Unit 4 Vocabulary

1. Unit 4 Vocabulary Ms. Acker English 10/10B

2. Affiliated (adj., part.) associated, connected • Synonyms: attached, related, joined • Antonyms: dissociated, unconnected • EX: • Being affiliated with a well known law firm is often the first step on the way to a successful political career.

3. Ascertain (v.) to find out • Synonyms: discover, determine, establish • EX: • We need to ascertain what it will cost to remodel our kitchen.

4. Attainment (n.) an accomplishment, the act of achieving • Synonyms: achievement, realization, fulfillment • Antonyms: failure, defeat, frustration • EX: • In addition to his abilities as a leader, Abraham Lincoln was a man of high literary achievement.

5. Bequeath (v.) to give or pass on as an inheritance • Synonyms: transmit, bestow, hand down • EX: • Few people will make enough money in their lifetimes to be in a position bequeath a fortune to their heirs.

6. Disperse (v.) to scatter, spread far and wide • Synonyms: break up, dispel • Antonyms: collect, congregate, assemble, muster • EX: • When a scuffle broke out, the commissioner ordered the police to disperse the crowd.

7. Expunge (v.) to erase, obliterate, destroy • Synonyms: delete, efface, annihilate • Antonyms: insert, create, mark, imprint, impress • EX: • The judge ordered the remarks expunged from the record.

8. Invulnerable (adj.) not able to be wounded or hurt; shielded against attack • Synonyms: impregnable, resistant, impervious, immune • Antonyms: exposed, unprotected, defenseless • EX: • Medieval lords did everything possible to make their castles invulnerable fortresses.

9. Malevolent (adj.) spiteful, showing ill will • Synonyms: malicious, wicked, sinister, malignant • Antonyms: kind, benevolent, compassionate • EX: • While pretending to be a loyal friend, Iago told Othello malevolent lies.

10. Nonchalant (adj.) cool and confident, unconcerned • Synonyms: composed, unruffled, indifferent, blasé • Antonyms: perturbed, agitated, fretful, disconcerted, abashed • EX: • The elegantly dressed couple strolled down the boulevard with a nonchalant air.

11. Omniscient (adj.) knowing everything; having unlimited awareness or understanding • Synonyms: wise, all-knowing • Antonyms: ignorant, unknowing • EX: • Scientists today have so much specialized knowledge that they sometimes seem omniscient.

12. Panacea (n.) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems • Synonyms: universal cure, easy solution • Antonyms: affliction • EX- • You are mistaken if you think that getting more money will be a panacea for all your troubles.

13. Scrupulous (adj.) exact, careful, attending thoroughly to details; having high moral standards, principled • Synonyms: painstaking, meticulous, conscientious • Antonyms: careless, negligent, remiss, dishonest • EX: • Scientists are trained to record their observations with scrupulous accuracy.

14. Skulk (v.)to move about stealthily; to lie in hiding • Synonyms: lurk, slink, crept around, prowl • Antonyms: sped • EX: • The burglar skulked in the ally looking for a way to get into the darkened jewelry store without attracting the attention of anyone who might be nearby.

15. Supercilious (adj.) proud and contemptuous; showing scorn because of a feeling of superiority • Synonyms: snobbish, patronizing, overbearing • Antonyms: humble, meek, deferential, servile • EX: • Their supercilious attitude toward their servants was extremely offensive.

16. Uncanny (adj.) strange, mysterious, weird, beyond explanation • Synonyms: eerie, inexplicable • EX: • It is highly unusual for a beginner to display such an uncanny skill at playing bridge.