Vocabulary

This vocabulary listing is presented because of a felt need for explicitly defining those words of a sensitive nature and not commonly used in daily discourse.

Bastard. n. 1. An illegitimate child. 2. Any product of irregular, inferior, or dubious origin. 3. Slang. An obnoxious or nasty person. Used as an epithet of abuse. 4. Slang. A fellow. Often used with mild contempt: poor bastard. –adj. 1. Born of unwed parents; illegitimate. 2. Not genuine; spurious. 3. Of inferior breed or kind. 4. Resembling a known kind of species, but not truly such: bastard toadflax. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, New College Edition, William Morris, Editor.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company; Copyright 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1976

Bastardize. To debase; corrupt tr.v. –bastardization n. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, New College Edition, William Morris, Editor.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company; Copyright 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1976  

Heresy.  1. a. An opinion of doctrine at variance with established religious beliefs; especially, dissension from or denial of Roman Catholic dogma by a professed believer or baptized church member.  b. Adherence to such dissenting opinion or belief.  2. a. A controversial or unorthodox opinion or doctrine in politics, philosophy, science, or other fields.  b. Adherence to such unorthodox opinion. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, New College Edition, William Morris, Editor.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company; Copyright 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1976  

Gay. 1. Showing or characterized by exuberance or mirthful excitement; merry. 2. Bright or lively, especially in color. 3. Full of or given to social or other pleasures. 4. Dissolute; licentious. 5. Slang. Homosexual. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, New College Edition, William Morris, Editor.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company; Copyright 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1976  

Queer. 1. Deviating from the expected or normal; strange. 2. Odd or unconventional in behavior; eccentric. 3. Arousing suspicion. 4. Slang. Homosexual. 5. Fake; counterfeit. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, New College Edition, William Morris, Editor.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company; Copyright 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1976