Wordly Wise 3000 Lesson 5

Abstruse (adj.) Definition: difficult to understand. Example: The professor’s circuitous explanation of how to solve the problem was so abstruse that we had trouble following it.

Accrue (v) Definition: (1) to arise or increase as a natural result or growth, usually used with to or from (2) to come as a regular addition Example: Hubble’s prodigious knowledge of astronomy accrued from years of studying the heavens. Interest on the savings account accrues monthly.

Acquiesce (v) Definition (v) to accept as inevitable; to comply passively Examples: Marta felt obliged to acquiesce when her supervisor suggested that she work late. (n) Acquiescence The strikers demanded from management immediate acquiescence to their requests.

Besmirch (v) Definition: to stain or tarnish; to make dirty. Example: “The sole reason for the existence of tabloids,” Amelia asserted, “is to besmirch the reputation of famous people.”

Explicit (adj) Definition: fully and clearly expressed, leaving nothing merely implied. Example: The explicit directions made assembling the grill a simple task.

Histrionic (adj) Definition: (adj) Purposely affected; theatrical (n.pl.) Exaggerated displays of emotion, intended to produce an affect or response. Example: (adj) Mina’s histrionic moans failed to convince the school nurse to send her home. (n.pl.) In an astonishing display of histrionics, Bart actually knelt and begged Vivian to accompany him to dinner.

Impropriety (n) Definition: (1) the quality or state of being improper or unsuitable. (2) Something that is improper. Example: Dori saw no impropriety in hiring her qualified friend for the job. The senator was mortified when he was reprimanded for mishandling campaign contributions and for various other improprieties.

Inveigle (v) Definition: (1) to lure or trick into doing something. (2) to obtain by flattery or trickery. Example: By posing as a reporter, the agent inveigled the guard into letting her enter the complex. By saying he had to pick up a friend, Mark inveigled the keys to Dan’s car.

Penitent (adj) Definition: sorry for having done wrong. Example: Ada was in a penitent state of mind after realizing that she had chastised her daughter unfairly. (n) Penitence As Bill returned with the stolen books, his penitence seemed genuine.

Probity (n) Definition: honesty; trustworthiness; adherence to virtue. Example: A high level of probity is expected from workers who handle cash.

Purport (v) Definition: to give or present the often false impression of being someone or intending something. Example: The woman purports to be a surviving member of the Russian royal family.

Repercussion (n) Definition: an unforeseen or indirect result or effect of an event. Example: last fall’s flooding of California farmland will have economic repercussions throughout the country.

Revelation (n) Definition: something that is made known or revealed, often coming as a surprise. Example: Ms. Martin’s knowledge of arcane points of property law was a revelation.

Surfeit (n) Definition: an overabundant supply; an excess. Example: The surfeit of evidence left the jury little room for doubt as to the suspects guilt.

Unsavory (adj) Definition: (1) having an unpleasant look, taste, or smell. (2) morally offensive Example: The week-old sandwich had an unsavory aroma. More details of the unsavory scandal became known after the mayor assaulted his business partner.