English IV Speer Vocab 10
Terms
undefined, object
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- circuitous
- (adjective) – indirect, roundabout · The irritated motorists were forced to take a circuitous route around the washed-out bridge, which took an extra hour. Syn: circular Ant: direct
- circumlocution
- (noun) – an unnecessarily wordy or evasive form of expression Surprised by an unforeseen and weighty question, the politician’s speech degenerated into empty phrases and circumlocution. Syn: roundabout
- deleterious
- adjective) – having a harmful effect; injurious Cigarette smoking is deleterious to your health; it causes lung cancer, heart disease, and constricted blood vessels. Syn: destructive, perniciousAnt: beneficial
- extenuating
- (adjective) – lessening the seriousness of Kevin claimed that extenuating circumstances prevented his timely appearance in court; however, the judge still held him in contempt of court. Syn: justifying
- inchoate
- (adjective) – unformed or undeveloped The plan could not possibly go into effect at this time as it is still in an inchoate stage. Syn: incomplete, incipient
- largesse
- (noun) - generosity The new arts center was a result of its wealthy patron’s largesse. Ant: stinginess
- luminous
- adjective) – bright; full of light The cathedral’s luminous stained-glass windows shone above the heads of the worshippers. Syn: brilliant Ant: dull, dark
- majordomo
- (noun) – follower; butler The king instructed his most faithful majordomo to organize the festivities for the prince’s wedding
- perambulate
- (verb) – to walk about, stroll One older woman could not walk on her own even though she had perambulated for years before she got sick.
- prevaricate
- (verb) – to lie; mislead The little boy didn’t understand the difference between prevaricating and being honest. Syn: evade
- propriety
- (noun) - appropriateness No one in power questioned the propriety of William’s research topic of government corruption. Syn: decency, correctness
- timorous
- (adjective) - timid The puppy was so small and timorous that all of its siblings bullied it. Syn: cowardly; shy Ant: outgoing
- tremulous
- (adjective) – timid; fearful In a tremulous voice he asked her to marry him; he was very afraid of rejection, though. Ant: brave
- untenable
- (adjective) – incapable of being defended Finding their position untenable, the Marines at the foot of the hill retreated.
- venner
- (noun) – any thin, attractive surface layer Although he was an innately evil person, he had an innocent veneer that misled everyone