Lecture Vocabulary Pages 1–2

P-Initial Vocabulary

• PRETEXT (n.)
  • Definition: A false excuse or reason put forward to justify a course of action that actually has a different motive.
  • Example: “He used a doctor’s appointment as a pretext for leaving work early.”
  • Real-world link: Often appears in political discourse when leaders launch an action under the pretext of national security.
  • Ethical note: Reliance on pretexts erodes trust and can be regarded as a form of deception.

• PRETENTIOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Behaving as though more important, talented, or cultured than one really is.
  • Synonym: Pompous.
  • Antonym: Modest.
  • Example: “The restaurant’s pretentious décor did not match the bland food.”
  • Connection: Contrasts with UNOBTRUSIVE, which avoids attracting attention.

• PREVAIL (v.)
  • Definition: To triumph or succeed against great odds; to be widespread.
  • Example: “Justice will prevail in the end.”
  • Significance: Highlights perseverance and resilience.

• PRODIGIOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Enormous or impressively large in size, amount, or degree.
  • Example: “She had a prodigious memory, able to recite entire books.”
  • Numerical cue: Think of numbers in the millions or a volume that dwarfs expectations.

• PROFOUND (adj.)
  • Definition: Intellectually deep; extremely insightful.
  • Example: “Einstein’s theories had a profound impact on modern physics.”
  • Philosophical link: Encourages exploration beneath surface appearances—contrast with SUPERFICIAL.

• PROFUSION (n.)
  • Definition: An abundance or large amount; synonym for “myriad”; antonym for “paucity.”
  • Example: “A profusion of wildflowers covered the hillside.”

• PROHIBITIVE (adj.)
  • Definition: So high (in difficulty or price) that it prevents something from happening.
  • Example: “The $50,000 tuition was prohibitive for most applicants.”
  • Economic tie-in: Prohibitive tariffs can curb imports.

• PROLIFIC (adj.)
  • Definition: Highly productive or fertile.
  • Example: “Shakespeare was a prolific playwright.”
  • Note: Often applied to artists, writers, or fruit trees.

• PROVOCATIVE (adj.)
  • Definition: Causing a reaction (anger, thought, curiosity).
  • Example: “The artist’s provocative exhibit challenged social norms.”
  • Ethical angle: Can foster dialogue but also inflame tensions.

R-Initial Vocabulary

• RECANT (v.)
  • Definition: To withdraw, renounce, or take back a previously stated opinion or belief.
  • Historical allusion: Galileo was pressured to recant his heliocentric views.
  • Opposite: VINDICATE (to prove correct).

• RECIPROCATE (v.)
  • Definition: To respond in kind; to do the same back to someone.
  • Social principle: Reciprocity underpins cooperation and trust.

• RECONCILE (v.)
  • Definition: To bring opposing people or ideas together again.
  • Example: “Mediation helped reconcile the two firms.”

• REGISTER (n./v.)
  • (n.) Official list or record.
  • (v.) To become aware of or to record.
  • Example: “Your complaint did not register with management.”

• RELEVANT / IRRELEVANT (adj.)
  • Connected / unconnected to the topic at hand.
  • Examination tip: Always link evidence to the thesis to stay relevant.

• RENOUNCE (v.)
  • Definition: To give up or formally disclaim.
  • Example: “He renounced his claim to the throne.”

• REPLENISH (v.)
  • Definition: To refill or resupply.
  • Example: “Replenish electrolytes after strenuous exercise.”

• REPLICATE (v.)
  • Definition: To copy or reproduce.
  • Scientific relevance: Results must be replicable to be valid.

• RESILIENT (adj.)
  • Definition: Capable of quickly recovering from difficulty.
  • Psychological tie-in: A core trait in positive-psychology research.

• RESURGENCE (n.)
  • Definition: The act of rising again into life or activity.
  • Example: “There’s a resurgence of vinyl records.”

• RETROSPECT (n.)
  • Definition: Hindsight; looking back.
  • Phrase: “In retrospect, the warning signs were clear.”

• REVELATION (n.)
  • Definition: Something newly revealed and thus made known.
  • Example: “The memoir contained startling revelations.”

• RUDIMENTARY (adj.)
  • Definition: Limited to basic principles; elementary.
  • Example: “Rudimentary math skills are required.”

S-Initial Vocabulary

• SABOTAGE (v.)
  • Definition: To deliberately destroy or damage.
  • Etymology link: Derived from French workers allegedly throwing “sabots” (wooden shoes) into machinery.

• SATIATE (v.)
  • Definition: To fully satisfy.
  • Example: “A hearty meal satiated their hunger.”

• SCHEME (n.)
  • Definition: A clever and often devious plan.
  • Connotation: Neutral in UK (government schemes) but negative in US usage.

• SCRUPULOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Extremely attentive to details; morally concerned.
  • Example: “A scrupulous editor spots every error.”

• SCRUTINIZE (v.)
  • Definition: To examine very closely and carefully.
  • Noun form: Scrutiny.
  • Research method: Data sets are scrutinized for anomalies.

• SPECULATE (v.)
  • Definition: To form a theory without firm evidence; synonym “conjecture.”
  • Finance note: Speculating in stocks implies higher risk.

• SPURIOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: False or fake; synonym “specious.”
  • Example: “Spurious claims can undermine science.”

• STIPULATE (v.)
  • Definition: To demand or specify as part of an agreement.
  • Contract law: Terms are stipulated to avoid ambiguity.

• STRENUOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Requiring great physical exertion.
  • Health tip: Build up gradually to prevent injury.

• SUBJECTIVE (adj.)
  • Definition: Influenced by personal tastes, opinions, or feelings.
  • Opposite: OBJECTIVE (not in list but good contrast).

• SUBSTANTIAL (adj.)
  • Definition: Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
  • Example: “Substantial evidence supported the verdict.”

• SUPERFICIAL (adj.)
  • Definition: Shallow; lacking depth.
  • Example: “A superficial analysis overlooks systemic issues.”

• SUPERFLUOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: More than enough; unnecessary.
  • Editing rule: Cut superfluous words.

• SUPPLANT (v.)
  • Definition: To replace; supersede.
  • Tech example: Smartphones supplanted MP3 players.

• SUPPLEMENT (n./v.)
  • (n.) An addition or reinforcement.
  • (v.) To add on.
  • Dietary reminder: Vitamin C can supplement an inadequate diet.

• SURPASS (v.)
  • Definition: To exceed; go beyond.
  • Example: “Her latest novel surpasses her earlier work.”

• SWAY (v.)
  • Definition: To persuade to follow a course of action.
  • Rhetorical tie-in: Ethos, pathos, and logos sway audiences.

• SYNCHRONIZE (v.)
  • Definition: To cause multiple events to occur at the same time.
  • Tech link: NTP servers synchronize clocks across the internet.

• SYNOPSIS (n.)
  • Definition: A brief summary.
  • Study skill: Write a synopsis after each chapter to reinforce learning.

T-Initial Vocabulary

• TALLY (n./v.)
  • (n.) A recorded account; a total.
  • (v.) To count or add up.
  • Example: “Election officials will tally the votes tonight.”

• THWART (v.)
  • Definition: To block or get in the way of something negative.
  • Example: “Quick thinking thwarted the cyber-attack.”

• TRANSCEND (v.)
  • Definition: To rise above normal limitations.
  • Philosophical note: Mystics aim to transcend the material world.

• TEDIOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Boring, dull, and tiresome.
  • Example: “Data entry can be a tedious task.”

• TENUOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Very weak; connected only slightly.
  • Example: “A tenuous argument lacks supporting evidence.”

• TRIVIAL (adj.)
  • Definition: Unimportant.
  • Antonym: Significant.
  • Practical tip: Focus on high-value tasks; ignore trivial distractions.

U-Initial Vocabulary

• UBIQUITOUS (adj.)
  • Definition: Present everywhere; synonym “universal.”
  • Tech example: Smartphones have become ubiquitous.

• UNATTAINABLE (adj.)
  • Definition: Impossible to reach or achieve.
  • Goal-setting insight: Set SMART goals—not unattainable ones.

• UNCANNY (adj.)
  • Definition: Strange or slightly supernatural; beyond what is ordinary.
  • Example: “She had an uncanny ability to predict weather changes.”

• UNCLASSIFIABLE (adj.)
  • Definition: Unable to be assigned to a category.
  • Application: Avant-garde art often feels unclassifiable.

• UNCONVENTIONAL (adj.)
  • Definition: Not conforming to what is generally done or believed.
  • Example: “His unconventional methods produced innovative results.”

• UNDERMINE (v.)
  • Definition: To weaken or erode.
  • Example: “Gossip can undermine morale.”

• UNDERSCORE (v.)
  • Definition: To emphasize by drawing attention to a fact, idea, or situation.
  • Formatting parallel: Underlining underscores key phrases.

• UNEQUIVOCAL (adj.)
  • Definition: Leaving no doubt; certain.
  • Example: “The DNA evidence was unequivocal.”

• UNOBTRUSIVE (adj.)
  • Definition: Inconspicuous; not attracting attention.
  • Design tie-in: Good UX is often unobtrusive.

• UNRESOLVABLE (adj.)
  • Definition: Unable to be resolved or settled.
  • Example: “Some paradoxes appear unresolvable.”

• UNTENABLE (adj.)
  • Definition: Unable to be defended or supported.
  • Example: “The theory became untenable after new data emerged.”

V-Initial Vocabulary

• VACILLATE (v.)
  • Definition: To go back and forth between two options; synonym “waver.”
  • Decision-making tip: Gather data to avoid vacillating.

• VALIDATE (v.)
  • Definition: To confirm the truth of a claim.
  • Scientific method: Hypotheses are validated through experiments.

• VERISIMILITUDE (n.)
  • Definition: The quality of seeming to be true.
  • Literary link: A novel’s realism enhances verisimilitude.

• VINDICATE (v.)
  • Definition: To free from blame; prove correct.
  • Example: “The evidence vindicated her innocence.”

W-Initial Vocabulary

• WAIVE (v.)
  • Definition: To voluntarily give up the right to do something.
  • Legal example: “He waived his right to a jury trial.”

• WAVER (v.)
  • Definition: To go back and forth between two options; synonym “vacillate.”
  • Tip: Set clear priorities to prevent wavering.

• WATERSHED (n.)
  • Definition: A turning point.
  • Historical example: “The 1969 moon landing was a watershed moment in space exploration.”