English 11 - "self-Reliance" Vocab

Front 1

admonition

Back 1

noun
1. gentle or friendly reproof
2. counsel or warning against fault or oversight
His mother's admonitions were too soft to convince Tommy to stop procrastinating.

Front 2

amelioration

Back 2

noun
that which improves or makes more tolerable
These rules need amelioration to be useful, as they are currently illogical.

Front 3

churlish

Back 3

adjective
1. vulgar
2. marked by a lack of civility or graciousness: surly
Whenever she's in this churlish mood, it's no fun to go to her house.

Front 4

decorous

Back 4

adjective
marked by propriety and good taste
Her decorous way of speaking lent itself to the general respect she received.

Front 5

éclat

Back 5

noun
1. ostentatious display
2. dazzling effect
The man spoke with great éclat, inspiring some, while his ego irritated others.

Front 6

expiation

Back 6

noun
1. the act of making atonement
2. the means by which atonement is made
Once a year, James expiates his sins at confession.

Front 7

expediency

Back 7

noun
adherence to means or methods that are opportune, especially those governed by self-interest
The headmaster led the school with expediency, caring more about matriculation rates than the happiness of the students.

Front 8

extemporaneous

Back 8

adjective
1. composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment; impromptu
2. provided, made, or put to use as an expedient: makeshift
Sally made an extemporaneous dinner out of what was left in the kitchen for the surprise guest.

Front 9

firmament

Back 9

noun
the vault or arch of the sky: heavens
After the rain, Sam saw a beautiful rainbow in the firmament.

Front 10

gaudy

Back 10

adjective
outlandishly or tastelessly ornamented
She tried so hard to seem rich, but her ridiculous outfit just looked gaudy.

Front 11

latent

Back 11

adjective
present and capable of becoming though not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic: hidden
The latent anger John felt simmered underneath his calm actions.

Front 12

magnanimity

Back 12

noun
loftiness of spirit; noble generosity
The poorest people were grateful to this king, the most magnanimous to rule in many years.

Front 13

ostentation

Back 13

noun
excessive display
Claire was embarrassed by her father's ostentatious car; everyone already knew that they were a wealthy family.

Front 14

penance

Back 14

noun
an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
Charlie declared that he wouldn't do a penance for a crime he wasn't guilty of.

Front 15

whim

Back 15

noun
a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind: fancy
Pursuing a whim, Michael traveled to China to find inspiration for his work.