Page 232 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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talisman (TAL is min) n. 1. something (like a ring, necklace, or bracelet) bear-
ing symbols or engraved figures thought to bring good luck; 2. anything thought to
have magic power; something to ward off evil; an amulet
• In many primitive and not-so-primitive cultures, talismans are worn to
ward off evil spirits.
• Many educated persons have been known to carry a rabbit’s foot as a
talisman, despite the fact that it obviously did not bring much luck to the
rabbit.
[-s pl.]
tangential (tan JEN shil) adj. 1. diverging or digressing; going off at an angle,
like a tangent; 2. just touching on a subject, but not dealing with it at length
• The school superintendent started talking about the school budget but
soon went off on the tangential subject of the breakfast program.
• While examining the world news section of the newspaper, Sandy took a
tangential glance at the baseball scores.
[-ly adv.]
temerity (tim ER it ee) n. audacity; recklessness; foolhardiness
• Mark was shocked that only a week into skiing lessons, Allison had the
temerity to tackle the giant slalom.
• Nobody believed that North Vietnam would have the temerity to attack
South Vietnam while it was under American protection, but we all know
how that turned out.
temperament (TEM per mint) n. 1. one’s usual state of mind or disposition;
nature; natural disposition; 2. excitability; moodiness; capriciousness; volatility
• Collies usually have a very even temperament and are very good at herding
children who try to stray.
• A Jack Russell terrier’s temperament, on the other hand, is frenetic or (as
some might say) hyper, and it is in perpetual motion.
[Syn. disposition]
temperance (TEM pir INS) n. 1. self-restraint; moderation in appetite, expres-
sion, indulgence, and so on; 2. totally refraining from drinking alcoholic beverages
• It is a good idea to exercise temperance in the amount of fried foods that
one eats in a week.
• The temperance movement was responsible for the U.S. Prohibition era of
the 1930s.
tenacious (ten AY shis) adj. 1. holding on firmly; retaining well; retentive;
2. persistent; stubborn
• The British are known for being a very tenacious people, which is why they
embrace the bulldog as their national mascot.
• When he fell over the cliff, Carl held on to the tree root with a tenacious
grip until rescuers could reach him.
[-ly adv., tenacity n.] [Syn. persistent]
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