Vocabulary Level E

Unit 12

abjure

“I denounce these proceedings. I quit this court!”The Crucible

Confederate soldiers abjure allegiance to the South and vow to support the Union.

Abjure

• (v.) to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid; shun

• Synonyms – forswear, retract, recant, abstain from

• Antonyms – affirm, avow, profess

august

Caesar Augustus

Alps

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

August

• (adj.) majestic, inspiring admiration and respect

• Synonyms – stately, dignified, exalted, venerable

• Antonyms – humble, base, mean, lowly abject

callous

Hit and runLiterally tough skinned

Callous

• (adj.) emotionally hardened, unfeeling

• Synonyms – insensitive, unsympathetic, thick-skinned

• Antonyms – sensitive, compassionate, tenderhearted

elated

Elated

• (adj.) in high spirits, jubilant; extremely pleased

• Synonyms – overjoyed, ecstatic, tickled pink

• Antonyms – depressed, crestfallen, despondent, blue

inveterate

Senator Ted Kennedy Long-standing Massachusetts senator

Inveterate

• (adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual

• Synonyms – persistent, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool

• Antonyms – sporadic, intermittent, occasional

irrelevant

Are you happily married?

Were you popular in high school?

Are your parents divorced?

Are you close with your siblings?

Job interview

Irrelevant

• (adj.) not to the point, not applicable or pertinent

• Synonyms – inapplicable, immaterial, beside the point

• Antonyms – pertinent, material, apropos

quiescent

Quiescent

• (adj.) inactive; at rest

• Synonyms – still, inert, motionless, dormant, tranquil

• Antonyms – active, thriving, lively, bustling, volatile

ruminate

Ruminate

• (v.) to meditate, think about at length; to chew the cud

• Synonyms – ponder, reflect, mull over, muse

trenchantTrenchant arguments for not smoking or drinking and driving.

Cancerous lung Burned in a drunk driving accident

Trenchant

• (adj.) incisive, keen; forceful, effective; cutting, caustic; distinct, clear-cut

• Synonyms – penetrating cutting, telling acute

• Antonyms – dull, bland, insipid, vapid, imperceptive

acrid

clandestine

Secret love

platitude

• If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

• Whatever!!!

• Get a life.

• Pack a wallop

• Who died and left you boss?

• Too big for his britches

• I have a bone to pick with you.

compunction

conflagration

indelible

Permanent marker

Vivid memory

Indelible

• (adj.) not able to be erased or removed; memorable

• Synonyms – lasting, permanent, unforgettable

• Antonyms – erasable, impermanent

indulgent

IndulgebulgeSelf indulgent

Indulgent parents

nocturnal

quell

tacit

tangible