After Session 6 Flashcards
AGGREGATE
a sum total of many things taken together
To aggregate is to collect many units into one. If you’re writing a novel, you might create a character who is an aggregate of five or six real people.
noun - a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
noun - the whole amount
Politics is a hard and narrow game; its policies represent the aggregate desires and aspirations of millions of people.
DIDACTIC
instructive (especially excessively)
When people are didactic, they’re teaching or instructing. This word is often used negatively for when someone is acting too much like a teacher.
adjective - instructive (especially excessively)
CENSURE
harsh criticism or disapproval
Censure is a noun referring to very strong criticism; the verb means to criticize very strongly. If you take your dad’s car without telling him, you can expect him to censure you severely, and maybe even ground you as well.
noun - harsh criticism or disapproval
A few wanted to formally censure Walter and me, but in the end did not.
ANARCHY
a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
Use the noun anarchy to describe a complete lack of government — or the chaotic state of affairs created by such an absence. A substitute teacher might worry that an unruly classroom will descend into anarchy.
noun - a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
INCIPIENT
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
Incipient means something is in an early stage of existence. In its incipient form, basketball was played with a soccer ball and peach baskets for goals. Bouncy orange balls and nets came later.
adjective - only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
INCURSION
the act of entering some territory or domain
When an army crosses a border into another country for battle, they are making an incursion into enemy territory. An incursion is an invasion as well as an attack.
noun - the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
“the incursion of television into the American living room”
ENGENDER
call forth
Engender is a fancy way of saying “to make happen,” like when you engender the spirit of teamwork and cooperation by encouraging others and doing your share of the group’s work.
verb - call forth
AUTONOMOUS
existing as an independent entity
Autonomous describes things that function separately or independently. Once you move out of your parents’ house and get your own job, you will be an autonomous member of the family.
adjective - existing as an independent entity
“the partitioning of India created two separate and autonomous jute economies”
EQUANIMITY
steadiness of mind under stress
If you take the news of your parakeet’s death with equanimity, it means you take it calmly without breaking down. Equanimity refers to emotional calmness and balance in times of stress.
noun - steadiness of mind under stress
INDETERMINATE
not precisely determined or established
Indeterminate means not known or decided. When someone contracts a rare stomach parasite but has not been traveling internationally, you might say it had indeterminate origins.
adjective - not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
“of indeterminate age”
“a zillion is a large indeterminate number”
“an indeterminate point of law”
“the influence of environment is indeterminate”
“an indeterminate future”
CORRUGATED
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
Corrugated means molded into tight ridges and valleys. You’ve probably seen corrugated cardboard or corrugated metal roofs.
adjective - shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
“the surface of the ocean was rippled and corrugated”
UNSEEMLY
not in keeping with standards of what is proper
Something that is inappropriate or unacceptable behavior is unseemly. It’s a gentler, somewhat nicer word for “inappropriate” than its synonyms, the “in” words: “indecent, indecorous, indelicate, inelegant, inept” — well, you get the idea.
adjective - not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
“unseemly to use profanity”
INDIGENCE
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
Indigence is a synonym for extreme poverty. If you experience indigence, you have a critical need for food, money, and other resources.
noun - a state of extreme poverty or destitution
“their indigence appalled him”
INDIGENOUS
originating where it is found
Use indigenous to describe a plant, animal or person that is native or original to an area. Though Switzerland is known for its chocolates, chocolate, which comes from the cocoa plant, is indigenous to South America.
adjective - originating where it is found
“the Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan”
SENTIENT
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
Someone sentient is able to feel things, or sense them. Sentient usually occurs in phrases like “sentient beings” and “sentient creatures,” making it clear that things that don’t have life don’t have feelings. Explain that to a pet rock.
adjective - endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
“”the living knew themselves just sentient puppets on God’s stage”- T.E.Lawrence”
ESOTERIC
understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
Pssst… do you know the secret handshake? If you haven’t been brought into the inner circle of those with special knowledge, esoteric things will remain a mystery to you.
adjective - confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
“a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories”
CHICANERY
the use of tricks to deceive someone
Have you ever gotten the sense that politicians or corporate leaders will say anything to turn public opinion their way? This tricky kind of deceit and manipulation is called chicanery.
noun - the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
ESTIMABLE
deserving of respect or high regard
Something or someone estimable is worthy of respect and admiration. Many U.S. presidents might be described as estimable, though it depends on who you ask.
adjective - deserving of respect or high regard
synonyms: admirable, worthy
ABERRANT
markedly different from an accepted norm
Use the adjective aberrant to describe unusual conduct. Sitting in a bathtub and singing show tunes all day long might be considered aberrant behavior.
adjective - markedly different from an accepted norm
“aberrant behavior”
CRASS
unrefined
A crass comment is very stupid and shows that the speaker doesn’t care about other people’s feelings. In today’s day and age, you don’t have to wear black to a funeral, but to show up in clown pants is simply crass.
adjective - (of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
INGRATE
a person who shows no gratitude
If your kind act of buying a donut for your friend gets you nothing but a complaint that the chocolate icing looks runny, then it sounds like your pal is an ingrate, someone who is not thankful for others’ kindness.
noun - a person who shows no gratitude
CRAVEN
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
A craven man is no Superman or Spiderman, nor is he a firefighter or a soldier. A craven man is the opposite of those guys: he has not an ounce of courage.
adjective - lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
“the craven fellow turned and ran”
“a craven proposal to raise the white flag”
ANOMALY
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
An anomaly is an abnormality, a blip on the screen of life that doesn’t fit with the rest of the pattern. If you are a breeder of black dogs and one puppy comes out pink, that puppy is an anomaly.
noun - deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
AVID
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
Avid usually means very eager or enthusiastic. If you’re an avid reader, it means you read as much as you can, whenever you can.
adjective - marked by active interest and enthusiasm
“an avid sports fan”
COALESCE
fuse or cause to come together
Waiting for a plan to come together? You’re waiting for it to coalesce. Coalesce is when different elements of something join together and become one.
verb - fuse or cause to grow together
SUMMARILY
without delay; in a summary manner
Whenever you do something summarily, you act without hesitating or even taking time to explain yourself. A strict babysitter might announce, “Bedtime!” and summarily flip off the lights and close the bedroom door.
adverb - without delay; in a summary manner
INSULARITY
lack of openness to new ideas; narrow-mindedness
The noun insularity refers to the quality of being isolated or detached. In fact, the word is based on the Latin word insula, for “island.” The phrase “no man is an island” means that no one can be completely separate from others.
(n) The state or quality of being insular, especially the narrow point of view
resulting from life in a closed, isolated community
EXTENUATING
making forgivable
You’ll be furious that your friend didn’t bake the cupcakes she promised for your bake sale — until you learn the extenuating circumstances: her dog climbed onto her kitchen counter and ate all the cupcake batter. Extenuating means “making forgivable.”
adjective - partially excusing or justifying
“extenuating circumstances”
CRYPTIC
having a secret or hidden meaning
“White bunny. Moon square.” Do you understand what that means? Of course not! It’s totally cryptic. Cryptic comments or messages are hard to understand because they seem to have a hidden meaning.
adjective - having a secret or hidden meaning
“cryptic writings”
TIRADE
a speech of violent denunciation
A tirade is a speech, usually consisting of a long string of violent, emotionally charged words. Borrow and lose your roommate’s clothes one too many times, and you can bet you’ll be treated to a heated tirade.
noun - a speech of violent denunciation
DAMP
slightly wet or soggy
Something that’s damp is slightly wet or soggy. If your shoes are damp when you enter your friend’s white-carpeted house, you should probably take them off.
adjective - slightly wet
“clothes damp with perspiration”
TOUT
show off. boast.
To tout means to praise, boast, or brag about. If you like to tout your skill as a skier, you tell people you can go down expert-level hills.
verb - advertise in strongly positive terms
“This product was touted as a revolutionary invention”
FALLACIOUS
containing or based on incorrect information
Something fallacious is a mistake that comes from too little information or unsound sources. Predictions that the whole state of California will snap off from the rest of North America and float away have proven to be fallacious — for now, anyway.
adjective - containing or based on a fallacy
“fallacious reasoning”
PRAGMATIC
concerned with practical matters
To describe a person or a solution that takes a realistic approach, consider the adjective pragmatic. The four-year-old who wants a unicorn for her birthday isn’t being very pragmatic.
adjective - concerned with practical matters
She said this in a pragmatic, almost indifferent, tone, and Mariam understood that this was a woman far past outrage.
DEBACLE
a sudden and violent collapse
Use debacle to refer to a fiasco, disaster, or great failure. If several dogs run onto the field during the big baseball game, tripping players and chewing up the bases, you can call the whole event a debacle.
noun - a sudden and violent collapse
When the survivors of the McKinley debacle showed up on the south side of Everest in 1996, Makalu Gau was again their leader.
TRIBUTE
something given or done as an expression of esteem
A tribute is a sign of respect or admiration, an award to honor a person’s accomplishments. A famous director receives a lifetime achievement award as a tribute to his many successful films.
n - something given or done as an expression of esteem
INUNDATE
fill or cover completely, usually with water
To inundate means to quickly fill up or overwhelm, just like a flood. Your bathroom could be inundated with water if the pipes burst, and hopefully your inbox is inundated with nice emails on your birthday.
verb - fill or cover completely, usually with water
“the basement was inundated after the storm”
TURBULENCE
instability or disturbance
Use the noun turbulence to describe instability or disturbance. If you’re on an airplane during a storm, turbulence is that horrible thing that is causing the plane (and your stomach) to bounce around.
noun - instability in the atmosphere
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noun - a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
“the industrial revolution was a period of great turbulence
INVEIGLE
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
When you tell your boyfriend he’s not just the best boyfriend ever but also the world’s best driver, and this makes him offer to drive the whole way on your upcoming road trip, then congratulations. You know how to inveigle, or use charm to coax someone into doing something.
verb - influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
FERMENT
commotion or excitement
The word ferment means a commotion or excitement. Consider that the fermentation that turns juice or grain into alcohol is the result of the agitated development of bacteria, and then you can better appreciate the word’s meaning.
verb - cause to undergo fermentation
“We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content”
ALACRITY
liveliness and eagerness
Someone with alacrity shows cheerful willingness and eager behavior, like a kid whose mother has told him he can buy anything in a candy store.
noun - liveliness and eagerness
“he accepted with alacrity”
FETID
something that smells bad
If you want to understand the true meaning of fetid, leave your sweaty gym clothes in your locker for a few days. Fetid is a fancy way of saying that something smells really bad.
adjective - offensively malodorous
DECOROUS
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste
Something that is decorous is dignified, proper, and in good taste, like your decorous great-aunt who always wears a dress — even when she’s only headed to the grocery store.
adjective - characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
“the tete-a-tete was decorous in the extreme”
JABBER
talk excited. blabber
When someone starts to jabber, they start talking on and on about this or that, or that or this, in an excited, sometimes incoherent way. Jabber is a close cousin to blabber.
verb - talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
JIBE
to agree with someone, be compatible
To jibe with someone is to agree with them. Jibe can also mean “be compatible with or similar to.” If two people jibe, they get along quite well.
(v) To be in harmony; agree
GIBE
To insult
“Loser! Bonehead!” the kids shouted, tossing those words and other gibes at the people who offered themselves up to the annual humiliation of the harvest-fest dunk-tank. A gibe is an insulting comment. To gibe is to insult.
(v) To jeer, taunt, or deride
(n) A mocking or sarcastic remark
JOCULAR
characterized by jokes and good humor
Do you like to make a lot of jokes? Are you often silly? Are you usually happy? If so, then you are a jocular person.
(adj.) Characterized by or given to playful jesting; jolly
FECUND
highly fertile and easily offspring
The adjective fecund describes things that are highly fertile and that easily produce offspring or fruit. Rabbits are often considered to be fecund animals, and you may hear jokes in poor taste about people reproducing like rabbits if they have a lot of children.
(adj.) Fruitful, fertile
REFRACTORY
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
Imagine yourself pulling a dog who doesn’t want to walk. The dog is refractory, or stubbornly resisting your authority.
(adj.) Stubbornly disobedient; hard to manage
“a refractory child”
LABILE
liable to change
Labile is an adjective used to describe something that is easily or frequently changed. Radioactive elements, such as uranium or plutonium, are labile. It is this lability that makes them unstable and dangerous.
adjective - liable to change
“an emotionally labile person”
