Vocab 14

Question 1

Pragmatic

Answer 1

Pragmatic – practical, logical

(Greek: pragmatikos = relating to facts)

(E.g. “The decision was pragmatic so that it could be easily extrapolated (extend application).”

Question 2

Nihilism

Answer 2

Nihilism – rejection of all moral & religious principles, in belief life is meaningless OR destruction for its own sake

(Latin: nihil = nothing)

Nihilism - belief that all values are baseless and nothing can be known or communicated.

Question 3

Ostentatious

Answer 3

Ostentatious – pretentious or showy display, intended to impress

Question 4

Ableist

Answer 4

Ableist – discriminating against disabled people

Question 5

Milieu

Answer 5

Milieu – social or cultural environment, surrounding, setting

Question 6

Probity

Answer 6

Probity – honesty, decency, integrity

(Latin: probus = good)

Question 7

Extol

Answer 7

Extol – highyly praise, exalt = glorify

(Latin: ex = upward, tollere = raise)

(E.g. “Unfortunately, young people have began to extol celebrities instead of the real heroes like teachers and police officers.”)

Question 8

Sunder

Answer 8

Sunder – split or break apart

(Old English: sundor = separate)

Question 9

Cui bono

Answer 9

Cui bono – Who benefits? And for what purpose?

(Latin: who has the most to gain from crime probably committed it)

Question 10

Endemic

Answer 10

Endemic – common in population (of disease), OR native, restricted to area (of plant or animal)

Question 11

Unctuous

Answer 11

Unctuous – insincerely flattering, OR oily, greasy

(Latin: unctus = anointing = rub with oil)

(E.g. “He speaks in unctuous tones.”)

Question 12

Res Ipsa Loquitur

Answer 12

Res Ipsa Loquitur – thing speaks for itself, legal situation where injury is caused by negligence

(Latin: res = thing, Ipsa = itself, loqui = speak)

Question 13

Vexed

Answer 13

Vexed – difficult, problematic, much debated, ALSO annoying, frustrating

(Latin: vexare = shake, disturb)

(E.g. “The vexed question of how much money the government is going to spend.”)

Question 14

Malediction

Answer 14

Malediction – curse against, speak evil of, slander

(Latin: male = ill, dicere = speak)

Question 15

Imperium in imperio

Answer 15

Imperium in imperio – empire within empire, self-governing state confined in larger one

Question 16

Rancour

Answer 16

Rancour – long standing bitterness or resentment

Question 17

Inchoate

Answer 17

Inchoate – incomplete, partially developed, at initial stages

(Latin: inchoare = begin)

(E.g. “His dreams were senseless and inchoate.”)

Question 18

Jejune

Answer 18

Jejune – simplistic, uninteresting, undistinctive, dull

(Latin: jejunus = fasting, barren = without food hence not intellectually nourishing)

(E.g. “Their entirely predictable and usually jejune opinions.”)