admonish
to reprove or scold, often to teach a lesson
ambivalence
the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas
anguish
severe mental or physical pain or suffering
apartheid
a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race (particularly as in South Africa)
apocryphal
doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true
archaic
old-fashioned, obsolete
arid
little or no rainfall
ascribe
attribute something to an idea, thing, or cause
aspire
direct one's hopes or ambitions toward achieving a goal
assimilation
people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger identity
bedlam
archaic; place of noise and confusion
benevolent
expressing good will or kindly feeling
biennial
lasting or living for two years
bigot
someone who is racist, sexist, homophobic, or generally prejudiced
buffoon
bumbling clown or jester
cachet
state of being respected or admired; prestige
calypso
a musical style of West African origin
catharsis
relief of strong suppressed/repressed emotion
clemency
mercy or lenience often granted by an authority
consign
deliver (goods) into a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold
consolation
comfort, solace
contemplate
look or reflect thoughtfully for a time
coo
a soft, murmuring sound
correlate
to place in or bring into mutual or reciprocal relation
curriculum
subjects comprising a course of study in a school
delineate
describe or portray precisely
derisive
contemptuous ridicule or mockery
desegregation
ending enforced separation of different racial groups
diligent
constant in effort to accomplish a goal, attentive and persistent
dishevel
untidy; disordered appearance
doctrine
a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group
droning
to proceed in a dull, monotonous manner
egocentric
attitude or interest solely in one's own needs or affairs
eke
manage or support one’s self with difficulty
emblazon
conspicuously inscribe or display on an article
enshrined
of a sacred or revered object or receptacle
entrap
catch someone or something; a trap
epidemic
a rapid spread or increase in the occurrence of a disease or other phenomenon
euphoria
a feeling or state of intense excitement
exhortation
address or communication emphatically urging someone to take action
expendable
considered to be not worth keeping or maintaining
flagellate
flog someone or oneself
franchise
license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products, services, ideas
galvanize
shock or excite into taking action
hyperbole
deliberately exaggerated statements or claims, not meant to be taken literally.
insouciant
showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
introspective
act or process of looking into oneself
jinx
influence by bad luck
Kamikazes
a Japanese aircraft loaded with explosives, making a deliberate suicidal crash on an enemy target
luxuriated
to enjoy oneself without worry; to revel
maniacal
afflicted with insanity; excessive enthusiasm
mesmerize
hold the attention, transfix
metamorphosis
the process of transformation from immaturity to adulthood; a drastic change in appearance or personality
methodical
systematic; logical
metonymy
the naming of a thing with the name of something else, to which it is closely related
mulatto
a person of mixed white and black ancestry
myriad
variable or extremely great number
nemesis
prime antagonist or principal agent of someone's or something's downfall
neurosis
mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease causing worrisome emotions
nostalgic
sentimental longing for past
novocaine
anesthetic drug of the amino ester group primarily to reduce the pain muscle inflammation
ovation
sustained and enthusiastic show of appreciation from an audience
oxymoron
figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction
panacea
a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases
paradox
reasoning from acceptable premises, leading to a conclusion that seems senseless but which is logically valid
paternal
relating to or associated to a father; fatherly.
perjury
willful giving of false testimony under oath or affirmation
regurgitate
vomit
remedial
help for students who are experiencing learning difficulties
residue
something that remains; remnant
retribution
requital for something given or inflicted
rumination
contemplation; extended thought and consideration
sacrilege
violation of things or ideas held sacred
scrimmage
a rough or vigorous struggle, often between sport teams; an unofficial game
sequins
a small, shiny disk sewn as one of many onto clothing for decoration
serenity
the state or quality of being calm, or tranquil
squalid
extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect
stalwart
loyal, reliable, and hardworking
strident
grating/hash; forceful
succinct
briefly and clearly expressed
surreal
mix of fantasy and reality; bizarre
swagger
walk or behave in a very confident (sometimes arrogant) way
transient
lasting only for a short time; impermanent; temporary
tutelage
instruction
unpretentious
not attempting to impress others in appearance or importance
upheaval
a violent or sudden change or disruption
vicarious
secondhand; indirect
visceral
dealing with coarse or base emotions; primal feelings
