Unit 4

Affinity (n.)

* A natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity
* A relationship, connection

Billious (adj.)

* Peevish or irritable
* Sickeningly unpleasant

Cognate (adj.)

Closely related in origin, essential nature, or function

Cognate (n.)

Such a person or thing

Corollary (n.)

* A proposition that follows from one already proven
* A natural consequence or result

Corollary (adj.)

Resultant or consequent

Cul-de-sac (n.)

* A blind alley or dead-end street
* Any situation in which further progress is impossible
* An impasse

Derring-do (n.)

* Valor or heroism
* Daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)

Divination (n.)

The art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge

Elixir (n.)

* A potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely
* A panacea
* A sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines

Folderol (n.)

* Foolish talk, ideas, or procedures
* Nonsense
* A trifle

Gamut (n.)

An entire range or series

Hoi Polloi (n.)

The common people, the masses

Ineffable (adj.)

* Not expressible in words
* Too great or too sacred to be uttered

Lucubration (n.)

* Laborious study or thought, especially at night
* The result of such work

Mnemonic (adj.)

Relating to or designed to assist the memory

Mnemonic (n.)

A device to aid the memory

Obloquy (n.)

* Public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure
* The disgrace resulting from such treatment

Parameter (n.)

* A determining or characteristic element
* A factor that shapes the total outcome
* A limit, boundary

Pundit (n.)

* A learned person
* One who gives authoritative opinions

Risible (adj.)

* Pertaining to laughter
* Able or inclined to laugh
* Laughable

Symptomatic (adj.)

* Typical or characteristic
* Being or concerned with a symptom of a disease

Volte-face (n.)

* An about-face
* A complete reversal