Lesson 10
Freshmen Vocabulary

1. cacophony noun a harsh, jarring sound
   The cacophony set off by the smoke alarm was sure to get the family out of bed.
   syn: discordant     ant: harmony
   
   
2. callous adj. lacking feeling, mercy, etc.; unfeeling
   He was so callous that he was counting on the money before his father was cold in his grave.
   ant: sensitive
   
   
3. carp verb to find fault and complain constantly; to nag or fuss
   Jack carped constantly about the late hours he had to work.
   
   
4. gruff adj. stern, surly; hoarse; brusquely rude
   Max's gruff manner sometimes scared others, but he really was soft-hearted.
   
   
5. gullible adj. easily fooled or tricked
   Bob was the butt of many jokes because he was so gullible.
   syn: credulous, naive      ant: cynical, sophisticated
   
   
6. haphazard adj. lacking any definite plan or order
   Susan's haphazard travel plans left her with out a place to stay.
   syn: unsystematic     ant: methodical
   
   
7. heretic noun a person who holds opinions opposed to the established beliefs or doctrines
   Dan was considered a heretic by his friends because his views always differed from those of the group.
   
   
8. perfidy noun a deliberate breach of faith; treachery
   The perfidy of Benedict Arnold causes his very name to be hated.
   syn: deceit      ant: loyalty
   
   
9. peripheral adj. of or located on the outside or edge away from the center; outer
   When driving, use your peripheral vision to prevent an accident before it happens.
   
   
10. philistine noun a person with views that are regarded as shallow or narrow-minded
    Since Alan wasn't willing to consider the opinions of others he was a philistine.
    
    
11. succinct adj. clearly expressed in a few words; to the point
    Some writers have a problem being succinct; that is why editors have blue pencils.
    
    
12. sullen adj. morose; sulky somber
    His family called him sullen; but once he was out of the house he was happy and carefree.
    
    
13. tacit adj. implied from one's action but not spoken or written
    When the boss shook his head up and down, Burt thought they had a tacit agreement.
    syn: assumed      ant: stated
    
    
14. tactless adj. lacking in tact; inconsiderate of another's feelings
    She says, "she calls 'em as she sees 'em" others say she is a tactless person whose mouth operates before her brain.
    
    
15. unfathomable noun too difficult to understand; too deep to measure
    Although he repeated it twice, his point was unfathomable to most of the audience.