Misc. 10 Flashcards
force majeure
1
: superior or irresistible force
2
: an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled — compare act of god
Force majeure translates literally from French as superior force. In English, the term is often used in line with its literal French meaning, but it has other uses as well, including one that has roots in a principle of French law. In business circles, “force majeure” describes those uncontrollable events (such as war, labor stoppages, or extreme weather) that are not the fault of any party and that make it difficult or impossible to carry out normal business. A company may insert a force majeure clause into a contract to absolve itself from liability in the event it cannot fulfill the terms of a contract (or if attempting to do so will result in loss or damage of goods) for reasons beyond its control.
exurb
a small, usually prosperous, community situated beyond the suburbs of a city.
divagate
- to wander; stray.
2. to digress in speech.
doublethink
the acceptance of two contradictory ideas or beliefs at the same time.
volplane
to glide in or as if in an airplane
“[Roadrunners] can run at sustained speeds of up to 19 mph for considerable distances, and usually only make short flights in order to escape danger or flush prey. Very rarely one might be seen volplaning, or gliding downward with wings extended, from a ridgetop or other high perch.”
— Marcy Scott, The Las Cruces (New Mexico) Sun-News, 13 Nov. 2016
instantiate
to provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of (a theory, concept, claim, or the like).
(Based on one of the meanings of the Medieval Latin noun instantia “an objection to a general statement, an example to the contrary.” Entered English in the mid-20th century.)
ludic
of, relating to, or characterized by play : playful
Stendhal’s syndrome
a psychosomatic disorder that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to an experience of great personal significance, particularly viewing art. The illness is named after the 19th-century French author Stendhal who described his experience with the phenomenon during his 1817 visit to Florence when he saw Giotto’s frescoes for the first time and was overcome with emotion.
turpitude
inherent baseness : depravity; also : a base act
Turpitude is often found in the phrase “moral turpitude,” an expression used in law to designate an act or behavior that gravely violates the moral sentiment or accepted moral standards of the community. A criminal offense that involves moral turpitude is one that is considered wrong or evil by moral standards, in addition to being the violation of a statute.
introjection
the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others
cathexis
the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
cathect
to invest emotion or feeling in (an idea, object, or another person).
alterity
a philosophical and anthropological term meaning “otherness”, that is, the “other of two” (Latin alter). It is also increasingly being used in media to express something other than “sameness,” an imitation compared to the original. Alterity is an encounter with “the other.” This “other” is not like any other worldly object or force. The perceiving subject (I myself) sees that another human being is “like me.” They act like I do, appear to be in control of their conscious life, just like me. The “other” takes me out of myself and creates new understanding, that is, alterity.
stochastic terrorism
the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.
apotropaic
intended to ward off evil
