1. Unit 11 Vocabulary American Literature

2. abstemious (adj.) Moderate, sparing (as in eating or drinking) characterized by abstinence and self-discipline The key to survival in a desperate scenario may be an abstemious conservation of supplies.

3. inculcate (v.) To impress upon the mind by repetition To teach persistently and earnestly The key to teaching vocabulary may be to inculcate students with definitions and examples.

4. censurable (adj.) Deserving of blame or correction The poor play of the Atlanta Falcons secondary was a censurable cause of their losing season.

5. heresy (n.) An opinion different from accepted belief. The denial of an idea that is generally held sacred. At the time, experts considered Columbus’s notion that the Earth was not flat to be heresy.

6. contingent (adj.) Likely but not certain to happen, possible. Dependent on uncertain events or conditions; happening by chance. (n.) A representative group forming part of a larger body Graduation is contingent on many factors including a passing grade in American Literature.

7. gauche (adj.) Awkward, lacking in social graces tactless clumsy The gauche character of Fat Bastard is noted for his foul temper and frequent flatulence.

8. corroborate (v.) To confirm, make certain To bolster Lois Lane was never able to corroborate the theory that Clark Kent was indeed Superman.

9. foist (v.) To impose by fraud. To pass off as worthy of genuine To bring about by stealth, dishonesty or coercion. “If you’ll believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.” (George C. Parker) Parker was a con man in the early 1900’s who was known to foist unwitting immigrant buyers by falsely selling the Brooklyn Bridge and other NYC landmarks.

10. denizen (n.) An inhabitant, resident. One who frequents a place. Even in his 60’s, Lou Ferigno is a denizen of the weight room.

11. florid (adj.) Highly colored, reddish; Excessively ornate or showy Tourist in Hawaii famously wear florid shirts and wreaths in an unsuccessful attempt to blend with locals.

12. discursive (adj.) Passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another Rambling Nomadic Spending too much time on social media sites like Twitter and Instragram is a modern version of the discursive lifestyle.

13. dowdy (adj.) Poorly dressed Shabby Lacking smartness and good taste A student-teacher would never come to school looking dowdy.

14. specious (adj.) Deceptive Apparently good or valid but lacking real merit Crossed fingers behind the back has remained a specious method of doing business for Bob since childhood.

15. palpable (adj.) Capable of being touched or felt Easily seen, heard or recognized The interest of the students in the classroom was almost palpable because of the superb instruction.

16. sear (v.) To char or scorch To make or become dry or withered. The chef decided to sear the steak to crisp the surface and capture the flavor on the inside.

17. perceptive (adj.) Having sympathetic insight or understanding. Capable of a keen appreciation The doctor was perceptive of the patient’s concerns about surgery.

18. satiate (v.) To satisfy completely To fill to excess The five-course meal in the cafeteria was enough to satiate even the hangriest of students.

19. pernicious (adj.) Extremely harmful Deadly fatal Hunters in Georgia must watch out for the pernicious Eastern Coral Snake.

20. salient (adj.) Leaping or jumping Prominent (n.) A projection of bulge In a strong opening paragraph, the hook is followed by background and the thesis or salient point of the essay.

21. disseminate (v.) To scatter or spread widely Instagram is an ideal tool to disseminate a great selfie.