Vocabulary BENG101N

Vocabulary

by Sushant Kishore

​Have you ever been severely remonstrated by an authority figure for doing something you shouldn’t have? Have you ever embarrassed yourself by committing a solecism during a formal occasion?

As we communicate with one another, we use words as a means of expression. The words in this chapter describe different things we might say and how we might say them.

​bombastic (bom·bas·tik) adj. speaking pompously, with inflated self-importance.

Ahmed was shocked that a renowned and admired humanitarian could give such a bombastic keynote address.

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censure (sen·shu˘r) n. an expression of strong criticism or disapproval; a rebuke or condemnation.

After the Senator was found guilty of taking bribes, Congress unanimously agreed to censure him.

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derisive (di·r¯·siv) adj. scornful, expressing ridicule; mocking, jeering.

In order to ensure a positive environment, derisive comments were forbidden in the

classroom.

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disparage (di·spar·ij) v. to speak of in a slighting or derogatory way; to belittle.

Comedians often disparage politicians as part of their comedic routines.

​effusive (i·fyoo·siv) adj. expressing emotions in an unrestrained or excessive way; profuse, overflowing, gushy.

Anne’s unexpected effusive greeting made Tammy uncomfortable.

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eloquent (el·o˘·kwe˘nt) adj. expressing strong emotions or arguments in a powerful, fluent, and persuasive manner.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most eloquent speeches ever given by a U.S. president.

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gainsay (ayn·say) v. to deny, contradict, or declare false; to oppose.

Petra would gainsay all accusations made against her.

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harangue (ha·ran) n. a long, often scolding or bombastic speech; a tirade.

Members of the audience began to get restless during the senator’s political harangue.

​importune (im·por·toon) v. 1. to ask incessantly, make continuous requests. 2. to beg persistently and urgently.

Children can’t help but importune during the holidays, constantly nagging for the irresistible toys they see advertised on television.

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malapropism (mal·a˘·prop·iz·e˘m) n. comical misuse of words, especially those that are similar in sound.

The politician’s malapropisms may make us laugh, but they will not win our votes.

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mince (mins) v. 1. to cut into very small pieces. 2. to walk or speak affectedly, as with studied refinement. 3. to say something more delicately or indirectly for the sake of politeness or decorum.

Please don’t mince your words—just tell me what you want to say.

​remonstrate (ri·mon·strayt) v. 1. to say or plead in protest, objection, or opposition. 2. to scold or reprove.

The children remonstrated loudly when their mother told them they couldn’t watch that movie.

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repartee (rep·a˘r·tee) n. 1. a quick, witty reply. 2. the ability to make witty replies.

He wasn’t expecting such a sharp repartee from someone who was normally so quiet.

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sardonic (sahr·don·ik) adj. sarcastic; mocking scornfully.

I was hurt by his sardonic reply.

​sententious (sen·ten·shu˘s) adj. 1. expressing oneself tersely; pithy. 2. full of maxims and proverbs offered in a self-righteous manner.

I was looking for your honest opinion, not a sententious reply.

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solecism (sol·e˘·siz·e˘m) n. 1. a mistake in the use of language. 2. violation of good manners or etiquette; impropriety.

Frank’s solecism caused his debate team much embarrassment.

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voluble (vol·yu˘·be˘l) adj. 1. talking a great deal and with great ease; language marked by great fluency; rapid, nimble speech. 2. turning or rotating easily on an axis.

Your new spokesperson is very voluble and clearly comfortable speaking in front of large audiences.

Multiple Choice

“Bundle up,” said Aunt Margaret. “I don’t want you getting sick and coming down with ammonia.”

The underlined word is a(n) __________

• malapropism

• solecism

• oxymoron

• harangue

Multiple Choice

Jack pleaded, “Can I go on the rollercoaster one more time, Mom? Please? I really, really want to. Pretty please? I’ll do extra chores this week. Please?”

This little boy is _____

• gainsaying his mother.

• importuning his mother.

• disparaging his mother.

• censuring his mother.

Multiple Choice

“You are hopeless! I cannot believe your files are in such disorder,” the irritable supervisor shouted.

This remark is _______

• effusive

• sententious

• bombastic

• opprobrious

Multiple Choice

“Come on, Mom! You’re not being fair! Why can’t I stay out until midnight just like my friends? I’m old enough,” stated Marissa emphatically.

This teenager is _______

• remonstrating her mother

• importuning her mother

• gainsaying her mother

• being sententious

Multiple Choice

“Oh, wow! I just can’t believe it! I’m so excited! This is the best thing ever! I am very, very happy,” the new homeowner declared.

This remark is ________

• bombastic

• eloquent

• effusive

• sardonic

Multiple Choice

The cranky old coach yelled, “You call that a pitch? I’ve seen rookies with better aim.”

This remark is _______

• derisive

• sententious

• voluble

• effusive

Multiple Choice

“We’d only just met the host when Kenny told her that her house desperately needed a makeover,” Janine said. “I was so embarrassed!”

Kenny’s comment was a(n) _______

• malapropism

• solecism

• oxymoron

• platitude

Multiple Choice

“Well, son, I’ve got news for you: You win some, you lose some. Besides, it’s not whether you win or lose that counts. It’s how you play the game,” my old-fashioned dad said.

This remark is _______

• sententious

• sardonic

• eloquent

• derisive

Multiple Choice

“They’ve labeled the poster an authentic reproduction,” the antique dealer said. “That’s like calling a book on the bestseller list a new classic.”

The underlined words are examples of a(n) _______,

• malapropism

• oxymoron

• platitude

• repartee

Multiple Choice

“No, that’s not how it happened,” the honor student said. “Julianna is lying. Winston didn’t steal her idea; she took it from him.”

This speaker is ________

• censuring

• disparaging

• gainsaying

• mincing

​Read the following sentences carefully. Decide which of the words from the following list best fills the blank in the sentence

​bombastic censure disparage eloquent harangue

​mince platitude repartee sardonic voluble

Fill in the Blank

Darlene found that Jonathan’s remarks ________(ed) her so much that their relationship was at stake. His critical comments were unkind.

Fill in the Blank

When he discovered the error, Chesterton lashed out at Watkins. His ________ lasted for several minutes and shocked everyone in my department!

Fill in the Blank

ABC Paper has been polluting our river for the last 20 years and has been keeping it from the public. This is not just wrong, it’s criminal. ABC Paper is guilty of unforgivable sins against the environment and against the people of our state and deserves the most severe ________.

Fill in the Blank

Because she is so ________, she has no trouble meeting new people or talking in front of a crowd.

Fill in the Blank

I wish Edna would be more straightforward. She’s always ________(ing) her words, as if she is afraid she will hurt my feelings.

Fill in the Blank

What a(n) ________ essay! It is forceful and fluent with powerful and precise word choice throughout the text.

Fill in the Blank

Caleb’s reply was ________, as usual. He can’t seem to say anything without mockery.

Fill in the Blank

Titus tried to insult Isabel, but she tactfully deflected the insult with a witty ________

Fill in the Blank

She thought she was offering some real advice, but all she could give me was some ________(s) like “tomorrow’s another day” and “good things come to those who wait.”

Fill in the Blank

How could our humble, soft-spoken president make such a ________ statement to the newcomer in the group?

Fill in the Blank

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