GLOSSARY

 

 

NOTE: The following vocabulary words are terms often used when describing “values.”  Often there are also other meanings for these terms.  However, the meanings given in this glossary are the ones intended throughout this web site.

 

ANTICIPATE

To look ahead, to realize in advance.

Synonyms: forecast, expect

 

AUTHORITY

The right to be obeyed.  Someone whose knowledge and opinions command respect, such as a parent or teacher.

Synonyms: leadership, in charge

 

BULLY

Someone who enjoys harassing others weaker than himself or herself.

Synonyms: tormentor, oppressor

 

CARING

To be concerned about another person (i.e. rights, feelings, property).

Synonyms: be concerned

Antonyms: neglect, unfeeling

 

CHARACTER

The quality of a person’s behavior.

 Synonyms: identity, make-up

 

COMMITMENT

The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to some course of action.

Synonyms: bind, obligate

Antonyms: renounce, neglect

 

COMPASSION

A deep feeling aroused by the distress of others, with the desire to help them.

Synonyms: Concern, empathy

Antonyms: cruelty, harshness

 

CONSEQUENCES

A logical result of an action.  The student got “grounded” because he did not do his homework.

 Synonyms: outcome, result

 

COURAGE

The ability to meet danger without giving away to fear.  To have the courage of one’s convictions.

 Synonyms: bravery, strength

 Antonyms: cowardice

 

COURTESY

Considerate behavior.

 Synonyms: manners, politeness

 Antonyms: disrespect, intolerance

 

DESIRE

To want or wish for something (i.e. It is my desire to have a trusting relationship with my parents.

Synonyms: hope, yearning

Antonyms: dislike

 

DESTINY

The fate to which a person is destined.

            Synonyms:  outcome, predetermination

 

DIGNITY

The presence of poise and self-respect.

Synonyms: composure, decency

Antonyms: degradation

 

EFFORT

The use of physical or mental energy to achieve a desired outcome.

Synonyms: try, endeavor

 

ENVIRONMENT

For this course, environment will be defined as follows: The earth (water, air, soil, animals, and plants).

Synonyms: surroundings, habitat

 

EXPECTATIONS

Accomplishments which can be expected.  A father has high expectations that his son will graduate from high school.

Synonyms: prospects, outlook

Antonyms: disappointments

 

EXPULSION

Removal from school for long periods of time due to a serious violation of the law or school rules, usually for up to one year.

Synonyms: exclusion, dismissal

 

FELONY

A very serious crime.

 

FRIEND

Someone who cares about you because of who you are, not what you have or what you can do for them.

Synonyms: pal, comrade

Antonyms: foe, enemy

 

FRIENDLINESS

Showing a high regard to others and freely helping others out of goodwill.

Synonyms: cordial, kindly

Antonyms: hostile, antagonistic

 

HARASS

To repeatedly subject someone to unjustifiable attacks.  Such attacks could be verbal, written, or physical.

Synonyms: badger, hassle

Antonyms: delight

 

HAPPINESS

A state of mind; happiness is characterized as a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment of one’s circumstances.

Synonyms: content, well-being

Antonyms: sadness, discouragement

 

HONESTY

The act of being honest; high integrity, truthfulness, sincerity

Synonyms: decency, righteousness

Antonyms: deceitful, falsehood

 

INJURY

Physical impairment resulting from violence or accident.

Synonyms: harm, damage

 

INTEGRITY

To live up to a high code of behavior.  The capacity of being honest and trustworthy. 

Synonyms: honor, dignity, decency

Antonyms: deceit, worthlessness

 

INTIMIDATE

To influence someone with threats.

Synonyms: coerce, bully

Antonyms: bolster

 

JUSTICE

Moral rightness; equity.  Honor; fairness.

Synonyms: equity, fairness, right

Antonyms: inequity, wrong

 

KINDNESS

The quality of treating others with grace.

Synonyms: compassion, gentleness

Antonyms: cruelty

 

LEARNING

The acquiring of knowledge or skill.

Synonyms: comprehend, master

Antonyms: ignorance

 

LIABLE

Legally bound or responsible.

Synonyms: accountable, answerable

 

LISTEN

To hear while attempting to understand.  To pay attention.

Synonyms: be attentive, heed

Antonyms: disregard, ignore

 

MATURE

The state or quality of being fully grown; being able to make responsible decisions; making mature judgment.

Synonyms: grown-up

Antonyms: childish, immature

 

MORAL

Concerned with right and wrong, and the difference between them.

Synonyms: ethical, honorable, worthy

Antonyms: dishonest, corrupt

 

OBLIGATION

Something which a person is bound to do or not do as a result of an agreement or responsibility.

Synonyms: duty, commitment

 

ON-TASK

To concentrate on the task at hand.  Not to be distracted.

 Synonyms: concentration

 Antonyms: distraction

 

PEER-PRESSURE

Influence of one’s friends on behavior.

 

POTENTIAL

Capable of being, but not yet achieved.

 Synonyms: capability, prospect

 Antonyms: limitation

 

REPUTATION

The general opinion held by people about the merits of a person or thing.

 Synonyms: fame, image

 

RESPECT

The special esteem in which one holds another person or one’s self.     

 Synonyms: honor, appreciate

 Antonyms: contempt, disdain

 

A RESPONSIBLE PERSON

A person with high integrity who can be trusted to be respectful of the rights and needs of others, and who fulfills personal obligations.  A responsible person is a problem solver, makes choices based on “right and wrong.”   Avoids making excuses for failures; instead accepts consequences of choices.   

 Synonyms: conscientious, creditable

 Antonyms: unreliable

 

SAFETY

The condition of being safe from risk or danger.

 Synonyms:  security, protection

 Antonyms:  hazard, peril

 

SELF-DISCIPLINE

Control of one’s conduct for personal improvement.

 Synonyms: self-restraint

 Antonym: disorder

 

SELF-RESPECT

The proper esteem in which one holds oneself.

 Synonyms: pride, image, self-esteem

 

SENSITIVE

Being aware and responsive to the moods and feelings of others.

 Synonyms: considerate, tactful

 Antonyms: insensitive, indifferent

 

SUCCESS

The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted.

 Synonyms: accomplish, attain

 Antonyms: failure, defeat

 

SUSPENSION

Removal from school for a short time due to a serious violation of the law or school rules, usually for one to five days.

 

THINK

Visualize, imagine, anticipate, reason, reflect, weigh ideas, compare and contrast, draw conclusions, etc.

Synonyms: conceive, deliberate

 

TOLERANT

Willingness to allow others to believe or act as they judge best.

 Synonyms: accepting, patient

 Antonyms: bigoted, narrow-minded

 

TRUST

To have confidence in another person because of the qualities that we see.  To accept another person as being true or reliable without being able or seeing the need to verify it.

 Synonyms: confidence, believe in

 Antonyms: mistrust, suspicion

 

TRUSTWORTHY

Deserving trust.

 Synonyms: honest, dependable

 Antonyms: dishonest, untrustworthy

 

VALUES

Principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable.

 Synonyms: quality, worth, merit,

            Antonyms:  esteem, goodness

 

UNSELFISH

The quality of being generous.

 Synonyms: generous, giving

 Antonyms: selfish

 

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