Difficult/new english word

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions derived from the lecture notes to aid in exam preparation.

in deference

The act of showing respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or will of another.

philistine

A person who is indifferent or hostile to the arts and refinement, or who lacks culture.

bureaucracy

A system of administration characterized by many rules, departments, and officials.

despondency

A state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.

albeit

Although; even though.

convoluted

Extremely complex and difficult to follow; twisted or coiled.

to remedy

To set right or provide a solution for an undesirable situation.

cathartic

Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.

vertigo

A sensation of whirling or loss of balance, often caused by looking down from a high place.

hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to a downfall.

interpersonal

Relating to relationships or communication between people.

unobtrusive

Not conspicuous or attracting attention; blending in.

effeminate

(Of a man) having traits or habits typically associated with women.

ascribes

To attribute something to a specific cause, person, or period.

vacillates

To alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; to be indecisive.

obtrusive

Noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome or intrusive way.

askance

With an attitude or look of suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval.

Freudian

Relating to the ideas of Sigmund Freud, particularly regarding the unconscious mind and childhood experiences.

amalgamation

The action or process of combining or uniting multiple things into one form.

Chagrined

Feeling distressed, humiliated, or embarrassed.

imperceptibly

In a way that is so slight, gradual, or subtle that it is not easily noticed.

ruches

Pleated or gathered strips of fabric used for trimming or decoration on clothing.

gait

A person's particular manner of walking.

inconsequential

Not important or significant; trivial.

menial

Work that is considered lowly and does not require much skill.

tedious

Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.

debauched

Indulging in behaviors considered immoral or harmful for the sake of sensual pleasure.

abhorrent

Inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant or hateful.

Ignoble

Not honorable in character or purpose; of humble origin.

Delirium

An acutely disturbed state of mind that results in restlessness, illusions, and incoherent speech.

maudlin

Self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness.

magnanimous

Very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.

precarious

Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall, collapse, or fail.

vehemently

In a forceful, passionate, or intense manner.

covetous

Having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else.

mired

Stuck or entangled in a difficult situation or in mud.

Bereft

Deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset.

Cumbersome

Large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; slow or complicated.

Apprehensive

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

Agog

Very eager or curious to hear or see something.

Adrift

Floating without being steered; lacking a sense of purpose or guidance.

Atone

To make amends or reparation for a wrong or sin.

Affinities

Spontaneous or natural likings or sympathies for someone or something.

Ameliorate

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

Akin

Of similar character; related by blood.

Aphrodisiac

A food, drink, or drug that stimulates sexual desire.

Attuned

Make receptive or aware; in harmony with.

Assemblages

Collections or gatherings of things or people.

Acquiesces

To accept something reluctantly but without protest.

Alluded

To suggest or call attention to something indirectly; to hint at.

Afoot

In preparation or progress; happening.

Awnings

Sheets of canvas or other material stretched on a frame used to keep the sun or rain off a storefront or window.

Banal

So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.

Brusquely

In an abrupt or offhand manner of speech.

Brazen

Bold and without shame.

Burrs

Rough edges or ridges left on an object by the action of a tool.

Clandestine

Kept secret or done secretively, especially because it is illicit.

Candid

Truthful and straightforward; frank.

Conspicously

In a clearly visible way; attracting notice or attention.

Congenial

Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own.

Chasmic

Resembling a chasm; having a very deep or wide gap.

Cognizant

Having knowledge or being aware of.

Chagrin

Distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated.

Chaste

Abstaining from extramarital or all sexual intercourse; simple or unadorned.

Deft

Neatly skillful and quick in one's movements.

Drudgery

Hard, menial, or dull work.

Deterred

Discouraged from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.

Extricates

Frees someone or something from a constraint or difficulty.

Espadrilles

Light canvas shoes with plaited fiber soles.

Exasperation

A feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.

Feigned

Simulated or pretended; insincere.

Ferocity

The state or quality of being fierce, cruel, or violent.

Frayed

Unraveled or worn at the edge; showing the effects of strain.

Grudging acquiescence

Reluctant acceptance of something without a protest.

Gutsier

Showing more courage, determination, or spirit.

Glutton

An excessively greedy eater; a person with a great desire for something.

Heralds

Signs that something is about to happen; messengers.

Irrevocable

Not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; final.

Ingenue

An innocent or unsophisticated young woman, especially in a play or film.

Idiosyncrasies

Modes of behavior or ways of thought that are peculiar to an individual.

lunatiiva

A term of uncertain definition from the text (potentially a misspelling of lucrative or related to lunar themes).

Juncture

A particular point in events or time; a place where things join.

Jonesing

A slang term meaning to have a strong craving for something.

Lilt

A characteristic rising and falling of the voice when speaking; a gentle rhythmic swing.

Liberally

In large or generous amounts; in a way that respects many different opinions.

Ludicrous

So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing.

Languid

Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion; slow and relaxed.

Marring

Impairing the appearance or quality of; disfiguring.

Mottled

Marked with spots or smears of color; blotchy.

Meanders

Follows a winding course; wanders at random.

Neurotic

Abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or anxious.

Omnipresent

Widely or constantly encountered; common or widespread.

Pious

Devoutly religious; making a hypocritical display of virtue.

Perceptive

Having or showing sensitive insight.

Perpetual

Never ending or changing; occurring repeatedly.

Placid

Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.

Runt

The smallest animal in a litter; a derogatory term for a small person.

Regale

To entertain or amuse someone with talk.

sacrosanct

Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with; holy.

Sheen

A soft luster or shine on a surface.