The Twelve Terrors of Christmas Glossary

by John Updike

The Twelve Terrors of Christmas Glossary

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Written by Monica Barry

Ameliorate

Improve, better

Salubrious

Beneficial, healthy

Ambivalent

Doubtful, unsure

Acceded

Recognized, allowed

Penurious

Poor, needy

Sanctimonious

Superior, pious

Lachrymose

Teary, weeping

Deride

Mock, ridicule

Capitulate

Surrender, relent

Egregious

Extremely bad

Inane

Stupid, meaningless

Vicarious

Indirect, secondary

Paradigm

Standard, pattern

Precocious

Advanced, mature

Vehement

Spirited, passionate

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