The document defines 20 words of Latin or Greek origin, providing the definition, origin, part of speech, synonyms, and antonyms for each word. It also includes an example sentence using the word. The words cover a wide range of meanings including concepts like beginning, truth, excess, anger, realization, happiness, defense, and lack of courage.

1. GENESIS
Definition: The origin or mode of
formation of something
Origin: Greek
NOUN
SYNONYMS: alpha, beginning, baseline, commencement
ANTONYMS: omega, ending, close
The genesis of the idea for the phone application
derived from an unfortunate life event.

2. INNOCUOUS
Definition: Not harmful or
offensive; innocent
Origin: Latin
http://www.gotbrainy.com/flashcards/show/7897
ADJECTIVE
SYNONYMS: harmless, safe, nontoxic
ANTONYMS: harmful, toxic, offensive
John told an innocuous lie when his girlfriend
asked how she looked in her new dress.

3. FALLACY
Definition: A mistaken belief,
especially one based on an unsound
argument.
Origin: Latin
NOUN
Synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion
Antonyms: truth, honesty, fact
During the debate, the fallacy of Joe’s argument was
apparent to all.
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4. OBSEQUIOUS
Definition: obedient or attentive to a
excessive or servile degree
Origin: Latin
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Synonyms: servile, sycophantic, fawning
Antonyms: domineering
Rory McIlroy is followed by obsequious assistants who are
at his service all hours of the day.
ADJECTIVE

5. AUXILIARY
Definition: Providing supplemental or
additional help and support
Origin: Latin
ADJECTIVE
Synonyms: extra, spare, reserve, back-up
Antonyms: chief, necessary, main, important
The auxiliary gym was home to free weights, cardio machines,
and a lot of sweaty and “scent-challenged”
people vowing to get in shape.
Vitamins function as an auxiliary to a well- balanced diet.
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6. DOLOROUS
Definition: Full of, expressing,
or causing pain or sorrow
Origin: Latin
ADJECTIVE
Synonyms: mournful, heartbroken
Antonyms: cheerful, joyful
Stephen’s dolorous attitude was to be expected after
his girlfriend left him for his best friend.

7. PARAGON
Definition: a person or thing regarded as the
perfect example of a particular quality
Origin: Middle French
NOUN
Synonyms: prefect, paradigm
Antonyms: flawed, worst
As a paragon of purity, a nurse would never dress
inappropriately.

8. VITRIOL
Definition: cruel and bitter criticism.
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: contempt, cattiness
Antonyms: admiration, love, respect
My experience is that people who spew that kind of vitriol and
hostility towards other human beings are never joking.
NOUN

9. AUGUST
Definition: marked by majestic dignity or
grandeur; respected and impressive
Origin: French/Latin
Synonyms: distinguished, prestigious, honorable
Antonyms: undignified
The family claims an august lineage.
We visited their august mansion and the expansive grounds.
ADJECTIVE

10. BELLIGERENT
Definition: hostile and aggressive; feeling or
showing readiness to fight
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: argumentative, combative
Antonyms: peaceful
The coach became quite belligerent and spit at the umpire after
being thrown out of the game.
ADJECTIVE

11. EPIPHANY
Definition: an intuitive grasp of reality through
something (as an event) usually simple and striking:
an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
Origin: Greek
Synonyms: insight, realization
Antonyms: confusion
Maria had an epiphany and realized that if she was serious about
pursuing a job in journalism, she needed to move to New York City.
NOUN

12. BEATIFIC
Definition: blissfully happy
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: joyful, seraphic, ecstatic
Antonyms: dark, devilish, sorrowful
Upon opening the letter from her college of choice, Susie’s face split into a
beatific smile as she spied the word “congratulations!”
ADJECTIVE

13. EPHEMERAL
Definition: lasting for a very short time
Origin: Greek
Synonyms: transitory, fleeting, brief
Antonyms: permanent
For some, the ephemeral joys of childhood are quickly
replaced with the anxious feelings of adolescence.
The mom was thankful for the ephemeral nature of the tattoos her eldest
daughter applied all over the legs of her younger sister.
ADJECTIVE

14. SANGUINE
Definition: optimistic or positive, especially
in a bad or difficult situation
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: bullish, buoyant, upbeat
Antonyms: gloomy
Kelly could not stand her mother’s sanguine enthusiasm while she was coping
with losing the championship game and her senior season coming to a close.
ADJECTIVE

15. PHLEGMATIC
Definition: not easily excited to
action; indifferent display of emotion
Origin: Greek
Synonyms: mellow, apathetic, sluggish
Antonyms: enthusiastic, exhilarated
McKayla Maroney’s phlegmatic expression says it all in this picture. She
obviously was not excited earning a silver medal in the
vault finals at the 2012 Olympics.
ADJECTIVE

16. BULWARK
Definition: a person, institution, or principle
that acts as a defense
Origin: Middle English
Synonyms: protector, defender, buttress
Antonyms: assail, assault, attack
After 9/11, some were willing to use any means necessary
to bulwark the nation against a terrorist attack.
NOUN

17. CATHARSIS
Definition: the process of releasing, and providing
relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
Origin: Greek
Synonyms: relief, release
Antonyms: dirtying, contaminating
Even though the gym was smelly, loud, and bright, the environment was
cathartic for Julie, as she always found comfort on the basketball court.
NOUN

18. IMPUGN
Definition: dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of
(statement or motive); call into question
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: challenge, question, dispute
Antonyms: agree, assist, corroborate
My daughters almost always impugn even my most simple demands.
Brushing teeth, the holiday being over, no chocolate for dinner – these are things
that have all been questioned in the past day. God help me when they are 16
and 12!
NOUN

19. INEFFABLE
Definition: too great or extreme to be
discussed or described in words
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: indescribable, inexpressible
Antonyms: describable, communicable
After winning the bowl game, the football coach felt an ineffable sense of pride.
ADJECTIVE

20. REPOSE
Definition: state of rest, sleep, or tranquility
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: rest, relaxation, inactivity
Antonyms: work, wakefulness, action
NOUN
Fish, reptiles, and insects all experience some kind of repose too.
Ice and avalanches of snow were regularly joining the rocks on their one-way trips
toward new angles of repose.

21. ESCHEW
Definition: deliberately avoid using; abstain
from
Origin: Middle English
Synonyms: abstain from, give up, forgo, renounce
(Near) Antonyms: accept, court, embrace
True vegetarians eschew food items that come from living animals.
Even though I love diet soda, I have chosen to eschew from drinking the
beverage because of the damage it does to my body.
VERB

22. PROFLIGATE
Definition: recklessly extravagant or
wasteful in the use of resources
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: wasteful, prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant
Antonyms: thrifty, frugal
During the mayor’s campaign, he swore to put an end to
profligate government spending.
Hurley made a lot of profligate purchases after winning the lottery.
ADJECTIVE

23. TEMERITY
Definition: excessive confidence or boldness;
disregarding danger
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: audacity, impudence, gall
Antonyms: careful, caution, humility
NOUN
Because they feel their doctors are more educated than they are, most
patients do not have the temerity to challenge their medical diagnosis.

24. CLEMENCY
Definition: disposition to show forbearance,
compassion, or forgiveness in judging or
punishing
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: mercifulness, gentleness
Antonyms: harshness, severity
Against multiple peoples’ wishes, the parole board recommended
clemency to the man guilty of the atrocious crime.
NOUN

25. ATAVISM
Definition: recurrence in an organism of a trait or
character typical of an ancestral form and usually
due to genetic recombination
Origin: Latin & French
Synonyms: progress
Antonyms: regression, throwback
Instead of easing their hunger pangs, their first taste only intensified
their atavistic urge to eat.
NOUN

26. PUSILLANIMOUS
Definition: showing a lack of courage or
determination
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: timid, cowardly
Antonyms: brave
Being a first responder would be a challenging responsibility for
pusillanimous individuals.
ADJECTIVE

27. POLTERGEIST
Definition: a ghost or other supernatural being
supposedly responsible for physical disturbances
such as loud noises and objects thrown around
Origin: German
Synonyms: apparition, spirit, specter
Antonyms: being, reality
Although some poltergeist incidents can be explained away as wicked horseplay
there are others which, disturbingly, defy explanation.
NOUN

28. PORTENT
Definition: a sign that something, especially something
momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen
Origin: Latin
Synonyms: omen, prophecy, auspice
Antonyms: doom
Unease among animals is usually a portent of an imminent earthquake.
NOUN