Vocabulary/Spelling List #9

Automaton - noun

1. a mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot.

2. a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence.

3. something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force.

Banal - adjective

devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite

Besmirch - verb (used with object)

1. to soil; tarnish; discolor.

2. to detract from the honor or luster of

Heady - adjective

1. intoxicating: a heady wine.

2. affecting the mind or senses greatly: heady perfume.

3. exciting; exhilarating: the heady news of victory.

4. rashly impetuous: heady conduct.

5. violent; destructive: heady winds.

Hover - verb (used without object)

1. to hang fluttering or suspended in the air: The helicopter hovered over the building.

2. to keep lingering about; wait near at hand.

3. to remain in an uncertain or irresolute state; waver: to hover between life and death.

Morose - adjective

1. gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood.

2. characterized by or expressing gloom.

Noxious - adjective

1. harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being: noxious fumes.

2. morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious: a noxious plan to spread dissension.

Nuisance - noun

1. an obnoxious or annoying person, thing, condition, practice, etc.: a monthly meeting that was more nuisance than pleasure.

2. Law . something offensive or annoying to individuals or to the community, especially in violation of their legal rights.

Offal - noun

1. the parts of a butchered animal that are considered inedible by human beings; carrion.

2. the parts of a butchered animal removed in dressing; viscera.

3. refuse; rubbish; garbage.

Paraphernalia - noun

1. (sometimes used with a singular verb ) equipment, apparatus, or furnishing used in or necessary for a particular activity: a skier's paraphernalia.

2. (used with a plural verb ) personal belongings.

3. (used with a singular verb ) Law. the personal articles, apart from dower, reserved by law to a married woman.

Remonstrate - verb (used with object)

1. to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval.

2. Obsolete . to show.

Squelch - verb (used with object)

1. to strike or press with crushing force; crush down; squash.

2. to put down, suppress, or silence, as with a crushing retort or argument

Turgid - adjective

1. swollen; distended; tumid.

2. inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic: turgid language.

Zenith - noun

1. the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer. Compare nadir.

2. a highest point or state; culmination.

Zephyr - noun

1. a gentle, mild breeze.

2. (initial capital letter) Literary. The west wind.

3. any of various things of fine, light quality, as fabric, yarn, etc.