2016 Vocabulary #18 – Period 1
1.
haphazard [adj., hap-haz-erd; n. hap-haz-erd]
–adjective
1. characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by
randomness; determined by or dependent on chance; aimless.
Origin: 1565–75; < L
2.
pious
[pahy-uh s]
–adjective
1. having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish
to fulfill religious obligations.
2. characterized by a hypocritical concern with virtue or religious devotion;
sanctimonious.
3. of or pertaining to religious devotion; sacred rather than secular: pious
literature.
4. having or showing appropriate respect or regard for parents or others.
Origin: 1595–1605; < L
3.
lamentably
[luh-men-tuh-buh l, lam-uh n-tuh-]
–adjective
1. that is to be lamented; regrettable; unfortunate: a lamentable decision.
2. Rare. mournful.
Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L
4.
impinge
[im-pinj]
–verb
1. to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually fol. by on or
upon): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's
daily life.
2. to encroach; infringe (usually fol. by on or upon): to impinge on another's
rights.
3. to strike; dash; collide (usually fol. by on, upon, or against): rays of light
impinging on the eye.
Origin: 1525–35; < ML
5.
genial
–adjective
(jeen-yuh l, jee-nee-uh )
1. warmly and pleasantly cheerful; cordial: a genial disposition; a genial host.
2. favorable for life, growth, or comfort; pleasantly warm; comfortably mild:
the genial climate of hawaii.
Origin: 1560–70; < Latin
6.
beneficence [buh-nef-uh-suh ns]
–noun
1. the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity.
2. a beneficent act or gift; benefaction.
Origin: 1425–75; late ME < L
7.
myriad
mir-ee-uh d]Spell
noun
1.a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things.
2.of an indefinitely great number; innumerable:
the myriad stars of a summer night.
3. having innumerable phases, aspects, variations, etc.:
the myriad mind of Shakespeare.
Origin: 1545-55; < Greek
8.
reticent
[ret-uh-suh nt]
Show IPA
adjective
1. disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.
2. reluctant or restrained.
Origin: 1825–35; < Latin
9.
harangue
[huh-rang]
–noun
1. a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe.
2.
a long, passionate, and vehement speech, esp. one delivered before a
public gathering.
3.
any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic
nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse.
–verb
4. to address or deliver in a harangue.
Origin: 1530–40; (n.) < MF
10. enigmatic [en-ig-mat-ik, ee-nig-]
–adjective
perplexing; mysterious; not easily explained or accounted for; darkly
expressed; obscure; puzzling; as, an enigmatical answer.
Origin: 1620–30; < LL