1. LESSON 24: WORDS FROM FRENCH HONORS ENGLISH I VOCABULARY

2. ADROIT (adjective) a. Having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling difficult situations b. Skillful in the use of the hands or body; dexterous Example: Nadine is an adroit discussion leader who always encourages participation.

3. BLASÉ (adjective) a. Very sophisticated; worldly b. Uninterested, unexcited, or bored as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment. Example: Having traveled the world, the Garrisons are quite blasé about fine hotels and restaurants.

4. CLICHÉ (noun) a. A trite or overused expression or idea, such as “time flies.” b. Something overly familiar and commonplace Example: The cliché “few and far between” is familiar to most of us.

5. CLIENTELE (noun) A body of customers or patrons. Example: The store catered exclusively to a clientele of children.

6. ENTREPRENEUR (noun) A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk of a business venture. Example: After completing college, Mark hopes to become an entrepreneur of computer software.

7. FORTE (noun) Something in which a person excels; a strong point. Example: Jean’s forte has always been math.

8. GAUCHE (adjective) Lacking social experience or grace; awkward; rude; tactless. Example: Quentin’s gauche remark about the food offended both the guests and his hostess.

9. NAÏVE (adjective) a. Marked by unaffected simplicity; unsophisticated; artless b. Showing a lack of experience or judgment Example: The tourists were naïve about shopping and bargaining in the Turkish bazaars.

10. NONCHALANT (adjective) a. Cool, carefree, and casually unconcerned, or seeming so. b. Without enthusiasm; indifferent. Example: Bank tellers seem nonchalant about the large sums of money they handle.

11. RENDEZVOUS (noun) a. An appointment or engagement to meet at a fixed place or time. b. A meeting or gathering place. (Intrans verb) To meet at a specified time and place Example: Mrs. Panati and her cousin arranged a three-o’clock rendezvous at the corner of Pleasant and Monument streets.