Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Level H - Unit 2

aegis

(n.) protection; patronage; sponsorship
syn: auspices

apprise

(v.) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice
syn: acquaint
ant: keep secret

bibulous

(adj.) fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent
syn: inebrious
ant: temperate

claque

(n.) a group of people hired to applaud a performer or performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers[modern/common]; an opera hat
syn: fan club
ant: critics

deracinate

(v.) to pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of
syn: eradicate
ant: implant

exegesis

(n.) an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of a text)
syn: analysis
ant: mystification

indigenous

(adj.) originating in the country or region where found, native; inborn; inherent
syn: homegrown
ant: foreign

lachrymose

(adj.) given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious
syn: tearful
ant: hilarious

lexicon

(n.) a dictionary of a language; the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject; a compendium
syn: woodbook

melee

(n.) a confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tumultuous mingling
syn: brawl
ant: peace & quiet

microcosm

(n.) a miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system
syn: epitome
ant: cosmos

minuscule

(adj.) very small, tiny; (n.) a lowercase letter
syn: (adj.) insignificant
ant: (adj.) huge

obfuscate

(v.) to darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder
syn: muddy the waters
ant: clarify

paternalism

(n.) the policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner of a father dealing with his children
syn: benevolence

polarize

(v.) to cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause light to vibrate in a pattern
syn: split
ant: unite

purview

(n.) the range, extent, or scope of something; in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute
syn: orbit

sanguine

(adj.) having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook
syn: rosy
ant: gloomy

solecism

(n.) a substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake
syn: blunder

vassal

(n.) a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant; (adj.) subservient
syn: (n.) minion; (adj.) servile
ant: (n.) overlord

verisimilitude

(n.) the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable
syn: authenticity