History of Ideas - Art Flashcards
flock
A group of people, animal or birds:
- Art has a very high status in modern societies. People flock to museums and art works fetch record prices.
- Flocks of people were lining up to see Nelson Mandela.
reluctance
A feeling of being unwilling to do something or of wishing that you did not have to do it (неохота, вынужденность):
- But our age is also oddly reluctant to say in clear terms what art might actually be for.
- It is with great reluctance that I submit this letter of resignation.
- Reluctance to do something: Julia’s reluctance to join the party was a mystery.
the epitome of
The best possible example of a particular type of person or thing:
- An odd mystique surrounds it, epitomized by the puzzlement many of us feel.
- She was the epitome of fashionable elegance.
puzzlement
A feeling of being confused because you cannot understand something:
- An odd mystique surrounds it, epitomized by the puzzlement many of us feel.
- She was frowning in puzzlement.
abundance
Existing or available in large quantities:
- For most of history, this kind of question didn’t arise, because it was abundantly clear what art was for.
- The country has an abundant supply of fossil fuels.
- Rainfall is abundant in the region.
fruitful
Producing good results (especially a lot of crops or fruit):
- The question mark over the purpose of art is really is a modern one, so let’s go back in time and find out about a wider range of options that we might be able to draw on fruitfully today.
- We have had a friendly and very fruitful discussion.
infant
A baby, or a very young child; involving or relating to an infant:
- Christianity, thought still in its infancy and ruthlessly persecuted by the Roman authorities, is rapidly gaining ground.
- Infants and elderly people are particularly at risk.
ruthless
Willing to make other people suffer so that you can achieve your aims:
- Christianity, thought still in its infancy and ruthlessly persecuted by the Roman authorities, is rapidly gaining ground.
- She showed a ruthless determination to succeed in her career.
persecute
To treat someone extremely badly, or to refuse them equal rights, especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs:
- Christianity, thought still in its infancy and ruthlessly persecuted by the Roman authorities, is rapidly gaining ground.
- They have denied persecuting or killing political dissidents.
To frequently annoy or threaten someone:
- Why are you persecuting me like this?
testament
A will, especially one that relates to the disposition of one’s personal property (завещание, завет):
- Our history is testament to this truth.
Either of the two major portions of the Bible:
- Here, an unnamed and not especially talented artist represents Jesus healing of a bleeding woman, an incident recorded in a New Testament.
resonant
Резонирующий, резонансный:
- You have created a highly resonant system.
- To give forth a clear resonant sound.
- Like all relegions, Christianity is using art for a clear and understandable purpose: to make its message more resonant, emotionally attractive, and popularly appealing.
appealing
Attractive and interesting (привлекательный):
- The building has an appealing old-fashioned charm.
- Appealing to: We’ve tried to make the design more appealing to young people.
- Like all relegions, Christianity is using art for a clear and understandable purpose: to make its message more resonant, emotionally attractive, and popularly appealing.
An appealing look, voice etc shows that you want help, approval, or agreement:
- She cast an appealing glance in my direction.
contemplation
The process of thinking about something or looking at something for a long time:
- They sat in quiet contemplation.
The religious activity of thinking about God:
- You’re meant to look at the Buddha and take inspiration, becoming a little more as he is. The sculpture is an invitation to calm and contemplation.
evident
Easy to see, notice, or understand:
- Her lack of interest in the job was becoming increasingly evident.
- It is evident (that): It is evident that there will be some job losses.
- In the East as in the West arts function is evident: to support the truth set down by religions, to make ideas more easily digestible.
digest
When your stomach digests food, it changes it into the substances that your body needs:
- Cheese can be difficult to digest.
To understand information when there is a lot of it or it is difficult or unexpected:
- In the East as in the West arts function is evident: to support the truth set down by religions, to make ideas more easily digestible.
- There was a pause while she digested this piece of news.
