Unit 2 Vocab

Question 1

Mesmerize (v.)

Answer 1

Synonyms: Spellbind, Captivate, Enthrall

Etymology: The Austrian physician, Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), employed spectacular methods to cure his patients.

Question 2

Martial (adj.)

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Philanthropy (n.)

Answer 3

Synonyms: Benevolence, Charity

Etymology: From the Greek word, philanthropos, which means to benefit mankind.

Question 4

Cupidity (n.)

Answer 4

Synonyms: Greediness, Possessiveness, Avarice

Etymology: Cupidity comes from the Roman’s name for the God of love, Cupid.

Question 5

Philistine (n.)

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Catholic (adj.)

Answer 6

Synonyms: Broad, Comprehensive, Eclectic, Unbiased

Etymology: Catholic derives from the Greek kata (concerning) and holos (whole). Originally, Catholic meant all Christian believers.

Question 7

Jeopardize (v.)

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Precarious (adj.)

Answer 8

Synonyms: Uncertain, Hazardous, Perilous

Etymology: The Latin precarius means obtained by prayer or begging, risky, or dependent on the will of another.

Question 9

Foible (n.)

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Forte (n.)

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Odyssey (n.)

Answer 11

Synonyms: Wandering, Roaming, Peregrination

Etymology: Odyssey comes from the Greek myth of Odysseus and his 10 year journey home after the Trojan War.

Question 12

Protean (adj.)

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Fiasco (n.)

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Idiosyncrasy (n.)

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Quintessence (n.)

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Rankle (v.)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Decimate (v.)

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Narcissism (n.)

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Incumbent (adj.)

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Succumb (v.)

Answer 20

Synonyms: Surrender, Submit, Capitulate

Etymology: Suc (“under”) + cumbere (“lie down”) –to lie down under something, to give in.