Vocab. Level H Unit 4

derring-do

(n.) a valor or heroism; daring deeds or exploits (often used to poke fun at false heroics)

volte-face

(n.) an about face; a complete reversal

folderol

(n.) foolish talk, ideas, or procedures; nonsense; a trifle

lucubration

(n.) laborious study or thought, especially at night at night; the result of such work

divination

(n.) the art or act of predicting the future or discovering hidden knowledge

hoi polloi

(n.) the common people, the masses

cognate

(adj.) closely related in origin, essential nature, or function; (n.) such a person or thing

ineffable

(adj.) not expressible in words; too great or too sacred to be uttered

bilious

(adj.) peevish or irritable; sickeningly unpleasant

risible

(adj.) pertaining to laughter; able or inclined to laugh; laughable

mnemonic

(adj.) relating to or designed to assist the memory (n.) a device to aid the memory

symptomatic

(adj.) typical or characteristic; being or concerned with a symptom of a disease

cul-de-sac

(n.) a blind alley or dead-end street; any situation in which further progress is impossible; an impasse

parameter

(n.) a determining or characteristic element; a factor that shapes the total outcome; a limit, boundary

pundit

(n.) a learned person; one who gives authoritative opinions

affinity

(n.) a natural attraction to a person, thing, or activity; a relationship, connection

elixir

(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

corollary

(n.) a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; (adj.) resultant or consequent

gamut

(n.) an entire range or series

obloquy

(n.) public abuse indicating strong disapproval or censure; the disgrace resulting from such treatment