Vocabulary – Rote memorization!

English 11 Unit 3

Test = Thurs., Nov. 30

• ascribe (v.) • to assign or refer to (as a cause or

source), attribute • expedite (v.) • to make easy, cause to progress faster • sangfroid (n.) • composure or coolness, especially in

trying circumstances

Paying attention will expedite the studying process.

• 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

• abominate (v.)

• to have an intense dislike or hatred for

I considered 25 cents a nominal charge.

• nominal (adj.) • existing in name only, not real; too small to be

considered or taken seriously • tenuous (adj.) • thin, slender, not dense;

– lacking clarity or sharpness; – of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound

basis; poorly supported

I took the circuitous way home.

• circuitous (adj.) • roundabout, not direct• wheedle (v.) • to use coaxing or flattery to gain some

desired end • vitriolic (adj.) • bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting

(like a strong acid)

We had to cross the tenuous bridge.

I’ve got a tenuous hold on these vocabulary words.

• existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

• nominal (adj.)

• thin, slender; lacking a sound basis; poorly supported

• tenuous (adj.)

He was thrown out of the class for a vitriolic attitude.

• roundabout, not direct• circuitous (adj.) • to use coaxing or flattery to gain some

desired end • wheedle (v.) • bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting

(like a strong acid) • vitriolic (adj.)

I wasn’t able to wheedle my way into an A. I’ll study next time instead.

• (v.) to be in or work into such a state great excitement;

• ferment

• to have an intense dislike or hatred for

• abominate (v.)

I abominate poor grades, so I study for tests.

• to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

• ascribe (v.) • to make easy, cause to progress faster • expedite (v.) • composure or coolness, especially in

trying circumstances • sangfroid (n.)

Having the animals “hold hands” expedited the crossing of the street.

My acculturation to South Dakota did not take long.

• peculate (v.) • to steal something that has been given into

one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use• 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

Some of you have a proclivity to gabbing.

• proclivity (n.) • a natural or habitual inclination or

tendency (especially human character or behavior)

• seditious (adj.) • resistant to lawful authority; having the

purpose of overthrowing an established government

I enjoin students constantly to come to class on time.

• inadvertent (adj.)

• resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

• enjoin (v.)

• to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

Guessing, while risky, can be adventitious.

• adventitious (adj.) • resulting from chance rather than from an

inherent cause or character; – accidental, not essential; – (medicine) acquired, not congenital

• commiserate (v.) • to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow

for, share a feeling of distress

I’m noncommittal on the issue of taxing allowances.

• expiate (v.) • to make amends, make up for; to avert

• noncommittal (adj.) • not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a

clear position or to say yes or no

Mom’s vitriolic attitude didn’t help when the hunters came.

Are you still following me?

• resulting from chance rather than from an inherent cause or character; – accidental, not essential; – (medicine) acquired, not congenital

• adventitious (adj.) • to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow

for, share a feeling of distress • commiserate (v.)

My students had a seditious look in their eye when they arrived that day.

• a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially human character or behavior)

• proclivity (n.) • resistant to lawful authority; having the

purpose of overthrowing an established government

• seditious (adj.)

He tried to expiate his life of crime by

buying groceries for broke folks.

• to make amends, make up for; to avert • expiate (v.)

• not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear position or to say yes or no

• noncommittal (adj.)

The insult was inadvertent, so I hope you won’t take offense.

• resulting from or marked by lack of attention; unintentional, accidental

• inadvertent (adj.)

• to direct or order; to prescribe a course of action in an authoritative way; to prohibit

• enjoin (v.)

The secretary peculated the very money she was supposed to deposit.

• to steal something that has been given into one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use

• peculate (v.) • the modification of the social patterns, traits, or

structures of one group or society by contact with those of another; the resultant blend

• acculturation (n.)

We often commiserate with those who have lost loved ones.