Vocabulary Words

Weeks 7 and 8

Auditory-Of or relating to the process of hearing

Cacophony-A loud harsh or strident noise
-Loud confusing disagreeable sounds
Disarray-A mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior
-Bring disorder to
Capitol-A building occupied by a state legislature
-The government building in Washington where the United States Senate and the
House of Representatives meet
Disavow-Refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with
caption
Discord-Lack of agreement or harmony
-Be different from one another
Consent-Permission to do something
Give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to
Dislocate-Move out of position
Put out of its usual place, position, or relationship
Decapitate-Cut the head of
Disorient-Cause to be lost or disoriented
Dissent-The act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent
-Be of different opinions
Dissimilar-Not similar
Elucidate-Make clear and (more) comprehensible
-Make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
Machination-A crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
Median-Relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle
Malingerer-Someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity
Meditate-Think deeply about a subject or question over a period of time
-Think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
Mawkish-Effusively or insincerely emotional
Mediocre-Moderate to inferior in quality
-Lacking exceptional quality or ability
Misogamist-A person who hates marriage
Opprobrious-Expressing offensive reproach
-(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
Monogamous- (used of relationships and of individuals) having one mate
Phonetic- Of or relating to speech sounds
- Of or relating to the scientific study of speech sounds
Multifaceted- Having many aspects
Precarious- Affording no ease or reassurance
- Fraught with danger
Multinational- Involving or operating in several nations or nationalities
- A company operating in several nations
Predilection- A predisposition in favor of something
- A strong liking
Multiplicity- The property of being multiple
-large number
Prosaic- Not fanciful or imaginative
- Not challenging; dull and lacking excitement
Nefarious- Extremely wicked
Raillery- Light teasing repartee
Nonpareil- Eminent beyond or above comparison
- Model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal’
- A flat disk of chocolate covered with beads of colored sugar
Rapacious- Living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
- Excessively greedy and grasping
Offertory- The offerings of the congregation at a religious service
- The part of the Eucharist when bread and wine are offered to God
Recondite- Difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or
knowledge
Onus- An onerous or difficult concern
Ruminate- Think deeply about a subject or question over a period of time
- Chew the cuds
Pariah- A person who is rejected (from society or home)
Sallow- Unhealthy looking
- Cause to become sallow
Pittance- An inadequate payment
Sensibility- Mental responsiveness and awareness
Poignant- Refined sensitivity to pleasurable or painful impressions
Sensuous- Taking delight in beauty
Polygamy- Having more than one spouse at a time
Sequester- Requisition forcibly, as of enemy property
- Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
- Keep away from others
Prohibitory- Tending to discourage (especially of prices)
Symphonic- Relating to, characteristic or suggestive of a symphony
- Harmonious in sound
Venal- Capable of being corrupted
Translucent- Allowing light to pass through diffusely