American Literature Vocabulary Unit 15

adamant ---------------- yielding unyielding firm in purpose or opinion obdurate inflexible ---------------- yielding

brouhaha a confused hodgepodge of sounds an uproar or commotion tumult pandemonium

bulwark a strong defense or protection a solid wall-like structure for defense

choleric ----------------- easily made angry bad-tempered testy even-tempered

cloy to spoil or destroy an appetite by too much indulgence or pleasure to glut to satiate to surfeit

curtail to cut short bring to a halt end sooner than expected to reduce to limit ------------------ to extend

deference yielding to the wishes and ideas of another person great respect marked by submission courteous ------------------------- disrespect

definitive conclusive final the limit of what can be done exhaustive authoritative ---------------------- tentative

demeanor the way a person behaves facial appearance conduct meaning carriage

enigmatic puzzling perplexing not easily understood baffling mysterious -------------------- understandable

impromptu without preparation offhand spontaneous unrehearsed improvised ----------------------- planned

mawkish excessively and objectionably sentimental mushy having a mildly sickening or nauseating flavor

mollify to soften to calm or allay an emotion reduce in intensity placate pacify ------------------------ aggravate

onus something that is heavy or burdensome (especially as an unwelcome responsibility) obligation duty

presentiment a vague sense of approaching misfortune foreboding hunch premonition

profligate given over to dissipation and self-indulgence immoral recklessly extravagant spendthrift ----------------------- frugal

remit to send in or hand in money/payment to cancel a punishment to lessen or diminish to absolve or pardon

requisite needed necessary indispensable regarded as essential -------------------------- nonessential

sartorial pertaining to a tailor and his work having to do with clothes

thwart to oppose successfully to prevent to frustrate baffle ------------------------- aid abet