Vocabulary Workshop Level H Unit 1

adjunct

(n.) something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; (adj.) added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity

synonyms: (n.) associate, addition, accessory

bellwether

(n.) the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends

synonyms: ringleader, initiator, barometer

antonyms: follower, imitator, emulator

caterwaul

(v.) to howl or screen like a cat; to quarrel; (n.) a harsh or noisy cry; a racket

synonyms: (v.) whine; (n.) screech

chimerical

(adj.) absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

synonyms: visionary, quixotic, pie-in-the-sky

antonyms: realistic, down-to-earth, practicable

effete

(adj.) lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out-of-date

synonyms: decadent, enfeebled

antonyms: thriving, burgeoning, vigorous, dynamic

fait accompli

(n.) an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action

synonym: accomplished fact

hidebound

(adj.) narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or predjudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative

synonyms: intolerant, inflexible

antonyms: open-minded, tolerant, progressive, liberal

hierarchy

(n.) any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc

synonym: chain of command

laissez-faire

(adj.) a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference, especially with individual freedom of choice and action

synonyms: noninterventional, nonrestrictive, hands-off

liturgy

(n.) a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

synonym: observance

morass

(n.) a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swap; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped; as in quicksand

synonym: bog

antonyms: solid ground, bedrock, terra firma

noisome

(adj.) offensive or disgusting; foul-smelling; harmful or injurious

synonyms: fetid, noxious, vile, loathsome

antonyms: wholesome, sweet-smelling

oblivious

(adj.) forgetful; unaware

synonym: insensible; antonyms: aware, cognizant, mindful, alert

poltroon

(n.) a base coward

synonyms: craven, dastard, “chicken”

antonyms: stalwart, gallant

proselyte

(n.) a convert; a disciple

synonyms: novice, neophyte

antonyms: master, teacher, guide, guru

quasi

(adj.) resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely

synonyms: kind of, as if

antonyms: totally, completely, actually, in fact

raillery

(n.) good-humored ridicule; teasing

synonym: persiflage

ribald

(adj.) irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

synonym: risqué

antonyms: seemly, proper, decorous

supine

(adj.) lying flat on one’s back; listless or lethargic; aparthetic or passive

synonyms: prone, prostate; inert

antonyms: upright, erect, perpendicular, vertical

vignette

(n.) a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off; a decorative design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter

synonyms: thumbnail sketch, anecdote

antonyms: epic, full-length treatment