Writer's Inc (General Vocabulary) Flashcards
summerhouse
A building or shelter used for relaxation in warm weather. This would often take the form of a small, roofed building on the grounds of a larger one, but could also be built in a garden or park; it is often designed to provide cool shady places of relaxation or retreat from the summer heat.
pavilion
a summerhouse or other decorative building used as a shelter in a park or large garden
confer
- to compare views or take counsel
- to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority
- to give (something, such as a property or characteristic) to someone or something
predistribution
the idea that the state should try to prevent inequalities occurring in the first place rather than ameliorating them via tax and benefits once they have occurred, as occurs under redistribution
ameliorate
(1) to make better or more tolerable
(2) to grow better
path dependence
A phenomenon whereby history matters; what has occurred in the past persists because of resistance to change. It is when the decisions presented to people are dependent on previous decisions or experiences made in the past.
lavish
- expending or bestowing profusely: PRODIGAL (wasteful)
- expended or produced in abundance
- marked by profusion or excess
streamline
- to bring up to date
- to organize
- to make simpler or more efficient
prosaic
- characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry: FACTUAL
- DULL, UNIMAGINATIVE
- EVERYDAY, ORDINARY
cordial
- showing or marked by warm and often hearty friendliness, favor, or approval
- sincerely or deeply felt
- tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate
hearty
- giving unqualified support (e.g. hearty endorsement)
- enthusiastically or exuberantly cordial: JOVIAL
- expressed unrestrainedly (e.g. a hearty welcome)
- exhibiting vigorous good health
- having a good appetite
6: abundant, rich, or flavorful enough to satisfy the appetite
7: VIGOROUS, VEHEMENT (e.g. a hearty pull)
vehement
- marked by forceful energy: POWERFUL
- intensely emotional
- deeply felt
- forcibly expressed
- bitterly antagonistic
exuberant
- joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic
- unrestrained or elaborate especially in style
- produced in extreme abundance
- extreme or excessive in degree, size, or extent
flamboyant
- marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or behavior
- often capitalized: characterized by waving curves suggesting flames
ephemeral
lasting a very short time
lasting one day only
disputatious
- inclined to dispute
- marked by disputation
- provoking debate: CONTROVERSIAL
disputation
- the action of disputing: verbal controversy
2. an academic exercise in oral defense of a thesis by formal logic
comparative advantage
A person has a comparative advantage at producing something if he can produce it at lower cost than anyone else. Having a comparative advantage is not the same as being the best at something.
prospective
- relating to or effective in the future
- likely to come about: EXPECTED
- likely to be or become
groundwork
foundation, basis
preparation made beforehand
grimace
a facial expression usually of disgust, disapproval, or pain
precursor
- one that precedes and indicates the approach of another
- predecessor
- a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed
inset
perpetuity
a state of continuing forever or for a very long time
inset
- a place where something flows in: CHANNEL
- a setting or flowing in
- a small graphic representation (such as a map or picture) set within a larger one
- a piece of cloth set into a garment (as for decoration)
- a part or section of a utensil that fits into an outer part
- to set in something
information asymmetry
In contract theory and economics, information asymmetry deals with the study of decisions in transactions where one party has more or better information than the other. This asymmetry creates an imbalance of power in transactions, which can sometimes cause the transactions to be inefficient causing market failure in the worst case.
Pareto efficiency
also called Pareto optimality
an economic state where resources cannot be reallocated to make one individual better off without making at least one individual worse off. Pareto efficiency implies that resources are allocated in the most economically efficient manner, but does not imply equality or fairness. An economy is said to be in a Pareto optimum state when no economic changes can make one individual better off without making at least one other individual worse off.
market failure
A situation in which the allocation of goods and services by a free market is not Pareto efficient, often leading to a net loss of economic value. Market failures can be viewed as scenarios where individuals’ pursuit of pure self-interest leads to results that are not efficient– that can be improved upon from the societal point of view.
principal-agent problem
In political science, supply chain management and economics (also known as agency dilemma or the agency problem) occurs when one person or entity (the “agent”), is able to make decisions and/or take actions on behalf of, or that impact, another person or entity: the “principal”.
This dilemma exists in circumstances where agents are motivated to act in their own best interests, which are contrary to those of their principals, and is an example of moral hazard.
moral hazard
In economics, moral hazard occurs when an entity has an incentive to increase its exposure to risk because it does not bear the full costs of that risk. For example, when a corporation is insured, it may take on higher risk knowing that its insurance will pay the associated costs. A moral hazard may occur where the actions of the risk-taking party change to the detriment of the cost-bearing party after a financial transaction has taken place.
adverse selection
In economics, insurance, and risk management, adverse selection is a market situation where buyers and sellers have different information. The result is that participants with key information might participate selectively in trades at the expense of other parties who do not have the same information.
In an ideal world, buyers should pay a price proportionate to their willingness to pay, and sellers should sell at a price proportionate to the quality of their goods and services. For example, a poor quality product should be inexpensive and a high quality product should have a high price. However, when one party holds information that the other party does not have, they would make rational decisions to misbehave in the contract, inevitably causing the other party to suffer.
Misbehaving can take many forms, like lying, hiding truths, or plainly attempting to maximize self-utility. This process of taking advantage in an economic contract or trade by possessing hidden information is known as adverse selection.
monopolies of knowledge
a situation that arises when the ruling class maintains political power through control of key communications technologies
An example is given of ancient Egypt, where a complex writing system conferred a monopoly of knowledge on literate priests and scribes. Mastering the art of writing and reading required long periods of apprenticeship and instruction, confining knowledge to this powerful class.
It is suggested that monopolies of knowledge gradually suppress new ways of thinking. Entrenched hierarchies become increasingly rigid and out of touch with social realities. Challenges to elite power are often likely to arise on the margins of society. The arts, for example, are often seen as a means of escape from the sterility of conformist thought.
cajole
- to persuade with flattery or gentle urging especially in the face of reluctance: COAX
- to obtain from someone by gentle persuasion
- to deceive with soothing words or false promises
coax
- to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering
- to draw, gain, or persuade by means of gentle urging or flattery
- to manipulate with great perseverance and usually with considerable effort toward a desired state or activity
wheedle, wheedling
- to influence or entice by soft words or flattery
2. to gain or get by wheedling (definition 1)
caress
- to treat with tokens of fondness, affection, or kindness: CHERISH
- to touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
deft
showing cleverness and skill in handling things
Monte Vista
name analysis
Monte Vista is the name of a manufactured home community nearby.
Monte = Latin: mont-, mons (mountain) Vista = 1. a large and beautiful view of an area of land or water Vista = 2. a large number of things that may be possible in the future
In this case it’s obvious. Monte Vista = mountain view
manufactured homes vs modular homes vs mobile homes
Manufactured homes are completely constructed in a factory and then transported to the home site. Once they arrive at their destinations, they are indistinguishable from site-built homes. They are not usually moved again. This allows the entire process, start to finish, to be overseen with consistency and accuracy, which cuts down on many of the delays and disruptions in traditionally built homes. They are built according to federal construction codes from Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Modular homes are also built in factories, but are governed by local state building codes (although sometimes states will adopt the federal code). Modular homes are either built on a permanent chassis or on a temporary one. Homes built on a permanent chassis are referred to as being “on-frame” and those built on temporary ones are referred to as “off-frame.” Whether a home is built on- or off-frame will affect how the home is assembled at its destination site.
Mobile homes are any manufactured home built prior to June 15, 1976. They are now obsolete due to HUD policy changes in 1976. They have since been replaced by modern manufactured homes.
snarky
critical or mocking in an indirect or sarcastic way
bad-tempered or irritable
smug
having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one’s achievements
obsequious
obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
officious
- assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters
- intrusively enthusiastic in offering help or advice; interfering
impertinence
lack of respect; rudeness
insolent
showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
effrontery
shameless boldness: INSOLENCE
gibbous
- (of the moon) having the observable illuminated part greater than a semicircle and less than a circle
- convex or protuberant
carrion
- dead and putrefying flesh
2. flesh unfit for food
putrefaction
- the decomposition of organic matter
especially: the typically anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul-smelling incompletely oxidized products - the state of being putrefied (rotten)
putrid
- being in a state of putrefaction: ROTTEN
- of, relating to, or characteristic of putrefaction (e.g. a putrid odor)
- morally corrupt
- totally objectionable
necrophagous
feeding on corpses or carrion
hoary
- gray or white with or as if with age
2. extremely old
atavism
- a tendency to revert to something ancient or ancestral
2. recurrence of traits of an ancestor in a subsequent generation
cacodaemoniacal
demonic; evil
charnel
associated with death
e.g. a charnel house is a place where dead bodies are kept
chthonic, chthonian
concerning, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld
cyclopean
- ancient masonry made with giant irregular blocks
2. of or resembling a Cyclops
masonry
the building of structures from individual units (e.g. bricks), which are often laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves
mortar (masonry)
a workable paste which hardens to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units, to fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, spread the weight of them evenly, and sometimes to add decorative colors or patterns to masonry walls
mortar and pestle
Mortar and pestle is a set of two simple tools used since the Stone Age to the present day to prepare ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding them into a fine paste or powder in the kitchen, laboratory, and pharmacy.
The mortar is characteristically a bowl, typically made of hard wood, metal, ceramic, or hard stone such as granite.
The pestle is a blunt, club-shaped object.
effluence
- a substance that flows out from something
2. the action of flowing out
eldritch
weird and sinister or ghostly
fetid
smelling extremely unpleasant
fetor
a strong, foul smell
ichor
- the fluid that flows like blood in the veins of the gods
2. archaic: a watery discharge from a wound
mausoleum
a building, especially a large and stately one, housing a tomb or tombs
stately
having a dignified, unhurried, and grand manner; majestic in manner and appearance
noisome
- having an extremely offensive smell.
2. disagreeable; unpleasant.
ophidian
relating to or denoting snakes (comes from Ophidia, an animal group made of snakes)
piliferous
bearing or producing hairs
proboscidean
a mammal of the order Proboscidea, which comprises the elephants and their extinct relatives
sepulcher, sepulchre
- a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried
- a receptacle for religious relics especially in an altar
ululate
howl or wail as an expression of strong emotion, typically grief
terrene
- of or like earth; earthy
- occurring on or inhabiting dry land
- of the world; secular rather than spiritual
tenebrous
dark; shadowy or obscure
squamous
non-medical definition
covered with or characterized by scales
piquant
- having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor
2. pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind
lucubration
- study; meditation
2. a piece of writing, typically a pedantic or overelaborate one
gloaming
twilight, dusk
dusk vs dawn
Dawn is the twilight before sunrise. Dusk is the twilight after sunset.
The twilights are split up into three different categories.
- A civil twilight when the light is brightest either just before sunrise or just after sunset.
- A nautical twilight of intermediate brightness. Objects are still blurry and it will either get brighter going towards sunrise or darker going towards sunset.
- An astronomical twilight of near-darkness. It will either move towards the brightness of nautical twilight if it is morning or it will move towards night if it is evening.
Dawn and dusk can also describe the moments of sunrise and sunset.
twilight
The illumination of the lower atmosphere when the Sun is not directly visible because it is below the horizon. Twilight begins when the Sun reaches 18° below the horizon.
pedant
a person who is excessively concerned with formalism, accuracy, and precision, or one who makes an ostentatious and arrogant show of learning
rugose
wrinkled; corrugated
corrugated
(of a material, surface, or structure) shaped into alternate ridges and grooves
ridge
- a long area of land that is on top of a mountain or hill
- a raised part or area on the surface of something
- the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof
groove
- a deep line cut into a surface
2. an enjoyable or exciting experience (musical or otherwise)
effulgence
the quality or state of having or giving off light
batrachian
frog or toad or like a frog or toad
frog vs toad
Frogs have long legs, longer than their head and body, which are made for hopping. Frogs have smooth, somewhat slimy skin.
Toads, on the other hand, have much shorter legs and prefer to crawl around rather than hop. Toads have dry, warty skin.
ichthyic
fish-like
valley
a low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it
creek
a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river
tributary
- a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake
2. a person or state that pays tribute to another state or ruler
preferment
promotion or appointment to a position or office
churlish
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
surly
- menacing or threatening in appearance
2. bad-tempered and unfriendly
corridor
- a long passage in a building from which doors lead into rooms
- a place or position in which especially political power is wielded through discussion and deal-making
- a usually narrow passageway or route
- a densely populated strip of land including two or more major cities
- an area or stretch of land identified by a specific common characteristic or purpose
pièce de résistance
(especially with reference to creative work or a meal) the most important or remarkable feature
crescent
- the moon at any stage between new moon and first quarter and between last quarter and the succeeding new moon when less than half of the illuminated hemisphere is visible
- something shaped like a crescent
forthwith
(especially in official use) immediately; without delay
cantankerous
bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative
