Lesson 44

slightly sour or acidic, not strongly so, often describing a mild tanginess

The acidulous taste of the lemon juice added a refreshing zest to the dish.

too confident or proud in expressing oneself, in a way that is annoying to others

She became bumptious after receiving the promotion, constantly bragging about her achievements.

difficult to get along with and easily angered

The cantankerous old man yelled at the neighbors for no reason.

having a rich and luxurious quality

The sumptuous banquet featured an array of gourmet dishes prepared by renowned chefs.

eager to drink too much liquor

The bibulous man seemed unable to enjoy anything without a drink in his hand.

(of some plants or animals) having sharp, needle-like things on the surface of their body

Be careful not to touch the spinous branches of the cactus, as they can pierce your skin.

occurring without interruption, one after another, in a continuous sequence

The events happened on contiguous days, with no break between them.

hard-working and productive

She is an industrious student who always completes her assignments on time.

talking a great deal, particularly about trivial things

Her garrulous phone calls often lasted for hours, filled with small talk.

(of rocks) holding gold within

Prospectors discovered auriferous quartz, which promised great rewards.

extremely evil or wicked, typically involving illegal or immoral actions

The nefarious plot of the antagonist aimed to overthrow the government.

keeping the title of their former position after retirement as an honor, especially of a university professor

After retiring, Professor Smith was named professor emeritus in recognition of his years of dedicated service.

(of animals and plants) found and developed only in a particular place and not been brought from elsewhere

The indigenous flora and fauna of Hawaii are unlike those found anywhere else in the world.

characterized by excessive ingratiation or flattery, often in a way that seems insincere or manipulative

His unctuous compliments made her question his genuine intentions.

sharing the same ancestor

The consanguineous ties between the royal families of Europe have been well-documented throughout history.

tending to act on impulse or in the moment

His spontaneous decision to take a road trip meant he left without even packing a bag.

marked by a lack of control or discipline

The boisterous crowd ignored the speaker and shouted over each other.

inclined to argue or provoke disagreement

The contentious individual frequently initiated arguments and disagreements within the group.