary, discretionary

Complacent (com pla' cent) Usage: Complacent individuals are, by definition, overly pleased with their lot in life.

(adj.) self-satisfied; overly confident Synonyms: smug, pleased with oneself Antonyms: discontented, chagrined

Savory (sav' o ry) Usage: Some of the characters a reader meets in a detective story are none too savory

(adj.) tasty, appetizing; pungent or salty, not sweet; inoffensive, respectableSynonyms: delectable, flavorful, aromatic, piquantAntonyms: distasteful, unpalatable, malodorous, bland

Grotesque (gro tesque') Usage: Gargoyles, the grotesque beasts carved on many gothic churches, are actually drainage spouts

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre Synonyms: fantastic, outlandish, ugly, deformed Antonyms: appealing, attractive, comely

Bellicose (bel' li cose) Usage: Teddy Roosevelt's foreign policy was often driven by a rather bellicose brand of patriotism.

(adj.) warlike in manner or temperament; quarrelsome Synonyms: aggressive, combative, belligerent Antonyms: amicable, peaceable, conciliatory, pacific

Alacrity (a lac' ri ty) Usage: Neighbors responded with alacrity to the woman's cries for help.

(n.) a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action Synonyms: promptness, willingness, dispatch, celerity Antonyms: reluctance, unwillingness, hesitancy

Ultimatum (ul ti ma' tum) Usage: As a strike deadline draws near, both labor and management can be expected to issue ultimatums.

(n.) a final proposal or statement of conditions Synonyms: final terms, final word, demand Antonyms: rebuttal, comeback, appeal

Fracas (fra' cas) Usage: Do you think that the fracases on some talk shows are spontaneous or staged?

(n.) a noisy quarrel or brawl Synonyms: row, altercation, rhubarb, brouhaha Antonyms: agreement, accord, unanimity, harmony

Antipathy (an tip' a thy) Usage: Sensible people normally view any form of bigotry with the most profound antipathy.

(n.) a strong dislike, hostile feeling Synonyms: hostility, enmity, aversion, bad blood Antonmys: attraction, appeal, allure, sympathy

Pandemonium (pan de mo' ni um) Usage: The whirl of activity on the floor of the stock exchange often looks and sounds like utter pandemonium

(n.) a wild uproar, din, or commotion Synonyms: Chaos, tumult, bedlam, three-ring circus Antonyms: Order, calm, tranquility, peace, repose

Facsimile (fac sim' i le) Usage: A facsimile of the U.S. Constitution is displayed in many social studies classrooms.

(n.) an exact copy Synonyms: replica, duplicate, reproduction, clone Antonyms: variation, modification, permutation

Edict (e' dict) Usage: Only in fairy tales can human unhappiness and misery be banished forever by royal edict

(n.) an order issued by someone in authority Synonyms: command, decree, proclamation Antonyms: request, suggestion

Duress (du ress') Usage: Political prisoners are sometimes subjected to a mild form of duress called house arrest.

(n.) compulsion by threat; forcible confinement Synonyms: intimidation, coercion Antonyms: persuasion, coaxing, sweet talk, cajolery

Prowess (prow' ess) Usage: The Greek hero Achilles won fame for his prowess in the Trojan War.

(n.) distinguished bravery; superior skill or ability Synonyms: valor, courage, heroism, mastery, proficiency Antonyms: cowardice, incompetence, ineptitude

Patent (pat' ent) Usage: When the patent on a drug expires, the product can be obtained over the counter without a prescription.

(n.) exclusive rights over an invention; copyright; (v.) to arrange or obtain such rights; (adj.) plain, open to view; copyrighted Synonyms: (n.) exclusive license; (adj.) evident Antonyms: (adj.) concealed, hidden, secret, clandestine

Chagrin (cha grin') Usage: Much to my chagrin, I placed a mere fourth in the 100-meter freestyle

(n.) irritation or humiliation caused by disappointment or frustration; (v.) to cause such a feeling Synonyms: (n.) vexation, mortification, (v.) abash, mortify Antoynms: (n.) jubilation, exultation, triumph; (v.) exult, delight

Decorum (de cor' um) Usage: Legislative assemblies perserve decorum by operating under the rules of parliamentary procedure.

(n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness Synonyms: seemliness, good form, propriety Antonyms: impropriety, bad form, bad taste

Defamation (def a ma' tion) Usage: Celebrities sometimes find that they have no choice but to sue tabloids for defamation

(n.) slander or libel Synonyms: vilification, calummy, medslinging Antonyms: salute, tribute, testimonial, praise

Asset (as' set) Usage: By law, an annual report must include a detailed breakdown of a company's assets and liabilities.

(n.) something of value; a resource; an advantage Synonyms: property, possession, holding, endowment Antonyms: drawback, handicap, liability

Compassion (com pas' sion) Usage: Without the compassion and generosity of donors and volunteers, many charitable organizations would have to shut their doors.

(n.) sympathy for another's suffering; pity Synonyms: concern, commiseration, empathy Antonyms: indifference, callousness, heartlessness

Antithesis (an tith' a sis) Usage: Discrimatory practices may be said to constitute the very antithesis of our nation's democratic ideals.

(n.) the direct opposite, a sharp contrast Synonyms: contrary, antipode Antonyms: same, similarity

Acclimate (ac' cli mate) Usage: You may find it difficult to acclimate to a new school if you arrive in the middle of the year.

(v.) to adapt to a new climate, enviroment, or situation Synonyms: accustom, learn the ropes Antonyms: soften, neglect

Stipulate (stip' u late) Usage: A financial institution may stipulate that all its employees be fingerprinted.

(v.) to arrange specifically; to require as a condition of agreement Synonyms: specify, contract, provide for Antonyms: imply, wish for

Beset (be set') Usage: Every federal administration must grapple with the economic woes that beset the nation.

(v.) to attack from all sides; to surround, hem in; (adj.), part.) harrassed, troubled; studded (as with jewels) Synonyms: (v.) assail, harrass, badger, pester, torment Antonmys: (v.) leave alone, surrender, release

Disparage (dis par' age) Usage: Don't you think voters are getting awfully tired of listening to politicians disparage their opponents' voting records?

(v.) to belittle, speak slightingly of; to undervalue Synonyms: degrade, decry, run down, underrate Antonyms: praise, extol, laud, plug

Elucidate (e lu' ci date) Usage: The precise meaning of a passage in the Bible is sometimes hard to elucidate

(v.) to clarify, explain Synonyms: interpret, expound, explicate Antonyms: obscure, becloud, muddy, obfuscate

Imbibe (im bibe') Usage: An inquisitive person can imbibe knowlegde from many sources.

(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb Synonyms: swallow, gulp, quaff, assimilate, digest Antonyms: eject, emit, expel, discharge

Concur (con cur') Usage: It is indeed rare for eyewitness accounts of an accident to concur in every detail

(v.) to express agreement, approve Synonyms: agree, assent, ratify, sanction Antonyms: disagree, differ, part company

Appall (ap pall') Usage: The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 appalled the nation and the world.

(v.) to fill with dismay or horror Synonyms: shock, stun, stupefy, horrify Antonyms: please, cheer, gladden, elate, exhilarate

renounce (re nounce') Usage: Throughout history, martyrs have willingly given up their lives rather than renounce their faith

(v.) to give up or resign something Synonyms: repudiate, disown, abdicate, abjure Antonyms: retain, secure, affirm, assent, aver

Militate (mil' i tate) Usage: Health concerns militate strongly against the habitual use of tobacco and alcohol.

(v.) to have effect or force on or against someone or something, fight against Synonyms: counter, oppose, work against Antonyms: ignore, neglect

Repress (re press') Usage: As history has repeatedly proved, even the most brutal tyrants cannot forever repress the human desire for freedom.

(v.) to hold back; to put down or check by force Synoynms: subdue, curb, stifle, constrain, bottle up Antonyms: liberate, set loose, provoke excite

Laud (laud) Usage: At the assembly the principal lauded both students and teachers for the school wide improvement in reading scores

(v.) to praise Synonyms: hail, extol, glorify, exalt Antonyms: criticize, censure, belittle, disparage

Alleviate (al le' vi ate) Usage: The doctors and nurses did everything they could to alleviate the patient's severe pain.

(v.) to relieve, make more bearable Synonyms: lessen, lighten, allay, mitigate, assuage Antonyms: intensify, agitate, incite

Rescind (re scind') Usage: A sitting Congress sometimes rescinds statutes passed by its predecessors

(v.) to repeal, cancel Synonyms: withdraw, revoke, retract, annul, abrogate Antonyms: affirm, endorse, uphold, ratify

Whet (whet) Usage: In most mystery novels, the first chapter is designed to whet your curiosity to find out "who done it"

(v.) to sharpen, put an edge in; to make keen or eager Synonyms: hone, excite, stimulate Antonyms: dull, blunt, deaden, stifle, dampen