Unit #4 Definitions Flashcards
(20 cards)
a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection
affinity
peevish or irritable, sickeningly unpleasant
bilious
closely related in origin, essential nature, or function
such a person
cognate
a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result
resultant or consequent
corollary
a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse
cul-de-sac
valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)
derring-do
the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge
divination
a potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely
elixir
foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle
folderol
an entire range or series
gamut
the common people, the masses
hoi polloi
not expressible in words, too great or sacred to be uttered
ineffable
laborious, study or thought, especially at night; the results of such work
lucubration
relating to or designed to assist the memory
a device to aid the memory
mnemonic
public abuse indicating strong approval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment
obloquy
a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary
parameter
a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions
pundit
pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable
risible
typically or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease
symptomatic
an about-face, a complete reversal
volte-face
