Vocabulary – Rote memorization! English 11 Unit 3

Test = Thurs., Nov. 30 ascribe (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute expedite (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster sangfroid (n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Paying attention will expedite the studying process. ferment (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; –to produce alcohol by chemical action abominate (v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

I considered 25 cents a nominal charge. nominal (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously tenuous (adj.) thin, slender, not dense; –lacking clarity or sharpness; –of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis; poorly supported

I took the circuitous way home. circuitous (adj.) roundabout, not direct wheedle (v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end vitriolic (adj.) bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

We had to cross the tenuous bridge.

I’ve got a tenuous hold on these vocabulary words. existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously nominal (adj.) thin, slender; lacking a sound basis; poorly supported tenuous (adj.)

He was thrown out of the class for a vitriolic attitude. roundabout, not direct circuitous (adj.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end wheedle (v.) bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) vitriolic (adj.)

I wasn’t able to wheedle my way into an A. I’ll study next time instead. (v.) to be in or work into such a state great excitement; ferment to have an intense dislike or hatred for abominate (v.)

I abominate poor grades, so I study for tests. to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute ascribe (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster expedite (v.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances sangfroid (n.)

Having the animals “hold hands” expedited the crossing of the street.

My acculturation to South Dakota did not take long. peculate (v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use acculturation (n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

Some of you have a proclivity to gabbing. proclivity (n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially human character or behavior) seditious (adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

I enjoin students constantly to come to class on time. inadvertent (adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental enjoin (v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Guessing, while risky, can be adventitious. adventitious (adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; –accidental, not essential; –(medicine) acquired, not congenital commiserate (v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

I’m noncommittal on the issue of taxing allowances. expiate (v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert noncommittal (adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

Mom’s vitriolic attitude didn’t help when the hunters came.

Are you still following me? resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; –accidental, not essential; –(medicine) acquired, not congenital adventitious (adj.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress commiserate (v.)

My students had a seditious look in their eye when they arrived that day. a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially human character or behavior) proclivity (n.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government seditious (adj.)

He tried to expiate his life of crime by buying groceries for broke folks. to make amends, make up for; to avert expiate (v.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no noncommittal (adj.)

The insult was inadvertent, so I hope you won’t take offense. resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental inadvertent (adj.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit enjoin (v.)

The secretary peculated the very money she was supposed to deposit. to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use peculate (v.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend acculturation (n.)

We often commiserate with those who have lost loved ones.