Unit 2 Vocabulary Flashcards
ameliorate
( v ) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming.
synonyms: amend, better
antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate
aplomb
( n ) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
synonyms: compose, self-possession, levelheadedness
antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment
bombastic
( adj ) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
synonyms: inflated,
callow
( adj. ) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers.
synonyms: green, raw, unfledged, inexperience
antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated
drivel
( n ) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; ( v ) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly.
synonyms: ( n ) balderdash, hogwash, tommyrot; ( v ) slaver
epitome
( n ) a summary, condensed account, an instance that represents a larger reality
synonyms: abstract, digest, model, archetype
exhort
( v ) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure
antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate
ex officio
( adj, adv ) by virtue of holding a certain office
infringe
( v ) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude, poach
antonyms: stay in bounds
ingratiate
( v ) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others ( sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense )
synonyms: cozy up curry favor with
antonyms: alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify oneself
interloper
( n ) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky
intrinsic
( adj ) belonging to someone or something but it’s very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
synonyms: immanent, organic
antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward
inveigh
( v ) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
synonyms: rail, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate
antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol
lassitude
( n ) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor
antonyms: energy vitality, animation, liveliness
millennium/millennia
( n ) a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
synonyms: golden age, prosperity, peace, chiliad
antonyms: doomsday, day of judgement
occult
( adj ) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view, not detectable by ordinary means; ( v ) to hide, conceal; eclipse; ( n ) matters involving the supernatural
synonyms: ( adj ) supernatural, esoteric, abstruse, arcane
antonyms: ( adj ) mundane, common, public, exoteric
permeate
( v ) to spread through, penetrate, soak through
precipitate
( v ) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct from to; ( adj ) characterized by excessive haste; ( n ) moisture; the product of an action or process
synonyms: ( v ) provoke, produce; ( adj ) reckless, impetuous
antonyms: ( adj ) wary, cautious, circumspect
stringent
( adj ) strict, severe, rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative
antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive
surmise
( v ) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; ( n ) likely idea that lacks definite proof
synonyms: ( v ) infer, gather; ( n ) inference, presumption
