Grade 6 College Vocabulary, Week 30

Definition: The case or side a person argues for, as in a court or a debate; a principle or purpose people work for; a reason something happens. "words in context" questions often test sense 1 or 2.

From the reading: "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." (Proverbs 18:17)

Synonyms:

case, side, position; (sense 2) purpose, mission

Antonyms:

(sense 3) effect, result

Root:Latin causa, "reason, lawsuit." A Roman lawyer pleaded a causa before the judge.

Definition: acting too quickly, without careful thought about what may happen.

From the reading: "May I entreat you, madam, to do nothing rash," (Sir Andrew to Marguerite).

KJV: "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God" (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Synonyms:

hasty, reckless, impulsive

Antonyms:

cautious, careful, deliberate

Root:Middle English rasch, "quick, hasty," from an old Germanic word for "fast."

Definition: to answer quickly and sharply, often turning the other person's words back on him; a quick, sharp reply.

From the reading: "'More so than your chivalry, I fear,' she retorted sarcastically."

KJV link: A retort may win a laugh, but Scripture prizes the gentler reply: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

Synonyms:

riposte, comeback, rejoinder

Antonyms:

question, query; (in manner) meek reply

Root:Latin retortus, "twisted back," from re- (back) + torquere (to twist), as in torque.

Definition: Flavored, as food with salt or spice; experienced and skilled from long practice (the common test sense: "a seasoned debater").

From the reading: "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6, the lesson's Scripture)

Synonyms:

(sense 2) experienced, practiced, veteran

Antonyms:

(sense 2) inexperienced, green, novice

Root:Old French saisonner, "to ripen, make fit," from saison, "season": something given the right time to mature.

Definition: a formal contest of arguments, with turns and rules; to argue a question in an orderly way.

From the reading: "Hold a short family debate on a story or historical claim."

Synonyms:

argument, disputation, discussion

Antonyms:

agreement, consensus, accord

Root:Old French debatre, "to fight," from Latin de- (down, thoroughly) + battuere (to beat), as in battle: a battle fought with words.

Definition: saying "yes"; in a debate, the side that argues for the resolution.

From the reading: "In a debate, the affirmative confirms the resolution and the negative refutes it."

Synonyms:

positive, assenting; (debate) the proposing side

Antonyms:

negative, dissenting

Root:Latin affirmare, "to make firm," from ad- (to) + firmus (strong, firm).

Definition: an answer that tries to show the other side's argument is wrong.

From the reading: "Give a one-minute rebuttal."

KJV link: A good rebuttal begins with good listening: "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).

Synonyms:

refutation, counterargument, answer

Antonyms:

confirmation, agreement, support

Root:Old French rebouter, "to push back," from re- (back) + bouter (to push, butt).

Definition: to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true; to give up a point or a contest.

Context: A fair debater will concede a good point from the other side and then show why his own case is still stronger.

Synonyms:

admit, grant, acknowledge, yield

Antonyms:

deny, dispute, contest

Root:Latin concedere, "to give way," from con- (wholly) + cedere (to yield, go), as in cede and recede.

Definition: a clever, funny remark.

From the reading: "A chorus of good-humoured laughter greeted this witticism"

Context: In the inn at Dover the jokes fly from mouth to mouth, and Sir Percy's silly-sounding witticisms later help hide his true mind.

Synonyms:

quip, jest, pun

Antonyms:

dull remark, platitude

Root:witty + -cism, coined by the poet John Dryden in the 1600s on the pattern of criticism.

Definition: an insulting or mocking remark; to make such remarks.

From the reading: "...the gibes and jeers of his malicious enemy."

Synonyms:

taunt, jab, insult, sneer

Antonyms:

compliment, praise, tribute

Root:perhaps from Old French giber, "to handle roughly."

Definition: to laugh at or shout at someone rudely and scornfully.

From the reading: "...the gibes and jeers of his malicious enemy."

KJV link: At the cross the passers-by mocked Christ (Matthew 27:39-44), yet He, "when he was reviled, reviled not again" (1 Peter 2:23).

Synonyms:

mock, scoff, deride, heckle

Antonyms:

cheer, applaud, praise

Root:origin uncertain; perhaps from Dutch gieren, "to roar" or "to shriek."

Definition: to treat someone with cold scorn, especially by ignoring or brushing him off; an act of such scorn.

From the reading: "He had received a rebuke and a snub, but his shrewd, fox-like face looked neither abashed nor disappointed" (Chauvelin, after Marguerite turns him away at the inn).

Context: A snub is not an argument. In a debate, ignoring your opponent's point does not answer it; only a fair rebuttal does.

Synonyms:

rebuff, slight, cold-shoulder, spurn

Antonyms:

welcome, greet, embrace

Root:Old Norse snubba, "to scold, check": first "to rebuke sharply," later "to brush off with scorn."

Definition: careless of danger or of what may happen; not thinking of the consequences.

From the reading: "...the gallant and mysterious leader of the reckless little band, who risked his life daily, who gave it freely and without ostentation..."

Synonyms:

daring, rash, heedless, foolhardy

Antonyms:

careful, cautious, prudent

Root:Old English receleas, "careless," from recce (care, heed) + -leas (without).

Definition: skillful with the hands or the mind; deft.

From the reading: "...admiring the dexterous, certain way in which he handled the reins..."

Synonyms:

skillful, deft, nimble, adroit

Antonyms:

clumsy, awkward, inept

Root:Latin dexter, "on the right side, skillful": the right hand was thought to be the skillful one.

Definition: To settle a quarrel by each side giving up something; to expose to danger, suspicion or disgrace (the sense in the reading, and a favorite "words in context" trap).

From the reading: "I must assure you that St. Just is compromised beyond the slightest hope of pardon."

Synonyms:

(sense 1) settlement, agreement; (sense 2) endanger, expose, imperil

Antonyms:

(sense 2) protect, safeguard, secure

Root:Latin compromissum, "a mutual promise" (com- together + promittere to promise), first used of two sides promising to accept an umpire's decision.

Definition: without pity or mercy; cruel and determined.

From the reading: "Anyone found harbouring or assisting suspected royalists would be ruthlessly condemned and summarily executed..."

Synonyms:

merciless, pitiless, relentless, cruel

Antonyms:

merciful, compassionate, lenient

Root:Middle English ruthe, "pity" (from rue, "to be sorry") + -less: without pity.

Definition: To declare guilty and sentence to punishment; to express strong disapproval of.

From the reading: "...had snatched away condemned victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine."

KJV: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).

Synonyms:

sentence, convict; (sense 2) denounce, censure

Antonyms:

acquit, pardon; (sense 2) praise, approve

Root:Latin condemnare, from con- (thoroughly) + damnare (to sentence, to harm).

Definition: done at once, without delay and without the usual steps such as a fair trial or hearing.

From the reading: "...would be ruthlessly condemned and summarily executed, whatever his nationality might be."

Context: The Revolution's tribunals judged summarily. No neighbour came to search out the accuser, as in Proverbs 18:17; the first charge was enough.

Synonyms:

immediately, promptly, abruptly, without ceremony

Antonyms:

deliberately, carefully, after due process

Root:Latin summarium, "an abstract, a short account," from summa, "the whole, the total": everything cut down to the shortest form.

Definition: calm and not upset, even under pressure.

From the reading: "...said Chauvelin, with the same unruffled calm..."

Context: A debater should stay unruffled when the other side attacks; a calm voice lets the evidence speak.

Synonyms:

calm, composed, serene, collected

Antonyms:

flustered, agitated, rattled

Root:un- (not) + ruffle (to disturb a smooth surface, like feathers or water).

Definition: completely confused and puzzled.

From the reading: "...to poor bewildered Jellyband, who seemed at his wits’ end what to do."

Synonyms:

baffled, perplexed, confounded, mystified

Antonyms:

enlightened, certain, clear-headed

Root:be- (thoroughly) + old English wilder, "to lead astray" (as in wilderness): lost in the wild.