English Vocabulary from Newspapers: Indianisms, Foreign Loans, and Slang

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering Indianisms in English, foreign loan phrases, and slang terms from the lecture notes.

Acharya

A title for a spiritual teacher.

Ahimsa

The principle of not using violence.

Anganwadi

A scheme for the welfare of poor women and children.

Ayurveda

The traditional Hindu science of medicine.

Bandh

A general unofficial closing.

Chakka jam

A form of political protest in which transport does not operate or is prevented from operating normally.

Dadagiri

Disorder and violence because of the control of a local gang leader.

Daily passenger

A person who regularly travels from home to her/his place of work.

Fatwa/Fatwah/Futwah

An official decision by an Islamic religious leader or law-making body.

Four-twenty

A person who cheats.

Jaipur foot

An artificial leg developed at Jaipur by P.K. Shethi.

Kaivalya

Absolute bliss.

Naxalite

A member of a group believing in political revolution in order to change the system.

Padayatra

A long walk organized with a social/political aim.

Panchayat

A local council presided by Mukhiya.

Pralay

In Hindu myths, the destruction of the whole world.

Qawali

A type of song in form of question and answer.

Stupa

A structure shaped like a dome, built to hold the relics of Buddha or other Buddhist relics.

Tandava

The god Shiva's dance of destruction/any act of destruction.

Ulema

A Muslim person with a great knowledge of law.

Ab initio (L)

From the beginning.

Ad hoc (L)

For this (special purpose) only.

Ad nauseum

To a sickening or disgusting degree.

Ad valorem

A proportion to the value of goods according to value.

Aide de camp

A military officer acting as secretary and confidential assistant to a superior officer.

Aide memoire

A memorandum of discussion, agreement or action.

A la carte

With a stated price for each dish offered.

Alma mater

A school, college or university at which one has studied.

Alter ego

One's other self, very intimate friend.

Avant garde

Vanguard of an army.

Casus beli

Act/event leading to war.

Carte blanche

Full freedom of action, full discretionary power.

Charged affaires

An official who takes the place of an ambassador or minister when he is absent from his duty.

Coup d'etat

A sudden throw of a government, illegal change of a government.

Coup de grace

Finishing stroke, final blow.

Fait accompli

Accomplished fact, something done and, for this reason not reversible.

Haute couture

The leading dress making establishments in the world of the fashion, high fashion products.

Hors de combat

Unable to take further part in fighting because wounded or disabled.

Laissez faire

Free from government control or interference, allowing individual activities to be conducted without government control.

Lingua franca

Common language spoken by people, language adopted for local communication over an area in which several languages are spoken.

Locus standi

Any recognised right or official status.

Magnum opus

The greatest work of art or literature of an author.

Modus operandi

Method of dealing with a piece of work, method of being operated, mode of operation.

Modus vivandi

Way of living, way of getting a temporary agreement.

Mutalis mutandis

With necessary alternations or changes.

Nouveau riches

Newly rich people, people who have recently become rich, especially those who are ostentatious.

Obiter dictum

A passing remark, incidental remark or statement not essential to the main argument.

Persona grata

Person especially a diplomat who is acceptable to a foreign government.

Quid pro quo

Something given or returned as the equivalent of something else.

Sang froid

Calmness in face of danger or in an emergency, composure.

Sine die (L)

For an indefinite period.

Sine quanon

Essential qualification or condition.

Status quo

Social situation as it is now, the same position.

Ultra vires

Beyond one's power or authority.

Vox populi

The voice of the people, public opinion.

Button man

A professional killer.

Droppers

Hired killers.

Wooden Kimono

A coffin.