Unit 3

Word

Definition

Example

Discern

To perceive, recognize, or comprehend with the mind; to descry

As you can clearly discern from the look on my face, I was seeking a restroom

Sally

To set out on an excursion; venture; depart (often followed by "forth.")

Durazzo to assist their own deliverance by a well-timed sally from the town

Consternation

Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties; dismay

The population were in consternation at the horrors they witnessed

Precocious

Exhibiting advanced skills at an abnormally early age

For a young kid, he's extremely precocious from a standpoint of being a professional pitcher

Perfunctory

Done merely to discharge a duty; performed mechanically, carelessly

I introduced myself, and at my name his perfunctory manner changed

РЎhagrin

a feeling of annoyance or mortification; strong feelings of embarrassment

Much to my chagrin, this past weekend forced me to confront the parallel lives I've lived this term

Perverse

Obstinately in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; vexing; contrary

It seems perverse to me that a decision has already been made

Deride

To harshly mock; ridicule

The fact that someone would see that as something to deride is beyond words

Disparage

To ridicule, mock, discredit

By no means did I intend to disparage others who have led the many great games in gaming history

Laudable

Worthy of being lauded; praiseworthy

Also laudable is the fact that someone famous owned up to her own difficulty with substance abuse

Fiasco

A complete failure

What happened in Cyprus is simply the same as the Iceland fiasco

Masticate

To chew (food)

After which I need to go away and mentally masticate

Eschew

To avoid; to shun, to shy away from

And he never uses words like "eschew", because he's a plain-spoken, regular guy

Quell

To cause to die; put to death; kill; slay

But the absence of any concrete proof did nothing to quell the rumours

Voluble

Fluent or having a ready flow of speech; garrulous or loquacious

Oh, she has ways of showing what she wants without getting what you'd call voluble!

Confidant(e)

A person in whom one can confide or share one's secrets: a friend

After her latest heartbreak, Aniston has sought solace in her long-term confidant Courteney Cox

Obsolescence

The process of becoming obsolete, outmoded or out of date

The built in obsolescence of computers drives me crazy

Dubious

Arousing doubt; questionable; open to suspicion

I'd thought there would, instead, be discussion of Plate XV and a certain dubious bit of film

Implacable

Not able to be placated or appeased

Allegra’s tone was neutral, her expression implacable

Paroxysm

A random or sudden outburst (of activity)

Her innards were in paroxysm, violently expelling what they no longer recognized as food

Reprehensible

Blameworthy, censurable, guilty

Property tax is a reprehensible means of revenue generation by the government

Jurisdiction

The power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law

The information may not comply with the laws of another jurisdiction

Skirmish

A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle

A digital skirmish between two US firms that grew so large it slowed Internet traffic worldwide

Harass

To impede and exhaust (an enemy) by repeated attacks or raids

People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked

Monolithic

Having a massive, unchanging structure that does not permit individual variation

Christians to "stand up" to what he describes as a monolithic Muslim threat

Indigent

Poor; destitute; in need

Provision of healthcare for the indigent is a major responsibility of the County government

Fray

To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength)

But the situation in Cyprus appears to have frayed her nerves

Stymie

An obstacle or obstruction

Government inaction, lack of data stymie efforts to combat teen prostitution in Israel

Effigy

A dummy or other crude representation of a person or object that is hated

I've been guilty of hanging PETA in effigy many times here on this site alone

Flout

To express contempt for the rules by word or action

That’s weird, because the similarity between flaunt and flout is phonetic

Cognizant

Aware; fully informed; having understanding

Consumers are becoming more cognizant of the risks inherent in standard prescriptions like ibuprofen

Turbulent

Violently disturbed or agitated; tempestuous, tumultuous

Other times it is like what they call a turbulent bore or a rush of white water that goes in

Terminate

To finish or end

A little time will determine how matters will terminate, that is, if the tea comes out

Forthwith

Immediately; without delay

Hence, China must forthwith end its policies of violence and against the Tibetan people

Exacerbate

To irritate

And obviously you kind of exacerbate it by currency

Revert

To return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief

However, if you like the old Sense look you can revert to that style easily enough

Oust

To expel; to remove

I believe you are incorrect about people's desires to "oust" anyone from the neighborhood

Emaciated

Thin or haggard, especially from hunger or disease

Scientists say the pelicans were found emaciated and filled with parasites

Surge

To rush, flood, or increase suddenly

Bubble fears as Cyprus crisis drives surge in online currency

Tranquil

Calm; without motion or sound

He considers "Curtis Island" one of his most colorful compositions, saying it has tranquil energy

Sanctuary

A place of safety, refuge, or protection

Gobekli Tepe is a hilltop sanctuary erected on a mountain ridge in southeastern Turkey

Ascend

To go or move upward; rise

If the child does turn out to be a girl, she is destined to ascend the throne as queen one day

Malnutrition

A lack of adequate nourishment

Protein malnutrition is widespread, especially among children, and many of its victims die

Afflict

To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress

Diabetes continues to afflict more and more people in the United States

Besiege

To surround with hostile forces

Cypriots were expected to besiege lenders on Thursday at midday

Privation

Lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life

It's an approach that guarantees only long term privation and nearly inevitable failure

Sinister

Evil, seeming to be evil

Soon, Tony discovers that the scam was part of a larger, more sinister heist