Vocab - Terms and Definitions

These flashcards cover advanced vocabulary terms explained in detail, aimed to help study and reinforce knowledge for better retention and understanding.

abapical

Being opposite to or directed away from the apex.

abbatial

Of or having to do with an abbey.

acquittance

A written release from an obligation, such as a receipt indicating payment in full.

acumen

Quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgement or insight.

afforestation

To make a forest.

Agincourt

A village in northern France.

Alamogordo

Where the atomic bomb was created and exploded.

algorism

The decimal system.

altercation

A vehement quarrel.

altocumulus

A cloud formation of rounded, fleecy, white or gray masses.

amalgamate

To combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite.

amphorae

A two-handled jar with a narrow neck used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry wine or oil.

anacoluthon

An abrupt change within a sentence to a second construction inconsistent with the first sometimes used for rhetorical effect.

analgesic

A medication that reduces or eliminates pain.

anamnesis

A recalling to memory; recollection.

anticoagulant

A substance that prevents the clotting of blood.

antipersonnel

Designed to inflict death or bodily injury rather than material destruction.

antithesis

Direct contrast; opposition.

apatetic

Relating or characterized by coloration serving as natural camouflage.

apocalyptic

Relating to or predicting the end of the world, especially as described in the Bible or another religious text.

aquifer

An underground layer of permeable rock, sediment or soil that yields water.

arborescent

Having the size, form or characteristics of a tree; treelike.

assuage

To make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe. To satisfy or appease.

auriferous

Containing gold; gold-bearing.

bagasse

The dry, fibrous residue remaining after the extraction of juice from the crushed stalks of sugar cane.

Bataan

A peninsula of western Luzon, Philippines, between Manila Bay and the South China Sea.

bathypelagic

Relating to or inhabiting the layer of the water column of the open ocean that lies between the mesopelagic and abyssopelagic layers.

Bauhaus

Of or relating to, or characteristic of 20th century school of design.

Bellerophon

The Corinthian hero who, with the aid of the winged horse Pegasus, slew the Chimera.

benignancy

Benignity.

bergamot

A small tree commercially grown in Italy for its sour citrus fruits.

biostatistics

Application of statistics to the analysis of biological and medical data.

bodhisattva

An enlightened being who, out of compassion, forgoes nirvana in order to save others.

booboisie

A class of people regarded as stupid and gullible.

bouleversement

A violent uproar; a tumult.

breviaries

A book containing the hymns, offices, and prayers for the canonical hours.

brio

Vigor; vivacity.

brusquerie

Curtness or bluntness of manner.

cacophonous

Having a harsh, unpleasant sound; discordant.

calibrator

To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard.

Canaanite

A member of a group of Semitic peoples inhabiting Canaan.

caseous

Resembling cheese.

cathect

To invest emotional energy in.

cauterization

To burn or sear with a cautery.

cede

To surrender possession of, especially by treaty.

cephalic

Of or relating to the head.

chagrin

A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment.

chronicled

To record in or in the form of a historical record.

circumspect

Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences.

cismontane

Situated on the side of the mountains, especially the Alps.

Cistercian

A member of a contemplative monastic order found by reformist Benedictines in France.

coadunate

Closely joined; grown together; united.

coccyx

A small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column.

collegiality

Shared power and authority vested among colleagues.

commination

A formal denunciation.

communicative

Inclined to communicate readily. Talkative.

concrescence

The growing together related parts, tissues, or cells.

condolatory

To express sympathy or sorrow.

condyle

A rounded prominence at the end of a bone.

counterfactual

Running contrary to the facts.

crampons

A hinged pair of curved iron bars for raising heavy objects.

crewel

Loosely twisted worsted yarn used for fancywork and embroidery.

cronyism

Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualification.

cruet

A small bottle for holding a condiment.

cryosurgery

The selective exposure of tissues to extreme cold.

cummerbund

A broad sash worn as an article of formal dress.

Damascus

The capital and largest city of Syria.

deploy

To position troops in readiness for combat.

Descartes

French philosopher and mathematician considered the founding of modern rationalism.

dessiccate

To dry out thoroughly.

deuteranopia

A form of colorblindness characterized by insensitivity to green.

diatomaceous

Consisting of diatoms or their skeletons.

disbursal

Disbursement.

discomfited

To make uneasy or perplexed.

disseminate

To scatter widely, as in sowing seed.

dubiety

The condition of being doubtful or uncertain.

dulcimer

A stringed instrument typically held flat across the knees and played by plucking.

dynamo

A generator, especially one for producing direct current.

dystopian

Of or relating to a dystopia.

echolocation

A sensory system in certain animals used to determine the direction and distance of objects.

Ecuador

A country of NW South America.

efficacious

Producing or capable of producing a desired effect.

emaciation

To make or become extremely thin, especially as a result of starvation.

emendate

To make textual corrections in.

eminent domain

The power of a government to take private property for public use.

en brochette

On a skewer.

enigmatical

Of or resembling an enigma; puzzling.

entrechat

A jump in ballet during which the dancer crosses the legs.

epeirogeny

Uplift or depression of the earth’s crust.

equerry

A personal attendant to the British royal.

escarole

A variety of endive having relatively broad, mildly bitter leaves.

escarpment

A steep slope or long cliff that results from erosion or faulting.

ethereal

Extremely light or delicate; heavenly.

Excalibur

The sword belonging to King Arthur.

exemplum

An example; a brief story used to make a point.

exodontics

The dental specialty that deals with extraction of teeth.

expeditionary

Relating to or constituting an expedition.

falcate

Curved and tapering to a point; sickle shaped.

farandole

A spirited circle dance of Provencal derivation.

Fascisti

Members of an Italian political organization under Benito Mussolini.