Vocab H-8 Flashcards
(noun)
a departure from what is proper, right, expected, or nor-
mal; a lapse from a sound mental state
(syn.) deviation, irregularity
aberration
adjective)
for this specific purpose; improvised
(adverb)
with respect to this
(syn.) adj. makeshift
(ant.) adj. permanent, long-standing
ad hoc
(noun)
the source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or
ruin; death or ruin itself; poison
(syn.) spoiler
(ant.) blessing, comfort, solace, balm
bane
(noun)
the intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a con-
text whose tone is lofty or elevated; grossly insincere or
exaggerated sentimentality; the lowest phase, nadir; an
anticlimax, comedown
(syn.) mawkishness, mush
bathos
(adjective)
ill-tempered, quarrelsome; difficult to get along or deal with
(syn.) cranky, testy, peevish, irascible, ornery
(ant.) good-natured, sweet-tempered, genial
cantankerous
(noun)
the determination of right and wrong in questions of con-
duct or conscience by the application of general ethical
principles; specious argument
(syn.) quibbling
casuistry
(adjective)
actually existing or in effect, although not legally required
or sanctioned
(adverb)
in reality, actually
(syn.) in actuality, in point of fact
de facto
(noun)
the act of preying upon or plundering
(syn.) looting, outrage
depredation
(noun)
a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the
feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something
else
(syn.) sympathy, compassion
(ant.) insensitivity, callousness, detachment
empathy
(noun)
a forerunner, herald
(verb)
to herald the approach of
(syn.) n. precursor, v. presage
(ant.) n. aftermath, epilogue, sequel
harbinger
(noun)
the belief that the attainment of pleasure is life’s chief aim;
devotion to or pursuit of pleasure
(syn.) pleasure seeking, sensuality
(ant.) asceticism, puritanism
hedonism
(adjective)
lacking brilliance or vitality; dull
(syn.) vapid, insipid, drab, flat
(ant.) brilliant, radiant, dazzling
lackluster
(adjective)
discontented with or in open definace of prevailing condi-
tions
(noun)
such a person
(syn.) adj. dissatisfied, disgruntled; n. grumbler
(ant.) adj. satisfied, contented, complacent, smug
malcontent
(adjective)
flowing sweetly or smoothly; honeyed
(syn.) euphonious
(ant.) strident, harsh, grating
mellifluous
(noun)
undue favoritism to or excessive patronage of one’s rela-
tives
nepotism
