Uncertain/Unchanging/Potpourri Words Flashcards
Indeterminacy
the idea of the impossibility of being certain about things
Mercurial
someone whose moods change very rapidly, volatile
Casuistry
a subtle kind of reasoning that is designed to conceal the fact that it is deliberately misleading us
Factitious
something lacking in authenticity
Liminal
something in between or on the edge
Tenebrous
dark and gloomy, used exclusively to describe literal darkness
Ineluctable
inevitable or inescapable
Ineffable
something that cannot be expressed in words
Specious
something superficially plausible, but actually wrong, misleading in appearance
Apocryphal
things of questionable truth or authenticity
Staid
dignified or overly prim and proper
Adamant
impervious to reason or stubbornly unyielding
Implacable
unable to be appeased or mollified
Inexorable
relentless or not capable of being stopped or changed
Juggernaut
any overwhelmingly powerful, unstoppable force, usually destructive
Anathema
a strong curse, a near wish for damnation
Indefatigable
someone whose energy never ends
Fiat
an arbitrary order or decree often authorized by the government
Draconian
a treatment that is seen as exceedingly harsh or severe
Peremptory
someone offensively self-assured
Adventitious
not inherent or coming from an external source
Dyspeptic
a grouchy or ill-tempered person
Exiguous
something that is just barely enough for the purpose
Numinous
having a supernatural presence or spiritually elevated
Solipsist
an individual who is completely focused on him- or herself
Inculcate
the passing on of knowledge or of values
Philistine
a person lacking in refinement and culture
Shibboleth
a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular close or group of people
Sobriquet
a nickname or epithet
Pyrotechnics
a display of wit or brilliance in the performing arts that might rival the sparkling effect of skyborne rockets
