| Term | Definition |
|---|
| DEFRAY (di-FRAY) | to pay, provide money for, cover the cost or expenses of |
| TACITURN (TAS-i-turn) | silent, not talkative, holding one's tongue; Habitually reserved and uncommunicative |
| TERSE (rhymes with curse) | brief and to the point, free of superfluous words |
| BOON (rhymes with moon) | a blessing, timely and welcome benefit |
| PROLETARIAT (PROH-Iuh-TAIR-ee-it) | the working class, especially the industrial wage earning class |
| HETEROGENEOUS (HET-uh-roh-JEE-nee-us) | varied, composed of parts of different kinds |
| PITTANCE (PIT'ns, rhymes with admittance) | a small amount, portion, or share |
| GLIB (rhymes with rib) | smooth-spoken, speaking in a ready, fluent manner |
| PENCHANT (PEN-chint) | a liking, leaning, strong inclination, decided taste |
| SOLICITOUS (suh-LIS-i-tus) | concerned, showing care and attention |
| CIRCUMSCRIBE (SUR-kum-SKRYB) | to limit, restrict, confine, fix the boundaries of |
| DEARTH (rhymes with earth) | a lack, scarcity, insufficiency |
| INGRATIATING (in-GRAY-shee-ay-ting) | flattering, attempting to win approval or curry favor |
| MERCENARY (MUR-suh-ner-ee) | greedy, done for payment only |
| EXTEMPORIZE (eks-TEM-puh-ryz) | to improvise, to speak or compose with little or no praparation |
| ERUDITE (preferably, AIR-uu-dyt; commonly, AIR-yoo-dyt) | learned, scholarly |
| AUSTERE (aw-STEER) | severe, somber, stern, serious, grim, grave |
| LACONIC (luh-KAHN-ik) | using few words, brief and concise |
| AMELIORATE (uh-MEEL-yuh-rayt) | to make or become better, improve, amend |
| EXPUNGE (ek-SPUNJ) | to erase, delete, cancel |
| CIRCUMSPECT (SUR-kum-spekt) | careful, cautious, wary, watchful |
| QUIESCENT (kwy-ES-int) | still, quiet, tranquil, inactive |
| FOIBLE (FOY-buul) | a weak point (of a sword), slight fault or flaw in personality (usually, forgivable) |
| FERVENT (FUR-vint) | passionate, fiery, earnest, impassioned |
| PROTRACT (proh-TRAKT) | to draw out, drag out, extend in time, lengthen |
| OSTENTATIOUS (AH-sten-TAY-shus) | showy, extremely conspicuous, extravagant |
| QUANDARY (KWAHN-duh-ree) | a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or doubt |
| CENSURE (SEN-shur) | to blame, condemn, find fault with, criticize harshly |
| CAVIL (KAV'l) | to criticize or complain unnecessarily, point out petty flaws |
| ASSIMILATE (uh-SIM-i-layt) | to absorb, take in, incorporate |
| RESCIND (ri-SIND) | to cancel, take back, take away, remove |
| DISCERNIBLE (di-SURN-i-buul) | recognizable, detectable, perceptible |
| CATACLYSM (KAT-uh-kliz'm) | a disaster, great mishap, catastrophe |
| NARCISSISM (NAR-si-SIZ'm) | self-love, excessive admiration of oneself |
| INCRIMINATE (in-KRIM-i-nayt) | to charge with a crime, accuse of wrongdoing |
| STIGMA (STIG-muh) | a mark of shame or disgrace, a moral blemish |
| BREVITY (BREV-i-tee) | shortness, briefness |
| perquisite (PUR-kwizit) | a benefit, incidental gain or reward |
| INDIGENT (IN-di-jint) | poor, needy, penniless, impoverished, down-and-out |
| CLAIRVOYANT (klair-VOY-int) | having exceptional powers of perception; foreseeing the future |
| ADROIT (uh-DROYT) | skillful, clever, dexterous |
| PLATITUDE (PLAT-i-tyood) | a flat, dull, ordinary remark, a trite statement |
| FASTIDIOUS (fa-STID-ee-us) | extremely delicate, sensitive; hard to please, extremely picky |
| VENDETTA (ven-DET-uh) | a bitter, protracted feud or rivalry |
| LUCID (LOO-sid) | clear, easy to see or understand |
| SALIENT (SAY-lee-int) | conspicuous, noticeable, prominent |
| CATEGORICAL (KAT-uh-GOR-i-kuul) | absolute, unqualified, explicit; without exceptions |
| INSCRUTABLE (in-SKROO-tuh-buul) | incomprehensible, unfathomable; of an obscure nature |
| CONSTRUE (kun-STROO) | to interprete, explain the meaning or intention of |
| ALLUDE (uh-LOOD) | to refer to something indirectly, make a casual reference |
| trite (tr-I-t) | Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse (s) hackneyed |
| hackneyed (HAK-need) | Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse (s) trite |
| cliche (klee-SHEY) | a phrase or expression, that is overused and has thus lost its original impact; a trite saying; a platitude |
| unfathomable (un-FADH-um-ubul) | impossible to comprehend; so deep as to be unmeasurable |
| snippy (SNIPEE) | Marked by rude or peremptory shortness; Tending to speak in a critical, harsh or sarcastic way; |
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