1. Lesson Fifteen English II

2. orifice Definition (n) mouth; opening Example The cavity in his tooth felt like a giant orifice, but it actually was quite small.

3. hallow Definition (v) to make holy Syn: bless; consecrate Ant: desecrate Example We cannot hallow this field, for the men who died here made it holy.

4. perdition Definition (n) damnation; ruin; hell Example The sermon was about the sins which lead to perdition.

5. chaff Definition (n) worthless matter Syn: rubbish Example “Give me just the facts,” the professor said. “Separate the wheat from the chaff.”

6. aesthetic Definition (adj) pertaining to beauty Syn: artistic Ant: displeasing; unattractive Example The house was cheap, but it lacked any aesthetic qualities.

7. empirical Definition (adj) based on practical experience rather than theory Syn: observable Ant: thoeretical Example Her theory sounded logical, but the empirical data did not support it.

8. germane Definition (adj) relevant; fitting Syn: appropriate; pertinent; suitable Ant: irrelevant Example Make sure that all of your answers are germane to the questions.

9. hermetic Definition (adj) tightly sealed Syn: airtight Example That medicine should be packed in hermetic containers.

10. meretricious Definition (adj) attractive in a cheap, flashy way Syn: gaudy; showy; tawdry Ant: restrained; tasteful Example She was naturally beautiful, so no one knew why she wore such meretricious looking clothing.

11. querulous Definition (adj) complaining; grumbling Syn: fretful; peevish Ant: complacent; satisfied Example The querulous child on the plane annoyed the other passengers.

12. flaccid Definition (adj) flabby Syn: weak; feeble Ant: solid; taut Example The retired athlete’s muscles became flaccid after years without exercise.

13. hospice Definition (n) a shelter for travelers, orphans, or the ill or destitute Example The new hospice for cancer patients opened in July.

14. egregious Definition (adj) remarkably bad; outrageous Syn: flagrant; gross Ant: moderate Example His remark was so egregious that it shocked everyone at the party.

15. ratiocinate Definition (v) to reason; to think Example Because alcohol had dulled his mind, he was no longer able to ratiocinate clearly.

16. foment Definition (v) to stir up; to incite Syn: instigate; arouse Ant: quell; curb Example At the convention, people were hired to foment disruptions during the senator’s speech.