The Importance of Being Earnest

Vocabulary Set Two

Review set one words

• languid sententious contempt

• invalid cynical indignation

• earnest delicate

• lax disposition

trivet

• The trivet supported the pan over the fire.

• Since ovens had not been invented yet, pioneers used trivets to hold large cast iron pots they used for cooking in the fireplace.

trivet

• Definition: an iron tripod placed over a fire for a cooking pot or kettle to stand on

• POS: Noun

patronize

• The young lawyer was determined not to be put down or patronized by her superiors.

• The students were tired and frustrated with the professor’s patronizing remarks.

patronize

• Definition: to behave in an offensively condescending manner

• POS: verb

• Synonyms: scornful, disdainful, uppity

apoplexy

• The crew members tried in vain to revive the captain, but he was dead due to apoplexy.

• After examining the the condition of the brain, the coroner determined death was caused by apoplexy.

apoplexy

• Definition: a sudden, usually marked loss of bodily function due to rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel.

• POS: Noun

• Synonym: stroke, seizure

loathe

The household chores I loathe the most are dusting and laundry.

I loathe the man who stole my brand new car and wrecked it.

loathe

• Definition: to fill intense dislike or disgust

• POS: Verb

• Synonyms: hate, despise, resent• Antonyms: love, admire, accept

surmise

• When my next door neighbor’s son ate four peanut butter sandwiches, I could only surmise he was hungry.

• Since Bob and Mary are both book addicts, we jokingly surmise the couple met in a library.

surmise

• Definition: suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

• POS: Verb

• Synonyms: suspect, infer, conclude• Antonyms: fact, proof, truth

utilitarian

• She traded in her sporty little coupe for a utilitarian station wagon.

• The design of her house was rather utilitarian. I personally prefer a style that is more decorative than utilitarian.

utilitarian

• Definition: designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive.

• POS: Adjective

• Synonyms: functional, sensible, efficient• Antonyms: impractical, decrative

demeanor

• His demeanor is usually cranky before his morning coffee.

• A jury may consider a witness's demeanor on the stand in determining the witness's credibility.

demeanor

• Definition: the way a person behaves toward other people

• POS: Noun

• Synonym: attitude, behavior, conduct

vacillate

• I had for a time vacillated between teaching and journalism.

• Unable to decide on which restaurant to enter, she vacillated for hours before opting for Italian.

vacillate

• Definition: alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive

• POS: Verb

• Synonyms: hesitate, conflicted, undecided• Antonyms: stay, hold, persist

debonair

• On the day of his wedding, my brother looked debonair in his tuxedo.

• With his dirty hair and rumpled clothing, the homeless man looked far from debonair.

debonair

• Definition: confident, stylish, and charming

• POS: Adjective

• Synonyms: sophisticated, refined, elegant• Antonyms: awkward, clumsy

hypocrisy

• Definition: a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.

• POS: Noun• Synonyms: fraud, deception, dishonesty• Antonym: sincere, honest, trustworthy

hypocrisy

• To say you are concerned, and yet fail to act can only be hypocrisy.

• It's hypocritical for him to encourage his children not to smoke while he is puffing away on a cigarette.