Useful Vocabulary Words

Abhor- v. To hate very much

Badger- v. To tease, annoy, harass persistently

Cache- n. A hiding place, or the objects hidden in a hiding place

Damper- n. One that depresses or restrains

Edifice- n. A building, especially one of imposing appearance

Facilitate- v. To make easier, to help bring about

Gamin- n. A neglected boy left to run about the streets

Harangue- v. To lecture, berate

Idiosyncrasy- n. A behavioral quirk

Joust- v. To engage in combat or competition

Karma- n. Fate, destiny, the force generated by a person’s good/bad actions

Laconic- adj. Brief, using few words

Maim- v. To disable or disfigure, to cripple

Nepotism- n. Favors shown by those in high positions to relatives and friends

Oblique- adj. At an angle neither perpendicular or parallel

Paradox- n. A situation in which something seems  both true and false

Quandary- n. A state of perplexity or doubt

Ramification- n. A development growing out of and often complicating pain

Scapegoat- n. One that bears the blame for others

Tether- n. A rope or chain that allows limited movement

Ubiquitous- adj. Existing everywhere at once

Veer- v. To change direction

Wane- v. To decrease gradually

Yore- n. Former days, an era long past

Abominate- v. To extremely hated

Ballistics- n. The study of dynamics of projectiles

Cacophony- n. Harsh sounds

Dauntless- adj. Fearless

Efface- v. To run away

Fathom- v. To understand fully

Gazebo- n. An outdoor structure with a roof and open sides

Harrowing- adj. Extremely distressing

Impede- v. To obstruct or interfere with

Lament- v. To express sorrow or regret

Marauder- n. A raider or intruder

Noisome- adj. Stinking, offensive

Paranoia- n. A mental illness of unreasonable anxiety

Queue- n. To form or to wait in line

Relinquish- v. To give up doing, surrender