Vocabulary List - Section A to C

Flashcards covering vocabulary terms starting from A to C, with parts of speech and verbatim definitions from the provided lecture notes.

archaic (adj.)

belonging to a much earlier time

articulate (v.t.&i.)

utter/express coherently/speak clearly and distinctly

ascendancy (n.)

state of moving upward/domination

ascetic (adj.)

self-denying/austere

assuage (v.t.)

make less burdensome or painful/ pacify

astute (adj.)

shrewd/perspicacious

atrophy (v.i.)

waste away/degenerate

audacious (adj.)

bold/daring

augment (v.t.)

make greater or larger

austerity (n.)

stern or severe manner or attitude

authoritarian (adj.)

not allowing dissent/demanding absolute obedience

autonomous (adj.)

independent/self-governing

banal (adj.)

insipid/lacking originality/hackneyed

belie (v.t.)

contradict/contrast with

benevolent (adj.)

suggesting goodness or kindness/of, concerned with, or organized for the benefit of charity (as in "a benevolent fund")

benign (adj.)

kind/gentle/favorable/beneficial/not malignant

bequeath (v.t.)

hand down (as in a will)/give

blasphemy (n.)

irreverence toward something sacred

blighted (adj./past participle of v.t.&i. "blight")

deteriorated/impaired/decayed

bolster (v.t.)

give a boost to/to buoy up/to support or prop up

brevity (n.)

shortness/conciseness

cajole (v.t.)

coax gently/wheedle

candor (n.)

frankness of expression/impartiality

capricious (adj.)

subject to whim/impulsive

censorious (adj.)

highly critical/expressing censure

censure (v.t.)

criticize severely/blame

clemency (n.)

mercy/leniency/mildness