Semester 1 Vocab Final

**archaic** (*adjective*)

No longer used or applicable; ancient

**argot** (*noun*)

The informal, specialized vocabulary and expressions of a particular group

**connotation** (*noun*)

 Ideas or meanings suggested by a word; associations that go beyond a word’s literal meaning

**denotation** (*noun*)

The most direct or specific meaning of a word

**idiom** (*noun*)

an expression with a special meaning that cannot be understood from the meanings of the individual words; a nonliteral expression

**jargon** (*noun*)

A specialized vocabulary of a profession or trade

**pidgin** (*noun*)

A simplified form of speech developed from two or more languages

**semantics** (*noun*)

The study of meaning and word interpretation

**standard** (*adjective*)/(*noun*)

Conforming to the established language used by educated speakers/Something established as a measure of quality

**vernacular** (*noun*)/(*noun*)/(*adjective*)

Everyday language, rather than literary language/The native language or dialect of a country, place, or group/commonly spoken by a region or group

**atlas** (*noun*)

A book or bound collection of maps

**epicure** (*noun*)

 A person with refined taste, especially in food and drink

**galvanize** (*verb*)

To stimulate or urge into action; to spur

**jovial** (*adjective*)

Jolly; filled with joy or good cheer

**nemesis** (*noun*)

A source of harm or ruin; an opponent that cannot be defeated.  One who inflicts retribution or vengeance

**Pyrrhic victory** (*noun*)

A victory that is offset by staggering losses or that comes at a huge price

**quixotic** (*adjective*)

Dedicated to unreachable goals; idealistic but not practical

**saturnine** (*adjective*)

Gloomy and sullen

**Sisyphean** (*adjective*)

Requiring endless effort; without result or success

**solecism** (*noun*)

A nonstandard or improper use of language; a mistake in manners or behavior

**behold** (*verb*)

To gaze at or look upon

**discernment** (*noun*)

Excellent judgment and insight; skill in perceiving 

**envision** (*verb*)

To picture in the mind; to imagine

**foresee** (*verb*)

To see or know ahead of time

**gape** (*verb*)

To stare in amazement, often with the mouth wide open

**impressionistic** (*adjective*)

Describing a highly personal, individual response to experience.  Reflecting a  style of painting of the late 19th century that focuses on a personal or momentary view of something.

**myopia** (*noun*)

Lack of planning for the future; shortsightedness.  Nearsightedness; a condition in which distant objects appear blurred.

**perceptive** (*adjective*)

Marked by understanding or awareness; sharp; sensitive

**premonition** (noun)

A feeling that something will happen in the future; an advance warning

**subliminal** (*adjective*)

Below the threshold of conscious thought; not detectable, but able to bring about a response

**cessation** (*noun*)

A bringing or coming to an end; a halt

**commence** (*verb*)

To begin

**deter** (*verb*)

To prevent or discourage from acting, by means of fear or doubt

**hamper** (*verb*)/(*noun*)

To prevent from moving freely or making progress; to limit/A large basket, usually with a cover

**obstruction** (*noun*)

Something that blocks or gets in the way; an obstacle

**preclude** (*verb*)

To make impossible or unlikely; to prevent

**procrastinate** (*verb*)

To delay; to put off doing something

**scuttle** (*verb*)

To run or move with short, hurried movements; to scurry

**subside** (*verb*)

To sink to a lower or more normal level. To become less active or intense.

**thwart** (*verb*)

To prevent from taking place; frustrate; bloc

**apologist** (noun)

A person who speaks in defense of a person, idea, or a position

**dissuade** (*verb*)

To discourage from doing something through persuasion

**dupe** (*verb*)/(*noun*)

To take advantage of people by tricking or fooling them/Someone tricked and taken advantage of

**fallacy** (*noun*)

A false belief.  Faulty or illogical reasoning.

**imply** (*verb*)

To hint; to suggest indirectly

**indisputable** (*adjective*)

Beyond doubt or question; certain

**infer** (*verb*)

To draw a conclusion from evidence

**red herring** (*noun*)

Something that draws attention away from the main issue

**refute** (*verb*)

To prove to be false or invalid; to deny the accuracy or truth of

**substantiate** (*verb*)

To support with evidence

**accolade** (*noun*)

Great praise.  An award.

**adulation** (*noun*)

Adoration; excessive praise or flattery

**anathema** (*noun*)

Something or someone that is greatly hated and avoided

**commend** (*verb*)

To give approval or praise

**critique** (*noun*)/(*verb*)

A detailed review; and evaluation/To review, discuss, or evaluate

**eulogy** (*noun*)

A tribute; spoken or written praise, often given in honor of a person who has died

**homage** (*noun*)

Publicly expressed honor or respect

**laudable** (*adjective*)

Worthy of praise or honor

**quibble** (*verb*)/(*noun*)

To criticize, argue,, or raise objections over something/An unimportant complaint

**reproach** (*verb*)

To criticize or express disapproval

**bland** (*adjective*)

Calming or soothing; not spicy or irritating; lacking flavor.  Dull; plain to the point of being boring.

**culinary** (*adjective*)

Related to cooking or kitchens

**cutlery** (*noun*)

Utensils used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons.  Cutting instruments and tools.

**devour** (*verb*)

To consume or eat up greedily or enthusiastically

**morsel** (*noun*)

A very small piece; a small treat

**pungent** (*adjective*)

Having a sharp, strong taste or smell.  Strong, sharp, and penetrating.

**quaff** (*verb*)

To drink heartily and deeply

**ravenous** (*adjective*)

Extremely hungry

**savory** (*adjective*)

Pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing.  Flavorful; spicy or salty, but not sweet.  Morally good or satisfactory; respectable.

**simmer** (*verb*)

To cook gently in liquid just at or below the boiling point.  To be filled with pent up emotions.

**blight** (*verb*)

To have a negative effect on; to ruin.

**cataclysm** (*noun*)

An intense and violent disaster or change

**decomposition** (*noun*)

The process of rotting, breaking down, or disintegration

**eradication** (*noun*)

The act of tearing out by the roots, or of eliminating as if tearing out by the roots

**havoc** (*noun*)

Widespread destruction and devastation.  Chaos and disorder.

**mar** (*verb*)

To inflict damage or spoil the quality of

**obliterate** (*verb*)

To wipe out completely; to do away with, leaving no trace

**pugnacious** (*adjective*)

Combative; eager to fight

**pulverize** (*verb*)

To pound, crush, or grind into powder or dust

**stagnant** (*adjective*)

Stale and foul because of lack of movement.  Lacking progress or vitality.

**broach** (*verb*)

To bring up a subject for discussion

**convene** (*verb*)

To assemble formally; to come together officially

**debut** (*verb*)/(*noun*)

To make a first public appearance/A first public appearance.  A formal presentation of a young woman into society.

**embark** (*verb*)

To board a plane or ship.  To start a major effort; to set out on an adventure.

**generate** (*verb*)

To create; to bring into being

**incipient** (*adjective*)

Beginning to exist or appear

**initiative** (*noun*)

A beginning or an introductory step; an opening move.  The ability or wish to start something; enterprise; determination.

**innovation** (*noun*)

Something newly introduced or created

**novice** (*noun*)

A beginner

**overture** (*noun*)

A piece of music intended to introduce a longer work.  An act or offer showing readiness for a relationship or to negotiate.

**devious** (*adjective*)

Meant to trick; not straightforward; shifty.  Departing from the correct or accepted way.  Departing from the straight or direct course; roundabout.

**duplicity** (*noun*)

Deliberate deception in behavior and speech

**fictitious** (*adjective*)

False or fake; adopted or assumed in order to deceive.  Imaginary; unreal; relating to fiction.

**guile** (*noun*)

Sly intelligence; craftiness with the intention to deceive.

**gullible** (*adjective*)

Easily deceived or fooled

**hypocritical** (*adjective*)

Giving a false appearance; saying one thing but doing another

**masquerade** (*verb*)/(*noun*)

To disguise oneself; to put on a false or deceptive appearance/A disguise or false appearance; a scheme or charade

**overt** (*adjective*)

Open and observable; not hidden or secret

**reputable** (*adjective*)

Having a good reputation; well thought of; honorable or trustworthy

**veracity** (*noun*)

Truthfulness or accuracy; conformity to fact or truth