Quiz 4
vehement (adj.)
Forceful or intense in expression, emotion, or conviction; fervid
(roots: vehere - to carry)
vacuous (adj.)
1a. Lacking intelligence; stupid
b. devoid of substance or meaning; inane
c. devoid of expression; vacant
2. devoid of matter; empty
(roots: vacuus - empty)
vortex (noun)
1. a spiral motion of fluid, especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center (ex. water in a toilet)
2. a place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it
(roots: vertere - to turn)
abrogate (verb)
to abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority
(roots: ab - away rogare - to ask)
feckless (adj.)
1. lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective
2. Careless and irresponsible
(roots: less - without)
acumen (noun)
Quickness and keenness of judgment or insight - like Sherlock Holmes
(roots: acuere - to sharpen acus - needle)
abstemious (adj.)
1. Eating and drinking in moderation
2. characterized by abstinence or moderation
(roots: ab - away)
sanguine (adj.)
1. cheerfully confident; optimistic
2a. In medieval physiology, having blood as the dominant humor
b. having the temperament and ruddy complexion once thought to be characteristic of this humor; passionate
3a. of the color of blood; red
b. of a healthy reddish color; ruddy
(roots: sanguin - blood)
soliloquy (n.)
1. a dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts when alone or unaware of the presence of other characters
2. a specific speech or piece of writing in this form of discourse
(roots: sol - alone locu - talk)
xenophobe (n)
a person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign people
(roots: xeno - a stranger phobe - one who fears) - fear of strangers/foreigners
fiduciary
(adj.)
1a. of or relating to a holding of something in trust for another
b. of or being a trustee or trusteeship
c. held in trust
2. of or consisting of legal tender, especially paper currency, authorized by a government but not based on or convertible into gold or silver
(noun)
one, such as a company director, that has a special relation of trust, confidence, or responsibility in certain obligations to others
(root: fid - faith)
inculcate (verb)
1. to impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill
2. to teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate
(root: in - on)
respiration (noun)
1a. The act or process of inhaling and exhaling; breathing
b. the act or process by which an organism without lungs, such as a fish or a plant, exchanges
2a. The oxidative process in living cells by which the chemical energy of organic molecules is released in metabolic steps involving the consumption of oxygen and the liberation of carbon dioxide and water
b. Any of various analogous metabolic processes by which certain organisms, such as fungi and anaerobic bacteria, obtain energy from organic molecules
(root: re - again)
tautology (noun)
1a. needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy
b. an instance of such repetition
2. an empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example: Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow.
(root: tauto - same)
taxonomy (noun)
1. The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships
2. The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics
3. Division into ordered groups or categories
(roots: taxis - arrangement nomy - law)
subjugate (verb)
1. To bring under control; conquer
2. to make subservient or submissive; subdue
(root: sub - under)
thermodynamics (noun)
1. The branch of physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy
2. thermodynamic phenomena and processes
(roots: thermo - heat dyna - power ics - art)
paradigm (noun)
1. One that serves as pattern or model
2. A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories
3. a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline
(root: para - beside)
nihilsm (noun)
1. (philosophy) a. an extreme form of skepticism that denies that existence is real
b. the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be know or communicated
2. The rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief
3. The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
4. a movement of mid-19th-century Russia that scorned authority and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society through terrorism and assassination
5. (psychology) A delusion that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist
(roots: nihil - nothing ism - doctrine/system/idea)
parameter (noun)
1. (mathematics) a. a constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces
b. one of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point
2a. one of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment
b. (usage problem) a factor that restricts what is possible or what results
c. a factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary
3. (statistics) A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population
4. (usage problem) A distinguishing characteristic or feature
(root: para - beside)
photosynthesis (noun)
The process by which green plants and certain other organisms synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. Most forms of photosynthesis release oxygen as a byproduct.
(roots: photo - light syn - together thes - put/place)
suffragist (noun)
an advocate of the extension of political voting rights, especially to women
(root: ist - one who)
supercilious (adjective)
feeling or showing haughty disdain; feeling superior
(root: super - above ous - full of)
tempestuous (adjective)
1. of, relating to, or resembling a tempest
2. characterized by violent emotions or actions; tumultuous; stormy
(root: ous - full of)
nomenclature (noun)
1. a system of names used in an art or science
2. the procedure of assigning names to organisms listed in a taxonomic classification
(root: nom - name)
nanotechnology (noun)
The science and technology of building devices, such as electronic circuits, from individual atoms and molecules
(roots: nano - billionth techn - craft/art/skill logy - science)
incontrovertible (adjective)
impossible to dispute; unquestionable
(roots: in - not contra - against ible - able)
lugubrious (adjective)
mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
(roots: lugere - to mourn)
interpolate (verb)
1. to insert or introduce between other elements or parts
2a. to insert (material) into a text
b. to insert into a conversation
3. to change or falsify (a text) with new or incorrect material
4. (mathematics) to estimate a value of a function or series between two know values
(roots: inter - between ate - cause)
irony (noun)
1a. the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning
b. an expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning
c. a literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect
2a. incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
b. an occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity
3. the dramatic effect achieved by leading an audience to understand an incongruity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the incongruity; dramatic irony
Forceful or intense in expression, emotion, or conviction; fervid
(roots: vehere - to carry)
vacuous (adj.)
1a. Lacking intelligence; stupid
b. devoid of substance or meaning; inane
c. devoid of expression; vacant
2. devoid of matter; empty
(roots: vacuus - empty)
vortex (noun)
1. a spiral motion of fluid, especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it toward its center (ex. water in a toilet)
2. a place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it
(roots: vertere - to turn)
abrogate (verb)
to abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority
(roots: ab - away rogare - to ask)
feckless (adj.)
1. lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective
2. Careless and irresponsible
(roots: less - without)
acumen (noun)
Quickness and keenness of judgment or insight - like Sherlock Holmes
(roots: acuere - to sharpen acus - needle)
abstemious (adj.)
1. Eating and drinking in moderation
2. characterized by abstinence or moderation
(roots: ab - away)
sanguine (adj.)
1. cheerfully confident; optimistic
2a. In medieval physiology, having blood as the dominant humor
b. having the temperament and ruddy complexion once thought to be characteristic of this humor; passionate
3a. of the color of blood; red
b. of a healthy reddish color; ruddy
(roots: sanguin - blood)
soliloquy (n.)
1. a dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts when alone or unaware of the presence of other characters
2. a specific speech or piece of writing in this form of discourse
(roots: sol - alone locu - talk)
xenophobe (n)
a person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign people
(roots: xeno - a stranger phobe - one who fears) - fear of strangers/foreigners
fiduciary
(adj.)
1a. of or relating to a holding of something in trust for another
b. of or being a trustee or trusteeship
c. held in trust
2. of or consisting of legal tender, especially paper currency, authorized by a government but not based on or convertible into gold or silver
(noun)
one, such as a company director, that has a special relation of trust, confidence, or responsibility in certain obligations to others
(root: fid - faith)
inculcate (verb)
1. to impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill
2. to teach (others) by frequent instruction or repetition; indoctrinate
(root: in - on)
respiration (noun)
1a. The act or process of inhaling and exhaling; breathing
b. the act or process by which an organism without lungs, such as a fish or a plant, exchanges
2a. The oxidative process in living cells by which the chemical energy of organic molecules is released in metabolic steps involving the consumption of oxygen and the liberation of carbon dioxide and water
b. Any of various analogous metabolic processes by which certain organisms, such as fungi and anaerobic bacteria, obtain energy from organic molecules
(root: re - again)
tautology (noun)
1a. needless repetition of the same sense in different words; redundancy
b. an instance of such repetition
2. an empty or vacuous statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example: Either it will rain tomorrow or it will not rain tomorrow.
(root: tauto - same)
taxonomy (noun)
1. The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships
2. The science, laws, or principles of classification; systematics
3. Division into ordered groups or categories
(roots: taxis - arrangement nomy - law)
subjugate (verb)
1. To bring under control; conquer
2. to make subservient or submissive; subdue
(root: sub - under)
thermodynamics (noun)
1. The branch of physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy
2. thermodynamic phenomena and processes
(roots: thermo - heat dyna - power ics - art)
paradigm (noun)
1. One that serves as pattern or model
2. A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories
3. a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline
(root: para - beside)
nihilsm (noun)
1. (philosophy) a. an extreme form of skepticism that denies that existence is real
b. the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be know or communicated
2. The rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value and a willingness to repudiate all previous theories of morality or religious belief
3. The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
4. a movement of mid-19th-century Russia that scorned authority and believed in reason, materialism, and radical change in society through terrorism and assassination
5. (psychology) A delusion that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist
(roots: nihil - nothing ism - doctrine/system/idea)
parameter (noun)
1. (mathematics) a. a constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces
b. one of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point
2a. one of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment
b. (usage problem) a factor that restricts what is possible or what results
c. a factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary
3. (statistics) A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population
4. (usage problem) A distinguishing characteristic or feature
(root: para - beside)
photosynthesis (noun)
The process by which green plants and certain other organisms synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source. Most forms of photosynthesis release oxygen as a byproduct.
(roots: photo - light syn - together thes - put/place)
suffragist (noun)
an advocate of the extension of political voting rights, especially to women
(root: ist - one who)
supercilious (adjective)
feeling or showing haughty disdain; feeling superior
(root: super - above ous - full of)
tempestuous (adjective)
1. of, relating to, or resembling a tempest
2. characterized by violent emotions or actions; tumultuous; stormy
(root: ous - full of)
nomenclature (noun)
1. a system of names used in an art or science
2. the procedure of assigning names to organisms listed in a taxonomic classification
(root: nom - name)
nanotechnology (noun)
The science and technology of building devices, such as electronic circuits, from individual atoms and molecules
(roots: nano - billionth techn - craft/art/skill logy - science)
incontrovertible (adjective)
impossible to dispute; unquestionable
(roots: in - not contra - against ible - able)
lugubrious (adjective)
mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
(roots: lugere - to mourn)
interpolate (verb)
1. to insert or introduce between other elements or parts
2a. to insert (material) into a text
b. to insert into a conversation
3. to change or falsify (a text) with new or incorrect material
4. (mathematics) to estimate a value of a function or series between two know values
(roots: inter - between ate - cause)
irony (noun)
1a. the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning
b. an expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning
c. a literary style employing such contrasts for humorous or rhetorical effect
2a. incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
b. an occurrence, result, or circumstance notable for such incongruity
3. the dramatic effect achieved by leading an audience to understand an incongruity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the incongruity; dramatic irony