VOCABULARY #4

1. obsequious- (adj.) attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Her obsequious way of winning people over is a bit over the top with overwhelming compliments and flattery.
2. beatitude- (n.) a state of supreme happiness
In heaven, you will be in absolute beatitude.
3. bete noire- (n.) a person or thing that one particularly dislikes
My bete noir is racism.
4. bode- (v.) indicate by signs
Bode the way to your destination.
5. dank- (adj.) unpleasantly cool and humid
The dank weather was horrible for my frizzy hair.
6. ecumenical- (adj.) of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
The church confederations were known for being ecumenical.
7. fervid- (adj.) extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
The candidate made a fervid speech that held the audience's attention.
8. fetid- (adj.) offensively malodorous
The fetid water of the marsh made me sick.
9. gargantuan- (adj.) of great mass; huge and bulky
Big foot was a gargantuan monster.
10. heyday- (n.) the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
The paper has lost millions of readers since its heyday in 1972.
11. incubus- (n.) someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
Don't be such an incubus to others. Contrarily, make others happy!
12. infrastructure- (n.) the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; the basic structure or features of a system or organization
Access what damage you can and rebuild the critical infrastructure system.
13. inveigle- (v.) influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
The girl was able to inveigle her father into letting her buy an expensive dress.
14. kudos- (n.) an expression of approval and commendation
Kudos to everyone that put the event together.
15. lagniappe- (n.) a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
The store owner gave me a lagniappe for being such a loyal customer.
16. prolix- (adj.) tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
He found the speech too prolix and repetitive.
17. protégé- (n.) a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protégé's career
Michael Jordan made a starting basketball player his protégé.
18. prototype- (n.) a standard or typical example
Mean Girls is a prototype of high school life.
19. sycophant- (n.) a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
Sycophant friends only look for you when they need something from you.
20. tautology- (n.) useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
My English teacher told me to avoid tautology in my essay.
21. truckle- (v.) yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
The boy truckled to the bully who would constantly push him around.