Vocab Unit 3

Question 1

abominate

Answer 1

(v) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

syn- loathe, abhor, despise, detest

ant- relish, savor, esteem

I abominate cruelty yet do not always notice when I have said something inadvertently cruel.

Question 2

acculturation

Answer 2

(n) the modification of the social patterns, traits or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another: the resultant blend

syn- adaptation

Every immigrant group newly arrived in another country goes through a slow process of acculturation.

Question 3

adventitious

Answer 3

(adj) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, no congenital

syn- extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous

ant- essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

It was no adventitious meeting that led to their writing songs together, for in fact they were cousins.

Question 4

ascribe

Answer 4

(v) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

syn- impute, credit

You may ascribe these holes to gophers or elves, but I blame the dog from next door.

Question 5

circuitous

Answer 5

(adj) roundabout, not direct

syn- indirect, meandering, winding

ant-straight, direct, as the crow flies

I followed a circuitous path through the woods, not because I feared pursuit, but because I was lost.

Question 6

commiserate

Answer 6

(v) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

syn- feel sorry for, empathize

ant- feel no sympathy for

The family commiserated with her after the loss of her old and faithful dog.

Question 7

enjoin

Answer 7

(v) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

syn- bid, charge, adjure

ant-allow, permit

I enjoined them to stop spending so much money or to face the consequences.

Question 8

expedite

Answer 8

(v) to make easy, cause to progress faster

syn- accelerate, facilitate, speed up

ant-hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

The pleasant background music did not expedite my work but instead distracted me.

Question 9

expiate

Answer 9

(v) to make amends, make up for; to avert

syn- redeem, make amends for, make reparation

They seemed more than willing to expiate their guilt by whatever means necessary.

Question 10

ferment

Answer 10

(n) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence
(v) to be in or work into such as state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

syn(n)- commotion, turmoil, unrest

ant(n)- peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Caught in the ferment of revolution, the young men enlisted with the local militias.
If left for a time, cider will eventually ferment.

Question 11

inadvertent

Answer 11

(adj) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

syn- accidental

ant- deliberate, intentional

The poor fellow was stronger than he realized, and the damage he did was inadvertent.

Question 12

nominal

Answer 12

(adj) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

syn- titular, inconsequential

ant- actual, exorbitant

The new health clinic for lower-income residents charges only nominal fees.

Question 13

noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position

syn-cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest

ant- positive, definite, committed

We questioned her quietly, carefully, and at length, but her answers remained noncommittal.

Question 14

peculate

Answer 14

(v) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one;s own use

syn- defraud, misappropriate

Investigators discovered that the clerk came up with a scheme to peculate from the company.

Question 15

proclivity

Answer 15

(n) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

syn- penchant, propensity

ant- inability, incapacity

Curious, patient, and fond of long walks outdoors, she soon displayed a proclivity for nature study,

Question 16

sangfroid

Answer 16

(n) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

syn- poise, self-assurance, equanimity
ant- excitability, hysteria, flappability

Even when they forgot their lines, experienced actors can usually perform with sangfroid.

Question 17

seditious

Answer 17

(adj) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

syn- mutinous, rebellious, subversive

ant- supportive, faithful, allegiant

Question 18

tenuous

Answer 18

(adj) thing, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

syn- flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy

ant- strong, solid, substantial, valid

My grasp of trigonometry was tenuous until I attended the remedial study sessions.

Question 19

vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj) bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

syn- withering, acerbic, mordant

ant- bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Though hurt by his vitriolic language, I had to admit that some of his points were valid.

Question 20

wheedle

Answer 20

(v) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

syn- inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk

ant- coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm

The spy used charm and flattery in order to wheedle the information from the diplomat.