Words I Don't Know 1

Question 1

Encomium

Answer 1

A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.

Example: “though I wasn’t expecting an encomium from Adrianne, her letter of rec was surprisingly thoughtful, sincere, and lauded my role in her lab.”

Question 2

Semiotic

Answer 2

Relating to signs and symbols, this field explores how meaning is created and communicated, especially that communicates visually.

Ex: the study of information passed between living organisms is called zoosemiotics.

Question 3

Putsch

Answer 3

A violent attempt to overthrow the government.

Ex: His followers taking his broad support as evidence of others’ fanaticism, the MAGA-head attempt at putsch resulted in failure when only 6 patriots showed up to protests Biden’s swearing in.

Question 4

Ignominious

Answer 4

Deserving or causing public shame or disgrace.

Ex: His ignominious rant about government regulations led to most loyal customers avoiding his steakhouse.

Question 5

Winnow

Answer 5

1) To blow a current of air through grain to remove chaff
2) Blow, like the wind does

Ex: By leaving my loose note pages in front of an open window, I inadvertently winnowed the heavier pages from the light.

Question 6

Abscond

Answer 6

To leave hurriedly and secretly, generally in a sneaky way to avoid arrest or punishment for unlawful action

Ex: I quickly absconded from the party before anyone noticed the fresh puke now coating the host’s guest bathroom floor.

Question 7

Canard

Answer 7

1) An unfounded rumor or story
2) part of an airplane (probably won’t be using this definition much)

Ex: There’s an old canard about a haunted house in the woods.

Question 8

Effrontery

Answer 8

To have insolent or impertinent behavior

Ex: I can’t believe you have the effrontery to speak to me that way!

Question 9

Demagogue

Answer 9

A political leader who seeks support not by speaking rationally about issues, but by appealing to the emotions, desires, and prejudices of the public.

Ex: Though libs won’t admit it, Obama was as much a demagogue as his successor.

Question 10

Abject

Answer 10

1) (of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree
2) (of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity

Ex 1: I experienced abject horror at the realization I forgot to send Adrianne a critical document for the IACUC inspection.

Ex 2: Watching the new lab member’s abject obsequiousness to the PI made my skin crawl.

Question 11

Myopic

Answer 11

Nearsighted, either literally or figuratively; lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight

Ex: It was rather myopic of him to sabotage his career for such paltry short-term gains.

Question 12

Repugnance

Answer 12

Basically reacting to something repugnant, a feeling of intense disgust

Ex: I felt intense repugnance at the discovery of the rotten chicken breasts hidden in the back of the fridge.

Question 13

Equanimity

Answer 13

Mental calmness, composure, and even temper even/especially under duress.

Ex: Though I could feel my heart rate creeping up, I maintained equanimity after the shocking discovery.

Question 14

Epistemology

Answer 14

Epistemology is the philosophy of knowledge. It tries to answer the question “What is knowledge?” and how it is acquired. It also deals with beliefs, truth, and justification.

Question 15

Paucity

Answer 15

The presence of something in very small amounts

Ex: The paucity of evidence supporting our hypothesis meant we had to abandon that line of research.

Question 16

Irreverent

Answer 16

Showing a lack of respect for a thing(s) generally taken seriously.

Ex: His irreverence for the visiting scholar belied his true feelings for feminist study.

Question 17

Opine

Answer 17

To state one’s opinion

Ex: “The pomegranate is the greatest fruit” he opined, correctly.

Question 18

Polity

Answer 18

A form or process of a civil government or constitution, or an organized society, or a state as a political entity.

Ex: The federal government’s inability, or refusal, to handle the 2020 pandemic led to its ultimate dissolution as a polity.

Question 19

Foible

Answer 19

1) A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character.
2) the weaker part of a sword blade, from the middle to the point.

Ex: My tendency to whistle as I work was a minor foible to my roommates.

Question 20

Didactic

Answer 20

1) Something intended to teach, especially some moral lesson as an ulterior motive
2) To do something in the manner of a teacher, especially in a patronizing way

Ex: My mother was didactic in every sense of the word; every story had some moral conclusion, delivered in that measured tone that meant she did not expect you to immediately understand the lesson.

Question 21

Pejorative

Answer 21

As an adjective: Expressing contempt or disapproval

Ex: His pejorative tone belied his disapproval at my purchase.

As a noun: A word expressing contempt or disapproval

Ex: To my mom, “face tattoo” is a pejorative.

Question 22

Asynchronous

Answer 22

1) Of two or more objects, not occurring at the same time
2) A computer timing protocol where an operation begins once it receives the signal that a preceding operation has been completed

Ex: Unfortunately, our asynchronous schedules made it impossible to ever hangout.

Question 23

Clarion

Answer 23

Literally: a shrill marrow-tubed war trumpet

Figuratively: loud and clear

Ex: After this most recent insult, he gave the clarion call to war.

Question 24

Proffer

Answer 24

Verb: Hold out something for someone to accept

Noun: an offer or proposal

Ex: I proffered a loaf of bread in lieu of a monetary gift.

Note: though “proffer” is essentially a synonym of “offer,” “proffer” is a bit more formal and polite to use.

Question 25

Neologism

Answer 25

A newly coined word or phrase

Ex: “Poggers” was an especially difficult neologism to explain to my grandparents.

Question 26

Corporal vs corporeal

Answer 26

Corporal generally refers to a physical punishment or military rank, whereas corporeal is used in literature to designate what is bodily.

Ex: The corporal punishment inflicted by my corporal did significant damage to my corporeal form.

Question 27

Bumptious

Answer 27

Self-assertive or proud to an irritating degree

Ex: His bumptious advocation for his uninformed ideas really got on my nerves at the last few journal clubs.

Question 28

Prima facie

Answer 28

“Prime fash-y”

Adverb: On the first impression

Adjective: Based on the first impression, accepted as correct until proven otherwise.

Ex: My prima facie impression of Brie cheese was not favorable.

Question 29

Recuperation

Answer 29

1) recovery from disease or exertion
2) the recovery or regaining of something

Ex 1: It took me a few days to recuperate from that workout.

Ex 2: After a disappointing Q1, our primary goal was recuperating lost funds.

Question 30

Evince

Answer 30

Verb, to reveal the presence of

Ex: My research into the owners of the new “healthy” snack food company evinced its real status as just another Pepsi company member.

Question 31

Indemnify

Answer 31

To compensate for harm or loss.

Ex: To indemnify my brother after I hit him in the nuts with a baseball, I bought a large meat lover’s pizza.

Related: Indemnity, a contractual obligation of one party to compensate another party due to the acts of the indemnitor.

Question 32

In loco parentis

Answer 32

Adverb: In the place of a parent
Adjective: Acting or done in the place of a parent

Ex: Most parents higher a baby sitter not to invoke in loco parentis, but instead to manor sure the house doesn’t burn down while they are away.

Question 33

Opprobrium

Answer 33

Harsh criticism or censure

Ex: My mentor’s feedback bordered on opprobrium; I knew my mistake was serious.

Question 34

Convivial

Answer 34

(Of an atmosphere) friendly, lively, enjoyable

Ex: The convivial mood at the newly opened bars quickly melted away my trepidations.

Question 35

Inchoate (in-coe-et)

Answer 35

Just begun, not fully formed

Ex: The inchoate leaf withered before it could unfurl.

Question 36

Inculcate

Answer 36

To instill an attitude, idea, or habit through persistent instruction

Ex: I finally inculcated tidier habits by making sure to put my clothes directly into the laundry basket.

Question 37

Alacrity

Answer 37

Brisk and cheerful readiness

Ex: I approached the move with alacrity, knowing great things would soon be coming my way.