VOCAB UNIT #3 4 th Block Collaborative

Abominate (v.) To have an intense dislike or hatred for Syn. Loathe, Abhor, Despise, Detest Ant. Relish, Savor, Esteem Dominic abominated the girl after she turned him down. Sign: Push

Acculturation (n.) the modification of the social patterns, traits, or structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend Syn: adaptation The criminal law was an integral part of his experience and the process of his acculturation into British society. Sign: Circle of Life

Adventitious (adj.) resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; accidental, not essential; (medicine) acquired, not congenital Syn: extrinsic, incidental, fortuitous Ant: essential, intrinsic, inherent, congenital A system for checking for adventitious presence had also not yet been developed. Sign: I’m Sorry Hands

Ascribe (v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute Syn: impute, credit, attribute While you can sometimes ascribe these symptoms to allergies, I’m pretty sure you have a full-fledged cold. Sign: Giving Commands

Circuitous (adj)  Definition: Roundabout, not direct  Synonyms: indirect, meandering, winding  Antonyms: straight, direct, as the crow flies  Example: Rivers are often uneven, untidy and take circuitous courses  Sign: snake motion with arms

Commiserate (v)  Definition: to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, shares a feeling of distress.  Synonyms: feel sorry for, empathize.  Antonyms: feel no sympathy for.  Example: I hate it when rich people pretend they commiserate with the poor.  Sign: crying motion with hands.

Enjoin (v) Definition: to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit. Synonyms: bid, charge, adjure. Antonyms: allow, permit. Example: He never formally forbade fasting, but neither did he ever enjoin it. Sign: pointing

Expedite (v)  Definition: to make easy, cause to progress faster.  Synonyms: accelerate, facilitate, speed up  Antonyms: hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct.  Example: To further expedite the approval process, you can apply online.  Sign: pretend using phone.

EXPIATE (V.) To make amends, make up for; to avert ~ Synonyms: redeem, make amends for, make reparation -Jackson swept the floors of John's Pizza for free to expiate his breaking the oven. [Sign: Sweeping]

FERMENT (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action ~Synonyms: commotion, turmoil, unrest ~Antonyms: peace and quiet, tranquility, placidity Just squeeze the juice out of the fruit and leave to ferment naturally. [Sign: Jazz hands]

INADVERTENT (ADJ.) Resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental ~Synonym: accidental ~Antonyms: deliberate, intentional Compared to all the bystanders who just stood by doing nothing, Don became an inadvertent hero by running up to the wrecked car and pulling out the frightened toddler. [Sign: pointing and questioning]

NOMINAL (ADJ) Existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously ~Synonym: titular, inconsequential ~Antonyms: actual, exorbitant Most of our services are provided free or at nominal charge. [Sign: small gap in fingers]

noncommittal  Definition: (adj.)Not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear postiton Her tone was noncommittal, and her face gave nothing away.  Synonyms: cagey, uninformative, playing it safe, playing it close to the vest  Antonyms: positive, definite, committed  Hand Motion: shrug shoulders

peculate  (v.) to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use The people accused them of having peculated the public money. Synonyms: defraud, misappropriate Hand motion: act like you’re putting money in your pockets

proclivity  Definition: (n.) a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior) A proclivity for hard work. Synonyms: penchant, propensity Antonyms: inability, incapacity Hand motion: Lift weights

Sangfroid  Definition: (n.) composure or coolness, especially in trying circumstances They committed the robbery with complete sangfroid. synonyms: poise, self-assurance, equanimity antonyms: excitability, hysteria, flappability Hand motion: cross arms like you aren’t worried

(Adj) - Resistant to lawful authority; having the purpose of overthrowing an established government Synonyms - mutinous, rebellious, subversive, treacherous Antonyms - supportive, faithful, allegiant, obedient Neo in The Matrix was a crucial member of a seditious organization that fought for the sake of mankind. Seditious

Tenuous (Adj) - Thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported Synonyms - flimsy, insubstantial, vague, hazy Antonyms - strong, solid, substantial, valid The child’s arguments were tenuous at best while he tried to explain that he didn’t want to eat his vegetables.

Vitriolic (Adj) - Bitter, sarcastic; highly caustic or biting (like a strong acid) Synonyms - withering, acerbic, mordant, spiteful Antonyms - bland, saccharine, honeyed, sugary, kind After eating too much sour candy, each piece I put in my mouth began to feel very vitriolic.

Wheedle (Verb) - To use coaxing or flattery to gain some desired end Synonyms - inveigle, soft-soap, sweet-talk, entice Antonyms - coerce, browbeat, intimidate, strong-arm Because the grand opening of Retroland was soon, Jimmy tried to wheedle his mom into letting him go.