VOCABULARY #4

1) accede (verb) - to agree or express agreement
Example: After receiving several complaints, the storeowner finally acceded to firing the cashier for making snide remarks towards patrons.

2) brandish (verb) - to exhibit aggressively
Example: The foolish man was brandishing a toy gun as if it were a real firearm, and was fired on by the police as a result.

3) comprise (verb) - to form or compose, or to be composed of
Example: Solid matter (as we interpret it) is actually comprised primarily of empty space.

4) deft (adjective) - skillful in physical movements
Example: Gymnasts are held to the highest standard when it comes to being deft/dexterous.

5) destitute (adjective) - completely wanting or lacking something desirable
Example: "Food drives" and other campaigns are aimed to aid destitute families that cannot afford basic necessities.

6) explicit (adjective) - precisely and clearly expressed; can also be used to describe something vulgar or inappropriate
Example: Despite the multitude of explicit warning signs, the naive man decided that it was in his best interest to pet the killer whale anyways. He is no longer with us : (

7) extirpate (verb) - to pull up by or as if by the roots; to remove surgically; to destroy completely
Example: Luckily, the surgeons were able to extirpate the cancerous mass from the woman's lung before it spread.

8) inopportune (adjective)- conditions that deviate from what is favorable
Example: The power went out during the climax of a television show; the most inopportune moment possible.

9) ironic (adjective) - an almost comical deviation from what is expected
Example: Ironically, the man who was pulled over for speeding through a school crosswalk was a full-time driving instructor.

10) musty (adjective) - stale and unclean smelling
Example: The damp towel grew musty after being wadded-up and not allowed to dry properly.

11) officious (adjective) - intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
Example: The police had no right to search the man's house in such an officious manner.

12) ominous (adjective) - threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
Example: There was an ominous feeling about the abandoned prison.

13) pinnacle (noun) - the highest level or degree attainable
Example: Blindly following a religion out of fear of celestial persecution is the pinnacle of ignorance.

14) premeditated (adjective) - characterized by deliberate purpose and some degree of planning (usually refers to an illegal act/crime)
Example: The woman received an especially harsh sentence for murdering her husband, as it was clearly premeditated.

15) rampant (adjective) - unrestrained and violent
Example: The enraged child ran rampant through the toy store, destroying everything in his path.

16) solace (noun) - some sort of comfort in a time of disappointment or misery
Example: Although he was distraught that he missed his flight, he found some temporary solace in the hamburger that he purchased from the vendor.

17) stately (adjective) - refined or imposing in manner or appearance
Example: The stately statue made everything around it appear insignificant.

18) supple (adjective) - capable of moving or bending with ease
Example: Cats are such supple creatures that they are able to orient themselves in mid air while falling, enabling them to land on their feet nearly every time.

19) suppress (verb) - to control and/or prevent from showing
Example: The media suppressed the incident in which an armed civilian saved potentially hundreds lives by stopping a hostile gunman because the story would have been bad for their anti-gun lobbying, had it been broadcasted on any major "news" networks.

20) venal (adjective) - capable of being corrupted
Example: Venal individuals should be kept away from positions of power at all costs.