Unit 3 Vocabulary

Front 1

abominate

Back 1

(v.) to have an intense dislike or hatred for

syn: loathe, abhor, despise, detest
ant: relish, savor, cherish, esteem

Front 2

acculturation

Back 2

(n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

syn: adaptation

Front 3

adventitious

Back 3

resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital

syn: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous
ant: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital

Front 4

ascribe

Back 4

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

syn:: impute, credit, attribute

Front 5

circuitous

Back 5

(adj.) roundabout, not direct

syn: indirect, meandering, winding
ant: straight, direct, as the crow flies

Front 6

commiserate

Back 6

(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress

syn: feel sorry for, empathize
ant: feel no sympathy for

Front 7

enjoin

Back 7

(v.) to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

syn: bid, charge, command, adjure
ant: allow, permit

Front 8

expedite

Back 8

(v.) to make easy, cause to progress faster

syn: accelerate, facilitate, speed up
ant: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct

Front 9

expiate

Back 9

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

syn: redeem, make amends for, atone, make reparation

Front 10

ferment

Back 10

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

syn: commotion, turmoil, unrest
ant: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity

Front 11

inadvertent

Back 11

(adj.) resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

syn: accidental, unconsidered
ant: deliberate, intentional, premeditated

Front 12

nominal

Back 12

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

syn: titular, token, trifling, inconsequential
ant: real, actual, exorbitant, excessive

Front 13

noncommittal

Back 13

(adj.) not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

syn: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest
ant: positive, definite, committed

Front 14

peculate

Back 14

(v.) to steal something that has been given into one's trust; to take improperly for one's own use

Front 15

proclivity

Back 15

(n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

syn: natural bent, penchant, propensity
ant: inability or incapacity

Front 16

sangfroid

Back 16

(n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances

syn: poise, self-assurance, equanimity
ant: excitability, hysteria, flappability

Front 17

seditious

Back 17

(adj.) resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government

syn: mutinous, rebellious, subversive
ant: supportive, loyal, faithful, allegiant

Front 18

tenuous

Back 18

(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported

Front 19

vitriolic

Back 19

(adj.) bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid)

syn: withering, acerbic, mordant
ant: bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary

Front 20

wheedle

Back 20

(v.) to use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end

syn: cajole, inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk
ant: coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm