Vocab Unit 4.1 - 4.3

euphemism

pleasant, mild, or inoffensive expression substituted for an unpleasant and offensive one

euphoria

feeling of complete well-being, great happiness, bliss

eulogy

speech or writing in praise of someone or something, especially of one who has died

euthanasia

mercy killing, painlessly putting to death someone suffering from a prolonged and incurable condition

tortuous

winding, twisting, full of curves

distort

twist out of shape; give a false or misleading account or discription

retort

sharp, clever, quick reply; reply sharply or cleverly

extort

get by force or threat

simulate

create the affect, appearance, feeling or behavior of

facsimile

exact copy or something closely resembling something else

assimilate

absorb; take in; learn thoroughly

simile

comparison of one thing with another using “like” or “as”

importune

beg, urge, request, repeatedly, sometimes in an annoying way

rapport

harmonious or sympathetic relationship

portly

somewhat heavy, or fat

portend

be a sign, warning, or omen of

epitome

perfect example

dichotomy

division into two parts, often contradictory and mutually exlusive

tome

large, heavy book or volume

entomology

study of insects

anarchy

absence of government or law; confusion, disorder

hierarchy

person or things arranged in a graded series or rank

monarch

ruler or person who holds a dominant position, especially a hereditary ruler like a king, queen, emperor or sultan

matriarch

woman who rules a family, clan, tribe, or group

fidelity

faithfulness, loyalty

perfidy

treachery, betrayal

diffident

lacking self-confidence; timid; unassertive

bona fide

not counterfeit or phony, genuine

coherent

stick, cling (hesitate, coherence, adhesive tape)

incoherent

lacking logical connection, hard to understand