3 Flashcards
(39 cards)
contrite
Feeling remorse, afflicted by guilt
apostasy
Renouncing a political or religious belief
sotto voce
under the breath. An undertone > > the wife began telling us sotto voce about the upcoming surprise party
impassive
not showing emotion > the impassive passersby ignored the performers
compunction
a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows doing something bad the pricking of the conscience > he had no compunction about behaving blasphemously
plenary
unqualified or absolute > a plenary indulgence by the pope also, attended by everyone in a group that typically meets in smaller sub-groups > a plenary session of the European congress
addlepated
lacking common sense having a muddied mind > he made the addlepated decision to build on loose soil
gird
to encircle, secure or surround > the police were hoping for the best but girding for the worst
cargo cult
film the gods must be crazy native people worshiping
incongruous
Not congruous/consistent, incompatible > incongruous sight of a horse and carriage mixed in with cars on the streets of New York City
rhapsody
A piece of music with some improvisation meant to express emotion A written or spoken expression of great enthusiasm An emotional utterance, an effusive composition Mnemonic: comes from Latin for a section recited from an epic poem
diffident
Soft-spoken, reserved, lacking self-confidence Mnemonic: both diffident and confident have the root fidere, which is Latin for trust (fidelity, fiduciary). “how much trust do you have in yourself?”
oblivion
the state of being oblivious – having forgotten or, destroyed > the oblivion of sleep came from greek mythology about a river that caused anyone who drank from it to forget. River of Oblivion in Paradise Lost
chivy
To annoy or tease someone by repeated petty attacks or to move something by small incremental movements Or to harass or chase > she watched as he chivvied an olive from the jar with a knife
irascible
easily angered > he’s an irascible man
facile
superficial. a theory or argument that appears neat and comprehensive but only by ignoring true complexities of the issue or, having superficial and simplistic knowledge > a man of facile and shallow intellect something quick and fluent or effortless > a facile victor. > a facile liar
allegory
is more general: it’s a symbol story or poem that reveals a hidden meaning
wheelhouse
baseball term: a place or situation where one is advantageously at ease
vicarious
apoplectic,Extremely angry to the point of stroke
consigliere
An advisor, especially to a crime boss
mandala
a symbol of the universe in buddhism and hinduism
exigency
Urgency Pressing importance
emenance grise
French for gray eminence. A person who unofficially has power over a particular sphere
visceral
relating to deep inward feeling rather than outward appearance > a visceral fear of change
