VOCAB #3

accolade: an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgement of merit
The ultimate accolade is getting a huge trophy.
acerbity: expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way
The customer made his displeasure known with acerbity.
attrition: the action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure
The council is trying to wear down the opposition by attrition.
bromide: a statement that is intended to make people feel happier or calmer but that is not original or effective
His speech had nothing more to offer than the usual bromides about how everyone needs to work together.
chauvinist: a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism
Chauvinists can get really annoying after they talk about patriotism.
chronic: persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
I have chronic pains in my wrist.
expound: present and explain systematically and in detail
He was expounding a powerful argument.
factionalism: a group or clique within a larger group
There is often social factionalism in our schools.
immaculate: perfectly clean, neat, or tidy
He wore an immaculate white suit.
imprecation: a spoken curse
She hurled her imprecations at anyone who might be listening.
ineluctable: unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable
The ineluctable facts of history.
mercurial: subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind
His mercurial temperament.
palliate: make less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause
Treatment works by palliating symptoms.
protocol: the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette
What is the protocol for making a sandwich.
resplendent: attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
She was resplendent in a sea-green dress.
stigmatize: describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval
The institution was stigmatized as a last resort for the destitute.
sub rosa: happening or done in secret
The committee operates sub rosa.
vainglory: excessive pride especially in one's achievements
The vainglory he displayed was getting old.
vestige: a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
The last vestiges of colonialism.
volition: the faculty or power of using one's will
Without conscious volition she backed into her office.