Vocabulary Weeks 11-12

Words Weeks 11-12 1. decimate (v.) 2. fiasco (n.) 3. idiosyncrasy (n.) 4. incumbent (n.) 5. narcissism (n.) 6. odyssey (n.) 7. protean (adj.) 8. quintessential (adj.) 9. rankle (v.) 10. succumb (v.)

1.decimate (v.) Definition: destroy or kill a large part of Origins: Latin decem “ten” / Romans punished own troops and enemy by killing every tenth soldier Example: New Orleans was decimated by hurricane Katrina.

2. fiasco (n.) Definition: complete or ridiculous failure Origins:Italian for “flask” far fiasco – to make a bottle or to make a mess, to flop, fail Example: His performance was a fiasco because he did not rehearse.

3. idiosyncrasy (n.) Definition: personal peculiarity Origins: from the Greek idio – peculiar, one’s own Example: Twirling her hair was just one of her idiosyncrasies.

4. incumbent (n/adj.) Definition: (n.) holder of an office or position – (adj.) resting as a duty or obligation, required Origins:Latin cumbere -occupy Example:Zack Wamp is the incumbent in the upcoming election.

5. narcissism (n.) Definition: extreme self-love or self-admiration Origins:Greek mythology - Narcissus Example: His narcissism is so bad that he can’t pass a mirror without gazing at himself.

6. odyssey (n.) Definition: long, adventurous journey Origins: Ancient Greek - Odysseus Example: The trip around the world in the hot air balloon became quite an Odyssey.

7. protean (adj.) Definition: readily changing form or character Origins:Ancient Greek god Proteus (could readily change form) Example: Her protean nature made her difficult to read.

8. quintessential (adj..) Definition: most essential part or quality; perfect example Origins:Ancient Greek quinta esentia essential fifth element Example: She was the quintessence of a beauty queen.

9. rankle (v.) Definition: cause bitterness, hatred, resentment Origins: Greek dracunculus to French rancler -to be devoured by little dragons or festering irritation Example: The invasion of their village rankled the townspeople.

10. succumb (v.) Definition: give in; give up; yield; die Origins: Latin cumbere – occupy or lie down Example: The dog succumbed to the temptation to eat the steak on the table.

Foreign Phrases 1. joie de vivre- joy of living, joy of life, zest for life 2. caveat emptor- let the buyer beware 3. tabula rasa- blank slate 4. hoi polloi- the many, the majority, the masses, the people