Vocabulary List #15:  1/5/98
approbation proof; an act of proving; formally commended
apropos at an opportune time; relevant and opportune
blanch to remove the color from
blatant completely obvious or conspicuous; offensively noisy
chicanery deception by artful subterfuge; trick
circumspect careful to consider all possible circumstances and consequences
compunction a twinge of misgiving; anxiety arising from guilt awareness
corpulent having a large, bulking body
dulcet agreeable; soothing; sweet to the taste or ear
duress forcible restraint or restriction
eclectic choosing what appears to be best from various sources
euphemism the use of a less direct or less distasteful word for another
exorbitant exceeding normal or appropriate limits
expulsion the state of being driven out or dismissed
extraneous foreign; not pertinent; not belonging to matter considered
feckless ineffectual; weak; irresponsible
flamboyant ornate; showy; full of exaggeration
holocaust a thorough destruction; a sacrifice caused by fire
imminent ready to take place; impending; likely to happen
insinuate to introduce gradually or in a subtle, indirect way
instigate to goad or urge forward; to provoke
insular constituting or relating to an island or island people
insurgent rising in opposition to civil authority
niche a place etc. to which a person is best fitted; a recess in the wall
noncommittal giving or having no clear attitude or feeling about something
notoriety generally known and talked of favorably; fame
omnipotent having unlimited power or influence; almighty
pallid deficient in color; pale; lacking sparkle; dull
paradox something seemingly contradictory, yet possibly true
philander to have many love affairs with no intention of marriage

Vocabulary List Index #2