Cellist of Sarajevo Vocab Flashcards
Detritus
debris/waste
sentimentality
excessive tenderness, sadness or nostalgia
impunity
exemption from punishment or freedom
depredate
waste
repercussion
unintended consequence occurring sometime after an event or action; especially unwelcomed one
retaliation
action of returning a military attack; counterattack
arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason or system.
distend
cause to swell by pressure from inside
verify
make sure
- demonstrate that something is true or accurate
intrusion
intruding/barging in
defer
put off to a later time/ postpone
figment
something that someone believes to be real but only exists in their imagination
indispensable
absolutely necessary
milling
moving around in a confused mass
- usually people or animals
skeptical
inclined to question/doubt accepted opinions
scarcity
the state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage
black market
illegal traffic/trade in officially controlled/scarce commodities
proximity
nearness in space, time, or relationship
obtrusive
noticeable/prominent in an unwelcome/intrusive way
benign
gentle and kindly
malevolent
having/showing a wish to do evil to other
lucid
expressed clearly; easy to understand
inaudible
unable to be heard
demarcated
set the boundaries of limits of
adversary
ones opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute
discreet
careful and circumspect in ones speed or actions
- especially in order to avoid causing offense/to gain an advantage
vigil
a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent sleeping
- to keep watch/prey
decoy
lure or entice away from an intended course
conviction
a firmly held belief/opinion
succumb
fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force
hostility
hostile behavior
- unfriendliness/opposition
remorse
deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed
mutilate
inflict violent and disfiguring injury on
pyre
a heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony
frenetic
fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way
evasive
directed towards avoidance or escape
frivolous
carefree/not serious
- not having serious purpose/value
contrite
feeling/expressing remorse or sorrow; afflicted by guilt
bereave
be deprived of a loved one through a profound absence
- especially due to the loves one’s death
dissipate
disappear/cause to disappear
prevail
prove more powerful than opposing forces; to be victorious
autonomy
right/condition of self government
cursory
hasty and therefor not thorough or detailed
languid
weak/faint from illness or fatigue
consolation
the comfort received by a person after a loss/disappointment
relent
abandon or mitigate a harsh intention/cruel treatment
absolve
set or declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility
retribution
punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong/criminal act
volition
the faculty/power of using ones will
conjecture
an opinion/conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
revel
make known to others
lament
passionate expression of grief of sorrow
predecessor
a person who held a job/office before the current holder
revile
criticize in an abusive/angrily insulting manner
prudent
acting with or showing care and thought for the future
aspiration
a hope or ambition of achieving something
