SparkNotes MD - Nowns 1 (printed)
Terms
undefined, object
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acrimony
(ak'-ri-moe'-nee) -
(n.) bitterness, discord
Though they vowed that no girl would ever come between them, Biff and Trevor could not keep -acrimony- from overwhelming their friendship after they both fell in love with the lovely Teresa. -
acumen
(ak'-you-min) -
(n.) keen insight
Because of his mathematical -acumen-, Larry was able to figure out in minutes problems that took other students hours. -
alacrity
(a-lack'-ri-tee) -
(n.) eagerness, speed
For some reason, Chuck loved to help his mother whenever he could, so when his mother asked him to set the table, he did so with -alacrity-. -
anathema
(a-na'tha-ma) -
(n.) a cursed, detested person
I never want to see that murderer. He is an -anathema- to me. -
antipathy
(an-tip'a-thE) -
(n.) a strong dislike, repugnance
I know you love me, but because you are a liar and a thief, I feel nothing but
-antipathy- toward you. -
approbation
(ap'ro-bay'-shun) -
(n.) praise
The crowd welcomed the heroes with
-approbation-. -
harangue
(ha-rang') -
(n.; v.) - a loud, noisy, or scolding speech; a tirade
If the coach let out with fewer depressing -harangues- and more motivational speeches, maybe the kids would play better. -
aspersion
(a-spur'-zhun; -shun) -
(n.) an unfavorable, damaging, defamatory, or slanderous remark
The rival politicians repeatedly cast
-aspersions- on each othersÂ’ integrity. -
effrontery
(i-fron'-tery) -
(n.) impudence, nerve, insolence
When I told my aunt that she was boring, my mother scolded me for my
-effrontery-. - boon
-
(n.) a gift or blessing
The good weather has been a -boon- for many businesses located near the beach. -
buffet
1. verb (buff'-it)
2. nown (ba-fay'; byU'-fay) -
1. (v.) to strike with force (The strong winds -buffeted- the ships, threatening to capsize them.)
2. (n.) an arrangement of food set out on a table (Rather than sitting around a table, the guests took food from our
-buffet- and ate standing up.) -
iconoclast
(eye-con'-oh-clast) -
(n.) one who attacks common beliefs or institutions
She's more of a casual -iconoclast- than a true activist with a progressive agenda. -
buttress
(but' ris) -
1. (v.) to support, hold up
(The column -buttresses- the roof above the statue.)
2. (n.) something that offers support (The -buttress- supports the roof above the statues.) -
cacophony
(ka-kof'a-nee) -
(n.) a distinctly disharmonious set of sounds; a discordant noise
The elementary school orchestra created a such -cacophony- at the recital that even some of the parents had to hold their ears. -
calumny
(kaal'um-nee) -
(n.) an attempt to spoil someone elseÂ’s reputation by spreading lies
The incumbent's -calumny- ruined his opponentÂ’s chances of winning the election. -
clemency
(clem'-en-see) -
(n.) show of mercy, a lienient act, mildness of weather
After he forgot their anniversary, Martin could only beg Maria for
-clemency-. -
conflagration
(kon'fla-gray'-shun) -
(n.) a great destructive fire
The -conflagration- consumed the entire building. -
conundrum
(ka-nun'-drum) -
(n.) a puzzlingly difficult, often paradoxical problem
Interpreting JaneÂ’s behavior was a constant -conundrum- to everyone. -
credulity
(kri-dool'a-tee; -dyU'- ) -
(n.) a tendency to believe too readily
His -credulity- made him an easy target for con men. -
cupidity
(kyU-pid'ity)
rhymes with "stupidity" -
(n.) greed, excessive desire
His -cupidity- made him enter the abandoned gold mine despite the obvious dangers. -
parvenu
(par'-ve-new) -
(n.) an upstart; A person who has suddenly risen to a higher social and economic class and has not yet gained social acceptance by that class.
Though obviously smart, he was seen as a meer -parvenu- and none the social elete would listen. -
diatribe
(di'a-tribe) -
(n.) a lenthy, bitter/abusive criticism
She finally stopped trying to learn because every simple mistake would evoke a painful -diatribe- as to her uselessness. -
machination (relates to Machiavelli)
(mack-i-nay'-shun; ma'ki-nay'-shun) -
(n.) 1-The act of plotting; 2 -
A crafty scheme or cunning design for the accomplishment of a sinister end.
He was plotting his evil schemes again, one -machination- after another. -
discourse
(dis-course') -
(n.) - a conversation or speech, typically lengthy
If we had had for a -discourse- on every aspect of the plan, it probably would not have failed at the end. -
convocation
(con'va-kay'-shun) -
(n.) a group, especially an academic assembly; a group of eagles
Usually the year is started off with a solemn, but predictable, -convocation- extoling the virtues of our school and its graduates. -
dreck
(rhymes with "wreck") -
(n.) trash/junk, especially inferior merchandise
We give you enough allowance that your room needn't be fill with the -dreck- from every junk store in the mall. -
effrontery
(eh-frunt'-er-ee) -
(n.) brazen boldness; presumptuousness
When I told my aunt that she was boring, my mom scolded me for my -effrontery-. -
iniquity
(i-nick'-qui-ty) -
(n.) wickedness or sin/sinfullness
"Your -iniquity-," said the priest, "will be forgiven, if you are truly sorry for your sinful actions."