Lesson 5
Senior Vocabulary

1. deride verb skillful, to ridicule, to mock
   The professor was unpopular because he derided his students if they made a mistake.
   syn: to scorn         ant: to praise



2. desiccated  adj.  dried up
   When she opened the old bible, one yellow, desiccated rose fell on the floor.



3. despicable  adj  contemptible, hateful
   Only a despicable cad would behave so horribly.
   syn: vile, base            ant: laudable, worthy



4. desultory  adj.  wandering from subject to subject
   He gave his talk such a desultory fashion it was hard to understand.
   syn: disconnected; rambling 
   
   
5. deviate  verb  to turn aside
   Sometimes it's better to deviate from the truth rather than hurt someone's feelings.
   syn: digress, stray   



6. diadem  noun  a crown
   Peter referred to his wife's blonde hair as her golden diadem
   
   
7. diaphanous  adj.  very sheer and light
   The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn't sure she has the nerve to wear it.
   syn: transparent, gossamer         ant: opaque
   
   
8. dichotomy  noun  a division of two parts
   While most of us see a dichotomy between the real and the unreal, some people contend that there is an overlapping.



9. ebullient  adj.  enthusiastic
   The ebullient crowd cheered as the royal family appeared.
   syn: exuberant, lively          ant: dejected, dispirited



10. eclectic  adj.  choosing from various sources
    The room was furnished in an eclectic manner, but it all came together very well.
    syn: discriminating, selective, catholic           ant: narrow
    
    
11. edify  verb  improve someone morally
    The sermon was meant to edify the congregation.
    
    
12. effete  adj.  worn out; barren
    Although worn down by age and a life of hard work, the man was far from effete.
    syn: exhausted; spent and sterile          ant: vital, vigorous
    
    
13. egregious  adj.  remarkably bad; outrageous
    His remark was so egregious that it shocked everyone at the party.
    syn: flagrant, gross           ant: moderate
    
    
14. elegy  noun  a sad or mournful poem
    Although she liked all poetry, she particularly liked those elegies that made her cry.
    
    
15. elicit  verb  to draw forth; to call forth
    The attorney tired to elicit a response from his client, but the man remained mute