1. Persepolis Vocabulary

2. 1. Decadence Definition: Moral or cultural decline as characterized by excessive indulgence in pleasure or luxury. Sample Sentence: The book condemns the decadence of modern society Part of Speech: noun Synonyms: decline, downgrade, fall Antonyms: ascent, rise

3. 2. Avant ‐ garde Definition:New and unusual or experimental ideas, esp. in the arts, or the people introducing them. Sample Sentence: Many say that Kanye West is a provocative, avant-garde musician. Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: cutting edge, innovative Antonyms: establishment, old guard

4. 3. Dialectic(al) Materialism Definition: The Marxian interpretation that says that matter is the only reality; matter over mind Sample Sentence: Realists often subscribe to the tenets of dialectic materialism Part of Speech: Noun

5. 4.Frivolities Definition: Frivolous acts or things (frivolous- characterized by lack of seriousness or sense) Sample Sentence:The country’s money was spent on celebrations and other frivolities. Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: lightheartedness, levity, joking, Antonyms: earnestness, gravity, seriousnes s

6. 5. Clandestine Definition: Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy Sample Sentence: I took a clandestine peek at the price tag on the diamond necklace. Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: secret, covertsecretcovert Antonyms: forthright, open, truthful

7. 6. Diabolical Definition: Of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil; evil Sample Sentence:The police quickly mobilized to track down the diabolical serial killer Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: devilish, wicked, ungodly Antonyms: Angelic, benign

8. 7.Proletariat Definition: The class of wage earners, esp. those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment Sample Sentence:Iran’s discontented proletariat made that nation ripe for revolution Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: Working-class, common people Antonyms: elite, A-list, upper- class

9. 8.Chador Definition:a large piece of cloth that is wrapped around the head and upper body leaving only the face exposed, worn esp. by Muslim women. Sample Sentence: Many Muslim women wear chadors. Part of Speech: Noun

10. 9.Pretext Definition: A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason. Sample Sentence: She went back to her friend's house on the pretext that she had forgotten her purse. Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: Excuse, pretense, ruse Antonyms: truth

11. 10.Coup d’etat Definition: Sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government. Sample Sentence: Coups d’etat are most common in countries with unstable governments Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: Coup, Overthrow, Takeover

12. 11.Flagellate Definition: To whip; scourge; flog; lash Sample Sentence: Some medieval monks believed it was necessary to flagellate themselves in order to remain disciplined Part of Speech: Verb Synonyms: thrash

13. 12.Secular Definition: Not pertaining to or connected with religion Sample Sentence: That's an issue for the secular authorities, not the church Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: nonreligious, profane, temporal Antonyms: religious, sacred

14. 13.Belligerent Definition: Inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness Sample Sentence: The coach became quite belligerent and spit at an umpire after being thrown out of the game Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: Aggressive, combative, feisty Antonyms: peaceable, nonaggressive

15. 14.Espadrilles Definition: Sandal usually having a fabric upper and a flexible sole Sample Sentence: Mom, can I have some money? I want to get some jeans and espadrilles. Part of Speech: Noun

16. 15.Insolent Definition: Insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct Sample Sentence: She gave an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: brash, brazen, rude Antonyms: meek, shy, timid

17. 16.Indignant Definition: Feeling characterized by, or expressing, strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base Sample Sentence: She wrote an indignant letter to the editor. Part of Speech: Adjective Synonyms: Very angry, furious, livid Antonyms: Delighted, pleased

18. 17.Samovar Definition: An urn with a spigot at its base used especially in Russia to boil water for tea Sample Sentence: He used the samovar to heat the water. Part of Speech: Noun

19. 18.Structural linguistics Definition: The analysis of formal structures (nouns phrases, verb phrases, sentence types, etc) in a text or discourse Sample Sentence: Structural linguistics is considered an outdated branch of linguistics Part of Speech: Noun

20. 19.Lackey Definition: Someone who does menial tasks or runs errands for another Sample Sentence: He is a celebrity surrounded by his lackeys Part of Speech: Noun Synonyms: Foot man, servant Antonyms: Master, mistress

21. 20.Wohngemeinshaft Definition: A communal apartment Sample Sentence: Most Americans don’t live in wohngemeinshafts unless they’re in college Part of Speech: Noun