Vocabulary Unit #11 Words and Definitions

Abstemious: Characterized by moderation and self-discipline in eating and drinking. Censurable: Deserving blame or correction. Contingent: Likely to happen but not certain, dependent on uncertain events. Corroborate: To confirm or substantiate. Denizen: An inhabitant or resident of a place. Discursive: Passing aimlessly from one subject to another. Disseminate: To scatter or spread widely. Dowdy: Poorly dressed and lacking good taste. Florid: Highly colored and ornate.

• Vocabulary
• Words
• Definitions
• English
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1. Vocabulary Unit #11

2. abstemious adj. moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline Synonym: temperate, moderate She came from a long line of quiet, thrifty, and abstemious farming folk.

3. censurable Adj. deserving blame or correction Synonym: blameworthy, discreditable Because he was unaware of what he had done, we decided that his behavior was not censurable.

4. contingent Adj. likely but not certain to happen, possible; dependent on uncertain events or conditions n. a representative group forming a part of a larger body Synonym: (adj.) conditional, dependent (n.) detachment Contingent on our parents approval, we plan to take a trip through Alaska next summer. The meeting was delayed due to the late arrival of the California contingent.

5. corroborate v. to confirm, make more certain, substantiate Synonym: verify He could tell the court where I was and for how long, but he needed a witness to corroborate his statements.

6. denizen n. an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place Synonym: dweller A lover of marine life, she knew the names of all the scaly denizens of our lake.

7. discursive Adj. passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another, rambling, roving Synonym: wandering Within the discursive account of his life, there was a fairly complete history of the whole village.

8. disseminate v. to scatter or spread widely Synonym: disperse, publicize, broadcast I decided that it was a bad idea to use my position in order to disseminate my personal views.

9. dowdy Adj. poorly dressed, shabby; lacking smartness and good taste Synonym: frumpy The actor wore dowdy clothing and sunglasses so that no one would recognize him.

10. florid Adj. highly colored, reddish; excessively ornate, showy Synonym: flushed, flamboyant The florid style of architecture in the old part of town was a welcome change from the grim, newer blocks we had seen.

11. foist v. to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or genuine; to bring about by dishonesty or coercion Synonym: pass off During the nineteenth century the unscrupulous Jay Gould foisted thousands of worthless railroad shares on an unsuspecting public.

12. gauche Adj. awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy Synonym: inept, uncouth Though he was sincere when he thanked his guest for having stayed an extra week, his comment was considered gauche.

13. heresy n. an opinion different from accepted belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred Synonym: unorthodox belief Saving money to accumulate interest seems to be a form of heresy in these days of instant credit.

14. inculcate v. to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly Synonym: instill; implant, infuse It is important to inculcate a healthy respect for authority into army recruits.

15. palpable Adj. capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized Synonym: obvious The energy and excitement in the stands was almost palpable during the football game.

16. perceptive Adj. having sympathetic insight or understanding; capable of keen appreciation Synonym: insightful His perceptive eye took in the roomful of noisy children and settled on the one child who was ill at ease.

17. pernicious Adj. extremely harmful; deadly, fatal Synonym: deleterious, noxious Night air was once thought to have a pernicious effect on infants who were in poor health.

18. salient Adj. leaping, jumping, or springing forth; prominent Synonym: obvious, notable I think the most salient feature of the new plan is its similarity to the old plan.

19. satiate v. to satisfy completely; to fill to excess Adj. full, satisfied Synonym: gorge Nothing will satiate my hunger. The satiate brown bear had a good sleep after raiding the honey-laden beehives.

20. sear v. to make or become dry and withered; to char or scorch the surface of; to harden or make unfeeling Synonym: singe We wanted to serve grilled vegetables, but I seared them, and they tasted like leather.

21. specious Adj. deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking real merit Synonym: deceptive Though her resume looked very impressive, her claims of vast experience in the field were specious.