Untitled Flashcards Set

Hibernian (adj.)

• Relating to Ireland or the Irish.

• Ex: The festival celebrated Hibernian culture with traditional music and dancing.

Importune (v.)

• To ask persistently or urgently; to beg.

• Ex: Reporters importuned the senator for a comment after the scandal broke.

Placid (adj.)

• Calm and peaceful; not easily disturbed.

• Ex: The lake was placid, its surface untouched by even the slightest breeze.

Hirsute (adj.)

• Hairy or shaggy.

• Ex: The hirsute man combed his thick beard before the interview.

Plebeian (adj.)

• Commonplace or crude; belonging to the lower social class.

• Ex: He dismissed the show as plebeian entertainment, lacking refinement.

Tutelary (adj.)

• Serving as a protector, guardian, or patron.

• Ex: The statue of Athena stood as a tutelary symbol of wisdom and defense.

Vainglorious (adj.)

• Excessively proud of one's own achievements; boastful.

• Ex: His vainglorious speeches irritated even his most loyal supporters.

Immutable (adj.)

• Unchanging over time or unable to be changed.

• Ex: The laws of physics are considered immutable.

Convivial (adj.)

• Cheerful, friendly, and lively.

• Ex: The convivial atmosphere of the dinner party put everyone at ease.

Jaundiced (adj.)

• Affected by bitterness, resentment, or envy.

• Ex: She took a jaundiced view of their success, convinced it was undeserved.

Junta (n.)

• A military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.

• Ex: The junta took control of the government in a swift and violent coup.

Cynosure (n.)

• The center of attention or admiration.

• Ex: The actress became the cynosure of all eyes when she entered the room.

Credulous (adj.)

• Too willing to believe things; easily fooled or tricked.

• Ex: The scam targeted credulous victims unfamiliar with online fraud.

Deprecate (v.)

• To express disapproval of; to belittle.

• Ex: He deprecated her efforts, claiming they were unnecessary.

Caitiff (n.)

• A cowardly or despicable person.

• Ex: The villain was portrayed as a caitiff who betrayed even his friends.

Acrid (adj.)

• Having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell.

• Ex: The acrid smoke stung their eyes as they fled the burning building.

Diaphanous (adj.)

• Light, delicate, and translucent (especially fabric).

• Ex: She wore a diaphanous gown that shimmered in the candlelight.

Clamorous (adj.)

• Loud and noisy, especially in protest.

• Ex: The clamorous crowd demanded immediate action.

Deus Ex Machina

• A plot device where a seemingly unsolvable problem is abruptly resolved by an unexpected event.

• Ex: The eagles rescuing Frodo in The Lord of the Rings is a classic deus ex machina.

Catharsis

• The emotional release or purification felt by the audience after a dramatic event.

• Ex: The ending of The Fault in Our Stars left many viewers in catharsis.

Spoonerism

• A humorous error in speech where sounds or letters are swapped.

• Ex: Saying “The Lord is a shoving leopard” instead of “a loving shepherd.”

Mondegreen

• A misheard phrase, especially in song lyrics, that gives it a new meaning.

• Ex: “Sweet dreams are made of cheese” (misheard from “these”).

Enumeratio

• Listing parts, causes, effects, or details for emphasis or clarity.

• Ex: “We must address the causes: poverty, inequality, and corruption.”

Epanalepsis

• Repetition of the beginning word of a clause or sentence at the end.

• Ex: “The king is dead, long live the king.”

Antanaclasis

• Repetition of a word in two different senses.

• Ex: “We must all hang together, or we shall all hang separately.”

Metalepsis

• A reference made through another figurative word or phrase.

• Ex: “Lead foot” for someone who drives fast.

Conundrum

• A confusing and difficult problem or question, often with a pun.

• Ex: Q: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” (classic conundrum)

Aesthetic