Vocab Unit 9

Bucolic

(adj.) characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral. Synonyms: pastoral, rural, rustic. Antonyms: urban, metropolitan.

Chary

(adj.) extremely cautious, hesitant, or slow (to); reserved, diffident. Synonyms: wary, skittish, cautious; slow. Antonyms: heedless, reckless, incautious.

Redolent

(adj.) fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura. Synonyms: evocative, reminiscent; aromatic. Antonyms: evocative, odorless.

Vituperative

(adj.) harshly abusive, severely scolding. Synonyms: abusive, scurrilous, insulting. Antonyms: complimentary, laudatory, flattering.

Unremitting

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless. Synonyms: Constant, incessant, unrelenting. Antonyms: stop-and-go, desultory, intermittent.

Refulgent

(adj.) shining, radiant, resplendent. Synonyms: resplendent, luminous, splendid. Antonyms: dim, dark, obscure, dingy, dull, murky.

Paltry

(adj.) trifling, insignificant; mean, despicable; inferior, trashy. Synonyms: measly, meager, piddling , trivial; trashy. Antonyms: gigantic, immense colossal.

Delettante

(n.) A dabbler in the arts; one who engages in an activity in amateurish, trifling way. Synonyms: a dabbler, amateur, trifler. Antonyms: a proffesional.

Paroxysm

(n.) A sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion Synonyms: A fit, convulsion, spasm, seizure.

Acclamation

(n.) a shout of welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval. Synonyms: An ovation: cheering, plaudits. Antonyms: booing, hissing, jeers, and catcalls.

Shibboleth

(n.) a word, expression, or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism. Synonyms: a catchphrase, slogan, password.

Mandate

(n.) an authoritative command, formal order, authorization; (v.) to issue such an order. Synonyms: an order, directive. Antonyms: to forbid, ban, outlaw.

Increment

(n.) an enlargement, increase, addition. Synonyms: an increase, accretion, gain. Antonyms: A loss, decrease, reduction.

Collusion

(n.) secret agreement or cooperation. Synonyms: A conspiracy,plot; connivance, cahoots.

Peregination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country. Synonyms: a journey, wandering, odyssey.

Caluminate

(v.) to slander; to accuse falsely and maliciously. Synonyms: defame, libel, slander. Antonyms: to flatter; to whitewash; to praise.

Tyro

A beginner, novice; one with little or no background or skill. Synonyms: a novice, beginner, neophyte. Antonyms: a veteran, past master, expert.

Pedantry

A pretentious display of knowledge; overly rigid attention to rules and details. Synonyms: nitpicking,hairsplitting, pettifoggery.

Proffer

To present or offer. Synonyms: or offer, present, tender. Antonyms: to withhold, keep back; accept, receive.

Vacillate

To swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will. Synonyms: to waver, seesaw, fluctuate, oscillate. Antonyms: to remain constant; to be steadfast.

Profane

(adj.) Impure, defiled; worldly, not connected with religious or spiritual matters; (v.) to treat with irreverence or contempt. Synonyms: irreverent, indecent, lewd; to desecrate. Antonyms: reverent, decent, unsalacious; to hallow.

Imperturable

(adj.) Not easily excited: emotionally steady. Synonyms: unflappable, unexcitable, serene, unruffled. Antonyms: Excitable, easily upset or flustered.