Vocabulary #4

accolade-an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit.
He recieved many accolades for his work in science.
acerbity-sharp and forthright
His acerbic tone ujpset his parents.
attrition-the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure
They broke our will in a persistent attrition.
bromide-a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate
He tried to soothe the baby with the bromide "there, there."
chauvinist-a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism
Europeans resent the chauvinistic attitude they believe Americans have taken to.
chronic-persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
Your complaints are as annoying as they are chronic.
expound-present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail
The procedure was expounded so thoroughly we were sick of hearing it.
factionalism-A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group
It is important for our entire team to be unified and not have to deal with factionalism.
immaculate-perfectly clean, neat, or tidy
Your report was immaculate- flawless.
imprecation-a spoken curse
When frustrated, he'll throw imprecation aimed at no one in particular.
ineluctable-unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable
His wrath was ineluctable.
mercurial- subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind
Thee bipolar schizophrenic was said to be mercurial.
palliate-make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
My reasoning internally palliated the parlous situation.
protocol-the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
He was rebuked for ignoring the protocol.
resplendent-attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
She looked resplendent in her senior pictures.
stigmatize-describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
Parents stigmatize drugs and alcohol the best they can.
sub rosa-happening or done in secret
Does it bother you that the government has so many sub rosa missions?
vainglory-inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity
Her vainglory put of a lot of suitors.
vestige-a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
The arrowheads are vestiges of the Sioux.
volition-the faculty or power of using one's will
He had volition when he committed the crime.