Vocabulary Level FVocabulary Level FUnit 11Unit 11

abstemious

(adj) moderate, sparing, characterized by abstinence and self discipline

censurable

(adj) deserving of blame or correction

Ex: The teenager’s punishment for the censurable act of lying was getting grounded for two weeks.

contingent(adj) dependent on uncertain events or

conditions; happening by chance

(n) representative group forming part of a larger body

Ex: Our ‘outdoor’ wedding was contingent upon sunny weather; luckily, we found a location that also offered a covered patio in the event of rain!

Ex: The student body sent a large contingent to the meeting to discuss their concerns over the change in bell schedule.

corroborate

• (v) to confirm, make more certain, bolster, substantiate, verify

Ex: In court, a lawyer will use evidence and alibis to corroborate a defendant’s story.

denizen

(noun) an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place

Ex: The denizens of New Orleans slowly returned to view the damage from Hurricane Katrina.

discursive

(adj) passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another, rambling, roving, nomadic

Ex: The student’s critical paper was discursive, making it hard for the reader to connect each idea back to the thesis.

disseminate

(v) to scatter or spread widely

Ex: These days, social networking sites on the internet are the fastest way to disseminate information.

dowdy

(adj) poorly dressed, shabby; lacking smartness and good taste

Ex: The applicant’s dowdy appearance matched his lackluster answers to the interviewer’s questions.

florid(adj) highly colored, reddish;

excessively ornate, showy

Ex: My husband is always quick to point out the beauty in male creatures’ florid appearance; I am always quick to remind him that looking good on the outside is clearly the only way for most men to attract a mate!

foist

(v) to impose by fraud; to pass off as worthy or genuine; to bring about by stealth, dishonesty or coercion

Ex: The couple foisted their identities in order to gain access into the exclusive dinner with world dignitaries.

gauche

(adj) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

Ex: During our adolescent years, some of us are more gauche than others as we learn how to behave in various situations.

heresy(n) an opinion different from accepted

belief; the denial of an idea that is generally held sacred

Ex: Works like The Crucible point out the heresy that runs rampant in a society that is scared of change and differences.

inculcate

(v) to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly

Ex: In the early years, a foreign language is best taught to a child by inculcating him consistently.

palpable

(adj) capable of being touched or felt, easily seen, heard or recognized

Ex: The room hummed with palpable expectation as the audience awaited the announcement from the speaker.

perceptive

(adj) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation

Ex: Some people are not as perceptive as others, so it’s important to communicate clearly and openly in order to get what you want.

pernicious(adj) extremely harmful; deadly, fatal

Ex: The pernicious effects of smoking are virtually ingrained in our minds from an early age, and yet thousands of people start smoking every year.

salient

(adj) prominent, standing out, conspicuous (n) a projection or bulge

Ex: Cyrano de Bergerac’s salient nose stood in the way of his ability to woo the woman he so desired, Roxane.

satiate(v) to satisfy completely; to fill to

excess; (adj) full satisfied (satiated)

Ex: The growing boy’s appetite could not be satiated, it seemed!

sear

(v) to char or scorch the surface of; to harden or make unfeeling

Ex: The torment my last significant other put me through was enough to sear my heart for a long time.

specious(adj) deceptive, apparently good or

valid but lacking real merit