flowers for algernon - vocabulary 7ygtt6t6frdesw3sedrf

Rorschach test

inkblot test used to determine a person’s mental state

motivation

determination, stimulation, drive, inspiration

conscious

aware, awake

opportunist

one who takes advantages of others or situation to advance himself

degenerate

to deteriorate, get worse

regression

to go back to a less advanced state

cower

hide/crouch in fear

outstrip

to be better than, to overtake

ironic

pathetic, humorous in a sad way

averted

avoided, escaped from

intuition

instinct, gut feeling, insight

blacklist

boycott, ban

inanimate

lifeless, unmoving, inert

alma mater

the university you attended

strained

tense, uncomfortable

easy mark

someone who is easily taken advantage of

dull-witted

unintelligent, slow to understand

plunge

to dive, to fall

berserk

irrational, crazy

erratic

inconsistent, changing from one moment to the next

smirking

smiling smugly

dilettantes

superficial fans of something (without deep knowledge of an art)

futile

pointless, useless

sounding board

a person or group whose reactions to suggested ideas are used as a test of their validity or likely success before they are made public

brusque

abrupt or offhand in speech or manner

sceptical

not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations

humility

a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness

suspend

hang (something) from somewhere

tempered

act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to (something)

lethargy

a lack of energy and enthusiasmt

tangible

perceptible by touch

stolid

not easily excited, not showing emotion

counterweight

opposing balance

motor activity

muscular movement and coordination

microcosm

mini-representation of the world