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Lessons 1-10
English Vocabulary Builder
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| preamble | (n.) an introduction to a text |
| presage | (v.) to indicate something (usually bad) is about to happen |
| prescient | (adj.) having knowledge of something before it happens |
| predilection | (n.) a special fondness |
| precipitate | (adj.) rash, acting without thinking |
| predicate | (v.) to be based on |
| presentiment | (n.) a feeling that something (typically bad) is about to happen |
| precedent | (n.) something that sets an example for how things are done in the future |
| pretentious | (adj.) acting more important than others by pretending to know more |
| pretense | (n.) a claim or assertion not based on fact |
| predecessor | (n.) one that comes before, often a person who previously held a position before passing it on to someone else |
| precursor | (n.) something that comes before another; used only for things , not people |
| pretext | (n.) a reason given for something that is not the actual reason |
| precocious | (adj.) developing early (usually in terms of ability) |
| preclude | (v.) to make it impossible for something to happen |
| tantalize | (v.) to torment someone with something they want without ever giving it to them |
| pyrrhic | (adj.) describing a victory that comes with a heavy cost |
| laconic | (adj.) using as few words as possible when speaking |
| draconian | (adj.) extremely strict, as laws or rules |
| jeremiad | (n.) a long speech full of complaints |
| cicerone | (n.) a guide who gives speeches to sightseers |
| nemesis | (n.) one who constantly works to ensure another's downfall |
| platonic | (adj.) describes a close relationship that has no romantic or sexual basis |
| thespian | (n.) an actor |
| spartan | (adj.) lacking in comfort or flourishes (describing either a lifestyle or accommodations) |
| juggernaut | (n.) an unstoppable, destructive force or thing |
| maudlin | (adj.) overly self-pitying, often used to describe someone who becomes sentimental when intoxicated |
| hector | to bully (usually through words) |
| nonchalant | (adj.) giving off a sense of calmness and coolness |
| adriot | (adj.) skillful, either mentally or with one's hands |
| chicanery | (n.) trickery or deception, usually in politics or where money is involved |
| demur | (v.) to object to doing something |
| insouciant | (adj.) showing a lack of concern or interest |
| arriviste | (n.) a person who is extremely ambitious and has recently acquired wealth or power |
| parvenu | (n.) a person who has recently gained status or celebrity |
| rapport | (n.) understanding and similar feelings that exist between people or groups |
| passé | (adj.) no longer in fashion |
| cache | (n.) a collection of items hidden or stored away for future use |
| raconteur | (n.) a skilled storyteller |
| sortie | (n.) an attack from a defensive position |
| gauche | (adj.) clumsy and socially awkward |
| sangfroid | (n.) utter calmness and composure, especially under pressure |
| liaison | (n.) a person who helps two parties communicate |
| envoy | (n.) a messenger, usually on a diplomatic mission |
| sans | (prep.) typically a facetious way of saying "without" |
| filial | (adj.) relating to the obligations of a son or daughter |
| droll | (adj.) odd and therefore amusing |
| faux pas | (n.) an act or comment with embarrassing social consequences |
| in lieu of | (prep.) in place of, substitute |
| enfant terrible | (n.) a person whose commentary or behaviour is aimed to shock |
| tête-à-tête | (n.) a private conversation between two people |
| savoir vivre | (n.) a familiarity and ease with polite society |
| savoir faire | (n.) the skill of saying and doing just the right thing in social situations |
| esprit de corps | (n.) the spirit of belongingness and pride of a tightly knit group |
| poltergeist | (n.) a ghost that supposedly causes noisy disturbances in the environment |
| kitsch | (n.) cheap art whose owners are usually aware of its lack of value |
| doppelganger | (n.) a person who looks remarkably like another person |
| kaput | (adj.) no longer functioning, as a device or machine |
| verboten | (adj.) forbidden or prohibited |
| zeitgeist | (n.) the mood of a particular time period as captured by ideas and culture |
| schadenfreude | (n.) delight taken in another's misfortune |
| bildungsroman | (n.) a coming-of-age story |
| citadel | (n.) a fortress standing above and protecting a city |
| burlesque | (n.) an exaggerated imitation of something, typically in a dramatic work |
| pastiche | (n.) a mixture of elements that typically don't go together |
| archipelago | (n.) a cluster of islands |
| salvo | (n.) a simultaneous discharge of guns, often used figuratively to mean a verbal attack |
| imbroglio | (n.) a complicated (and embarrassing) situation or mess |
| littoral | (adj.) located along the shoreline |
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