Vocabulary Ch. 13

ad infinitum

(adv.) endlessly
Syn: forever, unceasingly, incessantly, ceaselessly

apportion

(v.) to divide and give out in shares
Syn: distribute, allot, parcel out, allocate

bona fide

(adj.) genuine, sincere
Syn: authentic, indisputable, legitimate, certified

buoyant

(adj.) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful
Syn: jaunty, lighthearted, animated

clique

(n.) a small, exclusive group of people.
Syn: inner circle

concede

(v.) to admit as true; to yield, submit
Syn: acknowledge, grant, allow, assent

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant
Syn: sociable, amiable, compatible

lofty

(adj.) very high, noble
Syn: elevated, exalted, grand

migration

(n.) a movement from one country or region to another
Syn: population shift, mass movement

percieve

(v.) to be aware of through the senses, observe; to grasp mentally.
Syn: notice, discern, understand

perverse

(adj.) inclined to go against what is expected; stubborn; turned away from what is good and proper.
Syn: obstinate, contrary, mulish

prelude

(n.) an introduction; that which comes before or leads off
Syn: preface, overture, prologue, "curtain raiser

rancid

(adj.) stale, spoiled
Syn: foul, rank, fetid, sour, rotten

rustic

(adj.) country-like; simple, plain; awkward; (n.) one who lives in the country
Syn: rough, unsophisticated, countrified

sever

(v.) to separate, divide into parts
Syn: cut off, amputate, dissolve

sordid

(adj.) wretchedly poor; run down; mean or selfish
Syn: filthy, squalid, base, vile, seedy, sleazy

untenable

(adj.) not capable of being held or defended; impossible to maintain.
Syn: indefensible, insupportable

versatile

(adj.) able to do many things well; capable of many uses.
Syn: adaptable, all-around, many-sided

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
Syn: diminish, decline, subside