vocab from classical roots lesson 2

altercation

a noisy quarrel

altruism

concern for the welfare of others, unselfishness

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time (literally for one day); transitory; not everlasting

epitaph

an inscription on a tombstone in memory of the person buried there; a brief (literary) summary of a dead person’s life

epitome

a typical representation of something; a person who embodies a quality

eponymous

referring to the name of a person, a mythical being, or a literary figure associated with something, or to a word incorporating the name of such a person

paradigm

an example serving to illustrate a process, pattern, or concept

paradox

a statement that seems contradictory but contains a truth or valid deduction

paragon

a model of excellence or perfection

parameter

• in mathematics, a constant that has variable values and is used to determine other variables

• a factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary

peripatetic

walking or traveling about

peripheral

• pertaining to the boundary of an area

• of minor importance

anathema

• a person or thing detested and shunned

• a curse, especially a formal church ban or excommunication

antithesis

• an exact opposite; a complete contrast

• a rhetorical form juxtaposing contrasting ideas, often in parallel structure

epithet

a word or phrase used positively or negatively that characterizes or describes a person or thing, added to or replacing a name