Vocab 9: Politics And Tradition Flashcards
Aberration
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome
Accost
Approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively
Adamant
Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind
Apathetic/ Apathy
Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern
Ascendancy
Occupation of a position of dominant power or influence
Ascetic/ Asceticism
Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence
August
Respected and impressive
Autocrat/ Autocratic
A ruler who has absolute power; dictator
Automaton
Used in similes and comparisons to refer to a person who seems to act in a mechanical or unemotional way
Banal
So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
Bipartisan
Involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies
Depose
Remove from office suddenly and forcefully
Derivative
Imitative of the work of another person, and usually disapproved of for that reason
Desecration/ Desecrate
Treat (a sacred place or thing) with violent disrespect; violate
Despot
A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way; dictator
Doctrine
A belief
Dogmatic
Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true
Eclectic
Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources
Egalitarian
Relating to or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities
Exhibitionist/ Exhibitionistic
A person who behaves in an extravagant way in order to attract attention
Faction
A small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics
Fanaticism
Excessive and often irrational zeal or devotion to a cause or belief, often accompanied by intolerance of opposing views
Hackneyed
(of a phrase or idea) lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite
Heresy/ Heretic
A belief or opinion that contradicts the official doctrines or teachings of a particular religion(; unacceptable belief
Idiosyncrasy/ Idiosyncratic
A mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual; quirky
Orthodox
Strictly keeping to traditional doctrine and ritual
Pacifist
A person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable
Partisan
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
Piety/ Pious
A belief or point of view that is accepted with unthinking conventional reverence
Polemic/ Polemical
Expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something
Renounce
Refuse or resign a right or position, especially one as an heir or trustee
Reverent
Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect
Sanctity
The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly
Staunch
Loyal and committed in attitude
Stock
Strident
Presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way
Subversion
The undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution
Supplant
To replace or take the place of someone or something, often by force or through superior excellence or power
Sycophant
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage
Toady
A person who behaves obediently to someone important
Totalitarian
Relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state
Trite
(of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness
Usurp
To take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force
Zealot
A person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals
