Vocabulary Workshop - Level H - Unit 4

Affinity

(n.) a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection

Bilious

(adj.) peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant

Cognate

(adj.) closely related in origin, essential nature, or function; (n.) such a person or thing

Corollary

(n.) a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; (adj.) resultant or consequent

Cul-de-sac

(n.) a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse

Derring-do

(n.) valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics

Divination

(n.) the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge

Elixir

(n.) a potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely; a panacea; a sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines

Folderol

(n.) foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle

Gamut

(n.) an entire range or series

Hoi polloi

(n.) the common people, the masses

Ineffable

(adj.) not expressible in words; too great or sacred to be uttered

Lucubration

(n.) laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work

Mnemonic

(adj.) relating to or designed to assist the memory; (n.) a device to aid the memory

Obloquy

(n.) public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment

Parameter

(n.) a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary

Pundit

(n.) a learned person; one that gives authoritative opinions

Risible

(adj.) pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable

Symptomatic

(adj.) typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease

Volte-face

(n.) an about-face; a complete reversal