Overview
This lecture covers 21 key vocabulary words and their definitions, focusing on terms useful for reading comprehension and effective communication.
Vocabulary Definitions
- Perpetuity: The state or quality of lasting forever or for an indefinitely long time.
- Jettison: To throw or drop something from a ship or aircraft; to discard something.
- Apoplectic: Overcome with anger; extremely indignant.
- Farcical: Of or resembling a work of farce; ludicrous, absurd.
- Rebuff: To reject someone or something in an abrupt or blunt manner.
- Recalcitrant: Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline.
- Wretched: In a very unhappy or unfortunate state.
- Wizened: Shriveled or shrunken, often as a result of age.
- Pertinent: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
- Proclivity: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition.
- Chastise: To reprimand severely; to discipline.
- Abate: To lessen or reduce in intensity or amount.
- Disconcert: To disturb the composure of; to unsettle.
- Sardonic: Grimly mocking or cynical.
- Stultify: To cause to lose enthusiasm or initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.
- Distend: To swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside.
- Despondency: A state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.
- Dell: A small, usually wooded valley.
- Usid: To put or place in a specified position.
- Edgingly: In a cautious or hesitant manner, often with the intention of not causing offense.
- Gingerly: In a careful or cautious manner.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Perpetuity — lasting forever or indefinitely.
- Jettison — to discard or throw away.
- Apoplectic — extremely angry.
- Farcical — absurd or ludicrous.
- Rebuff — abrupt rejection.
- Recalcitrant — stubbornly uncooperative.
- Wretched — very unhappy.
- Wizened — shriveled due to age.
- Pertinent — relevant.
- Proclivity — habitual tendency.
- Chastise — to severely reprimand.
- Abate — to lessen.
- Disconcert — to unsettle.
- Sardonic — mocking or cynical.
- Stultify — to cause loss of enthusiasm.
- Distend — to swell from inside.
- Despondency — low spirits from loss of hope.
- Dell — small wooded valley.
- Usid — to place something.
- Edgingly — cautiously to avoid offense.
- Gingerly — carefully or cautiously.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize all vocabulary terms and definitions.
- Practice using each word in a sentence.
- Prepare for a quiz on these definitions.