Vocal Unit 8

abberation

a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome

ad hoc

for this specific purpose; improvised; with respect to this

bane

(n.) the source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself; poison

Bathos

the intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a context whose tone is loft or elevated; grossly insincere or exaggerated sentimentality.

cantankerous

ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable

casuistry

(n.) the determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by the application of general ethical principles; specious argument

de facto

(adj.) actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned; (adv.) in reality, actually

depredation

the act of preying upon or plundering

empathy

a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else

harbinger

(n.) a forerunner, herald; (v.) to herald the approach of

hedonism

the belief that the attainment of pleasure is life's chief aim; devotion to or pursuit of pleasure

lackluster

lacking brilliance or vitality; dull

malcontent

(adj.) discontented with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions; (n.) such a person

mellifluous

Sweetly flowing or sounding; honeyed

nepotism

(n.) undue favoritism to or excessive patronage of one's relatives

pander

(v.) to cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others; (n.) a person who does this

peccadillo

a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming

piece de resistance

the principal dish of a meal; the principal event, incident, or item; an outstanding accomplishment

remand

(v.) to send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or to a lower court

syndrome

A group of symptoms typical of a particular disease or condition