Vocab 6 Flashcards
the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
usury
The moneylender was convicted of usury when it was discovered that he charged 50% interest on all his loans.
to scold sharply
upbraid
The teacher upbraided the student for scrawling graffiti all over the walls of the school.
absolute; certain
unequivocal
The jury’s verdict was unequivocal: the organized crime boss would be locked up for life.
unscrupulous; shockingly unfair or unjust
unconscionable
After she promised me the project, the fact that she gave it to someone else is unconscionable.
someone passionately devoted to a cause
zealot
The religious zealot had no time for those who failed to share his strong beliefs.
passion; excitement
zeal
She brought her typical zeal to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
to join together
yoke
As soon as the farmer had yoked his oxen together, he began to plow the fields.
a fear or hatred of foreigners or stangers
xenophobia
Countries in which xenophobia is prevalent often have more restrictive immigration policies than countries that are more open to foreign influences.
a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death
wraith
Gideon thought he saw a wraith late one night as he sat vigil outside his great uncle’s bedroom door.
shriveled; withered; wrinkled
wizened
The wizened old man was told that the plastic surgery necessary to make him look young again would cost more money than he could imagine.
to increase in number quickly
proliferate
Although he only kept two guinea pigs initially, they proliferated to such an extent that he soon had dozens.
corrupt; degenerate
profligate
Some historians claim that it was the Romans’ decadent, profligate behavior that led to the decline of the Roman Empire.
lavish; wasteful
prodigal
The prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on a lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
a natural inclination or predisposition
proclivity
Her childhood love of acting, singing, and adoration indicated a proclivity for the theater in later life.
complete honesty and integrity
probity
George Washington’s reputation for probity is illustrated in the legend about his inability to lie after he chopped down the cherry tree.
fresh and clean; uncorrupted
pristine
Since concerted measures had been taken to prevent looting, the archaeological site was still pristine when researchers arrived.
to lie or deviate from the truth
prevaricate
Rather than admit that he overslept again, the employee prevaricated and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time.
having foresight
prescient
Jonah’s decision to sell the apartment seemed to be a prescient one, as its value soon dropped by half.
short summary of facts
precis
Farah wrote a precis of her thesis on the epic poem to share with the class.
offense; resentment
umbrage
The businessman took umbrage at the security guard’s accusation that he had shoplifted a packet of gum.
