maverick

)n.) an independent,

nonconformist person (John is a

real maverick and always does

(.things his own way

maxim

)n.) a common saying expressing

a principle of conduct (Ms.

Stone’s etiquette maxims are

both entertaining and

(.instructional

meticulous

)adj.) extremely careful with

details (The ornate needlework

in the bride’s gown was a

product of meticulous

(.handiwork

modicum

)n.) a small amount of something

(Refusing to display even a

modicum of sensitivity, Magda

announced her boss’s affair to

(.the entire office

morose

)adj.) gloomy or sullen (David’s

morose nature made him very

(.unpleasant to talk to

myriad

)adj.) consisting of a very great

number (It was difficult to decide

what to do on Saturday night

because the city presented us

with myriad possibilities for fun(.

nadir

)n.) the lowest point of

something (My day was boring,

but the nadir came when my

(.new car was stolen

nominal

)adj.) trifling, insignificant

(Because he was moving the

following week and needed to

get rid of his furniture more than

he needed money, Kim sold

everything for a nominal price(.

novice

)n.) a beginner, someone without

training or experience (Because

we were all novices at archery,

our instructor decided to begin

with the basics

nuance

)n.) a slight variation in meaning,

tone, expression (The nuances of

the poem were not obvious to

the casual reader, but the teacher

(.was able to point them out

oblivious

)adj.) lacking consciousness or

awareness of something

(Oblivious to the burning smell

emanating from the kitchen, my

father did not notice that the

rolls in the oven were burned

(.until much too late

obsequious

)adj.) excessively compliant or

submissive (Donald acted like

Susan’s servant, obeying her

every request in an obsequious

(.manner

obtuse

)adj.) lacking quickness of

sensibility or intellect (Political

opponents warned that the

prime minister’s obtuse

approach to foreign policy would

embroil the nation in mindless

(.war

panacea

)n.) a remedy for all ills or

difficulties (Doctors wish there

was a single panacea for every

(.disease, but sadly there is not

parody

)n.) a satirical imitation (A hush

fell over the classroom when the

teacher returned to find

Magdalena acting out a parody of

(.his teaching style

penchant

)n.) a tendency, partiality,

preference (Fiona’s dinner

parties quickly became

monotonous on account of her

penchant for Indian dishes(.

perusal

)n.) a careful examination, review

(The actor agreed to accept the

role after a three-month perusal

(.of the movie script

plethora

)n.) an abundance, excess (The

wedding banquet included a

plethora of oysters piled almost

(.three feet high