Unit 13 Mnemonics

ad infinitum (adv.) endlessly infinity

apportion (v.) to divide and give out in shares a part (to cut apart) or give a portion

bona fide (adj.) genuine; sincere bogus (opposite) = fake

buoyantbuoyant (adj) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful b-o-a-t buoy (float on the water)

clique (n) a small, exclusive group of people If you have things in common with a small group of people then you "click” together.

concede (v) to admit as true; to yield or submit confess (to admit as true) or proceed (opposite of yield)

congenial (adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant “Al” (Home Improvement) is pleasant, agreeable, friendly or Miss Congeniality

lofty (adj.) very high or noble LOFT = up high (stairs or ladder)

migration (n) a movement from one country or region to another verb= migrate = to travel from one region to another or immigrant = a person that moves from one country to another

perceive (v) to be aware of through the senses, observe; to grasp mentally ear = hear with cieve – sounds like SEE with your eyes

perverse (adj.) inclined to go against what is expected; stubborn; turned away from what is good and proper reverse – going against (backwards) “perverted” – turned away from what is good and proper

prelude (n) an introduction; that which comes before or leads off pre = before – preface (with regard to intro to music)

rancid (adj.) stale or spoiled acid – upset stomach – spoiled milk

rustic (adj) country-like; simple, plain; awkward; (n) one who lives in the country rusty – old tractor stick = branch = trees = country

sever (v.) to separate, divide into parts severe injury = sever a body part in an accident

sordid (adj.) wretchedly poor; run-down; mean or selfish eye-sore = run-down

untenable (adj.) not capable of being held down or defended; impossible to maintain a tent – wind – without stakes is unTENTable = not capable of being held down un-able to be maintained

versatile (adj.) able to many things well; capable of many uses diverse = capable of many different talents Versa-teller (Bank of America) ATM machine capable of many different transactions (withdrawals, deposits, transfers)

vindicate (v.) to clear from a hint or charge of wrong doing; to defend indicate innocence

wane (v.) to lose size, strength or power gain (gane) – opposite = increase