English Semester 1 Final

abjure

To formally renounce or reject a belief, cause, or claim.

abrogate

To repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement.

abstemious

Characterized by moderation or self-restraint, especially in the consumption of food or drink.

acumen

The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.

antebellum

Referring to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.

auspicious

Conducive to success; favorable.

belie

To contradict or show something to be false.

bellicose

Demonstrating aggression and a willingness to fight.

bowdlerize

To remove material considered inappropriate or offensive from a text.

chicanery

The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.

gauche

(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

gerrymander

to draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections

hegemony

domination over others

hemoglobin

Oxygen carrying pigment in red blood cells

homogeneous

of the same kind

hubris

excessive pride

hypotenuse

the longest side of a right triangle

impeach

To accuse government officials of misconduct in office

incognito

disguised; pretending not to be oneself

incontrovertible

not able to be denied or disputed

equinox

the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length (about September 22 and March 20).

euro

European currency

evanescent

(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy

expurgate

to remove vulgar or objectionable material

facetious

comical; jocular; flippant

fatuous

silly, foolish

feckless

careless or irresponsible

fiduciary

held in trust; confidential

filibuster

A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

gamete

sex cell

chromosome

A threadlike, gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus. Each chromosome consists of one very long DNA molecule and associated proteins.

churlish

(adj.) lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude

circumlocution

an indirect way of expressing something

circumnavigate

to sail around the world

deciduous

Trees and shrubs that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season

deleterious

harmful

diffident

shy, lacking self-confidence; modest, reserved

enervate

(v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

enfranchise

give voting rights

epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

mollified

To calm or soothe someone, often by addressing their concerns or grievances.

precariously

In a manner that is not securely held or in a dangerous position.

lucidity

The quality of being clear and easy to understand, often referring to thought or expression.

strains

Difficulties or pressures that can cause stress or tension in a system, relationship, or individual.

nuance

A subtle difference or distinction in meaning, expression, or response.

impetuous

Acting quickly and without thought or care; impulsive.

impeccable

Involving flawless quality or performance; perfect.

ample

(adj.) more than enough, large, spacious

confiscation

seizure of property by authority

bewildered

completely puzzled or confused

console

comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment.

elaborated

added detail, made longer

preoccupied

lost in thought

quaint

(adj.) odd or old-fashioned in a pleasing way; clever, ingenious; skillfully made

sundries

various items not important enough to be mentioned individually

provisioned

provided a stock of necessary supplies, especially food

quadrant

one out of four equal parts of a circle; one section of a four-section coordinate grid

collegiate

belonging or relating to a college or its students

affinity

an attraction to

wincing

drawing back suddenly; flinching slightly

grimacing

a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

genial

(adj.) cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm

prominent

important; famous

fledgling

an inexperienced person, beginner; a young bird about to leave the nest; inexperienced, budding

recoiling

moving backward, as in fear

Geisha

a Japanese woman trained to entertain men with conversation and singing and dancing

sheepishly

with a bashful or embarrassed look

sabbatical

A leave of absence from an organization to renew or develop skills

imminent

about to happen

transfixed

Rendered motionless with terror, amazement or awe

commotion

a state of confused and noisy disturbance

filial

of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter

piety

the quality of being religious or reverent

actuarial

calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics

inevitable

certain to happen; unavoidable

perpetually

Continually; constantly

coalesce

to come together

affluent

wealthy

heckling

to harass (a public speaker, performer, etc.) with impertinent questions, gibes, or the like; badger.

amiably

in a friendly manner

advocate

to support, to speak publicly of