Vocab #2

Portentous
Context: APUSH reading
My guess: precious
Definition: an indication or omen of something about to happen, especially something momentous
History: 1555-65; < Latin portentum sign, token, noun use of neuter of portentus, past participle of portendere to portend
Own sentence: The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a portentous occasion.

Antipathy

Context: APUSH reading

My guess: having no feelings

Definition: an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike

Mnemonic Device: pathos, feeling, anti is negative

Other example: The antipathy toward America in the Middle East continues even after the architects of the Iraq war have exited the stage.

Contempt

Context: APUSH assignment

My guess: to be happy
Definition: the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn
Connotation: Neutral
Own Sentence: A feeling of contempt washed over the audience as the magician kicked the puppy.

Expediency
Context: On the Duty of Civil Disobedience
My guess: following the rules
Definition: a regard for what is politic or advantageous rather than for what is right or just; a sense of self-interest
History: 1605-15; < Late Latin expediential
Example: On one hand, it seems oddly principled of Romney, a candidate who has always been guided by expediency when it comes to abortion

Procession
Context: SAT study guide
My guess: movement
Definition: the act of moving along or proceeding in orderly succession or in a formal and ceremonious manner, as a line of people, animals, vehicles, etc.
Mnemonic device: Proceed, move along
Own sentence: The funeral procession passed by slowly but in an organized manner.

Pulpit
Context: Three Guineas, Virginia Woolf
My guess: a hole
Definition: a platform or raised structure in a church, from which the sermon is delivered or the service is conducted
History: 1300-50; Middle English < Late Latin pulpitum pulpit, Latin: platform, stage
Own sentence: The priest stood upon the pulpit as he delivered the sermon, and as he broke the bread.

Agitate
Context: Three Guineas, Virginia Woolf
My guess: to bother
Definition: to move or force into violent, irregular action
Mnemonic device: if you were being shoved that would irritate you, which kind of sounds like agitate
Own Sentence: The winds of the storm agitated the ocean.

Ad
My guess: to add to, increase
Definition: to, toward
Words: advance, advice, adapt, advent, adhere
Remember: think of advance, moving in towards someone

Ignis
My guess: A rock
Definition: fire
Words: ignite, igneous, ignition. ignitable, ignis fatuus
Remember: ignite, like Lavagirl

Biblos
My guess: reading
Definition: book
Words: bible, bibliography, bibiology, bibliophile, bibliolatry
Remember: Biblioteque is library in French