Vocab Unit 3

Question 1

Abominate

Answer 1

(v) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

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

Question 3

Adventitious

Answer 3

(adj) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
THINK: adventure

Question 4

Ascribe

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Circuitous

Answer 5

(adj) roundabout, not direct
THINK: circle, “circuit…”

Question 6

Commiserate

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Enjoin

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Expedite

Answer 8

(v) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Question 9

Expiate

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Ferment

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Inadvertent

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Nominal

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

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

Question 15

Proclivity

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Sangfroid

Answer 16

(n) Composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

Question 17

Sedititous

Answer 17

(adj) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
THINK: alien and sedition acts

Question 18

Tenuous

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Vitriolic

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Wheedle

Answer 20

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