CO205 Flashcards
EXPUNGE, EXCISE, EXPURGATE
To take OUT; to delete; to remove
In the movie 300, Xerxes threatened to EXPUNGE all memory of Sparta and Leonidas: “Every piece of Greek parchment shall be burned, every Greek historian and every Greek scribe shall have his eyes put out and his thumbs cut off. Ultimately the very name of Sparta or Leonidas will be punishable by death. The world will never know you existed.”
Xerxes failed to carry out his threat to EXCISE the names of Sparta and King Leonidas from the historic record. However, a powerful Egyptian Pharaoh, Thutmose III, did succeed in EXPURGATING the name of his stepmother, Hatshepsut, from Egyptian monuments. A female pharaoh, Hatshepsut reigned for nearly 20 years in the 15th century BCE. Possibly motivated by jealousy, Thutmose ruthlessly defaced his stepmother’s monuments and EXPURGATED her name from historic records. All memory of Hatshepsut was lost until 19th century Egyptologists rediscovered her monuments and restored her place in history.
ECCENTRIC
Literally OUT of the center; departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm; an odd, UNCONVENTIONAL (Word 7) person
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants is very ECCENTRIC in his mannerisms. When he wants to blow a bubble or draw a circle, he always performs a strange procedure. To blow a perfect bubble, he spins around, double takes three times, and enacts a series of other weird motions. To draw a circle, he draws an entire front portrait and then erases all of the details. Although he might be a little ECCENTRIC, you can’t argue with his results. SpongeBob always completes his work to perfection.
EXTRICATE
To get OUT of a difficult situation or entanglement
Have you ever had to EXTRICATE yourself from an embarrassing situation? If so, you are not alone.
In the movie School of Rock, Dewey Finn has to EXTRICATE himself from the embarrassing situation he created by impersonating his friend and claiming to be a certified elementary substitute teacher.
EXTRICATING yourself from a lie is embarrassing. However, being EXTRICATED from an automobile crash can be a matter of life or death. Fortunately, emergency workers have a number of tools specially designed to help EXTRICATE injured people from car wrecks and small spaces. These cutters, spreaders, and rams are collectively called “Jaws of Life.”
EXEMPLARY
Standing OUT from the norm; outstanding; worthy of imitation
Have you ever been praised for writing an EXEMPLARY report, giving an EXEMPLARY answer, or desi EXEMPLARY project? If so, you should be proud of yourself. EXEMPLARY means to be outstanding and thus worthy of imitation. Recording artists and actors are recognized for their EXEMPLARY performances by receiving a VMA Moonman, a Grammy, or an Oscar. Scientists and writers are honored for their EXEMPLARY work by receiving a Nobel Prize.
ENUMERATE
To count OUT; to list; to tick off the reasons for
What do Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and Kat, the fictional character in 10 Things I Hate About You , have in common? Both felt compelled to ENUMERATE the reasons for an action. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson ENUMERATED reasons why the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. In a poem she read to her literature class, Kat ENUMERATED 10 reasons why she claimed to “hate” Patrick.
ELUSIVE
OUT of reach and therefore difficult to catch, define, or describe
In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and his father search for the ELUSIVE Holy Grail. The Holy Grail is said to give eternal life, but it is hidden in an elaborate labyrinth. When Jones and his father arrive at the castle to obtain the Grail, Jones’s father is fatally wounded and thus needs the Grail to survive. “Indy” solves a series of three difficult riddles, obtains the holy cup that has been ELUSIVE for so many years, and saves his father’s life.
EXORBITANT
Literally OUT of orbit and therefore unreasonably expensive
Serious competition in the NFL occurs both on and off the field. Football stadiums are being rebuilt, each one more lavish than the last. Cowboys Stadium is proof that not only are things bigger in Texas, they are also more EXORBITANT! The stadium features 300 luxury suites costing between $100,000 and $500,000 a year with a 20-year lease. Although this may seem GRANDIOSE (pretentious) to average fans, the suites provide “the ultimate football experience” by featuring limestone floors, private restrooms, and a special parking lot. The reserved parking is a COVETED (Word 32) feature. Parking is limited at Cowboys Stadium. As a result, regular football fans will pay $75 for parking, a price many are calling EXORBITANT.
REDUNDANT
Needlessly repetitive; saying things AGAIN and AGAIN
What do Justin Bieber and English teachers have in common? Both are REDUNDANT when they emphasize a key point. In his hit song Baby, JB REDUNDANTLY repeats the word “baby” an amazing 57 times. No wonder the song sticks in your mind! English teachers are also purposefully REDUNDANT when they IMPLORE (urge) their students to study the vocabulary.
TIP:
On the SAT the word REDUNDANCY usually refers to the duplication or repetition of equipment needed to provide a backup in case the primary systems fail. For example, scuba equipment includes a REDUNDANT regulator in case there is a problem with the main air regulator. This REDUNDANCY is an important safety precaution.
REPUDIATE, RECANT, RENOUNCE
To take BACK; to reject; to DISAVOW
“Martin, do you or do you not REPUDIATE these books and the falsehoods they contain?” The place was the Diet of Worms. The time was April 1521. The question posed by the papal legate Johann Eck required an answer. For Martin Luther, the moment of truth had finally arrived. How would Luther respond?
Luther refused to REPUDIATE his words, defiantly declaring, “I cannot, I will not RECANT these words. For to do so is to go against conscience. Here I stand!” Luther’s courageous refusal to RENOUNCE his beliefs helped spark the Protestant Reformation.
RELINQUISH
To surrender or give back (or return) a possession, right, or privilege
The Arab Spring is the name given to the revolutionary wave of demonstrations that began all over the Arab world in December 2010. In January 2011 in Egypt, after 18 days of angry mass protests, President Hosni Mubarak, the longest serving ruler in modern times (30 years), was forced to RELINQUISH his position. Power was transferred to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), and Mubarak was tried and sentenced to life in prison for ordering the killing of peaceful demonstrators. In June 2012, after the first presidential election with more than one candidate since 2005, SCAF in turn RELINQUISHED its power to the newly-elected president, Mohammed Morsi.
RESILIENT
Bouncing BACK from ADVERSITY or misfortune; recovering quickly
Amy’s long wait for her SAT scores finally ended. She nervously accessed her College Board account. Then as the numbers appeared on her computer screen, her heart sank. The scores were not as good as she had hoped. What would Amy do? Would she make excuses and give up? Or would she be RESILIENT and bounce back from a temporary setback? Amy chose to study even harder. Her RESILIENCE worked. Her SAT scores shot up, and she received a scholarship to her top college choice.
REAFFIRM
To assert AGAIN; to confirm; state positively
Given at the height of the Cold War, John F. Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address REAFFIRMED his commitment to freedom when he pledged that America would “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” Given at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech REAFFIRMED King’s faith in the American dream: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
RETICENT
Holding BACK one’s thoughts, feelings and personal affairs; restrained or reserved
When Katie Holmes filed for divorce from Tom Cruise, media outlets speculated that the high-profile divorce would be an ACRIMONIOUS (Word 198) one. However, both Holmes and Cruise were RETICENT to discuss their feelings or the reasons behind the divorce, despite the media frenzy that followed. Tabloids published LURID (Word 313) stories about the couple’s marriage, and media outlets featured dozens of PUNDITS (Word 117) offering their “expert” opinions and theories about the couple’s divorce proceedings, prenuptial agreement, and religious beliefs. Less than two weeks after Holmes filed for divorce, the couple reached a settlement and issued a statement that confirmed their RETICENCE to speak about thghttheeir personal affairs, saying, “We want to keep matters affecting our family private.”
On July 20, 1969, the first man to step onto the surface of the moon, astronaut Neil Armstrong, issued some of the most memorable APHORISMS (Word 434) of the 20th century: “Houston: Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed. “ and “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” However, he was also known for his RETICENCE. Even though he was REVERED (deeply respected or admired) as a hero and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work, he refused to give interviews, sign autographs, or make public appearances.
REBUFF
To repel or drive BACK; to bluntly reject
In the movie Superman Returns, Lois Lane REBUFFS Superman when she writes an article entitled, “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman.” In the movie Clueless, Cher claims that Mr. Hall “brutally REBUFFED” her plea that he raise her debate grade. In her song “Your Love Is My Drug,” Ke$ha remains RECALCITRANT (Word 15) as she REBUFFS all advice from her friends and family about breaking up with her boyfriend. She says she “won’t listen to any advice,” even though “momma’s telling me I should think twice.”
RENOVATE
- To make new AGAIN (see Word 126); restore by repairing and remodeling*
- NOV* is a Latin root meaning “new.” RENOVATE thus means to make new again. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage in New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi. Business and community leaders in both cities have vowed to undertake extensive RENOVATION projects to restore damaged neighborhoods and revive tourism. For example, in 2007, actor Brad Pitt commissioned 13 architecture firms to submit designs for homes to help RENOVATE New Orleans’ IMPOVERISHED (Word 257) Lower Ninth Ward. The project, called Make It Right, calls for building 150 affordable, environmentally-sound homes. By June 2012 they had already completed 75 of the houses.
REJUVENATE
To make young AGAIN; to restore youthful vigor and appearance
REJUVENATE is an enticing word. Everyone wants to look and feel young. Health spas promise to REJUVENATE exhausted muscles, shampoos promise to REJUVENATE tired hair, and herbal medicines promise to REJUVENATE worn-out immune systems.
TIP:
The word REJUVENATE is formed by combining the prefix RE meaning “again” and the Latin root juvenis meaning “young.” So REJUVENATE literally means to be young again.
RESURGENT
Rising AGAIN; sweeping or surging BACK
Apple Computer was founded on April 1, 1976. After great initial success, the company suffered crippling financial losses. However, Apple proved to be RESILIENT (Word 166), starting in 1998 with the release of the iMac computer, which featured a unique design and new technology. Over the following years, the RESURGENT company introduced a series of INNOVATIVE (Word 126) and popular products that included the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. With its commitment to INNOVATION and sleek design, Apple has risen to be the most profitable technology company in the world.
REPUGNANT
/rɪˈpʌɡ.nənt/
= ABHORRENT; offensive to the mind or senses; causing distaste or AVERSION
What do a bad smell, cheating on an exam, and cannibalism have in common? They are all REPUGNANT to us, either physically or morally. Things that some people may find REPUGNANT are other people’s political views, the use of animals in scientific experiments, and the eating ofmeat. Many consider the Confederate flag a REPUGNANT symbol of slavery.
In the movie Animal House, one of the most iconic raunchy comedies, smug Omega fraternity president Greg Marmalard describes the activities of the Delta House with REPUGNANCE: “A Roman toga party was held, from which we have received two dozen reports of individual acts of perversion so profound and disgusting that decorum prohibits listing them here.”
KNOW YOUR ROOTS
LATIN ROOT:
PUGN, PUG | fighting (from pugnus, a fist)
PUGNACIOUS
disposed to fight, quarrelsome, combative
PUGILIST /ˈpjuː.dʒɪ.lɪst/
a boxer, one who fights with his fists
REPUGNANCE
fighting back, extreme dislike, AVERSION, disgust, ANIPATHY
IMPUGN /ɪmˈpjuːn/
to fight against, attack, challenge the motives of
DELETERIOUS
Going DOWN in the sense of having a harmful effect; injurious
What do you think is the fastest growing cause of disease and death in America? The surprising and tragic answer is obesity. As a result of being SEDENTARY (lacking physical activity) and practicing unhealthy eating habits, an UNPRECEDENTED (Word 285) number of Americans are carrying excess body weight. This excess weight can have a number of DELETERIOUS effects, including heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.
A tragic series of recent teen suicides has revealed the DELETERIOUS effects of bullying. The PREVALENCE (Word 48) of bullying in schools and on the internet has created a NOXIOUS (Word 323) environment for children and teenagers. In response to the tragedies, the media is shedding light on bullying and its DELETERIOUS effects. ABC Family created a campaign called Delete Digital Drama in order to help end cyberbullying. The Cartoon Network has also started a campaign called Stop Bullying Speak Up, which teaches children what to do when they observe instances of bullying. Lady Gaga has spoken out about her experience with bullying and has vowed to make bullying illegal.
DECRY
To put DOWN in the sense of openly condemning; to express strong disapproval
During the 1920s, American novelists such as Sinclair Lewis DECRIED the era’s rampant materialism and conformity. Three decades later, Jack Kerouac and other Beat Generation writers also DECRIED sterile middle-class conformity while celebrating spontaneous individualism and creativity through their BOHEMIAN (characteristic of artists or intellectuals who live without regard for conventional rules) lifestyles.
