VOCABULARY #3

1. accolade- (n.) a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
My student athlete award was an accolade of my dedication to sports and my studies.
2. acerbity- (n.) a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
The Lemon Head candy has an acerbity.
3. attrition- (n.) the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice; erosion by friction
The attrition of the two rocks caused them to become very smooth and flat.
4. bromide- (n.) any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
"I am entitled to my own opinion" is a bromide.
5. chauvinist- (n.) an extreme bellicose nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
England's monarchy is generally made up of chauvinists.
6. chronic- (adj.) being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
Her chronic headaches caused her to have to see a doctor.
7. expound- (v.) add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
We expound on many literary topics in this class.
8. factionalism- (n.) existence of factions: the existence of or conflict between groups within a larger group
Factionalism within a state can destroy its government.
9. immaculate- (adj.) completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
My mom wants the house to be immaculate for when the guests come over.
10. imprecation- (n.) the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
The witches recited imprecations upon innocent people.
11. ineluctable- (adj.) impossible to avoid or evade: "inescapable conclusion"
The love Blair felt for Chuck Bass seemed ineluctable to her, no matter how much she tried to hide it.
12. mercurial- (adj.) relating to or containing or caused by mercury; relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; relating to or under the (astrological) influence of the planet Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
Everyone tried to stay away from him because his temper was mercurial.
13. palliate- (v.) provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
The ice palliated the pain of my sprained ankle.
14. protocol- (n.) code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
Our government and the military uses protocol.
15. resplendent- (adj.) having great beauty and splendor
The view from the top of Mount Everest is resplendent.
16. stigmatize- (v.) mark with a stigma or stigmata; to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
Criminals are universally stigmatized.
17. sub- (n.) a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes; different names are used in different sections of the United States; (v.) be a substitute
The sub was so lenient and clueless to what the children were doing.
18. rosa- (n.) large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs, including roses
The rosa sharply poked my skin.
19. vainglory- (n.) outspoken conceit
Don't come off sounding to boastful or vainglorious.
20. vestige- (n.) an indication that something has been present
The trace, or vestige, of the dinosaur proved its existence.
21. volition- (n.) the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
Choosing the right college is a volition that I must do myself.