FIRST FIVE2010-11

Ms. Bilskemper

English 12

Aesthetic (us-THET-ik), adjective

Def: of or related to a sense of what is attractive or beautiful.

Synonyms: refined, gorgeous, pleasing Antonyms: displeasing, unattractive, ugly

“The artist, whose painting lacked any aesthetic quality whatsoever, was disappointed when a critic described his painting as hideous and lacking any artistic genius.”

Anathema (uh-NATH-uh-muh), noun Def: a person or thing detested or loathed Synonyms: abomination, bane, enemy Antonyms: blessing, delight, joy

“She made coffee, went to the post office, and took care of the copying, but conventional office hours or work routines were anathema to her” (Larsson 39).

Equivocal (ih-KWIV-uh-kuhl), adjective Def: allowing the possibility of several

different meanings; of doubtful nature or character

Syn.: ambiguous, questionable, suspicious Ant.: clear, definite, obvious

“The student was good at writing equivocal answers, hoping to earn points on the quiz without really knowing the material.”

Bumptious (BUMP-shuss), adjective Def: overbearing or crudely (self)

assertive; overly pushy Syn.: pushy, brash, cocky Ant.: humble, modest, polite

“We had difficulty crossing the border because Nan got into a squabble with a BUMPTIOUS border guard.”

Crapulous (KRAP-yuh-luss), adjective Def: describes someone who eats and

drinks too much, or the effects of eating and drinking too much.

Syn.: polluted, gluttonous, befuddled Ant.: clear-headed, abstinent, temperate

“Jim spent the day after the party in a CRAPULOUS state.”

Febrile (FEE-brul), adjective Def: That which is marked by an

elevated body temperature; feverish Syn: delirious, fevered, fiery Ant: cold, freezing, frigid

“Due to Mother’s current FEBRILE condition, we are uneasy about her going on vacation with us.”

Ambrosial (am-BROH-zhuhl), adjective Exceptionally pleasing to taste or smell Syn.: delightful, heavenly, luscious Ant.: cursed, despicable, detestable

“My favorite fruit is pineapple; it has such an AMBROSIAL effect on my taste buds.”

Gesticulate (je-STIK-yuh-leyt), verb Def.: to make or use gestures, esp. in an

animated or excited manner Syn.: gesture, motion, wave, signal Ant.: speak

“They shouted and GESTICULATED, pointing at him.”

Efface ( ih-FEYS), verb

Def.: To wipe out or to do away with Syn.: erase, obliterate, destroy Ant.: keep, restore, validate

“The intellectual part of his nature was already EFFACED; he had power only to feel, and feeling was torment.”

Incessant (in-SES-uhnt), adjective Def.: continuing without interruption Syn.: constant, continuous, never-

ending Ant.: ceasing, completed, concluded,

ending, finished “The dark uniforms of the men were

coated with the dust from the INCESSANT wresting of the two armies.”