Vocabulary #1

adumbrate: to foreshadow

• The readers adumbrated a trickery will happen in the plot.

apotheosis: the ideal example

• Cutting lumber to the exact, preferred measurement is an apotheosis of measuring twice accurately and cutting once.

ascetic: a person who dedicates their life to pursue contemplative ideals and practice religious                      actions

• Rev. Nathan has devoted himself to be an ascetic who has devoted his time to learn the Word of God.

bauble: a showy, usually cheap, ornament

• The porcelain egg Mark's mom has is such a bauble because she bought it at the dollar store.

beguile: to take away from by cheating or deceiving

• The scammers beguiled the vulnerable by posing as close relatives to acquire money.

burgeon: to grow or develop quickly

• The palm tree burgeoned into a 20 foot tree in two years.

complement: something that completes a perfect

• He complements her because he is the love of her life.

contumacious: stubbornly perverse or rebellious

• Do not be contumacious when your parents tell you to stay home on a school night.

curmudgeon: a bad-tempered, difficult person

• The old man became a curmudgeon because there wasn't any space in the parking lot for his car every time he went to the store.

didactic: intended for instruction

• The new textbook became the best didactic tool for the incoming teachers.

disingenuous: lacking in sincerity

• The young man was disingenuous when he did not open the door for the elders.

exculpate: free from blame

• The young woman exculpated herself, to avoid being in trouble, when she explained where she was when her parents were looking for her.

faux pas: an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion

• In order to not experience a faux pas, one must have much experience with others in order to be smooth and easy to talk to.

fulminate: to explode with a loud noise; detonate

• The fireworks fulminated around the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland at their nighttime spectacular.

fustian: inflated or turgid language in writing or speaking

• The writer utilized fustian in order to exaggerate the plot.

hauteur: pride; haughtiness

• One must not be a hauteur around others if they would like to have friends.

inhibit: to prohibit; forbid

• The children were inhibited to touch the stove because it would create much pain for them.

jeremiad: a mournful complaint

• The students made jeremiads when they found out that they had to finish a 10 page packet for homework.

opportunist: a person who practices the policy of adapting actions, decisions, etc.

• In order to be experienced in life, one must be an opportunist which would allow them to learn new things in life.

unconscionable: not in accordance with what is just or reasonable

• The man became unconscionable when he wouldn't let others to tell him that he is wrong about his decision.

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