Vocabulary Lesson 7-8

Affable

Affable

Easy to speak to; approachable; polite, friendly

ineffable

1. Beyond description; indescribable

2. Not to be uttered; taboo

Dictatorial

Domineering; autocratic, like a dictator

diction

1. Choice of words in speech or writing

2. A person’s manner of uttering or pronouncing words

dictum

An authoritative expression of opinion

Ditty

A simple song

Edict

A decree or proclamation issued by an authority.

Indict

1. To issue a formal charge of a crime

2. To accuse

Indite

To write; to compose carefully

Interdiction

A prohibition; the act of forbidding.

Jurisdiction

1. Control and authority, especially to interpret and exercise the law

2. The specific area of someone’s or something’s control or authority

Malediction

A curse

Valediction

A bidding farewell; a leave-taking; a farewell speech

Gloss

An explanation of a difficult expression in a text

Polyglot

A person who knows several languages well.

Acclamation

1. Applause; enthusiastic approval

2. An oral vote, especially an enthusiastic vote of approval

Clamor

1. A loud outcry, especially in protest

2. To insist or exclaim noisily

Declaim

To speak loudly or passionately

Forensic

1. Referring to legal proceedings or formal debate or rhetoric

2. The study or practice of formal debate

Forum

1. The central square or marketplace of a Roman city. (When capitalized, Forum refers specifically to the Forum in ancient Rome.)

2. A public meeting or any situation for open discussion

Lingo

Unfamiliar language; a dialect or special jargon

Lingua franca

A language used by people who do not speak a common tongue; usually combines aspects of different languages

Linguist

1. A person who speaks several languages; a polyglot.

2. A person who studies linguistics, the structure of human speech.

Circumlocution

1. The use of many words when few would do

2. Evasive talk; roundabout expression

Colloquium

A meeting for discussion, especially in an academic setting

Locution

A word or expression; phraseology

Loquacious

Very talkative

Proverbial

1. Of or like a wise or witty folksaying

2. Well-known; notorious; frequently spoken of

Verbatim

Word for word; in exactly the same words

Verbose

Wordy; using excessive words