Vocabulary 13A

Antipathy (n.) a strong dislike, hostile feeling S: hostility, enmity, aversion, bad blood A: attraction, appeal, allure, sympathy Sensible people normally view any form of bigotry with the most profound antipathy.

Applicable (adj.) capable of being applied; relevant, suitable S: appropriate, fit, apt, apposite A: inappropriate, unsuitable, irrelevant The protection against being tried for the same crime twice is not applicable in some cases.

Asset (n.) something of value; a resource; and advantage S: property, possession, holding, endowment A: drawback, handicap, liability By law, an annual report must include a detailed breakdown of a company’s assets and liabilities.

Beset (v.) to attack from all sides; to surround, hem in; (adj.) harassed, troubled; studded (as with jewels) S: (v.) assail, harass, badger, pester, torment Every federal administration must grapple with the economic woes that beset the nation. The crown worn by England’s monarchs is a gorgeous object beset with fabulous precious stones.

Compassion (n.) sympathy for another’s suffering; pity S: concern, commiseration, empathy A: indifference, callousness, heartlessness Without the compassion and generosity of donors and volunteers, many charitable organizations would have to shut their doors.

Decorum (n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness S: seemliness, good form, propriety A: impropriety, bad form, bad taste Legislative assemblies preserve decorum by operating under the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Duress (n.) compulsion by threat; forcible confinement S: intimidation, coercion A: persuasion, coaxing, sweet talk, cajolery Political prisoners are sometimes subjected to a mild form of duress called house arrest.

Exuberant (adj.) high-spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant S: lively, ebullient, irrepressible, lavish A: depressed, despondent, sulky, restrained Unable to control their exuberant spirits, the fans of the popular singer cheered their idol loudly.

Facsimile (n.) an exact copy S: replica, duplicate, reproduction, clone A: variation, modification, permutation A facsimile of the U.S. Constitution is displayed in many social studies classrooms.

Imbibe (v.) to drink; to take in, absorb S: swallow, gulp, quaff, assimilate, digest A: eject, emit, expel, discharge An inquisitive person can imbibe knowledge from many sources.