Midterm Flashcards
ALTER
Another
AB
Away from
ANTE
Before
DE
Down, down from
EPI
Upon
E
Out of
OB (L)
Against
Circum (L)
Around
Con (L)
With, together
Sur (L)
Above
DIA (G)
Through
Retro (L)
Backwards
Per (L)
Through
Sub (L)
Beneath
Trans (L)
Across
Adherent
n. A follower of a person or idea
L. ad, “to,” + haerere = to stick to
Pilar was an adherent of the Baptist faith until about five years ago, when she converted to Catholicism.
syn: disciple ant: opponent
Deference
n. Act or practice of yielding to another’s authority
As new soldiers, we were warned to show deference to our commander in all mat- ters.
syn: submission ant: rebellion
Impervious
Unable to be affected
L. in, “not,” + per, “through,” + via = no way through
Andy seems impervious to criticism, but his feelings are very easily hurt. syn: invulnerable
Purported
Claimed as true, but probably false
L. pro, “forward,” + portare = brought forth Tim’s purported illness kept him out of school on the day of the test.
syn: alleged ant: definite
Introspective
Contemplating one’s own thoughts and feelings
L. intro, “within,” + spectum = looking within
The introspective poet enjoyed taking long walks alone. syn: meditative ant: shallow
Incredulous
Unable to believe something; amazed
L. in, “not,” + credere = not believing
When Pete heard what I said, he gave me an incredulous stare.
syn: skeptical ant: trusting
Sacrilege
n. An act against a holy person or place
L. sacer, “holy,” + legere = one who collects holy objects illegally
Many people considered the theft of the church funds not just a crime, but a sac- rilege.
syn: profanity ant: reverence
Epiphany
n. A moment of great insight; revelation
G. epi, “near to,” + phanein = appearing near to
The doctor’s epiphany eventually led to a breakthrough vaccine.
Inference
A conclusion not directly provided by evidence, but able to be drawn from the facts at hand
L. in, “in,” + ferre = to bring in
When I saw the horse tracks across the snow, I made the inference that someone had left the gate open, allowing the horses to escape.
Phenomenon
A fact or event which can be observed and/or documented
We observed the same phenomenon numerous times among the songbirds.
Sycophant
A person who flatters; a yes-man
G. sukos, “fig,” + phanein = fig-displayer
The new president of the company was surrounded by sycophants who never dis- agreed with him.
Infinitesimal
Extremely small; incalculably or immeasurably small
L. in, “not,” + finis = (so small as to have) no measure
If any of the contaminant is left in the water supply, it is there only in infinitesi- mal amounts.
syn: microscopic ant: huge
Retrospective
Looking backward over a period of time
L. retro, “backwards,” + spectum = looking backward
The museum will be showcasing a retrospective exhibit of the sculptor’s works.
Confer
(1) v. To discuss something with someone else; consult;
(2) v. To bestow
L. con, “together,” + ferre = to carry together
(1) The trivia show contestant conferred with the other members of her team
before answering the question.
(2) In a ceremony held earlier today, the government of France conferred several
honors on the general.
Expound
To explain or discuss in detail
L. ex, “out of,” + positum = to arrange out of
We listened to the police chief expound upon the new traffic regulations.
syn: clarify
Incoherent
Not able to be understood; nonsensical
L. in, “not,” + co, “together,” + haerere = not sticking together
The mayor’s incoherent speech about financial responsibility confused the audi- ence.
syn: confused ant: clear
Docile
Easily taught; submissive to instruction
L. docilis = able to be taught
Ruffles, who had previously been the most docile of the cats, suddenly started hissing and biting.
syn: obedient ant: defiant
Innovative
adj. Showing creativity and originality
L. in, “intensive,” + novus = very new
The innovative design of the new C-267 makes it the easiest vacuum cleaner to use.
syn: inventive ant: conservative
Deflect
To cause to turn aside or away
L. de, “away,” + flectum = turn (something) aside
Joe skillfully deflected his opponent’s blows with an upraised arm. syn: redirect ant: accept
Revert
To fall back into an old condition
Latin re, “back,” + vertere = to turn (something) back Annie hopes never to revert to the bad habits she gave up. syn: lapse ant: improve
Reprobate
A dishonest or immoral person; a scoundrel L. re, “back, away from,” + probare = one away from approval
The reprobates who set fire to the forest must be caught and punished. syn: delinquent
Reprove
To scold or criticize
L. re, “back,” + probare = approval back
My aunt Thelma gently reproved me for taking more than my share of dessert. syn: chide ant: praise
Fallacy
A misleading or mistaken idea
L. fallax, “deceptive (idea),” from fallere
Even if I could convince myself that everyone feels the way I do, I would know in my heart that it was a fallacy.
syn: misconception ant: truth
DUC/DUCT
To lead
Tom
To cut
MIT/MIS
Send
FER
To carry, to bring
TORT/TORQ
To twist
ONUS/ONER
Burden
Phan
To appear, to show
SOLU/SOLV
To loosen, to solve
STIT/STAT
To stand
Grat
Thankful
Prim
First
