Vocab List 3

Question 1

Ante Bellum

Answer 1

Occurring or existing before a war, usually the American Civil War
The antebellum period was full of reform movements, including the abolition movement.

Question 2

synchronicity

Answer 2

simultaneous events which appear significantly related but have no discernable connection
The same song was playing on every radio station, giving the appearance of synchronicity.

Question 3

abrogate

Answer 3

repeal or do away with
There was a proposal to abrogate the right to have pets in the building.

Question 4

ethos

Answer 4

the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community
The ethos of the 1960s was one of peace, as many protested against war.

Question 5

Thaumaturgist

Answer 5

A performer of miracles
Many saints are often considered thaumaturgists because they perform miracles.

Question 6

Peripatetic

Answer 6

related to walking
Her peripatetic trip was tiring.

Question 7

amenable

Answer 7

open and responsive to suggestion
The students were amenable.

Question 8

gigolo

Answer 8

a young man paid by an older woman to be her escort or lover
The woman’s gigolo was quite handsome.

Question 9

expectorate

Answer 9

to cough or spit out phlegm
We ask that you not expectorate in that sink

Question 10

laconic

Answer 10

using few words
The speech was laconic and therefore showed his lack of interest.

Question 11

corybantic

Answer 11

wild or frenzied
The movements were corybantic

Question 12

cadre

Answer 12

a small group trained for a particular purpose or profession
A cadre of scientists joined the convention

Question 13

gauche

Answer 13

lacking ease or grace
The wedding was awfully gauche

Question 14

etude

Answer 14

a short musical composition
The pianist played an etude to demonstrate her skill.

Question 15

coupe de grace

Answer 15

a final blow or shot
The final embarrassment was his coup de grace

Question 16

denouement

Answer 16

the final part of a story that draws the stands of plot together and explains/resolves matters
The denouement of the book seemed rushed and was unsatisfying.

Question 17

en mass

Answer 17

in mass; all together
We cleaned up en mass.

Question 18

canaille

Answer 18

the common people
Marie Antoinette looked down on the canaille

Question 19

ovine

Answer 19

relating to or resembling sheep
The origin of the yarn is ovine

Question 20

factotum

Answer 20

a person with many activities or responsibilities
The factotum had too many responsibilities.

Question 21

de facto

Answer 21

in reality; in fact
The border split the countries de facto.

Question 22

idee fixe

Answer 22

an obsession
History was his idee fixe

Question 23

paean

Answer 23

a song of praise or triumph
A paean was played after the battle was won.

Question 24

picayune

Answer 24

petty; worthless
The picayune bickering is driving me crazy.

Question 25

abattoir

Answer 25

a slaughter-house
The pigs were taken to an abattoir

Question 26

hortative

Answer 26

to give strong encouragement
The hortative was meat to be encouraging, not discouraging.

Question 27

obsequious

Answer 27

obedient or attentive to an excessive degree
His obsequiousness was troubling.

Question 28

temerity

Answer 28

excessive confidence or boldness
His temerity is astounding

Question 29

cohort

Answer 29

a group of people with a shared characteristic
A cohort of green-eyed people entered the building

Question 30

imprecation

Answer 30

a spoken curse
The woman was hurling imprecations at everyone who passed by.