Vocabulary List #10: 11/10/97
abound | to be present in large quantities; copiously supplied |
acme | the highest point; one that represents perfection |
affable | pleasant and at ease in talking with others; friendly |
benediction | an expression of good wishes; invocation or blessing |
blasé | apathetic to pleasure or excitement |
buffoon | a ludicrous figure; clown; gross person |
cartel | combination of enterprises designed to limit competition |
chagrin | mental distress caused by humiliation or disappointment |
charlatan | one making showy pretenses to knowledge or ability; quack |
chimerical | fantastically visionary or improbable |
cynosure | the center of attention or interest |
dearth | scarcity; inadequate supply |
demagogue | a person who stirs up the public and leads for selfish ends |
dichotomy | divided into two contradictory or mutually exclusive groups |
echelon | an arrangement of a group in a series of steps |
ecumenical | of world wide extent of influence; representing all churches |
empirical | relying on experience or observation instead of system or theory |
endemic | belonging to a particular people or country |
exacerbate | to make more violent, bitter, or severe |
fascism | political philosophy placing nation above individual |
feline | relating to cats or of the cat family; graceful, sleek |
forte | one's strong point |
fracas | a noisy quarrel |
genteel | having an aristocratic quality; upper class |
guru | spiritual guide or intellectual guide in fundamental matters |
hallmark | a distinguished trait or feature; stamp indicating genuineness |
heterodox | contrary to acknowledged standard; holding unorthodox opinions |
inquest | official inquiry before a jury; the finding of a jury |