Practice Test 1 Flashcards
idiosyncrasy
noun, plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies.
a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
apostle
[ uh-pos-uhl ]
a pioneer of any new system or cause, especially an early leader in a reform movement:
He has emerged as an apostle of a new era of peace and national unity.
anachronism
[ uh-nak-ruh-niz-uhm ]
something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time:
emulate
to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass:
to emulate one’s father as a concert violinist.
dog·ma
/ˈdôɡmə/
noun
a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
“the rejection of political dogma”
stigmatize
[ stig-muh-tahyz ]
to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon:
lionize
[ lahy-uh-nahyz ]
to treat (a person) as a celebrity: to lionize the visiting poet.
marginalize
[ mahr-juh-nl-ahyz ]
process of relegating or confining to a lower or outer limit or edge, as of social standing
foreground
[ fawr-ground, fohr- ]
a prominent or important position; forefront.
transcend
[ tran-send ]
to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed:
obscure
[ uhb-skyoor ]
(of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain:
caprice
[ kuh-prees ]
a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one’s mind or the weather.
modicum
[ mod-i-kuhm, moh-di- ]
noun
a moderate or small amount:
He hasn’t even a modicum of common sense.
scruple
[ skroo-puhl ]
a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.
demur
[ dih-mur ]
to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object:
schism
[ siz-uhm, skiz- ]
noun
division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties.
the parties so formed.
acquiesce
[ ak-wee-es ]
to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent:
compliance
[ kuhm-plahy-uhns ]
noun
the act of conforming, acquiescing, or yielding.
dissent
[ dih-sent ]
to disagree with the methods, goals, etc., of a political party or government; take an opposing view.
sar·to·ri·al
/särˈtôrēəl/
relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress.
panache
[ puh-nash, -nahsh ]
noun
a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair:
The actor who would play Cyrano must have panache.
gawky
[ gaw-kee ]
awkward; ungainly; clumsy.
confound
[ kon-found,
verb (used with object)
to perplex or amaze, especially by a sudden disturbance or surprise; bewilder; confuse:
The complicated directions confounded him
scant
[ skant ]
barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate:
terse
[ turs ]
sparing in the use of words; abrupt.