English Vocabulary - Semester 1

archaic (adjective)

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)

Conforming to the established language used by educated speakers (noun) , Something established as a measure of quality

vernacular (noun)

Everyday language, rather than literary language (noun)The native language or dialect of a country, place, or group (adjective) , 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)

To prevent from moving freely or making progress; to limit (verb)

A large basket, usually with a cover (noun)

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; block

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)

To take advantage of people by tricking or fooling them (noun), 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)

A detailed review; and evaluation (verb), 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)

To criticize, argue, , or raise objections over something (noun), 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)

To make a first public appearance (noun),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)

To disguise oneself; to put on a false or deceptive appearance (noun),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

acme (noun)

The highest point of achievement