Culture Flashcards
attribute
v. ascribe, credit,
Ex: ancient civilizations attributed the origins of writing to the gods.
excavate
V. dig up, (specially to find objects from past cultures)
Ex: one of the earliest clay tablets was found in excavations in Egypt.
scribe
N. writer, secretary
Ex: scribes began using reeds instead of tokens to make the clay
carve
V. sculpt, to cut and shape hard material
Ex: he carved two wooden statues.
encompass
V. include, involve
Ex: Mesoamerica was a region that encompasses parts of Mexico and Central America
inscribe
v. carve, imprint, write
Ex: mayans are famous for the writing they inscribed on Temple walls, and other religious structures
deed
n. performance, achievement, act (especially a good or bad one)
evoke/
sway
V. recall, to bring to mind/
V. To move back and forth
Ex: mention of this paradise evoke images of women in grass skirts swaying their hips
stereotype
n. cliche, a fix idea people have especially one that is wrong.
altar
n. a holy table in a church or temple.
reign
The period of time that a king or queen is in power
Ex: Taking is credited with reviving dancing during his reign late 19th century
elaborate
Adj. complicated, intricate
, having a lot of detail and decoration
Ex: Dancers wear, elaborate customs including the famous Hawaiian floral garland known as leisure
portray
V. represent, act out,
Ex: they use movements, gestures, and facial expressions to portray a character or an emotion.
culminate
V. end up, result in
Ex: They had an argument, which culminated in Tom getting drunk.
abstract/
literal
Adj. theoretical, not concrete(definite, specific)/
Adj. actual, exact meaning
conflict
N. opposition, disagreement, encounter
Ex: Try to keep any conflict between you and your ex-partner to a minimum
Sharpen
V. improve, enhance
Ex: He will need to sharpen his diplomatic skills in order to work with Congress
frailty
N. weakness, lack of strength
Ex: he effectively portrays human frailty through physical comedy
renowned
Adj. famous, well-known
N. renown (=fame)
V. renown
Ex: The area is renowned for its Romanesque churches.
corporeal
adj. physical, bodily
prominent
adj. important, major, main
Ex: Trade will figure prominently in the second day of talks in Washington
emerge
V. appear, develop,
Ex: Vietnam has emerged as the world’s third-biggest rice exporter
illusion
N. false impression,
Ex: Floor-to-ceiling windows can look stunning, giving the illusion of extra height.
reminiscent
Adj. evocative, suggestive, remindful
Ex: We drank from wax-coated paper cups reminiscent of a visit to the dentist.
