12th Grade Vocabulary

Week 11

REMINDERS…

Part of speech

Defn Use in sentence

NOUN Person, place, thing, or idea

Subject, object

VERB Something a noun does

Verb

ADJECTIVE Describes a noun or pronoun

In front of a noun; after a linking verb

aberration

My parents say that my decision to become an art historian is an aberration; there have been five generations of medical doctors in my family. I am departing from that tradition to study prehistoric British art.

nounA departure from the usual course; a deviation; an abnormal development

adjudge

If the law had any jurisdiction over my career, I think my parents would take my decision to court and let the court adjudge what I should do. Mom and Dad aren’t too impressed with Irish tomb-carvings!

verbTo decree to decide by law; to pass sentence

candor

“If I may speak frankly,” I told them, “I much prefer examining the gold shields of Celtic warriors or even the bronze masks of their horses to examining patients.” I don’t think my parents appreciate my candor.

nounOpenness; saying what one really thinks; frankness; impartiality

corroborate

“You see, I’m really good in art history, and I am lousy in science,” I stated. To corroborate the truth of this, I reminded them of my poor grades in biology and my excellent ones in art history.

verbTo support or strengthen an idea or statement; to attest to the truth of; to confirm

dearth

I had thought about studying Old Stone Age art in Britain, but there really is a dearth of artifacts from that time period. It would not be very interesting to study just a few old engravings.

nounA scarcity, as of food; a lack; too small a supply of something

diurnal

“I have been a doctor for forty years, and I’m still interested in my diurnal rounds at the hospital,” Dad insisted. I replied that if I had to do the same thing every day, I would rather it be a walk through a museum!

adjectiveOccurring every day; daily; occurring during the daytime

herculean

I want to study the tomb carvings at New Grange, Ireland. I must have been a demanding, herculean task to move the massive and heavy stones that form the tombs.

adjectiveExtremely demanding or difficult; requiring or having great courage of strength, like that possessed by Hercules

ludicrous

“The image of you hiking all over Ireland and peering at old tombs is ludicrous,” Mom laughed at the picture in her mind.

adjectiveAmusingly absurd; ridiculous

retrospect

In retrospect, I know that I should not have told both my parents at once about my career decision. Looking back on the scene, I realize that I should have handled it differently.

nounA contemplation or survey of things that happened in the past

salient

Most people can comment on the salient features of a piece of ancient art. I am fascinated, however, by features that aren't so noticeable, for they may help unlock the secrets of prehistoric cultures.

adjectiveStanding out; easily seen or noticed; conspicuous; noticeable; prominent