Humanities 2 Final Exam Study Guide - Vocabulary Definitions
Vocabulary Definitions
Affliction (n.)
Definition: A cause of persistent pain or distress.
Example: "The world views my ADHD as an affliction, but sometimes it feels more like a superpower than a hindrance."
Assimilate (v.)
Definition: To absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group.
Example: "Students who transfer mid-year often find it difficult to assimilate to the culture and expectations of their new teachers."
Asylum (n.)
Definition: The protection or security afforded by an asylum; refuge, a place of refuge and protection giving shelter.
Example: "The refugees were offered asylum with warm beds and bathing facilities as soon as they reached the border."
Auspicious (adj.)
Definition: Showing or suggesting that future success is likely.
Example: "The race was off to an auspicious start with a large group of the runners settling in at a pace well under the course record."
Autonomous (adj.)
Definition: Having the right or power of self-government without outside control.
Example: "It is always an exciting time when a revolution leads to the creation of an autonomous new government without the former oppressors having a continued role."
Belligerent (adj.)
Definition: Inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness.
Example: "The referee finally threw out the belligerent teenagers for constantly yelling and trying to provoke the other team."
Clandestine (adj.)
*Definition: Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy: surreptitious.
*Example: "The spy set up a clandestine meeting in a private location with the informant from the rival company."
Commiserate (v.)
Definition: To feel or express sympathy: condole.
Example: "I went over to commiserate with the students who were studying for their Organic Chemistry exam knowing how hard it was for me the previous year."
Complement (n.)
Definition: Fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect.
Example: "When choosing colors for the outside of a home, it is important to choose shutters in a color to complement the colors of the siding, trim, and front door, otherwise things will clash horribly."
Conspicuously (adv.)
Definition: In a way that is obvious or easily seen, or that attracts notice, often intentionally.
Example: "One important voice has been conspicuously absent in the discussions of whether or not we should sell; has anyone asked Dad what he thinks we should do with the company he founded?"
Cynicism (n.)
Definition: An attitude or quality that is contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives.
Example: "My cynicism runs so deep that I questioned whether or not the surprise party was really for me until I read my name on the cake."
Definitive (adj.)
Definition: Serving to define or specify precisely.
Example: "College admissions used to give a definitive yes or no, but now they have wait lists and conditional acceptances, leaving students with questions."
Delusional (adj.)
Definition: Tricking or deceiving someone.
Example: "It is just delusional to think that after cheating multiple times Thad is a completely trustworthy individual."
Diabolical (adj.)
Definition: Of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil.
Example: "The parents’ plan to trick the kids into thinking that Spring Break had been cancelled and they had to get up for school was absolutely diabolical."
Discreet (adj.)
Definition: Unobtrusive, unnoticeable.
Example: "It is important to be discreet when discussing confidential information to ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands."
Dissuade (v.)
Definition: To advise a person against something.
Example: "I will attempt to dissuade you from the plan, but if you are adamant about going forward, I wish you the best of luck."
Effigy (n.)
Definition: A crude representation of a person, especially a hated person.
Example: "The protestors created an effigy of the villain and were planning to burn it when the march reached the courthouse steps."
Emancipated (v.)
Definition: To free from restraint, control, or the power of another, especially to free from bondage.
Example: "After many years in prison, Marji’s Uncle Anoosh was emancipated when the revolution ousted the Shah and she was finally able to meet him in person."
Ideology (n.)
Definition: The integrated assertions, theories, and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program.
Example: "The ideology of any political theory is usually quite different from the actual experiences of those living within that system."
Impediment (n.)
Definition: A bar or hindrance, obstacle.
Example: "A recession usually creates a serious impediment to scientific progress as funding for research is cut to only those studies that have already shown some success."
Inane (adj.)
Definition: Lacking significance, meaning, or point; empty, insubstantial.
Example: "So many modern movies present such inane dialogue that people labeled these trite phrases as brain rot."
Indoctrination (n.)
Definition: To imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle.
Example: "It is important to read, watch, and listen to a wide variety of sources and opinions to avoid indoctrination into any single way of thinking."
Infantile (adj.)
Definition: Suitable to or characteristic of an infant, especially: very immature.
Example: "Sixteen is far too old to display infantile reactions to minor setbacks; leave that to the toddlers."
Infer (v.)
Definition: To derive as a conclusion from facts or premises.
Example: "It is important to write a sentence from which the students can infer the meaning of the word rather than writing something vague."
Insinuate (v.)
Definition: To impart or suggest in an artful or indirect way; imply.
Example: "I believe that the students were trying to insinuate that my class was difficult when they said they missed English being an extra study hall."
Integrity (n.)
Definition: Firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values.
Example: "She had the integrity to refuse the proffered compromise that was asking her to go against her morals."
Intransigence (n.)
Definition: The quality or state of being uncompromising or failing to abandon an often extreme position or attitude.
Example: "A moderator is usually called in to help with settlement proceedings when the intransigence of both parties prevents compromise."
Itinerant (adj.)
Definition: Traveling from place to place.
Example: "My grandparents lamented what they called my itinerant life when I moved to five different cities in three different states in my first 8 years out of college."
Malaise (n.)
Definition: An indefinite feeling of debility or lack of health often indicative of or accompanying the onset of an illness.
Example: "Many different illnesses list malaise as one of the symptoms, but if the patient really doesn’t want to get out of bed, some further investigation is probably warranted."
Metamorphosis (n.)
Definition: A striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances.
Example: "The woman went through a huge physical metamorphosis when she started exercising on a regular basis after giving birth to three sets of twins."
Nonchalance (n.)
Definition: The quality or state of having an air of easy unconcern or indifference.
Example: "Although Walter tried to feign nonchalance, it was clear to everyone that he was super excited that Jess had said yes to his promposal."
Obligatory (adj.)
Definition: Binding in law; mandatory, required.
Example: "Even though New Hampshire touts itself as the 'Live Free or Die' state, it is still obligatory to put a child in a proper safety seat when riding in a car."
Palpated (v.)
Definition: To examine by touch especially medically.
Example: "The doctor palpated the patient’s abdomen in order to locate the source of their stomach pain."
Persecute (v.)
Definition: To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.
Example: "During the Holocaust, the Jewish citizens of Europe were persecuted which eventually escalated to their deportation to the concentration camps."
Pretext (n.)
Definition: A purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs.
Example: "She went back to her friend’s house on the pretext that she had forgotten her purse, but she really just wanted to see if Justin had stayed behind."
Prostrate (adj.)
Definition: Completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise.
Example: "When they found him prostrate on the floor and unresponsive, they quickly dialed 911 for help."
Qualm (n.)
Definition: A feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety.
Example: "That coach has never had a qualm about cutting players who exhibit a bad attitude during tryouts."
Rapport (n.)
Definition: A friendly, harmonious relationship.
Example: "An interview is an opportunity to build rapport and show the interviewer how well you will fit in at the company."
Refuge (n.)
Definition: A shelter or protection from danger or distress.
Example: "The survivors of the storm took refuge in the temporary shelter to get some much-needed rest."
Reprehensible (adj.)
Definition: Worthy of or deserving reprehension: culpable.
Example: "It is truly reprehensible to take advantage of someone who is kind and trusting of others."
Reprimand (n.)
Definition: A severe or formal reproof.
Example: "It is normal for a school to issue a reprimand for the first student infraction, but if there are repeated offenses, things tend to escalate toward suspension and eventually expulsion."
Reproach (n.)
Definition: An expression of rebuke or disapproval.
Example: "The normally well-behaved students received sharp words of reproach after their discussion went off the rails and they resorted to yelling across the classroom."
Resilient (adj.)
Definition: Tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.
Example: "The girls proved that they were truly resilient when they pulled out a win after allowing 17 runs in one inning."
Rudimentary (adj.)
Definition: Consisting in first principles: fundamental.
Example: "She had to stretch her rudimentary coding skills in order to update the website when her boss discovered that someone had tampered with their homepage."
Secular (adj.)
Definition: Not overtly or specifically religious.
Example: "The government was set up as secular, maintaining a clear separation of church and state."
Semblance (n.)
Definition: Outward and often specious appearance or show: form.
Example: "I could tell that he was upset by her comments because his face only wore a semblance of a smile, not the genuine one he usually displays."
Sordid (adj.)
Definition: Meanly avaricious: covetous.
Example: "If the company knew about Damian’s sordid past they never would have given him access to the corporate account."
Timid (adj.)
Definition: Lacking in courage or self-confidence.
Example: "Every teacher celebrates when the most timid student in the class finally speaks up and asserts an educated opinion in front of the whole class."
Veritable (adj.)
Definition: Being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary.
Example: "There is a veritable library of information available at your fingertips if you have a smartphone, so why is it that you choose to remain uninformed?"
Wrath (n.)
Definition: Strong vengeful anger or indignation.
Example: "Many children know that ignoring their mother’s requests for help will eventually lead them to meet her wrath."