English 10H - unit 4 vocab

Acuity (noun)

sharpness (particularly of the mind or sense)

synonyms: brilliance, perceptiveness

Depraved (adjective)

marked by evil and corruption, devoid of moral principles

synonyms: shameless, sinful

Esoteric (adjective)

intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

synonyms: mystical, arcane

Figment (noun)

a fabrication of the mind

synonyms: daydream, fantasy

Garner (verb)

to acquire as the result of effort; to gather and store away, as for future use

synonyms: amass, pick up

Idiosyncrasy (noun)

a peculiarity that serves to distinguish or identify

synonyms: mannerism, eccentricy

mundane (adjective)

earthly, worldly, relating to practical and material affairs; concerned with what is ordinary

synonyms: normal, prosaic

penchant (noun)

a strong attraction or inclination

synonyms: affection, tendency

sumptuous (adjective)

costly, rich, magnificent

synonyms: gorgeous, lavish

ubiquitous (adjective)

present or existing everywhere

synonyms: omnipresent, universal

agnostic (noun), (adjective)

one who believes that nothing can be known about god; a skeptic

without faith, skeptical

synonyms: unbeliever, doubter

effigy (noun)

a crude image of a despised person

synonyms: likeness, statue

equity (noun)

the state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim

synonyms: fairness, integrity

inane (adjective)

silly, empty of meaning or value

synonyms: empty, foolish

indubitable (adjective)

certain, not to be doubted or denied

synonyms: apparent, undeniable

intermittent (adjective)

stopping and beginning again, sporadic

synonyms: infrequent, occasional

moot (adjective)

of little or no practical value of meaning; purely academic

synonyms: debatable, unresolved

motif (noun)

a principle idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design

synonyms: concept, pattern

neophyte (noun)

a new convert, beginner, novice

synonyms: newcomer, rookie

perspicacity (noun)

keenness in observing and understanding

synonyms: discrimination, perception

plenary (adjective)

complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members

synonyms: inclusive, open

surveillance (noun)

a watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined observation

synonyms: examination, inspection

sylvan (adjective)

pertaining to characteristic of forests; living or located in a forest; wooded, woody

synonyms: rustic, shady

testy (adjective)

easily irritated; characterized by impatience and exasperation

synonyms: quarrelsome, uptight

travesty (noun)

a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation

synonyms: exaggeration, satire