| Term | Definition |
|---|
| appellation | a title or name that identifies |
| diphthong | a speech sound that consists of two vowels |
| eponym | a person for who something is named |
| linguistics | the study of speech |
| neologism | a newly made-up word or expression |
| parlance | a particular manner or kind of speech |
| patois | a nonstandard dialect of a language |
| polyglot | of many groups speaking different languages |
| solecism | the ungrammatical usage of a word |
| vulgar | spoken by the common people |
| amulet | an object worn bring luck or protection |
| capricious | subject to sudden, unpredictable changes |
| fatalism | the view that events are determined by fate |
| incantation | set of words spoken as a magic charm |
| propitious | presenting favorable circumstances |
| providential | resulting from divine will |
| quirk | a peculiarity of behavior |
| serendipity | ability to make discoveries by chance |
| vagary | a wild or unpredictable notion or action |
| vicissitude | a change, usually sudden or unexpected |
| continuity | condition of being without a stop |
| converge | to approach from different directions |
| crux | the basic or essential feature of something |
| initiate | to begin; originate; cause to begin |
| pivotal | central or crucial to something |
| sequel | something that follows; continuation |
| subordinate | one subject to another's authority |
| tangential | only superficially relevant |
| terminate | to bring to an end; conclude |
| ultimate | last; coming to an end |
| complicity | involvement as an accomplice in a crime |
| deploy | to station systematically over an area |
| explicate | to explain; make meaning clear |
| implicate | to involve or connect incriminatingly |
| implicit | implied although not expressed |
| inexplicable | incapable of being explained |
| plight | a condition or situation of difficulty or adversity |
| replica | a copy or reproduction of a work of art |
| replicate | to duplicate, copy, or repeat |
| supple | readily bent; pliant |
| aspersion | a damaging or false statement |
| deprecate | to express disapproval of |
| deride | to laugh at in scorn |
| execrable | extremely inferior; very bad |
| ostracize | to banish or exclude from a group |
| rebuke | to criticize or reprimand sharply |
| scurrilous | using or expressed in vulgar language |
| spurn | to reject or refuse disdainfully |
| vitriolic | bitterly severe; harsh; sharp |
| vituperation | sustained and bitter attack |
| accommodating | willing to help; obliging |
| accord | agreement; harmony |
| acquiesce | to consent or comply passively |
| adamant | firm and unyielding in purpose or opinion |
| camaraderie | a spirit of loyalty among friends |
| compliance | doing as another wishes |
| propitiate | to prevent or reduce the anger of |
| tractable | easily managed or controlled |
| volition | an act of willing, choosing, or deciding |
| willfulness | unreasonable stubbornness |
| auspices | protection or support; patronage |
| auspicious | attended by favorable circumstances |
| circumspect | heedful of circumstances |
| despicable | deserving of scorn or contempt |
| introspective | self-examining |
| perspicuity | quality of being clearly expressed |
| prospective | likely to become or be |
| specious | having the ring of truth but actually false |
| specter | a phantom; apparition |
| spectrum | a broad range of related qualities or ideas |
| acuity | acuteness of perception; keenness |
| consummate | supremely accomplished or skilled |
| cunning | skill or adeptness in performance |
| deft | skillful; adroit |
| endowment | a natural gift or quality |
| facile | done or achieved with little effort; easy |
| incompetent | not capable; not well qualified |
| inept | awkward or clumsy |
| proficient | performing a skill with facility |
| propensity | an innate inclination; tendency |
| beseech | to address an earnest or urgent request to |
| blandishment | the act of coaxing by flattery |
| cajole | to coax gently and persistently |
| elicit | to bring out; evoke |
| enjoin | to direct with authority and emphasis |
| exigent | requiring immediate attention or remedy |
| imperious | arrogantly domineering or overbearing |
| injunction | a command, directive, or order |
| mendicant | a beggar |
| query | a question; inquiry |
| ambivalence | existence of conflicting ideas |
| avail | use, benefit, or advantage |
| equivalent | equal in quantity, meaning, or value |
| evaluation | act of judging the worth of |
| evince | to show or exhibit, as an emotion |
| invalid | being without force in fact, truth, or law |
| invaluable | of inestimable use or help |
| prevail | to be greater in strength or influence |
| valedictory | bidding farewell |
| vanquish | to defeat in a battle or competition |
| abound | to be great in number or amount |
| amplitude | greatness of size; magnitude |
| augment | to make greater, as in size or quantity |
| brevity | briefness of duration |
| commensurate | of the same size, extent, or duration |
| diminish | to make smaller or less |
| infinitesimal | immeasurably tiny |
| modicum | a small amount or quantity |
| prodigious | impressively great in size or extent |
| quota | a proportional share assigned to a group |
| abdicate | to relinquish formally |
| abnegate | to deny to oneself; renounce |
| absolve | to pronounce clear of blame or guilt |
| catharsis | a purifying cleansing or release of tension |
| countermand | to cancel or reverse |
| recant | to make a formal retraction of disavowal of |
| recoup | to receive an equivalent for; make up for |
| renunciation | the act of giving something up |
| rescind | to make void; repeal or annul |
| waive | to relinquish or give up voluntarily |
| adhere | to stick fast or together by |
| aggregate | gathered together into a mass |
| dissimulate | to conceal under a false appearance |
| egregious | outstandingly bad; flagrant |
| ensemble | any unit that contributes to a single effect |
| facsimile | an exact reproduction or copy |
| gregarious | enjoying the company of others |
| inherent | existing as an essential, natural part |
| segregate | to isolate or separate from others |
| semblance | an outward or token appearance; form |
| affront | to insult intentionally |
| altercation | a heated and noisy quarrel |
| antagonist | one who opposes another; adversary |
| bellicose | warlike in manner or temperament |
| breach | a breaking up or disruption of friendly relations |
| contentious | quarrelsome |
| dissension | a difference of opinion |
| rancor | bitter, long-lasting resentment; ill will |
| retribution | something demanded in repayment |
| schism | a separation or division into factions |
| arbitration | the impartial settlement of a dispute |
| attaché | a person assigned to a diplomatic office |
| consulate | the premises occupied by a consul |
| covenant | a binding agreement made by two parties |
| discretion | quality of exhibiting a cautious reserve |
| emissary | agent who represents the interests of a group |
| entente | an agreement between two or more governments |
| Machiavellian | of an amoral political doctrine |
| protocol | ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats |
| status quo | the existing state of affairs |
Combine with other sets
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