Vocab 2 Flashcards
Ipso facto
Latin; by the fact itself
When she became rich, the woman ipso facto became a celebrity.
Modus operandi
Latin; method of operating
The chefs modus operandi for preparing a meal always began with laying out all of the ingredients and tools needed on the counter.
En masse
French; in a large group
Previously, disenfranchised sections of the community came out to vote en masse
Fait accompli
French; established fact
I imagine we should now accept as a fait accompli our having commercial television in this country.
Faux pas
French; social blunder
It’s something if a fashion faux pas to wear your jeans over the top of your uggs.
Atrocious
Extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel
Ant: admirable
Syn: terrible
Tomatoes smelled atrocious; I took them out.
Diminished
To make less or appear less
Ant: increase
Syn: decline
Trash is being diminished; the planet is getting cleaner.
Alleviate
Make less severe
Ant: aggravate
Syn: disminish
Rollercoasters should be alleviated; the result would be less accidents.
Epilogue
A section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as any comment on it a conclusion to what has happened.
Ant: prologue
Syn: conclusion
A book I read has an epilogue; it ended with a happy ending.
Scrutiny
Critical observation or examination
Ant: glance
Syn: inspection
This man came to scrutinize our restaurant; it came out as a good result.
Exorbitant
Going beyond a normal
Ant: reasonable
Syn: insane
The chickens were exorbitant; they were running all over the place.
Serene
Calm, peaceful and untroubled
Ant: angry
Syn: tranquil
The lake is serene; it calms me down.
Arid
Lack of interest
Ant: surprising
Syn: boring
Math is arid; it make me want to sleep.
Tranquil
Free from disturbance
Ant: disturbed
Syn: peaceful
My home is tranquil; you can be free of thought.
Mandatory
Forcing onces compliance
Ant: optional
Syn: forced
Jury duty is mandatory; punishment will occur if you don’t go.
