week 12 Vocab Flashcards
occult
of, involving, or relating to supernatural, mystical, or magical powers or phenomena.
“a follower of occult practices similar to voodoo”
myterious, hidden
odium n.
general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone as a result of their actions.
“his job had made him the target of public hostility and odium”
officious adj.
assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters.
“the security people were very officious”
ogle v.
stare at in an excessive or offensive sexual desire manner.
“he was ogling her breasts”
ominous adj.
giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.
“there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead”
omniscient adj.
knowing everything.
“the story is told by an omniscient narrator”
onerous adj.
(of a task, duty, or responsibility) involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome.
“he found his duties increasingly onerous” an _____ singing contract
opaque adj.
not able to be seen through; not transparent.
“the windows were opaque with steam”
opportune adj.
(of a time) well-chosen or particularly favorable or appropriate.
“he couldn’t have arrived at a less opportune moment”
done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; well-timed.
“the opportune use of humor to lower tension”
opprobrium n.
harsh criticism or censure.
“his films and the critical opprobrium they have generated”
the public disgrace arising from someone’s shameful conduct.
“the opprobrium of being closely associated with gangsters”
orthodox adj.
(of a person or their views, especially religious or political ones, or other beliefs or practices) conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true; established and approved.
“orthodox medical treatment”
(of a thing) of the ordinary or usual type; normal.
“they avoided orthodox jazz venues”
oscillate v.
move or swing back and forth at a regular speed.
“a pendulum oscillates about its lowest point”
ostensible adj.
stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
“the delay may have a deeper cause than the ostensible reason”
ostentatious adj.
characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
“books that people buy and display ostentatiously but never actually finish”
ostracize v.
exclude (someone) from a society or group.
“a group of people who have been ridiculed, ostracized, and persecuted for centuries”
to banish, exile
overt adj.
done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden.
“an overt act of aggression”
palliate v.
make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause. mitigate alleviate.
“treatment works by palliating symptoms”
pallid adj
(of a person’s face) pale, typically because of poor health.
palpable adj.
(of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible.
“a palpable sense of loss”
able to be touched or felt.
“the palpable bump at the bridge of the nose”
panacea n.
a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
“the panacea for all corporate ills”
pandemonium n.
wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
“pandemonium broke out”
paradox n.
a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
“in a paradox, he has discovered that stepping back from his job has increased the rewards he gleans from it”
paragon n.
a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.
“it would have taken a paragon of virtue not to feel viciously jealous”
a person or thing viewed as a model of excellence.
“your cook is a paragon”
paramount adj.
more important than anything else; supreme.
“the interests of the child are of paramount importance”
