Lesson 2
Freshmen Vocabulary

1. acclaim verb to greet with loud approval or praise
   It was the most acclaimed movie of that summer.
   syn: laud, extol    ant: deride
   
   
2. acquiesce verb to agree or consent quietly without protest, but without enthusiasm
   Once Jack acquiesced, construction on the park was able to begin.
   syn: yield, accede    ant: disagree, resist
   
   
3. assimilate verb to take in, or to be taken in by a larger group
   During the nineteenth century European immigrants became assimilated more easily than Asian immigrants.


4. delirious adj. extreme mental confusion or excitement.
   When they found him wandering in the desert, he was delirious.
   
   
5. diffusion noun the process of widely spreading or scattering
   The invention of the moveable printing press contributed to the diffusion of knowledge among the lower classes.
   syn: dispersal    ant: concentration


6. diminution noun the act or process of lessening or decreasing
   The diminution of supplies made it difficult for the Red Cross to attend to the earthquake victims.
   ant: augmentation
   
   
7. disdain noun aloof contempt or scorn; look down upon
   She had great disdain for those girls who weren't cheerleaders.
   syn: despise    ant: respect, admire
   
   
8. magnanimous adj. noble in heart and mind; rising above pettiness or meanness
   To show what a magnanimous person he could be, Ralph contributed more money than he could afford.
   ant: mean-spirited, vile, vindictive, petty
   
   
9. malignant adj. having an evil influence; very harmful; likely to cause death
   His attitude was so malignant that everyone avoided him whenever possible.
   ant: benign
   
   
10. meander verb to wander aimlessly and idly; ramble
    After dropping out of college, Paul seemed to meander through life.