VOCABULARY

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Tiferet--
Tiferet is the force that integrates the Sefira of Chesed ("compassion") and
Gevurah ("Strength, or Judgement (din)"). These two forces are, respectively,
expansive (giving) and restrictive (receiving). Either of them without the other
could not manifest the flow of Divine energy; they must be balanced in perfect
proportion by balancing compassion with discipline. This balance can be seen in the
role of Tiferet, wherein the conflicting forces are harmonized, and creation
flowers forth. Tiferet also balances Netzach and Hod in a similar manner. In that
case Hod can be seen as the intellect where Netzach is seen as emotion.
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a pri�o�ri
adjective - relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge that proceeds from
theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.
"a priori assumptions about human nature"
synonyms: theoretical, deduced, deductive, inferred, postulated, suppositional
"a priori reasoning"
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Specious [spe�cious] adj.� 1. Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually
fallacious. �A specious argument.� 2. Deceptively attractive.
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Hyperbole; Hyperbolic [hy�per�bo�le] n. Exaggerated statements or claims not meant
to be taken literally. �The company chairman may have been guilty of too much
hyperbole during the shareholders meeting.�
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Nascent [nas�cent] adj. Recently coming into existence and beginning to display
signs of future potential. Not yet fully developed; emerging. �The business remains
nascent but very promising.�
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Disparate [dis�pa�rate] adj. Essentially different in kind; not allowing
comparison. markedly distinct in quality or character. �He is a strong leader
capable of managing a disparate team to achieve their goals.�
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Phalanx [pha�lanx] n. A group of people or things of a similar type forming a
compact body or brought together for a common purpose. �A phalanx of lawyers took
charge of the case.�
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Obdurate [ob�du�rate ] adj. Stubbornly refusing to change one�s opinion or course
of action. �Despite her plea, he remained obdurate.�
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Obfuscate [ob�fus�cate] v. Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. Bewilder
(someone). �The eclipse will obfuscate the sun�s light.�
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Sycophant [syc�o�phant] n. A person who acts attentively toward someone in order to
gain advantage; a servile flatterer.
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Missive [mis�sive ] n. A written message; a letter. �He received a missive from
his company manager.�
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Perfidious [per�fid�i�ous] adj. Deceitful and untrustworthy. �A perfidious
relationship.�
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Gravitas [grav�i�tas] n. Dignity, seriousness, or solemnity in manner. �He has the
necessary gravitas to lead the company.�
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Doleful [dole�ful] adj Expressing sorrow; mournful. �A doleful look.� Causing
misfortune or grief. �Doleful consequences.�
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Vitiate [vi�ti�ate] v. Spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of. �The
government programs were vitiated by excessive red tape.� Destroy or impair the
legal validity of.
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Predacious [pre�da�cious] adj. Predatory; Given to victimizing, plundering, or
destroying for one�s own gain. �A victim of predacious behavior.�
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Capacious [ca�pa�cious] adj. Having a lot of space inside; roomy. �A capacious
closet.�
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Vitriol; Vitriolic [vit�ri�ol] n. Cruel, bitter, scathing criticism; Abusive
feeling or expression. �A vitriolic tone of voice.�
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Indolent; Indolence [in�do�lent] n. Having or showing a disposition to avoid
exertion; slothful, lazy: �an indolent person.�
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Endemic [en�dem�ic] adj. Native to a specific region or environment and not
occurring naturally anywhere else. �Malaria is endemic in tropical climates.� (n.)
An endemic plant or animal.
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Recalcitrant (re�cal�ci�trant) adj. Stubborn, often defiant of authority; difficult
to manage or control. �After months of recalcitrant behavior, the employee was
terminated.�
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Pernicious (per�ni�cious) adj Having a harmful effect, particularly in a gradual or
subtle way. �The hostile takeover will have a pernicious effect on the business
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Anomalous (a�nom�a�lous) adj. Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.
�The marketing department could not explain the anomalous sales performance.�
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Ostensible [os�ten�si�ble] adj. Stated or appearing to be true, but not
necessarily so. Being such in appearance, plausible rather than demonstrably true
or real. �The ostensible purpose of the trip was for business.�
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Penurious (pe�nu�ri�ous) adj Extremely poor; poverty-stricken; miserly. �The
penurious family were forced from their home.�
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Petulant; Petulance [pet�u�lant] adj. 1. Contemptuous in speech or behavior. 2.
Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; rude. �She was fired over her petulant
attitude to our customers.�
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Duplicitous [du�plic�i�tous] adj. Given to or marked by deliberate deceptiveness
in behavior or speech. �They warned him not to trust the duplicitous telemarketer.�
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instantiate Audio
verb [in-stan-shee-eyt]
1. to provide an instance of or concrete evidence in support of (a theory, concept,
claim, or the like).
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sotto voce Audio
adverb [sot-oh voh-chee]
1. in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.
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Oxymoron
Oxymoron [ox�y�mo�ron] n.pl. A phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning
are used together for special effect, for example, �wise fool� or �to make haste
slowly.�
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Paradigm
Paradigm [par�a�digm] n. A typical example or pattern of something; a model. �The
economic paradigm was flawed.�
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sui generis Audio
adjective [soo -i ge-ne-ris]
1. Latin. of his, her, its, or their own kind; unique.
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aegis
1. protection; support: under the imperial aegis.
2. sponsorship; auspices: a debate under the aegis of the League of Women Voters.
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Hubris
Hubris [hu�bris] n. 1. Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. 2. A strong
belief in a person�s own importance. �He was disciplined for his hubris.�
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imprimatur Audio Pronunciation
noun [im-pri-mah-ter, -mey-, -prahy-]
1. sanction or approval; support: Our plan has the company president's imprimatur.
2. an official license to print or publish a book, pamphlet, etc., especially a
license issued by a censor of the Roman Catholic Church.
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Quixotic
Quixotic [quix�ot�ic] adj. 1. Idealistic without regard to practicality;
impractical. 2. Impulsive: tending to act on whims or impulses. �It was clearly a
quixotic case against the defendant.�
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Acerbic
Acerbic [a�cer�bic] adj. Sharp or biting, as in character or expression. �The
director occasionally allowed an acerbic tone to an otherwise subtle dialogue.�
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obdurate
1. unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding.
2. stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate
sinner.
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Ignominious
Ignominious [ig�no�min�i�ous] adj. Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame;
humiliating: �An ignominious defeat.�
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Attrition
Attrition [at�tri�tion] n. 1. A gradual, natural reduction in membership or
personnel, as through retirement, resignation, or death. 2. A gradual diminution in
number or strength. �The company�s attrition rate was quite high.�
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Axiom
Axiom [ax�i�om] n. 1. An established rule, principle, or law. 2. A self-evident or
universally recognized truth; a maxim. 3. A self-evident principle or one that is
accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument.
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Temerity
Temerity [te�mer�i�ty] n. Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity: �No one had
the temerity to question her decision.�
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Propitious [pro�pi�tious] adj. (1) Indicating a good chance of success; favorable.
�It was a propitious time to leave the party without offending the host.� (2)
Favorably disposed toward someone.
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Endemic [en�dem�ic] adj. Native to a specific region or environment and not
occurring naturally anywhere else. �Malaria is endemic in tropical climates.� (n.)
An endemic plant or animal.
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Innervate [in�ner�vate] v. To stimulate or supply nervous energy.
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Juxtapose [jux�ta�pose] tr.v. 1. To place side by side, especially for comparison
or contrast. �The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso�s early drawings with some of his
later works.�
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Assuage [uh�sweyj] v. 1. To make milder or less severe; relieve; ease; mitigate:
�to assuage one�s pain.� 2. to appease, satisfy, or relieve: �To assuage one�s
hunger.� 3. to soothe or calm: �To assuage his fears;� �To assuage her anger.�
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Egalitarian [e�gal�i�tar�i�an] adj. Affirming, promoting, or characterized by
belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.
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Caveat [ca�ve�at] n. 1. A warning or proviso: something said as a warning,
caution, or qualification. �The agreement contains the usual caveats.�
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Redact(ed) [re�dact] tr.v. Edit something: to edit, revise, or delete content in
preparation for publication. �The documents were redacted so personal information
wasn�t released to the public.�
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ostensible
1. outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness
concealing sadness.
2. apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories.
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Euphemism [eu�phe�mism] n. A mild, inoffensive expression that is substituted for
one that is often considered harsh or offensive. �To pass away� is a euphemism for
�to die.�
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Ostensible [os�ten�si�ble] adj. Stated or appearing to be true, but not
necessarily so. Being such in appearance, plausible rather than demonstrably true
or real. �The ostensible purpose of the trip was for business.�
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Axiom

Axiom [ax�i�om] n. 1. An established rule, principle, or law. 2. A self-evident or

universally recognized truth; a maxim. 3. A self-evident principle or one that is
accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument.
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Secular

Secular [sec�u�lar] adj. 1. Worldly rather than spiritual. 2. Not specifically

relating to religion or to a religious body. �A secular book.�
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Oxymoron

Oxymoron [ox�y�mo�ron] n.pl. A phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning

are used together for special effect, for example, �wise fool� or �to make haste
slowly.�

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Paradigm

Paradigm [par�a�digm] n. A typical example or pattern of something; a model. �The

economic paradigm was flawed.�

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Autonomous

Autonomous [au�ton�o�mous] adj. 1. Independent in mind or judgment; self-directed.

2. Not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent: �The business
divisions operate autonomously.�
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Pensive

Pensive [pen�sive] adj. Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful. Expressive

of melancholy thoughtfulness. �She was feeling pensive after seeing an old
boyfriend.�
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Assiduous
T

Assiduous [as�sid�u�ous] adj. 1. Constant in application or attention; diligent:

�An assiduous worker who strove for perfection.� 2. Unceasing; persistent:
�Assiduous cancer research.�
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Anachronism

Anachronism [a�nach�ro�nism] n. One that is out of its proper, chronological, or

historical order, especially a person or practice that belongs to an earlier time.
�A sword is an anachronism in modern warfare.�
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