Chapter 12 Flashcards
dichotomy
n.
A division into two contrasting things or parts
palpable
adj.
1.
a. Capable of being handled, touched, or felt; tangible: “Anger rushed out in a palpable wave through his arms and legs” (Herman Wouk).
b. Medicine Capable of being felt by palpating: a palpable tumor.
2. Easily perceived; obvious: “There was a palpable sense of expectation in the court”
pretentious
adj.
- Claiming that or behaving as if one is important or deserving of merit when such is not the case; self-important; pompous: a pretentious socialite.
- Showing or betraying an attitude of superiority: made pretentious remarks about his education.
- Marked by an extravagant or presumptuous outward show; ostentatious: a pretentious house.
unfetter
v.
- To free from fetters or other physical bonds.
- To free from restraints or inhibitions.
censure
v.
To express strong disapproval of or criticize severely, especially in an official capacity; to blame
didactic
adj.
- Intended to instruct.
- Morally instructive.
- Inclined to teach or moralize excessively.
extrinsic
adj.
- Not forming an essential or inherent part of a thing; extraneous.
- Originating from the outside; external.
malediction
n.
- A curse.
- Slander.
panacea
n.
A remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all.
prevaricate
v.
To speak or write evasively.
scuttle
v.
- Nautical
a. To cut or open a hole or holes in (a ship’s hull).
b. To sink (a ship) by this means. - To thwart, ruin, or terminate e.g. a plan
unfrock/ defrock
v.
- To strip of priestly privileges and functions.
- To deprive of the right to practice a profession.
- To deprive of an honorary position.
annex (v)
v.
- To append or attach, especially to a larger or more significant thing.
- To incorporate (territory) into an existing political unit such as a country, state, county, or city; to take possession of; seize; capture
- To add or attach, as an attribute, condition, or consequence.
cerebral
adj.
- Of or relating to the brain or cerebrum.
- Appealing to or requiring the use of the intellect; intellectual rather than emotional
diffident
adj.
Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid: He was too diffident to express his opinion.
malefactor
n.
- One who has committed a crime; a criminal.
- A wrongdoer or evildoer.
paradigm
n.
- One that serves as a pattern or model; an example.
- A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories: the paradigm of an irregular verb.
- A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline; a way of looking at things
indelible
adj.
- Impossible to remove, erase, or wash away; permanent: indelible ink.
- Making a mark not easily erased or washed away: an indelible pen for labeling clothing.
- Unable to be forgotten; memorable: an indelible memory.
malinger
v.
To feign illness or other incapacity in order to avoid duty or work.
charlatan
n.
A person who makes elaborate, fraudulent, and often voluble claims to skill or knowledge; a quack or fraud.
paragon
n.
A model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example: a paragon of virtue.
unwitting
adj.
- Not knowing; unaware: an unwitting subject in an experiment.
- Not intended; unintentional: an unwitting admission of guilt.
chary
adj.
- Very cautious; wary.
- Not giving or expending freely; sparing: was chary of compliments.
dilatory
adj.
- Causing or intended to cause delay: dilatory tactics in the legislature.
- Characterized by or given to delay or slowness: dilatory in his work habits.
prodigal
adj.
- Rashly or wastefully extravagant: prodigal expenditures on unneeded weaponry; a prodigal nephew who squandered his inheritance.
- Giving or given in abundance; lavish or profuse.
