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Vocab 20

albeit               conj.          This is the first and only conjunction we've had, and it means "even though it be." It's use is odd, but a couple of sentences should suffice: 1) She is a heavy albeit graceful dancer. (Here "albeit" connects two contradictory adjectives). 2) this program, albeit well intentioned, is going to be too  expensive to fund. (Here "albeit" acts as a regular conjunction introducing a contradictory phrase).

archaic            adj            Out of date, dated, no longer in use--especially true of language and words. The terms "forsooth" and "anon," are often found in Shakespeare, but they were current 400 years ago and today are quite archaic.

cloy                 v               To disgust with sweetness, to satisfy the appetite beyond need. 1) I enjoy fudge, but after 5 pounds of it, I found the taste began to cloy. 2) I can't stand those "disease of the week" movies; the emotional climax at the end is so cloying that I almost get sick from it.

consonant        adj           In keeping with or on a par with, in agreement or accord with, usually used with "with" We enjoyed the minister's sermon because his teachings were consonant with the beliefs we already held.

patriarch          n             A strong father figure, the elder male leader of a tribe or family Abraham was the patriarch of the nation of Israel, and all the 12 tribes trace their origin to him.

refurbish          v            To restore to its original condition The antique was not much to look at when we bought it, but we were able to refurbish it to like-new condition.

sonorous          adj         Deep and rich in sound, especially true of a voice James Earl Jones has a rich and sonorous voice, and one could find enjoyment listening to him recite the phone book.

tutelage            n            Teaching or instruction, especially used in the phrase "under the tutelage" Phoebe was not much of a tennis player when she started, but under the tutelage of a great coach she blossomed into a champion.

venerate           v            To honor deeply and to give great respect to It is a tradition in Japan and China to venerate one's ancestors and to give them worshipful remembrance.

wizened           adj           Wrinkled and dried up, especially as a face exposed to years and the elements Our great-uncle Jedediah, the patriarch of our family, is now a wizened little old man, shriveled with age and wrinkled from the sun.