Vocabulary Workshop Level D Units 13-15

ad infinitum

(adv.) endlessly

apportion

(v.) to divide and give out in shares

bona fide

(adj.) genuine; sincere

buoyant

(adj.) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful

clique

(n.) a small, exclusive group of people

concede

(v.) to admit as true; to yield, submit

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant

lofty

(adj.) very high; noble

migration

(n.) a movement from one country or region to another

perceive

(v.) to be aware of through the senses, observe; to grasp mentally

perverse

(adj.) inclined to go against what is expected; stubborn; turned away from what is good and proper

prelude

(n.) an introduction; that which comes before or leads off

rancid

(adj.) stale, spoiled

rustic

(adj.) country-like; simple, plain; awkward; (n.) one who lives in the country

sever

(v.) to separate, divide into parts

sordid

(adj.) wretchedly poor; run-down; mean or selfish

untenable

(adj.) not capable of being held or defended; impossible to maintain

versatile

(adj.) able to do many things well; capable of many uses

vindicate

(v.) to clear from hint or charge of wrongdoing; to defend successfully against opposition; to justify

wane

(v.) to lose size, strength, or power

annex

(v.) to add to, attach; to incorporate; (n.) an attachment or addition

cleave

(v.) To cut or split open; to cling to

cordial

(adj.) in a friendly manner, hearty; cheery; (n.) a liqueur

cornerstone

(n.) the starting point of a building; a fundamental principle or element

debacle

(n.) an overwhelming defeat, rout; a complete collapse or failure

devitalize

(v.) to make weak or lifeless

embroil

(v.) to involve in a conflict or difficulty; to throw into confusion

exonerate

(v.) to clear from a charge or accusation

glib

(adj.) ready and fluent in speech; thoughtless, insincere

haphazard

(adj.) by chance, not planned; lacking order

improvise

(v.) to compose or perform without preparation; to construct from available materials

incite

(v.) to rouse, stir up, urge on

influx

(n.) a coming in, inflow

pallor

(n.) an extreme or unnatural paleness

pedigree

(n.) a list of ancestors, family tree; the history or origins of something

precipitous

(adj.) very steep

profuse

(adj.) very abundant; given or flowing freely

reconcile

(v.) to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign (oneself)

shackle

(v.) to put into chains; (n., usually pl.) a chain, fetter

threadbare

(adj.) shabby, old and worn

abase

(v.) to lower in esteem, degrade; to humble

actuate

(v.) to move to action; to impel

avert

(v.) to turn aside, turn away; to prevent, avoid

boorish

(adj.) rude, unrefined; clumsy

brunt

(n.) the main impact, force, or burden

combatant

(n.) a fighter; (adj.) engaged in fighting

dormant

(adj.) inactive; in a state of suspension; sleeping

dubious

(adj.) causing uncertainty or suspicion; in a doubtful or uncertain state of mind, hesitant

harangue

(v.) to deliver a loud, ranting speech; (n.) a loud speech

harry

(v.) to make a destructive raid on; to torment, harass

impenitent

(adj.) not feeling remorse or sorrow for errors or offenses

knave

(n.) a tricky, unprincipled, or deceitful fellow

legion

(n.) a large military force; any large group or number; (adj.) many, numerous

liberality

(n.) generosity, generous act; breadth of mind or outlook

plaintiff

(n.) one who begins a lawsuit

probe

(v.) to examine, investigate thoroughly; (n.) an investigation; a device used to explore or examine

protract

(v.) to draw out or lengthen in space or time

quarry

(v.) to cut or take from (or as if from) a quarry; (n.) a place from which stone is taken; something that is hunted or pursued

spurn

(v.) to refuse with scorn, disdain

subterfuge

(n.) an excuse or trick for escaping or hiding something