Vocabulary #8

cursory - hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
A low paid worker is likely to do a cursory job.

impetus - the act of applying force suddenly; a force that moves something along
With impetus, I pushed aside the crate.

pinnacle - the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development;
He was the pinnacle of health, nothing hurt him anymore.

contumely - a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
She commented on my favorite shoes contumely, I ignored her.


bereavement - state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
I felt bereavement after the loss of my father.

cache - a hidden storage space
He had a cache of weapons stored in the cave, ready to be used.

consummation - the act of bringing to completion or fruition
The consummation of our house meant we could finally move in.

calamity - an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
What a calamity these recent floods have been.

avarice - reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
With avarice, he took the cash and bolted for the door.

fortify - add nutrients to; enclose by or as if by a fortification;make strong or stronger
"We'll need to fortify these positions if we're to stand a chance," I remarked.

erratic - liable to sudden unpredictable change; likely to perform unpredictably; having no fixed course
He drove erratically, almost as if he was loosing control.

ubiquitous - being present everywhere at once
The feeling was ubiquitous, everyone knew and felt what had to be done.

fortitude - strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
Mental fortitude is important when going through tough times.

nonchalant - marked by blithe unconcern
Her nonchalant attitude caused me to just ignore her remarks and bereavement.

affect - the conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion; verb act physically on; have an effect upon
It had an affect on me.

effect - having legal validity; an impression; verb produce; act so as to bring into existence
I will effect change.

misappropriate - appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
You shouldn't misappropriate others' important things.

pragmatic - of or concerning the theory of pragmatism; concerned with practical matters
Being pragmatic would help here.

metacognition - higher-order thinking that enables understanding, analysis, and control of one's cognitive processes, especially when engaged in learning
Using metacognition, you can learn quicker and with better retention.

devoutly - in a devout and pious manner
I devoutly tended to my garden.