Archaic
Adj- no longer used or applicable; ancient
Argot
Noun- the informal, specialized vocabulary or expressions of a particular group
Connotation
Noun- ideas, or meanings suggested by a word; associations that go beyond a word’s literal meaning
Denotation
Noun- the most direct or specific meaning of a word
Idiom
Noun- an expression with a special meaning that cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words; a non literal expression
Jargon
Noun- a specialized vocabulary of a profession or trade, nonsensical or meaningless communication
Pidgin
Noun- a simplified form of speech developed from two or more languages
Semantics
Noun- the study of meaning and word interpretation, the exact meaning of a word
Standard
Noun- conforming to the established language used by educated speakers Verb- something established as a measure of quality
Vernacular
Noun- everyday language, rather than literary language; the native languages of dialect of a country, place, group, commonly spoken by a region, or group
Atlas
Noun- a book or bound collection of maps
Epicure
Noun- a person with refined taste, especially in food and drink
Galvanize
Verb- to stimulate or urge into action, to spur
Jovial
Adjective- jolly, filled with good cheer
Nemesis
Noun- a source of harm or ruin; an opponent that cannot be defeated, one who inflicts retribution or vengeance
Pyrrhic victory
Noun- a victory that is offset by staggering losses or that comes at a huge price
Quixotic
Adjective- dedicated to unreachable goals; idealistic but not practical
Saturnine
Adjective- gloomy and sullen
Sisyphean
Adjective- requiring endless effort; without results or success
Solecism
Noun- a nonstandard or improper use of language, a mistake in manners or behavior
Behold
Verb- to gaze at or look upon
Discernment
Noun- excellent judgment and insight; skill in perceiving
Envision
Verb- to picture in mind; to imagine
Foresee
Verb- to see or know ahead of time
Gape
Verb- to stare in amazement, often with mouth wide open
Impressionistic
Adjective- describing a highly personal, subjective, individual response to experience
Myopic
Adjective- lack of planning for the future; shortsightedness; inability to see the bigger picture; lacking intellectual insight
Perceptive
Adjective- marked by understanding or keen awareness of surroundings; intellectually sharp
Premonition
Noun- a feeling or vision that something will happen in the future; an advance “gut” warning, typically that something bad is going to occur
Subliminal
Adjective- Affecting someone’s mind or mood without them being able to detect it or be aware of it; subconscious or hidden thoughts or meanings
Cessation
Noun- a bringing or coming to an end; a halt
Commence
Verb- to begin or start
Deter
Verb- to prevent or discourage from acting, by means of fear or doubt
Hamper
Verb- to prevent from moving freely or making progress; to limit Noun- a large basket, usually with a cover
Obstruction
Noun- something that blocks or gets in the way; an obstacle
Preclude
Verb- to make impossible or unlikely; to prevent
Procrastinate
Verb- to delay; put off doing something
Scuttle
Verb- to run or move with short, hurried movements; to scurry
Subside
Verb- to sink into a lower or more normal level; to become less active or intense
Thwart
Verb- to prevent from taking place; frustrate; block
Apologist
Noun- a person who speaks in defense of a person, idea, or position (when you probably shouldn’t)
Dissuade
Verb- to discourage from doing something through persuasion
Dupe
Verb- to take advantage or people by tricking or fooling them Noun- someone tricked and taken advantage of
Fallacy
Noun- a false belief Noun- faulty and illogical reasoning
Imply
Verb- to hint; suggest indirectly
Indisputable
Adjective- beyond doubt or question; certain
Infer
Verb- to draw a conclusion from evidence; an educated guess when reading between the lines
Red herring
Noun- something that draws attention away from the main issue
Refute
Verb- to prove to be false or invalid; to deny the accuracy or truth of
Substantiate
Verb- to support with evidence
Accolade
Noun- great praise
Adulation
Noun- adoration, excessive praise or flattery
Anathema
Noun- something or someone that is greatly hated or avoided
Commend
Verb- to give approval or praise
Critique
Noun- a detailed review; an evaluation
Verb- to review, discuss, or evaluate
Eulogy
Noun- a tribute; spoken or written praise, often given in honor of a person who has died
Homage
Noun- publicly expressed honor or respect
Laudable
Adjective- worthy of paise and honor
Quibble
Verb- to criticize, argue, or raise objections over something unimportant
Noun- an unimportant quote
Reproach
Verb- to criticize or express disapproval
Bland
Adjective- calming or soothing; not spicy or irritating; lacking flavor
Adjective- dull, plain to the point of being boring
Culinary
Adjective- related to cooking or kitchens
Cutlery
Noun- utensils used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons
Noun- cutting instruments and tools
Devour
Verb- to consume or easy up greedily or enthusiastically
Morsel
Noun- a very small piece; a small treat
Pungent
Adjective- having sharp, strong taste or smell
Adjective- strong, sharp, and penetrating
Quaff
Verb- to drink heartily and deeply; to chug
Ravenous
Adjective- extremely hungry
Savory
Adjective- pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing
Adjective- flavorful; spicy or salty, but not sweet
Simmer
Verb- to cook gently in a liquid just at or below the boiling point
Verb- to be filled with pent-up emotion
Blight
Verb- to have negative effect on; to ruin
Noun- something that ruins or greatly harms; a terrible condition, environment, or process
Cataclysm
Noun- An intense and violent disaster or change
Decomposition
Noun- the process of rotting, breaking down, or disintegration
Eradication
Noun- the act of tearing out by the roots, or eliminating as if tearing out by the roots
Havoc
Noun- widespread destruction and devastation; chaos and disorder
Noun- chaos and disorder
Mar
Verb- to inflict damage or spoil the quality of
Obliterate
Verb- to wipe out completely; to do away with, leaving no trace
Pugnacious
Adjective- combative; eager for a fight
Pulverize
Verb- to pound, crush, or grind into powder or dust
Stagnant
Adjective- stale and foul because of lack of movement
Adjective- lacking progress or vitality
Broach
Verb- to bring up a subject for discussion
Convene
Verb- to assemble formally, to come together officially
Debut
Verb- to make first appearance
Noun- a first public appearance
Noun- a formal presentation of a young woman into society
Embark
Verb- to board a ship or plane
Verb- to start a major effort; to set out on a venture
Generate
Verb- to create; to bring into being
Incipient
Adjective- beginning to exist or appear
Initiate
Noun- a beginning or an introductory step; an opening move
Noun- the ability to wish or to start something; enterprise; determination
Innovation
Noun- something newly introduced or created
Novice
Noun- a beginner
Overture
Noun- a piece of music intended to introduce a larger work
Verb- an act of offer showing readiness to form a relationship or to negotiate
Devious
Adjective- meant to trick; not straightforward; shifty
Adjective- departing from the correct or accepted way
Adjective- Departing from the straight or direct course; roundabout
Duplicity
Noun- deliberate deception in behavior or speech
Fictitious
Adjective-false or fake, adopted or assumed in order to deceive
Adjective-imaginary; unreal; relating to fiction
Guile
Adjective- sly intelligence; craftiness with the intention to deceive, cunning
Gullible
Adjective- easily deceived or fooled
Hypocritical
Adjective- giving a false appearance; saying one thing but doing another
Masquerade
Verb- to disguise oneself; to put on a false or deceptive appearance
Overt
Adjective- open and observable; not identify or secret
Reputable
Adjective- having a good reputation; well thought of; honorable or trustworthy
Veracity
Noun- truthfulness or accuracy; conforming to fact or truth