Vocabulary #6 – Pd. 3
1.
gyrations
jahy-rey-shuh n]
noun
1. the act of gyrating; circular or spiral motion; revolution; rotation;
whirling.
Origin: 1605-15; < Late Latin
2.
harrowing
[har-oh-ing]
adjective
1.extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous: a harrowing
experience.
Origin: 1800-10;
3.
extemporize
ik-stem-puh-rahyz]
verb
1.to sing, or play on an instrument, composing the music as one
proceeds; improvise.
2. to do or manage something in a makeshift way.
Origin: 1635-45
4.
Fervent
[fur-vuh nt]
–adjective
having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling,
enthusiasm, etc.; ardent
5.
magnanimous
[mag-nan-uh-muh s]
–adjective
1. generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty
resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's
enemies.
2.
3.
high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.
proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind,
character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
Origin: 1575–85; < L
6.
epigram
ep-i-gram]
noun
1. any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.
2. a short, often satirical poem dealing concisely with a single subject
and usually ending with a witty or ingenious turn of thought.
Origin: 1400-50; late Middle English < Latin
7. effeminate
[ih-fem-uh-nit; v. ih-fem-uh-neyt]
adjective
1. (of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered
feminine, as softness or delicacy.
2. characterized by excessive softness, delicacy, self-indulgence, etc.:
effeminate luxury.
Origin: 1350–1400; ME < L
8. languid [lang-gwid]
–adjective
1. lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow: a languid manner.
2. lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent.
3. drooping or flagging from weakness or fatigue; faint.
Origin: 1590–1600; < L
9.
turgid [tur-jid]Spell
adjective
1. swollen; distended; tumid.
2. inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic:
turgid language.
Origin: 1660-70; < Latin
10.
bellwether bel-weth-er]
noun
1. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a
bell.
2. a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a
profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.
3. a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend;
index.
4. a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like;
ringleader.
Origin: 1400-50; late Middle English