Unit 2 Vocabulary

ameliorate (v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming synonyms: amend, better antonyms: worsen, aggravate, exacerbate

ameliorate

aplomb (n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence, perpendicularity synonyms: composure, self-possession antonyms: confusion, embarrassment, abashment

aplomb

bombastic (adj.) pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal lack of ideas synonyms: inflated, highfalutin, pretentious antonyms: unadorned, simple, plain, austere

bombastic

callow (adj.) Without experience; immature synonyms: green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced antonyms: mature, grown-up, polished, sophisticated

callow

drivel (n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; aimless talking or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense; to waste away foolishly synonyms: (n.) balderdash, tommyrot v. slaver

drivel

epitome (n.) a summary, condensed account synonyms: abstract, digest, archetype

epitome

exhort (v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly synonyms: entreat, implore, adjure antonyms: discourage, advise against, deprecate

exhort

ex officio (adj., adv) by virtue of holding a certain office

Ex officio

infringe (v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds synonyms: encroach, impinge, intrude antonyms: stay in bounds, comply

infringe

ingratiate (v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor by others synonyms: cozy up to, curry favor with antonyms: humiliate oneself

ingratiate

interloper The crowd was so eager to see the band perform that they resented the opening singer as an interloper.

interloper (n.) one who moves in where he is not wanted synonyms: trespasser, meddler, buttinsky “cantaloper”

interloper

intrinsic It had been my father’s favorite book when he was my age, but for me it held little intrinsic interest.

intrinsic (v.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent synonyms: immanent, organic antonyms: extrinsic, external, outward

intrinsic

inveigh You should not inveigh against the plan with quite so much vigor until you have read it.

inveigh (v.) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval synonyms: harangue, remonstrate antonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol

inveigh

lassitude On some days I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many years of schooling.

lassitude (n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy synonyms: fatigue, lethargy, torpor languor antonyms: energy, vitality, animation, liveliness

lassitude

millennium In 1999 an argument raged over whether 2000 or 2001 would mark the beginning of the new millennium.

millennium (n.) A period of one thousand years; a period of great joy synonyms: chiliad, golden age, antonyms: doomsday

millennium

occult One need not rely on occult knowledge to grasp why things disappear in a house where two cats live.

occult (adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural (v.) to hide, conceal (n.) matters involving the supernatural synonym: esoteric, abstruse, arcane antonym: mundane, common, public, exoteric

occult

permeate The rain permeated all of my clothing.

permeate (v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

permeate

precipitate Scholars often disagree over which event or events precipitate an historic moment. I admit that my outburst was precipitate.

precipitate (v.) to fall as moisture; to cause about suddenly; to hurl down from great height (adj.) characterized by excessive haste (n.) moisture synonyms: (v.) provoke, produce; (adj.) reckless , impetuous antonyms: wary, circumspect

precipitate

stringent Some argue that more stringent laws against speeding will make our streets safer.

stringent (adj.) strict, severe; sharp or bitter to the taste synonyms: stern, rigorous, tough, urgent antonyms: lenient, mild, lax, permissive

stringent

surmise I cannot be sure, but I surmise that she wouldn’t accept my apology.

surmise (v.) to think or believe without supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof synonyms: (v.) infer, gather; (n.) inference, presumption

surmise