Vocab List

specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong

quantum

any of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided

compound

make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of

dynamism

the quality of being characterized by vigorous activity and progress

nation-state

a sovereign state whose citizens or subjects are relatively homogeneous in factors such as language or common descent

alarmist

creating needless worry or panic

confound

cause surprise or confusion in (someone), esp. by acting against their expectations

imitable

capable or worthy of being imitated or copied

ape

imitate the behavior or manner of (someone or something), especially in an absurd or unthinking way

disparage

regard or represent as being of little worth

irreverent

showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge

perspicacity

the quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness

unperturbed

not perturbed or concerned

egotism

the practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively because of an undue sense of self-importance

profligacy

reckless extravagance or wastefulness in the use of resources

unconscionable

not right or reasonable

deaden

make (a noise or sensation) less intense

untoward

improper, indecorous

expatriate

settle oneself abroad

scornful

feeling or expressing contempt or derision

commercialism

practices and attitudes that are concerned with the making of profit at the expense of quality

emotive

arousing or able to arouse intense feeling

incidental

accompanying but not a major part of something

evince

reveal the presence of

certitude

absolute certainty or conviction that something is the case

apologist

a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial

escapist

providing or seeking distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially in the form of entertainment or fantasy

belligerence

aggressive or warlike behavior

soft-pedal

refrain from emphasizing the more unpleasant aspects of; play down

absolve

set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility

abased

lowered especially in rank, office, prestige, or esteem

buttress

increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce

scruple

a feeling that prevents you from doing something that you think is wrong

circumspection

the quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks

pagan

a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main or recognized religions.

per se

by, of, or in itself used to indicate that something is being considered by itself and not along with other things

impinge

to affect (something) in a way that is unwanted; to have a bad effect on something

emancipate

to free (someone) from someone else's control or power

arid

very dry; having very little rain or water

sediment

material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid

meritorious

deserving honor or praise

rapacity

the quality of always wanting more money, possessions, etc.

manumit

to release from slavery

rustic

relating to the countryside; rural

propound

to suggest (an idea, theory, etc.) to a person or group of people to consider

inextricable

impossible to separate

expenditure

the act of using something (such as time or effort) for a particular purpose

taxon

a collection of one or more populations of organisms

pithy

using few words in a clever and effective way

stilted

(of a manner of talking or writing) stiff and self-conscious or unnatural

deference

a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something

fauna

all the animals that live in a particular area, time period, or environment

marshal

to arrange (a group of people, such as soldiers) in an orderly way

oscillate

to move in one direction and then back again many times

locus

a particular position, point, or place. (math)

ramify

to separate into divisions

expound

to explain or state (something); to give details about (something)

recapitulation

to give a brief summary of something

corporeal

relating to a person's body, especially as opposed to their spirit

canopy

the highest layer of branches in a forest or on a tree

decadent

having low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.

counterpoint

a complementing or contrasting item

lofty

of imposing height

anesthetize

deprive of feeling or awareness

quaint

having an old-fashioned or unusual quality or appearance that is usually attractive or appealing

paganism

encompasses a diverse community with some groups concentrating on specific traditions, practices or elements such as ecology, witchcraft, Celtic traditions or certain gods

inadvertent

not intended or planned

hitherto

until now; before this time

antagonize

to cause (someone) to feel hostile or angry; to irritate or upset (someone)

tectonic

of or relating to changes in the structure of the Earth's surface

status quo

the current situation; the way things are now

deride

to talk or write about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way; to say that (someone or something) is ridiculous or has no value

oeuvre

all the works that a writer, an artist, or a composer has created

satiated

satisfied

enfranchisement

the giving of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote

pious

deeply religious

encroachment

to gradually move or go into an area that is beyond the usual or desired limits

irreproachable

not deserving criticism or blame; having no fault

unprecedented

not done or experienced before

consign

deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold.

monogamy

the state or custom of being married to only one person at a time

presumptuous

failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate

brusque

talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way

stark

unpleasantly or sharply clear; impossible to avoid

overextend

impose on (someone) an excessive burden of work or commitments

quiescence

inactivity or dormancy

honorific

denoting a form of address showing high status, politeness, or respect

amicable

(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor

rankle

annoy or irritate (someone)

codify

arrange (laws or rules) into a systematic code

realism

the attitude or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly

platitudinous

(of a remark or statement) used too often to be interesting or thoughtful; hackneyed

tractable

(of a person) easy to control or influence

evidentiary

being, relating to, or affording evidence

dovish

preferring to use peaceful discussion rather than military action in order to solve a political problem

trepidation

a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

intrepid

fearless; adventurous

pervasive

(esp. of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people

isolationism

a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries