English 11A Unit 4 Flashcards
(adj.) impossible to see through physically; incapable of being understood
Inscrutable
(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization or unity
amorphous
(v.) to cut down, reduce in scope or cost
retrench
(n.) a natural inclination or bent toward
propensity
(n.) an original model after which similar things are patterned; a perfect or typical example
archetype
(v.) to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater
aggrandize
(adj.) complaining, fretful, peevish
querulous
(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly
reverberate
(adj.) scholarly, learned; boorish, pedantic
erudite
(v.) to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply
infer
(v.) to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
repudiate
(v.) to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to
remonstrate
(adj.) coarsely abusive, vulgar or low, foul-mouthed
scurrilous
(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin light cloth
gossamer
(adj.) relating to, characteristics of, or situated on an island; narrow, isolated outlook or experience
insular
(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to
affable
(n.) that which surrounds; a distinctive air or personal quality
aura
(adj.) thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy, or inferior in quality or character; ethically low
sleazy
(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly
resilient
(adj.) incapable of being changed or called back
irrevocable
