Marking Period One Study Guide

Aficionado

A person who is very knowledgable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.

Caterwaul

To howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel; harsh or noisy racket, a cry

Chimerical

absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

Cozen

To trick; to cheat or swindle

Exegesis

An explanation or critical interpretation

Folderol

Foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle

Gratis

free; without charge

Hidebound

narrow-minded and rigid; stubborn

Hoi Polloi

The common people, the masses

Ineffable

Not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered

Insouciant

Showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent

Lachrymose

Given to tears or weeping; the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject

Lucubration

Laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work

Macrocosm

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

Microcosm

A mini world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system

Noisome

Offensive or disgusting; foul-smelling; harmful

Obloquy

Public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment

Obfuscate

Render obscure, nuclear, or unintelligible

Panache

Flamboyant confidence of style or manner

Philippic

A bitter attack or denunciation, especially a verbal one

Rapacity

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

Risible

such as to provoke laughter

Sanguine

Having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook

Solecism

A substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake

Supine

Lying flat on ones back; listless or lethargic; apathetic or passive

Vicissitude

A change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

Virtuoso

A brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique

bellwether

The male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader; indicator of trends

Ribald

Irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

Morass

A patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped

Bibulous

Fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent

Aegis

A protection; patronage; sponsorship

Melee

A confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling

Bowdlerize

To remove material considered offensive

Persiflage

Lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

Icon

A representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; a symbol

Gamut

An entire range or series

Bilious

Peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasent

Derring-do

valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits