2nd semester vocabulary – 2009-10
Vocabulary list #6 - figures of speech
61. figure of speech - an expression that uses language in an unusual or "figured" way to achieve a rhetorical effect
62. anaphora – the first-word repeater
63. antithesis - the figure of contrasting ideas
64. chiasmus - the criss-cross figure
65. apostrophe - the cut-away to an abstraction figure
66. euphemism - the sugar-coated figure
67. litotes - the negative understatement
68. metonymy- the figure of swap
69. oxymoron - the contradictory figure
70. synecdoche - the scale-changing figure
71. understatement - the downplay figureVocabulary - list #7 - "loan words" (words derived from languages OTHER than Greek or Latin)
72. malaise (n) - Fr -a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness)
73. imbroglio (n) - It [imb-role-ee-oh] -an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation
74. aficionado (n) - Sp -a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime
75. peccadillo (n) - Sp - a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin
76. avatar (n) - Sanskrit - an embodiment (concept, philosophy, tradition) usually in human form
77. dilettante (n) - It - an amateur admirer of the arts (or some other interest) ; a dabbler
78. maelstrom (n) – Dutch -a powerful whirlpool; a scene or state of violent upheaval
79. zenith and 80. nadir (ns) – Arabic - zenith -the highest point nadir -the lowest point
81. raconteur (n) - Fr - one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill and wit
82. zeitgeist (n) - Ger - the spirit or general outlook of a specific time or period
83. angst (n) - Ger -a feeling of deep anxiety or dread
84. nirvana (n) - Sanskrit -a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of selfVocabulary - list #8 – 5+ syllable words
85. ignominious(adj) - deserving or causing public disgrace or shame
86. incontrovertible(adj) - not able to be disputed; unquestionable
87. verisimilitude (n) - the appearance of being true or real
88. vituperation(n) - bitter and abusive language
89. supercilious (adj.) - having or showing arrogant contempt
90. prestidigitation(n) - sleight of hand; performance of (or skill in) performing magic with the hands
91. extemporaneous (adj.) -spoken or done without preparation
92. conciliatory (adj.) - intended to placate or end a disagreement
93. unconscionable (adj.) - not right or reasonable; unreasonably excessive
94. circumlocution (n) - indirect or roundabout expressionVocabulary - list #9 – Macbeth words
95. hurly-burly (n) – noisy confusion; tumult
96. heath (n) – a tract of open waste land; open uncultivated land
97. thane (n) – a Scottish feudal lord
98. flout (vb) – to mock or scoff at; to openly disregard
99. corporal (adj.) – physical; of the body
100. surmise (vb) – to imagine, guess; (n) – a guess from inconclusive evidence
101. compunctious (adj) – apologetic; remorseful
102. pall (n) – a dark, heavy covering or atmosphere
103. trammel (n) – a hindrance to free action
104. mettle (n) – temperament; spiritVocabulary - list #10 – More Macbeth words
105. indissoluble (adj) unable to be destroyed; lasting
106. dauntless (adj) incapable of being intimidated; fearless
107. avouch (vb) to affirm or assert
108. eminence (n) a position of superiority or fame; a raised piece of ground
109. augury (n) a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen
110. malevolent (adj) having or showing a wish to do evil to others
111. equivocate (vb) - to use vague or ambiguous language, esp in order to avoid speaking directly or honestly
112. pernicious (adj) – causing great harm; destructive
113. apparition (n) - a ghostly figure
114. sanctity (n) - the quality of being holy or sacred
115. avarice (n) - extreme greed for wealth or material gain
116. intemperate (adj) - having a lack of self-control; excessive
Vocabulary - list #11 – Even more Macbeth words
117. censure (n) – severe disapproval (vb) – to criticize severely
118. scruple (n) - (usu. scruples) a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation
119. abjure (v) – to renounce or retract, esp. formally (a belief, cause, or claim)
120. assay (v) – to analyze (n) – an analysis
121. sundry (adj) - various; miscellaneous
122. perturbation (n) - anxiety; mental uneasiness; a deviation
123. epicure (n) - a person with refined taste, especially in food and wine
124. arbitrate (v) – to settle or decide a dispute
125. harbinger (n) – a person or thing that indicates or foreshadows what is to come
1st semester Vocabulary 2009-10
Vocab by list (in the order we learned them):
-Vocab list 1
1. elucidate (vb) - to clarify, explain (something)
2. reclusive (adj) - solitary; hermit-like
3. ambiguous (adj) - having 2 or more meanings; unclear
4. probity (n) - virtue; integrity
5. propitious (adj) – favorable; giving or indicating a good chance of success
6. puerile (adj) – childishly silly; immature
7. rancor (n) - deep, bitter resentment
8. invective (n) - an angry verbal attack
9. extol (v) - to praise enthusiastically
10. eschew (v) - to deliberately avoid (using)
11. vex (v) - to annoy or confuse
12. vet (v) - to examine thoroughly (e.g. a candidate's background)-Vocab list 2
13. implicit (adj) – expressed indirectly; implied
14. explicit (adj) - fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied
15. cursory (adj) - brief, to the point of being superficial
16. incisive (adj) - penetrating, clear and sharp (expression)
17. salient (adj) – significant; most important (points or facts)
18. multifarious (adj) – having great variety; diverse
19. assiduous (adj) – hard-working, diligent
20. diaphanous (adj) – light, airy, transparent
21. ubiquitous (adj) – existing everywhere; widespread
22. unctuous (adj) – smooth or greasy in texture, appearance, manner-Vocab list 3
23. stupefy (vb) – to astonish or make insensible
24. usurp (vb) – to seize by force and without right
25. expunge (vb) – to erase or strike out
26. inure – (vb) to accustom (someone) to something, esp. something unpleasant [usually be inured to]
27. cajole (vb) – to urge, coax
28. vilify (vb) – to lower in importance, defame
29. proscribe (vb) – to condemn or prohibit
30. prescribe (vb) – to order or recommend the use of
31. repudiate (vb) – to refuse to accept or be associated with
32. palliate (vb) – to reduce the severity of
33. expiate (vb) – to make amends for; to atone for (guilt or sin)
34. undulate (vb) – to move in waves or have a wavy shapeVocabulary List 4 - Words from AQ ch 1-9
35. voracious - (adj.) p.1-2 - wanting or devouring great quantities of something
36. renunciation (n.) p.22 - the formal rejection of something (esp. a belief or course of action)
37. discomfiture - (n) p.24 - anxious embarrassment; lack of ease
38. esprit de corps (n) p.26 - a common spirit of comradeship; Fr, lit. “spirit of the body”
39. indefatigable (adj) p.49 - seemingly incapable of being fatigued; tireless
40. embower (vb) p.52 - to enclose in
41. insatiable (adj) p.77 - impossible to satisfy
42. laconic (adj) p.78 - using very few words
43. automaton (n) p. 115 - someone who acts or responds in a mechanical way; a robot
44. debauch (vb) p. 115 - to corrupt morally
45. quixotic (adj) p. 139 - exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
46. laudable (adj) p. 170 - worthy of high praise
47. opalescent (adj) p. 188 - a milky iridescence like that of an opal
48. furtive (adj) p. 190 - attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guiltVocabulary list 5
49. improvident (adj) – not having or showing foresight
50. imperious (adj) – authoritative; lordly
51. copious (adj) – abundant in supply or quantity
52. elusive (adj) – difficult to find, catch, or achieve
53. approbation (n) – approval or praise
54. tumult (n) – confusion or disorder; a loud, confused noise
55. adherent (n) – a supporter or follower (of a cause etc.)
56. emanate (vb) - to come or send forth, as from a source
57. debar (vb) – to exclude or prohibit (someone)
58. resolute (adj) – firm or determined; unwavering
59. superfluous (adj) - unnecessary, esp. through being more than enough
60. pacify (vb) – to bring peace to
