Unit 4 Vocab

affinity

a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection

bilious

peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant

cognate

closely related

corollary

resultant or consequent

cul-de-sac

blind alley or dead-end; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse

derring-do

valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)

divination

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

elixir

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

foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle

gamut

an entire range or series

hoi polloi

the common people, the masses

ineffable

not expressible in words; too great or too scared to be uttered

lucubration

laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work

mnemonic

relating to or designed to assist the memory; a device to aid the memory

obloquy

public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment

parameter

a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary

pundit

a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions

risible

pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable

symptomatic

typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease

volte-face

an about-face; a complete reversal