| A | B |
|---|
| archaic | referring to formely common words that are now rarely used |
| denotation | the exact meaning of a word |
| idiom | an expression having a meaning different from the meaning of the individual words in it |
| semantics | the study of changes in the meanings of words |
| vernacular | the everyday spoken language of a country or region |
| galvanize | to rouse to action |
| macadam | layers of small stones used as a paving material |
| nemesis | the source of just punishment |
| odyssey | an adventurous, wandering journey |
| quixotic | an idealistic but impractical person |
| devour | to eat up greedily |
| epicure | one with refined taste in food and drink |
| morsel | a small piece or a bite of food |
| pungent | sharp; biting |
| quaff | to drink heartily and deeply of |
| duplicity | deliberate deception by acting in two different ways concerning the same matter |
| gullible | someone who is easily fooled |
| masquerade | to put on a deceptive appearance |
| overt | an action that is open and observable |
| veracity | devotion to the truth |
| discernment | keenness of judgement |
| envision | to picture in the mind |
| gape | to stare at in amazement with the mouth open |
| impressionistic | referring to a personal response rather than one based on reason or fact |
| myopia | lack of good judgement; shortsightedness |
| cosmopolitan | sophisticated in an international way |
| impolitic | unwise or not exhibiting good judgement |
| policy | a course of action followed by and individual or organization |
| politico | a politician, informally |
| urban | characteristic of cities |
| deficit | a shortage |
| integral | necessary for completeness |
| paltry | meager; insignificant |
| plethora | superabundance; excess |
| scant | being just short of full measure; inadequate |
| idiosyncrasy | an individual mannerism or habit |
| orthodox | adhering to tradition |
| precedent | an action that later serves as an example |
| prosaic | lacking in imagination |
| quaint | charmingly old-fashioned |
| baffle | to confuse completely or to puzzle |
| convoluted | something that is coiled or twisted |
| enigma | a puzzling person, matter, or situation |
| labyrinth | a maze or a confusing network of passages |
| quandary | to feel doubt or uncertainty |
| broach | to talk or write about a topic for the first time |
| debut | the beginning of a career or first public appearance |
| embark | to set out on a venture or to board a vessel to start a journey |
| incipient | something that is just beginning to exist |
| novice | a person new to a field or activity |
