vocab list

arcana

secrets or mysteries

abalone

any of various large edible marine gastropods of the genus Haliotis having an ear-shaped shell with pearly interior

amorphous

shapeless

kefir

Fermented milk similar in taste to yogurt, popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.

ampere

unit of electric current

perfunctory

done without care; in a routine fashion

thievery

the act of stealing

lintel

A horizontal beam used to span an opening.

agog

leader

modicum

a small amount

Opacity

A measurement of the transparency of a color.

neurosis

a psychologic condition in which anxiety is prominent

emigrant

A person who leaves a country or region to live elsewhere.

oxymoron

A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.

ballyhoo

sensational advertising or promotion; uproar

echelon

rank

reticular

net-like

eclectic

choosing from various sources

troika

a Russian carriage pulled by three horses abreast

tremolo

rapid repetition of a tone or chord, without apparent breaks, to express emotion

pejorative

having a negative effect; insulting

zoophyte

plant-like animal

convivial

sociable

Myrrh

A sweet perfume used as medicine in ancient times

biennal

happening every two years

arboreal

living in trees

atrophy

to waste away

cervine

deer

Penumbra

The part of a shadow surrounding the darkest part

despotism

unlimited power