Unit 9 Vocabulary

UNIT 9 VOCABULARYMorgan Wiernusz

ACCLAMATION(n.) a shout of

welcome; an overwhelming verbal vote of approval

BUCOLIC adj. characteristic of the countryside,

rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

CALUMNIATE v. to slander; to accuse falsely and

maliciously

The media effectively calumniated her image even though she was eventually found to be innocent.

CHARY (CHAIR-EE) adj. extremely cautious, hesitant, or

slow; reserved, diffident

COLLUSIONn. secret agreement or

cooperation

DILETTANTE n. a dabbler in the arts; one who

engages in an activity in an amateurish, trifling way

Adj. superficial

IMPERTURBABLEadj. not easily

excited; emotionally steady

INCREMENTn. an enlargement, increase,

addition

MANDATEn. an authoritative command,

formal order, authorization

PALTRYadj. trifling, insignificant; mean,

despicable; inferior, trashy

PAROXYSMn. a sudden outburst; a spasm,

convulsion

PEDANTRY n. a pretentious display of knowledge;

overly rigid attention to rules and details

PEREGRINATION n. the act of traveling; an excursion,

especially on foot or to a foreign country

REDOLENT adj. fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to

arouse memories or create an aura

REFULGENTadj. shining, radiant, resplendent

SHIBBOLETH n. a word, expression,

or custom that distinguishes a particular group of persons from all others; a commonplace saying or truism; a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons.

“Did j’ye eat yet?

“What are yuns up to?”

TYROn. a beginner, novice; one with

little or no background or skill

UNREMITTINGadj. not stopping, maintained

steadily, never letting up, relentless

VACILLATE v. to swing indecisively from one idea

or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will

VITUPERATIVEadj. harshly abusive, severely

scolding