English 9H Vocab Final

archaic

extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period

jargon

technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject

argot

a characteristic language of a particular group, patois

pidgin

a simplified language allowing communication through groups

connotation

an idea that is implied or suggested

semantics

the study of language meaning

denotation

the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression

standard

a basis for comparison

idiom

expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words/ style of a particular artist or school movement

vernacular

everyday speech of the people

atlas

a collection of maps in book form

Pyrrnic Victory

a victory won by incurring terrible losses

epicure

a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment

quixotic

not sensible about practical matters

galvanize

stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock/cover with zinc

saturnine

bitter or scornful

jovial

high spirited merriment

Sisyphean

both extremely effortful and futile

nemesis

personal foe or rival that cannot be defeated

solecism

a socially awkward or tactless act

behold

see with attention

impressionistic

of or relating to or based on an impression rather than facts & reasoning

discernment

cognitive condition of someone who understands

myopia

eyesight abnormality in which distant objects appear blurred

envision

imagine, conceive of, or see in someone's mind

perceptive

of or relating to awareness via the senses

foresee

to realize beforehand

premonition

an early warning about a future event

gape

look with amazement

subliminal

below the threshold of conscious perception

cessation

a stopping

preclude

make impossible, especially beforehand

commence

set in motion, cause to start

procrastinate

postpone doing what one should be doing

deter

turn away from by persuasion

scuttle

to move about or proceed hurriedly

hamper

prevent the progress or free movement of

subside

wear off or die down

obstruction

any structure that makes progress difficult

thwart

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

apologist

(n.) a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution

dissuade

turn away from by persuasion

dupe

fool or hoax

fallacy

a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning

imply

express or state indirectly

indisputable

not open to question; obviously true

infer

conclude by reasoning

red herring

something that draws attention away from the main issue

refute

overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof

substantiate

establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

accolade

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

eulogy

a formal expression of praise for someone who has died

adulation

exaggerated flattery or praise

homage

respectful deference

anathema

a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication

laudable

worthy of high praise

commend

present as worthy of regard, kindness, or confidence

quibble

evade the truth by raising objections / argue over petty things

critique

appraise or judge in an analytical way

reproach

express criticism towards

bland

lacking taste or flavor

pungent

strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell

culinary

of or relating to or used to cooking

quaff

to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught

cutlery

tableware implements for cutting and eating food

ravenous

extremely hungry

devour

eat immoderately

savory

pleasing to the sense of taste

morsel

a small amount of solid food; a mouthful

simmer

boil slowly at a low temperature

blight

any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting

mar

cause to become imperfect

cataclysm

a sudden violent change in the earth's surface

obliterate

remove completely from recognition or memory

decomposition

organic phenomenon at rotting

pugnacious

ready and able to resort to force or violence

eradication

complete destruction of every trace of something

pulverize

make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust

havoc

violent and needless disturbance

stagnant

not growing or changing without force or vitality

broach

bring up a topic for discussion

convene

meet formally

debut

act of beginning something new

embark

go on board

generate

bring into existence

incipent

only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

inititative

ready to embark on bold new adventures

innovation

act of starting something for the first time

novice

someone new to a field or activity

overture

orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or musical

devious

turning away from a straight course

hypocritical

professing feelings or virtues one does not have

duplicity

act of deceiving or acting in bad faith

masquerade

a party of guests wearing costumes and masks

fictitious

formed or conceived by the imagination

overt

open and observable; not secret or hidden

guile

shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception

gullible

naive and easily deceived or tricked

veracity

unwillingness to tell lies

reputable

held in high esteem and honor