THESE ARE GRADE 12 WORDS, NOT GRADE 10 WORDS. GRADE 10s NEED TO GO TO THE GRADE 10 POST.
- protestations (n): emphatic objections/protests; emphatic declarations that something is or is not true
- incognito (adj/adv/n): concealing one's true identity; an assumed or false identity
- blanch (v): to grow pale from shock; to whiten; a method of cooking vegetables
- gauche (adj): physically clumsy or socially awkward
- implacable (adj):unable to be calmed/appeased; unstoppable
- ingratiate (v):to gain someone's favour through flattery
- esoteric (adj): understood only by a small group with specialized knowledge
- abjure (v): to reject a belief, claim, or cause
- deleterious (adj): causing harm or damage
- usurp (v): take a position of power or importance by force (usually illegally)
- paradigm (n): a typical example of something; a model
- vortex (n): a whirling, sucking mass, often of fluid or air; whirlpool, whirlwind
- alacrity (noun): brisk and cheerful readiness
- ephemeral (adj): lasting for a very short time
- antebellum (adj): occurring or existing before a particular war (recently used for before the US Civil War)
- compunction (n): feelings of guilt or moral scruple after doing something bad; prick of conscience
- misanthrope (n): a person who dislikes human kind; a person who avoids social interaction
- impertinent (adj): not showing proper respect
- ubiquitous (adj): being everywhere at the same time
- pedantic (adj): dull; unimaginative
- boudoir (n): a woman's bedroom/private room
- stupefaction (n): the state of being shocked
- temerity (n): being confident/unafraid of danger/punishment in a foolish way
- adjourn (v): to end something for a period of time
- engender (v): to produce or give rise to
- tawdry (adj): cheap; gaudy
- connive (v): to plot or scheme
- caprice (n): impulse; whim
- callous (adj): showing an insensitive or cruel disregard for others
- maladroit (adj): clumsy
