Vocab Unit 10 Definitions Flashcards
askance
(adv) with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval
attenuate
(v) to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value
benign
(adj) gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant
cavil
(v) to find fault in a petty way, carp; (n) a trivial objection or criticism
charlatan
(n) one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, impostor, or quack
decimate
(v) to kill or destroy a large part of
foible
(n) a weak point, failing, minor flaw
forgo
(v) to do without, abstain from, give up
fraught
(adj) full of or loaded with; accompanied by
inure
(v) to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure
luminous
(adj) emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating
obsequious
(adj) marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons
obtuse
(adj) blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding; measuring between 90 degrees and 180 degrees; not causing a sharp impression
oscillate
(v) to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver
penitent
(adj) regretful for one’s sins or mistakes; (n) one who is sorry for wrongdoing
peremptory
(adj) having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute
rebuff
(v) to snub; to repel, drive away; (n) a curt rejection, a check
reconnoiter
(v) to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection
shambles
(n) a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess
sporadic
(adj) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order
