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English Vocab 211-240

Terms in this set (30)

Extenuation
a partial excuse or justification; an act of causing something to seem less serious
Portent
a sign or warning foreshadowing a coming event, especially one momentous or calamitous; omen; forewarning
Pretentious
attempting to impress by affecting exaggerated importance, worth, or stature than what is actually possessed; ostentatious; showy; pompous
Retentive
having the ability or power to retain and absorb, especially knowledge and facts
Retinue
a group of retainers, advisers, assistants, or others who accompany someone of importance; entourage; escort; cortege
Sustenance
1. food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment; provisions
2. the act of sustaining or being sustained, especially someone or something in life or existence
Tenable
capable of being maintained or defended against attack or objection; defensible; sustainable
Tenacious
1. not easily pulled apart; tending to cling or adhere
2. Persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired; unrelinquishing; persevering
Tenuous
lacking substance or strength; weak; slight; flimsy; slender
Tenure
1. act, right, or manner of holding something such as property, a position, or an office
2. conditions under which land or buildings are held or occupied
3. to give a permanent position
Adduce
to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysis; cite; quote
Confound
cause surprise or confusion, especially by acting against expectations; baffle; dumbfound
Construe
analyze or interpret in a particular way; elucidate
Conundrum
an intricate, confusing, or difficult problem or question
Cryptic
having a hidden, ambiguous, or obscure meaning; mysterious; enigmatic
Equivocate
to use ambiguous language, especially with intent to deceive or conceal the truth; prevaricate
Paradox
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true
Patent
1. a government license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others fro m making, using, or selling an invention
2. easily recognizable; obvious; clear; evident
Perspicacity
having acute mental vision, discernment, or ready insight into things; shrewdness; keenness
Rudimentary
involving basic principles; fundamental
Commodious
Comfortably spacious or roomy; capacious
Finite
having definite limits or bounds; restricted; limited
Gamut
the entire range, scope, or series of something; spectrum
Incalculable
Incapable of being calculated or estimated; inestimable; indeterminable; immeasurable
Iota
an extremely small amount; jot; bit
Lofty
1. of imposing height; tall; towering
2. noble or exalted; haughty
Magnitude
the size, extent, or importance of something; immensity
Miniscule
extremely small; tiny; minute
Picayune
petty; of little value, worthless
Vestige
1. a trace, mark, or sign of something disappearing or no longer in existence; remnant
2. a body part that has become reduced and/or functionless throughout evolution
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