APLAC Vocab 3

chimerical definition

adj. given to wildly impossible plans, unrealistic, fantastic, impractical

chimerical word history

Greek mythology

Chimera- a fantastical beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent

chimerical synonyms

imaginary, fanciful, quixotic

chimerical related words

utopian, illusory

chimerical contrasted words

pragmatic, mundane

asinine definition

adj. stupid or silly

asinine etymology

Latin

asinus- ass/donkey

* Middle English

ars- posterior

asse- donkey

asinine synonyms

foolish, mindless, idiotic, ridiculous, absurd, inane

asinine related words

fatuous, puerile, ludicrous, crass

asinine contrasted words

sage, prudent, judicious

bellwether definition

n. leader

bellwether word history/etymology

English

wether- sheep

bellwether- a castrated male sheep wearing a bell around its neck, leading the rest of the pack

bellwether synonyms

pacesetter, pacemaker, vanguard

limbo definition

n. place or state of neglect; period awaiting change; in-between state

limbo word history/etymology

Latin

limbus- border

Christianity- belief that unbaptized but sinless infants or holy people pre-Jesus go to a place called limbo, bordering hell but without torture

limbo synonyms

neglect, transition, oblivion

plagiarize definition

v. use ideas or writings of another and present them as one's own

plagiarize etymology/word history

Latin

plaga- net

plagiarus- sea raider, kidnapper

plagiarize syonyms

copy, steal, rob, purloin

titanic definition

adj. enormous in size or strength

titanic word history

Greek mythology

Titans preceded the gods, were giants with super strength

titanic synonyms

gigantic, huge, enormous, prodigious

titanic related words

colossal, gargantuan, mammoth

titanic contrasted words

diminutive, miniscule, minute

irony definition

n. expression that means the opposite of what is stated; event or result the opposite of what is expected

irony etymology/word history

Greek- ancient Greek drama

eiron- trickster character who would feign ignorance

eironeia- tricks

irony synonyms

contradiction, mockery, sarcasm

irony related words

satire, cynicism, paradox

irony contrasted words

bluntness, frankness, candor

effete definition

adj. worn-out, unproductive, barren

effete etymology

Latin

ef- out

fetus- having produced

effetus- worn out by bearing, exhausted

effete synonyms

unproductive, exhausted, feeble, decadent

effete related words

sterile, enervated, impotent, degenerate

effete contrasted words

flourishing, prolific, fecund, vital

hyperbole definition

n. obviously extravagant statement or assertion

hyperbole etymology

Greek

hyper- beyond

bol- throw

hyperbole- exaggeration

hyperbole synonyms

overstatement, rhetorical exaggeration

hyperbole related words

embellishment, amplification

hyperbole contrasted words

understatement, litotes

diabolic definition

adj. outrageously wicked, cruel, devilish

diabolic etymology

Greek

dia- across

bol- throw

diabolos- slanderer

diabolic synonyms

evil, fiendish, demonic, satanic, infernal

diabolic related words

nefarious, execrable, heinous, iniquitous, impious, Mephistophelian

diabolic contrasted words

pious, virtuous, benevolent, humane