Vocabulary #1

1. Adumbrate - to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch.
The teacher adumbrated the syllabus of what was the intention of the learning objective for the class.
2. Apotheosis - the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god.
She realized with her grades that she had reached the apotheosis of her academic career.
3. Ascetic - a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons.
The catholic pope represents the most inspirational and ascetic example within the religious society.
4. Bauble - a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw.
The Christmas tree was full of unusual baubles as the family admired their tradition.
5. Beguile - to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.
The attractive woman beguiled her way to earn the attention of the wealthy man.
6. Burgeon - to grow or develop quickly; flourish.
The astute young scholar burgeoned his way through Harvard and graduated with honors.
7. Complement -  something that completes or makes perfect
The rich red walls complemented the dark cherry wood within her extravagant kitchen.
8. Contumacious - stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.
The contumacious teenager rebelled against the rules of her parents in every circumstance.
9. Curmudgeon - a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person.
The group of curmudgeons rose in anger and frustration of those less educated.
10. Didactic -  intended for instruction; instructive.
The didactic teacher led a speech that would provide inspiration for all the students.
11. Disingenuous - lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous;
 insincere.
The disingenuous city council member told the citizens what they wanted to hear.
12. Exculpate - to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.
The officer exculpated the teenager when he found evidence supporting his/her innocence.
13. Faux Pas - a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.
The faux pas of the party happened when a crazy individual voiced their opinion at an inappropriate time.
14. Fulminate -  to explode with a loud noise; detonate.
On the Fourth of July celebration, fireworks fulminated all around the town.
15. Fustian - a stout fabric of cotton and flax.
The fustian had intricate designs that were rich and luxurious.
16. Hauteur - haughty manner or spirit; arrogance.
The hauteur of the business men resulted in him losing close friends and family.
17. Inhibit -  to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.).
The teenagers inhibit their feelings as their parents attempt to find out their drama.
18. Jeremiad - a prolonged lamentation or mournful complaint.
The psychologist attempted to help her patient, but the jeremiad was to intensified to address.
19. Opportunist - a person who practices opportunism, or the policy of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.
The shyster opportunist took advantage of his costumers as he sold a faulty product at a very high price.
20. Unconscionable - not guided by conscience; unscrupulous.
The unconscionable couple had a feverish affair.