Units 4-6 Test: _______________ Grade 10H Vocab Units 4-6 Test: _______________

Abstruse DEFINITION: Difficult to understand PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: At lunch the students complained they could not understand their professor’s abstruse lectures.

Acerbic Definition: bitter, severe, like acid Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Kate doesn’t always mean to be rude, but her acerbic comments often offend others.

Acumen DEFINITION: good judgement; mental sharpness PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The person who is able to turn one hundred dollars into one million dollars has a lot of business acumen.

Anomaly Definition: an irregularity or oddness Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: A snow day is an anomaly to the schedule; an anomaly that I look forward to every winter!

Anarchy DEFINITION: Chaos due to lack of authority PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: When the teacher left the classroom, the class erupted into chaos and became so loud, the principal heard them from down the hall.

Apartheid DEFINITION: a policy of racial segregation PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: During the time Harper Lee lived, schools in the south practiced apartheid.

Axiom DEFINITION: A universally accepted truth; established law PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SETENCE: It is a fundamental axiom that Ms. Logan’s dogs, Herman and Watson, are cuter than Ms. Nerlino’s dog, Trippy and Ms. Fleming’s dog, Willow.

Belligerent DEFINITION: combative; warlike PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Cam’s belligerent attitude made everyone at the party uncomfortable; he was picking a fight with everyone he saw.

Charisma DEFINITION: Special charm that makes others want to follow someone PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SETENCE: JFK was a president whose charisma led many to adore him.

Chicanery Definition: deceitfulness; dishonesty Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: Dill might be a boring character if it weren’t for his constant chicanery about his family situation and abilities.

Chronicle DEFINITION: a record of events in history PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Historians just discovered a diary that they believe is a chronical of the Revolutionary war period.

Consecrate DEFINITION: to make sacred or holy PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The couple consecrated their relationship with a kiss. The burial grounds were consecrated by a priest.

Word: Contrite Definition: admitting guilt; remorseful Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: If you make a mistake and act contrite after, you will likely be forgiven. If you make a mistake and refuse to take blame, you will likely be treated poorly.

Copious DEFINITION: abundant PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Kevin was nervous about the test, so he took copious notes during the review period.

Destitute DEFINITION: extreme poverty PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The old woman was left destitute after the conman stole all her money.

Dictum* Definition: a saying Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: “No pain, no gain” is a dictum often used by trainers and coaches.

Discern DEFINITION: to see things quickly; to distinguish PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Although it was difficult for the doctors to discern which twin was which, the mother was able to easily tell her daughters apart. With Janice, sometimes it is difficult to discern the truth because she lies so easily.

Epigram* DEFINITION: a memorable or interesting saying PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Eleanor Roosevelt is famous for the epigram, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Equivocal Definition: intentionally confusing or unclear Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: After Hank asked Wanda on a date, her reply was equivocal; she was too nice to say no, so she purposely avoided the question.

Ethereal DEFINITION: light and insubstantial like gas PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The ethereal mist coming off the water was so beautiful and was the main reason they bought the house.

Glut DEFINITION: oversupply or flood of something PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Although the lawns were becoming brown, the three-day rainstorm brought a glut of water. After accidently listing an unused IPad for $20, Apple had a glut of costumers.

Gravity Definition: seriousness Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: At first Leah didn’t understand the gravity of the situation and continued to laugh at the TV show; soon she realized her parents had just received horrible news.

Hapless DEFINITION: unlucky PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Kathleen’s hapless search for her wedding dress left her depressed; this was the eighth shop she had been to.

Indigenous DEFINITION: native to a specific place or region PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Pineapple are indigenous to Hawaii. Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia.

Indulgent Definition: lenient; gives in easily Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Grandparents are often thought of as being more indulgent than one’s own parents; my Nana is a perfect example of this. She always had special treats for me and allowed me to stay up late at her house.

Inexorable DEFINITION: unavoidable PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Jack knew his punishment for being suspended was inexorable, but he just wasn’t sure exactly what the punishment would be.

Luminous DEFINITION: Bright, shining PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The luminous fireworks lit up the whole sky with beautiful blues and greens.

Malaise Definition: a feeling of depression Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: A feeling of malaise fell over the calculus class when the teacher announced a pop test.

Malinger DEFINITION: to pretend to be sick to avoid work PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Sarah tries to be crafty, but her teachers realize her illnesses just certain days was her malingering to avoid taking tests.

Nostalgia DEFINITION: a longing for the past; recollection PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: On the first day of High School, I immediately felt nostalgia for Elementary School when we had long lunches, recess, and no homework.

Nuance Definition: a subtle difference or distinction Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: Although the triplets look similar, there are nuances to tell them apart, like the small birthmark on Clair’s face and the fact that Kimmy is a little shorter.

Oblivion DEFINITION: total forgetfulness PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The actor was once famous but has now faded into oblivion.

Perfunctory DEFINITION: Something done quickly without thought; careless or superficial PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: His perfunctory response to how school was is always “fine” even if he had a bad day.

Perturb DEFINITION: to upset greatly PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: We were all perturbed be Lucifer’s behavior; since he was born, he has always been naughty.

Permeate Definition: to spread or seep through Part of Speech: V Example Sentence: Thankfully, Herman began barking as he was able to smell the smoke that began to permeate the house overnight.

Profligate DEFINITION: wasteful and extravagant PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The rich, profligate woman kept her sprinklers running day and night throughout the drought.

Profound DEFINITION: thought-provoking, sincere and wise PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The book’s message of ending racism caused a profound change in the way Kevin treated others.

Prolific Definition: very productive Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Stephen King is a prolific author; he has produce 54 novels and 200 short stories in his lifetime.

Propriety DEFINITION: good manners; proper PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Propriety is important if you want to make a good impression; people prefer others to have good manners and be respectful.

Redundant* Definition: Repetitive Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Avoid making redundant statements in your essay; they are unnecessary and distracting.

Reclusive DEFINITION: living apart from society PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Boo Radley is a reclusive character from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Relentless* DEFINITION: unstoppable PART OF SPEECH: N EXAMPLE SENTENCE: After the robbery, Lydia was relentless in her search for her grandmother’s necklace.

Servile DEFINITION: wanting to please or serve others PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Katie, one of the most popular girls, wanted her friends to be servile and do anything she asked of them.

Solicitous DEFINITION: eager and attentive, almost to a fault PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: While car shopping, the solicitous salesperson was always following us and asking us if we needed help no matter how many times we said we were just looking.

Slander Definition: to speak badly about; to create rumors Part of Speech: V Example Sentence: The principal told Mrs. Carrol if her daughter continued to slander Katrina, she would be suspended based on their bullying policy.

Subtle Definition: Not obvious Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: It was difficult for some people to notice the subtle differences between her old wedding dress and the new wedding dress, but the simple alterations of bringing up the hem and softening the lace made the bride feel better.

Supercilious DEFINITION: arrogant; acting better than others PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Jack’s supercilious attitude was offensive; he always acted like he was better than everyone else because his family was wealthy.

Taciturn DEFINITION: shy and quiet PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Kelly was so taciturn that many people in her class have never actually heard her voice.

Tautological* Definition: Repetitive Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Using tautological and redundant in the same statement is repetitive and unnecessary.

Tenacious* DEFINITION: persistent; stubborn PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The ivy growing in the backyard is tenacious; no matter how hard we try, we cannot get rid of it.

Usurp DEFINITION: to take over or seize PART OF SPEECH: V EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Richard usurped the throne from his brother Thomas by force.

Utilitarian DEFINITION: functional and practical PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: After becoming paralyzed, Colleen redesigned her home to become more utilitarian and to better accommodate her wheelchair. The utilitarian chair was not attractive but it was very functional in my apartment.

Veracity DEFINITION: Truthfulness PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The veracity of George Washington is well-known to most.

Vapid Definition: dull, superficial, uninteresting Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: Although Doug was first attracted to Sally, he realized that her vapid personality actually made her ugly.

Verbose DEFINITION: wordy PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The assignment required just one paragraph; however, Carol was verbose in her response and ended up with five pages.

Vehement Definition: intense; forceful Part of Speech: ADJ Example Sentence: At first Ken’s dad thought his son was lying, but Ken’s vehement denial that he had skipped school made him wonder if the teacher had made as error.

Virulent DEFINITION: Poisonous, toxic or nasty PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The virulent rumors that were being spread by Cara’s ex- best friend were hateful and mean. The snakes virulent venom can kill a man in just one hour.

Vocation Definition: a job Part of Speech: N Example Sentence: I am lucky because I have always known my vocation; I always knew I wanted to be a teacher.

Wanton DEFINITION: malicious; horrible and purposeful PART OF SPEECH: ADJ EXAMPLE SENTENCE: The terrorist’s wanton acts were done to create fear amongst the people.