Vocab #14

English 2 Vocab List 14

1. ambivalence; noun – condition of having conflicting attitudes. The manager’s ambivalence toward his star outfielder confused the sportswriters.

2. ameliorate; verb – to make better or more tolerable; to improve. In an effort to ameliorate the marriage relationship, the alcoholic agreed to a one-year period of abstinence.

3. circumspect; adjective – careful. The lawyer struck us as aloof, but he was just being circumspect.

4. clairvoyant; adjective –having exceptional insight. The clairvoyant woman is occasionally used in murder cases to help discover the body.

5. devoid; adjective – entirely without; lacking. The devious Kingsley was devoid of moral principles.

6. diatribe; noun – a denunciation; bitter verbal attack. In a lengthy diatribe, the governor succeeded in deprecating her predecessor’s record.

7. ephemeral; adjective – lasting for only a short time. Newspapers may be regarded as ephemeral publications whereas books have greater permanence.

8. equanimity; noun – evenness of temper. Facing every crisis with equanimity, the president inspired confidence among the people.

9. incorrigible; adjective – too firmly fixed to be reformed or changed. Harry’s incorrigible habit of smoking has impaired our relationship.

10. pique; verb – to hurt the feelings of or make resentful; to arouse; to excite. Raising taxes to help balance the budget will only pique the notional temper.

11. remorse; noun- a deep feeling of sorrow or guilt over a wrong one has done. Trudy felt remorse over having broken her promise.

12. scrutinize; verb – to look at very carefully; to inspect minutely. The umpire decided to scrutinize the ball after observing the strange movements of the pitcher.

13. tenet; noun – a principle, doctrine, or belief held as a truth by a group. Most people are not susceptible to deviation from the tenets they have been taught in their youth.

14. unobtrusive; adjective – not readily noticeable; inconspicuous. Mr. Cottrell's unobtrusive demeanor was perfect front for his undercover work.

15. vilify; verb – to defame; to slander; to cause a person to become vile. The general refused to vilify his subordinates and accepted the onus of the defeat himself