Lesson 2

ameliorate

(v) to relieve, as from pain or hardship

amity

(n) friendship

amorphous

(adj) without determinate shape

anachronism

(n) anything occuring or existing out of its proper time

analogous

(adj) corresponding (to something else) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations

analogy

(n) an explanation of something by comparing it point by point with something similar

antediluvian

(adj) of the time before the biblical flood; very old; old-fashioned; or primitive

anthropomorphous

(adj) having or resembling human form

apocryphal

(adj) of doubtful authorship or authenticity; bit genuine

apostasy

(n) a total departure from one’s faith or religion

archaic

(adj) antiquated; old-fashioned

atrophy

(n) a wasting away

austere

(adj) having a severe or stern look, manner, etc; very plain, lacking ornament or luxury

avarice

(n) too great a desire to have wealth; greed

banal

(adj) commonplace; dull or stale as because of overuse; trite

bane

(n) the cause of distress, death, or ruin

baneful

(adj) causing distress, death, or ruin

bedlam

(n) madhouse; a place, scene, or state of uproar and confusion

bellicose

(adj) of a quarrelsome or hostile nature; eager to fight; warlike

belligerent

(adj) inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness

belittle

(v) to disparage; to make a person or thing seem little or less; to speak slightingly of

benevolent

(adj) doing or inclined to do good; kindly; charitable

blithe

(adj) 1. of a lighthearted character or disposition; joyous


2. lacking due thought or consideration; heedless; too casual, careless or thoughtless

brusque

(adj) blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness; marjedly short and abrupt

buffoon

(n) a ludicrous figure; a clown

cacophony

(n) harsh, jarring sound or combo of sounds

cadaverous

(adj) resembling a corpse (pale, ghastly, gaunt, or haggard); of or like a corpse

cajole

(v) to persuade with flattery or genty urging, especially in the face of reluctance

capitulate

(v) to surrender; give up

capricious

(adj) tending to change abruptly and without apparent reason