Vocabulary #1

1.  adumbrate - (verb) describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
Example:  Can you adumbrate the story please?

2.  apotheosis - (noun) the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god); model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
Example:  Her fame took her through an apothesis.

3.  ascetic - (adj.) practicing great self-denial; pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline
Example:  He was ascetic about his heroin addiction.

4.  bauble - (noun) cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
Example:  That bauble is a little bit over the top.

5.  beguile - (verb) attract; cause to be enamored; influence by slyness
Example:  The serial killer beguiled his victim with complements and gifts.

6.  burgeon - (verb) grow and flourish
Example:  I will burgeon my English skills over time.

7.  complement - (noun) something added to complete or make perfect; a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction
Example: Don't forget to complement your argument.

8.  contumacious - adj. wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
Example: Ironically I was not the contumacious one; the arresting officer was.

9.  curmudgeon - (noun) a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
Example:  I need to find a good friend who isn't a complete curmudgeon.

10.  didactic - (adj.) instructive (especially excessively)
Example:  The didactic assignment made me want to punch something.

11.  disingenuous - (adj.) not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
Example:  The disingenuous police officer appeared to be nice in order to coerce the suspect into admitting to a crime.

12.  exculpate - (verb) pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
Example:  If you exculpate Rick Perry I will punch you in the face.

13.  faux-pas - (noun) a mistake; a misstep
Example:  It wasn't until after the interview that I realized my stupid faux-pas.

14.  Fulminate- (verb) come on suddenly and intensely; criticize severely
Example:  I didn't mean to fulminate when I said you were stupid, but it's true.

15.  fustian - (noun) pompous or pretentious talk or writing
Example:  Your article on why the upper class should get large tax cuts was a very fustian piece.

16.  hauteur - (noun) overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors
Example:  Her hauteur as she insulted me with a giant grin made me sick.

17.  inhibit - (verb) limit the range or extent of; to put down by force or authority
Example:  His writing was inhibited by his lack of characterization.

18.  jeremiad - (noun) a long and mournful complaint.
Example:  The jeremiad by Christians in the United States complaining about "persecution" is annoying.

19.  opportunist - (adj.) taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit; noun a person who places expediency above principle
Example:  When the police started shooting, the opportunists in the crowd began to loot nearby buildings.

20.  unconscionable - (adj.) greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; lacking a conscience
Example:  The unconscionable police force excused the actions of an officer after he beat a suspect near death.