Webster Essential Vocabulary

hedonism (HEED ’n IZ m) n.1. (philosophy) the belief that the happiness of
the individual or the society is of paramount importance; 2. (psychology) the theory
that a person always acts to seek pleasure and avoid pain; 3. a self-indulgence in
seeking one’s own pleasure as a way of life

• The philosophy of hedonismis most closely associated with the ancient
  Greek philosopher, Epicurus (342–270 B.C.E.), who taught that all our
  actions should maximize pleasure and minimize pain.


• Psychological hedonismviews humans as built or programmed to exclusively
  desire pleasure.


• Spending one’s entire life on a luxury cruise ship in the Caribbean is
  probably the ultimate goal of modern hedonism.
  [hedonistic adj.,hedonistically adv.,hedonist n.]

Quick Review #42.

Match the word from column 2 with the word from column 1 that means most
nearly the same thing.

G – H: SAT Words 123

1. glutton


2. gracious


3. grandiose


4. gratuity


5. greed


6. grudging


7. hackneyed


8. harangue


9. harass


10. harvest


11. heckle


12. hedonism

a. trite

b. avarice

c. tirade

d. annoy

e. torment

f. reap

g. magnificent

h. reluctant

i. self-indulgence

j. epicure

k. tip

l. kind

heed(HEED) vt.pay close attention to; to take careful notice of; obey

• A mother expects her child to heedher—at least until he turns 18.


• Ice skaters may be ejected if they do not heedthe skating rink’s regulations.


• Before going into the theater, make sure to heedthe rules regarding bring-
  ing in outside food.
  [-ed, -ing, -ful adj., -fully adv.]