Unit 4 Vocabulary “The Buffoons” - A painting by Marianne Aulie

Alliance (noun) Definition: A joining together for some common purpose. Synonyms: pact, league, coalition Antonyms: rift, split

An alliance of cool cats, playing cool music.

Bewilder (verb) Definition: To puzzle or confuse completely. Synonyms: baffle, perplex Antonyms: enlighten, teach

Bewildering: Can you find “the hidden tiger” in this illusion?

Buffoon (noun) Definitions: (1)A clown; (2)A jester; (3)A coarse, stupid person. Synonyms: fool, goofball Noun Form: buffoonery

Controversial (adjective) Definition: Describing anything that arouses argument, dispute, or disagreement. Synonyms: arguable, debatable Noun Form: controversy

These are some very controversial topics to avoid during polite conversation.

Dishearten (verb) Definition: To discourage. Synonyms: dismay, demoralize, dispirit Antonyms: encourage, hearten Adjective Form: disheartening

What happened to dishearten these athletes?

Fruitless (adjective) Definitions: 1.Describing something not producing the desired results; 2. Unsuccessful Synonyms: useless, unproductive Antonyms: productive, effective, successful Adjective Form: fruitlessly The Titanic had a fruitless journey resulting in disaster.

Hostile (adjective) Definitions: (1)Unfriendly; (2) Unfavorable; (3) Warlike, aggressive. Antonyms: friendly, peaceful Noun Form: hostility

This man has an extremely hostile countenance.

Inflammable (adjective) Definitions: (1)Easily set on fire; (2) Easily angered Synonyms: combustible, flammable Antonyms: fireproof, calm Adjective Form: inflammatory One must use something inflammable to start a campfire.

Inflict (verb) Definitions: (1)To give or cause something unpleasant; (2) To impose. Synonyms: suffer, undergo Noun Form: infliction Both inflict suffering!

Malignant (adjective) Definition: Deadly, harmful, evil, spiteful. Synonyms: lethal, wicked Antonyms: benign, beneficial Noun Form: malignancy malignant anger malignant skin cancer

Malignant This word is usually used when discussing cancer: A malignant tumor (a malignancy) is cancerous and is sometimes deadly. A benign tumor is non-cancerous and usually easily treatable.

Bart is well-known for his malignant personality on The Simpsons.

Mortify (verb) Definitions: (1)To hurt someone’s feelings in a humiliating way; (2) To discipline one’s self by denial or self-inflicted punishment; (3) archaic: describing a body part afflicted with gangrene. Synonyms: embarrass, humiliate Noun Form: mortification

This is one way to mortify a teenager!

Orthodox (adjective) Definition: In agreement with the generally accepted beliefs or the established way of doing things. Synonyms: traditional, standard, conventional, customary Antonyms : unusual, unconventional, heretical Noun Form: orthodoxy

Shaking hands is the orthodox way of greeting people in the United States.

Procure (verb) Definition: To obtain or bring about through some special effort. Synonyms: gain, acquire, achieve Noun Form: procurement These are what students must procure every fall.

Scurry (verb) Definition: To run quickly, scamper, hurry. Synonyms: rush, dash, scramble Antonyms: trudge, plod, creep, shamble

Both children and squirrels are known for their ability to scurry!

Sodden (adjective) Definitions: (1) soaked with liquid or moisture; (2) spiritless, expressionless, dull. Synonyms: drenched, waterlogged, draggled Antonyms: parched, dry, arid

These poor penguins are becoming sodden during an Antarctic storm.

Spirited (adjective) Definitions: (1)Full of life and energy; (2)Brave, courageous Synonyms: animated, lively, excited Antonyms: lifeless, dull, lackluster spiritless Both cheerleaders and soldiers are known for their spirited natures.

Virtual (adjective) Definition: So close as to being equivalent to the real thing Synonym: equivalent Games featuring virtual worlds are very popular.

During the summer, mountains are virtually Ms. Hart’s second home. These three were virtual triplets last year on the Red Team.

Void (noun, verb) Definitions: (1)Noun: Completely empty; (2)Noun: An unfilled space; (3) Noun: An emotional emptiness; (4)Verb: To cancel or nullify. Synonyms: vacancy, emptiness Outer space has vast voids.

One must void checks to be certain they are not improperly cashed.

There’s been a void in my heart ever since my beloved grandmother passed away.

Wayward (adjective) Definition: Disobedient, willful, unpredictable Antonyms: docile, well-behaved Noun Form: waywardness

Only a wayward student would worry about a teacher who could read lips!

Wince (verb, noun) Definitions: 1. Verb: To draw back suddenly, as if in pain or fear 2. Noun: The act of drawing back in this way Synonyms: flinch, shudder Is Ms. Hart’s humor making this person wince?

Hillary Clinton, a former First Lady and presidential candidate, winces.

Jokes That Make Me Wince: Knock-Knocks