Lesson 12

Abridge

to make shorter

alacrity

a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action

Antipathy

strong dislike

Augment

to make larger, increase

Bombastic

pompous in speech and manner

decry

to condemn, express strong disapproval; to officially depreciate

Eclectic

choosing from various sources

Enhance

to improve

euphonious

pleasing in sound

fervid

extremely emotional; passionate

Impecunious

poor, without money

Ingratiate

to gain another's favor by flattery or false friendliness

Luxuriant

abundant in growth, very fertile

paltry

insignificant; worthless

pedantry

a pretentious display of knowledge

Placid

calm, peaceful

preclude

to prevent

promontory

land or rock projecting into a body of water

raze

to destroy

Secular

worldly, non-religious

static

not moving, active, or in motion; at rest

tact

touch

torpid

inactive, sluggish, dull

Vindicated

freed from blame

vindictive

revengeful