VOCABULARY ENGLISH IV Jatarrie Rayford Forrest Robinson Derion Blackman 12 C

AMELIORATE (V)  Make something bad or unsatisfactory better.  A hot meal can ameliorate the discomforts of even the coldest day.

CALLOW (ADJ)  Inexperienced and immature.  The callow boater didn’t have a life preserver, paddle, or radio onboard his sailboat.

APLOMB(N)  self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation.  The head teacher handled the truancy problem with perfect aplomb.

INVEIGH (V)  Speak or write about with hostility  He belonged to a sect that inveighed against homosexuality.

STRINGENT (ADJ)  strict, precise, and exciting.  My brother was able to enter the Governor’s residence with no problems, even if it had very stringent entrance regulations.

EPITOME (N)  a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.  Leaving home and going back to college is the epitome of bittersweet.

EXHORT (V)  Strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.  The priest planned to exhort the congregation to abstain from alcohol.

LASSITUDE (N)  A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.  Frustrated by her friend’s lassitude, she left her sitting in clearing and continued hiking up the trail.

INGRATIATE (V)  bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them.  I ingratiate myself to make a formal best friend relationship with him.

UNCTUOUS (ADJ)  (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering ; oily.  The soap felt unctuous when it slipped from any hands.