Unit 4 Vocab Ms Wells ALL OF IT.

Dance with the one who brung you

Idiom- Stay loyal to whoever or whatever is working well for you; don’t change up a situation that has proven to be successful.

Dénouement

Noun- The resolution of a series of events, usually in reference to a literary work.

Dilettante

Noun-Someone who cultivates an area of interest in the arts without real commitment or knowledge.

Ingénue

Noun-The character of an innocent young woman; an actress who plays such parts.

Kinderschema

Noun-A set of childlike physical characteristics that humans are naturally drawn towards.

Oeuvre

Noun-The complete works of a writer, painter, musician, or other type of artist.

Passé

Adj- No longer fashionable, in wide use, etc.; out-of-date; outmoded.

Pièce de Résistance

Noun-The most remarkable feature of a product/process, especially with reference to creative work or a meal.

Schmaltz

Noun-Exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or art.

Zeitgeist

Noun-The general cultural climate of an era; literally means 'spirit of the times'.

Busk

Verb- To entertain by performing on the street or in a public place.

Caterwaul

Verb- To utter long wailing cries, as a cat would; to howl or screech.

Hackneyed

Adj-Lacking in freshness or originality; stale.

Homage

Noun-An expression of respect in a creative work, often from one artist to another.

Lackluster

Adj- Lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality.

Literati

Noun-Well-educated people who are interested in literature and the arts.

Magnum opus

Noun-The most celebrated work of a writer or artist.

Maven

Noun-An expert or connoisseur.

Sonorous

Adj-Loud, deep, or resonant, as a sound.

Tome

Noun-A book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book.

Mellifluous

Adj-Sweet-sounding or smoothly flowing.

Abut

(Verb) To touch or join at an edge or border

Antediluvian

(Adjective) Very old and/or old-fashioned

Boondoggle

(Noun) Work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value

Confabulate

(Verb) To converse informally; chat

Dog days of summer

(Noun phrase) The period between early July and early September when it is especially hot in the northern hemisphere

Flibbertigibbet

(Noun) A chattering or flighty, frivolous person

Glitterati

(Noun) Wealthy, famous, or glamorous people who attend fashionable events

Kibosh (put the kibosh on…)

(Noun) Something that serves as a check or stop

Lollygag

(Verb) To spend time idly; to loaf

Mollycoddle

(Verb) To pamper, spoil, or indulge

Moxie

(Noun) Energy and pep combined with a can-do attitude

Prig

(Noun) An irritating person who observes trivial rules to an obnoxious degree

Rigmarole (Rigamarole)

(Noun) A long, complicated, and annoying process or procedure

Sesquipedalian

(Adjective) Referring to a word containing many syllables

Shambolic

(Adjective) Completely disorganized; chaotic

Spelunk

(Verb) To explore caves

Skitter

(Verb) To move in a jittery or jerky way; to move quickly and lightly across a surface (especially small animals or insects)

Tintinnabulation

(Noun) The sound of bells ringing

Troglodyte

(Noun) A prehistoric cave dweller

Yawp

(Verb/Noun) To utter a loud, harsh cry; to yelp or squawk

The world is [your] oyster

(Idiom) You are in a position to take advantage of the opportunities that life has to offer

To burn the candle at both ends

(Idiom) To do more than one ought to; to overextend oneself (often by going to bed late and getting up early, especially to get work done)

Weltschmerz

(Noun) Mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual condition of the world to an ideal condition

Anhedonia

(Noun) An inability to feel enjoyment or pleasure

Beleaguer

(Verb) To surround, besiege, or beset with troubles

Chagrin

(Noun) Mental distress caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure

Eke

(Verb) To manage to do something with great difficulty (usually used with “out”)

Forsake

(Verb) To abandon or renounce a habit, way of life, belief, etc.

Haggard

(Adjective) Having a worn or exhausted appearance, as from prolonged suffering, exertion, or anxiety

Iffy

(Adjective) Full of uncertainty; questionable

Irk

(Verb) To irritate, annoy, or exasperate

Jettison

(Verb) To throw something overboard in order to lighten a vessel or improve its stability in an emergency; to abandon a burden or obligation

Madcap

(Adjective) Wildly impulsive or reckless

Mar

(Verb) To spoil to a certain extent; render less perfect, attractive, or useful

Mollify

(Verb) To soothe or pacify someone

Ramshackle

(Adjective) Carelessly or loosely constructed; appearing ready to collapse; rickety

Reeling

(Adjective) In a state of mental or emotional shock; staggering or swaying

Slapdash

(Adjective) In a hasty, haphazard manner

Snafu

(Noun) A badly confused or miscalculated situation

Succumb

(Verb) To yield to a superior force or an overpowering desire

Tragedy of the Commons

(Phrase) A situation where a shared resource or space is depleted and/or damaged because no one takes responsibility for it

Wig out

(Verb) To react or behave in an irrational, erratic way; to panic or freak out

To look a gift horse in the mouth

(Idiom) To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor (usually used as “don’t look…”).

Caveat

(Noun) A cautionary detail or warning

Caveat emptor

(Phrase) Let the buyer beware (b/c the quality of what they’re buying is suspect)

Modus operandi

(Noun) Mode of operating or working (frequently abbreviated as “M.O.”)

Ambulatory

(Adjective) Capable of walking

Somnambulist

(Noun) Sleepwalker

Antithesis

(Noun) The direct opposite (usually followed by “of” or “to”)

Breezy

(Adjective) Light, casual, and/or nonchalant in tone

Circuitous

(Adjective) (Of a route or journey) longer than the most direct way; roundabout

Diffident

(Adjective) Lacking confidence in one's self or abilities

Duplicity

(Noun) Deceitfulness or double

Effusive

(Adjective) Marked by the expression of excessive enthusiasm

Ephemeral

(Adjective) Lasting a very short time; short

Equivocal

(Adjective) Allowing for different interpretations, especially with intent to deceive

Fastidious

(Adjective) Excessively particular or demanding; characterized by excessive care or delicacy

Insidious

(Adjective) Proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect

Magnanimous

(Adjective) Showing nobility and great generosity

Obtuse

(Adjective) Lacking sharpness or sensibility; not aware or observant

Portmanteau

(Noun) A word whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more other words

Sidle

(Verb) To move sideways or approach from the side (often used with “up” or “over”)

Solipsism

(Noun) Extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's interests and ideas; extreme self

Unabashed

(Adjective) Not ashamed or apologetic; boldly certain of oneself

Glom (onto)

(Verb) To figuratively grab or seize control of someone/something

Faux

Adjective-Artificial or imitation; fake

Ersatz

Adjective-Artificial and inferior as a substitute

Haute couture

Noun-High fashion

Aubergine

Noun/Adjective-A dark purplish color; eggplant

Bespoke

Adjective-Made to individual order; custom-made (usually referring to clothing)

Blanch

Verb-To become pale, as with sickness or fear

Doff

Verb-To take off a hat in greeting or as a sign of respect; to remove an article of clothing

Festoon

Verb-to decorate or adorn

Garb

Noun-A type of clothing, especially of a distinctive, uniform kind

Garish

Adjective-Tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate, as clothes or decoration

In the black

Phrase-Operating at a profit or being out of debt

In the red

Phrase-Operating at a loss or being in debt

Spiffy

Adjective-Fine or smart looking, especially in terms of style (outfit, haircut, decor, etc.)

Palette

Noun-The range of colors used by a particular artist, designer, or individual