week 1 vocab Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Bedlam

A

noise and confusion (Bedlam was the name of a London hospital for the insane. The full name of the hospital was St. Mary of Bethlehem)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Machiavellian

A

crafty (Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian writer who believed a ruler should use any means necessary – honorable or deceitful – to maintain a strong government

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Iridescent

A

brilliant colors, shifting like the colors of a rainbow (Iris was the goddess of the rainbow)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Quixotic

A

impractical (Don Quixote, hero of Cervantes’ novel by the same name, was a foolish dreamer who resolved to remake the world by impossible knightley feats)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Achilles’ heel

A

source of weakness (In Greek mythology, the mother of the hero Achilles dipped him, while a baby, into the River Styx to render him safe from injury. She held him by his heel, which was thus not protected.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Berserk

A

raging violently (Berserkers were wild warriors, who in battle howled, growled, bit their shields, and foamed at the mouth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Meander

A

wander aimlessly (The Meander was a river in Asia Minor noted for its twists and turns.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Mesmerism

A

hypnotic fashion (Franz Anton Mesmer was an Australian physician who believed that his hands had miraculous healing powers, “animal magnetism.”)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Maverick

A

an unbranded calf is the primary meaning; a fiery independent person is the secondary meaning (Samuel August Maverick was a fiery Texas rancher who did not brand his cattle - maverick cattle do not stay with their group - mavericks in politics can’t be tied down to a rigid doctrine or party line)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Blarney

A

clever flattery (Blarney Castle in Ireland has a famous stone. The person who kisses it is supposed to gain great skill in giving compliments and charming people. And great skill in compliments is related to clever flattery.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly