ENG 2A - Week 6 Vocabulary

abject

abject

Degraded; base contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved

agnostic

One who believes that nothing can be known about God; a skeptic

complicity

Involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an accomplice

derelict

Someone or something that is abandoned or neglected

diatribe

A bitter and prolonged verbal attack

effigy

A crude image of a despised person

equity

The state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair

inane

Silly, empty of meaning or value

indictment

The act of accusing; a formal accusation

indubitable

Certain, not to be doubted or denied

intermittent

Stopping and beginning again; sporadic

moot

Adj - open to discussion and debate, unresolved. V - to bring up for discussion. N - a hypothetical law case argued by students

motif

A principal idea, feature, theme or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design

neophyte

A new convert, beginner, novice

perspicacity

Keenness in observing and understanding

plenary

Complete in all aspects of essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members

surveillance

A watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined observation

sylvan

Pertaining to or characteristic of forests; living or located in a forest

testy

Easily irritated; characterized by impatience and exasperation

travesty

N - A grotesque or grossly inferior imitation; a disguise. V - to ridicule by imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion.