Vocabulary Level F Unit 11

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Vocabulary Level FUnit 11
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abstemious

• (adj) moderate, sparing, characterized by
  abstinence and self discipline

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censurable

• (adj) deserving of blame or correction

Ex The teenagers punishment for the censurable
act of lying was getting grounded for two weeks.
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contingent

• (adj) dependent on uncertain events or
  conditions happening by chance
• (n) representative group forming part of a larger
  body

Ex Our outdoor wedding was contingent upon
sunny weather luckily, we found a location that
also offered a covered patio in the event of rain!
Ex The student body sent a large contingent to
the meeting to discuss their concerns over the
change in bell schedule.
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corroborate

• (v) to confirm, make more certain, bolster,
  substantiate, verify

Ex In court, a lawyer will use evidence and
alibis to corroborate a defendants story.
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denizen

• (noun) an inhabitant, resident one who frequents
  a place

Ex The denizens of New Orleans slowly returned
to view the damage from Hurricane Katrina.
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discursive

• (adj) passing aimlessly from one place or subject
  to another, rambling, roving, nomadic

Ex The students critical paper was discursive,
making it hard for the reader to connect each
idea back to the thesis.
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disseminate

• (v) to scatter or spread widely

Ex These days, social networking sites on the
internet are the fastest way to disseminate
information.
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dowdy

• (adj) poorly dressed, shabby lacking smartness
  and good taste

Ex The applicants dowdy appearance matched his
lackluster answers to the interviewers questions.
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florid

• (adj) highly colored, reddish excessively
  ornate, showy

Ex My husband is always quick to point out the
beauty in male creatures florid appearance I am
always quick to remind him that looking good on
the outside is clearly the only way for most men
to attract a mate!
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foist

• (v) to impose by fraud to pass off as worthy or
  genuine to bring about by stealth, dishonesty or
  coercion

Ex The couple foisted their identities in order
to gain access into the exclusive dinner with
world dignitaries.
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gauche

• (adj) awkward, lacking in social graces,
  tactless, clumsy

Ex During our adolescent years, some of us are
more gauche than others as we learn how to behave
in various situations.
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heresy

• (n) an opinion different from accepted belief
  the denial of an idea that is generally held
  sacred

Ex Works like The Crucible point out the heresy
that runs rampant in a society that is scared of
change and differences.
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inculcate

• (v) to impress on the mind by repetition, teach
  persistently and earnestly

Ex In the early years, a foreign language is
best taught to a child by inculcating him
consistently.
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palpable

• (adj) capable of being touched or felt, easily
  seen, heard or recognized

Ex The room hummed with palpable expectation as
the audience awaited the announcement from the
speaker.
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perceptive

• (adj) having sympathetic insight or
  understanding, capable of keen appreciation

Ex Some people are not as perceptive as others,
so its important to communicate clearly and
openly in order to get what you want.
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pernicious

• (adj) extremely harmful deadly, fatal

Ex The pernicious effects of smoking are
virtually ingrained in our minds from an early
age, and yet thousands of people start smoking
every year.
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salient

• (adj) prominent, standing out, conspicuous (n) a
  projection or bulge

Ex Cyrano de Bergeracs salient nose stood in
the way of his ability to woo the woman he so
desired, Roxane.
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satiate

• (v) to satisfy completely to fill to excess
  (adj) full satisfied (satiated)

Ex The growing boys appetite could not be
satiated, it seemed!
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sear

• (v) to char or scorch the surface of to harden
  or make unfeeling

Ex The torment my last significant other put me
through was enough to sear my heart for a long
time.
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specious

• (adj) deceptive, apparently good or valid but
  lacking real merit