CP English Honors 1 - Vocabulary M-O

objective

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; fact-based

obliterate

to destroy completely

obscure

not well-known or difficult to understand

obsolete

no longer in use; out of date

obtrusive

noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way

obtuse

slow to understand; lacking sharpness or intellect

octave

a series of eight notes in a musical scale

ogle

to look at in a way that suggests sexual interest

ominous

suggesting that something bad will happen

omniscient

all-knowing

omnivorous

eating both plants and animals

oncology

the branch of medicine that deals with cancer

opportunist

a person who takes advantage of situations for personal gain, often without considering ethics

optimum

the best or most effective condition or level

opaque

not able to be seen through; not transparent

narcissism

excessive self-love or self-centeredness

nautical

relating to the sea or navigation

nefarious

wicked or criminal

negate

to nullify or make ineffective

nemesis

an opponent or enemy that is difficult to defeat

neophyte

a beginner or novice

nepotism

favoritism shown to relatives, especially by giving them jobs

neurotic

having anxiety or obsessive behaviors

nihilism

the belief that life is meaningless and that there are no moral values

nirvana

a state of perfect happiness or peace, often used in Buddhist context

nocturnal

active during the night

nomad

a person who moves from place to place without a permanent home

nomenclature

the system of naming things in a particular field

nonpartisan

not biased or affiliated with any political party

nostalgia

a sentimental longing for the past

marginal

of little importance or significance

malcontents

people who are dissatisfied or discontented

mediated

acted as an intermediary in negotiations or conflict resolution

median

the middle value in a set of data

mandate

an official order or command

malady

a disease or illness

malevolent

having or showing a desire to harm others

malignant

harmful or dangerous, especially in relation to cancer

manifesto

a public declaration of beliefs, policies, or intentions

merger

the combination of two or more companies into one

mercenaries

soldiers who fight for money rather than loyalty

martyr

someone who suffers or dies for a cause

meander

to wander aimlessly or without purpose

melee

a chaotic, confused fight or struggle

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity

marauders

people who raid or plunder

maladjusted

not able to adjust to normal social environments

maritime

related to the sea or ocean

mediocre

average or not very good

meticulous

showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise