Vocab List 3All 20…

PonderousAdj. slow and clumsy because of great weight

The rhinoceros may look ponderous, but don’t aggravate one because they run quite fast when provoked!

DiscomfitureN. Frustration; disappointment

My discomfiture showed all over my face when I didn’t win Homecoming Queen. I thought I had it locked in-

WallowN. Roll around in mudor water

The expression “to wallow in self-pity” has a vivid visual association.

BeseechV. Ask urgently; beg

I beseech you: please don’t chew with your mouth open!!

ChastenV. To correct; reprimand;Shame into correctbehaviour

Lloyd was sufficiently chastened by his day in ISS. He was also mortified to have a discipline record for an act of stupidity.

PugnaciousAdj. quick to argue orfight

Not generally used to describe a woman’s anatomy, pugnacious usually modifies a person’s attitude (i.e. hot-tempered).

PromontoryN. High point of land projecting into a body of water

Annie stood on the promontory and enjoyed the view; she could see for miles across the ocean.

CommiserateV. express sympathyfor

“While I commiserate with your situation, we need to find a solution so your work doesn’t suffer,” said the oh-so-sympathetic supervisor.

OstentatiouslyAdv. In a showy or vulgar manner

He drove around ostentatiously in his new Lamborghini, acting as if he makes millions.

LavishAdj. fancy; luxuriousV. to give generously to

At the beginning of their relationship, Joe Starks lavished compliments and gifts on Janie.

CurN. aggressive, undesirable dog

If someone calls you a cur, rest assured it’s not a compliment.

UsurperN. One who seizes power by force

A deposed leader will call his successor a usurper even if he was voted out of office.

PaunchN. Large or protruding stomach

The middle-aged man’s bane: the paunch.

SwaggerV. Walk arrogantlyN. self-assurance

Partly because of her swagger, Lisa has the mien of a confident young lady.

TemporizeV. Avoid making a decision to gain time

The opening band was obviously temporizing, but we found out later that the Chili Peppers didn’t even arrive at the arena until 11:00.

SullenAdj. sulky; gloomy

My parents would send me away from the dinner table if I acted sullen; they didn’t want to see my pouting face.

TransfigurationN. Change in form or appearance

Joan Rivers’ transfiguration due to copious plastic surgery has not been good. Yikes!

LanguishV. Grow weak or feeble

Before central air-conditioning, southern ladies (in all their petticoats) would languish in the afternoon heat.

PhosphorescentAdj. glowing; emittinglight

There is a natural mineral that has phosphorescent properties; if you chip it, it glows.

TransientAdj. lasting only a shorttime

When your love is transient, it was likely lust because love endures over time and through trials.