Midterm Exam Vocabulary Review--Honors

demonic

of, resembling, or characteristic of evil spirits

improvisations

creation and performance (music, drama, or verse)
spontaneously or without preparation

misgiving

a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something

inexplicably

unable to be explained or accounted for

maniacal

exhibiting extreme symptoms of wild behavior, esp. when violent and dangerous

basking

lying exposed to warmth and light for relaxation and pleasure

foreboding

a feeling that something bad will happen

phoenix

(in classical mythology) a unique bird that lived for 5-6
centuries in Arabian desert; after this time, burning
itself one a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes

incomprehension

failure to understand something

negligence

failure to take proper care in doing something

edict

a law or command; an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority

exile

separation from one's country as a form of punishment or by choice

rite

a religious or other solemn ceremony or act

insolent

showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect; disrespectful

tyranny

a form of government in which a single ruler holds absolute power; cruel and oppressive government or rule

lamentation

the passionate expression of grief or sorrow

transgression

a crime or wrongdoing; an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct

pious

religious; devout

impiety

disrespect for someone or something sacred; lack of reverence, especially for a god

defiled

violated; contaminated; sully, mar, or spoil

aphorism

a wise saying; a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

rash

displaying or proceeding from a lack of careful consideration

untimely

(of an event or act) happening or done at an unsuitable time

determination

firmness of purpose; resoluteness

infiltrator

a person who enters or gains access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually esp. in order to acquire secret information

harboring

keeping (a thought or feeling, typically a negative one) in one's mind, esp. secretly

suppressed

to have forcibly put an end to; to have prevented the development, action, or expression of (a feeling, impulse, idea, etc.)

summon

sending for; calling upon; authoritatively or urgently call on (someone) to be present, esp. as a defendant or witness in a law court

erstwhile

former, previous

benefactor

a supporter or savior; a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause

privy

knowing or sharing in secret knowledge

unperplexed

not confused; clear-headed

impunity

exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action

blight

plague; disease

precepts

rules, laws; a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought

concubine

(in polygamous societies) a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than his wife or wives

devoid

empty; entirely lacking or free from

prudence

good judgment; the quality of acting with or showing care and thought for the future

suppliant

a beggar; a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority

exonerate

to clear of blame or responsibility, esp. after due consideration of the case