Day 4 Flashcards
anachronistic
/having an error involving time in a story. The reference to clocks in Julius
Caesar is anachronistic: clocks did not exist in Caesar’s time. anachronism, N.
anathema
/solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse. The Ayatolla Khomeini heaped
anathema upon “the Great Satan,” that is, the United States. To the Ayatolla, America and the West
were anathema; he loathed the democratic nations, cursing them in his dying words. anathematize,V.
ancillary
serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary. In an ancillary capacity, Doctor Watson was helpful;
however, Holmes could not trust the good doctor to solve a perplexing case on his own. also N.
animus
hostile feeling or intent. The animus of the speaker became obvious to all when he began to
indulge in sarcastic and insulting remarks.
annals
/records; history. In the annals of this period, we find no mention of democratic movements.
antediluvian
/antiquated; extremely ancient. Looking at his great-aunt’s antique furniture,
which must have been cluttering up her attic since the time of Noah’s flood, the young heir exclaimed,
“Heavens! How positively antediluvian!”
anthropoid
manlike. The gorilla is the strongest of the anthropoid animals. also N.
aperture
/opening; hole. She discovered a small aperture in the wall, through which the insects
had entered the room.
apex
/tip; summit; climax. He was at the apex of his career: he had climbed to the top of
the heap.
aphasia
/loss of speech due to injury or illness. After the automobile accident, the victim had periods of
aphasia when he could not speak at all or could only mumble incoherently.
aphorism
/pithy maxim. An aphorism differs from an adage in that it is more philosophical or
scientific. “The proper study of mankind is man” is an aphorism. “There’s no smoke without a fire” is
an adage. aphoristic,ADJ.
aplomb
poise; assurance. Gwen’s aplomb in handling potentially embarrassing moments was
legendary around the office; when one of her clients broke a piece of her best crystal, she coolly
picked up her own goblet and hurled it into the fireplace.
apocryphal
/untrue; made up. To impress his friends, Tom invented apocryphal tales of his
adventures in the big city.
apogee
/highest point. When the moon in its orbit is farthest away from the earth, it is at its apogee.
apotheosis
elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something. The apotheosis of a Roman
emperor was designed to insure his eternal greatness: people would worship at his altar forever. The
hero of the musical How to Succeed in Business … was the apotheosis of yuppieness: he was the
perfect upwardly-bound young man on the make.