THE VOCABULARY BUILDER WORKBOOK

preamble

an introduction to a text

presage

to indicate something (usually bad) is about to happen

prescient

Having knowledge of something before it happens

predilection

a special fondness

precipitate

Rash, acting without thinking

predicate

To be based on

Presenntiment

A feeling that something (typically bad) is about to happen

Precedent

Something that sets an example for how things are done in the future

Pretentious

Acting more important than others by pretending to know more

Pretense

A claim or assertion not based on fact

Predecessor

One that comes before, often a person who previously held a position before passing it on to someone else

Precursor

Something that comes before another; used only for things, not for people

Pretext

A reason given for something that is not the actual reason.

Precocious

Developing early (usually in terms of ability)

Preclude

To make it impossible for something to happen

Tantalize

To torment someone with something they want without ever giving it to them

Pyrrhic

Describing a victory that comes with a heavy cost

Laconic

Using as few words as possible when speaking

Draconian

Extremely strict, as laws or rules

Jeremiad

A long speech full of complaints

Cicerone

A guide who gives speeches to sightseers

Nemesis

One who constantly works to ensure another’s downfall

Platonic

Describes a close relationship that has no romantic or sexual basis

Thespian

An actor

Spartan

Lacking in comfort or flourishes (describing either a lifestyle or accomodations)

Juggernaut

An unstoppable, destructive force or thing

Maudlin

Overly self-pitying, often used to describe someone who becomes sentimental whhen intoxicated.

Hector

To bully (usually through words)

nonchalant

Giving off a sense of calmness or coolness

adroit

skillful, either mentally or with one’s hands

chicanery

Trickery or deception, usually in politics or where money is involved

demur

to object to do something

insouciant

Showing a lack of concern or interest

arriviste

A person who is extremely ambitious and has recently acquired wealth or power

parvenu

A person who has recently gained status or celebrity

rapport

Understanding and similar feelings that exist between people or groups

passe

No longer in fashion; outdated

cache

A collection of items hidden or stored away for future use

raconteur

A skilled storyteller

sortie

An attack from a defensive position.

gauche

clumsy and socially awkward

sangfroid

utter calmness and composure, especially under pressure

liaison

a person who helps two parties communicate

envoy

a messenger, usually on a diplomatic mission

sans

typically a facetious(whimsical) way of saying “without”

filial

Relating to the obligations of a son or daughter

droll

odd and therefore amusing

faux pas

An act or comment with embarrassing social consequences

in lieu of

in place of; substitute

enfant terrible

A person whose commentary or behavior is aimed to shock

tete-a-tete

A private conversation between two people

savoir vivre

A familiarity and ease with polite society

savoir faire

The skill of saying and doing the right thing in social situations

espirt de corps

The spirit of belongingness and pride of a tightly knit group.

poltergeist

A ghost that causes disturbances in the environment

kitsch

Cheap art whose owners are usually unaware of its lack of value

doppleganger

A person who looks remarkably like another person

kaput

No longer functioning, as a device or machine

verboten

Forbidden or prohibited

zeitgeist

The mood of a particular time period as captured by ideas and culture

schanderfreude

delight taken in another’s misfortune

bildungsroman

A coming of age story

citadel

A fortress standing above and protecting a city

Burlesque

An exaggerated imitation of something

pastiche

A mixture of elements that do not go well together

Archipelago

A cluster of islands

Salvo

A simultaneous discharge of guns

imbroglio

A complicated/embarrassing situation or mess

Littorial

Located along the shoreline

Bravado

A bold act meant to show off

Manifesto

A document describing the aims of a group

Ruffian

A person inclined to violence and criminal behavior

Dilettante

Someone who develops interest in an area of art or music without being an expert

Cognoscenti

Those who are well versed in a subject

intelligentsia

The intellectuals or highly educated people in a society.

guru

One who is a master in their field

bungalow

A low one story house

pundit

an expert in a specific field

karma

The determination of one’s fate through their actions

mantra

A often repeated slogan or phrase

avatar

The embodiment of an idea in a person

pariah

outcast

wanderlust

A strong and constant desire to travel

comsopolitan

Comfortable and familiar with many different cultures

Insular

Closed off from the rest of the world, unfamiliar with other cultures.

provincial

Narrow-minded, unexposed to different cultures of ideas

jaunt

a journey taken for pleasure

parochial

having a narrow or limited perspective

junket

An extravagant trip, usually funded by the government or some other entity

sedulous

Hardworking and attentive

restive

restless, agitated

peruse

To read carefully

punctilious

Extremely careful about details, to the point of being fussy

equivocate

To be intentionally vague or misleading

predicament

A difficult situation that isn’t easy to escape

prepossessing

attractive and charming

gratuitous

Unwarranted or uncalled for, given the situation

intemperate

Given to excess, typically with regard to drinking alcohol

burnish

to make shiny

quiescent

Describing a state or period of inactivity