Midterm Vocabulary

ambidextrous

able to use both hands equally well; very skillfil; deceitful, hypocritcal

deploy

to position or arrange; to utilize; to form up

gibe

to utter taunting words; an expression of scorn

benevolent

kindly, charitable

holocaust

a large-scale destruction, especially by fire; a vast slaughter; a burnt offering

jeopardy

danger

adversary

an enemy, opponent

culinary

of or related to cooking or the kitchen

harass

to disturb, worry; to trouble by repeated attacks

disperse

to scatter, spread far and wide

nonchalant

cool and confident, unconcerned

uncanny

strange, mysterious, weird, beyond explanation

benefactor

one who does good to others

chivalrous

marked by honor, courtesy, and courage; knightly

pungent

causing a sharp sensation; stinging, biting

ironic

suggesting incongruity between what might be expected and what actually happens; given to irony, sarcastic

ominous

unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen

amend

to change in a formal way; to change for the better

chaos

great confusion, disorder

renegade

one who leaves a group; a deserter, outlaw; traitorous; unconventional, unorthodox

animosity

strong dislike; bitter hostility

commend

to praise, express approval; to present as worthy of attention; to commit to the care of

compatible

able to get along or work well together; capable of use with some other model or system

revel

to take great pleasure in; a wild celebration

stately

dignified, majestic

opulent

wealthy, luxurious; ample; grandiose

grimace

a wry face, facial distortion; to make a wry face

precedent

an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

esteem

to regard highly; a highly favorable opinion or judgement

plod

to walk heavily or slowly; to work slowly

solace

comfort, relief; to comfort, console

voluminous

of great size; numerous; writing or speaking at great length