English 2HB Vocab List 2

nomenclature

nomenclature

a system of names assigned to objects or items in a particular science or art

classification, terminology, taxonomy

cognomen

a nickname or name that describes somebody, a surname or family name, especially the third name given to a citizen of ancient Rome

alias, moniker, nickname

misnomer

a wrong or unsuitable name or term for something or somebody

miscalling, wrong name, wrong calling

ignominy

a total loss of dignity and self-respect, or an incurring of public disgrace; a disgraceful act

shame, embarrassment, humiliation

denomination

a religious grouping within a faith that has its own system of organization; a unit in a scale of value, especially monetary value, weight, measure, or size; a name or designation given to a class, group, or type \n

sect, cult, movement

nominal

acting or being something in name only, but in reality; representing very little cost when compared with the actual value received

\n official, formal, titular

amicable

characterized by or done in friendliness, without anger or bad feelings

\n friendly, good-nature, cooperative

amiable

friendly and pleasant to be with; characterized by friendly feelings

\n friendly, affable, cordial

amity

friendliness and peaceful relations

harmony, companionship. goodwill

amorous

showing or feeling romantic love or sexual attraction \n

ardent, passionate, lustful

animosity

a feeling or spirit of hostility and resentment \n

hatred, hostility, loathing

curtail

to reduce the length or duration of something \n

reduce, trim, lessen

semblance

a small amount of something; and outward appearance or imitation of something \n

facade, appearance, guise

ensconce

to establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place \n

plant, install, settle

obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action; unmoved by pity or tender feelings \n

stubborn, obstinate, unyielding

tawdry

showy, but cheap and poor quality

gaudy, flashy, loud

lachrymose

tearful or inclined to weeping \n

tearful, teary, weepy

tedium

the state of being boring or routine \n

monotony, routine, banality

covenant

a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties \n

contract, solemn agreement, commitment

apathy

lack of interest in anything, or the absence of any wish to do anything; inability to feel normal or passionate human feelings or to respond emotionally \n

lack of feeling, indifference, ennui

dilate

to become, or cause something to become, wider, larger, or stretched; to talk or write at great length \n

enlarge, widen, expand

prudent

having good sense in dealing with practical matters; using good judgement to consider likely consequences and act accordingly

wise, sensible, well advised

judicious

showing wisdom, good sense, or discretion, often with the underlying objective of avoiding trouble or waste

wise, astute, smart

reticent

not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily

reserved, withdrawn, uncommunicative

impediment

an impairment, especially one affecting speech; something that hinders progress

obstruction, hindrance, obstacle

delineation

the action of describing or portraying something precisely; the action of indicating the exact position of a border/boundary \n

rendition, representation, picture

militant

extremely active in the defense or support of a cause, often to the point of extremism \n

aggressive, fierce, combative

erratic

not predictable, variable, turbulent

qualm

a sudden feeling of uncertainty or apprehension, especially a misgiving about an action or conduct \n

anxiety, sudden uncertainty, second thoughts

quintessence

the purest or most perfect example of something \n

embodiment, soul, essence