VOCAB unit 12

abjure

to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun
syn: forswear, retract,recant, abstain from

acrid

harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper
syn: bitter, stinging, irritating, caustic

august

majestic, inspiring admiration and respect
syn: stately, dignified, exalted, venerable

callous

emotionally hardened, unfeeling
syn: insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned

clandestine

secret, concealed; underhanded
syn: covert, furtive, stealthy, surreptitious

compunction

remorse, regret
syn: scruple, qualm, misgiving, contrition

conflagration

a large destructive fire
syn: wildfire, holocaust

elated

in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased
syn: overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink

indelible

not able to be erased or removed; memorable
syn: lasting, permanent, unforgettable

indulgent

yielding to the wishes or demands of others
syn: lenient, permissive, tolerant, liberal

inveterate

firmly established, long-standing; habitual
syn: persisting, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool

irrelevant

not to the point, not applicable or pertinent
syn: inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point

nocturnal

of or occurring in the night; under cover of darkness
syn: nighttime

platitude

a commonplace, stale, or trite remark
syn: clich�, truism, bromide

quell

to subdue, put down forcibly
syn: suppress, pacify, squelch, squash, crush

quiescent

inactive; at rest
syn:still, inert, motionless, dormant, tranquil

ruminate

to meditate, think about at length; to chew the cud
syn: ponder, reflect, mull over, muse

tacit

unspoken, silent; implied, inferred
syn: unexpressed, unvoiced, understood, implicit

tangible

capable of being touched; real, concrete
syn: actual, evident, palpable, perceptible

trenchant

incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut
syn: cutting, telling, acute, penetrating