Unit 3 Level H Vocab

Ancillary (definition and sentence)

Subordinate or supplementary

Properties may also feature an ancillary unit alongside main structures like a pool or deck.

Synonym(s) for Ancillary

auxiliary, accessory

Antonym(s) for Ancillary

central, key, primary, principal, main

Bowdlerize (definition and sentence)

To remove material considered offensive (from a book, play, film, etc.)

Some critics felt the movie studio tried to bowdlerize the classic book by cutting out all the dark and difficult themes.

Synonym(s) for Bowdlerize

purge, expurgate

Condescend (definition and sentence)

To come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner

If you condescend to someone while trying to teach them something, they will probably be too insulted to listen to the lesson.

Synonym(s) for Condescend

talk down to

Cozen (definition and sentence)

To trick; to cheat or swindle

Her uncle cozened her out of her inheritance.

Synonym(s) for Cozen

dupe, deceive, beguile, inveigle

Enclave (definition and sentence)

An enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character

Security guards stand at the gate of the wealthy gated enclave.

Synonym(s) for Enclave

island, subgroup

Forte (definition and sentence)

A person's strong point; what a person does best

Finances have never been my forte, so I hired an accountant.

Synonym(s) for Forte

gift, aptitude, specialty

Antonym(s) for Forte

weakness, foible

Gratis (definition and sentence)

Free; without charge

The homeless shelter provides food gratis for needy individuals.

Synonym(s) for Gratis

on the house

Icon (definition and sentence)

A representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

The Eiffel Tower is a famous French icon.

Synonym(s) for Icon

emblem

Interstice (definition and sentence)

A small, narrow space between things or parts of things

Bright sunshine filtered through the interstice of the arching trees.

Synonym(s) for Interstice

gap, slot, crevice, interval, lacuna

Macrocosm (definition and sentence)

The universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something

Studying the distant galaxies helps astronomers understand the vast macrocosm of outer space.

Synonym(s) for Macrocosm

cosmos, entirety

Antonym(s) for Macrocosm

model, miniature, microcosm

Mountebank (definition and sentence)

A trickster or swindler; a charlatan

The traveling mountebank sold fake magic potions to the trusting villagers.

Synonym(s) for Mountebank

imposter, quack

Antonym(s) for Mountebank

dupe, "mark", "pigeon"

Paean (definition and sentence)

A song of praise, joy, or triumph

After winning the battle, the warriors gathered around and sung a paean.

Synonym(s) for Paean

ode, anthem

Antonym(s) for Paean

dirge, elegy, threnody

Persiflage (definition and sentence)

Lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

At the office holiday party, the persiflage at our table kept everyone laughing through the long speeches.

Synonym(s) for Persiflage

banter, jesting, badinage

Plethora (definition and sentence)

Overfullness; superabundance; superfluity

The library has a plethora of books to choose from.

Synonym(s) for Plethora

surplus, glut, excess

Antonym(s) for Plethora

shortage, paucity, dearth, scarcity

Pragmatic (definition and sentence)

Concerned with practical considerations or values; dealing with actions and results rather than with abstract theory; stiff in one's opinions

His pragmatic view of public education comes from years of working in city schools.

Synonym(s) for Pragmatic

down-to-earth

Antonym(s) for Pragmatic

impractical, visionary

Quizzical (definition and sentence)

Puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal

The doctor gave me a quizzical look when I told him I was pregnant.

Synonym(s) for Quizzical

peculiar, perplexed, mystified, derisive

Antonym(s) for Quizzical

unequivocal, unambiguous

Rapacity (definition and sentence)

Inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

History shows the terrible rapacity of invading armies looting the ancient city.

Synonym(s) for Rapacity

avarice, cupidity, voraciousness

Antonym(s) for Rapacity

liberality, altruism

Schism (definition and sentence)

A formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions

The schism between my two best friends put me in the awkward position of having to choose one over the other.

Synonym(s) for Schism

rift

Antonym(s) for Schism

reconciliation

Therapeutic (definition and sentence)

Having the power to heal or cure; beneficial

She said "shopping can be very therapeutic."

Synonym(s) for Therapeutic

salutary, salubrious

Antonym(s) for Therapeutic

harmful, injurious, deleterious

Virtuoso (definition and sentence)

A brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique; masterly or brilliant

He is not just a chef, but a culinary virtuoso in the kitchen.

Synonym(s) for Virtuoso

expert, prodigy, maestro

Antonym(s) of Virtuoso

amateur, beginner, novice, mediocre