Unit 5 Vocabulary Definitions

Amnesty (n).

Many political prisoners were freed under the amnesty granted by the new regime.

Amnesty (n).

Many political prisoners were freed under the amnesty granted by the new regime.

Definition: A general pardon for an offense against a

government in generalAny act of forgiveness or absolution

Autonomy (n.)

Even after the thirteen colonies gained autonomy from England, many Americans clung to English traditions.

Autonomy (n.)

Even after the thirteen colonies gained autonomy from England, many Americans clung to English traditions.

DefinitionSelf-governmentPolitical control

Axiomatic (adj.)

One should not accept the idea that the camera never lies as an axiomatic truth.

Axiomatic (adj.)

One should not accept the idea that the camera never lies as an axiomatic truth.

DefinitionSelf-evidentExpressing a university accepted principle or rule

Blazon (v.)

They will blazon the results of the election across the internet and every television set in the land.

Blazon (v.)

They will blazon the results of the election across the internet and every television set in the land.

DefinitionTo adorn or embellishTo display conspicuouslyTo publish or proclaim widely

Caveat (n.)

The well-known Latin phrase “caveat emptor” means “Let the buyer beware.”

Caveat (n.)

The well-known Latin phrase “caveat emptor” means “Let the buyer beware.”

DefinitionA warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or

discourage behavior

Equitable (adj.)

He did more work, so a sixty-forty split of the profits seemed an equitable arrangement.

Equitable (adj.)

He did more work, so a sixty-forty split of the profits seemed an equitable arrangement.

DefinitionFair, justEmbodying principles of justice

Extricate (v.)

The ring must have slid off my finger as I was trying to extricate the fish from the net.

Extricate (v.)

The ring must have slid off my finger as I was trying to extricate the fish from the net.

DefinitionTo free from entanglements or difficultiesTo remove with effort

Filch (v.)

If you filch pennies from the cash drawer, you are unlikely, after a while, to be satisfied with only pennies.

Filch (v.)

If you filch pennies from the cash drawer, you are unlikely, after a while, to be satisfied with only pennies.

DefinitionTo steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty

amounts

Flout (v.)

She chose to ignore my advice, not because she wanted to flout my beliefs, but because she had strong opinions of her own.

Flout (v.)

She chose to ignore my advice, not because she wanted to flout my beliefs, but because she had strong opinions of her own.

DefinitionTo mock, treat with contempt

Fractious (adj.)

It seemed as if even the smoothest-running organizations contain one or two fractious elements.

Fractious (adj.)

It seemed as if even the smoothest-running organizations contain one or two fractious elements.

DefinitionTending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome,

contraryUnpredictable

Precept (n.)

Many religions follow the precept that it is important to treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated.

Precept (n.)

Many religions follow the precept that it is important to treat others as you, yourself, would like to be treated.

DefinitionA rule of conduct or action

Salutary (adj.)

The cute new puppy had a salutary effect on her health.

Salutary (adj.)

The cute new puppy had a salutary effect on her health.

DefinitionBeneficial, helpfulHealthful, wholesome

Scathing (adj.)

Sometimes a carefully reasoned discussion does more to change people’s minds that a scathing attack.

Scathing (adj.)

Sometimes a carefully reasoned discussion does more to change people’s minds that a scathing attack.

DefinitionBitterly severe, witheringCausing great harm

Scourge (v.)

Jonathan Swift used wit to scourge the British government for its cruel treatment of Ireland.

Scourge (v./n.)

Jonathan Swift used wit to scourge the British government for its cruel treatment of Ireland.

DefinitionV-> To whip, punish severelyN-> A cause of affliction or suffering; a source of

severe punishment or criticism

Sepulchral (adj.)

My sister announced in a sever and sepulchral tone of voice that we were out of cookies.

Sepulchral (adj.)

My sister announced in a sever and sepulchral tone of voice that we were out of cookies.

DefinitionFuneral, typical of the tombExtremely gloomy or dismal

Soporific (adj.)

He claimed that the musical, despite its energy, was soporific and that he had slept through the entire second act.

Soporific (adj./n.)

He claimed that the musical, despite its energy, was soporific and that he had slept through the entire second act.

DefinitionAdj.-> tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness

or lethargyN.-> Something that induces sleep

Straitlaced (adj.)

Travelers may find people overseas straitlaced in some way but surprisingly free in others.

Straitlaced (adj.)

Travelers may find people overseas straitlaced in some way but surprisingly free in others.

DefinitionExtremely strict in regard to moral standards and

conductPrudishPurtianical

Transient (adj.)

His bad mood was transient, and by the time he’d finished his breakfast, he was smiling.

Transient (adj./n.)

His bad mood was transient, and by the time he’d finished his breakfast, he was smiling.

DefinitionAdj.-> Lasting only a short time, fleetingN.-> One who stays only a short time

Unwieldy (adj.)

We loaded the truck with the chairs and the coffee table, but the grand piano was too unwieldy.

Unwieldy (adj.)

We loaded the truck with the chairs and the coffee table, but the grand piano was too unwieldy.

DefinitionNot easily carried, handled or managed because of

size or complexity

Vapid (adj.)

While critics called the movie vapid, I thought the performers were very compelling.

Vapid (adj.)

While critics called the movie vapid, I thought the performers were very compelling.

DefinitionDull, uninteresting, tiresomeLacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force