Vocab Unit 3

Question 1

abominate

Answer 1

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest

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
Synonyms: adaptation

Question 3

adventitious

Answer 3

(adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital
Synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous

Question 4

ascribe

Answer 4

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

Synonyms: impute, credit

Question 5

circuitous

Answer 5

(adj.) roundabout; not direct

Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding

Question 6

commiserate

Answer 6

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize

Question 7

enjoin

Answer 7

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
Synonyms: bid, charge, adjure

Question 8

expedite

Answer 8

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up

Question 9

expiate

Answer 9

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to advert

Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, make reparation

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
Synonyms: (n.) commotion, turmoil, unrest

Question 11

inadvertent

Answer 11

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

Question 12

nominal

Answer 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; to small to be considered or taken seriously
Synonyms: titular, inconsequential

Question 13

noncommittal

Answer 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position
Synonyms: cagey

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
Synonyms: defraud, misappropriate

Question 15

proclivity

Answer 15

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)
Synonyms: penchant, propensity

Question 16

sangfroid

Answer 16

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances
Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity

Question 17

seditious

Answer 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government
Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive

Question 18

tenuous

Answer 18

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking sound basis, poorly supported
Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy

Question 19

vitriolic

Answer 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)
Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant

Question 20

wheedle

Answer 20

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

Synonyms: inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk