1. Vocab chap. 5

2. 1. amazon- large, strong, aggressive woman To enhance their ability as archers, the Amazons would burn or cut off their right breasts to draw more easily their bows. Hence, comes their name—“Amazon”–from the Greek a(“without”) and mazos(“breast”). Synonyms: powerful woman, athletic woman, virago Related word: shrew

3. 2. iconoclast- attacker of traditional or cherished beliefs, institutions, ideas Because he ruthlessly proceeded to destroy the images, the monks—who opposed him and thought him a tool of Satan—called him an “iconoclast,” from the Greek eikon(“image,” “idol”) and klastes(“breaker”). Synonyms: revolutionary, rebel, radical, dissenter Related word: nonconformist

4. 3. sardonic- mockingly bitter or scornful; sarcastic This Sardinian plant caused the face of anyone who ate it to be twisted in agonizing grin. From the horrible grin(called Sardonios gelos by the Greeks) caused by this Sardinian plant comes our word “sardonic,” meaning “mockingly bitter in the extreme.” Synonyms: sneering, mocking, contemptuous, derisive

5. Supercilious scornfully looking down on others; disdainfully superior “Supercilious comes from the Latin super (“over,” “above,”) and cilium (“eyelid”). The Latin word supercilium meant both “eyebrow” and “arrogance.” Syn: scornful, contemptuous, haughty arrogant

6. Nemesis: agent of revenge, punishment: difficult or unbeatable opponent, something incapable of being achieved or overcome; cause of one’s downfall or undoing. From Greek mythology: Nemesis, goddess of revenge, would pursue and punish those who had offended the gods. Syn: Downfall, destruction, retribution

7. Procrastinate: put off till later “Procrastinate” comes from the Latin pro (“for”) and cras (“tomorrow”). Syn: Delay, postpone, defer

8. Panacea: remedy for all desires, sufferings, troubles Panakeia was appropriately named since she was the goddess of healing. The Romans gave her name to a plant, panacea, which supposedly healed all diseases. Syn: universal remedy, cure-all, nostrum

9. Capricious: changeable, unpredictable Capriccio became associated with the word capra (“goat”), as in Capricorn, the astrological sign of the goat. Syn: impulsive, flighty, whimsical Related: mercurial

10. Introvert: one who is concerned mainly with self-examination and one’s own inner life rather than with others Jung introduced the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” (from the Latin word elements: intro=“within,” extra=“outside,” vert= “turn”) to classify psychological types. Syn: shy person, self-observer, self-scrutinizer Related words: introspective person

11. Extrovert:One whose interests and thoughts are mainly with other people WHJung introduced the terms “introvert” and “extrovert” (from the Latin word elements: intro=“within,” extra=“outside,” vert= “turn”) Syn: socializer, outgoing person, gregarious person

12. Benediction—blessing, especially at the end of a religious service

13. Benevolent—desiring to do good; kind, generous

14. Beneficiary—person who receives benefits

15. Benefactor—person who gives help or financial aid

16. Beneficence—goodness, kindness