Vocab List 2 Flashcards
Connote, connotation
Example: While on paper perfectly innocent, the rhyme had lewd CONNOTATIONS.
verb, noun
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
Ramifications (of)
Example: She did not yet understand the ramifications of her actions.
noun
The consequences of actions (especially unwanted)
Anachronistic, anachronism
Example: In a house of modern technology, Bob’s old land line was an anachronism.
Adj. , noun
A thing out of place technologically
Archaic
Due to an archaic law, no public events could be held on Sunday.
Adj.
Something old, outdated
Loan word
English borrows several loan words from French.
Noun
A word borrowed verbatim from another language, without translation
Vis-a-vis
He walked on eggshells in matters vis-a-vis his mother-in-law.
preposition
in relation to; with regard to.
Quid pro quo
I reached a quid pro quo with my roommate, getting his help in exchange for cleaning up after dinner.
Noun
A “favor for a favor”
Schadenfreude
Many people experience a sense of schadenfreude when an enemy of theirs experiences difficulties or pain.
Noun
Pleasure from other’s pain.
Ad hominem (attack)
In the debate, John Joe launched an ad hominem attack, instead of talking about the facts of the case.
Noun
An argument directed at questioning the character of the attacked, instead of their relevant actions and evidence.
Aesthetic
The painting had a beautiful aesthetic.
Adjective
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
Prose
The author’s use of prose helps the audience relate to their characters.
Noun
Something written or spoken in ordinary speech.
Etymology, etymon
The word “London” has an interesting etymology, as it might come from a Celtic word for “a place that floods.”
Noun
1. The origin of a word based on previous forms.
2. A early word, an ancestor to a extant word
Via
We sailed down the Mississippi via Baton Rouge.
Preposition
By way of, through
ergo
The prince was illegitimate, ergo he could not inherit the throne.
Adverb
literally “therefore”
ubiquitous, ubiquity
Star Wars (1979) and the franchise it spawned have become near ubiquitous among the American public.
Adjective, noun
1. Well known, famous, common knowledge of it’s existence.
2. The state of being ubiquitous.
Unique, unicity
His pasta dough was made with the whole egg instead of just the yolk, making it quite unique.
Adj, noun
1. Rare or even one of a kind
2. The quality of being unique
Ellipsis
“Hammurabi commissioned a series of grand stone steles…. Written on them was his law code.”
Omitted text: “cut out of shining black granite, with a carving depicting the Babylonian God of justice.”
Noun
…
To indicate omitted words that are unnecessary or can be inferred.
Perfunctory
To meet the requirements for getting the prize, he gave a mostly perfunctory acceptance speech.
adj.
(of an action) giving the minimal amount of effort or care.
