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 |