Vocabulary from Classical Roots: Lessons 9, 10, and 11

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering all 45 key words and their definitions from Lessons 9, 10, and 11 of Vocabulary from Classical Roots.

apogee

1. The point in its orbit when a planet or satellite (usually the moon) is farthest from the earth. 2. The highest point; culmination; apex.

geocentric

1. Referring to the center of the earth in measurement or observation. 2. Considering the earth as the center of a planetary system.

perigee

The point in its orbit when a planet or a satellite (usually the moon) is nearest the earth.

inter

To bury; to place in a grave.

terra cotta

Ceramic clay used in pottery, statuary, and construction (noun); referring to the reddish-brown color of the clay (adjective).

terrestrial

1. Pertaining to the earth and its inhabitants. 2. Referring to land as distinct from water or air.

exhume

1. To dig out of the ground or from a grave; to disinter. 2. To bring to light; to uncover.

humus

Rich, dark organic material formed by decay of vegetable matter, essential to soil's fertility.

mountebank

A swindler; a charlatan; a trickster.

paramount

Of chief importance; primary; foremost.

promontory

A high ridge of land jutting into a body of water; a headland.

pastoral

1. Pertaining to a Christian minister or the duties accompanying the office. 2. Referring to life in open country or to fields for farming or grazing. 3. Pertaining to an idealized rural life.

repast

A meal; food served at a meal.

rustic

Typical of country life and people; simple; rough (adjective); a rural person (noun).

rusticate

To go to the country (intransitive verb); to cause to become rustic (transitive verb).

animus

1. A powerful feeling of hostility or antagonism; hatred. 2. An animating spirit.

equanimity

Composure and calm in stressful conditions; equilibrium.

pusillanimous

Cowardly; fearful.

ether

1. The regions of space beyond the earth's atmosphere; the heavens. 2. A highly flammable liquid anesthetic.

ethereal

1. Spiritlike in lightness and delicacy. 2. Heavenly; celestial.

diaphanous

Allowing light to show through; translucent; delicate.

epiphany

1. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being. 2. A revelation; a flash of understanding of the true nature of something. 3. (capitalized) A Christian festival, January 6, celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ Child.

phantasm

A phantom; an apparition; something unreal, as in a dream or a vision.

sycophant

A flatterer seeking favors or gain; a servile self-seeker.

aspiration

1. Strong desire for achievement; ambition toward a long-range goal. 2. Expulsion of breath in speaking.

dispirited

Dejected; discouraged; gloomy.

hyperbole

An exaggeration; a figure expressing excess.

hyperborean

1. Far north; Arctic. 2. Very cold; frigid.

hyperventilation

The condition of taking abnormally fast, deep breaths.

vent

An outlet; an opening for passage of liquids, fumes, or sometimes air (noun); to utter; to express, especially in relieving strong feelings (transitive verb).

fervid

Full of intense passion or zeal.

effervescent

1. Bubbling up from a liquid. 2. Very excited; bubbling over with high spirits.

conflagration

A large and destructive fire.

flagrant

Shockingly evident; outrageously conspicuous.

inflammatory

1. Arousing strong emotion, especially anger or hostility. 2. Pertaining to redness, swelling, or pain following an infection or injury.

flamboyant

Colored or decorated in a showy way; having a showy appearance or manner.

incendiary

Designed or intended to cause a fire; tending to stir up strife (adjective); a person who maliciously burns his or her own or another's property for monetary advantage (noun).

incense

To infuriate; to enrage.

caustic

1. Able to burn or eat away by chemical action. 2. Sarcastic; marked by a biting wit.

cauterize

To burn with a hot iron or a chemical to destroy abnormal tissue and/or to stop infection and/or bleeding.

pyre

A pile of wood, etc., for burning a corpse as part of a funeral rite; any pile of combustible materials.

pyrotechnics

1. A display of fireworks. 2. A spectacular display of virtuosity in music, writing, wit, or other accomplishment.

pyromania

A compulsion to set things on fire.

scintilla

A very small amount; a bit; an iota.

scintillate

1. To give off sparks; to flash; to sparkle. 2. To be animated or brilliant.

FERVO, FERVERE, FERVI

Latin, “to be”

FLAGRO

Latin, “to glow”, “to burn”, “to blaze”

INCENDO INCENDERE

Latin, “to set on fire”

KAIEIN

Greek, “to burn”

PUR

Greek, “fire”

SCINTILLA

Latin, “spark”

ANIMA

Latin, “wind,” “air”

ANIMUS (root)

Latin, “mind”, “soul”

AETHER

Latin: “upper air”, “clear sky”

AITHER

Greek: “air”

PHAINEIN

Greek: “to show”, “to appear”

SPIRITUS

Latin: “breath”

SPIRO

Latin: “to blow gently”

HUPER

Greek: “over”, “above”

VENTUS

Latin: “wind”

GAIA

Greek: “the earth”

TERRA

Latin: “earth”, “land”, “ground”

HUMUS

Latin: “earth”

MONS, MONTIS

Latin: “mountain”

PASO, PASCERE

Latin: “to feed” (esp.cattle); “to nourish”

RUS

Latin: “open land”, “country”