F-451 Vocab 1

Front 1

gobbledygook

Back 1

n - language governed by circumlocution and technical jargon; overly-complex, sophisticated language

Front 2

olfactory

Back 2

adj - of or pertaining to the sense of smell

Front 3

centrifuge

Back 3

n - rotary machine used for the purpose of separating liquids; operates on the principle of centrifugal force

Front 4

luminescent

Back 4

adj - characterized by the ability to emit light not attributed to heat

Front 5

feign

Back 5

v - to make a false showing or deceptive appearance; sham

Front 6

exploit

Back 6

v - to use another for cruel advantage or gain

Front 7

sieve

Back 7

n - a tool / apparatus / device for sifting or collecting desired materials, while letting the unwanted elements fall through; a strainer; colander

Front 8

quibble

Back 8

v - to raise trivial objection to; argue over minor points

Front 9

patronage

Back 9

n - support given to an establishment

Front 10

arsonist

Back 10

n one who willingly/knowingly/maliciously burns the property of another

Front 11

Caesarean section

Back 11

n - surgical technique to remove a baby by making an incision in the motherís abdominal / uterine wall

Front 12

manifest

Back 12

v - to reveal; make real; to go from dream or idea to reality

Front 13

aesthetic

Back 13

n - a philosophy that recognizes and appreciates the presence of beauty in the world

Front 14

juggernaut

Back 14

n - slow-moving, unstoppable, destructive force

Front 15

anesthetic

Back 15

n - medical agent that causes unconsciousness or deadens nerve sensation; novocaine, procaine

Front 16

mural

Back 16

n - painting that is applied directly onto a wall or ceiling

Front 17

salamander

Back 17

n - tailed, lizard-like amphibian; mythically believed to be able to withstand fire

Front 18

phoenix

Back 18

n - a bird of great beauty and grace from Egyptian mythology; consumes itself in fire only to be reborn from its own ashes to live through another cycle; symbol of immortality

Front 19

hearth

Back 19

n - the floor area of a fireplace; symbolic of peace and household blessing

Front 20

dystopia

Back 20

n - Greek root “dys” meaning “bad;” malfunctioning society characterized by the oppression and suffering of its citizens

Front 21

utopia

Back 21

n - a society characterized by perfection and enlightenment; exists only in theory

Front 22

kerosene

Back 22

n - highly combustible (flammable) liquid, generally used as a fuel

Front 23

flue

Back 23

n - pipe-like passageway

Front 24

mausoleum

Back 24

n - a large, stately above-ground tomb found in a graveyard

Front 25

tallow

Back 25

n - mixture of animal fats, processed and used in lotions, soaps, and candles

Front 26

nonconformist

Back 26

n - a person who refuses to go along with generally accepted norms and conventions found in society

Front 27

catalyst

Back 27

n - someone or something that causes change in an existing condition