Cloud Atlas Vocab P1-18

Front 1

condign (adj)

Back 1

well-deserved; fitting; adequate

syn; appropriate, suitable

Usage: Is the death penalty an act of condign retribution?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/condign

Front 2

despotism (n)

Back 2

the rule of a despot; exercise of absolute authority; tyranny.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/despotism

Front 3

simulacrum (n)
[sim-yuh-ley-kruhm]

Back 3

slight, unreal or superficial likeness or semblance; an effigy, image, or representation

Usage: As they drove to the museum, the writer was able to generate a mental simulacrum of its smell.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/simulacrum

Front 4

ameliorate (v)
[uh-meel-yuh-reyt]

Back 4

to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve

Syn: amend, better, improve

Usage: They found that as well as improving efficiency, they also help to ameliorate damage.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ameliorate

Front 5

fecundate (v)
[fee-kuhn-deyt]

Back 5

to make prolific or fruitful; impregnate or fertilize

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fecundated

Front 6

pusillanimity (n)
[pyoo-suh-luh-nim-i-tee]

Back 6

state of being pusillanimous; timidity; cowardliness

Usage: And therefore much laughter at the defects of others is a sign of pusillanimity.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pusillanimity

Front 7

tatterdemalion (n)(adj)
[tat-er-di-meyl-yuhn]

Back 7

(n) a person in tattered clothing; shabby person.

(adj) ragged; unkempt or dilapidated
Usage:They were a tatterdemalion lot of soldiers and no mistake.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/tatterdemalion

Front 8

torpor (n)
[tawr-per]

Back 8

sluggish inactivity or inertia; lethargic indifference; apathy; dormancy

Usage: It's a familiar scene: offices where productivity starts the day briskly but falls into a deep torpor after lunch.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/torpor

Front 9

circumvallated (adj)
[sur-kuhm-cal-eyt]

Back 9

surrounded or as if by a rampart; surrounded by a depression or wall-like ridge

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/circumvallated

Front 10

polymath (n)
[pol-ee-math]

Back 10

a person of great learning in several fields of study

Usage: He was deeply engaged with real-world technology, exotic and well traveled, and a polymath respected in so many circles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polymath

Front 11

emollient (adj)
[ih-mol-yuhnt]

Back 11

having the power of softening or relaxing; as a medicinal substance; soothing, especially to the skin

Syn: relieving, healing

Usage:The northerners' initial response has been emollient.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emollient

Front 12

vouchsafe (v)
[vouch-seyf]

Back 12

to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness or condescension

Syn: bestow, confer, accord

Usage: And this was all the information that she would vouchsafe.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vouchsafe

Front 13

Acute (adj)
[uh-kyoot]

Back 13

sharp or severe in effect; intense; extremely great or serious; sharp or penetrating in intellect

Usage: But more important, he was an acute businessman and a truly brilliant editor.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/acute