Vocabulary #1

adumbrate - give to understand; describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

 

When writing an essay that analyzes a text, one should defer merely adumbrating the text.

 

apotheosis - the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god); model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

 

One’s major idol may be seen at an apotheosis-status.

 

ascetic - practicing great self-denial; pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline; noun someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline

 

One may have the idea that scholars have ascetic attitudes and take life very seriously.

 

bauble - a mock scepter carried by a court jester; cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing

 

Arrogance may be shown by one who displays many baubles on themselves.

 

beguile - attract; cause to be enamored; influence by slyness

 

Desperate for a relationship, she wondered how she can beguile more guys to her.

 

burgeon - grow and flourish

 

Orleanna Price loved when her plants burgeoned; being that gardening was her passion.

 

complement - something added to complete or make perfect; either of two parts that mutually complete each other; a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction; number needed to make up a whole force; a complete number or quantity; one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response; verb make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to

 

When one’s self-esteem is low, a complement is always appreciated and remembered.

 

contumacious - willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient

 

A lot of underachieving students have a reputation of being contumacious.

 

curmudgeon - a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas

 

Elder conservative politicians are most likely perceived as curmudgeons with their dated beliefs.

 

didactic - instructive (especially excessively)

 

Teachers have to be somewhat didactic in order to establish a stable learning environment.

 

disingenuous - not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness

 

Corrupt politicians are majorly disingenuous when speaking publicly on their goals and ideas.

 

exculpate - pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

 

Expect grand exculpation when one is declared as ‘innocent’ in court.

 

faux pas- an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.

 

During a meeting with colleagues, one tries to avoid any faux pas to prevent embarrassment or unprofessionalism.

 

fulminate - a salt or ester of fulminic acid; verb cause to explode violently and with
loud noise; come on suddenly and intensely; criticize severely

 

It is unfortunate that many people grow sued to the sights and sounds of fulmination because there are violent wars and riots where they live.

 

fustian - a strong cotton and linen fabric with a slight nap; pompous or pretentious talk or writing

 

Fustian is a fabric used more in previous centuries for menswear.

 

hauteur - overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

 

Arrogance can not only be shown by the wear of many baubles, howver by behaving in a hauteur manner.

 

inhibit - limit the range or extent of; to put down by force or authority

 

Most wild teen parties are ruined by inhibit of law enforcement.

 

jeremiad - a long and mournful complaint

 

Most annoying people say many jeremiads throughout the day, downing everyone’s mood.

 

opportunist -  taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit; noun a person who places expediency above principle

 

Successful people put themselves out here and dare to be opportunists, not letting any chance slip by.

 

unconscionable - greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; lacking a conscience

 

Respect can’t be enforced if unconscionable-ness is in the picture.