Vocab Final 9th grade sem 1

archaic

No longer used or applicable; ancient

argot

The informal, specialized vocabulary and expressions of a particular group

connotation

Ideas or meanings suggested by a word; associations that go beyond a word's literal meaning

denotation

The most direct or specific meaning of a word

idiom

An expression with a special meaning that cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words; a nonliteral expression

jargon

A specialized vocabulary of a profession or trade

pidgin

A simplified form of speech developed from two or more languages

semantics

The study of meaning and word interpretation

standard

Conforming to the established language used by educated speakers

vernacular

Everyday language, rather than literary language. The native language or dialect of a country, place, or group

atlas

A book or bound collection of maps

epicure

A person with refined taste, especially in food and drink

galvanize

To stimulate or urge into action; to spur

jovial

Jolly; filled with joy or good cheer

nemesis

A source of harm or ruin; an opponent that cannot be defeated. One who inflicts retribution or vengeance

Pyrrhic victory

A victory that is offset by staggering losses or that comes at a huge price

quixotic

Dedicated to unreachable goals; idealistic but not practical

saturnine

Gloomy and sullen

Sisyphean

Requiring endless effort; without result or success

solecism

A nonstandard or improper use of language; a mistake in manners or behavior

behold

To gaze at or look upon

discernment

Excellent judgment and insight; skill in perceiving

envision

To picture in the mind; to imagine

foresee

To see or know ahead of time

gape

To stare in amazement, often with the mouth wide open

impressionistic

Describing a highly personal, individual response to experience. Reflecting a style of painting of the late 19th century that focuses on a personal or momentary view of something.

myopia

Lack of planning for the future; shortsightedness. Nearsightedness; a condition in which distant objects appear blurred.

perceptive

Marked by understanding or awareness; sharp; sensitive

premonition

A feeling that something will happen in the future; an advance warning

subliminal

Below the threshold of conscious thought; not detectable, but able to bring about a response

cessation

A bringing or coming to an end; a halt

commence

To begin

deter

To prevent or discourage from acting, by means of fear or doubt

hamper

To prevent from moving freely or making progress; to limit

obstruction

Something that blocks or gets in the way; an obstacle

preclude

To make impossible or unlikely; to prevent

procrastinate

To delay; to put off doing something

scuttle

To run or move with short, hurried movements; to scurry

subside

To sink to a lower or more normal level. To become less active or intense.

thwart

To prevent from taking place; frustrate; block

apologist

A person who speaks in defense of a person, idea, or a position

dissuade

To discourage from doing something through persuasion

dupe

To take advantage of people by tricking or fooling them

fallacy

A false belief. Faulty or illogical reasoning.

imply

To hint; to suggest indirectly

indisputable

Beyond doubt or question; certain

infer

To draw a conclusion from evidence

red herring

Something that draws attention away from the main issue

refute

To prove to be false or invalid; to deny the accuracy or truth of

substantiate

To support with evidence

accolade

Great praise. An award.

adulation

Adoration; excessive praise or flattery

anathema

Something or someone that is greatly hated and avoided

commend

To give approval or praise

critique

A detailed review; an evaluation

eulogy

A tribute; spoken or written praise, often given in honor of a person who has died

homage

Publicly expressed honor or respect

laudable

Worthy of praise or honor

quibble

To criticize, argue, or raise objections over something

reproach

To criticize or express disapproval

bland

Calming or soothing; not spicy or irritating; lacking flavor. Dull; plain to the point of being boring.

culinary

Related to cooking or kitchens

cutlery

Utensils used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons. Cutting instruments and tools.

devour

To consume or eat up greedily or enthusiastically

morsel

A very small piece; a small treat

pungent

Having a sharp, strong taste or smell. Strong, sharp, and penetrating.

quaff

To drink heartily and deeply

ravenous

Extremely hungry

savory

Pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing. Flavorful; spicy or salty, but not sweet. Morally good or satisfactory; respectable.

simmer

To cook gently in liquid just at or below the boiling point. To be filled with pent up emotions.

blight

To have a negative effect on; to ruin.

cataclysm

An intense and violent disaster or change

decomposition

The process of rotting, breaking down, or disintegration

eradication

The act of tearing out by the roots, or of eliminating as if tearing out by the roots

havoc

Widespread destruction and devastation. Chaos and disorder.

mar

To inflict damage or spoil the quality of

obliterate

To wipe out completely; to do away with, leaving no trace

pugnacious

Combative; eager to fight

pulverize

To pound, crush, or grind into powder or dust

stagnant

Stale and foul because of lack of movement. Lacking progress or vitality.

broach

To bring up a subject for discussion

convene

To assemble formally; to come together officially

debut

To make a first public appearance

embark

To board a plane or ship. To start a major effort; to set out on an adventure.

generate

To create; to bring into being

incipient

Beginning to exist or appear

initiative

A beginning or an introductory step; an opening move. The ability or wish to start something; enterprise; determination.

innovation

Something newly introduced or created

novice

A beginner

overture

A piece of music intended to introduce a longer work. An act or offer showing readiness for a relationship or to negotiate.

devious

Meant to trick; not straightforward; shifty. Departing from the correct or accepted way. Departing from the straight or direct course; roundabout.

duplicity

Deliberate deception in behavior and speech

fictitious

False or fake; adopted or assumed in order to deceive. Imaginary; unreal; relating to fiction.

guile

Sly intelligence; craftiness with the intention to deceive.

gullible

Easily deceived or fooled

hypocritical

Giving a false appearance; saying one thing but doing another

masquerade (verb)

To disguise oneself; to put on a false or deceptive appearance

masquerade (noun)

A disguise or false appearance; a scheme or charade

overt

Open and observable; not hidden or secret

reputable

Having a good reputation; well thought of; honorable or trustworthy