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