Vocabulary #5 – Pd. 1
1.
nuance
noo-ahns,]
noun,
1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response,
etc.
2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tone.
Origin: 1775-85; < French:
2. demagogue
[dem-uh-gog, -gawg]
–noun
1. a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and
popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the
people.
Origin: 1640–50
3.
malign
muh-lahyn] Spell
verb/adjective
1.to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame:
to malign an honorable man.
2.evil in effect; pernicious; baleful; injurious:
The gloomy house had a malign influence upon her usually good
mood.
3.having or showing an evil disposition; malevolent; malicious.
4.
bereft
(bih-reft]
adjective
deprived: They are bereft of their senses. He is bereft of all happiness
Origin: 1525–35
5.
clairvoyance[klair-voi-uh ns]
–noun
1. the supernatural power of seeing objects or actions removed in
space or time from natural viewing.
2. quick, intuitive knowledge of things and people; sagacity.
Origin: 1840–50; < F
deference
6.
[def-er-uh ns]
noun
1. respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will,
etc., of another.
2. respectful or courteous regard: in deference to his wishes.
Origin: 1640–50; < French
7.
vicissitudes
vi-sis-i-tood, -tyood] Spell
noun
1.a change or variation occurring in the course of something.
2.interchange or alternation, as of states or things.
3. successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life
or fortune; ups and downs:
They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years.
4.regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.
5.change; mutation; mutability.
Origin
Latin; 1560-1570
8. inept
in-ept, ih-nept] Spell
adjective
1. without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment;
maladroit:
He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people.
2. generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent.
3. inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place.
4. absurd or foolish: an inept remark.
Origin
Latin
9. per·fi·dy [pur-fi-dee]
–noun,
1. deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery: perfidy that goes
unpunished.
2. an act or instance of faithlessness or treachery.
[Origin: 1585–95; < L
10. posthumous
pos-chuh-muh s, -choo-] Spell
adjective
1. arising, occurring, or continuing after one's death:
a posthumous award for bravery.
2. published after the death of the author:
a posthumous novel.
3. born after the death of the father.
Origin
Latin
1600-1610