Post on 17-Dec-2015
Vocabulary
Unit 3Level F
abominate• (v.) to have an
intense dislike or hatred for
• Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
• Antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem
I abominate the actions of bullies!
acculturation
• (n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend
• Synonyms: adaptation
Thanks to our host family, our acculturation into Japanese society did not take as long as we expected.
adventitious• Synonyms: extrinsic,
incidental, fortuitous
• Antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital
• Redwood burls are large adventitious buds that form on the trunks of the trees.
•(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
ascribe
• (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute
• Synonyms: impute, credit, attribute
• We ascribed the hole in our window to our next door neighbor.
circuitous• (adj.) roundabout, not
direct• Synonyms: indirect,
meandering, winding
• Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies
• John decided to take the circuitous approach in getting to know the new girl in class.
commiserate
• (v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
• Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize
• Antonyms: feel no sympathy for
The players commiserated with each other after the devastating loss.
enjoin
• (v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
• Synonyms: bid, charge, command, adjure
• Antonyms: allow, permit
• In the old days, teachers would enjoin their students to behave or face the paddle!
expedite
• (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster
• Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
• Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct
• I was willing to pay extra in order to expedite delivery of my new dress.
expiate
• (v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert
• Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation
The boys were willing to expiate their bad behavior by serving detention.
ferment
• (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
• Synonyms: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest
• Antonyms: (n.) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity
The entire country of Egypt seems to be caught up in the ferment of protest.
inadvertent
• (adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental
• Synonyms: accidental, unconsidered
• Antonyms: deliberate, intentional, premeditated
I took an inadvertent wrong turn and ended up on the other side of town.
nominal
• (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
• Synonyms: titular, token trifling, inconsequential
• Antonyms: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive
Because we wanted to attract a large audience, we only charged a nominal fee for the school play.
noncommittal
• (adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
• Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
• Antonyms: positive, definite, committed
Many top high school recruits like to remain noncommittal until signing day.
peculate• (v.) to steal something that
has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use
• Synonyms: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate
Those who are tempted to peculate from their companies soon find that crime does not pay.
proclivity
• (n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
• Synonyms: natural bent, penchant, propensity
• Antonyms: inability or incapacity
Because of her proclivity toward animals, we were not surprised when she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
sangfroid• (n.) composure or
coolness, especially in trying circumstances
• Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
• Antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability
Good actors must possess an enormous amount of sangfroid in order to always appear in control.
seditious
• (adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
• Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
• Antonyms: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant
Dictators always try to silence seditious protesters.
tenuous
• (adj.) think, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
• Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
• Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid
My knowledge of diagramming was tenuous until I asked for help.
vitriolic
• (adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
• Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant
• Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary
Your vitriolic attitude will not help you to attract friends.
wheedle
• (v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
• Synonyms: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
• Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm
• Don’t try to wheedle your teacher into changing your grade!