vocabulary

vocab words from grandpa

Xenophobia

dislike of/prejudice against people from other countries

Arbitration

The use of an arbitrator to settle a dispute

“Arbitrator“: impartial third party ex: judge, referee

autonomy

the capacity for self-determination, independence, and freedom to make one's own decisions or govern oneself without external control

belligerent

hostile and aggressive

bombast

high sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people

coup

a sudden violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government

decrepit

(of a person) elderly and infirm

deluge

inundate with great quantity of something

discombobulated

confused and disconcerted

dumbfounded

greatly astonished or amazing

enmity

a state of feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to something or someone

entice

attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage

equivalent

equal in value, amount, function, meaning, etc.

exculpatory

describes something that tends to clear someone from fault, blame or guilt

formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

gobsmacked

utterly astonished; astounded

hegemony

leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others

malice

the intention or desire to do evil; ill will

petulant

(of a person) childishly, sulky or bad-tempered

plenary

(of a meeting) to be attended by all participants who otherwise meet in smaller groups

precedent

an earlier event of action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances

profusely

to a great degree; in large amounts

prolific

(of a plant, animal, or person) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring

propagate

breed specimens of (a plant or animal) by natural processes from the parent stock

protestations

an emphatic declaration that something is or is not the case

pungent

having a sharply, strong taste or smell

recognizance

a bond by which a person undertakes before a court or magistrate or observe some condition, especially to appear when summoned

reconciliation

the restoration of friendly relations

reconnoiter

make a military observation of (a region)

redundant

not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous

redundancy

a state or being not or no longer needed or useful

repugnant

extremely distasteful; unacceptable

petulant

(of a person or a moment) childishly sulky or bad-tempered

scion

a descendant of a notable family

servile

having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others

succor

assistance and support in times of hardship and distress

supposition

an uncertain belief

trepidation

a feeling of fear of agitation about something that may happen

unprecedented

never done or known before

vehement

showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate or intense

vociferous

(especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous

platitude

a statement/remark, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful

sovereign

a supreme ruler or monarch

unequivocal

in a way that leaves no doubt

anathema

something or someone that one vehemently dislikes

fortuitous

happening by accident or chance rather than design

plethora

a large or excessive amount of something

acumen a-kyu-men

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions

affirmation

affirming something; encouraging statement

ascertain

find (something) our for certain; make sure of

conundrum

a confusing/difficult problem/question

credulous

having/showing too great a readiness to believe things

deference

humble submission and respect

diaspora

the spread of a people from their original homeland

disingenuous

not candid /sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less than something that they actually do

ebullient

cheerful and full of energy

eviscerate

disembowel (verb)/deprive something of it’s essential content

halcyon

denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence

hyperbole

exaggerate statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

ideologue

a adherent of an ideology, especially one who is uncompromising and dogmatic

idyllic

extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque

incredulous

unwilling or unable to believe something

interlocutor

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation

lickspittle

a person who behaves obsequiously those in power

magnanimous

generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person

mercurial

subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

myriad

a countless or extremely great number

obfuscation

the action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible

obsequious

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

perfidy

decietfulness; untrustworthiness

despotism

the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.

usurpations

the wrongful, illegal, or unauthorized seizures of power, authority, property, or rights belonging to another

deciduous

(of a tree or shrub) shedding it’s leaves annually

recitative

a style of delivery in opera, oratorio, and cantatas that mimics the rhythm and natural inflection of spoken language to advance the plot, acting as sung dialogue rather than melodic song