Unit 2 Flashcards
convention
practice widely observed in a group; custom; accepted technique or device
filibuster
use of obstructive tactics in a legislature to block passage of a law
malleable
capable of being shaped by pounding; impressionable
adamant
uncompromising; unyielding
interpolate
to insert; change by adding new words or material
ephemeral
Short-lived: fleeting
extraneous
not essential
obviate
to make unnecessary; to anticipate and prevent
soliloquy
literary or dramatic speech by one character; not addressed to others
sardonic
cynical, scornfully mocking
supine
lying in the back; marked by lethargy
homeostasis
automatic maintenance by an organism in balance with itself
credence
acceptance of something as true
reverent
deep respect
euphoria
feeling of extreme happiness
poseur
person who affects an attitude to impress others
expatriate
to send into exile
austere
stern; unadorned; simple
homogeneous
composed of identical parts; uniform in composition
caste
any of the hereditary social classes in Hindu society; social stratification
confound
to baffle; perplex; mix up
efficacy
effectiveness; efficiency
sensuous
relating to the senses
fallacious
based on a false idea or fact; misleading
decorum
proper behavior
resolution
determination; resolve
fusion
union; synthesis
onerous
burdensome
condone
to overlook voluntarily; forgive
juxtapose
place side by side
metaphysics
a branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality
reprobate
morally unprincipled person
bovine
cowlike
cacophonous
unpleasant or harsh-sounding
existential
having to do with existence
hyperbole
purposeful exaggeration for effect
paleontology
study of past geological eras through fossil remains
enhance
to increase; improve
behemoth
huge creature; anything very large and powerful