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WORD
PART OF
SPEECH
English 3 VOCABULARY ~ 1st Quarter
1
alleviate
v
to make more bearable
2
coalition
n
a combination, union, or merger for some
specific purpose
3
cynical
adj
distrustful of human nature and motive,
believing motives are primarily selfish
4
jaded
adj
wearied, worn-out, dulled by excess; cynical
weary; fed up
5
simulate
v
to imitate; to show the signs of
pretend; feign
6
callow
adj
without experience; immature
green; inexperienced
7
omniscient
adj
having total knowledge; knowing
everything
8
pulverize
v
to reduce to powder or dust; to demolish
crush; destroy
epitome
n
an instance that represents a larger reality
model; good example
9
(i pit ah mee)
DEFINITION
SYNONYM(S)
ease; relieve
alliance; league
pessimistic
all-knowing
10
infer
v
to find out by reasoning; to deduce
understand; assume
11
vapid
adj
dull, uninteresting; lacking liveliness
lifeless; insipid
SENTENCE
I took two aspirins to alleviate my
headache.
The various community organizations
formed a coalition to lobby against
parking laws.
The cynical girl refused to believe the
organization was non-profit.
Initially I was excited about the thought
of flying, but frequent air-travel soon
made me jaded about it.
Some skilled actors can simulate
emotions they might never have felt in
life.
They entered the army as callow recruits
and left as seasoned veterans.
I knew the narrator of the story was
omniscient because he knew all the
thoughts of all the characters.
The foul ball went over the fence and
pulverized the windshield of the coach’s
truck.
Admitting when you have been fairly
defeated is the epitome of
sportsmanship.
I can infer you like music since you are
never without your iPOD.
While critics called the movie vapid, I
thought the actors were very compelling.
1
English 3 VOCABULARY ~ 1st Quarter
A town so peaceful and law-abiding was
12
heinous
adj
very wicked, offensive
13
insurgent
n/
adj
one who rebels or rises against authority /
rising in revolt, refusing to accept authority
14
pillage
v
15
acrimonious
16
corpulent
hateful; evil; shocking bound to be horrified by so heinous a
rebel / revolutionary
to rob of goods by open force
plunder; loot
adj
stinging, bitter in temper or tone
biting; hostile
adj
fat; having a large bulky body
literally an armored or protective glove—
usual meaning: a challenge, as in “throwing
down the gauntlet”
heavy; obese; portly
17
gauntlet
n
18
hypothetical
adj
based on an assumption or guess
assumed; supposed
19
astute
adj
crafty; clever
shrewd; wily; smart
20
culpable
adj
deserving blame
21
novice
n
one who is just a beginner at some activity
requiring skill
trainee; neophyte
22
covert
adj
hidden, disguised, purposefully kept secret
undercover;
clandestine
23
motley
adj
showing great variety; composed of
different elements or many colors
24
procrastinate
v
to delay, put off until later
dare; challenge
guilty
diverse; mixed
stall
crime.
The army was confident that they could
crush the insurgent forces.
The commanding officer warned his
troops not to pillage the conquered city.
She answered my question so
acrimoniously that my feelings were
hurt.
Though she had grown corpulent with
the years, the opera singer’s voice was
the same.
In the Middle Ages, a knight threw down
his gauntlet as a challenge, and another
knight picked it up only if he accepted.
Hypothetically speaking, if you forget
to study for your test, your score will be
low.
Her astute answer impressed the
professor.
Since there was an eye witness, he knew
he would be found culpable.
You must be patient and realize that all
his mistakes are typical of a novice in
this line of work.
Napoleon was an expert at making
covert preparations to attack
unsuspecting opponents.
Tall and short, thick and thin, old and
young, we share the family name but are
a motley bunch indeed.
We all want to procrastinate when a
task is no fun.
2
English 3 VOCABULARY ~ 1st Quarter
capable of being touched or felt; easily seen
or heard
tangible
to restate in other words
reword
25
palpable
adj
26
paraphrase
v
27
redundant
adj
extra, excess, more than needed; repetitive
28
sanctimonious
adj
self-righteous; holier-than-thou
29
blatant
adj
obvious; glaring
30
inception
n
the beginning, start, earliest stage
criterion
n
a rule, test; a standard for judgment
31
(pl. criteria)
32
sadistic
adj
33
demeanor
34
wordy; repetitive
hypocritical
conspicuous; flagrant
beginning; outset
standard; condition
delighting in cruelty, excessively cruel
brutal; vicious
n
the way a person behaves; manner
conduct, mien
enigma
n
something obscure or hard to understand
mystery; puzzle
35
crop
v
to clip; to cut
36
reproach
v
37
vent
v
The excitement in the room was almost
palpable.
I understand Shakespeare better when
the teacher paraphrases.
My teacher said “small miniature” was
redundant.
When she voted herself MVP we all
thought she was being sanctimonious.
Your hateful comment showed a blatant
disregard for my feelings.
He has worked here quietly and steadily
since the firm’s inception.
She was disturbed to discover that the
criterion for the award was based on
style, not substance.
The Geneva Convention of 1949
outlawed torture and sadistic treatment
of prisoners of war.
Mr. Smith has such a cheerful and easygoing demeanor that all his students like
him.
How the lost dog managed to find his
way home remained an enigma.
trim
The gardener used large, sharp shears to
crop the overgrown hedge.
to blame or censure
accuse; reprimand
The principal reproached the student
for pulling the fire alarm when there was
no fire.
to relieve, to voice
declare
I often vent my frustrations in my
journal.
3
English 3 VOCABULARY ~ 1st Quarter
38
sarcastic
adj
made in a spirit of mockery
snide; mocking
39
quip
n
a clever remark; joke
jibe; one-liner
40
bravado
n
false courage; boldness
41
trek
n
journey; voyage
hike
42
enhance
v
to add; to enrich
improve; add to
43
condone
v
to tolerate; to excuse
forgive; pardon
44
agnosticism
n
uncertainty; doubt (usually about the
existence of a higher power)
45
jargon
n
specific language
46
dubious
adj
47
hone
v
to sharpen; to whet
48
void
v
to cancel
49
parody
n
spoof; satire
take-off; skit
50
conjecture
v/
n
to guess / a guess
speculate/
speculation
doubtful; questionable
audacity; bravery
belief that the
existence of God is
unknown
terminology
uncertain
polish; work on
negate
The teacher did not appreciate the
sarcastic tone when the student said, “I
wish your lecture could last three hours.”
The comedian’s quips kept the audience
in stitches.
He was full of bravado until he saw the
size of his opponent.
Crossing the Himalayas proved to be a
lengthy trek.
A new wing on the building enhanced
its appearance.
If you condone bad behavior, you
encourage it.
His many questions about the hereafter
revealed his agnosticism.
Computer specialists have their own
jargon that many outsiders do not
understand.
His reasons for doing what he did were
dubious and suspect.
Many professional ballplayers hone their
skills in the minor leagues.
The authorities voided his license after
fraud was proven.
Saturday Night Live aired a parody of the
President’s inaugural address.
Sometimes I get good grades on
multiple-choice tests, even when most of
my answers are conjectures.
4