Chapter 3 Vocabulary and Concepts

Chapter 3 Vocabulary and Concepts

Vocabulary List

  1. Chimerical

    • Pronunciation: kuh MER ih kul

    • Part of Speech: Adjective

    • Definition: Given to wildly impossible plans, unrealistic, fantastic, impractical

    • Example: The Greek mythological Chimera, visualized as a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of a serpent, represents a chimerical idea. The Chimera, who devastated lands, was ultimately defeated by hero Bellerophon using his winged horse Pegasus. The term "chimerical" is now used to describe any wildly unrealistic plan, as in how some doubted the Wright brothers' airplane or Robert Fulton’s steamboat ideas.

    • Synonyms: imaginary, fanciful, quixotic

    • Related Words: utopian, illusory

    • Contrasted Words: pragmatic, mundane

  2. Asinine

    • Pronunciation: ASS uh nine

    • Part of Speech: Adjective

    • Definition: Stupid or silly

    • Etymology: Derived from Latin "asinus" meaning "ass" (donkey) due to the animal's reputation for stupidity.

    • Biblical Reference: The story in Numbers 22 (Balaam and his ass) highlights the irony of the donkey exhibiting wisdom while Balaam acted asinine.

    • Example of Usage: The speaker was dismissed as asinine after indignantly questioning why they could not ask any more asinine questions.

    • Synonyms: foolish, mindless, idiotic, ridiculous, absurd

    • Related Words: fatuous, puerile, ludicrous, crass

    • Contrasted Words: sage, prudent, judicious

  3. Bellwether

    • Pronunciation: BEL weth ur

    • Part of Speech: Noun

    • Definition: Leader

    • Origins: Refers to a castrated male sheep, which wears a bell and guides the flock.

    • Example: Susan B. Anthony is a notable bellwether in the women’s voting rights movement, embodying leadership.

    • Synonyms: pacesetter, pacemaker, vanguard

  4. Limbo

    • Pronunciation: LIM bo

    • Part of Speech: Noun

    • Definition: State of neglect; period awaiting change; in-between state

    • Religious Context: In some Christian beliefs, limbo refers to the state of unbaptized infants and holy people before Christ, representing a place bordering hell, devoid of its torments.

    • Literary Reference: Dante’s The Divine Comedy portrays limbo as a residence for virtuous ancients like Socrates and Homer.

    • Common Use: Today commonly means any state of inactivity or indecision, exemplified by being put on hold during phone calls.

    • Synonyms: neglect, transition, oblivion

  5. Plagiarize

    • Pronunciation: PLAY juh rize

    • Part of Speech: Verb

    • Definition: To use ideas or writings of another and present them as one's own

    • Origin: Comes from the Latin "plagiarus" reference to sea raiders who captured people, equating to stealing thoughts when someone plagiarizes.

    • Historical Context: Shakespeare often borrowed from others, showcasing an example of evolving concepts of plagiarism through time.

    • Synonyms: copy, steal, rob, purloin

    • Related Words: filch, pilfer

  6. Titanic

    • Pronunciation: ty TAN ik

    • Part of Speech: Adjective

    • Definition: Enormous in size or strength

    • Mythological Reference: The Titans in Greek mythology represent might and greatness, defeated by Zeus who is symbolized as embodying titanic strength.

    • Cultural Examples: Athletes making titanic efforts in sports, Beethoven in music, and Rembrandt in art illustrate the magnitude of titan-like figures.

    • Synonyms: gigantic, huge, enormous, prodigious

    • Related Words: colossal, gargantuan, mammoth

    • Contrasted Words: diminutive, minuscule, minute, puny

  7. Irony

    • Pronunciation: EYE ruh nee

    • Part of Speech: Noun

    • Definition: Expression that means the opposite of what is stated; event or result the opposite of what is expected

    • Concept: Irony often involves unexpected outcomes, such as Balaam’s ass acting wisely while loaded with asinine actions.

    • Example of Irony: A sarcasm-laden remark such as "Just wonderful" can highlight a day full of misadventures.

    • Synonyms: contradiction, mockery, sarcasm

    • Related Words: satire, cynicism, paradox

    • Contrasted Words: bluntness, frankness, candor

  8. Effete

    • Pronunciation: ih FEET

    • Part of Speech: Adjective

    • Definition: Worn-out, unproductive, barren

    • Origin: Latin "ef etus", relating to exhaustion from giving birth ([effete = out of bearing]).

    • Cultural Reference: Applicably used in various contexts, including civilizations like the Roman Empire perceived as becoming effete.

    • Synonyms: unproductive, exhausted, feeble, decadent

    • Related Words: sterile, enervated, impotent, degenerate

    • Contrasted Words: flourishing, prolific, fecund, vital

  9. Hyperbole

    • Pronunciation: hy PUR buh lee

    • Part of Speech: Noun

    • Definition: Obviously extravagant statement or assertion

    • Example of Usage: Statements like "I died laughing" or "He hit the ball a mile" embody hyperbolic language, exaggerating reality.

    • Etymology: Derived from Greek "hyperbole" meaning "exaggeration" (hyper = beyond + bol = to throw).

    • Synonyms: overstatement, rhetorical exaggeration

    • Related Words: embellishment, amplification

    • Contrasted Words: understatement, litotes

  10. Diabolic

    • Pronunciation: dy uh BOL ik

    • Part of Speech: Adjective

    • Definition: Outrageously wicked; cruel; devilish

    • Concept: Relating to actions or plans that are exceedingly evil.

    • Example: Refers to exaggerated villainous plans in Hollywood films, often against heroic characters.

    • Etymology: From Greek "diabolos" signifying slander and chaos, contending with the notion of evil acts.

    • Synonyms: evil, fiendish, demonic, satanic, infernal

    • Related Words: nefarious, execrable, heinous, iniquitous, impious, Mephistophelian

    • Contrasted Words: pious, virtuous, benevolent, humane

Working With Words

I. Fill in the Blanks

  1. bellwether

  2. hyperbole

  3. titanic

  4. effete

  5. chimerical

  6. plagiarizing

  7. asinine

  8. ironically

  9. limbo

  10. diabolically

II. Match the Words with Synonyms

  1. plagiarize - h

  2. limbo - d

  3. effete - f

  4. diabolic - i

  5. titanic - c

  6. asinine - a

  7. hyperbole - j

  8. chimerical - b

  9. bellwether - e

  10. irony - g

III. Word Part: DUR

  • durable (DOOR uh bul): Lasting a long time; resisting wear and decay

  • endure (in DOOR): Exist, last; bear, put up with patiently

  • duration (doo RAY shun): Time something lasts or continues

  • duress (doo RES): Force or threats to make someone do something

  • obdurate (OB doo rut): Stubborn, unyielding, hardhearted

Sentences Using DUR Words

  1. With a gun pointed at his head, the victim declared that he was signing the contract under duress.

  2. We could not persuade the obdurate father to change his mind and allow his son to join the community center.

  3. Do you think you could endure the winters of Alaska after growing up in Florida?

  4. Perishable goods spoil rapidly; durable goods last a long time.

  5. For her sin of adultery, Hester Prynne wore the scarlet letter "A" on her bosom for the duration of her life.