Vocabulary

1. Vocabulary Unit 3 Level F

2. abominate • (v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for • Synonyms: loathe, abhor, despise, detest • Antonyms: relish, savor, cherish, esteem I abominate the actions of bullies!

3. acculturation • (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 Thanks to our host family, our acculturation into Japanese society did not take as long as we expected.

4. adventitious • Synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous • Antonyms: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital • Redwood burls are large adventitious buds that form on the trunks of the trees. • (adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

5. ascribe • (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute • Synonyms: impute, credit, attribute • We ascribed the hole in our window to our next door neighbor.

6. circuitous • (adj.) roundabout, not direct • Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding • Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies • John decided to take the circuitous approach in getting to know the new girl in class.

7. commiserate • (v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress • Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize • Antonyms: feel no sympathy for The players commiserated with each other after the devastating loss.

8. enjoin • (v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit • Synonyms: bid, charge, command, adjure • Antonyms: allow, permit • In the old days, teachers would enjoin their students to behave or face the paddle!

9. expedite • (v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster • Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up • Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct • I was willing to pay extra in order to expedite delivery of my new dress.

10. expiate • (v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert • Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation The boys were willing to expiate their bad behavior by serving detention.

11. ferment • (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 • Antonyms: (n.) peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity The entire country of Egypt seems to be caught up in the ferment of protest.

12. inadvertent • (adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental • Synonyms: accidental, unconsidered • Antonyms: deliberate, intentional, premeditated I took an inadvertent wrong turn and ended up on the other side of town.

13. nominal • (adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously • Synonyms: titular, token trifling, inconsequential • Antonyms: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive Because we wanted to attract a large audience, we only charged a nominal fee for the school play.

14. noncommittal • (adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no • Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest • Antonyms: positive, definite, committed Many top high school recruits like to remain noncommittal until signing day.

15. peculate • (v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use • Synonyms: embezzle, defraud, misappropriate Those who are tempted to peculate from their companies soon find that crime does not pay.

16. proclivity • (n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior) • Synonyms: natural bent, penchant, propensity • Antonyms: inability or incapacity Because of her proclivity toward animals, we were not surprised when she decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

17. sangfroid • (n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances • Synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity • Antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability Good actors must possess an enormous amount of sangfroid in order to always appear in control.

18. seditious • (adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government • Synonyms: mutinous, rebellious, subversive • Antonyms: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant Dictators always try to silence seditious protesters.

19. tenuous • (adj.) think, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported • Synonyms: flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy • Antonyms: strong, solid, substantial, valid My knowledge of diagramming was tenuous until I asked for help.

20. vitriolic • (adj.) bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) • Synonyms: withering, acerbic, mordant • Antonyms: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary Your vitriolic attitude will not help you to attract friends.

21. wheedle • (v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end • Synonyms: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk • Antonyms: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm • Don’t try to wheedle your teacher into changing your grade!