English IV - The Secret History (Vocabulary pg. 1 - 75)

quod era demonstrandum

"which was to be demonstrated"; a formal way of ending a mathematical, logical or physical proof; used to convey that a fact or situation demonstrates the truth of one's theory or claim

epicene

(1) Having characteristics or qualities of both sexes. (2) Not having the characteristics or qualities of either sex, sexless, neuter (3) (of style) lacking appeal or potency, feeble, flaccid (4) (of a man) not virile, effeminate

discursive

(adj.) passing aimlessly from one place or subject to another, rambling, roving, nomadic

sententious

(adj.) self-righteous, characterized by moralizing; given to use of maxims or adages; saying much in few words, pithy

fatuous

(adj.) stupid or foolish in a self-satisfied way

lexicon

(n.) a dictionary of a language; the special vocabulary of a person, group, or subject; a compendium

ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom; a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement

miasma

a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere; a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor

augury

a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen

epigram

a witty saying expressing a single thought or observation

bilious

adj. bad tempered; cross syn: grouchy; cantankerous ant: pleasant

pyrrhic

adjective: describing a victory that comes at such a great cost that the victory is not worthwhile George W. Bush's win in the 2000 election was in many ways a pyrrhic victory: the circumstances of his win alienated half of the U.S. population.

garret

an attic, usually a small, wretched one

empirical

based on practical experience rather than theory

dolorous

feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress

gnomic vulgarity

first word: expressed in or of the nature of short, pithy maxims or aphorisms; enigmatic; ambiguous second: the state or quality of lacking sophistication or good taste; an unrefined remark or act

austere Anglican cadence

first word: severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance; extremely plain and simple style or appearance; unadorned; harsh second: relating to or denoting the Church of England or any Church in communion with it third: a modulation or inflection of the voice; a fall in pitch of the voice at the end of a phrase or sentence; rhythm

voluptuous

full of delight or pleasure; having a shapely and pleasing appearance

capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

picturesque

like a picture; pleasing or charming to look at

The Furies

minor female divinities who punished crimes at the instigation of the victims; three terrible spirits who punish those whose crimes have not been avenged

Plato's divine madness

refers to unconventional, outrageous, unexpected, or unpredictable behavior linked to religious or spiritual pursuits; four kinds of madness

banal

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

savor faire

the ability to say and do the right thing in any situation; social competence

tesserae

the small piece of stone, glass, or other object that is pieced together with many others to create a mosaic

circumlocution

the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive; talking in circles