Unit 2 Vocab Flashcards
Mesmerize (v.)
Synonyms: Spellbind, Captivate, Enthrall
Etymology: The Austrian physician, Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), employed spectacular methods to cure his patients.
Martial (adj.)
Synonyms: Combative, Militant, Bellicose
Etymology: Mars, the Roman God of War, was a powerful deity to the Romans. They named the month of March after him because the weather was favorable for a military campaign.
Philanthropy (n.)
Synonyms: Benevolence, Charity
Etymology: From the Greek word, philanthropos, which means to benefit mankind.
Cupidity (n.)
Synonyms: Greediness, Possessiveness, Avarice
Etymology: Cupidity comes from the Roman’s name for the God of love, Cupid.
Philistine (n.)
Synonyms: Barbarian, Heathen, Materialist, Boor
Etymology: The Philistines were the archenemies of the Israelites. Later, in Germany, a professor used this word to describe the townspeople who had killed some university students.
Catholic (adj.)
Synonyms: Broad, Comprehensive, Eclectic, Unbiased
Etymology: Catholic derives from the Greek kata (concerning) and holos (whole). Originally, Catholic meant all Christian believers.
Jeopardize (v.)
Synonyms: Endanger, Risk, Imperil
Etymology: Jeopardize comes from the French term jeu parti, which means “game decided.” This term was used when the next move in a game or contest would tip the scales in someone’s favor.
Precarious (adj.)
Synonyms: Uncertain, Hazardous, Perilous
Etymology: The Latin precarius means obtained by prayer or begging, risky, or dependent on the will of another.
Foible (n.)
Synonyms: Deflect, Flaw, Infirmity
Etymology: Foible is a term from fencing that describes the weaker part of the foil; from the middle to the tip.
Forte (n.)
Synonyms: Aptitude, Talent, Strength
Etymology: Forte is a term from fencing that describes the stronger part of the foil; from the middle to the hilt.
Odyssey (n.)
Synonyms: Wandering, Roaming, Peregrination
Etymology: Odyssey comes from the Greek myth of Odysseus and his 10 year journey home after the Trojan War.
Protean (adj.)
Synonyms: Changeable, Variable, Versatile
Etymology: If the Greek leader Menelaus could hold onto the god Proteus while he changed shapes, the answers to his questions would be forthcoming.
Fiasco (n.)
Synonyms: Failure, Disaster, Debacle
Etymology: Fiasco is Italian for flask or bottle. The Italian expression far fiasco means to make a bottle, or to make a mess of things.
Idiosyncrasy (n.)
Synonyms: Oddity, Mannerism, Eccentricity
Etymology: Idiosyncrasy comes from the Greek idio (peculiar) syn (together) and crasis (mixture). It refers to a peculiar mixing together of personal traits.
Quintessence (n.)
Synonyms: Essence, Model, Paragon
Etymology: The ancient Greeks believed there were only 4 elements, but late added a fifth- quinta essentia. It was this element the essential part.
Rankle (v.)
Synonyms: Irritate, Anger, Exasperate
Etymology: The Latin word dracunulus (little dragon) meant ulcer because it felt like little dragons were under the skin. It eventually lost its initial “d” sound and ultimately entered English as rankle.
Decimate (v.)
Synonyms: Destroy, Slaughter, Ravage
Etymology: The Romans punished their rebellious soldiers, or captured enemies, by killing every 10th person. The Latin word for this was decimare.
Narcissism (n.)
Synonyms: Self-Centeredness, Conceit, Egotism
Etymology: In Greek mythology, Narcissus was an extremely handsome mortal. Because he would not return anyone’s affection, the gods caused him to fall in love with the image of himself in a pond. He eventually died, refusing to leave the sight of his love.
Incumbent (adj.)
Synonyms: Required, Compulsory
Etymology: “Incumbent” comes from the Latin cumbere (“lie down, occupy”). It should be noted that an “incumbent” is someone who occupies an office.
Succumb (v.)
Synonyms: Surrender, Submit, Capitulate
Etymology: Suc (“under”) + cumbere (“lie down”) –to lie down under something, to give in.
