Week 10 - EMI

1. abdicate (v.) - to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim,responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner

The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.

2. putrid (adj.) - having the odor of decaying flesh

The air around the graveyard was putrid.

3. surrogate (n.) - a person appointed to act for another

A Guardian Ad Litem is a surrogate for parents.

4. condone (v) - to give tacit approval to:

By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.

5. incessant (adj.) -

continuing without interruption; ceaseless; unending:

The class was always loud due to the students' incessant talking.

6. quell (v.) - to suppress; put an end to;

The games were meant to quell the rebellious discussions.

7. tome (n.) - a book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book.

Harry took the tome from the library, without Professor McGonagalls' permission.

8. concede (v.) - to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit:

He finally conceded that she was right.

9. fickle (adj.) - likely to change, especially due to caprice, irresolution, or instability; casually changeable:

It was difficult to plan the band competition due to the fickle weather.

10. palatable (adj.) - acceptable or agreeable to the palate or taste; savory: acceptable or agreeable to the mind or feeling s

The meal prepared by Chef Ramsey was, at least, palatable.

11. hiatus (n.) - a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

The researchers tried to find clues for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript.

12. desecrate (v.) - to treat with sacrilege; profane.

Terrorists desecrated the temple in Jerusalem.

13. mundane (adj.) - common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative.

Siddhartha was not concerned with matters mundane, rather matters of the spirit.

14. nocturnal (adj.) - active at night (opposed to diurnal):

Vampires tend toward nocturnal activities.

15. rescind (v.) - to invalidate (an act, measure, etc.) by a later action or a higher authority.

The committee rescinded the ruling to allow knives in the public parks.