Vocabulary Unit 5

1. Vocabulary Unit 5 Mrs. Williams English 10/10 B

2. Altruistic (adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others • Syn.: selfless, humanitarian • Ant.: selfish, self-centered • EX: • Most people support altruistic programs to help the less fortunate of this world.

3. Assent (v.) to express agreement, (n.) agreement • Syn.: (v.) concur, consent, accede • Ant.: (v.) disagree, differ dissent • EX: • (v) Workers hope that the threat of a long strike will force management to assent to their demands. • (n) Romeo and Juliet knew they would never gain their families’ assent to marry.

4. Benefactor (n.) one who does good to others • Syn.: patron, humanitarian, sponsors • Ant.: misanthrope, malefactor, detractor • EX: • Without the help of many benefactors, most charities would be unable to carry out their work.

5. Chivalrous (adj.) marked by honor, courtesy, and courage; knightly • Syn.: gallant, civil, valiant • Ant.: crude, uncouth, churlish, loutish • EX: • In today’s busy world, where people are often heedless of others, a chivalrous act is admired by all.

6. Clemency (n.) mercy, humaneness; mildness, moderateness • Syn.: leniency, forbearance, gentleness • Ant.: harshness, severity, cruelty, inflexibility • EX: • Many judges are willing to show clemency to first offenders who express regret for their wrongdoing.

7. Diffident (adj.) shy, lacking self-confidence; modest, reserved • Syn.: timid, bashful, unassertive, withdrawn • Ant.: bold, brash, audacious, self-confident, jaunty • EX: • Many a diffident suitor has lost his beloved to a bold rival.

8. Discrepancy (n.) a difference; a lack of agreement • Syn.: disagreement, divergence, inconsistency • Ant.: agreement, convergence, consistency • EX: • Discrepancies in the testimony of witnesses to a crime can have a decisive impact on the outcome of a trial.

9. Embark (v.) to go aboard; to make a start; to invest • Syn.: commence, launch, begin, board, start • EX: • Columbus spent years raising money before he was able to embark on his perilous ocean voyage in search of a passage to the Far East.

10. Indomitable (adj.) unconquerable, refusing aid • Syn.: unbeatable, invincible, unyielding • Surrendering, submissive, yielding • EX: • All who hear of the remarkable deeds of Harriet Tubman admire her indomitable courage in the face of grave danger.

11. Infallible (adj.) free from error; absolutely dependable • Syn.: unerring, certain • Ant.: imperfect • EX: • Some critics seem convinced that their expert knowledge makes them infallible judges of the quality of an artist’s work.

12. Pungent (adj.) causing a sharp sensation; stinging, biting • Syn.: sharp, spicy, piquant, caustic, racy • Ant.: bland, unappetizing, colorless, insipid • EX: • The kitchen of the French restaurant was filled with the pungent aroma of onion soup.

13. Remiss (adj.) neglectful in performance of one’s duty, careless • Syn.: negligent, lax, slack • Ant.: scrupulous, dutiful, punctilious • EX: • When I am remiss in doing daily chores, I have to spend a big part of the weekend catching up.

14. Repose (v.) to rest; lie; place; (n.) relaxation, peace of mind, calmness • Syn.: (v.) sleep; (n.) tranquility, respite, serenity • Ant.: (n.) exertion, wakefulness, tumult, bustle, ado • EX: • (v) The mortal remains of thousands of who fell in America’s wars repose in Arlington’s National Cemetery. • (n) After spending all day with others, you may wish for a period of repose before dinner.

15. Temerity (n.) rashness, boldness • Syn.: recklessness, foolhardiness, effrontery, audacity • Ant.: timidity, fearfulness, diffidence, humility • Example- • Few of his subordinates had the temerity to answer the general back.

16. Unfeigned (adj.) sincere, real, without pretense • Syn.: genuine, heartfelt • Ant.: insincere, simulated • EX: • The novelist won high praise for her ability to portray the unfeigned emotions of children.