v. to talk at length

At this time, please give us a brief resume of your work; we shall permit you to expatiate later. 

urgent situation

In this exigency, we must look for aid from our allies. adj., exigent 

adj. absentminded

Because of his concentration on the problem, the professor often appeared distrait and unconcerned about routine. 

adj, small, minute

Grass grew here and there, an exiguous outcropping among the rocks. 

adj. easily accomplished, ready or fluent, superficial

Words came easily to Johnathan. He was a facile speaer and prided himself on being ready to make a speech at any time. n. facility 

v. root up

The Salem witch trials were a misguided attempt to extirpate superstition and heresy. 

n sweet sound

ant. strident

Noted for its euphony even when it is spoken, the Italian language is particularly pleasing to the ear when sung. adj. euphonious 

adj. cautious, sparing or restrained about giving

A prudent, thrifty New Englander, Dewitt was as chary of investing money... 

n. vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride);disappointment

Embarrassed by hjis parents' shabby working-class appearance, Doug felt the visit to his school would bring nothing but chagrin. 

v. make frivolous objections

I respect your sensible criticisms, but I dislike the way you cavil about unimportant details. 

n. speed, rapidity

Hamlet resented his mother's celerity in remarrying within a month after his father's death. 

adj. faultfinding

His criticisms were always captious and frivolous, never offering constructive suggestions. 

n. shell covering the back of a turtle

He perched on the giant turtle's hard carapace. 

capricious

caprice 

adj. unpredictable, fickle

n. whim

The storm was capricious - it changed often.

Jill was capricious, too, she changed boyfriends almost as often as clothes. 

adj. spacious

In the capacious areas of the terminal, thousands lingered while waiting for trains. 

adj. bantering, joking

Sometimes Chad's flippant, chaffing remarks annoy us. Still, Chad's chaffing keeps us laughing. 

n. remorse

The judge was especially severe in his sentencing because he felt the criminal had shown no compunction for his crime. 

v. linke as in a chain

It is difficult to understand how these events could concatenate as they did without outside assistance. 

adj. adequate, deservedly severe

THe public approved the condign punishment for their crime. 

n. courtesy, civility

A spirit of comity should exist among nations. 

n. unfound rumor, exaggerated report

It is almost impossible to protect oneself from such a base canard. 

adj. shrewd, thrifty

The canny Scotsman was more than a match for the swindlers. 

n. malicious misrepresentation, slander

He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear the calumny that his foes heaped upon him. 

v. to expurgate, rid of offensive words

After the film editors had bowdlerized the language in the script, the motion picture's rating was changed to PG-13. 

v. to approve, tolerate

Miss Manners refused to countenance such rude behaviour on their part. 

adj. disobedient, resisting authority

The contumacious mob shouted defiantly at the police. n. contumacy 

contrite

contrition

adj. penitent

n. penitence. 

v. amuse

The popularity of Florida as a winter resort is constantly increasing;  each year thousands disport themselves at Miami Beach.