Vocabulary Words | Lessons 13-15 Flashcards
autocratic
ruling with unlimited power or authority
autonomy
independence; self-determination/governance
caste
a social class separated from others by profession, wealth, or hereditary rank
despot
a) a ruler with absolute power
b) a person who wields power oppressively; a tyrant
feudal
relating to a system in which people (vassals) were given protection and the use of land in exchange for loyalty, payments, and services to a lord
hegemony
dominance, especially that of a country, region, or group over others
oligarchy
a) government by a few, especially by a small fraction of people or families
b) a state governed by a few people or families
sovereign
a) self-governing; independent
b) having supreme rank or power
c) a noble person who serves as head of a state; a ruler/monarch
totalitarian
relating to a form of government with absolute and centralized control over every aspect of people’s lives
usurp
a) to take and hold power or rights by force and without legal authority
b) to take the place of or occupy without right
dilligence
a) steady effort; persistent hard work
b) attentive care; carefulness
fastidious
a) possessing or displaying careful attention to detail
b) picky; difficult to please
finicky
difficult to please; insisting on getting exactly what one wants
imprudent
unwise; doing things without careful thought or judgment
judicious
having or exhibiting good, sound judgment
meticulous
extremely careful or precise
minutia
a small, minor, or trivial detail
slovenly
a) untidy; sloppy in dress or appearance
b) marked by carelessness or negligence; shoddy
trepidation
a) anxiety; a state of alarm, dread, or fear
b) involuntary trembling or quivering
unmindful
failing to give due care or attention; inattentive
condemn
a) to express strong disapproval of
b) to give a judgment against; to sentence
c) to declare to be unfit for use, often by official order
culpable
deserving of blame or punishment for being wrong, evil, or harmful
exonerate
a) to free from blame
b) to free from responsibility, obligation, or task
extort
to obtain by force or threat
incorrigible
a) incapable of being corrected or reformed
b) difficult or impossible to control
malfeasance
wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official
misdemeanor
a minor offense; a misdeed
purloin
to steal, often in a violation of trust, to commit theft
ruffian
a) a gangster or thug
b) a tough or rowdy person; a troublemaker
unscrupulous
lacking moral restraint; scornful of what is right or honorable
