Lesson Four Vocab

Efficacious

Effective, producing the desired outcome.

The sign on the lawn that read “Beware of Dog” in bright red lettering was remarkably efficacious at keeping away solicitors.

Catharsis

A release of emotional tension

The conclusion of Handel’s Messiah offers an exultant catharsis that listeners say often strengthens their faith in the divine.

Inundate

To overwhelm, to fill beyond capacity

News of Joe and Michelle’s engagement caused their respective email inboxes to be inundated with congratulatory messages.

Revere

To regard with respect, awe, or admiration

I enjoy taking time on Wednesday afternoons to visit the chapel close to my house and revere the Blessed Sacrament.

Internecine

Mutually destructive

The two rival cyclists engaged in an internecine use of blood doping in the competition, and both were disqualified for their illegal efforts to defeat the other.

Risible

Relating to laughter, laughable

Watching Turner, the silly dog, lope in and out of the piles of leaves with his tongue hanging out was a risible scene.

Sybaritic

Marked by luxury or pleasure

Las Vegas promotes its hotels by promising a sybaritic getaway that treats the vacationer to a multitude of enjoyments.

Crepuscular

Pertaining to twilight

The painting showed a farmhouse and a wagon in the fading light of day, and Katya always found the crepuscular picture calming.

Kudos

Acclaim or praise

I offered my kudos to Peter, the gold medal winner, for his impressive performance in the 10K race.

Estrange

To alienate

The lack of communication between Barbara and David led the friends to become estranged after David moved to Nevada.

Intrinsic

Of or relating to a thing’s basic nature, inherent

It must be an intrinsic urge in some people to climb mountains, as there are personalities who simply will not be deterred from the risky pastime.

Maxim

An established principle; a truth or rule of conduct

A good maxim to live by is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” a great maxim to live by is “love your mother and leave only footprints.”

Putrid

Rotten and foul smelling

The trash gave off a putrid scent, and Megan looked at Seymour with a frank expression on her face. “It’s your turn to take out the trash, Seymour.”

Apocryphal

Of questionable authenticity, but widely believed

Besides the Gospels, several books that claim to be true accounts of Jesus Christ were apocrypha to early Christians.