Unit 3 Vocabulary

Question 1

Abominate

Answer 1

(v) to have an intense dislike or hatred for
S: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
A: Relish, savor, cherish, esteem

Question 2

Acculturation

Answer 2

(n) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contract with those of another; the resultant blend
S: adaption

Question 3

Adventitious

Answer 3

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
S: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
A: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Question 4

Ascribe

Answer 4

(v) to assign or refer (as a cause or source), attribute

S: impute, credit, attribute

Question 5

Circuitous

Answer 5

(adj.) roundabout, not direct
S: indirect, meandering, winding
A: straight, direct, as the crow flies

Question 6

Commiserate

Answer 6

(v) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling or distress
S: feel sorry for, empathize
A: feel no sympathy for

Question 7

Enjoin

Answer 7

(v) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
S: bid, charge, command, abjure
A: allow, permit

Question 8

Expedite

Answer 8

(v) to make easy, cause to progress faster
S: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
A: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

Question 9

Expiate

Answer 9

(v) to make amends, make up for; to avert

S: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation

Question 10

Ferment

Answer 10

(n) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v) to be in work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action
S: commotion, turmoil, unrest
A: peace & quiet, tranquility, placidity

Question 11

Inadvertent

Answer 11

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention, unintentional, accidental
S: accidental, unconsidered
A: deliberate, intentional, premeditated

Question 12

Nominal

Answer 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously
S: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential
A: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

Question 13

Noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no
S: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
A: positive, definite, committed

Question 14

Peculate

Answer 14

(v) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use
S: embezzle defraud, misappropriate

Question 15

Proclivity

Answer 15

(n) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of character or behavior)
S: natural bent, penchant, propensity
A: inability or incapacity

Question 16

Sangfroid

Answer 16

(n) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
S: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
A: excitability, hysteria, flappability

Question 17

Seditious

Answer 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
S: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
A: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

Question 18

Tenuous

Answer 18

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
S: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy
A: strong, solid, substantial, valid

Question 19

Vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
S: withering, acerbic, mordant
A: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Question 20

Wheedle

Answer 20

(v) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end
S: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
A: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm