Vocabulary Unit 8

ineffable

adj. not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered Her feelings were ineffable.

risible

adj. pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable Risible babies can make anyone happy.

mnemonic

adj. relating to or designed to assist the memory n. a device to aid the memory We use mnemonic devices to remember vocabulary words.

symptomatic

adj. typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease A sore throat is symptomatic of a cold.

parameter

n. a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the final outcome; a limit; a boundary The project parameters indicated the formatting for the paper.

pundit

n. a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions The professor was a pundit.

volte-face

n. an about-face; a complete reversal She made a 180 degree volte-face.

lucubration

n. laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work Frankenstein's lucubration ended in the creation of the Monster.

obloquy

n. public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment The Korean government has a strong obloquy.

hoi polloi

n. the common people, the masses The hoi polloi like chicken.