4th Quarter Vocabs

wraith

A ghostlike figure/apparition, often associated with death or the supernatural

viscount

A noble title in the British peerage ranking below an earl and above a baron

pharaoh

A ruler/king of ancient Egypt

minutiae

Small, precise, or trivial details, often overlooked but important

desiccated

Completely dried out; lacking moisture

acquiesce

To accept or agree to something reluctantly but without protest

Worcestershire

A county in England; also the name of a savory sauce

sioux

A Native American people of North America

segue

To move smoothly from one topic, activity, or section to another

otorhinolaryngologist

A medical doctor specializing ear, nose, and throat disorders

hors d'oeuvre

A small appetizer served before a meal

gauge

To measure, estimate, or determine the extent of something

bourgeois

Relating to the middle class or materialistic values

anemone

A sea creature with tentacles or a type of flowing plant

rendezvous

A meeting arranged at a specific time and place

victuals

Food or provisions prepared for consumptions

isthmus

A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas

euphemism

A mild/indirect word used to replace one that may be harsh/unpleasant

quay

A structure along the shore where ships duck for loading and unloading

chthonic

Relating to the underworld or subterranean regions in mythology

credulity

A tendency to believe things too readily without sufficient evidence or skepticism

attenuate

To weaken, reduce, or diminish the intensity or force of something

mantle

A covering layer; in geology, the layer beneath the Earth's crust; figuratively, a role or responsibility assumed

tapestry

A woven decorative fabric; metaphorically, a complex interwoven combination of elements

sepulcher

A tomb or burial chamber, especially one made of stone

pedestal

A base supporting a statue; figuratively, a position of high admiration or esteem

detritus

Debris or scattered remains, often of something destroyed or discarded

armament

Military weapons and equipment used in warfare

marginal

Of minor importance; slight or barely sufficient

definitive

Conclusive and authoritative; providing a final answer

capitulation

The act of surrendering or yielding after resistance

albeit

Although; even though

antagonize

To provoke or incite hostility or opposition

elusive

Difficult to find, grasp, or understand

annotate

To add explanatory notes or comments to a text

penchant

A strong inclination or preference for something

retinue

A group of followers or attendants accompanying an important person

reprobate

A morally unprincipled or depraved person

sybarite

A person devoted to luxury, pleasure, and indulgence

quell

To suppress or put an end to something, especially unrest or rebellion

frappé

A chilled or iced beverage, often made with coffee, milk, or fruit flavorings

chancre

A painless ulcer or sore, typically associated with the early stage of certain infections such as syphilis

gauge

An instrument used for measuring or estimating the amount or level of something

prerequisite

A requirement that must be completed before something else can be undertaken

capstone

A final project or course that demonstrates mastery of a field of study

accreditation

Official recognition that an institution meets educational standards

paradigm

A model or pattern that serves as an example or framework

genome

The complete set of genetic material in an organism

algorithm

A systematic procedure or set of rules for solving problems

parameter

A measurable factor or variable that defines a system

criterion

A standard used for evaluating or judging something

extrapolate

To estimate unknown values by extending known data

polymath

A person with extensive knowledge across multiple fields

revere

To regard someone or something with deep respect or admiration

vindication

The act of proving someone right or clearing them of blame

ameliorate

To improve or make a situation better

anachronism

Something that is out of its proper time period

erratic

Unpredictable or inconsistent

garner

To gather or collect information, support, or resources

accrue

To accumulate gradually over time

anathema

something/someone that is strongly disliked/condemned

chimerical

unrealistic/wildly imaginative; not achievable in reality

conflagration

A large and destructive fire

diaphanous

Light, delicate, and almost transparent

excoriate

To criticize severely/harshly

perspicacious

Having keen insight or sharp understanding

ameliorate

To improve or make a situation better

fortitude

Courage and strength in facing difficulties

mandate

An official order/command; to authorize/require

sampling

The process of selecting a representative group for study

inadvertent

Unintentional or accidental

erudition

Extensive scholarly knowledge

detrimental

Causing harm/damage

affinity

A natural liking or connection with something

distill

To extract the essential meaning or most important aspects

contend

To argue or assert a position

transience

The state of lasting only a short time

diverge

To move or develop in different directions

arbitrary

Based on personal choice rather than logic or reason

custodian

A person responsible for protecting/maintaining something

Zero in on

To focus closely on something/someone

Learn the ropes

To learn how to do a job/task properly

Behind closed doors

In private; not in public view

Ride the wave

To take advantage of a trend or success

Economic bubble

A situation where prices rise rapidly & exceed real value

Zero in on

To focus closely on something/someone

Go against the grain

To act contrary to what is normal/expected

A moot point

Something that is no longer relevant/open to discussion

A far cry from

Very different from something

Pull your weight

To do your fair share of work

Cut corners

To do something poorly/cheaply to save time/money

Social butterfly

A person who is very sociable and enjoys attending events

A bitter pill to swallow

An unpleasant truth to accept

Get to the heart of the matter

To focus on the main issue

Spell it out

To explain something very clearly

Put into perspective

To show the relative importance

Bring to the table

To contribute ideas, skills, or value

In the loop

Informed or included in discussions

Call it a day

To conclude proceedings

Walk someone through

Walk someone through