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