unit 2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
ameliorate
to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
aplomb
poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
bombastic
pompous, over overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
callow
without experience; immature; not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
drivel
saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
epitome
a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
exhort
to urge strongly, advise earnestly
ex officio
by virtue or holding a certain office
infringe
to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
ingratiate
to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
interloper
one who moves where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be; an intruder
intrinsic
belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
inveigh
to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
lassitude
weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
millennium
a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
occult
secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; mysterious, magical, uncanny; to hide, cover up; eclipse; matters involving the supernatural
permeate
to spread through, penetrate, soak through
precipitate
to fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; characterized by excessive haste; moisture; the product of an action or events
stringent
strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
surmise
to think or believe without certain support evidence; to conjecture or guess; likely idea that lacks definite proof
