Vocabulary Unit 5American Literature

Level F

Amnesty (n) A general pardon for an offense against a

government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

S= reprieve

Amnesty International is an organization that works world wide to get leaders and governments to grant amnesty to those imprisoned/accused unfairly.

Autonomy (n)Self-government, political controlS= home ruleA=dependence, subjection

The palm reader told the manhe needed to gain autonomy from his dead end career and bemore independent!

Axiomatic (adj.) self-evident, expressing a universally

accepted principleS= taken for grantedA= questionable, dubious

Blazon (v.) to adorn or embellish; to display

conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widelyS= broadcast, trumpetA= hide, conceal, bury

Their family crest was blazoned with flourishing colors of vibrant red and Gold.

Caveat (n.) a warning or caution to prevent

misunderstanding or discourage behavior S= admonition, word to the wise

The “wet floor” signed served as a caveat to all passers by after the child spilt his largeCoca-Cola in the middle of a busy mall.

Equitable (adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justiceS= right, reasonable, even-handedA= unjust, unfair, one-sided, disproportionate

The judge demanded for an equitableTrial after the man was removed forHis outburst against the defendant.

Extricate (v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to

remove with effortS= disentangle, extractA= enmesh, entangle

The firemen worked quickly to extricate the person for the wreckedvehicle.

filch (v) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in

petty amountsS= pilfer, purloin, swipe

The city posted signs around the downtownarea to prevent pickpockets from filchingmoney from unsuspecting visitors.

Flout (v.) to mock, treat with contemptS= sneer at, snicker at, scornA= obey, honor

The mime thought it was funny to flout thechild’s crying but the parent did not andstormed away.

Factitious (adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly,

quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable S= refractory, recalcitrant, peevishA= docile, tractable, cooperative

The movie was interrupted by thefracticious couple sitting behind us!

Precept (n.) a rule of conduct or action S= principle, maxim (expression of general truth)

The precept “do unto others as youwould have them do unto you,” is considered the golden rule to many.

Salutary (adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome S= salubrious (good for health), curative (serving to cure)A= detrimental, deleterious (having a harmful effect)

Our recent trip to Figi had a salutaryeffect on my stress levels!

Scathing (adj.) bitter, severe, withering; causing great

harm S= searing, harsh, savageA= bland, mild

The harsh winter had a scathing effecton me as I was forced to stay indoorsfor 7 days!

Scourge (v.) to whip, to punish severely, (n.) a cause of

affliction of suffering; a source of severe punishment or criticism

S= (v.) flog, beat; (n.) bane, plague, pestilence A= (n.) godsend, boon, blessing

The young children considered the mean Headmaster of the school to be the scourgeof the earth!

Sepulchral (adj.) funeral, typical of the tomb; extremely

gloomy or dismal S= lugubrious (mournful), mortuary

The sepulchral photo of the younglady was an accurate depiction of who she was in life.

Soporific (adj.) tending to cause sleep; relating to

sleepiness or lethargy, (n.) something that induces sleep

S= (n.) narcotic, anesthetic A= (adj.) stimulating, (n.) stimulant, stimulus

The lullaby had a soporific effect onthe newborn baby as she drifted offto sleep in 2 minute flat.

Straitlaced (adj.) extremely strict in regard to moral

standards and conduct; prudish, Puritanical S= highly conventional; overly strict, stuffy A= lax, loose, indulgent, permissive, dissolute (indulging in vice)

In the Victorian Era, men and women dressed in a straitlaced and overly proper manner, all of thetime.

Transient (adj.) lasting only a short time; fleeting, (n.) one

who stays only a short time S= (adj.) impermanent, ephemeral, evanescent A= (adj.) permanent, imperishable, immortal

A meteor shower is so transient, onemay go through life and never experience such a sight!

Unwieldy (adj.) not easily carried, handled, or managed

because of size or complexity S= bulky, clumsy, impractical A= manageable, easy to hold

The grand piano was too unwieldyto move up the four flights of stairs.

Vapid (adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in

sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force S= lifeless, colorlessA= zesty, spicy, colorful

Many criticics consider Paris Hiltonto be a vapid celebrity as she is notfamous for anything interesting and acts like it!