Marple Vocab Set 1

Part 1 of full year vocab

Code-switching (noun)

the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation

Catharsis (noun)

the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions

Aside (noun)

a remark or passage in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play

Soliloquy (noun)

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play

Dramatic irony (noun)

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect

Foil (noun)

a person or thing that contrasts with and so emphasizes and enhances the qualities of another

Apropos (adjective)

to purpose; With reference to; concerning; appropriate to a particular situation

Ad hoc (adjective)

for this; when necessary or needed

Fait accompli (noun)

accomplished fact; something that has already been decided, so accept it

Pro forma (adjective)

as a matter of form; done as a formality or politeness

Carpe diem (phrase)

Seize the day ; “Yolo!”

Et cetera (phrase)

and the rest

Et alia (phrase)

and others; Used at the end of the list to infer there are more people listed

Cum laude (phrase)

with praise; Graduating college with distinction

Curriculum Vitae (noun)

course of life; A long résumé

Mea culpa (phrase)

by my fault

Persona non grata (noun)

an unwelcome person

Status quo (noun)

the existing state; current state, particularly with political issues

Per se (adverb)

by itself

Quid Pro Quo (noun)

Something for something; an exchange

Ad nauseum (adverb)

to sickness; Repeated annoyingly

Ad hominem (adjective)

to the man; Attacking the person rather than their argument

Pro Bono (adjective)

for the public good; Legal work done for free

Veni vidi vici (phrase)

I came, I saw, I conquered

Verbatim (adverb)

word; Repeating something exactly word for word

Vice Versa (adverb)

in-turned position; the other way around

A la carte (adjective)

according to the menu; food on a menu that can be ordered individually, not a buffet or set menu

C'est la vie (phrase)

that’s life

Bon appetit (phrase)

good appetite; “Have a good meal!”

Bon voyage (phrase)

good journey; Have a good trip!

Carte blanche (noun)

blank paper; Complete freedom to do as you wish

Coup d’etat (noun)

blow of state; an illegal overthrowing of the government

Creme de la creme (noun)

cream of the cream; the best of the best; preeminent

Deja Vu (noun)

already seen; A feeling of already having seen or done something before

Faux Pas (noun)

false step; an embarrassing act; gaffe

Hors D'oeuvre (noun)

outside of work; appetizer

Laissez Faire (noun)

allow to do; A policy or attitude of letting things take their own course without interfering

Rendezvous (noun)

present yourself; a meeting or appointment

Touché (interjection)

touched; Used as an acknowledgement during a discussion of a good or clever point

Pariah (noun)

an outcast; persona non grata (9th grade SAT 1)

Cantankerous (adjective)

bad-tempered; ornery; grumpy

Rote (noun)

mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned; automatically; mindlessly

Debutant (noun)

a person making a first appearance; rookie

Penultimate (adjective)

the second to last one in a series

Obsequious (adjective)

excessively obedient or complimentary; sycophantic; subservient; oleaginous; submissive

Spontaneity (noun)

the condition of being spontaneous

Sanguine (adjective)

optimistic or positive, especially in a difficult situation

Perfunctory (adjective)

(of an action or gesture) carried out with minimum effort; cursory; brief; hasty

Gallivant (verb)

to go around from place to place for fun; roam; travel; wander

Capricious (adjective)

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; variable; unpredictable; volatile; changeable (volatile SAT 1; mercurial SAT 5)

Despot (noun)

a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way; tyrant; dictator; autocrat

Utilitarian (adjective)

designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive; functional; effective; useful

Troglodyte (noun)

(literally) a caveman; hermit; (informally) somebody intentionally ignorant or old-fashioned

Brooding (adjective)

showing deep unhappiness of thought

Brood (verb)

think deeply about something that makes one unhappy

Incredulity (noun)

the state of being unwilling to believe something; lack of belief; dubiousness

Incredulous (adjective)

(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something; dubious; doubtful

Bellicose (adjective)

demonstrating aggression or willingness to fight; pugnacious (OMM); hostile; combative; antagonistic

Dapper (adjective)

(typically of a man) neat and trim in dress and appearance; dashing; well-dressed; handsome

Stoic (noun)

a person not showing pain, hardship, nerves, or stress

Cacophony (noun)

a harsh discordant mixture of sounds; din; racket

Candid (adjective)

(1) truthful and straightforward; frank; blunt; open; honest (2) (of a photograph of a person) taken informally; especially without the person’s knowledge

Candor (noun)

the quality of being open and honest; frankness; honesty

Demure (adjective)

reserved, modest, shy

Proverbial (adjective)

(of a word or phrase) referred to in a proverb or idiom

Alacrity (noun)

brisk and cheerful readiness; eagerness; willingness

Mottled (adjective)

marked with spots or smears of color; having a blotchy or speckled appearance

Recumbent (adjective)

lying down; in a resting or reclining position

Bindle (noun)

a bundle of belongings, usually tied in a blanket and carried over the shoulder

Dabbled (verb)

splashed or dipped lightly in liquid; engaged in something in a casual or superficial way

Morose (adjective)

sullen, gloomy, or ill-tempered

Periscope (noun)

an optical instrument used to see things that are otherwise out of sight, often used in submarines

Lumber (verb)

to move in a slow, heavy, awkward way

Elaborate (adj)

detailed and complicated in design or planning

Elaborate (verb)

to develop or present in detail

Pantomime (verb)

expressed or represented something through gestures without speech

Imperious (adjective)

arrogantly domineering or overbearing

Quiver (verb)

to tremble or shake with slight rapid motion

Quiver (noun)

a slight trembling movement

Dejected (adjective)

sad, depressed, or dispirited

Anguish (noun)

severe mental or physical pain or suffering

Anguished (verb/adj)

experiencing intense distress

Craftily (adverb)

skilled in or marked by underhandedness

Yammered (verb)

talked loudly and continuously, often complaining or whining

Pugnacious (adjective)

eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight

Mollify (verb)

to soothe or calm someone’s anger or anxiety

Apprehensive (adjective)

anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen

Reprehensible (adjective)

deserving blame or strong criticism

Cower (verb)

to crouch or shrink away in fear or shame

Ominous (adjective)

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening

Slough (verb)

to kick out, shed or remove; to shed or remove a layer of dead skin

Slough (verb)

to shed or remove (especially skin or outer layer)

Wry (adjective)

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Champ (verb)

to chew noisily or restlessly

Meager (adjective)

lacking in quantity or quality; insufficient

Brusque (adjective)

abrupt or blunt in manner or speech

Contemptuous (adjective)

showing or expressing disdain, scorn, or lack of respect

Indignation (noun)

anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment

Writhe (verb)

to twist or squirm in pain or discomfort

Contort (verb)

to twist or bend out of normal shape