Vocabulary List 3 Flashcards
morpheme
Ex. in, come, -ing, forming incoming
a meaningful morphological unit of a language that cannot be further divided
ad hoc
Ex. The mayor appointed an AD HOC committee to study the project
when necessary or needed
sine qua non
Ex. Chocolate chips are the SINE QUA NON of chocolate chip cookies
an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.
obfuscate
Ex. She was criticized for using arguments that OBFUSCATED the main issue
render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
castigate
Ex. he was CASTIGATED for not setting a good example
reprimand (someone) severely.
boilerplate
Ex. The show Outer Banks some of the details and actions used in the show are the BOILERPLATE every season.
a standard, reusable piece of content that’s used in various pieces of content, from articles to communication materials like press releases and contracts
allude, allusion
Ex. To my dog, our neighborhood park is the Garden of Eden.
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference
conceit (of a film, novel, plot)
Ex. the idea of the wind’s singing is a prime romantic CONCEIT.
a fanciful expression in writing or speech; an elaborate metaphor. excessive pride in oneself.
reification, reify
Ex. His movie is basically a reification of 1950s-style American toughness
when you think of or treat something abstract as a physical thing.
elucidate
Ex. work such as theirs will help to elucidate this matter
make (something) clear; explain
canon, canonical
Ex. the canonical Gospels of the New Testament
included in the list of sacred books officially accepted as genuine
de facto
Ex. the island has been de facto divided into two countries
in fact, or in effect, whether by right or not.
highbrow, lowbrow
Ex. innovatory art had a small, mostly highbrow following
scholarly or rarefied in taste
trepidation
Ex. the men set off in fear and trepidation
a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.
internalize
Ex. people learn gender stereotypes and internalize them
make (attitudes or behavior) part of one’s nature by learning or unconscious assimilation.
subversive
Ex. subversive literature
tending or intending to subvert or overthrow, destroy, or undermine an established or existing system, especially a legally constituted government or a set of beliefs
genesis
Ex. this tale had its genesis in fireside stories
the origin or mode of formation of something
pro forma
done or produced as a matter of form
