Anachronism :

1. Anachronism: Part of Speech – noun Definition – Something that is not in its correct historical or chronological time. Word Root –an, not chron, time Sample Sentence – “Our current laws about not being able to drink until you’re 21 are anachronistic.”

2. Antithesis: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The opposite or contrast Word Root –anti, against Sample Sentence – “Procrastinating or ignoring homework is the antithesis of what a good student would do.”

3. Automaton: Part of Speech – noun Definition – a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence. Word Root –auto, self Sample Sentence – “I’m tired of being some automaton shoved in the corner of an office doing mindless and meaningless work all day.”

4. Genesis: Part of Speech – noun Definition – an origin, creation, or beginning. Word Root –gen, kind or origin Sample Sentence – “How dare you fire me! I’ve been with this company since its genesis 30 years ago!”

5. Circumlocution: Part of Speech – noun Definition – A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; using more words than necessary to express an idea. Word Root –circum, around locu, to talk Sample Sentence – “Obama’s and McCain’s skills of circumlocution are tantalizing, especially because their answers leave you more confused than when you asked the question.”

6. Malevolent: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Wishing evil or harm to another; showing ill will. Word Root – mal, bad/ill vol, will Sample Sentence – “Some people are ignorant and make mistakes, but others are truly malevolent and wish ill for others.

7. Microcosm: Part of Speech – noun Definition – anything that is regarded as a world in miniature; a small representation of our world or universe. Word Root –cosm, world micro, small Sample Sentence – “Hillsboro serves as a microcosm that represents on-going scientific and religious debate.”

8. Neophyte: Part of Speech – noun Definition – A beginner or a novice; a rookie. Word Root –neo, new Sample Sentence – “I can’t believe this neophyte thinks he can defeat me, an experienced veteran, at ping-pong.” “Freshmen boys are neophytes when it comes to knowing how to dance with a girl at Homecoming.”

9. Symbiotic: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – an interdependent, mutually beneficial relationship between two organisms. Word Root –sym, together bio, life Sample Sentence –“The two hugged each other in a momentary symbiotic exchange of encouragement.”

10. Posterity: Part of Speech – noun Definition – future generations; descendents Word Root –post, after Sample Sentence – “Problems of today cannot be left to posterity to solve.”

11. Supercilious: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – haughty; arrogant; condescending Word Root –super, above Sample Sentence – “I can’t stand his supercilious attitude, like he’s so much better than me.”

12. Superfluous: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Unnecessarily more than enough; overabundant Word Root –super, above Sample Sentence – “A 5-page paper that was supposed to be no more than 2 definitely has some superfluous information.”

13. Omnipotent: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Almighty or infinite in power. Word Root – omni, all potent, power Sample Sentence – “I’d like to be omnipotent some day, but really God I think has the upperhand.” “No one could resist the omnipotent laws of the administration that said, “Thou shalt wearest ID Cards.”

14. Commiserate: Part of Speech – verb Definition – To feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity Word Root –com, together Sample Sentence – “A true friend is one who can commiserate with those he cares for.”

15. Volition: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The act of willing, choosing, or resolving; the exercise of the will. Word Root – vol, will Sample Sentence – “I didn’t force her to go to Homecoming; she went of her own volition.”

16. Voracious: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – exceedingly eager or avid; craving Word Root – vor, eater ous, full of Sample Sentence – “She possessed a voracious appetite for science fiction books.”

17. Patriarchy: Part of Speech – noun Definition – A form of social organization in which the father is the head of the family unit, and therefore holds the superior position in society. Word Root – Pater, father archy, rule/govern Sample Sentence – “Tricia rebelled against the oppressive patriarchy her husband imposed in the household.

18. Soliloquy: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The act of talking while or as if alone. Word Root –sol, alone loqui, to speak Sample Sentence – “Hamlet’s famous soliloquy begins with the words ‘To be or not to be.’”

19. Benediction: Part of Speech – noun Definition – An utterance of good wishes, usually spoken at the end of a religious service. Word Root –bene, good dict, speak, say Sample Sentence – “On the last day of the school, the teacher couldn’t help but conclude the year by giving a warm benediction and plenty of candy to his class.”

20. Homogeneous: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Composed of elements that are all of the same kind. Word Root –homo, same gen, kind ous, full of Sample Sentence – “We are all high school sophomores from the Schaumburg area…our class is pretty homogeneous.”

21. Theology: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The study and analysis of God and religious truth. Word Root –theo, God logy, study of Sample Sentence – “I was never really religious or knowledgeable before, but now I’m very interested in theology.”

22. Omniscient: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Having complete and unlimited knowledge; perceiving all things. Word Root –omni, all sci, to know Sample Sentence – “Although many people claim to be omniscient, most agree that God is the only one who actually is.”

23. Sacrosanct: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Extremely sacred; not to be intruded upon. Word Root –sacro, holy sanct, holy Sample Sentence – “She considered her doll collection as sacrosanct, and no one had touched them for years.”

24. Amorphous: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Lacking definite form; having no specific shape Word Root –a, without morph, shape ous, very Sample Sentence – “Although the clouds were amorphous, they began to resemble penguins the more Sarah stared at them.”

25. Euphony: Part of Speech – noun Definition – Agreeableness of sound; pleasing to the ear. Word Root –eu, good phon, sound Sample Sentence – “It was a blaze of glorious euphony Michelle heard when Brenden, that studmuffin from heaven, asked her to Homecoming.”

26. Intransigent: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising Word Root –in, not trans, across Sample Sentence – “My father’s intransigent character forced me to date my first girlfriend secretly.”

27. Neologism: Part of Speech – noun Definition – A new word, usage, or phrase Word Root –neo, new logos, word Sample Sentence – “Gerschlunk!” said Annaliese as she dropped her books….she relied on neologisms instead of actual curse words. Rachel might say, “This cake tastes very….ummm….scrum-diddly-umptious!” because no real word contains the enthusiasm she expresses with her neologism.

28. Verisimilitude: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The appearance or semblance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true. Word Root –ver, truth Sample Sentence – “Good playwrights attempt to depict their characters with verisimilitude.” “Teachers’ statements always have the luster of verisimilitude, but believe only half of what you hear.”

29. Corporeal: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Of the nature of the physical body; bodily. Word Root –corp, body Sample Sentence – “Comfort food might meet her corporeal needs, but what could heal her spirit?” “The angel took on a corporeal form to appear to the person whom he had always looked over.”

30. Posthumous: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – arising, occurring, or continuing after ones death. Word Root –post, after Sample Sentence – “Tupac is the only person I know who still magically seems to be publishing new albums posthumously.”

31. Autocracy: Part of Speech – noun Definition – Government in which one person has uncontrolled/unlimited authority over others. Word Root –auto, self cracy, rule/govern Sample Sentence – “Is Oceania an autocracy under Big Brother, even though Big Brother isn’t a real person?”

32. Monogamous: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Marriage with only one other person at a time. Word Root –mono, one gamy, marriage ous, full of Sample Sentence – “Hopefully you have been faithful in each of your relationships….this will easily lead to a monogamous mindset when you’re with your future spouse.”

33. Anthropomorphic: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – Resembling a human form; ascribing human form to something not human Word Root –anthropo, human morph, shape Sample Sentence – “Robots and androids are becoming more frighteningly anthropomorphic as technology progresses.” “Is God anthropomorphic, or do we just imagine Him that way?”

34. Mortify: Part of Speech – verb Definition – To humiliate or shame, as by injuring a person’s pride and self-respect. Word Root –mort, death Sample Sentence – “The ambitious mother mortified her daughter when she called the teacher herself!”

35. Subterranean: Part of Speech – adjective Definition – existing or operating below the surface of the earth; out of sight. Word Root –sub, under terra, land Sample Sentence – “My explorations led me to discover a massive subterranean cavern that I’m certain no one had ever seen before.”

36. Interregnum: Part of Speech – noun Definition – any period of time between the end of one ruler’s reign and the beginning of the next; any period of freedom from the usual authority. Word Root – inter, between reg, rule / guide Sample Sentence – “The king’s unexpected death and lack of heirs brought a prolonged interregnum to the usually peaceful kingdom.”

37. Euphemism: Part of Speech – noun Definition – The substitution of a mild or indirect phrase for one that is usually considered harsh or blunt. Word Root –eu, good Sample Sentence – “You’re about to buy the farm!” my father would euphemize as he was about to beat me at RBI Baseball, again.