Term
|
Definition
| -----having an air of casual indifference; coolly unconcerned-----Italian drivers are famous for their nonchalant attitude toward yellow and even red lights. One explained that "Everyone drives through yellow lights and fresh red ones. It is no big deal." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----winding, twisting, and therefore difficult to understand; intricate-----The Electoral College requires a convoluted process to choose a President. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----traveling from place to place; not sedentary-----George Whitefield and other itinerant ministers preached their message as they toured the colonies. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----moving; touching; heartrending-----The poignant scene in "Remember the Titans" when Julius visited Gerry in the hospital brought tears to the eyes of many viewers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a stimulus or encouragement that results in increased activity-----Lord Voldemort's resurrection provided the impetus for the revival of the Order of the Phoenix. |
|
|
Term
| bucolic, rustic, pastoral |
|
Definition
| -----charming, unspoiled, countryside-----The Hudson River School specialized in painting the rustic beauty of America's unspoiled landscape. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----calmness; composure; even-tempered; poise-----Despite the intense pressure, Captain Sullenberger maintained his equanimity in the face of a plane crash. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----dash and flamboyance, especially in artistic performance or composition; great vigor and energy-----Johnny Depp and Outkast's Andre 3000 are both renowned for their panache. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----provoking discussion and stimulating controversy-----Officials at some beaches insisted on measuring the length of bathing suits to make sure the provocative suits didn't display too much leg. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----calm or quiet; undisturbed by tumult or disorder; serene-----Ferdinand Magellan described the Pacific Ocean as a "peaceful sea", or perhaps a placid sea. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----of accidental but fortunate occurrence; having unexpected good fortune-----In war, decisive battles are often determined as much by a fortuitous accident as by a carefully planned strategy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to drive away; scatter; as to dispel a misconception-----Most football coaches believe that you have to yell and scream at your players to win, but Tony Dungy attempted to dispel this rumor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a mixture; blend, combination of different elements-----Ludacris' name is actually an amalgam. He combined his birth name Cris and his radio handle Luda to coin the new name. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----capable of being accomplished; possible-----Soaring oil costs and mounting worries about global warming have prompted a search for viable options. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----agonizing physical or mental pain; torment-----When eight-year-old Bruce Wayne falls into a cave, where he encounters a swarm of bats, he is filled with anguish. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----lacking restraint; excessive-----Intemperate habits such as smoking, drinking, and overeating are harmful to good health. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----exercising moderation and restraint-----A temperate person leads a lifestyle characterized by moderation and self-restraint. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----shallow; lacking in depth; concerned with surface appearances-----Daisy Buchanan proved to be a superficial person who prized material possessions. |
|
|
Term
| laud, extol, tout, acclaim |
|
Definition
| -----to praise; applaud-----Robert Gates lauded Boyd for his courage and devotion to his unit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----showing indifference or disregard; to reject-----Jackson Pollock and Sean Kingston both had to overcome dismissive critics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----to speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle-----Megan Fox disparaged "Transformers" director Michael Bay for focusing more on special effects than acting. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----filled with excessive self-importance, pretentious-----Simon Cowell pompously describes himself as "indispensable." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious-----The message on the walls of Hogwarts was cryptic; thus, we are not sure what it means. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----a gradual change that is difficult to detect immediately-----As the movie unfolds, there is a subtle change in the two characters' relationship as they slowly become closer and closer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| -----an inequality; a gap; an imbalance-----"Slumdog Millionaire" describes images of the disparity in housing between the wealthy few who live in luxury condos and the poverty-stricken masses who live in shacks. |
|
|
