1. Lesson 12 Vocabulary
Standard

2. 1. abjure- to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun
Toward the end of Shakespeare’s last play, The Tempest, the magician Prospero abjured his powers over nature.
2. acrid-harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper
The acrid stench of a fire lingers in the air long after the flames have been extinguished.
3. august- majestic, inspiring admiration and respect
The august visages of four of America’s great presidents are carved on the face of Mount Rushmore.
4. callous-emotionally hardened, unfeeling
Protesters accused the mayor of callous indifference to the plight of the homeless.

3. 5. clandestine- secret, concealed, underhanded
During the early stages of the American Revolution, clandestine colonial printing presses churned out quantities of anti-British propaganda.
6. compunction-remorse, regret
In some religious writings compunction is used as a synonym for contrition to express profound regret for one’s sins.
7.conflagration-a large destructive fire
A large number of wooden structures quite literally added fuel to the conflagration that swept through San Francisco in 1906.

4. 8. elated- in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased
Elated fans lined the city’s streets to cheer the World Series champions.
9. indelible- not able to be erased or removed; memorable
The brutal crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis left an indelible stain on the history of the twentieth century.
10. indulgent- yielding to the wishes or demands of others
A heightened sense of compassion has induced the federal government to adopt a more indulgent policy toward illegal aliens.

5. 11. inveterate- firmly established, long-standing, habitual
It has been claimed that any writers and artists have an inveterate hostility to criticism.
12. irrelevant-not to the point, not applicable or pertinent
When you take notes, it’s best to record only the main ideas and eliminate all irrelevant details.
13. nocturnal-of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness
Most nocturnal creatures have keen eyesight and acute hearing.

6. 14. platitude- a commonplace, stale, or trite remark
The sentiments expressed in most greeting cards seldom rise above the level of timeworn platitudes.
15. quell- to subdue, put down forcibly
The English poet John Dryden believed that music has the power either to arouse or to quell strong emotions.

7. Define/sentences Define each word and use it in a sentence.
16. quiescent
17. ruminate
18. tacit
19. tangible
20. trenchant