Vocab 5 Flashcards
n: a word or phrase constructed from another by writing the letters of the first in a different order, as live and evil
anagram (AN-ə-gram)
v: literally, to write to, and thus to attribute to a specific person, source, cause, or origin; to assign as an attribute; to give credit
ascribe (ə-SKRIYB)
n: the art of beautiful handwriting, penmanship
calligraphy (kə-LIG-rə-fee)
n: a brief and often witty, satirical, or paradoxical saying, as “If
speech is silver, silence is golden.”
epigram (EP-ə-gram)
a: written in vivid and realistic detail
graphic (GRAF-ik)
n: a paper, article, or book written on a single (scholarly) subject
monograph (MAHN-ə-graf)
a: unremarkable, not easy to describe because of a lack of noteworthy characteristics or qualities; n, a person r thing not easy to describe because of this lack
nondescript (nahn-di-SKRIPT)
n: literally, to write after, and thus additional information added after the conclusion of a letter, article, book, etc.
postscript (POWST-skript)
v: literally, to write over or across, and thus to write out in full or to make a written copy; to record
transcribe (tran-SKRIYB)
n: a general liveliness or animation of disposition
vivacity (vi-VAS-ə-tee)
n: literally, another self; another aspect of oneself; a constant companion
alter ego (OL-tər EE-gow)
n: originally, a slave with secretarial duties; one who takes dictation rapidly, thus using the hands; an intentionally humorous usage meaning a secretary
amanuensis (ə-man-ye-WEN-sis)
n: a high-speed expressway (for automobiles) in Germany
autobahn (OT-ə-bahn)
n: an entire system of manufacturing using self-
operating machinery
automation (o-tə-MAY-shen)
n: a self-acting apparatus; a machine programmed to perform the same task over and over; a robot; a person who behaves in a very mechanical way
automaton (o-TAHM-ə-tahn)
a: self-governing, as a nation; functioning independently of outside interference or control
autonomous (o-TAHN-ə-məs)
a: always placing oneself at the center; assuming oneself to be the norm for all human experience; n, an egocentric person
egocentric (ee-gow-SEN-trik)
n: an individual characterized by self-conceit, self-interest, and a disregard for others
egotist (EE-gə-tist)
v: to set free from bondage or slavery, and thus to unhand
emancipate (i-MAN-sə-payt)
n: everything that is not part of the self; the external world; a, not of the self
nonego (nahn-EE-gow)
a: possessing the polish or wisdom of wide experience, as might be gained from visiting many cities; not provincial; n, a person or thing possessing these characteristics
cosmopolitan (kahz-mə-PAHL-ə-tən)
a: not citified, and thus unsophisticated, crude, or unpolished; uncouth
inurbane (in-ər-BAYN)
n: an extremely large urban area including several cities
megalopolis (meg-ə-LAHP-ə-ləs)
a: including the entire area and population of a large central city plus surrounding areas or suburbs; n, a person who lives in such an area and exhibits manners and attitudes characteristic of a city dweller
metropolitan (me-trə-PAHL-ə-tən)