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Vocab 22

malleable            adj            Flexible and moldable, such as gold or clay 1) Gold, being one of the most malleable of metals, can be drawn out into wires thinner than a human hair. 2) A child's character is most malleable up until about the age of two, after which it begins to stiffen into a more rigid personality.

mellifluous          adj            Beautiful and melodic, lovely to listen to. Erica could not sing very well, but she had such a mellifluous speaking voice that people forgave her inability to carry a tune.

moribund            adj            Nearing death or having to do with death and depressing topics. 1) Old Uncle Cecil, clearly moribund, was gasping out his last breaths in the late afternoon. 2) Can't you talk about anything cheerful? Must you always bring up such moribund topics as funerals and surgeries?

odious                adj            Hateful and disgusting, offensive. I cannot think of a more odious task than cleaning out the toilet after burrito night.

probity               n               Uprightness and honesty, good character Abe Lincoln, known far and wide for his probity, never signed a contract; his word was good enough for most creditors.

refractory          adj            Difficult to manage, stubborn and rebellious. Mules and two year olds are known for their refractory natures; they almost delight in doing the opposite of what you want.

specious            adj            Of doubtful authenticity or truth. I am leery of the specious claims of this new cleaning product; it avows that it can remove tar, gum, crayon, grass stains, and pet odors from any surface with absolutely no ill effects.

tantamount         adv           Equivalent to or equal to, usu. used with "to." Your support of the enemy during a time of war is tantamount to treason.

tenet                  n               A foundational belief of a religious or political group. One of the most important tenets of our Constitution and judicial system is that every person is innocent until proven guilty.

transient            n/adj         1) A person who comes in to an area and stays for only a very short time. We never found out the identity of the murder victim; he was a transient who was only here for one night on his way to New York. 2) Existing for only a very short time Our happiness, unfortunately, is all to transient, gone with the next ill wind; we should treasure it while it lasts.