VOCAB: SPRING 3

1) apostate (noun) - a person whose beliefs have changed, causing him/her to desert his/her cause or religion or political party
Example: The former liberal came to be known as an apostate after recent gun control policies drove him more towards the conservative side.

2) effusive (adjective) - marked by unrestrained enthusiasm
Example: Everyone was effusive when they heard the sequel was in production but, unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype.

3) impasse (noun) - a predicament in which no progress or advancement can be made
Example: The construction team reached a critical impasse when they discovered a major gas line underneath the would be building site.

4) euphoria (noun) - a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation or excitement
Example: Many drugs induce intense feelings of euphoria, followed by a severe "crash".

5) lugubrious (adjective) - excessively sad or mournful to the point that it is exaggerated or insincere
Example: The man adamantly offered his condolences, but it was obvious that he was being lugubrious and really couldn't care less.

6) bravado (noun) - an overly brave or confidant demeanor intended to impress others
Example: He spoke with plenty of bravado but, when the time came to prove himself, he made excuses and shied away from the challenge.

7) consensus (noun) - a unanimous agreement regarding an opinion or idea
Example: While congress was unable to reach consensus on the bill, the majority vote was still enough to get it on the president's desk.

8) dichotomy (noun) - a division into two opposite groups
Example: Many people consider religion and science to be a dichotomy, while others seem to be able to maintain a balance between the two.

9) constrict (verb) - to squeeze or press together; to keep something/someone from developing freely
Example: The woman's corset constricted her torso to the point that it was difficult for her to breathe properly.

10) gothic (adjective) - characterized by gloom, mystery, and the grotesque
Example: Gothic literature is known for its tragic plots and its dark, dismal moods.

11) punctilio (noun) - strict observance of formalities/etiquette
Example: The excessive punctilio at the dinner party made the guests feel uncomfortable and condescended.

12) metamorphosis (noun) - a change of form (especially by supernatural means)
Example: In the past, alchemists would attempt to enact metamorphosis upon common elements and change them into gold.

13) raconteur (noun) - someone who is good at telling stories
Example: When a true raconteur tells his/her stories, he/she makes the listeners feel as if they were actually there.

14) sine qua non (noun) - a prerequisite, or something that is indispensably necessary.
Example: Solid problem solving skills are sine qua non for studying sciences like chemistry and physics.

15) quixotic (adjective) - impractically hopeful (especially concerning romantic matters)
Example: He constantly tried his luck pursuing the most beautiful women in the restaurant, failing to realize how quixotic this quest was.

16) vendetta (noun) - a long and violent feud between members of two opposing parties
Example: The seemingly unresolvable vendetta between the two families cost each side the lives of many of their own.

17) non sequitur (noun) - a statement that has no relevance to what proceeded it; (in logic) a conclusion that does not follow from the premises
Example: Hoping to get the teacher off topic, the student shouted out some non sequitur in the middle of class.

18) mystique (noun) - an aura of heightened value or interest or meaning surrounding a person or thing
Example: Unique and enigmatic bands often carry with them a mystique that is out of the reach of more generic artists.

19) quagmire (noun) - a soft, wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot (can be used figuratively to describe a difficult or precarious situation)
Example: I was caught in a bit of a quagmire the other day when my friends locked the keys in the car, leaving us stranded in Pismo...

20) parlous (adjective) - full of danger or risk
Example: Oblivious drivers can be quite parlous unless you drive defensively.