his malfeasance, but it soon became clear that he would not be able to prevent a
scandal.
rapacious(ra ̆·pay·shu ̆s) adj.excessively greedy and grasping (especially for
money); voracious, plundering. The rapacious general ordered his soldiers to pil-
lage the town.
sordid(sor·did) adj.1. dirty, wretched, squalid. 2. morally degraded. This
sordid establishment should be shut down immediately.
squalid(skwol·id) adj.1. filthy and wretched. 2. morally repulsive, sordid.
The housing inspectors noted such deplorable and squalid living conditions in the
decrepit building on Water Street that they were forced to evacuate the tenants.
stoical(stoh·i·ka ̆l) adj.seemingly unaffected by pleasure or pain; indiffer-
ent, impassive. He remained stoical as his wife told him she was leaving.
stolid(stol·id) adj.not feeling or showing emotion, impassive; not easily
aroused or excited. Maxine is a very stolid person, so it is very difficult to tell how
she feels.
transient(tran·zhe ̆nt) adj.lasting only a very short time; fleeting, transi-
tory, brief. Their relationship was transient, but profound.
vex(veks) v.1. to annoy, irritate. 2. to cause worry to. I was completely vexed
by his puerile behavior.
voracious(voh·ray·shu ̆s) adj.excessively greedy, rapacious; having a great
appetite for something, devouring greedily. I have always been a voracious
reader, consuming dozens of books every month.