Vocabulary #3

apostate: (Noun) a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc

The last thing we heard from John was that he became an apostate because it was taking up too much of his time.

effusive: (Adjective) unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve

My friend Loraine does not know how to NOT be an effusive person; it's probably due to the fact that she 

impasse: (Noun) a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock.

I was stuck in an impasse, either I tell the truth and get punished, or I lie and feel like a horrible person.

euphoria: (Noun) a state of intense happiness and self-confidence

Traveling the world gives me a sense of euphoria because I've developed a little something called wanderlust.

lugubrious: (Adjective) mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner

The death of Jenna's fish was lugubrious to the point where I couldn't tell if she was being serious or funny.

bravado: (Noun) a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.

John adores being center of attention so he carries himself with much bravado.

consensus: (Noun) majority of opinion

The consensus on whether or not to buy a new flat-screen TV for the science room came out to be a win.

dichotomy (Noun) division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs.

My ambassador group had to sometimes split into a dichotomy to make life easier on us all.

constrict: (Verb) to draw or press in; cause to contract or shrink; compress.

Venomous snakes are terribly good at constricting their prey.

gothic (Adjective) noting or pertaining to a style of architecture, originating in France in the middle of the 12thcentury and existing in the western half of Europe through the middle of the 16th century, characterized by the use of the pointed arch and the ribbed vault, by the use of fine wood work and stonework, by a progressive lightening of structure, and by the use of such features as flying buttresses, ornamental gables, crockets, and foils.

In Honors English my sophomore and AP English my Junior year, we went over the gothic era in writing.

punctilio (Noun) a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure.

The punctilio used to create fire was not the same as it was thousands of years ago.

metamorphosis (Noun) a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft.

Metamorphosis occurs frequently among the butterfly species.

raconteur (Noun) a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.

Dr. Preston is the perfect example of a raconteur because he always keeps the class mind boggling and active.

sinequanon: (noun) an indispensable condition, element, or factor; something essential:

Seeing my friends is a sine qua non for me, I tend to forget what I do without them. 

quixotic (Adjective) extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.

Girls who love attention are usually into the quixotic type of guy.

vendetta (Noun) a private feud in which the members of the family of a murdered person seek to avenge the murder by killing the slayer or one of the slayer's relatives, especially such vengeance as once practiced in Corsica and parts of Italy.

A vendetta is highly risky business that can be seen in movies and in real life.

non sequitur: (Noun) in formal logic, is an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises

Non sequitur is under the illogical fallacy list which are irrational answers that are used in arguments.

mystique:(Noun) a framework of doctrines, ideas, beliefs, or the like, constructed around a person or object, endowing the person or object with enhanced value or profound meaning: 

The artifact was a mystique found in the deep hidden caves of the Himalayas Mountains.

quagmire(Noun) an area of miry or boggy ground whose surface yields under the tread; a bog.

When playing the Shrek video game, I recall playing in a place called the bog which is what a quagmire is.

parlous: (Adjective) perilous; dangerous.

Knights live a parlous life trying to save their beloved princes and princesses.