Unit 9 Vocabulary Quiz
Adulation (N) (ad u 'la tion)
Praise or flattery that is excessive syn: adoration, idolization, hero-worship ant: ridicule, odium, derision, scorn
avarice (n) ('av er is)
a greedy desire, particularly for wealth syn:greed, cupidity, rapacity, acquisitiveness
modicum (n.) ('mad e kem)
a small or moderate amount syn: an iota, jot, speck, bit, dollop ant: a deluge, avalanche, an excess, surplus
anathema (n.) (e 'nath e me)
an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article) syn: a malediction, imprecation, an abomination ant: a benediction, a blessing
egregious (adj.) (i 'gre jes)
conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense) syn: glaring, flagrant, blaring ant: unnoticeable, paltry, piddling
supposition (n.) (sep e 'zish en)
something which is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence syn: an assumption, presumption, hypothesis ant: none
abate (v) (a 'bate)
to make less in amount, degree, etc., to subside, become less syn: to diminish, decrease, subside, let up ant: to intensify, increase, magnify, wax
resuscitate (v.) (ri 'ses e tat)
to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence syn: to revive, revitalize, restore ant: none
equivocate (v.) (i 'kwiv e kat)
to speak or act in a way that allows of more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous syn: to talk out of both sides of one's mouth ant: to speak one's mind plainly
irresolute (adj.) (ir 'ez e lut)
unable to make up one's mind, hesitating syn: indecisive, vacillating, wavering ant: determined, decisive, unwavering
slovenly (adj.) ('slev en le)
untidy, dirty, careless about one's appearance syn: unkempt, slatternly, slipshod, lax ant: tidy, neat, well-groomes, natty, dapper
nebulous (adj.) ('neb ye les)
vague, confused, indistinct syn: hazy, fuzzy, cloudy, vague, murky, opaque ant: definite, distinct, clear, sharply, focussed
evanescent (adj.) (ev e 'nes cent)
vanishing, soon passing away syn: ephemeral, transient, transitory ant: everlasting, immortal, imperishable
*recapitulate (v.)* (re ke 'pich e lat)
*to review a series of facts; to sum up in an orderly way.* syn: to review, sum up, summarize, go over ant: none
*culpable (adj.)* ('kel pe bel)
*deserving blame, worthy of condemnation* syn: delinquent, peccant, blameworthy ant: blameless, innocent, laudable, meritorious
*pretentious (adj.)* (pre 'ten shes)
*done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably* syn: inflated, ostentatious, affected ant: unassuming,unaffected, modest
*novice* (n.) ('nav is)
*one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)* syn: a beginner, neophyte, tyro ant: a veteran, past master, pro, expert
*astute (adj.)* (e 'stut)
*shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom* syn: shrewd, astute, sagacious, judicious, wily ant: obtuse, doltish, empty-headed, dumb
succinct (adj.) (sek 'sinkt)
expressed briefly and clearly syn: concise, terse, compact, pithy ant: wordy, prolix, verbose, garrulous
penury (n.) ('pen ye re)
extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency syn: destitution, want, indigence ant: affluence, abundance, luxury, opulence
torpid (adj.) ('tor pid)
inactive, sluggish, dull syn: sluggish, lethargic, otiose, languid ant: energetic dynamic, vigorous
dilatory (adj.) ('dil a tory)
not on time, not prompt, tending to delay syn: tardy, leggard, procrastinating ant: prompt, punctual, speedy, expeditious
