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General vocabulary Flashcards

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1
Q

banal

A

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

synonyms: trite, hackneyed, clichéd, platitudinous, vapid, commonplace, ordinary, common, stock, conventional, stereotyped, overused, overdone, overworked, stale, worn out, timeworn, tired, threadbare, hoary

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2
Q

nonce

A

[adj] (referring to words or expressions) coined for, or used, on one occasion: “a nonce usage”

phrase “for the nonce”: for the present; temporarily

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3
Q

sigil

A

|ˈsijəl|

an inscribed or painted symbol considered to have magical power.

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4
Q

metonym

A
  1. a figure of speech in which you refer to something by naming something that is proximate to, or habitually associated with, it (e.g., “the White House today announced”)
  2. metonymy is usefully distinguished from metaphor; metaphor emphasizes relationships of similarity, whereas metonymy emphasizes relationships of connection or contiguity
  3. metonymy is usefully distinguished from synecdoche, which is a relation of part to whole
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5
Q

synecdoche

A

\suh-NEK-duh-kee\

n. A figure of speech by which a less encompassing term is put for a more encompassing term or vice versa. E.g., “France won” to stand for “France’s soccer team won”.

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6
Q

apocryphal

A

(adj.)

(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, but widely circulated as being true.

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7
Q

palaver

A

(noun)
prolonged and idle discussion : “an hour of aimless palaver”

(verb) talk unnecessarily at length: "it's too hot for palavering"
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8
Q

desultory

A

1 : marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose “a dragged-out ordeal of…desultory shopping”
2 : not connected with the main subject
3 : disappointing in progress, quality or performance

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9
Q

chitterlings

A

The intestines of hogs especially when prepared as food

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10
Q

philistine

A

a person who is guided by materialism and is usually disdainful of intellectual or artistic values

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11
Q

paternalism

A

the policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates’ supposed best interest. “the arrogance and paternalism that underlies cradle-to-grave employment contracts .”

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12
Q

neologism

A

n. a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words or senses

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13
Q

remuneration

A

money paid for work or service

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14
Q

antediluvian

A

meaning “before the deluge” (referring to the biblical flood) ⇒ antiquated, ancient, outmoded, very old fashioned

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15
Q

omnium

A

A multiple-race event in track cycling.

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16
Q

privateer

A

A private vessel temporarily authorized to capture or plunder enemy ships in wartime. An armed ship owned and officered by private individuals holding a government commission and authorized for use in war, esp. in the capture of enemy merchant shipping .

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17
Q

anagram

A

A word or phrase made by transposing the letters of another word or phrase

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18
Q

turpitude

A

N. depravity, moral corruption

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19
Q

monomania

A

A pathologically condition characterized by excessive enthusiasm for one thing.

” Inigo Montoya’s endearing monomania lives on in Saul Berenson.”

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20
Q

tittle

A

The dot over an “i” or “j”.

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21
Q

lunule

A

The white, crescent shaped part at the top of a nail.

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22
Q

ferrule

A

the metal part on a pencil.

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23
Q

gynecomastia

A

Man-boobs. More precisely: condition of excessive mammary development in the male.

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24
Q

Morton’s Toe Etiology

A
  • Abnormally short 1st metatarsal, 2nd toes looks longer
  • More weight bearing occurs on 2nd toe as a result and can impact gait
  • Stress Fracture could develop
  • pain during & after activity w/ possible point tenderness
  • bone scan positive
  • callus development under 2nd metatarsal head
  • no symptoms = nothing done
  • orthotics w/ medial wedge
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25
Q

desire path

A

path created by natural means, simply because it is the “shortest or most easily navigated” way

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26
Q

semantic satiation

A

What happens when you say a word for so long that it loses its meaning. Limit limit limit limit limit limit limit limit limit.

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27
Q

skeuomorph

A

“A design feature copied from a similar artifact in another material, even when not functionally necessary.” For example, rivets on jeans, copper color on pennies, the shutter sound on a digital camera, and the pointless handle above.

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28
Q

Brannock device

A

Tool used to measure your feet at the shoe

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29
Q

paresthesia

A

The pins and needles feeling you get when part of your body falls asleep.

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30
Q

wamble

A

Stomach grumble

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31
Q

peen

A

Opposite of the hammer’s striking side

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32
Q

rectal tenesmus

A

Sensation to pass bowel movement even when the colon is devoid of any substances

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33
Q

dysania

A

The state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning

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34
Q

mondegreen

A

misinterpretation of words—usually song lyrics

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35
Q

petrichor

A

(noun) the pleasant smell that accompanies the 1st rain after a dry spell

coined by researchers I.S. Bear and R.G. Thomas

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36
Q

philtrum

A

vertical groove on the middle of the upper lip, natrual facial marking

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37
Q

purlicue

A

n. - space between extended thumb and index finger; curl or flourish in writing; summary of speeches; peroration; pl. caprices.

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38
Q

aglet

A

the metal tip at the end of a cord or lace

“She slipped the string through the aglet and pulled tight.”

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39
Q

mutaba

A

Spanish: first-person singular ( yo ) imperfect indicative form of mutar.

Mutar = Spanish for “to mutate”.

40
Q

moiré

A

Interference pattern created (e.g.) when 2 grids are overlaid at an angle or have slightly different mesh sizes. Can be due to aliasing, due to undersampling a fine regular pattern.

41
Q

aphorism

A

a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton).

42
Q

topiary

A

The horticultural practice of training of live perennial plants, by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes.

43
Q

god of the gaps

A

A view of God as existing in the “gaps” or aspects of reality that are currently unexplained by scientific knowledge, or that otherwise lack a plausible natural explanation.[1] According to John Habgood in The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology, the phrase is generally derogatory, and is inherently a direct criticism of a tendency to postulate acts of God to explain phenomena for which science has yet to give a satisfactory account. The term “God of the gaps” is sometimes used in describing the perceived incremental retreat of religious explanations of physical phenomena in the face of increasingly comprehensive scientific explanations for those phenomena.

44
Q

vuvuzela

A

also known as lepatata Mambu (its Tswana name), is a plastic horn , about 65 centimetres (2 ft) long, which produces a loud monotone note.

has been the subject of controversy when used by spectators at football matches. Its high sound pressure levels at close range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after exposure, [6] with a sound level of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 metre (3.3 ft) from the device opening. [4]

45
Q

crepuscular rays

A

Rays of sunlight coming from a certain point in the sky. Also known as “God’s rays.”

46
Q

muntin

A

The strip separating window panes.

47
Q

greebles

A

or nurnie , or wiggets , is a fine detailing added to the surface of a larger object that makes it appear more complex, and therefore more visually interesting. It usually gives the audience an impression of increased scale.

48
Q

impugn

A

t o assail by words or arguments : oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity impugn ed the defendant’s character>

49
Q

humblebrag

A

[v] Subtly letting others now about how fantastic your life is while undercutting it with a bit of self-effacing humor or “woe is me” gloss.

To bring up one’s accomplishments in conversation and contextualize them as a harrowing burden or the product of an accident or fluke.

50
Q

hirsute

A

Hairy; covered with coarse stiff hairs.

Syn: bristly, brushy, shaggy

51
Q

Algernon-Gordon Effect

A

In the Daniel Keyes science fiction story Flowers for Algernon, it’s the effect Charlie Gordon studies in his mouse Algernon. “ Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase”

52
Q

denouement

A

the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved

the climax of a chain of events, usually when something is decided or made clear : “I waited by the eighteenth green to see the denouement .”

53
Q

Poe’s Law

A

Nathan Poe formulated an Internet adage reflecting the idea that without a clear indication of the author’s intent, it is difficult or impossible to tell the difference between an expression of sincere extremism and a parody of extremism

“Without a blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of extremism or fundamentalism that someone won’t mistake for the real thing.”

54
Q

Maxwell’s equations

A

A set of partial differential equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the foundation of classical electrodynamics , classical optics , and electric circuits . Maxwell’s equations describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by each other and by charges and currents . They are named after the Scottish physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell who published an early form of those equations between 1861 and 1862.

55
Q

canard

A

1 an unfounded rumor or story : “the old canard that LA is a cultural wasteland .”
2 a small winglike projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing to provide extra stability or control, sometimes replacing the tail .

56
Q

haberdashery

A

1 British : a dealer in notions

2 : a dealer in men’s clothing andaccessories

57
Q

Maui

A

A Polynesian mythological hero and demi-god, known in the Māori mythology as Māui. Māui is famous for fishing out the North Island of New Zealand with a hook made out of his jaw-bone. Māui sometimes would transform himself into different kinds of birds to perform many of his exploits.

58
Q

apoplectic

A

1 : of, relating to, or causing stroke
2 : affected with, inclined to, orshowing symptoms of stroke
3 : of a kind to cause or apparentlycause stroke apoplectic rage>; also : greatly excited or angered apoplectic over the news>

59
Q

kissing cousin

A

1 : a person and especially a relativewhom one knows well enough to kissmore or less formally upon meeting
2 : one that is closely related in kindto something else

60
Q

plebiscite

A

: a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler

61
Q

cupidity

A

1 : inordinate desire for wealth : avarice, greed

2 : strong desire : lust

62
Q

plutocracy

A
  • 1 : government by the wealthy
  • 2 : a controlling class of the wealthy
    *
63
Q

solstice

A
  • 1 : either of the two points on the ecliptic at which its distance from the celestial equator is greatest and which is reached by the sun each year about June 22 and December 22
  • 2 : the time of the sun’s passing a solstice which occurs about June 22 to begin summer in the northern hemisphere and about December 22 to begin winter in the northern hemisphere
    *
64
Q

inculcate

A
  • : to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
    synonyms see implant
65
Q

sessile

A

1 : attached directly by the base : notraised upon a stalk or peduncle sessile leaf> sessile bubbles>
2 : permanently attached orestablished : not free to move about sessile sponges and coral polyps>

66
Q

sargassum

A

a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae ) macroalgae ( seaweed ) in the order Fucales . Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, where they generally inhabit shallow water and coral reefs. However, the genus may be best known for its planktonic (free-floating) species.

67
Q

Cerenkov

A
  • : light produced by charged particles (as electrons ) traversing a transparent medium at a speed greater than that of light in the same medium — called also Cerenkov light
    *
68
Q

ecliptic

A

: the great circle of the celestial sphere that is the apparent path of the sun among the stars or of the earth as seen from the sun : the plane of the earth ‘s orbit extended to meet the celestial sphere

69
Q

cubit

A

: any of various ancient units of length based on the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger and usually equal to about 18 inches (46 centimeters )

70
Q

cadge

A

beg, sponge

“ cadge a free cup of coffee”

71
Q

prerogative

A

a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class: “owning an automobile was still the prerogative of the rich”.

72
Q

Aramaic

A

Aramaic is a family of languages (traditionally referred to as “dialects”) belonging to the Semitic family, and more specifically, is a part of the Northwest Semitic subfamily, which also includes Canaanite languages such as Hebrew and Phoenician . The Aramaic script was widely adopted for other languages and is ancestral to both the Arabic and modern Hebrew alphabets . During its 3,000-year written history, [3] Aramaic has served variously as a language of administration of empires and as a language of divine worship. It was the day-to-day language of Israel in the Second Temple period (539 BC – 70 AD), the language that Jesus Christ probably used the most ,

73
Q

sargassum

A

a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae ) macroalgae ( seaweed ) in the order Fucales . Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, where they generally inhabit shallow water and coral reefs. However, the genus may be best known for its planktonic (free-floating) species.

74
Q

What is Alcantara?

A

A tradename given to a composite material used to cover surfaces and forms in a variety of applications. It can be described as an artificial substitute for suede leather. The material was developed in the early 1970s by Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working for the Japanese chemical company Toray Industries. Some versions are designated as flame retardant. Alcantara is being used currently as a flame retardant driver seat covering material for Formula One race cars.

75
Q

Godwin’s law

A

Assertion made by Mike Godwin in 1990 that has become an Internet adage . It states: “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1 .” [2] [3] In other words, given enough time, in any online discussion—regardless of topic or scope—someone inevitably makes a comparison to Hitler or the Nazis. I n one of its early forms Godwin’s law referred specifically to Usenet newsgroup discussions. Now often applied to any threaded online discussion. Usually considered to mark when someone has lost an argument.

76
Q

listicle

A

In journalism and blogging , a listicle is a short-form of writing that uses a list as its thematic structure, but is fleshed out with sufficient copy to be published as an article . A typical listicle will prominently feature a cardinal number in its title, such as “10 Ways to Warm Up Your Bedroom in Winter”, [1] or “25 Hairstyles of the Last Hundred Years”, [2] with subsequent subheadings within the text itself reflecting this schema .

77
Q

portmanteau

A
  1. a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts .
  2. [ as modifier ] consisting of or combining two or more separable aspects or qualities : a portmanteau movie composed of excerpts from his most famous films .
78
Q

force multiplier

A

refers to a factor that dramatically increases (hence “multiplies”) the effectiveness of an item or group. In military usage, a capability that, when added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission accomplishment.

79
Q

lollygag

A

[v] to spend time aimlessly; to dawdle

80
Q

disenfranchise

A
  1. deprive (someone) of the right to vote : “the law disenfranchised some 3,000 voters on the basis of a residence qualification”.
  2. ( as adj. disenfranchised ) deprived of power; marginalized : a hard core of kids who are disenfranchised and don’t feel connected to the school .
  3. deprive (someone) of a right or privilege : a measure that would disenfranchise people from access to legal advice .
81
Q

hyperbaric

A

Of or involving a gas at higher pressure than normal.

82
Q

ochlocracy

A

Mob rule; the rule of government by mob or mass of people, or the intimidation of legitimate authorities.

Ochlocracy (“rule of the general populace”) is democracy (“rule of the people”) spoiled by demagoguery , “ tyranny of the majority “, and the rule of passion over reason, just like oligarchy (“rule of a few”) is aristocracy (“rule of the best”) spoiled by corruption , and tyranny is monarchy spoiled by lack of virtue .

83
Q

tribalism

A

the state of being organized in, or advocating for, a tribe or tribes. In terms of conformity , tribalism may also refer in popular cultural terms to a way of thinking or behaving in which people are more loyal to their tribe than to their friends, their country, or any other social group.

84
Q

metrology

A

the science of measurement

85
Q

for the nonce

A

for the present; temporarily

86
Q

aglet

A

1 : the plain or ornamental tag covering the ends of a lace or point
2 : any of various ornamental studs, cords, or pins worn on clothing

87
Q

nadir

A

1 : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the zenith and vertically downward from the observer
2 : the lowest point; the worst

88
Q

peroration

A 
\: the last part of a speech
 : a long and dull speech
 Full Definition
 1 : the concluding part of a discourse and especially an oration
 2 : a highly rhetorical speech
89
Q

xenobiotic

A

A foreign chemical substance found within an organism that is not normally produced or expected within that organism. Drugs such as antibiotics are xenobiotics in humans. Pollutants such as dioxins are also considered xenobiotics.

Also used to refer to organs transplanted from one species to another.

90
Q

What is E pluribus unum ?

A

alternatively translated as One out of many or One from many ) —is a phrase on the Seal of the United States , along with Annuit cœptis (Latin for “He approves (has approved) of the undertaking”) and Novus ordo seclorum , (Latin for “New Order of the Ages”) and adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782. The understood meaning of the phrase was that out of many states (or colonies) emerge a single nation. However, in recent years its meaning has come to suggest that out of many peoples, races, religions and ancestries has emerged a single people and nation—illustrating the concept of the melting pot .

91
Q

solidus

A

In punctuation, this is the forward slash.

92
Q

retronym

A

A type of neologism that provides a new name for something to differentiate the original from a more recent form or version. E.g.: “analog watch” to differentiate a type of watch that used to be called just “watch” from digital watches.

93
Q

What is difference between toward and towards?

A

It’s dialectical: toward is more common in American English

94
Q

meronomy

A

AKA partonomy. A type of hierarchy that deals with part-whole relationships. The part-whole is a “has-a” relationship.

95
Q

meronym

A

In linguistics a meronym is the name given to a constituent part of, the substance of, or a member of something. “X” is a meronym of “Y” if an X is a part of a Y.[

96
Q

arthropod

A

Invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Includes insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans.

General knowledge (8 decks)

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