abashed

Unit 6

embarrassed, ashamed

(adj)

I was thoroughly abashed by the foolish mistake that I made at the dinner party.

aloof

Unit 6

withdrawn, standing apart from others

(adj)

She has lived aloof from other people for so long that it is hard for her to take part in everyday social affairs.

anguish

Unit 6

great mental suffereing, distress, or pain (noun)

to be deeply tormented by pain or sorrow (verb)

Survivors of a natural disaster often suffer great mental anguish long after their ordeal is over.

The child's disappearance anguish every member of the community.

articulate

Unit 6

to pronounce distinctly; to express well in words (verb)

able to use language effectively; expressed clearly (adj)

A successful candidate can articulate ideas in a way that make them acceptable to voters.

To be successful as a lecturer, a person must be articulate.

bask

Unit 6

to be in; expose oneself to, pleasant warmth (verb)

Lizards and other reptiles must bask in the sun to regulate their body temperatures.

defect

Unit 6

an imperfection, flaw, or blemish (noun)

to desert a cause or organization (verb)

There is no one who does not have at least one serious character defect.

In 1948, the Dixiecrates defected from the Democratic Party and held their own presidential convention.

finesse

Unit 6

delicate skills; tact and cleverness (noun)

to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgement (verb)

To become a champion, a tennis player needs to combine power with finesse.

Skilled politicians know how to finesse their answers to embarrassing questions.

flaunt

Unit 6

to wave or flutter showily; to display in a conceited, offensive way (verb)

Some people seem to need to flaunt their wealth and good fortune in life.

forthright

Unit 6

frank, direct, straightforward (adj)

I appreciate the forthright way in which you express your opinions.

genial

Unit 6

cordial, pleasantly, cheerful or warm (adj)

The genial host made each party guest feel welcome.

instill

Unit 6

to add gradually; to introduce or cause to be taken in (verb)

How can parents best instill in the children a love for reading?

ostracize

Unit 6

to exclude from a group, banish, send away (verb)

Society ostracizes those who commit acts of treason.

premonition

Unit 6

forewarning or foreboding of a future event (noun)

I felt a vague premonition of danger as I entered the abandoned building.

pseudonym

Unit 6

a pen name, name assumed by a writer (noun)

It is wise to use a pseudonym to protect your privacy when you chat on the Internet.

purge

Unit 6

to wash away impurities, clean up (verb)

the process of getting rid of something or someone (noun)

A soaking rainstorm will usually purge the air of pollutants.

The change of government was achieved through a peaceful election rather than a brutal purge.

rehabilitate

Unit 6

to make over in good form; to restore to good condition or to a former position (verb)

Over the years government agencies have spent a good deal of money trying to rehabilitate run-down neighborhoods.

recpercussion

Unit 6

an effect or consequence of some action or event; result; an echo or reverberation (noun)

The repercussion of the 1929 stock market crash were felt all over the world.

resolute

Unit 6

bold, determined; firm (adj)

We should now be resolute in fighting for peace for all Americans.

retentive

Unit 6

able to hold, keep, or recall; retaining knowledge easily (adj)

A retentive memory is a great asset for actors who perform on stage.

scapegoat

Unit 6

a person or thing carrying blame for others (noun)

In ancient times, a messenger who brought bad news was often made the scapegoat for it and killed.