Vocabulary Drill

Chapter Twelve

abjure · disown

abnegation · sel-denial

abrogate · abolish

acerbically · harshly

acquiesced · gave in

admonishment · reprimand

adroit · skillful

adumbrate · disclose

aesthetic · artistic

amenable · open

amorphous · shapeless

anecdotes · short, amusing stories

anthology · collection

antiseptic · sterile

apocryphal · dubious

aspire · aim

avert · turn away

banal · boring

bellicose · aggresive

blemish · flaw

bodes · indicates

bombastic · overbearing

capitulated · gave in

caucus · assembly

chaotic · hectic

circumspect · cautious

cogent · convincing

compulsion · impulse

congruity · agreement

constituent · citizen

constraining · holding back

contentious · touchy

corrosive · damaging

coup · triumph

cultivate · develop

cursory · brief

denounce · condemn

dispatch · send

ebullient · cheerful

elaborate · complex

embellish · decorate

eminent · distinguished

encumbered · weighed down

engage · make involved

ennui · boredom

epiphany · moment of realization

ethereal · otherwordly

exculpate · free from blame

execrable · terrible

fettered · chained

frenetic · hectic

gnarled · twisted

grandiloquence · extravagant language

gregarious · outgoing

hiatus · break

hypothetically · theoretically

hysterical · frenzied

imperious · domineering

impertinent · impolite

implement · apply

infamy · disgrace

ingenious · inspired

inquisitor · questioner

interlocutor · participant

judicious · sensible

lucid · coherent

marginally · slightly

marveling · amazed

meek · timid

metamorphosis · transformation

nadir · low point

notorious · infamous

nuance · distinct traits

panacea · cure-all

paucity · shortage

pert · animated

perusal · examination

plethora · variety

precociousness · early maturity

presage · omen

presumptuous · arrogant, bold

propagating · spreading

propensity · penchant

propitious · encourging

proscribed · banned

pugnacious · aggresive

quixotic · idealistic

raze · tear down

rebuke · reprimand

regarded · studied

replete · full

reposing · resting

resolutely · with determination

sacerdote · priest

salutation · greeting

stifled · held back

tremulously · shakily

wan · pale