Vocabulary #6

Vocabulary list #6:

• abase- behave in a way so as to belittle or degrade (someone). 
• anachronism- a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. 
• anomaly- something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. 
• abdicate- (of a monarch) renounce one's throne. 
• abomination- a thing that causes disgust or hatred. 
• bellicose- demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight 
• brusque- abrupt or offhand in speech or manner. 
• churlish- rude in a mean-spirited and surly way. 
• conundrum- a confusing and difficult problem or question. 
• debauchery- excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures 
• ephemeral- lasting for a very short time. 
• expurgate-remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or account). 
• gauche- lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward 
• nomenclature- the devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline 
• rapacious- aggressively greedy or grasping. 
• rancorous- characterized by bitterness or resentment.
• saboteur- a person who engages in sabotage. 
• paradox- statement that apparently contradicts itself and yet might be true. 
• precipitous- dangerously high or steep. 
• proliferate- increase rapidly in numbers; multiply. 

I watched in silence as my colleagues abased themselves by arguing in front of our superiors. Apparently one of them was a saboteur and changed the slideshow without consulting the rest of us. What he did was an abomination! Then he and my other colleague started yelling at each other in a very churlish, hateful way. I went on the computer to try to expurgate the altered slides from the demonstration but I got yelled at too! I was just trying to help. After our little debacle, we got in trouble and the one who changed the slide was resentful. I'd really rather not have to put up with his rancorous attitude. | Felipe VI recently ascended to the throne following the abdication of his father Juan Carlos. Spain's financial situation is in a precipitous state with a growing pile of debt and loans and severely increasing unemployment. That country has found itself in quite a conundrum. | I wish I had the job of the nomenclature of new animals in the animal kingdom. I would name them wacky names, like Ilimus Tentaculus. My scientific names would be completely random and anomalous.  | I don't like talking to her because she can be impatiently curt and brusque. I make sure our conversations are short and ephemeral. She is socially gauche and inept; I don't think she ever really learned proper people skills. | The bellicose soldiers stood with shoulders back, guns in hand, facing the battle field ready to fight. | A well known paradox is Pinocchio saying, "My nose will grow now." | Everything in the picture from Old England was as it should have been except for one anachronism, a samurai sword. | He regretted the debauchery and promiscuity of his past. | The rapacious tax collector made sure to collect every last cent from the citizens, even from those with huge medical bills. | Rabbits mate and proliferate with such quickness, owners need to be cautious.