Lessons 15-16 Flashcards
anachronism
n. placing of some person or thing out of its proper historical place; person or thing that is or seems to be out of its proper time in history
apiary
n. place where bees are raised for their honey
archetype
n. original model from which others are made or developed; patterns of myth and ritual that occur repeatedly in diverse cultures throughout time
carcinogen
n. substance that causes cancer
checkered
adj. marked by frequent changes of situation; full of ups and downs
cornucopia
n. goat’s horn, or a straw container shaped like it, filled with produce from the harvest; a horn of plenty; an enormous store; an abundance
devolve
v. pass on or be passed on to
equitable
adj. fair to all concerned
exigencies
n. demands; requirements
fatalism
n. belief that fate determines everything and one cannot influence the outcome of particular events
gustatory
adj. relating to the sense of taste
minutia
n. pl. small details
motley
adj. composed of many different kinds of types; diverse
prospectus
n. printed statement, given to potential buyers, describing business or investment opportunity
vernal
adj. of or relating to the spring
apocalyptic
adj. involving or predicting disastrous, uncontrollable event
concatenation
n. joining or linking together of elements
convulse
v. shake or cause to shake suddenly and violently
(convulsion) n. abnormal, strong, and uncontrollable muscle seizure; violent disturbance
decree
n. order of decision which, according to its author, must be obeyed
expatriate
n. one who leaves his or her country to live elsewhere
fetid
adj. smelling very bad; stinking
holocaust
n. catastrophic event resulting in widespread loss of life; widespread destruction caused by fire
infraction
n. violation or breaking of a rule
insouciance
n. freedom from concern; lighthearted lack of awareness
