AFOQT Nouns 200 Flashcards
lore
body of traditional or historical knowledge
malady
disease or illness
maneuver
movement of a unit or individual to achieve a goal
mania
abnormal concentration on or enthusiasm for something
marathon
26 mile/385 yard race. Named in commemoration of the messenger who ran that distance to bring new to Athens of the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 bc at Marathon.
maverick
a person who acts independently instead of in conformance with common organizational behavior
maxim
ad adage or proverb prescribing a rule or method of conduct, as in: measure twice, cut once
medium
means of communication of presentation. Plural: media
memento
object that commemorates or reminds someone of a past event
metropolis
very large city
milieu
surroundings, environment
morale
state of mind or attitude of an individual or group
mores
established customs or values of a group or segment of society
myriad
vast number of great multitude of something, usually implying wide variations within a group
myth
a traditional story, usually attempting to explain a natural condition or occurrence, often involving supernatural influences
negligence
carelessness
neophyte
a beginner
niche
literally: a recess in a wall for holding a statue or other ornament; figuratively: an appropriate activity or situation that is especially well suited to a person’s abilities or character
nomad
wanderer
nostalgia
desire to return to a past experience or situation
oasis
an isolated place or area of comfort surrounded by desolation or barrenness
oblivion
a condition of complete ignorance, forgetfulness, or unawareness
obscure
unclear, clouded, partially hidden
odyssey
a long journey usually containing challenges or obstacles; derived from the mythic ten-year jouney home of Odysseus after the Trojan War, chonicled in Homer’s epic Greek poem The Odyssey
omen
a sign or event believed to foretell the future
optimum
the best possible condition or combination of factors
ovation
applause of an audience, or any enthusiastically positive reception accompanied by applause
overture
first step, usually one that is intended to lead others in action or discussion
panacea
a cure for all problems or diseases
paradox
a statement that contradicts or appears to contradict itself
parsimony
stinginess or overzealous desire to be thrifty
partisan
one who supports a particular cause, person, or idea; in a country occupied by an enemy, a partisan is one who opposes the occupying enemy by acts of defiance or sabotage
pathology
the science of diseases; any deviatin from a normal, healthy condition
paucity
scarcity of a resource or condition
pauper
a very poor person
pedagogue
a strict, overly academic teacher or speaker
phenomenon
an unusual, noticeable, or outstanding occurrence that is directly perceived by the senses or by results
philanthropy
love of mankind, usually exemplified by donations to charitable causes
phobia
an unreasonable fear of something
pilgramage
long journey to some palce or condition worthy of respect or devotion
pitfall
trap or obstacle for the unwary
pittance
very small amount, usually referring to money
plateau
an elevated, relatively level expanse of land; also can refer to a leveling off of progress or results
plight
an unfavorable condition or situation
poise
calm and controlled behavior
posterity
future descendants or generations
precedent
event or law that serves as an example for later action
predecessor
someone or something that came before another
predicament
unpleasant problem or situation, usually one that is difficult to escape
preface
introductory statement or passage to a book, speech, or other communication
prelude
something that is preliminary to some act or event that is more important
premise
a statement or assumption from which a conclusion is drawn; given, hypothetical, if, postulate, presumption, presupposition, supposition
premium
best quality; an amount added to the usual price or payment
prestige
respect or status achieved through achievement or rank
pretext
a reason given as a cover-up for the real purpose for an action
priority
something that comes before others in significance or importance
probity
integrity, uprightness, honesty
prodigy
an extremely talented or gifted child
propinquity
nearness
propriety
good manners, appropriately respectful and reserved behavior
proviso
a requirement that something specific is done, usually in writing
prowess
strength or superior ability
proximity
nearness
pseudonym
an assumed name, usually pen name taken by an author
pun
a play on words that depends on two or more different meanings or sounds of the same word or phrase
pundit
a knowledgeable person in a particular field; can also refer to a comentator who publicizes his opinions, whether or not he is actually an expert in that field
quagmire
literally, a bog or swamp that impedes movement or in which people or vehicles could be struck or mired; figuratively, a difficult or dangerous situation from which there is limited hope of escape
qualm
doubt or unease about some action or situation
quandary
deep uncertainty or indecision about a choice between two or more courses of action; dilemma
query
a question or request for information
rampart
a fortification; bulwark or defense against attack
rapport
a harmonious or mutually trusting relationship
refuge
a place to which one can go for protection or separation from difficulty
remnant
remaining or left-over of something
renaissance
a rebirth or revival
rendezvous
a meeting or location for a meeting
renown
fame or wide acclaim, especially for accomplishments or skill
replica
an exact copy or facsimile of something, although it may only be proportionate and not the same in size
reprimand
retaliation for real or perceived injuries; often implies giving back more than was originally received
reprobate
a wicked, sinful, depraved person
residue
the remainder of something after removal of a part; usually implies a small amount left, perhaps in a container, after the majority is removed
resources
assets that are available for use, either material or spiritual
respite
a temporary break, usually one that brings relief
reverence
a feeling of great respect, usually religious in nature
sabotage
deliberate damage to facilities or equipment belonging to an enemy, usually performed by spies or an underground movement within an occupied country
saga
a long story, tale, usually involving heroic deeds
salutation
a written or spoken greeting; also can refer to a person’s title
satire
criticism of someone or something by seeming approval cast in a light or taken to an extreme that makes the subject appear ridiculous
sheaf
a bundle, usually either of papers or grain
sheen
shine or luster
slander
spoken untruth that damages one’s reputation
solace
confort after loss or disappointment
stagnation
motionlessness or inactivity
stanza
a section of a poem or song; a verse
stature
a height, measured either physically or in respect
stigma
mark or perception of disgrace or bad reputation
stimulus
an encouragement to act or react
strategy
planning and coordination aimed at achieving a goal or objective; a way to get something done
strife
conflict, disagreement, contention
supplement
an amount added to complete something
sycophant
one who flatters a superior in hope of getting preferential treatment
synthesis
the combining of parts to form a whole, especially referring to ideas or procedures
tacit
silent or unspoken
tact
the ability to communicate a message without causing ofense, especially an unpleasant message
tactics
specific actions used to achieve a purpose or accomplish an objective in military terms, maneuvers by small or lower-level units in contact with the enemy
temerity
recklessness, audacity; boldness verging on foolhardiness
termperament
overall attitide, dispostion, or character
threshold
the starting point of an activity; literally, the line that separates one area from another
timbre
the quality of sound, independent of pitch and volume
token
a sign or object that signifies a greater feeling or whole
trepidation
fear, apprehension
tribunal
a place of judgment, usually legal in nature
tribute
a demonstration of respect or gratitude
turmoil
disturbance or upheaval
turpitude
shameful wickedness or depravity
tycoon
a very wealthy and powerful business leader
utopia
an ideal place or society, usually regarded as unachievable
valor
courage, heroism
venture
a project or enterprise, usually one involving some degree of risk, although not necessarily physical risk
vigor
vitality or energy
volition
will or conscious choice
welter
confused mass; commotion or turmoil
woe
great trouble or sorrow
zeal
eager desire or enthusiasm
zenith
highest point
zest
enthusiasm
