Period
1 Vocabulary Set Two:
nonplussed (adj): 1) describing one who’s so surprised or confused they do not know what to do
2) (informal, North America) describing one who is not bothered by an
irritant; unperturbed
plethora (n): a large or excessive amount of something
toady (n): an obsequious person; a sycophant; one who uses
flattery to curry favour with a more powerful individual
murky (adj): 1) a thing not
fully explained or understood, especially because it has been concealed with dishonesty or immorality
2) (of liquid)
dark, cloudy, or unclear
3) dark and gloomy, especially because of a thick
mist
ramification (n): a consequence of an action or event, especially
when it is complex or unwelcome
draconian (adj): (of laws/rules and their application) excessively
harsh and severe
straggle (v): 1) to move along slowly or lag behind a group
libido (n): sex drive
melancholic (adj) 1) feeling or
expressing pensive sadness
2) suffering from a severe form of depression
lethargy (n): a lack of energy or enthusiasm
sanguine (adj): confidently optimistic; cheerful
geriatric (adj): elderly; relating to old age
dwarf (v): to be so oversized that it makes other things
minute (e.g. “The large cloak dwarfed the small child.”)
liable (adj): a) having legal responsibility for
someone or something b) likely
relinquish (v): to give up; to let go
imbibe (v): to drink, esp. alcohol
logophile (n): a lover of words
defenestrate (v): to throw someone out a window
conniptions (n): a fit of rage or hysteria
subliminal (adj): subconscious
delusions (n): faulty or hallucinatory beliefs that are
maintained despite evidence to the contrary
latent (adj): existing, but not yet developed; hidden
euphemism (n): a gentle word for a harsh truth (e.g. “passed
away” in stead of “died”)
ambiguous (adj): having more than one possible meaning
linoleum (n): a hard, washable floor covering
often found in institutions (also called “lino”)
stoicism (n) endurance of pain without display of feelings
or complaint
esoteric (adj): likely to be understood only by a few people
with specialized knowledge
dwell (v): a) to think moodily or anxiously about
something b) to live in a place
perspicacious (adj): having a keen ability to understand something
serendipitous (adj): finding value by chance, value one was
not seeking
abnegation (n): the denial or rejection of something, such as
doctrines or beliefs, but also the denial of self because of extreme altruism
reminisce (v): to indulge in enjoyable memories
sanist (n): the belief that only the sane have rights (not
those experiencing mental problems)
cynical (adj):1) believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful
of sincerity or
integrity
2) concerned with one’s own self-interest and typically
disregarding accepted or appropriate standards to get them
zealous (adj): having or showing enthusiasm, passion, or
commitment to a cause or endeavour
leery (adj): being cautious or wary due to realistic
suspicions
aberration (n): a departure from what is typical, normal, or
expected, typically one that is unwelcome
insinuate (v): to suggest or hint (at something bad or
reprehensible) in an indirect, unpleasant
way; to maneuver oneself into a favorable position by
subtle manipulation
ephemeral (n): lasting only a very brief time
fluster (v and n): (v) to make someone agitated or confused
(n) a state of agitation or confusion (“to be in a fluster”)
Period
2 Vocabulary Set Two:
polemic (n): a strong written or verbal attack on someone
cynical (adj):1) believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful
of sincerity or
integrity
2) concerned with one’s own self-interest and typically disregarding accepted or appropriate standards to get them
zealous (adj): having or showing enthusiasm, passion, or commitment to a cause or
endeavour
leery (adj): being cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions
aberration (n): a departure from what is typical, normal, or
expected, typically one that is unwelcome
acumen (n): the ability to make good judgements and quick
decisions, typically in a particular field or domain
insinuate (v): to suggest or hint (at something bad or
reprehensible) in an indirect, unpleasant
way; to maneuver oneself into a favorable position by
subtle manipulation
ephemeral (n): lasting only a very brief time
fluster (v and n): (v) to make someone agitated or confused
(n) a state of agitation or confusion (“to be in a fluster”)
melancholic (adj): 1) feeling or expressing pensive sadness
2) suffering from a severe form of depression
sanguine (adj): confidently optimistic; cheerful
geriatric (adj): elderly; relating to old age
dwarf (v): to be so oversized that it makes other
things minute (e.g. “The large cloak dwarfed the
small child.”)
liable (adj): a) having legal responsibility for someone or
something b) likely
relinquish (v): to give up; to let go
imbibe (v): to drink, esp. alcohol
logophile (n): a lover of words
defenestrate (v): to throw someone out a window
conniptions (n): a fit of rage or hysteria
subliminal (adj): subconscious
delusions (n): faulty or hallucinatory beliefs that are
maintained despite evidence to the contrary
latent (adj): existing, but not yet developed; hidden
euphemism (n): a gentle word for a harsh truth (e.g. “passed
away” in stead of “died”)
ambiguous (adj): having more than one possible meaning
linoleum (n): a hard, washable floor covering
often found in institutions (also called “lino”)
stoicism (n) endurance of pain without display of feelings
or complaint
esoteric (adj): likely to be understood only by a few people with
specialized knowledge
dwell (v): a) to think moodily or anxiously about
something b) to live in a place
perspicacious (adj): having a keen ability to understand something
serendipitous (adj): finding value by chance, value one was not
seeking
abnegation (n): the denial or rejection of something, such as
doctrines or beliefs, but also the denial of self because of extreme altruism
reminisce (v): to indulge in enjoyable memories
sanist (n): the belief that only the sane have rights (not
those experiencing mental problems)
lethargy (n): a lack of energy or enthusiasm
toady (n): an obsequious person; a sycophant; one who uses
flattery to curry favour with a more powerful individual
murky (adj): 1) a thing not
fully explained or understood, especially because it has been concealed with dishonesty or immorality
2) (of liquid)
dark, cloudy, or unclear
3) dark and gloomy, especially because of a thick
mist
draconian (adj): (of laws/rules and their application) excessively
harsh and severe
nonplussed (adj): 1) describing one who’s so surprised or confused they do not know what to do
2) (informal, North America) describing one who is not bothered by an
irritant; unperturbed
ramification (n): a consequence of an action or event, especially when it is complex or unwelcome
plethora (n): a large or excessive amount of something
