Unit 9 Flashcards
abate
to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
adulation
praise or flattery that is excessive
anathema
an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation
astute
shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
avarice
a greedy desire, particularly for wealth
culpable
deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
dilatory
tending to delay or procrastinate; not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
egregious
conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used in an unfavorable sense)
equivocate
to speak or act in a way that allows for more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
evanescent
vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
irresolute
unable to make up one’s mind, hesitating
nebulous
cloud-like, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent, vague, confused, indistinct
novice
one who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience
penury
extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
pretentious
done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one’s skill or abilities, ambitious
recapitulate
to review a series of facts; to sum up
resuscitate
to revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
slovenly
untidy, dirty, careless
supposition
something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
torpid
inactive, sluggish, dull
