Vocabulary

Vocabulary Unit 4

aggrandize • to increase in greatness, power, or wealth; to build up or intensify; to make appear greater

contraband • illegal traffic, smuggled goods; illegal, prohibited

repudiate • to disown, reject, or deny the validity of

infer • to find out be reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply

irrevocable • incapable of being changed or called back

insular • relating to, characteristic of, or situation on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

erudite • scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

resilient • Able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly

gossamer • thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; a very thin, light cloth

propensity • a natural inclination or predilection toward

scurrilous • coarsely abusive, vulgar or low (especially in language), foul-mouthed

remonstrate • to argue or plead with someone against something, protest against, object to

sedulous • persistent, showing industry and determination

inscrutable • incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

affable • courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

querulous • peevish, complaining, fretful

amorphous • shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion

reverberate • to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

aura • that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

sleazy • thin or flimsy in texture; cheap; shoddy or inferior in quality or character; ethically low, mean, or disreputable