| Word |
Definition |
| adumbrate |
(v) to outline or sketch broadly; to foreshadow or prefigure; to disclose partially |
| apotheosis |
(n) the elevation of a person to a divine rank or status; the glorification of a person as an ideal; a glorified ideal |
| ascetic |
(adj) practicing strict self-denial for the sake of personal or spiritual discipline; (n) one who leads a life of self-discipline, especially to express religious devotion |
| bauble |
(n) a small, showy ornament of little value or use |
| burgeon |
(v) to put forth new buds, leaves, or greenery; to develop rapidly or suddenly |
| complement |
(n) somehting that completes a whole; the quanitly or number needed to make up a whole; the full number or allowance; (v) to complete |
| contumacious |
(adj) obstinately or willfully disobedient; openly rebellious |
| curmudgeon |
(n) an irascible, churlish person |
| didactic |
(adj) intended to instruct, especilly morally; inclined to moralize too much |
| beguile |
(v) to mislead or deceive; to cheat; to divert; to cause to vanish unnoticed |
| disingenuous |
(adj) lacking in sincerity or candor |
| exculpate |
(v) to clear of guilt or blame |
| faux pas |
(n) a slip in manners or conduct; a social blunder |
| fulminate |
(v) to denounce or condemn vehemently; to explode, detonate |
| fustian |
(n) inflated or retentious language in speech or writing; a cloth made of cotton and flax |
| hauteur |
(n) haughtiness of bearing or atttitude |
| inhibit |
(v) to restrain or hold back; to hinder or arrest; to prohibit |
| jeremiad |
(n) an elablorate or prolonged lamentation; any tale of woe |
| opportunist |
(n) one who makes a practice or taking advantage of circumstances to further his or her own self-interest, regardless of principles or ultimate consequences |
| unconscionable |
(adj) not guided or restrained by conscience, prudence, or reason; unscrupulous; immoderate |