Vocabulary #1

adumbrate-sketchily indicate something; to give an incomplete or faint outline
She adumbrated the plans for the construction of the new school.
apotheosis-highest level of glory or power
In order to reach apotheosis, he had to complete the missions he was given.
ascetic-choosing or reflecting austerity and self-denial as personal or religious discipline
The monk chose to live an ascetic life.
bauble-something that is small and decorative but of little real value
Baubles were given out at the wedding as mementos.
beguile-charm someone; win and hold someone's attention
He was able to beguile her and achieve his goal of asking her to prom.
burgeon-produce new growth
With the upcoming spring, flowers are expected to burgeon.
complement-something that completes or perfects something else
In geometry, there are complementary and supplementary angles.
contumacious-very resistant to authority
Some protestors these days are very contumacious.
curmudgeon-someone who's irritable or stubborn
After the death of  her husband, she became a curmudgeon and went out of her way to avoid others.
didactic-with message; containing a political or moral message
Many fables from the Native American culture are didactic, meant to teach a moral to those who hear it.
disingenuous-withholding or not taking account of known information
She was disingenuous in saying she didn't understand what they meant.
exculpate-prove somebody innocent; to free someone from blame
The jury exculpated the defendant.
faux pas-social blunder; an embarrassing mistake that breaks a social convention
Getting drunk at the annual company Christmas Party was a faux pas.
fulminate-speak scathingly; to express forceful criticism of someone or something
The teacher fulminated the student that never did their work and failed all their tests.
fustian-bombastic
The congressman displayed fustian at the meeting.
hauteur-arrogance
The king displayed great hauteur.
inhibit-to stop something from continuing
The great flood of  rain inhibited the draught.
jeremiad-lengthy complaint;  a long recitation of mournful complaints
The plaintiff had a great jeremiad against the defendant.
opportunist-unprincipled resourceful person: somebody who takes advantage of something, especially somebody who does so in a devious, unscrupulous, or unprincipled way
He was a known opportunist who took good situations for other people and got from them what he could for himself.
unconscionable-morally unacceptable; shocking
The treatment of Jews in the Holocaust was unconscionable.