Sadlier-Oxford Vocab Level H - Unit 1 - 9

obfuscate

(noun) to darken or obscure; to confuse or bewilder

poltroon

(noun) a base coward

virtuoso

(noun) a brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique (adjective) masterly or brilliant

melee

(noun) a confused struggle; a violent free-for-all; a tulmultuous mingling

proselyte

(noun) a convert; a disciple

lexicon

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

schism

(noun) a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions

claque

(noun) a group of people hired to applaud a performer or performance; enthusiastic or fawning admirers; an opera hat

microcosm

(noun) a miniature world or universe; a group or system viewed as the model of a larger group or system

morass

(noun) a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand

vassal

(noun) a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant (adjective) subservient

liturgy

(noun) a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

icon

(noun) a representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

vignette

(noun) a short description or sketch; a picture or illustration with edges that gradually shade off; a decorative design on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter

interstice

(noun) a small, narrow space between things or parts of things

paean

(noun) a song of praise, joy, or triumph

solecism

(noun) a substandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of etiquette; any impropriety or mistake

mountebank

(noun) a trickster or swindler; a charlatan

fait accompli

(noun) an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed, fact, or action

enclave

(noun) an enclosed district, region, or area inhabited by a particular group of people or having a special character

hierarchy

(noun) any system of things or people arranged or graded one above another in order of rank, wealth, class, etc.

raillery

(noun) good-humored ridicule; teasing

rapacity

(noun) inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

persiflage

(noun) lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

plethora

(noun) overfullness; superabundance; superfluity

aegis

(noun) protection; patronage; sponsorship

adjunct

(noun) something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic (adjective) added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity

mirage

(noun) something illusionary, without substance, or without a basis in reality; an illusion

bellwether

(noun) the male sheep that leads the flock to the slaughterhouse; a leader, as in a desperate or violent undertaking; an indicator of trends

paternalism

(noun) the policy or practice of treating or governing people in the manner of a father dealing with his children

verisimilitude

(noun) the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable

purview

(noun) the range, extent, or scope of something, in law, the scope or limit of what is provided in a statute

macrocosm

(noun) the universe considered as a whole; the entire complex structure of something

forte

(noun) a person's strong point; what a person does best

polarize

(verb) to cause to concentrate around two conflicting or contrasting positions; to cause light to vibrate in a pattern

condescend

(verb) to come down or stoop voluntarily to a lower level; to deal with people in a patronizing manner

caterwaul

(verb) to howl or screech like a cat; to quarrel (noun) a harsh or noisy cry; a racket

apprise

(verb) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice

deracinate

(verb) to pull up by the roots; to root out, uproot, or dislocate; to eliminate all traces of

bowdlerize

(verb) to remove material considered offensive (from a book, play, film, etc.)

cozen

(verb) to trick; to cheat or swindle

infrastructure (n.)

a basic foundation or framework; a system of public work; the resources and facilities required for an activity; permanent military installations (SS:1) Synonyms: base, basis, underpinning Antonyms: superstructure

philippic (n.)

a bitter verbal attack Synonyms: harangue, tirade, diatribe Antonyms: encomium, panegyric, tribute

cul-de-sac (n.)

a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impase (SS: 1) Synonyms: dead-end

vicissitude (n., pl.)

a change, variation, or alteration; successive or changing phases or conditions Synonyms: fluctuation, vacillation Antonyms: sameness, evenness

persona (n.)

a character in a novel or pay; the outward character or role that a person assumes Synonyms: personality, image, role

panache (n.)

a confident and stylish manner, dash; a strikingly elaborate or colorful display Synonyms: style, verve, elan. eclat, flamboyance

incubus (n.)

a demon or evil spirit supposed to haunt human beings in their bedrooms at night; anything that oppressed or weighs upon one, like a nightmare (SS:1) Synonyms: hobgoblin, millstone, burden

aberration (n.)

a departure from what is proper, right, expected, or normal; a lapse from a sound mental state (SS:3) Synonyms: deviation, anomaly, irregularity

parameter (n.)

a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary (SS: 2) Synonyms: boundarie

harbinger (n., v.)

a forerunner or herald; to herald the approach of (SS:1) Synonyms: precursor; presage Antonyms: aftermath, epilogue, sequel

syndrome (n.)

a group of symptoms or signs that collectively characterize or indicate a disease, disorder, abnormality, etc. (SS:1) Synonyms: complex, pattern

pundit (n.)

a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions (SS: 1) Synonyms: expert, authority, savant Antonyms: layman, amateur, dilettante

lampoon (n., v..)

a malicious satire; to satirize, ridicule (SS: 2) Synonyms: burlesque; parody Antonyms: compliment, flattery, homage

touchstone (n.)

a means of testing worth or genuineness (SS: 1) Synonyms: criterion, yardstick, benchmark

peccadillo (n.)

a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming (SS:3) Synonyms: indiscretion Antonyms: felony, mortal sin, enormity, atrocity

matrix (n.)

a mold; the surrounding situation or environment Synonyms: pattern, model

affinity (n.)

a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection (SS: 2) Synonyms: inclination, penchant Antonyms: distaste, aversion

elixar (n.)

a potion once thought capable of curing all ills and maintaining life indefinitely; a panacea; a sweet liquid used as a vehicle in medicines (SS: 2) Synonyms: cure-all. nostrim, tonic

corrollary (n., adj.)

a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; resultant or consequent (SS: 1) Synonyms: deduction, conclusion Antonyms: axiom, postulate, premise

foray (n., v.)

a quick raid, especially for plunder; a venture into some field of endeavor; to make such a raid Synonyms: (n.) sally, sortie Antonyms: (n.) retreat strategic withdrawl

homily (n.)

a sermon stressing moral principles; a tedious moralizing lecture or discourse

abeyance (n.)

a state if being temporarily inactive, suspended, or set aside (SS: 2) Synonyms: deferment, postpone, suspension

beatitude (n.)

a state of perfect happiness or blessedness; a blessing (SS:2) Synonyms: bliss, rapture Antonyms: misery, despair

cataclysm (n.)

a sudden, violent, or devastating upheaval; a surging flood, deluge (SS: 1) Synonyms: disaster, catastrophe

empathy (n.)

a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else (SS:1) Synonyms: sympathy, compassion Antonyms: insensitivity, callousness, detachment

genre (n.)

a type, class, or variety, especially a distinctive category of literary composition; a style of painting in which everyday scenes are realistically depicted Synonyms: species, sort, school

dictum (n.)

aa short saying; an authoritative statement (SS: 1) Synonyms: maxim, precept, aphorism, axiom

de facto (adj., adv.)

actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned; in reality, actually (SS:2) Synonyms: in actuality, in point of the fact Antonyms: de jure, by right

nemesis (n.)

an agent or force inflicting vengeance or punishment; retribution itself; un unbearable rival (SS: 1) Synonyms: comeuppance, avenger Antonyms: guardian angel. ally, patron

aficionado (n.)

an enthusiastic and usually expert follower or fan Synonyms: devotee, enthusiast

gamut (n.)

an entire range or series (SS: 1) Synonyms: scope, compass, sweep

lagniappe (n.)

an extra or unexpected gift or gratuity (SS:1) Synonyms: bonus

prototype (n.)

an original pattern or model; a primitive or ancestral form (SS:1) Synonyms: archetype Antonyms: copy, imitate

volte-face (n.)

and about-face; a complete reversal (SS: 2) Synonyms: turnabout

inconoclastic (adj.)

attacking or seeking to overthrow popular or traditional beliefs, ideas, or institutions (SS: 4) Synonyms: image-breaking, irrelevant, heretical Antonyms: orthodox, conservative, reverent

insouciant (adj.)

blithely indifferent or unconcerned; carefree; happy-go-lucky Synonyms: nonchalant, blase, devil-may-care Antonyms: worried, careworn, agitated, distraught

fervid (adj.)

burning with enthusiasm or zeal; extremely heated (SS:1) Synonyms: ardent, zealous, fervent, earnest Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, cool blasé

malleable (adj.)

capable of being formed in different shapes; capable of being altered, adapted, or influenced (SS: 1) Synonyms: pliable, impressionable, adaptable Antonyms: rigid, inflexible, unyielding intractable

saturnalian (adj.)

characterized by riotous or unrestrained revelry or licentiousness (SS: 3) Synonyms: dissipated, debauched, orgiastic Antonyms: sedate, prim, decorous, seemly

cognate (adj., n.)

closely related in origin, essential nature or function; such a person or thing (SS: 1) Synonyms: allied, affiliated; relative Antonyms: dissimilar, unrelated

derring-do (n.)

color or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at fake heroics) (SS: 1) Synonyms: audacity, bravado, pyrotechnics Antonyms: cowardice, timidity, poltroonery

salubrious (adj.)

conductive to health or well-being; wholesome (SS: 2) Synonyms: beneficial, healthy, invigorating Antonyms: harmful, unhealthy, deleterious, noxious

éclat (n.)

dazzling or conspicuous success or acclaim; great brilliance (of performing or achievement) (SS: 2) Synonyms: celebrity Antonyms: dullness, insipidity, mediocrity

malcontent (adj., n.)

discontented with orin open diffidence of prevailing conditions; such a person (SS:1) Synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled; gumbler Antonyms: satisfied, contented, complacent, smug

commensurate (adj.)

equal in size, extent, duration, or importance; proportionate; measurable by the same standards Synonyms: comparable, corresponding, coordinate

maudlin (adj.)

excessively or effusively sentimental (SS: 1) Synonyms: mushy, mawkish

abortive (adj.)

failing to accomplish an intended aim or purpose; only partially or imperfectly developed (SS: 2) Synonyms: miscarried, fruitless, premature Antonyms: successful, realized, consummated

mellifluous (adj.)

flowing sweetly or smoothly; honeyed (SS:2) Synonyms: euphonious, musical Antonyms: shrill, strident, harsh, grating

waggish (adj.)

fond of making jokes; characteristic of a joker; playfully humorous or droll (SS: 1) Synonyms: whimsical, jocular Antonyms: serious, grave, grim, dour, humorless

folderol (n.)

foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle (SS: 1) Synonyms: hoopla, gibberish Antonyms: sense, significance

ad hoc (adj., adv.)

for this specific purpose; improvised; with respect to this (SS:1&2) Synonyms: makeshift Antonyms: permanent, long standing

portentous (adj.)

foreshadowing and event to come; causing to wonder or awe, self-consciously weighty, pompous (SS: 2) Synonyms: foreboding, ominous, pretentious Antonyms: auspicious, propitious, encouraging

carte blanche (n.)

full freedom or authority to act on one's own discretion (SS: 1) Synonyms: blank check, free reign

obsequies (n.)

funeral rites or ceremonies Synonyms: last rites, funeral services

fetid (adj.)

having an unpleasant or offensive odor (SS:1) Synonyms: smelly, putrid, noisome, foul, malodorous Antonyms: fragrant, aromatic perfumed, sweet

prurient (adj.)

having lustful desires or interests; tending to arouse sexual desire Synonyms: lascivious, salacious, lewd, titillating Antonyms: prudish, demure, inocent

ambivalent (adj.)

having opposite and conflicting feelings about someone or something (SS: 2) Synonyms: equivocal, ambiguous, of two minds Antonyms: unequivocal, unambiguous, clear-cut

cantankerous (adj.)

ill-tempered, quarrelsome; difficult to get along or deal with (SS:2) Synonyms: cranky, testy peevish, irascible, ornery Antonyms: good-natured, sweet-tempered, genial

in medias res (adv.)

in or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things (SS: 2 & 5)

contumelious (adj.)

insolent or rude in speech or behavior; insultingly abusive; humiliating (SS: 3) Synonyms: vituperative, scurrilous, excoriating Antonyms: laudatory, commendatory, deferential

tendentious (adj.)

intended to promote a particular point of view, doctrine, or cause; biased or partisan Synonyms: partial Antonyms: fair, impartial, equitable, disinterested

picaresque (adj.)

involving or characteristic of clever rogues or adventures (SS: 3) Synonyms: roguish, rascally, rakish

inchoate (adj.)

just beginning; not fully hoped or formed (SS: 2) Synonyms: incipient, embryonic, rudimentary Antonyms: mature, developed, complete

prescience (n.)

knowledge of events or actions before they happen; foresight (SS: 1) Synonyms: foreknowledge Antonyms: hindsight

lucubration (n.)

laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work (SS: 3) Synonyms: burning the midnight oil, deep thought

lackluster (adj.)

lacking in brilliance or vitality; dull (SS:1) Synonyms: vapid, insipid, drab, flat Antonyms: brilliant, radiant, dazzling

maladroit (adj.)

lacking in skill or dexterity; lacking tact, perception, or judgement (SS: 3) Synonyms: inept, awkward, clumsy, gauche Antonyms: skillful, dexterous, deft, tactful

philistine (adj., n.)

lacking in, hostile to, or smugly indifferent to cultural and artistic values or refinements; such a person (SS: 1) Synonyms: boorish, lowbrow; yahoo Antonyms: refined, cultivated; esthete, highbrow

prolix (adj.)

long-winded and wordy; tending to speak or write in such a way (SS:2) Synonyms: verbose, garrulous Antonyms: terse, laconic, succinct, pithy

internecine (adj.)

mutually destructive; characterized by the great slaughter and bloodshed (SS: 3) Synonyms: murderous, savage, ruinous Antonyms: peaceful, harmonious, constructive

queasy (adj.)

nauseated or uneasy; causing nausea or uneasiness; troubled (SS: 1) Synonyms: unsettled Antonyms: calm, untroubled, confident

tautology (n.)

needless repetition of an idea using different but equivalent words; a redundancy (SS:2) Synonyms: pleonasm

ineffable (adj.)

not expressible in words; too great or too scared to be uttered (SS: 2) Synonyms: inexpressible, indescribable

gargantuan (adj.)

of immense size, volume, or capacity; enormous, prodigious (SS:2) Synonyms: huge, colossal, mammoth, gigantic Antonyms: tiny, minuscule, infinitesimal, dwarfish

systemic (adj.)

of or pertaining to the entire body; relating to a system or systems Synonyms: extensive, comprehensive, system-wide Antonyms: localized, specific, isolated, confined

fastidious (adj.)

overly demanding or hard to please; excessively careful in regard to details; easily disguised (SS: 2) Synonyms: precise, meticulous, exacting, finicky Antonyms: careless, sloppy, messy, untidy, slovenly

bilious (adj.)

peevish, irritable; sickeningly unpleasent (SS: 1) Synonyms: choleric, irascible, peevish, splenetic Antonyms: sweet-tempered, genial, pleasant, delightful

risible (adj.)

pertaining to laughter, able or inclined to laugh ; laughable (SS: 1) Synonyms: droll, ludicrous Antonyms: depressing, poignant, heartrending

emolument (n.)

profit derived from an office or position or from employment; a fee or salary Synonyms: pay, wages, compensation

obloquy (n.)

public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment (SS: 1) Synonyms: discredit, opprobrium, ignominy, dishonor Antonyms: praise, acclaim, approbation

mnemonic (adj.)

relating to or designed to assist the memory; a device to aid the memory (SS: 2) Synonyms: reminder, cue

traumatic (adj.)

so shocking to the emotions as to cause lasting and substantial psychological damage (SS: 2) Synonyms: jolting Antonyms: soothing, comforting, agreeable, pleasant

bête noire (n.)

someone or something that one especially dislikes, dreads or avoids (SS:2) Synonyms: pet peeve, bugbear, nemesis Antonyms: pet, idol

sycophant (n.)

someone who attempts to win favors or advance him- or herself by battery or servile behavior; a slanderer, defamer (SS:1) Synonyms: yes-man, today, flunky, bootlicker

protégé (n.)

someone whose welfare, training, or career ins under the patronage of an influential person, someone under the jurisdiction of a foreign country or government (SS:1) Synonyms: ward, charge, discipline, trainee Antonyms: sponsor, mentor, benefactor

quid pro quo (n.)

something given in exchange or return foe something else (SS: 1 & 3) Synonyms: swap, trade

refractory (adj.)

stubborn; hard or difficult to manage; not responsive to treatment or cure (SS: 2) Synonyms: unruly, disobedient, willful, mulish Antonyms: docile, tractable, dutiful, obedient

savoir-faire (n.)

the ability to say and do the right thing in any situation; social competence (SS: 3) Synonyms: tact, finesse, suavity, sophistication Antonyms: tactlessness, gaucherie, boorishness

kudos (n.)

the acclaim, prestige, or renown that comes as a result of some action or achievement (SS:1) Synonyms: glory, praise, accolades Antonyms: boos, disapproval, condemnation

depredation (n.)

the act of preying upon or plundering (SS:3) Synonyms: looting, pillage, outrage

divination (n.)

the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge (SS: 3) Synonyms: prophecy, augury

hedonism (n.)

the belief that the attainment of pleasure is life's chief aim; devotion to or pursuit of pleasure (SS:1) Synonyms: pleasure seeking, sensuality, sybaritism Antonyms: asceticism, puritanism, self-denial

hoi polloi (.n)

the common people, the masses (SS: 3) Synonyms: rank and file Antonyms: aristocracy, elite, upper class

casuistry (n.)

the determinism of right and wrong in questions if conduct or conscience by the application if general ethical principles; serious argument (SS:1) Synonyms: sophistry, quibbling

bathos (n.)

the intrusion of commonplace or trite material into a context whose tone is lofty or elevated; grossly insincere or exaggerated sentimentality; the lowest phase, nadir; an anticlimax, comedown (SS:1) Synonyms: mawkishness, mush, schmaltz

heyday (n.)

the period of great power, vigor, success, or influence; the prime years (SS:1) Synonyms: golden age Antonyms: formative years, twilight years, decline

pièce de résistance (n.)

the principle dish of the meal; the principle event, incident, or item; an outstanding accomplishment (SS:6) Synonyms: centerpiece, chef d'oeuvre Antonyms: preliminary, hors d'oeuvre

bane (n.)

the source or cause of fatal injury. death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself; poison Synonyms: spoiler, bête noire Antonyms: blessing, comfort, solace, balm

bode (v.)

to be an omen of; to indicate by signs Synonyms: presage, augur, foreshadow

pander (v., n.)

to cater or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others; a person who does this (SS:1) Synonyms: indulge; pimp, procurer

modulate (v.)

to change or vary the intensity or pitch; to temper or soften; to regulate, adjust (SS: 1) Synonyms: adapt, moderate

debauch (v., n.)

to corrupt morally, seduce; to indulge in dissipation; an act or occasion of dissipation or vice (SS: 2) Synonyms: carouse, spree, orgy Antonyms: elevate, uplift, inspire, purify

immure (v.)

to enclose or confine within walls; to imprison; to seclude or isolate Synonyms: incarcerate, mew up Antonyms: release, liberate, emancipate

inveigle (v.)

to entice, lure, or snare by flattery or artful inducements; to obtain or acquire by artifice (SS:2) Synonyms: indulge, beguile, cajole, wheedle

browbeat (v.)

to intimidate by a stern or overbearing manner; to bully Synonyms: cow, coerce Antonyms: coax, cajole, wheedle, sweet-talk

gambol (v.)

to jump or skip around playfully (SS: 1) Synonyms: frolic, romp, cavort, caper Antonyms: lumber, trudge, plod

opt (v.)

to make a choice or decision Synonyms: choose, select, describe

remand (v.)

to send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or a lower court (SS:2) Synonyms: remit, return Antonyms: forward to, send on, release

beleaguer (v.)

to set upon from all sides; to surround with an army; to trouble, harass (SS: 2) Synonyms: besiege, encircle, pester

ensconce (v.)

to settle comfortably and firmly in position; to put or hide in a safe place (SS: 2) Synonyms: nestle, lodge, entrench Antonyms: unseat, displace, oust

imbue (v.)

to soak or strain thoroughly, to fill the mind (SS: 2) Synonyms: infuse, instill, inculcate Antonyms: remove, expunge, eradicate, erase

bruit (v.)

to spread news, reports, or unsubstantiated rumors Synonyms: noise abroad, broadcast, blazon Antonyms: cover up, conceal, hush up

vitiate (v.)

to weaken, debase, or corrupt; to impair the quality or value of (SS: 1) Synonyms: degrade, undermine Antonyms: purify, fortify, strengthen, enhance

truckle (v.)

to yield or submit tamely or submissively (SS:1) Synonyms: kowtow, stoop, grovel Antonyms: resist, defy, stand up to

symptomatic (adj.)

typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease (SS: 3) Synonyms: indicative

nepotism (n.)

undue favoritism to or extensive patronage of one's relatives (SS:1)

dank (v.)

unpleasantly damp or wet Synonyms: clammy, moist, soggy Antonyms: dry, arid, parched, desiccated

sacrosanct (adj.)

very sacred or holy; inviolable; set apart or immune from question or attack

diaphanous (adj.)

very sheer and light; almost completely transparent Synonyms: translucent, gossamer Antonyms: opaque, coarse, dense

ecumenical (adj.)

worldwide or universal un influence or application (SS:3) Synonyms: general, comprehensive Antonyms: parochial, regional, insular

chimerical

(adjective) absurd; wildly fantastic; impossible

eleemosynary

(adjective) charitable; dependent upon or supported by charity; derived from or provided by charity

pragmatic

(adjective) concerned with practical considerations or values; dealing with actions and results rather than with abstract theory

bibulous

(adjective) fond of or inclined to drink; absorbent

oblivious

(adjective) forgetful; unaware

gratis

(adjective) free (adverb) without charge

lachrymose

(adjective) given to tears or weeping; causing to shed tears; mournful, lugubrious

sanguine

(adjective) having a ruddy complexion; of a naturally cheerful, confident, or optimistic outlook

therapeutic

(adjective) having the power to heal or cure; beneficial

ribald

(adjective) irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

effete

(adjective) lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out-of-date

supine

(adjective) lyng flat on one's back; listless or lethargic; apathetic or passive

hidebound

(adjective) narrow-minded and rigid, especially in opinions or prejudices; stubbornly and unthinkingly conservative

noisome

(adjective) offensive or disgusting; foul-smelling; harmful or injurious

indigenous

(adjective) originating in the country or region where found, native; inborn, inherent

quizzical

(adjective) puzzled; mocking; odd; equivocal

quasi

(adjective) resembling but not actually being; seemingly but not actually or completely

ancillary

(adjective) subordinate or supplementary

minuscule

(adjective) very small, tiny (noun) a lowercase letter