Lesson 23
Is a junta a tasty dessert?
What foreign expression means “end of the century”?
What does a firing squad have to do with coup de grace?
How does laissez-faire differ from savior faire?
Why does Emily Post frown upon behavior that is gauche?
- avant-garde
- bête noire
- bon mot
- coup de grace
- cul-de-sac
- deus ex machina
- fait accompli
- fin de siècle
- gauche
- junta
- laissez-faire
- mot juste
- non compos
- mentis
- non sequitur
- sine qua non
Vocabulary Definitions
Avant-garde
Avant-garde refers to innovative, experimental, and cutting-edge ideas, especially in art, culture, and society that challenge traditional norms.
- The avant-garde movement in art sought to redefine the boundaries of creative expression.
- Many films today draw inspiration from avant-garde techniques to tell unique stories.
- The gallery showcased avant-garde pieces that sparked discussions about modern art.
Bête noire
A bête noire is something or someone that one particularly dislikes or avoids.
- For the politician, public speaking was a bête noire that caused great anxiety.
- The team’s bête noire was their rival, whom they could never seem to defeat.
- Everyone has their own bête noire, whether it’s a task, a meeting, or a particular food.
Bon mot
A bon mot is a witty remark or a clever saying.
- The dinner party was filled with bon mots that kept everyone entertained.
- His ability to deliver a bon mot at the right moment made him the life of the gathering.
- She is known for her bon mots that often leave a lasting impression.
Coup de grâce
A coup de grâce refers to a decisive finishing blow or action that brings about the end of something, often in a dramatic or merciful way.
- The final goal in the match was the coup de grâce that secured their victory.
- The movie’s twist served as a coup de grâce to the already tense narrative.
- In the debate, her argument was the coup de grâce that silenced her opponents.
Cul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a street or passage closed at one end, often used to describe a dead-end street.
- The children played safely in the cul-de-sac, far from busy traffic.
- Living in a cul-de-sac fosters a sense of community among neighbors.
- The real estate agent highlighted the quiet cul-de-sac as a major selling point.
Deus ex machina
A deus ex machina is a plot device in literature or film where an unexpected power or event saves a seemingly hopeless situation.
- Some critics argue that the ending of the novel relied too heavily on a deus ex machina.
- The sudden appearance of the hero served as a deus ex machina to resolve the conflict.
- In classical theater, a deus ex machina often involved the intervention of the gods.
Fait accompli
A fait accompli refers to an accomplished fact or action that is irreversible, often used in a context where one must accept it as a done deal.
- The merger was announced as a fait accompli, leaving employees with little choice but to adapt.
- They presented the new policy as a fait accompli, creating dissent among staff.
- Accepting the fait accompli, the board moved forward with the new strategy.
Fin de siècle
Fin de siècle describes the end of a century, often associated with a sense of cultural and artistic change or decadence.
- The fin de siècle period was marked by a flourishing of avant-garde art and literature.
- Many writers captured the themes of disillusionment prevalent during the fin de siècle.
- The architecture of the time reflected the unique aesthetics of the fin de siècle movement.
Gauche
Gauche refers to someone or something that is socially awkward or lacking in grace.
- His gauche remarks during the interview cost him the job.
- She felt gauche at the formal event, unsure of how to interact with the guests.
- The character’s gauche behavior added a comedic element to the story.
Junta
A junta is a group of military leaders who rule a country after taking control by force.
- The junta imposed strict regulations after seizing power in the coup.
- International relations were strained due to the actions of the junta.
- The junta’s governance faced widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.
Laissez-faire
Laissez-faire is an economic philosophy of minimal government intervention in the affairs of business and the economy.
- Advocates of laissez-faire argue that free markets lead to innovation and growth.
- The government adopted a laissez-faire approach, allowing businesses to thrive with few regulations.
- Critics of laissez-faire economics warn about the potential for exploitation and inequality.
Mot juste
A mot juste is the exactly right word or phrase to express an idea or sentiment.
- She finally found the mot juste to convey her feelings in the letter.
- The poet was known for his ability to select the mot juste in every line.
- Finding the mot juste can elevate writing from ordinary to extraordinary.
Non compos mentis
Non compos mentis refers to a person who is not of sound mind and therefore not capable of making rational decisions.
- The defense argued that the defendant was non compos mentis at the time of the crime.
- Legal proceedings can differ significantly when a party is deemed non compos mentis.
- The elder’s family was concerned about his non compos mentis condition affecting his finances.
Non sequitur
A non sequitur is a statement or conclusion that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.
- His comment about the weather was a complete non sequitur in the context of the discussion.
- The debate was filled with non sequiturs that confused the audience.
- Understanding non sequiturs can improve critical thinking skills in discussions.
Sine qua non
Sine qua non refers to an essential condition or element; something that is absolutely necessary.
- Trust is the sine qua non of any successful relationship.
- For the project to succeed, collaboration was the sine qua non among team members.
- Effective communication is a sine qua non for achieving organizational goals.
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Words in Use
The Coup de Grace
In the midst of a political crisis, the country was in a state of chaos. The junta had taken control, and the people were living in fear of what would happen next.
The new regime was known for its gauche policies and its disregard for the people’s rights. They had no interest in democracy or freedom, and they were determined to hold onto power at any cost.
But there were those who refused to give up without a fight. They formed an avant-garde movement, determined to overthrow the junta and restore democracy to the country.
The junta saw the movement as their bête noire. They knew that if the people rose up against them, their days in power would be numbered.
The movement was led by a charismatic leader who was known for his bon mot. He had a way with words that inspired people to join the cause and fight for what was right.
The junta knew that they had to act fast if they were going to maintain their grip on power. They decided to launch a surprise attack on the movement, hoping to deliver the coup de grace that would crush their resistance once and for all.
But the movement was ready for them. They had been preparing for this moment for months, and they were determined to fight to the bitter end.
The battle was fierce, and both sides suffered heavy losses. But in the end, it was the movement that emerged victorious. They had delivered the coup de grace to the junta, and they had restored democracy to the country.
It was a fait accompli that had been years in the making. The people had spoken, and they had shown that they would not be silenced by the junta’s cul-de-sac policies.
The movement had become the sine qua non of the country’s future, and they had proven that even in the darkest of times, there was always hope for a better tomorrow.
