Sadlier Level H Unit 8 Vocab

aberration

(noun)
a departure from what is proper, right, expected, or normal; a lapse from a sound mental state
syn: anomaly, deviance, divergence

ad hoc

(adjective)
for this specific purpose; improvised
syn: impromptu, extempore, expedient
(adverb)
with respect to this

bane

(noun)
the source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself; poison

bathos

(noun)
the intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a context whose tone is lofty or elevated; grossly insincere or exaggerated sentimentality; the lowest phase, nadir; an anticlimax, comedown

cantankerous

(adjective)
ill-tempered, quarrelsome; difficult to get along or deal with
syn: irascible, irritable
ant: affable

casuistry

(noun)
the determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by the application of general ethical principles; specious argument
syn: sophistry

de facto

(adjective)
actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned
(adverb)
in reality, actually
syn: actual

depredation

(noun)
the act of preying upon or plundering
syn: looting, pillaging, robbing

empathy

(noun)
a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else

harbinger

(noun)
a forerunner, herald
(verb)
to herald the approach of

hedonism

(noun)
the belief that the attainment of pleasure is life's chief aim; devotion to or pursuit of pleasure
syn: indulgence

lackluster

(adjective)
lacking brillance or vitality; dull

malcontent

(adjective)
discontented with or in open definace of prevailing conditions
(noun)
such a person
syn: dissident, agitator, troublemaker

mellifluous

(adjective)
flowing sweetly or smoothly; honeyed
syn: dulcet, sweet-sounding

nepotism

(noun)
undue favoritism to or excessive patronage of one's relatives

pander

(verb)
to cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others
syn: fulfill
(noun)
a person who does this

peccadillo

(noun)
a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming
syn: misdemeanor, delinquecy, indiscretion

pièce de résistance

(noun)
the pricipal dish of a meal; the principal event incident, or item; an outstanding accomplishment
syn: masterpiece, magnum opus

remand

(verb)
to send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or to a lower court

syndrome

(noun)
a group of symptoms or signs that collectively characterize or indicate a disease, disorder, abnormality, etc.