vocab 3 Flashcards
vocab
morpheme
A MORPHEME is the smallest unit of meaning in words.
A small part of a word that has meaning.
ad hoc
We created an AD HOC committee to address the urgent issue.
Something done only for a specific purpose, not planned.
sine qua non
Proper training is a SINE QUA NON for success in this field.
Something absolutely necessary for something else to exist or happen.
obfuscate
The speaker tried to OBFUSCATE the truth with confusing language.
To make something confusing or hard to understand.
castigate
The teacher did not hesitate to CASTIGATE the students for their misbehavior.
To criticize or scold someone severely.
boilerplate
The contract contained many standard BOILERPLATE clauses.
Standard text used in various documents without any changes.
allude, allusion
The author made an ALLUSION to a famous historical event in the book.
To mention or hint at something without directly saying it.
conceit (of a film, novel, plot)
The film’s CONCEIT was a journey through time.
n idea or concept that is central to the story and drives its development.
reification, reify
The artist sought to REIFY their imaginative concepts through sculpture.
Turning an abstract concept into something concrete or real.
elucidate
The professor proceeded to ELUCIDATE the complex theory for the students.
To explain something in a way that makes it clear and easy to understand.
canon, canonical
Shakespeare’s works are considered CANONICAL in English literature.
A set of rules or principles that define what is accepted as true or valid.
de facto
The policy was based on DE FACTO regulations rather than official rules.
Something that exists or is done in reality, even if it is not officially recognized or legally established.
highbrow low brow
The novel appeals to both HIGHBROW and LOWBROW readers.
Highbrow: Something that is fancy or intellectual.
Lowbrow: Something that is simple or not intellectual.
trepidation
She felt TREPIDATION before taking the test.
Feeling scared or worried.
internalize
It is essential to INTERNALIZE the values of honesty and integrity.
To take something in and make it a part of yourself.
