Vocabulary Lesson 3
dogma |
a system of doctrines put forward by an authority, especially a church, to be the absoulte truth |
dogmatic |
expressed in an authoritive or arrogant manner |
heterodox |
not in agreement with accepted beliefs, holding unorthodox opinions |
agnostic |
1) a person who believes nothing can be known about the existance of a god |
agnostic (2) |
2) relating to the belief that the esistance of a god is unknowable |
physiognamony |
the art of judging human character by facual features; facial features when regarded as revealing character |
prognosis |
a prediction of the outcome of a disease, any forecast or prediction |
criterion (plural: criteria) |
a standard, rule, or test on which a decision or judgement can be made |
hypocrisy |
pretending to have feelings, beliefs, or virtues that one does not have |
amnesty |
a general pardon for offenders, especially for political offences |
mnemonic |
1) relating to or assisting the memory |
mnemonic (2) |
2) a device used in remembering |
frenetic |
frantic, frenzied |
schizophrenia |
1) a severe mental disorder in which a person becomes unable to act or reason in a rational way, often with delusions and withdrawal from relationship |
schizophrenia (2) |
2) a situation of extreme conflict between choices, loyalties, or ways of life |
arraign |
1) to call to court to answer questions |
arraign (2) |
2) to accuse , to charge with wrongdoing |
rationale |
the reasons underlying something, often presented as a statement |
rationalize |
to provide a rational basis for something, often by false or self-serving reasoning |
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Vocabulary Lesson 4
sapient |
wise, insightful (often used ironically) |
sage |
a person, usually elderly, who is honored for wisdom and experience, wise or judicious |
cognition |
the act of perceiving or knowing |
cognizant |
aware, havaing knowledge of something |
connoisseur |
an expert or very discriminating person, especially in matters of art and taste |
notorious |
widely and unfavorably known; infamous |
compute |
to determine by mathematics |
impute |
to attribute or ascribe a quality, especially a fault, to a person |
repute |
to assign a reputation to |
putative |
supposed, reputed |
presage |
a sign or feeling concerning some future event ; omen; foreboding |
sagacious |
shrewd, having good judgement, perceptive |
conscientious |
guided by one's sense of right and wrong |
conscientious (2) |
thorough, with careful attention |
plebiscite |
a direct vote for all the people of a country or district on an important matter, referendum |
prescience |
knowlege of events before they occur, foresight, foreknowledge |
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