| Term | Definition |
|---|
| motif | Repeating theme/subject |
| diorama | A small 3-D scene |
| opaque | Lack of shine or light; blocking light |
| montage | A collection of images |
| batik | A fabric-dyeing method which uses wax to coat areas that don't need to be dyed |
| docent | A guide that conducts tours, usually for a museum |
| gild | to cover with gold or a gold-colored material |
| tactile | Perceptible to touch |
| diptych | Two pictures laid on a pair of hinged panels |
| emboss | To raise a design from a surface material |
| amorphous | Lacking a defined shape or form |
| pilaster | A shallow column shape protruding from the wall |
| mandala | A religious symbol associated with meditation, usually created with geometric patterns and shapes |
| tesselate | To form squares or blocks |
| chiaroscuro | The distribution of values in a picture |
| kiln | An oven used for firing pottery |
| adage | A traditional proverb that states a typical observation |
| adorn | To decorate |
| advent | The arrival or coming of |
| adept | Skilled |
| adamant | Inflexible; unyielding |
| adverse | Unfavorable towards |
| adherent | A supporter of a cause |
| admonition | Warning; advice |
| adduce | To cite something as an example for an argument |
| adulterate | To harm by adding too much |
| advertent | Vigilant; alert, attentive |
| ad-lib | To improvise |
| ad hoc | For a particular purpose or result |
| adjunct | Temporarily associated with |
| addle | To tamper or muddle with |
| adumbrate | To give a rough, sketchy outline of |
| saga | A long story of heroic adventures and successes |
| stigma | A mark of shame or disgrace |
| innuendo | A subtle put-down; a slightly derogatory remark |
| bedevil | To harrass or torment |
| repugnant | Repulsive; offensive |
| redeploy | To transport troops, workers, or materials from one area to another more greater effects |
| maturation | The process of ripening/maturing |
| heyday | Best years; "Golden Age"; era of successes |
| dalliance | Wasting of time; frivolous, silly activity |
| reticent | Uncommunicative |
| literally | Actually; really as |
| oxymoron | Contrdiction in terms; combination of two opposite words, such as sweet sorrow, or bittersweet |
| pliant | Flexible; easily bent or twist |
| tepid | Lukewarm; half-hearted |
| quintessence | The vital, most important part of; refined essence |
| finicky | Fussy; picky |
| analogy | A similarity seen between the features of different objects |
| supplant | To replace one w/ another |
| geocentric | Mesured or viewed as from the center of Earth |
| implement | Activate; put into action/effect; incorporate |
| veritable | True; not false/imaginary |
| cretin | Clod; a stupid, indecent person |
| assent | Agreement to a proposal |
| perpetrate | To commit; carry out; put into action |
| serene | Calm; tranquil; free of storms |
| provocation | The act of stirring up; agitating |
| onslaught | A very fierce ambush or attack |
| harbinger | A sign or indication of things to come |
| trajectory | Path; progression |
| imminent | Ready to occur |
| malign | To speak ill of |
| surmise | To infer; assume |
| tripe | Something poor and worthless, or offensive. Also the edible portion of a cud-chewing animal's stomach lining |
| calibrate | To correct/adjust perfectly and precisely |
| spelunking | The hobby or job of exploring caves |
| mandible | The [lower] jaw, comprised of a single bone |
| condone | To identify something (usually negative) as acceptable or harmless |
| satire | Sarcasm or irony used to express feelings about foolishness or immoral conduct |
| palatable | Compatible to the taste |
| arbiter | A judge; one whose opinion is authoritative |
| coercive | Ruling or conquering by force |
| impugn | To accuse as false; usually by words or debate |
| lemming | A short-tailed rodent, known for its often suicidal mass migrations :( |
| symbiosis | Cooperation between two different organisms |
| skew | To distort or slant; to tamper with |
| vociferous | Met with a loud outcry or protest |
| preclude | To rules out; to eliminate/make impossible |
| duplicitous | Deceptive; marked by contradictory second thoughts |
| catharsis | Purification, often with emotional renewal/purification as well |
| monolithic | Massive; representing uniform and inflexibilty |
| dissonance | Lack of agreement between beliefs and actions |
| bifurcated | Divided into 2 branches or parts |
| heinous | Abominable |
| accrue | To accumulate or be increased periodically; to come as a result of some action |
| iniquity | Wickedness; terrible injustice |
| sanitorium | An institution for resting or recuperating |
| impetuous | Acting upon impulsive force |
| finagle | To obtain by trickery; dishonest, indirect means |
| beguile | To charm or divert; to pass time pleasantly |
| flaunt | To display, especially pretentiously and intending to impress others |
| palazzo | A large building; usually referred to ones in Italy |
| inquisition | Harsh, severe questioning |
| gaudy | Flashy; extravagant |
| fop | A vain or silly person |
| ennui | Boredom; feeling of weariness, tiredness |
| ken | Range of knowledge |
| equipoise | State of equality and balance between forces |
| virago | Loud, strong woman |
Combine with other sets
