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 |