Vocabulary Unit #15. adamant Adj.—firm in purpose or opinion, unyielding, obdurate Synonym:...
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Transcript of Vocabulary Unit #15. adamant Adj.—firm in purpose or opinion, unyielding, obdurate Synonym:...
adamantAdj.—firm in purpose or opinion, unyielding, obdurate
Synonym: inflexible
The government was adamant in its refusal to negotiate with terrorists.
brouhahan.—a confused hodgepodge of sounds, hubbub; an uproar of commotion that goes far beyond what is justified Synonym: pandemonium
After the brouhaha had finally subsided, we asked the group to give us a written list of all their complaints.
bulwarkn.—a strong defense or protection, a solid wall-like structure for defense Synonym: rampart
The only evidence of a once thriving civilization is this bulwark against the ocean tides.
cholericAdj.—easily made angry, bad-tempered Synonym: testy
His choleric temperament and erratic behavior made him an ineffective ruler.
cloyv.—to spoil or destroy an appetite by too much indulgence, especially in sweet or rich things; surfeit Synonym: whet
A steady diet of TV began to cloy, and I was glad to begin a book.
curtailv.—to cut short, bring to a halt, or end sooner than expected; to reduce Synonym: limit; abbreviate
It is time yet again to curtail the flow of unsolicited nonsense that somehow reaches me as e-mail.
deferencen.—courteous yielding to the wishes and ideas of another person; great respect marked by submission, as to a superior Synonym: respect, consideration
Some moderate deference is due the boss, but too much can seem to conceal other motives.
definitiveAdj.—conclusive, final, the limit of what can be done Synonym: authoritative
She is working on what she hopes will be the definitive biography of Emily Dickinson.
demeanorn.—the way a person behaves, overall impression made by manner; facial appearance Synonym: conduct, behavior
Charles Dickens’s Mr. Pickwick has such a cheerful and sympathetic demeanor that few can resist him.
enigmaticAdj.—puzzling, perplexing, inexplicable, not easily understood Synonym: baffling, mysterious
He was staring me straight in the eye, neither pleased nor displeased, his expression enigmatic.
impromptuAdj.—without preparation, offhandAdv.—suddenly or hastily done Synonym: spontaneous, improvised
His impromptu speech allowed him to express not only what he was thinking but also what he was feeling.
mawkishAdj.—excessively and objectionably sentimental; having a mildly sickening flavor Synonym: mushy, nauseating
Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of his character in It’s a Wonderful Life was poignant without being mawkish.
mollifyv.—to soften; to calm, allay (as an emotion); reduce in intensity Synonym: pacify, placate
The senator hoped to mollify her angry public, but nothing she said was likely to get her reelected.
onusn.—something that is heavy or burdensome (especially an unwelcome responsibility); a stigma; blame Synonym: obligation, duty
If the onus for a defective product is placed on the consumer, some complicated legal and ethical questions are sure to arise.
presentimentn.—a vague sense of approaching misfortune Synonym: foreboding, premonition,
hunch
Ironically, by denying their presentiments, they made their worst fears come true.
profligateAdj.—given over to dissipation and self-indulgence, immoral; recklessly extravagantn.—a person given to wild spending Synonym: spendthrift
She was a profligate, and no matter how much money she earned, she always spent more than she had.
remitv.—to send or hand in (as money); to cancel (as a penalty or punishment), forgive; to lessen, diminish, defer Synonym: pardon
They would remit a certain sum each year to a local charity.
requisiteAdj.—needed, necessary, regarded as essential or indispensable Synonym: required, obligatory
If you have the requisite coordination and an ear for music, I’ll pay for your first year of dance instruction.
sartorialAdj.—of or pertaining to a tailor or his work; having to do with clothes or dress (especially men’s)
Paging through historical picture books is a fascinating study in sartorial standards through the centuries.