Vocabulary words
1984 List #2 and review words
Directions: Please define the following words from 1984. Then define each stem and root. Use your Word within a Word book and dictionary.com. Make sure you are correct!
1. THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF OLIGARCHICAL COLLECTIVISM
oligarchy -
●oligos- few, small, little
●arch-to rule
collectivism-the principle of ownership of the means of production, by the state or the people
2. “The frontiers between the three super-states are in some places arbitrary, and in others they fluctuate according to the fortunes of war, but in general they follow geographical lines.”
arbitrary-subject to individual will or judgment without restriction; contingent solely upon one's discretion
fluctuate - to change continually; shift back and forth
●fluc- flow
3. “And at the same time the consciousness of being at war, and therefore in danger, makes the handing-over of all power to a small caste seem the natural, unavoidable condition of survival.”
caste - any rigid system of social distinctions.
4. “Under this lies a fact never mentioned aloud, but tacitly understood and acted upon: namely, that the conditions of life in all three super-states are very much the same.”
tacitly - understood without being openly expressed; implied:
●tac - silent
5. Crimestop, in short, means protective stupidity. But stupidity is not enough. On the contrary, orthodoxy in the full sense demands a control over one's own mental processes as complete as that of a contortionist over his body. Oceanic society rests ultimately on the belief that Big Brother is omnipotent and that the Party is infallible. But since in reality Big Brother is not omnipotent and the party is not infallible, there is need for an unwearying, moment-to-moment flexibility in the treatment of facts.
contortionist - a person who can twist his body in unnatural shapes
●con - together
●tort-twist
omnipotent - 1) infinite power like God 2)having very great or unlimited authority or power
●omni - all
●potent - powerful
unwearying - not exhausting, not tiring
infallible - not fallible; exempt from liability to error, as persons, their judgment,or pronouncements:
●in - not
●fall - trick, deceive
Review Wordsperplex - to confuse mentally
pallor - serious unusual or extreme paleness, as from fear, ill health, death
stolid - not easily stirred or moved mentally; impassive
wistful - characterized by melancholy or sadness; longing, yearning
subtle - fine or delicate in meaning or intent
lurid - gruesome; horrible; revolting
audible- capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard
superfluous- more than is sufficient or required; excessive
articulate- expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness to
somber - gloomily dark; dismal, depressing; grave