This post is in response to my comments about using vocabulary in better and more intentional ways. You may access the links for entire list here.

Social Studies: GROUP ONE

arbitrary- adj. subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one’s discretion; capricious; unreasonable; unsupported

armistice- n. a temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; an impermanent truce

bourgeoisie- n. the upper class; people, in contrast to the wage-earning class, are primarily concerned with property values. (ant. proletariat)

blitzkrieg– n. a swift intensive military attack, esp using tanks supported by aircraft, designed to defeat the opposition quickly

compulsory- adj. required; mandatory; obligatory

destitute- adj. without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.

deviate- v. to turn aside, as from a route, way, course; to depart or swerve, as from a procedure, course of action, or acceptable norm.

disseminate- v. to scatter or spread widely, as though sowing seed; promulgate extensively; broadcast; disperse

dissident– n. a person who dissents, objects, or overtly challenges leadership.

dogmatic– adj. asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated; arbitrary; imperious; dictatorial.

emissary– n. a representative sent on a mission or errand.

emulate– v. to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass.

gambit– n. any maneuver by which one seeks to gain an advantage by making a sacrifice.

heretic- n. a dissenter from the established religious beliefs

impervious– adj. not permitting penetration or passage; impenetrable

incognito– adj. adv. n. having one’s identity concealed, as under an assumed name, especially to avoid notice or formal attention.

indigenous– adj. originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native

judicious– adj. using or showing judgment as to action or practical expediency; discreet, prudent, or politic.

juggernaut– n. any large, overpowering, destructive force or object.

junta– n. a small group, usually military in nature, ruling a country, especially immediately after a coup d’état and before a legally constituted government has been instituted.

mitigate– v. to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate; to make less severe:

proletariat- n. the working class; wage-earning people with almost no property ownership (ant. bourgeoisie)

quarantine– n. the short term detention (based on a 40 day period) of a person or animal for the purpose of medical or disciplinary isolation