 | 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 |
