Sadlier-Oxford Vocab Level H - Unit 2

minuscule

(adjective)
very small, tiny
(noun)
a lowercase letter
syn: (adjective) infinitesimal, insignificant
ant: (adjective) huge, massive, monumental

sanguine

(adjective)
having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook
syn: flushed, rosy
ant: bloodless, ashen, pessimistic, gloomy

verisimilitude

(noun)
the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable
syn: realism, lifelikeness, authenticity

aegis

(noun)
protection; patronage; sponsorship
syn: auspices

apprise

(verb)
to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice
syn: acquaint
ant: keep secret, withhold information

bibulous

(adjective)
fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent
syn: inebrious
ant: abstemious, temperate

claque

(noun)
a group of people hired to applaud a performer or performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers; an opera hat
syn: fan club, flatterers
ant: critics, detractors, slanderers

deracinate

(verb)
to pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of
syn: extirpate, eradicate, expunge
ant: implant, nurture, foster, instill

exegesis

(noun)
an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of a text)
syn: analysis, explication
ant: mystification

indigenous

(adjective)
originating in the country or region where found, native; inborn, inherent
syn: endemic, domestic, homegrown
ant: foreign, alien, exoteric, imported

lachrymose

(adjective)
given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious
syn: tearful, doleful, dolorous
ant: dry-eyed, merry, hilarious

lexicon

(noun)
a dictionary of a language; the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject,; a compendium
syn: wordbook, glossary

melee

(noun)
a confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling
syn: fracas, brawl, scuffle, donnybrook
ant: friendly chat, peace and quiet

microcosm

(noun)
a miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system
syn: epitome, world in little
ant: macrocosm, cosmos, totality

obfuscate

(noun)
to darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder
syn: muddy the waters
ant: elucidate, explicate, clarify

paternalism

(noun)
the policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner of a father dealing with his children
syn: benevolence, solicitude, fatherliness

polarize

(verb)
to cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause light to vibrate in a pattern
syn: split, alienate, estrange
ant: unite, unify, reconcile

purview

(noun)
the range, extent, or scope of something, in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute
syn: orbit

solecism

(noun)
a substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake
syn: misusage, blunder

vassal

(noun)
a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant
(adjective)
subservient
syn: (noun) minion; (adjective) servile
ant: (noun) overlord