Caracaleo Reads discussion

For anyone studying for their SAT, GMAT, GRE, or any other exam that requires the understanding of certain words, please suggest words, along with their definitions and whatever explanation you can provide or examples.

Euhemerism: "an approach to the interpretation of mythology in which mythological accounts are presumed to have originated from real historical events or personages." This could also be considered the "historical interpretation of mythology"?

Preeminent: someone or something that is truly outstanding or better than anyone else. Not typically referred to someone in general, usually in a specific field.

ex. A person who is a leading expert in a topic

Having paramount rank, dignity or importance.

Superior or notable of all others.

Widely known and esteemed.

"The poem is a preeminent example of his work"

"Before the 19th century, China's preeminence in Asia was never challenged"

Sensationalism: the use of exciting stories at the expense of accuracy. All of which is done to promote public excitement.

Where news stories are overhyped to present biased interpretations of events.

"The cheap tabloids relied on sensationalism to increase their circulation"

Megalith:a large stone that forms a prehistoric monument.

Can be alone or a series of stones.

Examples can Stonehenge

Preponderance: a greater amount or number of something.

"A preponderance of evidences points to the guilt of the defendant"

"Not since Rome in its glory days had a nation enjoyed such overwhelming military preponderance"

Maritime: describes objects of or relating to the sea.

Located near or next to the sea.

"The country's maritime industry is an important part of its economy."

Moot: open to discussion or debate , debatable.

"The question of whether the story is fit for publication is now moot."

Authoritarianism: a form of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

Expecting or requiring people to obey rules or laws : not allowing personal freedom

Oligarchy: a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people might be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, religious or military control.

A country controlled by a small number of people.

Referendum: or a vote on a ballot question, is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new law.

an event in which the people of a county, state, etc., vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue : a public vote on a particular issue

Austere: severe in manner or appearance; uncompromising; strict; forbidding.

having few pleasures : simple and harsh

Simple or plain - not fancy

Arcane: understood by few, mysterious and secret.

Secret, obscure, esoteric

Elections make sense; central-bank announcements replete with jargon, arcane policies, and acronyms do not stir souls.

Enigmatic: difficult to interpret or understand. Mysterious.

Puzzling in occurrence.

She has a perpetually enigmatic expression on her face

Perfunctory: carried out with minimal effort.

Performed merely as routine duty.

Lacking interest, care or enthusiasm.

"At the end of the film there was some perfunctory clapping"

Hyperdiffusionism: is a hypothesis stating that one civilization or people is the creator of all logical and great things, which are then diffused to less civilized nations.

Thus, all great civilizations that share similar cultural practices, such as construction of pyramids, are derived from the same single ancient nation. According to its proponents, examples of hyperdiffusionism can be found in religious practices, cultural technologies, megalithic monuments, and lost ancient civilizations.