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Vocabulary Workshop: Unit 1 – De*nitions

adjunct

  • Pronunciation: aj' ənkt

  • Part of speech: noun (also adjective)

  • Definition(s):

    • something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The test manual was an adjunct provided free with purchases of the new textbook series.

  • SYNONYMS: associate, addition, accessory

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: The term can function as both a noun and an adjective (adjunct). Commonly used to denote something added on but not required.

bellwether

  • Pronunciation: bel' weth ər

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • When their bellwether was captured, the mob disbanded.

  • SYNONYMS: ringleader, initiator, barometer

  • ANTONYMS: follower, imitator, emulator

  • Additional notes: Used metaphorically to describe something that indicates trends or the leading indicator in a group.

caterwaul

  • Pronunciation: kat' ər wôl (verb); kat' ər wôl (noun)

  • Part of speech: verb; noun

  • Definition(s):

    • (verb) to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel

    • (noun) a harsh or noisy cry; a racket

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • Verb: The desperate survivors caterwauled about their suffering.

    • Noun: The caterwaul in the alley kept us awake.

  • SYNONYMS: screech (for both forms)

  • Additional notes: Onomatopoeic; often used to describe loud, wailing noises or noisy arguing.

chimerical

  • Pronunciation: ki mer' i kəl

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • They proposed yet another chimerical get–rich–quick scheme.

  • SYNONYMS: visionary, quixotic, pie–in–the–sky

  • ANTONYMS: realistic, down–to–earth, practicable

  • Additional notes: Derived from mythic chimera; conveys something that exists only in imagination or fantasy.

effete

  • Pronunciation: i fēt'

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn–out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out–of–date

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • (Context in transcript uses the sequence with fait accompli; typical use) The effete regime showed signs of stagnation and decline.

  • SYNONYMS: exhausted, spent, barren, decadent

  • ANTONYMS: vigorous, vital, dynamic

  • Additional notes: Often carries a pejorative sense indicating ineffectiveness or obsolescence.

fait accompli

  • Pronunciation: fet' a-kǒm plis'

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The proud generals confidently declared the fall of the rebel stronghold a fait accompli.

  • SYNONYMS: accomplished fact

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: A French loanword used in English to denote something already done and irreversible.

hidebound

  • Pronunciation: hīd' baund

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • narrow–minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The hidebound administrator stood by the outdated ways of previous administrations.

  • SYNONYMS: intolerant, inflexible

  • ANTONYMS: open–minded, tolerant, progressive, liberal

  • Additional notes: Emphasizes resistance to change and rigid adherence to tradition.

hierarchy

  • Pronunciation: hi' ə rär kē

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • an any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc.

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • Within the governmental hierarchy, the voice of the junior senator was not a powerful one.

  • SYNONYMS: chain of command

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: Often used to discuss organizational or social ordering.

laissez-faire

  • Pronunciation: le sā fer; lā zā fer

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference, especially with individual freedom of choice and action

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • Ms. Yee's English class had a laissez-faire atmosphere, so students worked at their own pace and helped each other.

  • SYNONYMS: noninterventional, nonrestrictive, hands–off

  • ANTONYMS: interventionist, protective

  • Additional notes: Often contrasted with more active or regulated approaches; relevant in discussions of governance and management styles.

liturgy

  • Pronunciation: lit' ər jē

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The liturgy has been modernized.

  • SYNONYMS: observance

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: Used to describe formal public worship practices in religious contexts.

morass

  • Pronunciation: mə ras'

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • After several bad performances, the aging athlete wallowed in a morass of self doubt.

  • SYNONYMS: bog

  • ANTONYMS: solid ground, bedrock, terra firma

  • Additional notes: Often used metaphorically to describe confounding scenarios.

noisome

  • Pronunciation: noi' səm

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • offensive or disgusting; foul–smelling; harmful or injurious

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The noisome atmosphere of the slaughterhouse overwhelmed the visitors.

  • SYNONYMS: fetid, noxious, vile, loathsome

  • ANTONYMS: wholesome, sweet–smelling

  • Additional notes: Strong negative connotation related to smell or health implications.

oblivious

  • Pronunciation: ə bliv' ē əs

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • forgetful; unaware

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The hikers were oblivious of danger ahead. (context in transcript shows obstacle–related usage with synonyms: insensible)

  • SYNONYMS: unaware, inattentive, oblivious

  • ANTONYMS: aware, cognizant, mindful, alert

  • Additional notes: Often used to describe someone not noticing obvious danger or details.

poltroon

  • Pronunciation: pol trün'

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • a base coward

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The poltroon was caught deserting.

  • SYNONYMS: craven, dastard, “chicken”

  • ANTONYMS: stalwart, gallant

  • Additional notes: A colorful archaic term for a coward; not commonly used in everyday speech.

proselyte

  • Pronunciation: pros' ə l īt

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • a convert; a disciple

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The zealous proselyte rallied in the square

  • SYNONYMS: novice, neophyte

  • ANTONYMS: master, teacher, guide, guru

  • Additional notes: Often used in religious or ideological contexts to denote someone who has recently converted.

quasi

  • Pronunciation: kwā' z ī; or kwä' zē

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or in fact

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • They formed a quasi partnership.

  • SYNONYMS: kind of, as if

  • ANTONYMS: totally, completely, actually, in fact

  • Additional notes: Prefix of Latin origin meaning “almost” or “resembling.”

raillery

  • Pronunciation: rā' lər ē

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • good–humored ridicule; teasing

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The good–natured raillery in the locker room pleased the coach.

  • SYNONYM: persiflage

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: Lighthearted banter or joking ridicule.

ribald

  • Pronunciation: rib' əld

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The actor tells ribald stories about life in the theater world.

  • SYNONYMS: risqué

  • ANTONYMS: seemly, proper, decorous

  • Additional notes: Often used to describe humor or language that is sexually crude or coarse.

supine

  • Pronunciation: (sup'īn)

  • Part of speech: adjective

  • Definition(s):

    • lying face upward; also used to mean inactive or passive

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The patient lay supine on the examination table. (common clinical usage)

  • SYNONYMS: recumbent

  • ANTONYMS: prone, erect

  • Additional notes: In medical contexts, describes body position; metaphorically can mean passive or inactive.

vignette

  • Pronunciation: vin yet'

  • Part of speech: noun

  • Definition(s):

    • a short descriptive sketch or scene

  • Illustrative sentence(s):

    • The film opens with a vignette of a bustling market. (note: transcript lists vignette as a vocabulary item; standard definition applies)

  • SYNONYMS: sketch, scene, picture

  • ANTONYMS: (not listed in transcript)

  • Additional notes: Used in literary or cinematic contexts to provide a brief, evocative snapshot.

Notes and connections:

  • This Unit 1 focuses on a mix of historical, literary, and sociopolitical terms (e.g., laissez-faire, liturgy, hierarchy) as well as vivid, often pejorative descriptors (e.g., hidebound, effete, ribald).

  • Many entries include both synonyms and antonyms, illustrating contrasts between conservative/rigid attitudes and more flexible/open approaches (e.g., hidebound vs. open–minded; laissez-faire vs. interventionist).

  • The terms can be grouped by theme:

    • governance/organization: hierarchy, laissez-faire, hidebound, oligarchy (implicit),= ;

    • critique of social behavior: raillery, ribald, caterwaul;

    • descriptive adjectives describing ideals vs. reality: chimerical vs. realistic; effete vs. vigorous;

    • narrative/description devices: vignette, liturgy (in religious/cultural contexts).

  • Practical implications: Recognizing these terms supports precise articulation in exams, especially for questions asking for synonyms/antonyms, contextual usage, and nuance between similar ideas (e.g., quasi vs. real; bellwether as indicator vs. leader).

Summary of key patterns:

  • Many words have dual parts of speech (adjunct, caterwaul, quasi, raillery, etc.).

  • Several terms are rooted in French or Latin origins and carry formal or literary usage (fait accompli, laissez-faire, vignette).

  • A number of terms describe social behavior and organizational structure (hierarchy, hidebound, laissez-faire), which are often used in discussions of governance, education, and management.

End of Unit 1 notes.