UNIT 2 VOCABULARYAccelerated English 10

ameliorateA hot meal can ameliorate the

discomforts of even the coldest day.“ a meal you ate”

ameliorate(v.) to improve, make better, correct a

flaw or shortcoming synonyms: amend, betterantonyms: worsen, aggravate,

exacerbate

AMELIORATE

aplombConsidering the family’s tense mood,

you handled the situation with aplomb.

“ a plum”

aplomb(n.) poise, assurance, great self-

confidence, perpendicularity synonyms: composure, self-possessionantonyms: confusion, embarrassment,abashment

APLOMB

bombasticHe delivered a bombastic speech that

didn’t address our problems.

bombastic(adj.) pompous or overblown in language;

full of high-sounding words intended to conceal lack of ideas

synonyms: inflated, highfalutin, pretentiousantonyms: unadorned, simple, plain,

austere

BOMBASTIC

callowThey entered the army as callow

recruits.

“cow low”

callow(adj.) Without experience; immature synonyms: green, raw, unfledged,

inexperiencedantonyms: mature, grown-up, polished,

sophisticated

CALLOW

drivelKnowing that his time was nearly up,

we kept silence and let him drivel on.

drivel(n.) saliva or mucus flowing from the

mouth or nose; aimless talking or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense; to waste away foolishly

synonyms: (n.) balderdash, tommyrotv. slaver

DRIVEL

epitomeAdmitting when you have been fairly

defeated is the epitome of sportsmanship.

epitome(n.) a summary, condensed accountsynonyms: abstract, digest, archetype

EPITOME

exhortWith dramatic gestures, our fans

vigorously exhort the team to play harder.

exhort(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestlysynonyms: entreat, implore, adjureantonyms: discourage, advise against,

deprecate

EXHORT

ex officioThe President is the ex officio

commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

ex officio(adj., adv) by virtue of holding a

certain office

EX OFFICIO

infringeIf you continue to infringe on my

responsibilities, will you also take the blame for any mistakes?

infringe(v.) to violate, trespass, go beyond

recognized boundssynonyms: encroach, impinge, intrudeantonyms: stay in bounds, comply

INFRINGE

ingratiateIt’s not a good idea to ingratiate

oneself by paying cloying compliments.

ingratiate(v.) to make oneself agreeable and thus

gain favor by otherssynonyms: cozy up to, curry favor withantonyms: humiliate oneself

INGRATIATE

interloperThe crowd was so eager to see the

band perform that they resented the opening singer as an interloper.

interloper(n.) one who moves in where he is not

wanted synonyms: trespasser, meddler,

buttinsky

“cantaloper”

INTERLOPER

intrinsicIt had been my father’s favorite book

when he was my age, but for me it held little intrinsic interest.

intrinsic(v.) belonging to someone or

something by its very nature, essential, inherent

synonyms: immanent, organicantonyms: extrinsic, external, outward

INTRINSIC

inveighYou should not inveigh against the

plan with quite so much vigor until you have read it.

inveigh(v.) to make a violent attack in words,

express strong disapprovalsynonyms: harangue, remonstrateantonyms: acclaim, glorify, extol

INVEIGH

lassitudeOn some days I am overcome by

lassitude at the thought of so many years of schooling.

lassitude(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of

energysynonyms: fatigue, lethargy, torpor

languorantonyms: energy, vitality, animation,

liveliness

LASSITUDE

millenniumIn 1999 an argument raged over

whether 2000 or 2001 would mark the beginning of the new millennium.

millennium(n.) A period of one thousand years; a

period of great joy synonyms: chiliad, golden age,antonyms: doomsday

MILLENNIUM

occultOne need not rely on occult knowledge

to grasp why things disappear in a house where two cats live.

occult(adj.) mysterious, magical,

supernatural (v.) to hide, conceal (n.) matters involving the supernatural

synonym: esoteric, abstruse, arcaneantonym: mundane, common, public,

exoteric

OCCULT

permeateThe rain permeated all of my clothing.

permeate (v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak

through

PERMEATE

precipitateScholars often disagree over which

event or events precipitate an historic moment.

I admit that my outburst was precipitate.

precipitate(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause about

suddenly; to hurl down from great height (adj.) characterized by excessive haste (n.) moisture

synonyms: (v.) provoke, produce; (adj.) reckless , impetuous

antonyms: wary, circumspect

PRECIPITATE

stringentSome argue that more stringent laws

against speeding will make our streets safer.

stringent(adj.) strict, severe; sharp or bitter to

the tastesynonyms: stern, rigorous, tough,

urgentantonyms: lenient, mild, lax,

permissive

STRINGENT

surmiseI cannot be sure, but I surmise that she

wouldn’t accept my apology.

surmise(v.) to think or believe without

supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n.) likely idea that lacks definite proof

synonyms: (v.) infer, gather; (n.) inference, presumption

SURMISE