Vocabulary Energizers 2 Units 1-5
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- pariah
- (n.) social outcast, persona non grata
- fathom
- (v.) understand, figure out, penetrate the meaning of, comprehend
- chimerical
- (adj.) given to wildly impossible plans, unrealistic, fantastic, impractical, quixotic
- anachronism
- (n.) something out of its proper historical time; error of putting something in the wrong historical time; chronological error
- abominable
- (adj.) utterly disgusting or hateful, loathsome
- fatal
- (adj.) causing or capable of causing death and destruction, lethal
- sadistic
- (adj.) getting pleasure from hurting others, perversely cruel
- pecuniary
- (adj.) relating to money, monetary
- Achille's heel
- (n.) weak point, vulnerability
- diabolic
- (adj.) outrageously wicked, cruel; devilish; infernal
- pragmatic
- (adj.) practical, utilitarian
- pedigree
- (n.) ancestry, record of descent, genealogy
- disparage
- (v.) refer to something as having little importance, speak slightingly of; belittle
- sycophant
- (n.) sickenly humble self seeking flatterer, toady
- charlatan
- (n.) deceiver who falsely claims to have knowledge or skill; impostor; mountebank
- draconian
- (adj.) severe, harsh, cruel, austere
- spurn
- (v.) scornfully refuse or reject, repudiate
- serendipity
- (n.) ability to make lucky discoveries by chance or accident, fortuity
- plagiarize
- (v.) use ideas or writings of another and present them as one's own, purloin
- mnemonic
- (adj.) assisting memory, assisting reminiscence
- preposterous
- (adj.) ridiculous, obviously absurd, ludicrous
- venerate
- (v.) regard with great respect, revere
- irony
- (n.) expression that means the opposite of what is stated; event or result the opposite of what is expected, sarcasm
- vegetate
- (v.) lead a dull, inactive, useless life; stagnate
- stentorian
- (adj.) very loud, sonorous
- pittance
- (n.) small amount or portion, especially of money, modicum
- limbo
- (n.) place or state of neglect; period awaiting change; in between state; oblivion
- conjugal
- (adj.) of marriage, pertaining to the relationship between husband and wife; marital
- vindictive
- (adj.) revengeful, vengeful
- nefarious
- (adj.) extremely wicked, heinous
- plummet
- (v.) fall rapidly straight down; hurtle
- vindicate
- (v.) clear from blame, charges, criticism; justify; absolve
- impecunious
- (adj.) having little or no money, poor, indigent
- hyperbole
- (n.) obviously extravagant statement or assertion, exaggeration
- homage
- (n.) action showing respect and honor, tribute
- adamant
- (adj.) unyielding, inflexible, definite, obdurate
- asinine
- (adj.) stupid or silly, inane
- Spartan
- (adj.) severe, rigorous, disciplined, austere
- farce
- (n.) ridiculous comedy; slapstick comedy; mockery; burlesque
- dunce
- (n.) stupid person, dolt
- effete
- (adj.) worn out, unproductive, barren, decadent
- ominous
- (adj.) threatening, suggestive of future evil, foreboding
- malapropism
- (n.) ridiculuous or humorous misuse of words, spoonerism
- bellwether
- (n.) leader, vanguard
- bombast
- (n.) speech or writing that sounds grand but has little meaning, grandiloquence
- macabre
- (adj.) gruesome, horrible, causing fear, ghastly
- tawdry
- (adj.) showy and cheap, gaudy
- gadfly
- (n.) person who continually annoys others, goad
- titanic
- (adj.) enormous in size or strength, prodigious
- desultory
- (adj.) random, unmethodical, aimless, haphazard