Unit 2, Secondary Definitions and Etymology

accent (n.)

a special importance that is given to something

blanket (adj.)

applying to all cases, classes, or situations without exceptions

categorical (adj.)

expressed clearly and with great certainty

discriminate (v.)

to recognize or show a difference between people or things

fashion (v.)

to make

forbidding (adj.)

appearing cold and hostile; threatening

hedge (v.)

to protect against the loss of something, especially money

intimate (v.)

to make known, especially privately or indirectly; to hint

novel (adj.)

markedly new, unusual, or different

reserved (adj.)

slow or unwilling to show feelings or express opinions

benefactor (n.)

a person who gives something such as money to help a person or an organization

beneficent (adj.)

showing kindness; generous

benevolent (adj.)

kind, helpful, and generous

benign (adj.) (2 def.)

(1) showing kindness or gentleness (2) not dangerous or likely to cause death

malapropism (n.)

an amusing mistake someone makes when they use a word which sounds similar to the word they wanted to use, but means something different

malcontent (n.)

a person who is not satisfied with a situation and who complains or causes trouble as a result

malefactor (n.)

a person who does wrong, illegal, or immoral things

malevolent (adj.)

having or showing a desire to harm other people

malfeasance (n.)

wrongdoing, especially by a public official

malinger (v.)

to pretend to be sick, especially in order to avoid work