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