Vocabulary – Rote
memorization!
English 11 Unit 3
Test = Thurs., Nov. 30
• ascribe (v.)
• to assign or refer to (as a cause or
source), attribute
• expedite (v.)
• to make easy, cause to progress faster
• sangfroid (n.)
• composure or coolness, especially in
trying circumstances
Paying attention will expedite
the studying process.
• ferment
• (n.) a state of great excitement, agitation,
or turbulence;
• (v.) to be in or work into such a state;
– to produce alcohol by chemical action
• abominate (v.)
• to have an intense dislike or hatred for
I considered 25 cents
a nominal charge.
• nominal (adj.)
• existing in name only, not real; too small to be
considered or taken seriously
• tenuous (adj.)
• thin, slender, not dense;
– lacking clarity or sharpness;
– of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound
basis; poorly supported
I took the circuitous way
home.
• circuitous (adj.)
• roundabout, not direct
• wheedle (v.)
• to use coaxing or flattery to gain some
desired end
• vitriolic (adj.)
• bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting
(like a strong acid)
We had to cross the tenuous
bridge.
I’ve got a tenuous hold on
these vocabulary words.
• existing in name only, not real; too small
to be considered or taken seriously
• nominal (adj.)
• thin, slender; lacking a sound basis;
poorly supported
• tenuous (adj.)
He was thrown out of the
class for a vitriolic attitude.
• roundabout, not direct
• circuitous (adj.)
• to use coaxing or flattery to gain some
desired end
• wheedle (v.)
• bitter, sarcastic, highly caustic or biting
(like a strong acid)
• vitriolic (adj.)
I wasn’t able to wheedle my way into
an A. I’ll study next time instead.
• (v.) to be in or work into such a state great
excitement;
• ferment
• to have an intense dislike or hatred for
• abominate (v.)
I abominate poor grades,
so I study for tests.
• to assign or refer to (as a cause or
source), attribute
• ascribe (v.)
• to make easy, cause to progress faster
• expedite (v.)
• composure or coolness, especially in
trying circumstances
• sangfroid (n.)
Having the animals “hold hands”
expedited the crossing of the street.
My acculturation to South
Dakota did not take long.
• peculate (v.)
• to steal something that has been given into
one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use
• acculturation (n.)
• the modification of the social patterns, traits, or
structures of one group or society by contact
with those of another; the resultant blend
Some of you have a
proclivity to gabbing.
• proclivity (n.)
• a natural or habitual inclination or
tendency (especially human character or
behavior)
• seditious (adj.)
• resistant to lawful authority; having the
purpose of overthrowing an established
government
I enjoin students constantly
to come to class on time.
• inadvertent (adj.)
• resulting from or marked by lack of
attention; unintentional, accidental
• enjoin (v.)
• to direct or order; to prescribe a course of
action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
Guessing, while risky, can
be adventitious.
• adventitious (adj.)
• resulting from chance rather than from an
inherent cause or character;
– accidental, not essential;
– (medicine) acquired, not congenital
• commiserate (v.)
• to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow
for, share a feeling of distress
I’m noncommittal on the issue
of taxing allowances.
• expiate (v.)
• to make amends, make up for; to avert
• noncommittal (adj.)
• not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a
clear position or to say yes or no
Mom’s vitriolic attitude didn’t
help when the hunters came.
Are you still following
me?
• resulting from chance rather than from an
inherent cause or character;
– accidental, not essential;
– (medicine) acquired, not congenital
• adventitious (adj.)
• to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow
for, share a feeling of distress
• commiserate (v.)
My students had a seditious look in
their eye when they arrived that day.
• a natural or habitual inclination or
tendency (especially human character or
behavior)
• proclivity (n.)
• resistant to lawful authority; having the
purpose of overthrowing an established
government
• seditious (adj.)
He tried to expiate his life of crime by
buying groceries for broke folks.
• to make amends, make up for; to avert
• expiate (v.)
• not decisive or definite; unwilling to take a clear
position or to say yes or no
• noncommittal (adj.)
The insult was inadvertent, so I
hope you won’t take offense.
• resulting from or marked by lack of
attention; unintentional, accidental
• inadvertent (adj.)
• to direct or order; to prescribe a course of
action in an authoritative way; to prohibit
• enjoin (v.)
The secretary peculated the very
money she was supposed to deposit.
• to steal something that has been given into
one’s trust; to take improperly for one’s own use
• peculate (v.)
• the modification of the social patterns, traits, or
structures of one group or society by contact
with those of another; the resultant blend
• acculturation (n.)
We often commiserate with those
who have lost loved ones.