Unit 4 Vocab Flashcards
Affinity
(n.) a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connect
Synonyms: inclination, penchant
Antonyms: distaste, aversion
Bilious
(adj.) peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant
Synonyms: choleric, irascible, peevish, splenetic
Antonyms: sweet-tempered, genial, pleasant, delightful
Cognate
(adj.) closely related in origin, essential nature, or function; (n.) such a person or thing
Synonyms: (adj.) allied, affiliated; (n.) relative
Antonyms: (adj.) dissimilar, unrelated
Corollary
(n.) a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; (adj.) resultant or consequent
Synonyms: (n.) deduction, conclusion
Antonyms: (n,) axiom, postulate, premise
Cul-de-sac
(n.) a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse
Derring-do
(n.) valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)
Synonyms: audacity, bravado, pyrotechnics
Antonyms: cowardice, timidity, poltroonery
Divination
(n.) the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge
Synonyms: prophecy, augury
Elixir
(n.) a potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely; a panacea; a sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines
Synonyms: cure-all, nostrum, tonic
Folderol
(n.) foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle
Synonyms: hoopla, gibberish
Antonyms: sense, significance
Gamut
(n.) an entire range or series
Synonyms: scope, compass, sweep
Hoi Polloi
(n.) the common people, the masses
Synonyms: rank and file
Antonyms: aristocracy, elite, upper class
Ineffable
(adj.) not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered
Synonyms: inexpressible, indescribable
Lucubration
(n.) laborious study or though, especially at night; the result of such work
Synonyms: burning the midnight oil, deep thought
Mnemonic
(adj.) relating to or designed to assist the memory; (n.) a device to aid the memory
Synonyms: (n.) reminder, cue
Obloquy
(n.) public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment
Synonyms: discredit, opprobrium, ignominy, dishonor
Antonyms: praise, acclaim, approbation
Parameter
(n.) a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary
Pundit
(n.) a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions
Synonyms: expert, authority, savant
Antonyms: layman, amateur, dilettante
Risible
(adj.) pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable
Synonyms: droll, ludicrous
Antonyms: depressing, poignant, heartrending
Symptomatic
(adj.) typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease
Synonym: indicative
Volte-face
(n.) an about-face; a complete reversal
Synonym: turnabout
