Vocabulary Drill

Chapter 1

abashed · embarrassed

abhorred · hated

adept · skilled

adroit · skillful

aggrandizement · high praise

annihilated · completely destroyed

argot · secret slang

ascended · rose up

asinine · inexcusably stupid

audibly · able to be heard

azure · blue like a clear sky

beseeched · pleaded with

bolted · moved suddenly

brooded · thought gloomily about

bustle · noisy activity

capitulating · giving in

coerced · forced

cognizant · aware

compelling · forceful or convincing

corroborate · confirm

distressed · upset

docile · obedient

dread · fear or anxiety

dutiful · behaving respectfully

elite · powerful and influential

embedded · surrounded closely

endorsements · expressions of support

exasperation · extreme annoyance

expurgated · cleansed

fastidious · careful

flourish · showy movement

forbearance · leniency or indulgence

frenetic · frenzied or frantic

furrowed · made lined or wrinkled

gleaming · shining

ignorance · lack of knowledge

imperious · commanding or bossy

implement · put to use

incompetent · unqualified

induced · caused to happen

ingenuous · innocent

insouciant · nonchalant or untroubled

interceded · came between to resolve a difference

inured · accustomed to something unpleasant

iridescent · lustrous or rainbowlike

ironic · opposite of the literal meaning

liability · a disadvantage

linger · hang around

luminous · glowing

muster · gather or summon

obscure · hide

perfunctorily · mechanically or unenthusiastically

peruse · read over casually

phlegmatic · unemotional

ponder · consider carefully

precise · exact

probe · testing device

prosaic · dull, unimaginative

pulchritude · beauty

rationalization · providing untrue reasons for behavior

recidivist · person who relapses

reconstruct · rebuild

sedate · steady and serious

stunted · not fully grown

supplication · begging

synesthete · one who hears shapes, sees colors, tastes sounds, etc. (invented word)

taciturn · silent

trepidation · fear or apprehension

tried · tests or strains

vice · moral failing or fault

vivacious · lively