Monday, September 17, 2012

Fall Vocab List #6


BeatitudeSupreme blessedness
-Christ's first beatitude is to the poor in spirit.

Bete noirea detested person (disliked or avoided)
-It's gas-guzzling reputation had made it the bête noire of environmental activists.

BodeBe an omen of a particular outcome
-Their argument did not bode well for the future.

DankDisagreeably damp, musty, and typically cold
-In the cellars we were sheltered from the tornado, but they were very dank and gloomy.

EcumenicalPromoting or relating to unity among the world's Christian churches
-Ecumenical pilgrimage now must also be between churches which are in mission together

FervidIntensely enthusiastic or passionate
-His fervid speech opposed to child labor, touched the hearts of the listeners


FetidSmelling extremely unpleasant
-His fetid odor made the entire class move to the other side of the classroom.


Gargantuanof great mass
-The giant almost flattened the travelers with his gargantuan foot as he walked through the forest

HeydayThe period of a person's or thing's greatest success or popularity
-
In later life, Elvis was overweight and drug addicted, but in his heyday he was healthy, talented and hugely popular


IncubusA cause of distress or anxiety like a nightmare
-
The guilt attacked her during her sleepless night like a relentlessincubus.


InfrastructureThe basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation
-The infrastructure of a school consists of teachers, administration, and a school board.

InveiglePersuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery
-
The pretty woman was able to inveiglethe drunken man into buying her some chocolates and a free drink


KudosPraise and honor received for an achievement-My mom gave kudos to my sister for her job well done.

LagniappeSomething given as a bonus or extra gift
-When going out to dinner, surprising her with a ring islagniappe. 


ProlixUsing or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
-
All the cases give lengthy extracts from the judgments which, at first sight, may appear to be somewhat prolix.

Protegea person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career
-
The young scientist had done very well. He had been a protege of no less a person than Albert Einstein.

PrototypeA first or preliminary model of something, esp. a machine, from which other forms are developed or copied
-
The inventor displayed his prototype to the potential buyers.


Sycophant A person who acts obsequiously toward someone in order to gain advantage; a servile flatterer 
-
Hoping to get the best grade in class, the sycophant flattered his teacher with gifts and nice comments at every opportunity


TautologyThe saying of the same thing twice in different words
-
Avoid tautology which is the needless repetition of the same idea.


TruckleSubmit or behave obsequiously
-When you're having doubts, don'ttruckle to walk away.

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