Unit 1 Vocab
Word: adjunct
Part of speech: N
Definition: Something added to something else as helpful or useful but not
essential
Beginning of a sentence using word (fill in the end): As an adjunct, we …
bellwether
N
A leader; an indicator of trends
Many famous people are considered bellwethers because …
Caterwaul
V
To quarrel
N
A harsh or noisy cry
There was a caterwaul in the hallway, so …
Chimerical
Adj
Absurd, impossible
Her actions were chimerical, so …
effete
Adj
Lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted
A cassette player is considered effetious because …
Fait accompli
N
An accomplished and presumably irreversible deed
A fait accompli for me has been …
hierarchy
N
Any system of things or people arranged or graded one above the other
High school is on a hierarchy, so …
liturgy
N
A religious service or rite; the form of a ritual
They will hold a liturgy ….
noisome
Adj
Offensive or disgusting; harmful or injurious
The noisome behavior of the students was …
oblivious
Adj
Forgetful, unaware
Because she was oblivious to the bell, …
poltroon
N
A base coward
Poltroons are not welcome in the army because …
proselyte
N
A convert; a disciple
Because he was a proselyte, he …
quasi
Adj
Resembling but not actually being
The paper only quasi represented the assignment, so …
raillery
N
Good-humored ridicule
Because the talk was only raillery, …
vignette
N
A short description or sketch
The vignette of the president …
Unit 2 Vocab
• 1 apprise (v)-to inform of
• 2 Verisimlitude (n) – appearing to be true, real, probable
• 3 claque (n) – enthusiastic admirers
• 4 deracinate (v) – to uproot, dislocate, eliminate
• 5 Vassal (n) – a person under the protection of a feudal lord
• 6 Indigenous (adj)- originating in, native to
• 7 Lachrymose (adj) – given to tears, mournful
• 8 Lexicon (n) – a dictionary of the language of a specific group or
subject
• 9 Melee (n) – a confused struggle
• 10 Microcosm (n) – miniature world or universe
• 11 Miniscule (adj) – very small, tiny
• 12 Obfuscate (v) – to confuse or bewilder
• 13 Paternalism (n) – policy of treating people like a father
• 14 Purview (n) – range, extent of something
• 15 Sanguine (adj) – naturally cheerful, optimistic
Unit 3 Vocab
Ancillary (adj)
• Subordinate or supplementary
Condescend (v)
• To treat someone in a patronizing manner
Cozen (v)
• To trick, cheat or swindle
Forte (n)
• A person’s strong point; what a person does best
Gratis (adj)
• Free; without charge
Icon (v)
• A representation or image of a sacred personage; an image or picture;
a symbol
Interstice (n)
• A small, narrow space between things or parts of things
Macrocosm (n)
• The universe considered as a whole
Persiflage (n)
• Lighthearted joking, talking, or writing
Plethora (n)
• Overfullness; superabundance
Pragmatic (adj)
• Concerned with practical considerations or values
Quizzical (adj)
• Puzzled, mocking; odd
Rapacity (n)
• Inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one’s desires by force
Schism (n)
• A formal split within a religious organization
Therapeutic (adj)
• Having the power to heal or cure; beneficial
