Vocabulary Chapter 8

1. Vocabulary Chapter 8

2. Paradox • n.: seemingly self contradictory statement (possibly true), condition, or person • Word History: as we can see, ‘paradox’ is true to its Greek elements para (“beside,” “beyond,” “contrary to” and doxa (opinion) which formed the Greek paradoxos (“beyond belief”). • Syn.: contradiction, inconsistency, Catch 22

3. Admonish • v.: warn, advise, or criticize to correct a fault • Word History: “Admonish” clearly goes back to its Latin elements ad (“to”) + monere (“advise,” “warn”). • Syn.: scold, caution, counsel, rebuke • Relatd: reprimand

4. Penitent • adj.: feeling sorry and willing to atone or make up for sin or wrongdoing • Word History: In times past churches provided a special room called a “penitentiary” for those wanting to atone or make up for some sin. The repentant sinners were known as “penitents” form “penitentiary.” • Syn. and related words: sorry, repentant, conscience-stricken, contrite, remorseful, atoning

5. Accolade • n.: high praise, award, honor • Word History: Originally, “accolade” derives from Latin ac (variant of ad, “to”) and collum (“neck”) , an embrace being a throwing of the arms around someone’s neck. • Syn.: acclaim, tribute, recognition, laurels • Relatd: kudos

6. Nonchalant • adj.: casually unconcerned • Word History: Latin non (“not”) + calore (“be warm”)—he always maintains his “cool.” • Syn.: unconcerned, cool, easygoing, carefree, insouciant

7. Banal • adj.: ordinary, uninteresting, pointless • Word History: A feudal lord in the Middle Ages compelled his tenants to use his facilities. “banal” came to mean “ commonplace” since everyone used the banal facilities. • Syn.: commonplace, unoriginal, un imaginative, insipid

8. Irridescent • adj.: showing rainbow-like colors • Word History: For the Ancient Greeks, Iris was the rainbow goddess. • Syn.: glistening, glittering, colorful, brilliant, lustrous

9. Cajole • v.: persuade by flattery, promises, pleasant or misleading words • Word History: Medieval Frenchman often caged the European jay, a cousin of the American blue jay, for a household pet. The jay would beg, plead, and whine with its harsh shrill until fed to its satisfaction-hence French cajoler (“ chatter like a caged jay”). • Syn.: persuade, flatter, coax • Relatd: entice

10. Urbane • adj.: sophisticated, smooth, polite, polished in manner • Word History: City dwellers have historically looked down upon country folk. “Urbane” comes from Latin urbs ( “city”. “Urban” still retains the literal root meaning of “city,” but “urbane” has been elevated to mean “refined,” “cultivated,” “ knowledgeably gracious.” • Syn.: refined, cultivated, elegant, suave

11. Stymie • v.: block, hinder, frustrate • Word History: “Stymie” is a golfing term for when an opponent’s ball lies on a direct line between the putter’s ball and the hole. From a specific golfing term for the blocking of the putter’s ball, “stymie” acquired the general meaning of “block,” “hinder,” “confuse.” • Syn.: block, hinder, frustrate, baffle, perplex, thwart

12. Recede • v.: move backward; slope or slant backward

13. Secede • v.: withdraw formally from membership, especially from a political or religious association

14. Intercede • v.: ask or plead for another; help settle a dispute or bring about an agreement between differing parties

15. Concede • v.: grant or admit as true or right; yield, give up

16. Precedent • n.: something said or done earlier that serves as an example or justification