WORDS Flashcards
Genre
Predisposed
Sectarian (Sect)
Class, group, type of style
Cause to be favorably or susceptible to something before hand
Relating to a sect (religious groups)
Annotation
Adjective
Annuity
1) . Furnished with notes
2. Describe a noun, make its meaning clearer
3) . Amount payable annually
Paradoxical
Realm
Contradiction, would not expect to be true, but is.
Area of expertise or control, Kingdom
Affinity
Hermetic
Natural liking, or understanding. A close relationship between people or things.
Complete and airtight
as·ser·tion
the act of asserting; also : declaration, affirmation
Examples
the assertion that all men have certain unalienable rights is set forth in the Declaration of Independence
made the unlikely assertion that gravity affects light
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: affirmation, protestation, asseveration, avouchment, avowal, claim, declaration, insistence, profession
Antonyms: disavowal
in·tol·er·ant
not willing to allow or accept something
: not willing to allow some people to have equality, freedom, or other social rights
medicine : unable to take a certain substance into the body without becoming sick
Full Definition
1 : unable or unwilling to endure
2 a : unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters
b : unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights : bigoted
3 : exhibiting physiological intolerance
in·tol·er·ant·ly adverb
in·tol·er·ant·ness noun
Examples
intolerant of fools, she is not an easy person to work for
intolerant people who callously deny others the very rights that they take for granted
First use: circa 1735
Synonyms: impatient
Antonyms: abiding, enduring, forbearing, patient, tolerant
Illiterate
Lack of schooling
Deviant
Unacceptable behavior
Paradox
Conflict of logic but true.
Destiny
Future ??
Insolence
Contemptuously Rude
Contempt - showing deep hatred and disapproval.
Unassuming
Not bold or arrogant
Chided
To speak out in angry or dispel pleased rebuke
To voice disapproval
Rebuke
To turn back or keep down
To criticize sharply
Denounced / denunciation
: a public statement that strongly criticizes someone or something as being bad or wrong : a statement that denounces something or someone
con·ster·na·tion\ˌkän(t)-stər-ˈnā-shən
: a strong feeling of surprise or sudden disappointment that causes confusion
dis·en·chant\ˌdis-in-ˈchant
: to free from illusion
Disenfranchisement
: to prevent (a person or group of people) from having the right to vote
pre·car·i·ous
: not safe, strong, or steady
Accolades
: an award or an expression of praise
Empathy
: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings
Pseudonymous
: bearing or using a fictitious name <a>; also : being a pseudonym</a>
Improvise
: to speak or perform without preparation
: to make or create (something) by using whatever is available
Judicious
: having or showing good judgment
Indentured servant
: a person who signs and is bound by indentures to work for another for a specified time especially in return for payment of travel expenses and maintenance
Indenture
1 a (1) : a document or a section of a document that is indented (2) : a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies (3) : a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time — often used in plural b : a formal certificate (as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of control c : a document stating the terms under which a security (as a bond) is issued
Permutation
: one of the many different ways or forms in which something exists or can be arranged
Virtuoso
: a person who does something in a very skillful way ; especially : a very skillful musician
Improv
Examples
that comedy skit was a totally unrehearsed improvisation
Utopia
: an imaginary place in which the government, laws, and social conditions are perfect
Ambivalence
Mixed feeling or contradictory ideas about something
Paradoxical
Paradox, seems unlikely not possible but is true
Circadian
(Of biological processes) recurring naturally on a twenty-four-hour cycles circadian rhythms
Intrepid
Fearless, adventurous.
Gallantry
Courageous behavior, especially in battle
ob·sti·nate\ˈäb-stə-nət\
: refusing to change your behavior or your ideas
: difficult to deal with, remove, etc.
in·tol·er·ant
: not willing to allow or accept something
: not willing to allow some people to have equality, freedom, or other social rights
medicine : unable to take a certain substance into the body without becoming sick
to·tal·i·tar·i·an·ism(ˌ)tō-ˌta-lə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm
1 : centralized control by an autocratic authority
2 : the political concept that the citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority
pur·vey·or
: a person or business that sells or provides something
Exp: the purveyors of prejudice.
strife
: very angry or violent disagreement between two or more people or groups
sur·rep·ti·tious\ˌsər-əp-ˈti-shəs, ˌsə-rəp-, sə-ˌrep-\
: done in a secret way
dis·cord\ˈdis-ˌkȯrd\
: lack of agreement between people, ideas, etc.
: an unpleasant combination of musical notes
: lack of agreement between people, ideas, etc.
: an unpleasant combination of musical notes
: disagreement that causes the people in a group to argue about something that is important to them
po·lar·ize
: to cause (people, opinions, etc.) to separate into opposing groups
uni·lat·er·al\ˌyü-ni-ˈla-tə-rəl, -ˈla-trəl\
: involving only one group or country
ran·cor
: an angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated you unfairly
lib·er·al·ism
: belief in the value of social and political change in order to achieve progress
tort
law : an action that wrongly causes harm to someone but that is not a crime and that is dealt with in a civil court
Full Definition
: a wrongful act other than a breach of contract for which relief may be obtained in the form of damages or an injunction
mar·gin·al·ize
: to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group
ca·pit·u·late
: to stop fighting an enemy or opponent : to admit that an enemy or opponent has won
: to stop trying to fight or resist something : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing
con·stit·u·en·cy
: a group of people who support or who are likely to support a politican or political party
: the people who live and vote in an area
: a voting area : a district with an elected representative
tyr·an·ny
: cruel and unfair treatment by people with power over others
: a government in which all power belongs to one person : the rule or authority of a tyrant
dem·a·gogue
: a political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason
con·text
: the words that are used with a certain word or phrase and that help to explain its meaning
ex·ac·er·bate
: to make (a bad situation, a problem, etc.) worse
es·prit de corps\is-ˌprē-də-ˈkȯr
: feelings of loyalty, enthusiasm, and devotion to a group among people who are members of the group
in·di·vis·i·ble
: impossible to divide or separate : not divisible
so·cial·ism
: a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies. No private property !
del·e·te·ri·ous\ˌde-lə-ˈtir-ē-əs\
: damaging or harmful
as·per·sion\ə-ˈspər-zhən, -shən
2 a : a false or misleading charge meant to harm someone’s reputation
im·po·si·tion
: a demand or request that is not reasonable or that causes trouble for someone
: the act of establishing or creating something in an official way : the act of imposing something
aus·ter·i·ty\ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē, -ˈste-rə- also -ˈstir-ə-\
: a simple and plain quality : an austere quality
: a situation in which there is not much money and it is spent only on things that are necessary
: things that are done to live in a simple and plain way
pre·clude
: to make (something) impossible : to prevent (something) from happening
: to prevent (someone) from doing something
ideo·log·i·cal\ˌī-dē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌi-\
1 : relating to or concerned with ideas
2 : of, relating to, or based on ideology
ide·ol·o·gy
noun
: the set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party
Full Definition
1 : visionary theorizing
2 a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture
b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture
c : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program
Other forms: plural ide·ol·o·gies
ide·ol·o·gist -jist\ noun
def·er·ence\ˈde-fə-rən(t)s, ˈdef-rən(t)s\
: a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something
em·bold·en
: to make (someone) more confident
dis·sem·i·nate\di-ˈse-mə-ˌnāt\
: to cause (something, such as information) to go to many people
vas·cu·lar
medical : of or relating to the veins, arteries, etc., that carry fluids (such as blood) through the body
os·se·ous
Origin: Latin osseus, from oss-, os bone; akin to Greek osteon bone, Sanskrit asthi.
in·sur·rec·tion
: a usually violent attempt to take control of a government
vis–à–vis\ˈvēz-ə-ˈvē, ˌvēs- also -ä-ˈvē\
1 : face-to-face with
2 : in relation to
3 : as compared with
mag·nan·i·mous
: having or showing a generous and kind nature
Full Definition
1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit
2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind
mag·nan·i·mous·ly adverb
mag·nan·i·mous·ness noun
as·suage\ə-ˈswāj also -ˈswāzh or -ˈswäzh\
: to make (something, such as an unpleasant feeling) less painful, severe, etc.
em·pa·thy\ˈem-pə-thē\
: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings
acquiesced /a-kwe-es
to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively
met·a·phor
: a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar
“it’s raining cats and dogs” is just a colorful metaphor and not a meteorological announcement
feign
1 a : to give a false appearance of : induce as a false impression
b : to assert as if true : pretend
un·equiv·o·cal
: very strong and clear : not showing or allowing any doubt : not equivocal
co·a·li·tion\ˌkō-ə-ˈli-shən\
: a group of people, groups, or countries who have joined together for a common purpose
: the action or process of joining together with another or others for a common purpose
abolitionist
relating to slavery, to end , to stop
in·dom·i·ta·ble
: impossible to defeat or discourage
rhe·tor·i·cal
: of, relating to, or concerned with the art of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people
of a question : asked in order to make a statement rather than to get an answer
prej·u·dice
: an unfair feeling of dislike for a person or group because of race, sex, religion, etc.
: a feeling of like or dislike for someone or something especially when it is not reasonable or logical
eman·ci·pa·tion
: to free (someone) from someone else’s control or power
relating to slavery
Gilled Age
from 1870 to 1898. rapid economic expansion in the U.S.
in·dom·i·ta·ble
: impossible to defeat or discourage
quin·tes·sence
2 : the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form
re·vi·sion·ism\ri-ˈvi-zhə-ˌni-zəm\
: support of ideas and beliefs that differ from and try to change accepted ideas and beliefs especially in a way that is seen as wrong or dishonest
be·nign
medical : not causing death or serious injury
2 a : showing kindness and gentleness
b : favorable, wholesome <a></a>
apos·ta·sy
1 : renunciation of a religious faith
2 : abandonment of a previous loyalty : defection
anom·a·ly
2 : deviation from the common rule : irregularity
3 : something anomalous : something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified
dis·po·si·tion
the usual attitude or mood of a person or animal
con·jec·ture
: an opinion or idea formed without proof or sufficient evidence
dis·in·gen·u·ous
: not truly honest or sincere : giving the false appearance of being honest or sincere
em·blem·at·ic
: representing something (such as an idea, state, or emotion) that cannot be seen by itself
pre·sump·tu·ous
: too confident especially in a way that is rude : done or made without permission, right, or good reason
Genre / Zhongshan-ruh
Type or type of art or a literature
Class, category, classification, group, set
rec·ti·fy
3 : to correct by removing errors : adjust
Yurt
A circular tent made of felt or skins on a collapsible frame. Used by the Mongolian, Turks and in Siberia
pa·tron·ize
To talk to someone in a way that you are more intelligent and better than they are
con·de·scend·ing
: showing that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other people
pre·sump·tion
: a belief that something is true even though it has not been proved
Aloof
: not involved with or friendly toward other people
: not involved in or influenced by something
Ceded
Give up power or control.
im·per·ti·nent(ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nənt, -ˈpərt-nənt\
: rude and showing a lack of respect
Examples
the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything
impertinent salesmen who telephone people during the dinner hour
your résumé needlessly lists skills that are impertinent to the job for which you are applying
al·go·rithm
: a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process
ap·pel·la·tion
: a name or title
Full Definition
1 : an identifying name or title : designation
2 archaic : the act of calling by a name
3 : a geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and market wine; also : the area designated by such a name
Examples
a twisting road that deserved the appellation “Sidewinder Lane”
util·i·tar·i·an·ism
philosophy : the belief that a morally good action is one that helps the greatest number of people
Full Definition
1 : a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences; specifically : a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number
2 : utilitarian character, spirit, or quality
cas·ti·gate\ˈkas-tə-ˌgāt\
: to criticize (someone) harshly
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism
synonyms see punish
Other forms: cas·ti·gat·ed; cas·ti·gat·ing
cas·ti·ga·tion \ˌkas-tə-ˈgā-shən\ noun
cas·ti·ga·tor \ˈkas-tə-ˌgā-tər\ noun
Examples
castigated him for his constant tardiness
a newspaper editorial castigating the city council for approving the project in the first place
a judge who believes in castigating criminals to the full extent of the law
mar·tyr·dom
: the suffering and death of a martyr
Full Definition
1 : the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one’s religious faith
2 : affliction, torture
mael·strom\ˈmāl-strəm, -ˌsträm\
: a situation in which there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc.
: a dangerous area of water that moves very fast in a circle
cat·a·clysm
: something that causes great destruction, violence, etc.
Full Definition
1 : flood, deluge
2 : catastrophe 3a
3 : a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; broadly : an event that brings great changes
cat·a·clys·mal \ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-məl\ or cat·a·clys·mic -mik\ adjective
cat·a·clys·mi·cal·ly -mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible
the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded
a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order
Survitude
: the condition of being a slave or of having to obey another person
Prognosticate
1 : to foretell from signs or symptoms : predict
2 : presage
synonyms see foretell
Other forms: prog·nos·ti·cat·ed; prog·nos·ti·cat·ing
prog·nos·ti·ca·tive -ˌkā-tiv\ adjective
prog·nos·ti·ca·tor -ˌkā-tər\ noun
Examples
using current trends to prognosticate what the workplace of the future will be like
im·pu·ni·ty\im-ˈpyü-nə-tē\
: freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Full Definition
: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Examples
she mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity
im·pu·dent\ˈim-pyə-dənt\
: failing to show proper respect and courtesy : very rude
Full Definition
1 obsolete : lacking modesty
2 : marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent
im·pu·dent·ly adverb
Examples
the guest’s impudent inquiries about the cost of just about everything we had in the house
plat·i·tude
: a statement that expresses an idea that is not new
Full Definition
1 : the quality or state of being dull or insipid
2 : a banal, trite, or stale remark
Examples
“blondes have more fun” is a silly platitude
pet·u·lant
: having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and annoyed when they do not get what they want
Full Definition
1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior
2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish
pet·u·lant·ly adverb
Examples
a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems
ca·pri·cious
: changing often and quickly ; especially : often changing suddenly in mood or behavior
: not logical or reasonable : based on an idea, desire, etc., that is not possible to predict
Full Definition
: governed or characterized by caprice : impulsive, unpredictable
synonyms see inconstant
ca·pri·cious·ly adverb
ca·pri·cious·ness noun
Examples
capricious weather that was balmy one day and freezing cold the next
a capricious woman who changed her mind dozens of times about what color to paint the bathroom
in·so·lent\ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lənt\
: rude or impolite : having or showing a lack of respect for other people
Full Definition
1 : insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct : overbearing
2 : exhibiting boldness or effrontery : impudent
synonyms see proud
insolent noun
in·so·lent·ly adverb
Examples
an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request
con·temp·tu·ous
: feeling or showing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt
Full Definition
: manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt
con·temp·tu·ous·ly adverb
con·temp·tu·ous·ness noun
Examples
loutish tourists who are contemptuous of the ways and traditions of their host countries
contemptuous comments about the baseball team’s pathetic showings
de·lir·i·um
: a mental state in which you are confused and not able to think or speak clearly usually because of fever or some other illness
: a state of wild excitement and great happiness
Full Definition
1 : an acute mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations
2 : frenzied excitement
Examples
shoppers running around in a delirium the day before Christmas
as·ser·tion
: the act of asserting also : declaration, affirmation
Full Definition
: the act of asserting; also : declaration, affirmation
Examples
the assertion that all men have certain unalienable rights is set forth in the Declaration of Independence
made the unlikely assertion that gravity affects light
un·alien·able
: impossible to take away or give up
con·ster·na·tion\ˌkän(t)-stər-ˈnā-shən\
: a strong feeling of surprise or sudden disappointment that causes confusion
Full Definition
: amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion
Origin: French or Latin; French, from Latin consternation-, consternatio, from consternare to throw into confusion, from com- + -sternare, probably from sternere to spread, strike down — more at strew.
First use: 1604
im·pu·dent\ˈim-pyə-dənt\
: failing to show proper respect and courtesy : very rude
Full Definition
1 obsolete : lacking modesty
2 : marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent
im·pu·dent·ly adverb
Examples
the guest’s impudent inquiries about the cost of just about everything we had in the house
du·bi·ous
: unsure or uncertain : feeling doubt about something
: causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion : likely to be bad or wrong
—used ironically in phrases like and to describe something bad or undesirable as if it were an honor or achievement
Full Definition
1 : giving rise to uncertainty: as
a : of doubtful promise or outcome <a>
b : questionable or suspect as to true nature or quality
2 : unsettled in opinion : doubtful <i>
synonyms see doubtful
du·bi·ous·ly adverb
du·bi·ous·ness noun
Examples
any letter bearing the signature of Geronimo would be of dubious authenticity, to say the least
I’m dubious about our plan to go hang gliding without having had any training
made the dubious claim of being of royal blood</i></a>
per·mis·sive
: giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do
Full Definition
1 archaic : granted on sufferance : tolerated
2 a : granting or tending to grant permission : tolerant
b : deficient in firmness or control : indulgent, lax
3 : allowing discretion : optional
per·mis·sive·ly adverb
per·mis·sive·ness noun
in·so·lent
: rude or impolite : having or showing a lack of respect for other people
Full Definition
1 : insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct : overbearing
2 : exhibiting boldness or effrontery : impudent
synonyms see proud
insolent noun
in·so·lent·ly adverb
Examples
an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request
ad·ju·di·cate
: to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to settle judiciallyintransitive verb
: to act as judge
Other forms: ad·ju·di·cat·ed; ad·ju·di·cat·ing
ad·ju·di·ca·tive -ˌkā-tiv, -kə-\ adjective
ad·ju·di·ca·tor -ˌkā-tər\ noun
ad·ju·di·ca·to·ry -ˈjü-di-kə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
Examples
when we asked the salesclerk to adjudicate our disagreement, she agreed with me that the white shoes looked better
First use: 1775
Synonyms: adjudge, judge, arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule (on), settle, umpire
re·duc·tive
: dealing with or describing something complicated in a simple or too simple way
pu·ri·tan·i·cal\ˌpyu̇r-ə-ˈta-ni-kəl\
: very strict especially concerning morals and religion
Full Definition
1 : of, relating to, or characterized by a rigid morality
2 : puritan
pu·ri·tan·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
some of the state laws concerning sexual behavior are vestiges of a more puritanical time and are rarely, if ever, enforced
ves·tige\ˈves-tij
: the last small part that remains of something that existed before
: the smallest possible amount of something
Full Definition
1 a (1) : a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost (2) : the smallest quantity or trace
b : footprint 1
2 : a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms
synonyms see trace
ves·ti·gial \ve-ˈsti-jē-əl, -jəl\ adjective
ves·ti·gial·ly adverb
se·di·tion\si-ˈdi-shən\
: the crime of saying, writing, or doing something that encourages people to disobey their government
Full Definition
: incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority
Origin: Middle English sedicioun, from Anglo-French sediciun, from Latin sedition-, seditio, literally, separation, from sed-, se- apart + ition-, itio act of going, from ire to go — more at secede, issue.
First use: 14th century
re·cid·i·vism\ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm\
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior especially : relapse into criminal behavior
Full Definition
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially : relapse into criminal behavior
First use: 1886
be·nign\bi-ˈnīn
medical : not causing death or serious injury
: without cancer : not cancerous
: not causing harm or damage
Full Definition
1 : of a gentle disposition : gracious <a>
2 a : showing kindness and gentleness
b : favorable, wholesome <a>
3 a : of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially : not becoming cancerous </a><a>
b : having no significant effect : harmless
be·nig·ni·ty -ˈnig-nə-tē\ noun
be·nign·ly -ˈnīn-lē\ adverb
Examples
around campus he’s known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
Origin: Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, from Latin benignus, from bene + gignere to beget — more at kin.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: anodyne, harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, safe, white
Antonyms: adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked</a></a>
ma·lig·nant\mə-ˈlig-nənt\
medical : very serious and dangerous : tending or likely to grow and spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death
: very evil
Full Definition
1 a obsolete : malcontent, disaffected
b : evil in nature, influence, or effect : injurious
c : passionately and relentlessly malevolent : aggressively malicious
2 : tending to produce death or deterioration ; especially : tending to infiltrate, metastasize, and terminate fatally <a>
ma·lig·nant·ly adverb
Examples
a malignant wish to lash out at everyone who was smarter, richer, or better-looking than he was
Origin: Late Latin malignant-, malignans, present participle of malignari.
First use: circa 1545
Synonyms: bad [slang], bitchy, catty, cruel, despiteful, malevolent, malicious, malign, hateful, mean, nasty, spiteful, vicious, virulent
Antonyms: benevolent, benign, benignant, loving, unmalicious</a>
op·u·lence\ˈä-pyə-lən(t)s
\: wealth, affluence \: abundance, profusion Full Definition 1 : wealth, affluence 2 : abundance, profusion Examples in some parts of the city nearly unimaginable opulence can be found side by side with nearly unthinkable poverty First use: circa 1510 Synonyms: assets, capital, fortune, means, wealth, riches, substance, wherewithal, worth
he·do·nism\ˈhē-də-ˌni-zəm\
: the belief that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in life
Full Definition
1 : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
2 : a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism
he·do·nist -nist\ noun
he·do·nis·tic \ˌhē-də-ˈnis-tik\ adjective
he·do·nis·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
their spring break trip to Mexico became an exercise in heedless hedonism
Origin: Greek hēdonē pleasure; akin to Greek hēdys sweet — more at sweet.
First use: 1856
Synonyms: carnality, debauchery, sensuality, sybaritism, voluptuousness
Antonyms: abstinence, asceticism, sobriety, temperance
stal·wart\ˈstȯl-wərt\
\: very loyal and dedicated \: physically strong Full Definition \: marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind, or spirit synonyms see strong stal·wart·ly adverb stal·wart·ness noun Origin: Middle English, alteration of stalworth, from Old English stǣlwierthe serviceable. First use: 15th century Synonyms: bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, brave, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous Antonyms: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow 2stalwart noun \: a loyal supporter Full Definition 1 : a stalwart person 2 : an unwavering partisan Examples party stalwarts
im·per·vi·ous(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs
im·per·vi·ous(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\
adjective
: not allowing something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through
: not bothered or affected by something
Full Definition
1 a : not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable <a>
b : not capable of being damaged or harmed </a><a>
2 : not capable of being affected or disturbed
im·per·vi·ous·ly adverb
im·per·vi·ous·ness noun
Examples
the material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain
the rain forest is impervious to all but the most dedicated explorers
Origin: Latin impervius, from in- + pervius pervious.
First use: 1640
Synonyms: impenetrable, impermeable, tight
Antonyms: penetrable, permeable, pervious</a>
the·oc·ra·cy\thē-ˈä-krə-sē\
: a form of government in which a country is ruled by religious leaders
: a country that is ruled by religious leaders
Full Definition
1 : government of a state by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided
2 : a state governed by a theocracy
Other forms: plural the·oc·ra·cies
Origin: Greek theokratia, from the- + -kratia -cracy.
First use: 1622
im·pu·ni·ty\im-ˈpyü-nə-tē\
: freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Full Definition
: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
Examples
she mistakenly believed that she could insult people with impunity
Origin: Middle French or Latin; Middle French impunité, from Latin impunitat-, impunitas, from impune without punishment, from in- + poena punishment — more at pain.
First use: 1532
Synonyms: exemption, immunity
im·por·tu·nate\im-ˈpȯr-chə-nət, -tyu̇-nət\
: making repeated or annoying requests or demands
: causing annoyance or trouble
Full Definition
1 : troublesomely urgent : overly persistent in request or demand
2 : troublesome
im·por·tu·nate·ly adverb
im·por·tu·nate·ness noun
Examples
the demands of the chairmanship were becoming too importunate for me to continue without an assistant
First use: 1528
Synonyms: burning, clamant, compelling, critical, crying, dire, emergent, exigent, imperative, imperious, acute, instant, necessitous, pressing, urgent
Antonyms: noncritical, nonurgent
ha·bit·u·ate
: to cause (a person or animal) to become familiar with and used to a particular place, situation, etc.
Opulent
: very comfortable and expensive
: very wealthy
Full Definition
: exhibiting or characterized by opulence: as
a : having a large estate or property : wealthy
b : amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation
synonyms see rich
op·u·lent·ly adverb
Examples
an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions
an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques
sub·ju·gate\ˈsəb-ji-ˌgāt\
: to defeat and gain control of (someone or something) by the use of force : to conquer and gain the obedience of (a group of people, a country, etc.)
Full Definition
1 : to bring under control and governance as a subject : conquer
2 : to make submissive : subdue
Other forms: sub·ju·gat·ed; sub·ju·gat·ing
sub·ju·ga·tion \ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən\ noun
sub·ju·ga·tor \ˈsəb-ji-ˌgā-tər\ noun
Examples
explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion
dem·a·gogue
: a political leader who tries to get support by making false claims and promises and using arguments based on emotion rather than reason
Full Definition
1 : a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
2 : a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times
em·pa·thy
: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings
ubiq·ui·tous
: seeming to be seen everywhere
Full Definition
: existing or being everywhere at the same time : constantly encountered : widespread <a>
ubiq·ui·tous·ly adverb
ubiq·ui·tous·ness noun
Examples
by that time cell phones had become ubiquitous, and people had long ceased to be impressed by the sight of one
was weary of the ubiquitous noise of the big city and longed for the quiet of the country
</a>
emer·i·tus
: one retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held
Full Definition
: one retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held
Other forms: plural emer·i·ti-ə-ˌtī, -ˌtē\
res·o·lute\ˈre-zə-ˌlüt, -lət\
: very determined : having or showing a lot of determination
Full Definition
1 : marked by firm determination : resolved <a>
2 : bold, steady </a><a>
synonyms see faithful
res·o·lute·ly -ˌlüt-lē, -lət-; ˌre-zə-ˈlüt-\ adverb
res·o·lute·ness -ˌlüt-nəs, -lət-, -ˈlüt-\ noun
Origin: Latin resolutus, past participle of resolvere.
First use: 1533
Synonyms: bent (on or upon), bound, decisive, do-or-die, firm, hell-bent (on or upon), intent, out, purposeful, determined, resolved, set, single-minded
Antonyms: faltering, hesitant, indecisive, irresolute, undetermined, unresolved, vacillating, wavering, weak-kneed
</a>
kludge
: an awkward or inferior computer system or program that is created quickly to solve a problem
Full Definition
: a system and especially a computer system made up of poorly matched components
kludgy also kludgey \ˈklü-jē, US also & British especially ˈklə-\ adjective
Examples
a kludgy computer system
im·mi·grant
: a person who comes to a country to live there
Full Definition
: one that immigrates: as
a : a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence
b : a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown
immigrant adjective
Examples
America was founded by immigrants and they have been its lifeblood ever since
ref·u·gee
: someone who has been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons
Full Definition
: one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution
ref·u·gee·ism -ˌi-zəm\ noun
Examples
refugees began returning to their homeland after years of political unrest and war
asy·lum
: protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed
: a hospital where people who are mentally ill are cared for especially for long periods of time : a mental hospital
Full Definition
1 : an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary
2 : a place of retreat and security : shelter
3 a : the protection or inviolability afforded by an asylum : refuge
b : protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying diplomatic immunity
4 : an institution for the care of the destitute or sick and especially the insane
Examples
volunteered to play piano for the residents of the state asylum on weekends
the embassy serves as an asylum for that country’s nationals in need of help
in·cred·u·lous(ˌ)in-ˈkre-jə-ləs, -dyə-ləs\
: not able or willing to believe something : feeling or showing a lack of belief
Full Definition
1 : unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true : not credulous : skeptical
2 : incredible 1
3 : expressing incredulity
in·cred·u·lous·ly adverb
Examples
incredulous by nature, I’m of course very suspicious of anyone who claims to be able to communicate with the dead
an incredulous account of alien abduction that the tabloids had a field day with
Origin: Latin incredulus, from in- + credulus credulous.
First use: 1579
Synonyms: disbelieving, distrustful, doubting, skeptical, mistrustful, negativistic, questioning, show-me, suspecting, suspicious, unbelieving
Antonyms: credulous, gullible (also gullable), trustful, trusting, uncritical, unquestioning
in·grat·i·tude(ˌ)in-ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\
: lack of proper appreciation or thanks for something (such as a kind or helpful act) : lack of gratitude
Full Definition
: forgetfulness of or poor return for kindness received : ungratefulness
Examples
their daughter’s ingratitude for all that they have done for her is truly appalling
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin ingratitudo, from Latin in- + Late Latin gratitudo gratitude.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: thanklessness, ungratefulness
Antonyms: appreciation, appreciativeness, gratefulness, gratitude, thankfulness, thanks
ca·liph
: an important Muslim political and religious leader
Full Definition
: a successor of Muhammad as temporal and spiritual head of Islam — used as a title
ca·liph·al -lə-fəl\ adjective
Variants: also ca·lif \ˈkā-ləf, ˈka-ləf\
Caliphate
The office or dominion of a Caliph
as·sim·i·late
: to learn (something) so that it is fully understood and can be used
: to cause (a person or group) to become part of a different society, country, etc.
: to adopt the ways of another culture : to fully become part of a different society, country, etc.
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to take in and utilize as nourishment : absorb into the system
b : to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend
2 a : to make similar
b : to alter by assimilation
c : to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group
3 : compare, liken
intransitive verb
: to be taken in or absorbed : to become assimilated
Other forms: as·sim·i·lat·ed; as·sim·i·lat·ing
as·sim·i·la·tor -ˌlā-tər\ noun
rev·el·er
: a person who is celebrating with other people in usually a wild and noisy way : a person who is taking part in revelry
Full Definition
: one who engages in revelry
Examples
wedding revelers whooping it up until dawn
Variants: or rev·el·ler \ˈre-və-lər, ˈrev-lər\
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: celebrator, merrymaker, partyer (also partier), partygoer, celebrant (or reveller), roisterer
Antonyms: killjoy, party pooper
re·vi·sion·ism
: support of ideas and beliefs that differ from and try to change accepted ideas and beliefs especially in a way that is seen as wrong or dishonest
Full Definition
1 : a movement in revolutionary Marxian socialism favoring an evolutionary rather than a revolutionary spirit
2 : advocacy of revision (as of a doctrine or policy or in historical analysis)
re·vi·sion·ist -nist\ noun or adjective
sub·jec·tive(ˌ)səb-ˈjek-tiv\
philosophy : relating to the way a person experiences things in his or her own mind
: based on feelings or opinions rather than facts
grammar : relating to nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns that are the subjects of verbs
Full Definition
1 : of, relating to, or constituting a subject: as
a obsolete : of, relating to, or characteristic of one that is a subject especially in lack of freedom of action or in submissiveness
b : being or relating to a grammatical subject; especially : nominative
2 : of or relating to the essential being of that which has substance, qualities, attributes, or relations
3 a : characteristic of or belonging to reality as perceived rather than as independent of mind : phenomenal — compare objective 1b
b : relating to or being experience or knowledge as conditioned by personal mental characteristics or states
4 a (1) : peculiar to a particular individual : personal (2) : modified or affected by personal views, experience, or background <a>
b : arising from conditions within the brain or sense organs and not directly caused by external stimuli
c : arising out of or identified by means of one’s perception of one’s own states and processes <a> — compare objective 1c
5 : lacking in reality or substance : illusory
sub·jec·tive·ly adverb
sub·jec·tive·ness noun
sub·jec·tiv·i·ty -ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē\ noun</a></a>
sub·ju·gate
: to defeat and gain control of (someone or something) by the use of force : to conquer and gain the obedience of (a group of people, a country, etc.)
Full Definition
1 : to bring under control and governance as a subject : conquer
2 : to make submissive : subdue
Other forms: sub·ju·gat·ed; sub·ju·gat·ing
sub·ju·ga·tion \ˌsəb-ji-ˈgā-shən\ noun
sub·ju·ga·tor \ˈsəb-ji-ˌgā-tər\ noun
Examples
explorers who subjugated the natives in the name of religion
Origin: Middle English, from Latin subjugatus, past participle of subjugare, from sub- + jugum yoke — more at yoke.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: dominate, overpower, pacify, subdue, subject, conquer, subordinate, vanquish
sub·lime
: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form
: to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor
: to render finer (as in purity or excellence)
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form
2 [French sublimer, from Latin sublimare]
a (1) : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2) : to render finer (as in purity or excellence)
b : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worthintransitive verb
: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state
Other forms: sub·limed; sub·lim·ing
sub·lim·able -ˈblī-mə-bəl\ adjective
sub·lim·er noun
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, marvelous, surprising, wonderful, wondrous
Antonyms: base, debased, degenerate, degraded, ignoble, low
ob·jec·tive
: based on facts rather than feelings or opinions : not influenced by feelings
philosophy : existing outside of the mind : existing in the real world
grammar : relating to nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns that are the objects of verbs or prepositions
Full Definition
1 a : relating to or existing as an object of thought without consideration of independent existence — used chiefly in medieval philosophy
b : of, relating to, or being an object, phenomenon, or condition in the realm of sensible experience independent of individual thought and perceptible by all observers : having reality independent of the mind — compare subjective 3a
c of a symptom of disease : perceptible to persons other than the affected individual — compare subjective 4c
d : involving or deriving from sense perception or experience with actual objects, conditions, or phenomena
2 : relating to, characteristic of, or constituting the case of words that follow prepositions or transitive verbs
3 a : expressing or dealing with facts or conditions as perceived without distortion by personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations
b of a test : limited to choices of fixed alternatives and reducing subjective factors to a minimum
synonyms see material, fair
ob·jec·tive·ly adverb
ob·jec·tive·ness noun
ob·jec·tiv·i·ty \ˌäb-ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē, əb-\ noun
First use: 1647
Synonyms: existential, experiential, experimental, empirical, observational
Antonyms: nonempirical, theoretical (also theoretic), unempirical
Synonyms: aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, goal, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing
im·per·ti·nent
: rude and showing a lack of respect
Full Definition
1 : not pertinent : irrelevant
2 a : not restrained within due or proper bounds especially of propriety or good taste
b : given to or characterized by insolent rudeness
im·per·ti·nent·ly adverb
Examples
the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything
impertinent salesmen who telephone people during the dinner hour
your résumé needlessly lists skills that are impertinent to the job for which you are applying
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin impertinent-, impertinens, from Latin in- + pertinent-, pertinens, present participle of pertinēre to pertain.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, nervy, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise
Antonyms: meek, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid
Synonym discussion: impertinent officious meddlesome intrusive obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others. impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice . officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying . meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others’ affairs <a>. intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others’ affairs . obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions .</a>
al·go·rithm
: a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process
Full Definition
: a procedure for solving a mathematical problem (as of finding the greatest common divisor) in a finite number of steps that frequently involves repetition of an operation; broadly : a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing some end especially by a computer
cat·a·clysm
: something that causes great destruction, violence, etc.
Full Definition
1 : flood, deluge
2 : catastrophe 3a
3 : a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; broadly : an event that brings great changes
cat·a·clys·mal \ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-məl\ or cat·a·clys·mic -mik\ adjective
cat·a·clys·mi·cal·ly -mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible
the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded
a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order
Origin: French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmos, from Greek kataklysmos, from kataklyzein to inundate, from kata- + klyzein to wash — more at clyster.
First use: 1599
Synonyms: alluvion, bath, flood, cataract, deluge, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent
Antonyms: drought (also drouth)
ap·pel·la·tion
: a name or title
Full Definition
1 : an identifying name or title : designation
2 archaic : the act of calling by a name
3 : a geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and market wine; also : the area designated by such a name
Examples
a twisting road that deserved the appellation “Sidewinder Lane”
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: name, appellative, cognomen, compellation, denomination, denotation, designation, handle, moniker (also monicker), nomenclature, title
ca·pit·u·la·tion
: a set of terms or articles constituting an agreement between governments
: the act of surrendering or yielding
: the terms of surrender
Full Definition
1 : a set of terms or articles constituting an agreement between governments
2 a : the act of surrendering or yielding
b : the terms of surrender
Examples
her sudden capitulation surprised everyone; she usually debated for hours
First use: 1535
Synonyms: capitulating, surrender, cession, handover, relinquishment, rendition, submission, submitting
en·mi·ty
: a very deep unfriendly feeling
Full Definition
: positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will
Other forms: plural en·mi·ties
Examples
enmity had existed between the two families for generations
Origin: Middle English enmite, from Anglo-French enemité, enemisté, from enemi enemy.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, bad blood, bitterness, gall, grudge, hostility, jaundice, rancor
Antonyms: amity
Synonym discussion: enmity hostility antipathy antagonism animosity rancor animus mean deep-seated dislike or ill will. enmity suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed . hostility suggests an enmity showing itself in attacks or aggression . antipathy and antagonism imply a natural or logical basis for one’s hatred or dislike, antipathy suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and antagonism suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility <a> . animosity suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility . rancor is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong . animus adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice .</a>
Prejudicial / declaration against Interest
Declaration against interest - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_against_interest
Declarations against interest are an exception to the rule on hearsay in which a person’s statement may be used, where generally the content of the statement is so prejudicial to the person making it that he would not have made the statement unless he believed the statement was true.
quag·mire
: an area of soft, wet ground
: a situation that is hard to deal with or get out of : a situation that is full of problems
Full Definition
1 : soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot
2 : a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position : predicament
Examples
the party was once again facing its quadrennial quagmire: the candidate sufficiently liberal to win the nomination would be too liberal for the general election
a protracted custody dispute that became a judicial quagmire
First use: circa 1580
Synonyms: bind, box, catch-22, corner, dilemma, fix, hole, impasse, jackpot [chiefly West], jam, mire, pickle, predicament, rabbit hole, rattrap, spot, sticky wicket, swamp
Paragon
A model of excellence or of a particular quality
Paranormal
Beyond the scope of scientific knowledge
Parasite
A person who relies on or benefits from someone else but gives nothing in return
in·doc·tri·nate
: to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments : teach
2 : to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle
Other forms: in·doc·tri·nat·ed; in·doc·tri·nat·ing
in·doc·tri·na·tion (ˌ)in-ˌdäk-trə-ˈnā-shən\ noun
in·doc·tri·na·tor \in-ˈdäk-trə-ˌnā-tər\ noun
Examples
indoctrinated children in proper safety procedures
Origin: probably from Middle English endoctrinen, from Anglo-French endoctriner, from en- + doctrine doctrine.
First use: 1626
Synonyms: educate, teach, instruct, lesson, school, train, tutor
nar·ra·tive\ˈner-ə-tiv, ˈna-rə-\
: a story that is told or written
Full Definition
1 : something that is narrated : story, account
2 : the art or practice of narration
3 : the representation in art of an event or story; also : an example of such a representation
narrative adjective
nar·ra·tive·ly adverb
Examples
wrote a witty, chatty narrative of all the happenings at the party
in such narratives as “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Purloined Letter,” Edgar Allan Poe essentially created the modern detective story
First use: 1567
Synonyms: chronicle, chronology, commentary (usually commentaries), history, narration, account, record, report, story
in·cor·ri·gi·ble
: not able to be corrected or changed
Full Definition
: incapable of being corrected or amended: as
a (1) : not reformable : depraved (2) : delinquent
b : not manageable : unruly
c : unalterable, inveterate
in·cor·ri·gi·bil·i·ty -ˌkȯr-ə-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌkär-\ noun
incorrigible noun
in·cor·ri·gi·ble·ness -ˈkȯr-ə-jə-bəl-nəs, -ˈkär-\ noun
in·cor·ri·gi·bly -blē\ adverb
Examples
an incorrigible criminal who should spend the rest of his life behind bars
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin incorrigibilis, from Latin in- + corrigere to correct — more at correct.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: hopeless, incurable, irrecoverable, irredeemable, irreformable, irremediable, irretrievable, unrecoverable, unredeemable
Antonyms: curable, reclaimable, recoverable, redeemable, reformable, remediable, retrievable, savable (or saveable)
dis·con·cert\ˌdis-kən-ˈsərt\
\: to make (someone) upset or embarrassed Full Definition transitive verb 1 : to throw into confusion 2 : to disturb the composure of synonyms see embarrass dis·con·cert·ing adjective dis·con·cert·ing·ly \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb dis·con·cert·ment \-mənt\ noun Examples we were disconcerted by the unexpected changes to the program Origin: obsolete French disconcerter, alteration of Middle French desconcerter, from des- dis- + concerter to concert. First use: 1687 Synonyms: abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, embarrass, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle
ep·i·taph
: something written or said in memory of a dead person ; especially : words written on a gravestone
Full Definition
1 : an inscription on or at a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there
2 : a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or something past
ep·i·taph·ial \ˌe-pə-ˈta-fē-əl\ adjective
ep·i·taph·ic -ˈta-fik\ adjective
fem·i·nism
: the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities
: organized activity in support of women’s rights and interests
Full Definition
1 : the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2 : organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests
fem·i·nist -nist\ noun or adjective
mal·con·tent
: a person who is always or often unhappy or angry about something
Full Definition
: a discontented person:
a : one who bears a grudge from a sense of grievance or thwarted ambition
b : one who is in active opposition to an established order or government : rebel
First use: 1581
Synonyms: aggrieved, discontent, disgruntled, displeased, dissatisfied, discontented
Antonyms: content, contented, gratified, pleased, satisfied
em·bark
: to begin a journey especially on a ship or airplane
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to go on board a vehicle for transportation
2 : to make a start
transitive verb
1 : to cause to go on board (as a boat or airplane)
2 : to engage, enlist, or invest in an enterprise
em·bar·ka·tion \ˌem-ˌbär-ˈkā-shən, -bər-\ noun
em·bark·ment \im-ˈbärk-mənt\ noun
in·sur·rec·tion
: a usually violent attempt to take control of a government
Full Definition
: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government
synonyms see rebellion
in·sur·rec·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
in·sur·rec·tion·ary -shə-ˌner-ē\ adjective or noun
in·sur·rec·tion·ist -sh(ə-)nist\ noun
Examples
the famous insurrection of the slaves in ancient Rome under Spartacus
Constantinople
Constantinople (Greek: Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis or Κωνσταντινούπολη Konstantinoúpoli; Latin: Constantinopolis; Ottoman Turkish: قسطنطینية, Kostantiniyye; Bulgarian: Цариград; modern Turkish: Istanbul) was the capital city of the Roman/Byzantine (330–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin (1204–1261), and the Ottoman (1453–1924) empires. It was reinaugurated in 324 AD[1] at ancient Byzantium, as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine the Great, after whom it was named, and dedicated on 11 May 330.[1] In the 12th century,[2] the city was the largest and wealthiest European city[3] and it was instrumental in the advancement of Christianity during Roman and Byzantine times. After the loss of its territory, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was reduced to just its capital city and its environs, eventually falling to the Ottomans in 1453. Following the Muslim conquest, the former bastion of Christianity in the east, Constantinople, was turned into the capital of the Ottoman Empire, under which it prospered and flourished again. For many centuries the city was popularly called “Istanbul”, from a Greek phrase meaning “to the city” (εἰς τὴν πόλιν), while officially it was known under various names, including Constantinople and Dersaadet. Names other than “Istanbul” became obsolete in late Ottoman Empire, and after Turkey switched to Latin script in 1928, it began to urge other countries to use the Turkish name, and “Istanbul” gradually attained international usage.[4]
Constantinople was famed for its massive defenses. Although besieged on numerous occasions by various peoples, the Byzantine city was taken only in 1204 by the Latin army of the Fourth Crusade, recovered in 1261 by the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, and in 1453 conquered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. The first, smaller wall was erected by Constantine I, and surrounded the city. Later, in the 5th century, Theodosius II constructed the Theodosian Walls, which consisted of a double wall lying about 2 km (1.2 miles) to the west of the first wall. The city was built on seven hills as well as on the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara and thus presented an impregnable fortress enclosing magnificent palaces, domes, and towers, spanning two continents.
The city was also famed for its architectural masterpieces, such as the Greek Orthodox cathedral of Hagia Sophia which served as the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the sacred Imperial Palace where the Emperors lived, the Galata Tower, the Hippodrome, and the Golden Gate, lining the arcaded avenues and squares. Constantinople contained numerous artistic and literary treasures before it was sacked in 1204 and 1453.[5] The city was virtually depopulated when it fell to the Ottoman Turks,[6] but recovered rapidly, and was, by the mid-1600s, once again the world’s largest city as the new capital of the Ottoman Empire.[2]
Crimean War
The Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856), also known in Russian historiography as the Eastern War of 1853–1856 (Russian: Восточная война, Vostochnaya Voina), was a conflict in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of Catholics, while Russia promoted those of the Eastern Orthodox Christians. The longer-term causes involved the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the unwillingness of the United Kingdom and France to allow Russia to gain territory and power at Ottoman expense. It has widely been noted that the causes, in one case involving an argument over a key, have never revealed a “greater confusion of purpose”, yet led to a war noted for its “notoriously incompetent international butchery.”[8]
While the churches eventually worked out their differences and came to an initial agreement, both Nicholas I of Russia and Napoleon III refused to back down. Nicholas issued an ultimatum that the Orthodox subjects of the Empire be placed under his protection. Britain attempted to mediate, and arranged a compromise that Nicholas agreed to. When the Ottomans demanded changes, Nicholas refused and prepared for war. Having obtained promises of support from France and Britain, the Ottomans officially declared war on Russia in October 1853.
The war opened in the Balkans when Russian troops occupied provinces in modern Romania and began to cross the Danube. Led by Omar Pasha, the Ottomans fought a strong defensive battle and stopped the advance at Silistra. A separate action on the fort town of Kars in eastern Turkey led to a siege, and a Turkish attempt to reinforce the garrison was destroyed by a Russian fleet at Sinop. Fearing an Ottoman collapse, France and the UK rushed forces to Gallipoli. Then moved north to Varna in June, arriving just in time for the Russians to abandon Silistra. Aside from a minor skirmish at Constanța there was little for the allies to do. Karl Marx quipped that “there they are, the French doing nothing and the British helping them as fast as possible”.[9]
Frustrated by the wasted effort, and with demands for action from their citizens, the allied force decided to attack the center of Russian strength in the Black Sea at Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula. After extended preparations, the forces landed on the peninsula in September 1854 and fought their way to a point south of Sevastopol after a series of successful battles. The Russians counterattacked on 25 October in what became the Battle of Balaclava and were repulsed, but at the cost of seriously depleting the British Army forces. A second counterattack, ordered personally by Nicholas, was defeated by Omar Pasha. The front settled into a siege and led to horrible conditions for everyone involved. Smaller actions were carried out in the Baltic, the Caucasus, the White Sea and in the North Pacific.
Sevastopol fell after eleven months, and formerly neutral countries began to join the allied cause. Isolated and facing a bleak prospect of invasion from the west if the war continued, Russia sued for peace in March 1856. This was welcomed by France and the UK, where the citizens began to turn against their governments as the war dragged on. The war was officially ended by the Treaty of Paris, signed on 30 March 1856. Russia lost the war, and was forbidden from hosting warships in the Black Sea. The Ottoman vassal states of Wallachia and Moldavia became largely independent. Christians were granted a degree of official equality, and the Orthodox church regained control of the Christian churches in dispute.[10]:415
Euphrates
The Euphrates (Listeni/juːˈfreɪtiːz/; Arabic: الفرات: al-Furāt, Syriac: ̇ܦܪܬ: Pǝrāt, Armenian: Եփրատ: Yeprat, Hebrew: פרת: Perat, Turkish: Fırat, Kurdish: Firat) is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia. Originating in eastern Turkey, the Euphrates flows through Syria and Iraq to join the Tigris in the Shatt al-Arab, which empties into the Persian Gulf.
Contents
Her·cu·le·an
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Hercules
: of extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty
Full Definition
1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of Hercules
2 often not capitalized : of extraordinary power, extent, intensity, or difficulty
Despot
A ruler or other person who holds absolute power. Usually one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.
op·pres·sive
\: very cruel or unfair \: very unpleasant or uncomfortable Full Definition 1 : unreasonably burdensome or severe 2 : tyrannical 3 : overwhelming or depressing to the spirit or senses synonyms see onerous op·pres·sive·ly adverb op·pres·sive·ness noun Examples an oppressive regime that rules through terror First use: circa 1677
fat·wa
: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader
Full Definition
: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leader
lit·er·ary
: of or relating to literature
: used in literature
: having a lot of knowledge about literature : known for reading or writing books
Full Definition
1 a : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of humane learning or literature
b : bookish 2
c : of or relating to books
2 a : well-read
b : of or relating to authors or scholars or to their professions
lit·er·ar·i·ly \ˌli-tə-ˈrer-ə-lē\ adverb
lit·er·ar·i·ness \ˈli-tə-ˌrer-ē-nəs\ noun
Examples
the novel’s dialogue is a little too literary in flavor to be entirely convincing
First use: 1605
genre
: a particular type or category of literature or art
Full Definition
1 : a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content
2 : kind, sort
3 : painting that depicts scenes or events from everyday life usually realistically
Examples
a literary/film/musical genre
This book is a classic of the mystery genre.
Origin: French, from Middle French, kind, gender — more at gender.
First use: 1770
sat·ire
: a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish, weak, bad, etc. : humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc.
: a book, movie, etc., that uses satire
Full Definition
1 : a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn
2 : trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly
synonyms see wit
Examples
a satire about the music industry in which a handsome but untalented youth is turned into a rock star
Origin: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin satura, satira, perhaps from (lanx) satura dish of mixed ingredients, from feminine of satur well-fed; akin to Latin satis enough — more at sad.
First use: 1501
Synonyms: lampoon, pasquinade
fa·ble
\: a short story that usually is about animals and that is intended to teach a lesson \: a story or statement that is not true Full Definition \: a fictitious narrative or statement: as a : a legendary story of supernatural happenings b : a narration intended to enforce a useful truth; especially : one in which animals speak and act like human beings c : falsehood, lie Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin fabula conversation, story, play, from fari to speak — more at ban. First use: 14th century Synonyms: apologue, allegory, parable Antonyms: fact, materiality, reality 2fable \: to tell fables \: to talk or write about as if true Full Definition intransitive verb archaic \: to tell fables transitive verb \: to talk or write about as if true Other forms: fa·bled; fa·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\ fa·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun First use: 14th century Synonyms: apologue, allegory, parable Antonyms: fact, materiality, reality
verse
: writing in which words are arranged in a rhythmic pattern
: a part of a poem or song
: one of the parts of a chapter of the Bible
Full Definition
1 : a line of metrical writing
2 a (1) : metrical language (2) : metrical writing distinguished from poetry especially by its lower level of intensity (3) : poetry 2
b : poem
c : a body of metrical writing (as of a period or country)
3 : stanza
4 : one of the short divisions into which a chapter of the Bible is traditionally divided
Origin: Middle English vers, fers, from Anglo-French vers & Old English fers, both from Latin versus, literally, turning, from vertere to turn — more at worth.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: lyric, rune, song, poem
Antonyms: prose
