Vocabulary GUnit Six

Effigy(n.) a crude image of a

despised person

Dr. House fired Cameron for her interpretative effigy she drew of him after he refused to treat a man for a deadly disease.

Testy(adj.) easily irritated;

characterized by impatience and exasperation

The testy baby went into an outrage after he discovered his apple juice was gone.

Intermittent Def: (adj.) stopping and beginning again, sporadic

The intermittent rain lasted all day as it was constantly starting and stopping.

MootDef: (adj.) open to discussion and debate, unresolved; (v.) to bring up for discussion; (n.) a hypothetical law case argued by students

Whether or not the use of cannabis should be legal is viewed by some as a moot issue.

Complicity (n.) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of

being an accomplice The police told the judge that the man was

suspected of complicity in stealing money from the store.

Derelict (n.) Someone or

something that is abandoned or neglected; (adj.) left abandoned; neglectful of duty

The family was appalled by the derelict house that was left by the previous owners.

The teacher critique was more of a diatribe instead of an encouraging speech to advise her students. (n.) a bitter and

prolonged verbal attack.

MotifA principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design

It became apparent that the picture was an Asian motif because of the architecture of the building.

NeophyteA new convert, beginner, novice.

Because the yoga teacher was a neophyte, she lead an easy and relaxing class.

Surveillance(n) A watch kept over a person,

careful, close, and disciplined observation.

The boy was known for stealing things, so the manager of the

store kept a strong surveillance on him.

Sylvan(adj) pertaining to or

characteristic of forests, living or located in a forest, wooded, woody.

The part of the zoo that had the bird exhibit was perfectly created – it was very sylvan.

Travesty(n.) a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation;

a disguise, especially the clothing of the opposite sex; (v.) to ridicule by imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion.

Often, the outfits that AmericanApparel picks out for theirmodels is a travesty

This is a travesty ^^

perspicacity-keenness in observing and understanding

-The spy looked through the files on the hard drive with extreme perspicacity in order to find what he was looking for.

plenary-Complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members

-A plenary meeting was held by Congress in order to address the urgent issues having to do with unconstitutional behaviors displayed by the President.

Indictment (n--the act of accusing; a formal accusation

The judge gave an indictment to the boy who ran naked across the track

at the junior Olympics.

Indubitable (adj) certain, not to be doubted or denied

“If this guy said it, then it’s indubitable”

Inane (adj)--Silly, empty of meaning or value

The new comedian made some completely inane remarks while performing their bit.

Equity(n)

The state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim

Supreme Court justices must base their decisions in equity and the law, not on prejudice.

Agnostic (n., adj.)One who believes that nothing can be known about God; a skeptic; without faith, skepticalEx. Carl Sagan, a renowned scientist and astronomer, stated that he was an agnostic because he believed that nothing could be known about God or any other higher power.

AbjectDegraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved

The survivors of the Hurricane Katrina lived in abject need of assistance after their homes were destroyed.