Vocab. Set #1

tangible

(adj): perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch; real or concrete

laceration

(n): a torn, ragged wound

castigate

(v): to chastise, criticize, or censure severely

sordid

(adj): Dirty or squalid; morally degrading

octogenarian

(n): a person who is between 80 and 89 years of age

solace

(n): consolation or comfort in disappointment or misery

aspirant

(n): one who is ambitious; one who desires or strives for recognition or advancement

dregs

(n): a small amount of residue; the lowest and most worthless part of something

frenzy

(n): a state of violent mental agitation

scurrilous

(adj): given to vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed; coarse

to take down a peg

(idiom): to take the conceit out of a braggart

juxtaposition

(n): laid side by side

voracious

(adj): desiring or consuming great quantities of something

indiscriminate

(adj): done at random or without careful judgment

eminent

(adj): famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession

steeped

(adj): soaked, drenched, or saturated, whether literally or metaphorically

replete

(adj): the quality of being completely filled or well-supplied with something

abound

(v): to exist in large numbers or amounts

prognosticate

(v): to foretell or predict a future event

automaton

(n): a robot; a mechanical "person

matron

(n): a married woman, esp. a dignified and sober middle-aged one

to eat humble pie

(idiom): to admit your error and apologize

realm

(n): a field or domain of activity or interest; kingdom

annals

(n): historical records

compound

(v): to make something bad worse; to increase or add to in this way

tinge

(n): a slight trace of a feeling or quality

badger

(v): to pester, nag, or annoy persistently

implore

(v): to plead urgently for aid or mercy

drudgery

(n): unpelasant, dull, or hard work

interminable

(adj): unending

perceive

(v): to understand, know, or become aware of

paradox

(n): a statement that at first seems to be absurd or self-contradictory, but which may in fact turn out to be true

the sword of Damocles

(idiom): any imminent danger

laconic

(adj): expressing much in few words

throng

(n): a large, densely-packed crowd of people or animals

intrepid

(adj): brave; fearless; adventurous

accost

(v): to approach and speak to

reticent

(adj): not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reluctant to talk; restrained

furtive

(adj): marked by caution and secrecy; stealthy

felon

(n): a person guilty of a major crime

plethora

(n): an excess of something

hapless

(adj): unfortunate

irate

(adj): angry, incensed

Pyrrhic victory

(idiom): a too costly victory

pretext

(n): a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason; something created as an excuse for something else

fabricate

(v): to invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent

adroit

(adj): clever or skillful

gesticulate

(v): to move the arms in energetic gestures

vigilant

(adj): keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

avid

(adj): having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something; eager

cajole

(v): to persuade someone to do something through coaxing or flattery

rudimentary

(adj): elementary in nature; basic; fundamental

enhance

(v): to intensify or heighten

nuance

(n): a slight variation or difference in meaning, tone, or expression

a wet blanket

(idiom): one who spoils the fun or who seems uninterested in having fun

loathe

(v): to feel intense disgust, dislike, or hatred for someone or something

reprimand

(v): to show sharp disapproval

lackluster

(adj): lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; dull

caustic

(adj): sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

wrest

(v): to forcibly take (something, esp. power or control) from someone or something else after considerable effort or difficulty

infamous

(adj): having a bad reputation

jostle

(v): to shove hard or roughly

dupe

(n): a person who is easily tricked or deceived

inadvertent

(adj): heedless; having been done by accident; unintentional

incipient

(adj): just beginning to exist or develop

to carry the day

(idiom): to win the approval of the majority

ominous

(adj): threatening or foreboding

tremulous

(adj): shaking or quivering slightly

repudiate

(v): to reject or deny the truth or validity of something

cessation

(n): an end or stopping

bristle

(v): to stiffen with fear or anger

euphemism

(n): a less offensive term for something unpleasant, embarrassing, or impolite

mundane

(adj): of the earthly world, rather than the spiritual one

incongruous

(adj): seeming strange or ludicrous through being out of place or unexpected; something contextually inappropropriate

condolence

(n): an expression of sympathy with another's grief

stipulate

(v): to specify as a condition

to go up in smoke

(idiom): to come to no practical result; fruitless