English 2 WotD

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Ethnocentrism

The belief in the inherent superiority of ones own ethnic group or culture; a tendency to view different groups or cultures form the perspective of ones own.

Pervasive

Spread throughout or noticable in many areas (negative connotation)

Complicity

Involvement in an activity that’s wrong or illegal.

Lament

To express sorrow, mourning, or regret

Disparage

To speak in a way to suggest you’re better than others.

Reticent

Reluctant to reveal thoughts/feelings.

Scrupulous

Exact, care free, attending thoroughly to details;

Concerned about doing the right thing, having moral standards

Dubious

To be uncertain or unsure; feeling doubt about something

Indignant

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at something that is perceived as unfair or unjust treatment.

Contrite

feeling or expressing sincere remorse; filled with a sense of guilt and the desire to make things better

Transcend

To rise above or go beyond; To exceed expectations or limitations

dogmatic

characterized by the expression of personal beliefs and opinions as if they are absolutely true and cannot be doubted: stubbornly opinionated

sullen

bad-tempered;sulky; gloomy

admonish

to speak in a way that expresses disapproval or criticism

archetype

a recurrent symbol, pattern, or motif in literature or art that has a similar meaning to people, regardless of time and place

aberration

the act of departing from what is normal, expected, or usual and is typically seen as something that is unwelcome or unwanted

rhetoric

the art of effective and persuasive communication; the study of the use of effective and persuasive speaking or writing

altruistic

showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others

proverb

a simple and concrete statement popularly known and repeated that expresses a truth based on common sense or experiences

foil

in fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities or characteristics

concede

to accept something as true, valid, or proper (usually unwillingly); to acknowledge an opponent’s point

rhetoric

the art of effective and persuasive communication; the study of the use of effective and persuasive speaking or writing

Imagery

Imagery is descriptive language used to appeal to a reader's senses: touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight.

elusive

difficult to find, catch, or achieve

indelible

lasting, difficult to remove; memorable and unforgettable

infallibility

the inability to be wrong or to fail

defer

to put off until later: to delay or postpone

humble submission and respect; respect and esteem due to an elder or superior

gratuitous

unwarranted; lacking a good reason; uncalled fo

tenacity

the quality of being very determined or persistent

stoic

someone who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion

pariah

an outcast; a person who is rejected by others

panacea

a remedy for all ills or difficulties; a cure-all

incredulous

not wanting or not able to believe something; skeptical

galvanize

to spur, inspire, provoke, or incite others to action or to become concerned or excited about an issue

cynical

characterized as believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

onerous

troublesome or burdensome

precipitous

dangerously high or steep; done with great haste and without much thought

Insolence

a rude and arrogant lack of respect

paradox

a statement that seems to have contradictory ideas but with a closer examination, the statement contains truth

egregious

extremely bad or offensive; shocking, outrageous

furtive

sly, secretive, sneaky

decorum

polite and proper behavior

derisive

characterized by expressing contempt, ridicule, or scorn

pragmatic

practical, sensible

earnest

serious, determined; sincere

artifice

a clever trick or something intended to deceive

callous

unkind, cruel, or insensitive toward others

capricious

impulsive; unpredictable

euphemism

the substitution of a offensive, harsh, or blunt word or phrase used to describe something unpleasant or embarrassing with something more mild

tenuous

very weak or slight; having little substance or strength

pensive

1) engaged in reflective, deep, or serious thought (dreamily thoughtful)

2) expressing thoughtfulness that is usually marked by some sadness

orthodox

used to describe beliefs, ideas, or activities that are considered traditional, normal, and acceptable by most; conforming with established or accepted standards

appease

to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe

vehement

marked by strong intensity of emotions or convictions

specious

misleading in appearance (especially something that is attractive in a deceptive way); plausible but false

idiosyncrasy

a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual

demonstrative

openly emotional, especially of love or affection

sordid

indecent; below moral standards; corrupt

Immutable

not capable or susceptible to change

emphatic

characterized by showing or giving emphasis or expressing something forcibly and clearly

aloof

not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant: reserved

capitulate

to surrender or give up; to surrender after negotiating terms

equivocate

to use ambiguous language in order to conceal the truth

ephemeral

short-lived; temporary; transitory

purport

to claim or allege

Orwellian

used to describe a political system in which the government tries to control every part of people's lives, similar to that described in the novel 1984 by George Orwell