Vocabulary List #26: 4/13/98
articulate | able to speak; expressing oneself readily or effectively |
assimilate | to take in and appropriate as nourishment; absorb; understand |
blithe | of a happy or lighthearted character; casual; heedless |
cacophony | having a harsh, dissonant sound; discordant sounds |
carnivorous | feeding on animal tissue; meat-eating |
contagion | the transmission of a disease; rapidly spreading influence |
contemplate | to view or consider with continued attention; meditate |
cosmopolitan | having worldwide rather than local scope or bearing |
cuisine | the food prepared |
dissimulate | to disguise or conceal under a false appearance |
dissolute | lacking restraint; morally loose |
docile | easily led or managed; easily taught |
dour | stern; harsh; obstinate; gloomy |
elegy | a poem or song of sorrow for one who is dead |
estrange | to remove from customary environment or associations; divorce |
exonerate | to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship |
imperative | not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory act or duty |
increment | increase in quantity or value |
inexorable | not to be persuaded; relentless |
innate | existing or belonging to an individual at birth |
insomnia | abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep; sleeplessness |
jubilant | filled with or expressing great joy; rejoice |
potable | suitable for drinking; drinkable |
progeny | descendants; children; outcome; product |
recondite | incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding; obscure |
redolent | exuding fragrance |
rigorous | manifesting or exercising great vigor or energy; harsh; severe |
slovenly | untidy in personal appearance; easily slipshod |
squalid | marked by filth and degradation from neglect or poverty |
wastrel | vagabond; one who dissipates his resources foolishly |