Vocabulary Review for SPEAK

1. Vocabulary Review forSPEAK Part 1

2. Inconspicuous • Not noticeable or prominent • Some students try and be inconspicuous when using their phone, but what they don’t realize is I can see them when they are trying to use it.

3. Voila • An interjection • Voila, I have done it.

4. Wan • showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness • When someone is about to be sick or pass out they get a wan look on their face, it turns white and ghost-like.

5. Pseudo • not actually but having the appearance of; pretended; false or spurious • The Marthas were pseudo friends for Heather because they don’t genuinely care about what’s best for her.

6. Vague • Not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed • The directions on how to build the bookshelf were vague so when they went to put books on it, it fell down.

7. Simultaneous • Existing, occurring, or operating at the same time • Some students try to talk simultaneously with the teacher or another student who is talking.

8. Obscene • Repulsive, offensive to morality or decency • The construction worker used obscene language when he hit his thumb with the hammer.

9. Abstinence • Denying self any form of indulgence, appetite, or craving • Many Catholics practice abstinence from various foods, pastimes, or indulgences as parts of the season of Lent.

10. Savant • A person of learning. • One with detailed knowledge in a specialized field. • The young man was considered a savant because he was a mathematical genius at an early age.

11. Thespian • Dramatic actor • The international Thespian Society is an honorary organization for high-school and middle-school theatre students.

12. Fascism • A political philosophy, movement of regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual. • Often stands for a government headed by a dictatorial leader. • Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933, and quickly established a totalitarian and fascist dictatorship.

13. Predator • One that preys, destroys, or devours. • To human predators, you are prey, and they have no conscience about harming or killing you or others.

14. Indoctrination • Instruct, with doctrines, theories, or beliefs. • Cult leaders often indoctrinate their followers with beliefs that give the leaders a place of power over them.

15. Morphing • A special effects process used in film in which persons or objects seem to change shape of form. • Melinda was morphing into a silent Monk.

16. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • An anxiety disorder that occurs in the aftermath of a traumatic event.

17. Speak vocabulary Part 2

18. Mayhem • Random or deliberate violence or damage • A state of rowdy disorder

19. Degrade • To lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt • He felt they were degrading him by making him report to the supervisor.

20. Harried • To harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance; worry • He was harried by constant doubts.

21. Blathers • Foolish, voluble talk • His speech was full of the most amazing blather.

22. irony • The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning • The irony of her reply, “How nice!” when I said I had to work all weekend was said in an ironic tone.

23. obligation • Something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things • As a child under the age of 18 you are obligated to come to school and do as your parents tell you to when you live under their household.

24. interim • A temporary or provisional arrangement; makeshift

25. batter • To beat persistently or hard; pound repeatedly • Rough roads had battered the car. • High winds were battering the coast.

26. imperial • Of a commanding quality, manner, aspect, domineering; imperious.

27. potpourri • A mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usually kept in a jar and used for scent.

28. paparazzi • A freelance photographer who aggressively pursues celebrities for the purpose of taking candid photographs • The paparazzi surrounded Lindsey Lohan when she wrecked her Mercedes and was falling out of the car because she was impaired.

29. Sun shadow mandala • Mandalas are symbolic, circular designs that represent outer (sun) and inner (shadow) dimensions of a person’s personality

30. redemption • The act or process of redeeming

31. redeem • To buy or pay off

32. abysmal • Extremely or hopelessly bad or severe

33. demure • Characterized by shyness and modestly; reserved

34. bigoted • Utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own

35. asphyxiated • To cause to die or lose consciousness by impairing normal breathing

36. conundrum • A riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words • Ex: We are in a pickle

37. muse • To think or meditate in silence, as on some object. Absorbed in though. • After this meeting with the guidance counselor, Michael mused in class about what he wanted to do after graduation.

38. Speak Vocabulary Part 3

39. vermilion • A bright red to reddish-orange color • Pg. 78

40. oriented • The countries of Asia • To familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances. • Pg. 80

41. demented • Crazy; insane; mad. • Pg. 84

42. imbecile • Showing mental feebleness or incapacity; stupid; silly; absurd. • Pg. 103

43. vespiary • A nest of social wasps. • Pg. 104

44. asylum • an inviolable refuge, as formerly for criminals and debtors; sanctuary • Pg. 117 • He sought asylum in the church.

45. vulnerable • Open to moral attack, criticism, temptation • Pg. 127

46. gargoyle • A grotesquely carved figure of a human or animal. • Pg. 136

47. momentum • force or speed of movement; impetus, as of a physical object or course of events • Pg. 150 • The car gained momentum going downhill. Her career lost momentum after two unsuccessful films.

48. delinquency • Failure in or neglect of duty or obligation • Pg. 168

49. symmetrical • Characterized by or exhibiting symmetry; well-proportioned, as a body or whole; regular in form or arrangement of corresponding parts • Pg. 196

50. servitude • Slavery or bondage of any kind