HWOC vocab

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