Chapter IV Vocabulary Flashcards
Conch
a tropical marine mollusk with a spiral shell that may bear long projections and
have a flared lip; a shell blown like a trumpet to produce a musical note
Strident
loud and harsh; grating
Defile
sully, mar, or spoil; desecrate (something sacred)
Hiatus
a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process
Immure
enclose or confine (someone) against their will
Specious
superficially plausible, but actually wrong
Enmity
the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something
Pliant
pliable; able to be bent
Gesticulate
use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one’s words
Ebullience
the quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance
Officious
assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
Recrimination
an accusation in response to one from someone else
Pall
something regarded as enveloping a situation with an air of gloom, heaviness, or fear; cloth spread
over a coffin
Presage
to be a sign or warning that (something, typically something bad) will happen
Tumult
a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people
Tirade
a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation
Errant
erring or straying from the proper course or standards
Festoon
adorn (a place) with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations
Tacit
adorn (a place) with ribbons, garlands, or other decorations
Founder
(of a plan or undertaking) fail or break down, typically as a result of a particular problem or setback; (of ships) fill with water and sink
Tendril
a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support
Opaque
not able to be seen through; not transparent
Declivity
a downward slope
Contrite
feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt
Myriad
a countless or extremely great number
