Vocabulary List #17: 1/20/98
bane deadly harm, ruin; the cause of harm
colloquy conversation; dialogue; serious discussion
ecclesiastical relating to a church as part of an established institution
enumerate to specify one after another; count; list
etymology the history and development of a word; origin
fiat an authoritative order, decision, or decree
halcyon tranquil, happy, unruffled
hirsute roughly hairy; with coarse, thick hair
iconoclast one who attacks established beliefs or institutions
imperious marked by arrogant self-assurance
incumbent the holder of an office; imposed as a duty; obligatory
judicious discreet; wise
matrix something within in which something else originates
mauve a moderate purple, violet, or lilac color
mimicry the action of mimicking, imitating, or mocking
myrmidon a loyal follower who executes orders unquestioningly
nomenclature the act or process of naming; terms or symbols of a science or art
nonplus perplex; to cause to be at a loss as to what to say or do
paraphernalia personal belongings; articles of equipment
penury severe poverty; extreme frugality
protégé a man under care of an influential person to further career
putrid rotten; foul; morally corrupted
quandary state of perplexity or doubt; uncertainty
raillery good-natured ridicule; banter; jest
regime a mode of rule or government; regular pattern of occurrence
sobriety seriousness of manner; temperance in drink
therapeutic relating to the treatment of disease or disorders; healthful
umbrageous giving shade or shady; easily offended or aroused to suspicion
variegated of different colors; parti-colored; having variety in appearance
virulent poisonous; venomous; hostile; antagonist

Vocabulary List Index #2