Vocabulary List #5: 10/6/97
acerbity acidity in manner or mood; sharpness of temper or words
agrarian related to the farmer or his way of life; agricultural
allusion an indirect reference to something
altruistic showing unselfish devotion to the welfare of others
antithesis opposition or contrast
apocalypse something viewed as a prophetic message
apothegm an instructive saying or formulation, aphorism
bovine related or resembling an ox or cow; stupid, slow
chattel a piece of personal property; slave, bondsman
condescension voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations to an inferior
covetous having a craving for possession or power
disconsolate dejected, downcast
discursive passing from one topic to another, digressive
ephemeral lasting only one day, lasting a short time; fleeting
facetious joking in an inappropriate manner
gossamer a film of cobwebs floating in the wind
hegemony influence on authority of one nation over others; preponderant influence
incarcerate to put in prison
indomitable unconquerable, incapable of being subdued
innuendo hint, insinuation, veiled reflection of character
jurisprudence system of body of law
loquacious given to excessive talking
lurid ghastly pale
meander to wander aimlessly
mercenary one who serves merely for wages, hired for military service
meretricious of or related to a prostitute; falsely attractive
mnemonic assisting or intending to assist memory
scrupulous having moral integrity
temerity unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger/opposition
winsome cheerful, happy

Vocabulary List Index #1