chap 7, 8, 9

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

ambrosia

food of the gods

ameliorate

to improve

amenable

agreeable

ascribe

to assign or refer to

aseptic

free from disease-causing microorganisms

avant-garde

Ahead of the times, especially in the arts

blarney

smooth, flattering talk; deceptive nonsense

blase

unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before

blitzkrieg

war conducted with great speed and force

cache

something hidden or stored

cacophony

bad noise

cajole

to persuade with false promises and flattery

chagrin

embarrassment; a complete loss of courage

chauvinism

unreasoning and boastful devotion to one's country or sex

chic

stylish, fashionable

chicanery

trickery

conduit

a means by which something is transmitted

cuckold

the husband of an unfaithful wife

duress

compulsion

ebullient

enthusiastic

eclectic

choosing from various sources

equivocal

ambiguous

fecund

productive

flout

to mock

maxi

large

medio-

middle

megalo

large

-meter

measure

micro

small

mis

bad

mono

one

morpho

form

moto

moving

neuro

brain

abominate

to have an intense dislike or hatred for

abreast

side by side

accredited

officially authorized or recognized

apogee

the highest point

apostasy

desertion of principle

badinage

light and playful conversation

bemuse

to confuse or bewilder

bestow

to give as a gift

bibliophile

a lover of books

bowlderize

remove or change parts considered vulgar or immoral

bravado

false bravery

cavalier

showing an offhand or carefree disregard; arrogant

caveat

warning

cavil

to find fault without good reason

compendium

brief, comprehensive summary

complacent

self-satisfied

complaisant

overly polite

Deterious

harmful

demean

To cause a lowering of self-esteem; to lower in reputation or character.

ennui

boredom

envoy

a representative or messenger

epicure

someone who appreciates good food and drink

expedient

a means to an end

Extentuate

to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses

foible

a minor weakness in character

logy

study of

-lysis

destruction

macro

large

magni

great

mal

bad

mater

mother

matri

mother

meta

change

meso

middle

multi

many

Abdication

giving up control authority

Abduct

to kidnap

Aberration

a state or condition markedly different from the norm

Animadversion

a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval

Animalcule

An animal of microscopic smallness.

Animism

The belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, and other natural objects have spirits

Balustrade

a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

Baroque

overly decorated

Bauble

a showy but useless thing

Bohemian

unconventional (in an artistic way)

Bolero

spanish dance

Bon vivant

indulger in luxury

Catharsis

a release of emotional tension

Catholic

universal

Caudillo

military dictator in Latin America

Coif

Small Linen Hat

Collateral

A security pledged for the repayment of a loan.

Colloquial

conversational

Debacle

a complete failure; a total collapse

Debauch

corrupt

decennial

occurring every 10 years

Effusive

emotionally excessive; overly demonstrative

Eldorado

an imaginary place of great wealth and opportunity

Elision

the omission of a sound or syllable when speaking

Expatriate

someone who chooses to live outside of, or renounce, his or her native country

Im-

into

Iso-

equal

-iatric

medical specialty

-itis

inflammation

Kilo-

thousand