Unit #1 Definitions Flashcards
the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends
bellwether
to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel; a harsh or noisy cry; a racket
caterwaul
absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible
chimerical
lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out of date
effete
an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed; fact, or action
fait accompli
narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative
hidebound
any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank; wealth. class, etc.
hierarchy
a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship
liturgy
something illusory; without substance, or without a basis in reality; an illusion
mirage
a patch of low, soft wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which is entrapped, as in quicksand
morass
offensive or disgusting; foul smelling; harmful or injurious
noisome
forgetful, unaware
oblivious
a base coward
poltroon
a convert, a disciple
proselyte
resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely
quasi
good humored ridicule; teasing
raillery
irreverently mocking, coarse, vulgar, or indecent language
ribald
laying flat on one’s back; listless or lethargic; apathetic or passive
supine
a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off;a decorative design on the title book or at the beginning or end of a chapter
vignette
something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity
adjunct
something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistance or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; added or connected in an subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity
adjunct
