Vocabulary – Rote memorization!

1. Vocabulary – Rote memorization! English 11 Unit 3

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. We had to cross the tenuous bridge.

7. 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.)

8. 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.)

9. 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.)

10. 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.)

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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.)

19. 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.)

20. 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.)

21. 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.)

22. 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.)

23. We often commiserate with those who have lost loved ones.