Dr. Duckham's Second Semester Vocab
Discourse
noun
1. Communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.
2. A formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
Arbiter
noun
1. A person empowered to decide matters at issue; judge; umpire.
2. A person who has the sole or absolute power of judging or determining.
Impartial
adjective: Not partial or biased; fair; just
Treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just.
Vindicate
Verb:
Clear (someone) of blame or suspicion.
Show or prove to be right, reasonable, or justified.
Servile
Adjective:
Having or showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
Of or characteristic of a slave or slaves.
Ostentatious
adjective: Characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others
Superfluous
adjective
1. Being more than is sufficient or required; excessive.
2. Unnecessary or needless.
Gratuitous
adjective
1. Given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.
2. Being without apparent reason, cause, or justification
Anachronism
noun
1.
something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time
Theoretical
adjective: Of, pertaining to, or consisting in theory; not practical ( distinguished from applied).
Fastidious
Adjective:
Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
Very concerned about matters of cleanliness.
Virtuoso
Noun:
A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
A person with a special knowledge of or interest in works of art or curios.
Incumbent
Adjective:
Necessary for or resting on (someone) as a duty or responsibility.
Noun:
The holder of an office or post.
Pejorative
Adjective: Expressing contempt or disapproval.
Noun: A word expressing contempt or disapproval.
Facile
Adjective:
(esp. of a theory or argument) Appearing neat and comprehensive by ignoring the complexities of an issue; superficial.
(of a person) Having a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach.
Apposition
Noun: The positioning of things or the condition of being side by side or close together.
Chiasmus
A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form; e.g. 'Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds.'
Plausible
Adjective:
(of an argument or statement) Seeming reasonable or probable.
(of a person) Skilled at producing persuasive arguments, esp. ones intended to deceive.
Asylum
The protection granted by a nation to someone who has left their native country as a political refugee.
Shelter or protection from danger.
Convoluted
Adjective:
(esp. of an argument, story, or sentence) Extremely complex and difficult to follow.
Intricately folded, twisted, or coiled.
Assertion
Noun:
A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief
The action of stating something or exercising authority confidently and forcefully
Sanction
Noun:
A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
Verb:
Give official permission or approval for (an action).
Fabricate
Verb:
Invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent.
Construct or manufacture (something, esp. an industrial product), esp. from prepared components.
Astute
Adjective:
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage
Indifferent
Adjective:
Having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned/
Neither good nor bad; mediocre
Austere
Adjective:
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance
(of living conditions or a way of life) Having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic.