Word List 13 Flashcards
Demagogue (n)
person who appeals to people’s prejudice; false leader
He was accused of being a demagogue because he made promises that aroused futile hopes in his listeners
Demoniac (adj)
fiendish
Gleeful at the success of his fiendish plot, the Joker howled with demoniac laughter
Denigrate (v)
blacken, to tarnish
Denouement (n)
outcome; final development of the plot
The denouement was obvious to sophisticate theatregoers as early as the middle of first act
Deprecate (v)
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
Derelict (adj)
abandoned; negligent
The derelict craft was a menace to navigation
Derogatory (adj)
expressing a low opinion
Desecrate (v)
profane; violate the sanctity of
Shattering the altar and trampling the holy objects underfoot, the invaders desecrated the sanctuary
Desiccate (v)
dry up
Despondent (adj)
depressed; gloomy
Despot (n)
tyrant; harsh, authorities ruler
Desuetude (n)
state of disuse
The folk dance fell into desuetude until they were rediscovered during the early twentieth century
Desultory (adj)
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
In prison, he set himself the task of reading, to him, reading was purposeful, not desultory
Dialectical (adj)
relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal
The debate coach’s students grew to develop great forensic and dialectical skill
Diatribe (n)
bitter scolding; incentive
Luther’s vitriolic diatribes against the Jews are part of the history that leads to Kristallnacht