1. Hot Words #5

2. 1. Cajole (v.) To persuade by pleasant words or false promises. To persuade by pleasant words or false promises. It was Blanche’s plan to cajole Archer into buying a bungalow at the seashore. It was Blanche’s plan to cajole Archer into buying a bungalow at the seashore.

3. 2. Callous (adj.) Unfeeling; insensitive. Unfeeling; insensitive. Nurse Blatt was falsely accused of being callous toward her terminal patients. Nurse Blatt was falsely accused of being callous toward her terminal patients.

4. 3. Capitulate (v.) To surrender; to cease resisting. To surrender; to cease resisting. Since the proposed terms were so ambiguous, we vowed not to capitulate until they were clarified. Since the proposed terms were so ambiguous, we vowed not to capitulate until they were clarified.

5. 4. Capricious (adj.) Changeable; fickle. Changeable; fickle. Our weather is so capricious that it’s difficult to make weekend plans. Our weather is so capricious that it’s difficult to make weekend plans.

6. 5. Carping (adj.) Complaining. Complaining. We were disgusted with Hillary’s carping remarks about the food. We were disgusted with Hillary’s carping remarks about the food.

7. 6. Catalyst (n.) Someone or something that brings about a change. Someone or something that brings about a change. Our articulate new principal was the catalyst for school reform. Our articulate new principal was the catalyst for school reform.

8. 7. Catharsis (n.) An emotional purification or relief. An emotional purification or relief. Ancient Greeks felt that after a catharsis an individual is better able to cope with setbacks. Ancient Greeks felt that after a catharsis an individual is better able to cope with setbacks.

9. 8. Caustic (adj.) Stinging; biting. Stinging; biting. George’s caustic remarks were the antithesis of what we expected from such a mild-mannered gentleman. George’s caustic remarks were the antithesis of what we expected from such a mild-mannered gentleman.

10. 9. Celestial (adj.) Having to do with the heavens; divine. Having to do with the heavens; divine. Miss America was lavishly praised for her celestial grace. Miss America was lavishly praised for her celestial grace.

11. 10. Censure (v.) To blame; to criticize adversely. To blame; to criticize adversely. Congress agreed to censure the outspoken senator. Congress agreed to censure the outspoken senator.