Vocab Unit 8 Level H

Question 1

Aberration

Answer 1

(n) a departure from what is proper, right, expected, or normal; a lapsed from a sound mental state

syn: deviation, anomaly, irregularity

Question 2

Ad Hoc

Answer 2

(adj) for this specific purpose; improvised; with respect to this

syn: makeshift
ant: permanent, long-standing

Question 3

Bane

Answer 3

(n) the source or cause of fatal injury, death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself; poison

syn: spoiler, bête noire
ant: blessing, comfort, solace, balm

Question 4

Bathos

Answer 4

(n) the intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a context whose tone is lofty or elevated; glossy insincere or exaggerated sentimentally; the lowest phase, nadir; an anticlimax, comedown

syn: mawkishness, mush, schmaltz

Question 5

Cantankerous

Answer 5

(adj) I’ll-tempered quarrelsome; difficult to get along or deal with

syn: cranky, testy

Question 6

Casuistry

Answer 6

(n) the determination of right and wrong in questions of conduct or conscience by the application of general ethical principles; specious argument

syn: sophistry, quibbling

Question 7

De Facto

Answer 7

(adj) actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned; in reality, actually

syn: in actuality, in point of fact
ant: de jure, by right

Question 8

Depredation

Answer 8

(n) the act of preying upon or plundering

syn: looting, pillage, outrage

Question 9

Empathy

Answer 9

(n) a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else

syn: sympathy, compassion
ant: insensitivity, callousness, detachment

Question 10

Harbinger

Answer 10

(n) a forerunner, herald; (v) to herald the approach of

syn: precursor, presage
ant: aftermath, epilogue, sequel

Question 11

Hedonism

Answer 11

(n) the beleif that the attainment of pleasure is life’s chief aim; devotion to or pursuit of pleasure

syn: pleasure seeking, sensuality, sybaritism
ant: asceticism, Puritanism, self-denial

Question 12

Lackluster

Answer 12

(adj) lacking brilliance or vitality; dull

syn: vapid, insipid, drap, flat
ant: brilliant, radiant, dazzling

Question 13

Malcontent

Answer 13

(adj) discontinued with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions; (n) such a person

syn: dissatisfied, disgruntled, grumbled
ant: satisfied, contented, complacent, smug

Question 14

Mellifluous

Answer 14

(adj) flowing sweetly or smoothly, honeyed

syn: euphonious, musical
ant: shrill, strident, harsh, grating

Question 15

Nepotism

Answer 15

(n) undue favoritism to or excessive patronage of one’s relatives

Question 16

Pander

Answer 16

(v) to cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others; a person who does this

syn: indulge, pimp, procurer

Question 17

Peccadillo

Answer 17

(n) a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming

syn: indiscretion
ant: felony, mora sin, atrocity

Question 18

Pièce de Résistance

Answer 18

(n) the principle dish of a meal; the principle event, incident, or item; an outstanding accomplishment

syn: centerpiece, chef d’oeuvre
ant: preliminary, hours d’oeuvre

Question 19

Remand

Answer 19

(v) to send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or to a lower court

syn: remit, return
ant: forward to, send on, release

Question 20

Syndrome

Answer 20

(n) a group of symptoms or signs that collectively characterize or indicate a disease, disorder, abnormality

syn: complex, pattern