ENGLISH VOCABULARY #1 (A2 COURSE) Flashcards
learn english words
defintion:
- a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
- a strong drive for success
(n)
________ is a strong desire to achieve. It’s what Macbeth had too much of, and what slackers have too little of.
If a person has ________, the goal is usually wealth, power, or fame. This Middle English word is derived from Latin ambitiō, from ambīre “to go around or about.” In ancient Rome, candidates for office would go around to gain votes, to further their goal of being powerful or famous.
ambition (n)
ambitious (adj)
defintion:
a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.
Example sentences:
“His ambition was to become a pilot.”
“Life offers few opportunities for young people with ambition.”
“With her talent and fierce ambition, she became a very successful athlete.”
“His ambition is to start his own business.”
(noun)
- a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events
- this is the consequence of one event setting off a chain of similar events (like a falling ____ causing a whole row of ____s to fall)
alt. definition:
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by a previous phenomenon;
A CHAIN REACTION;
A RIPPLE EFFECT
domino effect (n)
defintion:
This is the consequence of one event setting off a chain of similar events (like a falling DOMINO causing a whole row of DOMINOS to fall)
Example sentence:
“One possible solution is to allow cables to drop at the first sign of trouble, which prevents a domino effect where a tree falls on a line, topples a nearby pole and then multiple poles are dragged down as the power line continues to collapse.”
- definition:*
- to recall the past
(verb)
______ is a dreamy way of saying “remember the past.” If you’re swapping old stories with friends and remembering all the silly things you used to do, then you’re ________ing.
________ing is all about happy recollections and thinking back to stories from the past. It’s hard to ______ about the old days with someone you don’t know very well or haven’t known very long, since a key part of ______ing is a shared history. But just about anyone can ______ about going to elementary school, learning to tie shoelaces, or getting that first job.
reminisce (v)
reminiscent (adj)
defintion:
to recall the past
Example sentences:
“The grandparents sat there, reminiscing all afternoon”
“When I eat sugar cookies, I reminisce about the childhood hours I spent making them with my grandmother.”
“My sisters and I often share a bottle of wine while we reminisce over family photo albums.”
“As soon as the veterans get together, they reminisce about their service days.”
“When I ran into an old friend at the store, she and I decided to meet for lunch so we could reminisce about our high school days.”
“On our anniversary date, my husband and I always watch a video of our wedding and reminisce about the happiest day of our lives.”
definition:
to combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one
(verb)
_____ is a more formal way to say “mix together,” and it’s typically used for texts or ideas. You probably wouldn’t say you _____ed the ingredients for a cake, but if you blended two different stories together to make a new one, _____ would work.
The verb _____ comes to us from the Latin word conflare, which literally means “to blow together.” So think of using this word when you want to talk about two things getting thrown together and combined. Things that have been _____ed often seem mixed up or confused. In fact, this word is also now sometimes used to mean “confuse or mix up.”
conflate (v)
conflation (n)
defintion:
to blend two or more things into one whole
Example sntences:
Every time she gets a cold, Sandy seems to conflate it with some other illness.
To conflate art and science, teachers must design activities that blend the two.
My friend tries to conflate my first name with my sister’s name and morphs it into one moniker.
I was able to conflate the two processes into one, blending it down into a solid formula.
The scientist tried to conflate the two chemicals, but they exploded instead of blending.
definition:
- something that is unnecessary
- more than is needed, desired, or required
- repeating the same sense in different word
(adj)
The word _____ applies to things that are unnecessary or could be left out. Calling a blank sheet of paper empty is _____.
Teachers often tell students to avoid being _____, meaning avoid saying something twice or more. Have you ever heard someone tell a story and repeat the same thing over and over? The repeated parts are _____. Sometimes being _____ can make things clear, but it can also be annoying. _____ can apply to anything that’s overflowing or unnecessary. If a business has two stores on the same street, one is _____ . When you hear _____, think “Too much!”
redundant (adj)
definition:
- something that is unnecessary
- more than is needed, desired, or required
- repeating the same sense in different word
Example sentences:
My professor’s redundant speech consisted of him saying the same thing over and over again.
As the bus driver repeatedly told the kids to take their seats, I started to cringe each time I heard her redundant command.
I consider the celebrity’s ownership of thirty automobiles to be quite redundant.
Since the teacher told us she was not going to be redundant with her lectures, we knew we had to listen to her every word.
The programmer deleted the redundant line of code that added no value to the software program.
Skills made redundant by technological advance.
At the risk of being redundant I return to my original proposition.
definition:
- found in the ordinary course of events; everyday, ordinary, unremarkable
- lacking interest or excitement; boring, dull, and uninteresting.
——————————————————————————————————————-
(adj)
An ordinary, unexciting thing can be called _____: “Superman hid his heroic feats by posing as his _____ alter ego, Clark Kent.”
_____, from the Latin word mundus, “world,” originally referred to things on earth. Such things were supposed to be uninteresting when compared to the delights of Heaven; hence the word’s present meaning. Writing about reality TV shows, a Newsweek writer opined, “In reality bizarro-world, the _____ is presented as the spectacular,” in other words, people’s everyday routines are now televised as entertainment.
mundane (adj)
definition:
- found in the ordinary course of events; everyday, ordinary, unremarkable
- lacking interest or excitement; dull.
Example sentences:
Though dishwashing is often seen as a mundane chore, listening to music makes it much more bearable.
The restaurant should spice up their menu and replace the dull and mundane dishes.
Though his friends were having a fun time at the bar, Kevin settled for a mundane evening at home.
Going about his everyday routine, the man’s mundane schedule had him bored to tears.
From the exciting to the mundane, I will share all of my experiences with you.
definition:
- in preparation for the main matter
- denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.
(adj)
____ means something that comes before something else. If you want to run in the race, you have to place in the top third of the ____ round. It can also mean “early” - the ____ results are in, and you’ve won!
____ is often used euphemistically, as in, “There are a few ____s we’ll need to take care of before you start your new job. First, sign over all your worldly goods to the company, then write a letter to your family explaining that you will never see them again. All set?”
preliminary (adj)
definition:
- in preparation for the main matter
- denoting an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.
Example sentences:
Though he passed the preliminary exam, further testing proved he was not ready to begin.
With the preliminary tests of the soil, the farmer was worried he would not be able to grow enough vegetables.
Upon his preliminary inspection, he was approved to move on to the next round.
A preliminary check of the house showed that it was free of any noticeable damage.
Getting to the preliminary rounds of the playoffs is good, but getting all the way to the championship is even better.
The scientist studied the preliminary data and was happy to see that it supported his hypothesis.
The doctor explained that even though the preliminary blood test showed his patient was healthy, he still needed to have a more complete examination.
After his preliminary research, the student could tell he was going to have a hard time with his term paper.
Though he didn’t find anything helpful in his preliminary inspection, the miner was happy to discover gold deeper underground.
The preliminary fitness requirements for a member of the Special Forces are quite difficult to achieve.
definition:
- resembling a dream
- appearing as a fantasy or dream
- having the qualities of _____ism; bizarre.
(adj)
If you see a goldfish fly out of a melting clock and offer you tango lessons, you’re having a _____ experience! Either that or you’re asleep and dreaming. Things that are _____ combine unrelated elements to create a bizarre scene.
The adjective _____ comes from _____ism, a movement that produced films, writing, painting, and other art forms that often contained irrational, disjointed images. So, _____ describes something that’s a bizarre mix of elements, often jarring and seemingly nonsensical. Images can be _____, like the melting clocks in Salvador Dali’s paintings, but so can strange, dream-like moments in everyday life.
surreal (adj)
definition:
- resembling a dream
- appearing as a fantasy or dream
- having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre.
Example sentences:
After eating drugg-laced brownies, Gerry had a surreal experience in which she believed she was flying through the air like a bird.
The program’s surreal storyline was not popular at all with fans of reality television.
Despite his death, Bob continues to be known for his surreal artwork that displays out of the ordinary images.
Tom knew he had consumed too many beach drinks when he saw the surreal figure of a mermaid approaching him.
When I woke up after the surgery, I felt as though I was in a surreal environment because of the anesthesia.
defintion:
- required as a prior condition.
- something that is required in advance
- a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist.
(n) (adj)
A _____ is a required prior condition. If something is required in advance of something else, like if you have to take a beginning Spanish class before signing up for Spanish II, then it’s a _____.
Add pre meaning “before” to require and you have something that’s “required before.” (That’s helpful when trying to spell _____!) _____s to be able to graduate from college can seem like a pain, but most schools offer some fun ways to fulfill them. For example, you can often meet the physical education _____ by taking bowling. _____s aren’t just for school: “The most called-upon _____ of a friend is an accessible ear,” said Maya Angelou, the American poet.
prerequisite (n) (adj)
defintion:
- required as a prior condition.
- something that is required in advance
- a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist.
Example sentences:
“Latin was a prerequisite for admission.”
“Sponsorship is not a prerequisite for any of our courses.”
“The student must have the prerequisite skills.”
defintion:
- a person or thing that precipitates an event.
- something that causes an important event to happen
- a person, thing, or event that quickly causes change or action
- (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
(noun)
A _____ is an event or person causing a change. Getting kicked out of your parents’ house might be a _____ for becoming more independent.
The noun _____ is something or someone that causes a change and is derived from the Greek word katalύein, meaning “to dissolve.” It can be somewhat ordinary, like when moving to a warmer climate was the _____ for getting a short, sporty haircut. Or it can be major, like how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is said to be a catalyst of World War I.
catalyst (n)
defintion:
- a person or thing that precipitates an event.
- something that causes an important event to happen
- a person, thing, or event that quickly causes change or action
- (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
Example sentences:
Fortunately for battery manufacturers, the ice storm was a catalyst for increased battery sales.
The enzyme was the catalyst that triggered the chemical reaction.
Mike’s termination from his job was the catalyst for his uncontrollable anger.
When Kate joined the dating service, she hoped her action would be the catalyst that would produce a meeting with Mr. Right.
Pete and Linda hoped their son’s death would be the catalyst for gun reform.
Even without power, the catalyst can activate the change in the mixture.
The downed electrical wire was the catalyst that caused the car explosion.
In his latest campaign speech, the politician promised to be a catalyst for change.
The lack of productivity is often a catalyst for invention.
If your press release functions as a catalyst, soon you will have customers lined up outside your store.
definiton:
- to imitate; constituting an imitation
- imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect
- imitate (someone or their actions or words), especially in order to entertain or ridicule.
- (of a drug) replicate the physiological effects of (another substance)
- (of a disease) exhibit symptoms that bear a deceptive resemblance to those of another disease.
(v) (n) (adj)
A _____ is someone who is good at imitating others. A gifted _____ might be able to imitate one president after another just by minimally changing facial expression and manner of speaking.
_____, related to mime (“an entertainer who performs using gestures not speech”), can be traced back to the Greek mimeisthai, “to imitate.” Usually when you _____ someone, you imitate them in order to make fun of them. Performers _____ famous people to get laughs, but ordinary people _____ others when they are angry at them. Who hasn’t _____ed parents or a boss who has said no one too many times?!
mimic (v) (n) adj)
mimicry (n)
synonyms: imitate, copy, impersonate
definiton:
- to imitate; constituting an imitation
- imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect
- imitate (someone or their actions or words), especially in order to entertain or ridicule.
- (of a drug) replicate the physiological effects of (another substance)
- (of a disease) exhibit symptoms that bear a deceptive resemblance to those of another disease.
Example sentences:
Bert can mimic the barking of a dog to perfection, scaring thieves away from his property.
I hate when people try to mimic my high pitched and shrill voice.
Because I am a weak hitter, I try to mimic Adam’s forceful swing.
The architecture of our home was designed to mimic a similar style found in Paris.
Whenever I am in a bad mood, I try to mimic the grunting sounds that my least favorite teacher makes when she gets irritated.
The actor mimicked the President very accurately.
defintion:
- something copied or derived from an original
- a thing intended to simulate or copy something else.
- copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
- not genuine or real; being a copy of the original thing
- a copy or fake version of a genuine article or object
(n)
_____ means copying the words, facial expressions, or actions of another person. Sometimes _____ is flattering, but often it’s just annoying, like when your little brother does it to drive you crazy.
Use the adjective _____ to describe an object that pretends to be something else. _____ paintings can be so real looking that it’s hard to tell the fake from the genuine article. Some _____s have hung unnoticed on museum walls for years, only being exposed through the use of modern technology. A common proverb is “_____ is the sincerest form of flattery,” although museum directors and people with obnoxious little brothers would probably disagree.
immitation (n)
defintion:
- something copied or derived from an original
- a thing intended to simulate or copy something else.
- copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
- not genuine or real; being an imitation of the original thing
- a copy or fake version of a genuine article or object
Exanple sentences:
Even though it’s an imitation, the copy of the painting sold for almost as much as the original.
Imitation lures were used to catch fish who mistook the bait for real insects.
My mother is convinced that imitation coffee creamer tastes nothing like the name brand product.
Because it is an imitation, the knock-off purse is priced considerably cheaper than the real bag.
Imitation granite is used in the kitchens of those who do not care if the stone is less than genuine.
For dinner we always have potatoes with imitation gravy and—thank goodness we’ve still got it—beet salad.
My imitation of Sonny is not as good as Malik’s, but it makes him chuckle.
Decorated with imitation palm leaves.
defintion:
- a subtle distinction or variation
- a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
- a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
(n)
Use _____ to refer to a very small difference in color, meaning, or feeling. What makes singers brilliant is not how loud they can sing a note, but how many _____s they can evoke through their approach.
This noun was borrowed from French in the 18th century and derives ultimately from Latin nūbēs “a cloud.” Think of clouds and their subtle gradations in color to understand this word. When you say a work of art was _____ed, it means there was a lot to it, but incorporated subtly.
nuance (n)
nuanced (adj)
defintion:
- a subtle distinction or variation
- a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
- a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.
Example sentences:
The nuance of the orange peel in the salad really took the taste of the dish to the next level.
Without understanding the finer nuances you can’t enjoy the humor.
Please be quiet so I can hear every nuance of the song!
Looking closely, I could see a nuance of color in her red skirt.
In order to learn about the birds, the scientists have to keep track of every nuance which makes the birds different from one another.
Although I have not seen Helen in fifteen years, I can still recall every nuance of her voice.
To solve the puzzle in the newspaper, you need to identify the nuance in the two seemingly identical pictures.
Because the fashions of the two designers looked exactly alike to me, I could not recognize the nuance between the two lines.
As a teacher, I would like to see some nuance among the many essays I have to read this week.
To perfect his game, the rookie golfer watched every nuance of his mentor’s swing.
By listening closely to the two identical twins, you can recognize the nuance in Jimmy’s voice.
The nuances of facial expression and body language.
definition:
- acting as though more important, valuable, or special than is warranted
- making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
- attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
(adj)
Use the adjective _____ as a way to criticize people who try to act like they are more important or knowledgeable than they really are.
You might not be surprised to learn that _____ is related to the word pretend, and it is an adjective that fits the bill for describing someone who’s only concerned with making an impressive appearance. If you don’t want to be accused of being _____, just act naturally and don’t put on airs!
pretentious (adj)
definition:
- acting as though more important, valuable, or special than is warranted
- making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
- attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.
Example sentences:
The swindler was a pretentious man who claimed to be descended from royalty.
Because the weight loss product seemed fake and pretentious to me, I decided to buy an alternative item.
Even though Joan was a millionaire, she avoided hanging out with pretentious people who liked to flaunt their wealth.
Carol’s business proposal was pretentious and unrealistic in its estimation of high profits.
Niles was pretentious and always made time to brag about his adventures.
Although Elaine was behind on her monthly bills, she still acted pretentious by going on weekly shopping sprees.
The highlight of the class reunion was Amy’s pretentious arrival in a limousine.
During the party, the pretentious guest went out of his way to boast about his celebrity friends.
Dressed in a tuxedo, Hank made a pretentious entrance at the high school basketball game.
Mary prefers the simple things in life and is not pretentious by any means.
defintion:
- relatively unknown; not famous or acclaimed
- not clearly understood or expressed
- to conceal or make less visible or unclear; hard to make out or define; vague.
- to make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
(adj) (v)
If something is _____, it’s vague and hard to see. Be careful if you’re driving in heavy rain, the painted lines can be _____.
_____ comes from Latin _____us, which can mean “dark, dim,” “unclear, hard to understand,” or “insignificant, humble.” We tend to use _____ in the metaphorical senses: an _____ sound is unclear, an _____ village is hidden away in the countryside, and an _____ poet is little known and probably insignificant. _____ can also be used as a verb. If you get really nervous when you speak during a debate, your embarrassing twitches and shaking hands can _____ your argument.
obscure (adj) (v)
obfuscate (v)
obfuscation (n)
defintion:
- relatively unknown; not famous or acclaimed
- not clearly understood or expressed
- to make less visible or unclear; hard to make out or define; vague.
- to make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
Example sentences:
The obscure writer was not known in the literary community.
Because the millionaire was a shy man, he enjoyed living an obscure life in the country.
Today’s sighting is the first time Dr. Samuels has ever seen this obscure family of insects.
Since my husband prefers an obscure lifestyle, he does not interact through social media at all.
My teenage daughter feels obscure in her high school of three thousand students.
When the obscure company came out with its new computers, everyone laughed until the company became one of the biggest tech giants in the world.
In our poverty-stricken town, having extra money is an obscure luxury for most people.
Everyone was shocked when the city council used an obscure rule to vote on the proposal without a majority of voters present.
Although the new cancer drug has received a lot of interest from medical professionals, its side effects are obscure so the drug is still classified in the testing phase.
I do not trust my mysterious neighbor because of his obscure background.
The big elm tree obscures our view of the valley.
His origins and parentage are obscure.
Gray clouds obscure the sun.
defintion:
- to say, state, or perform again
- to say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.
(v)
To _____ something is to say or do something again, or many times. Let me _____: if you repeat yourself, you’re _____ing the thing you originally said.
This verb is from Middle English _____n, from Latin _____us, from reiterare “to repeat,” from the prefix re- “again” plus iterare “to repeat, iterate.” The English word iterate has the same meaning as _____, although it is not as commonly used.
reiterate (v)
reiteration (n)
defintion:
- to say, state, or perform again
- to say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity.
Example sentences:
You don’t have to reiterate everything you say.
Because Janice considered herself better than everyone else, she often felt the need to reiterate the fact she lived in a gated community.
I cannot stand it when you reiterate every word that comes out of my mouth!
To ensure her students understand the key points of her lessons, Mrs. Morgan always asks them to reiterate the main ideas back to her.
The purpose of this email is to reiterate the points we discussed on the telephone.
You know you are getting old when you start to reiterate your responses before you are asked to do so.
Since I could not hear the instructions, I asked the teacher to reiterate them once more.
To whom it may concern, I would like to reiterate my interest in the job opportunity.
Because the waiter was wearing headphones, I had to reiterate my order several times.
Before sending his players out onto the field, the coach took a moment to reiterate the importance of the final play.
defintion:
- tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument
- to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
- to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
- to press or force to have something done
- force or oblige (someone) to do something.
- bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.
(v)
_____ing means attractive, or irresistible, or really, really convincing. You know your argument for backpacking across Europe is _____ing when your parents not only let you go but also pay for all your expenses.
To _____ is to drive or force into action, the way the fear of being grounded might _____ you to come home before your curfew. A _____ing argument _____s you to agree with its logic, it’s irresistible. If you decide to run for class president, you’ll need to write a _____ing speech about why students should vote for you.
compel (v)
compelling (adj)
defintion:
- tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument
- to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
- to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
- to press or force to have something done
- force or oblige (someone) to do something.
- bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure.
Example sentences:
Sometimes I have to compel my daughter into doing her chores by threatening to keep her allowance.
A sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions.
New and compelling evidence.
The congressman believes we should compel people who receive public assistance to perform monthly drug tests.
How can we compel young people to stay in school when we are not teaching them information that will change their lives?
In some cases, the government will torture spies to compel them to reveal their secrets.
The court cannot compel a wife to testify against her husband.
They may compel a witness’s attendance at court by issue of a summons.
defintion:
- a thing that motivates or encourages one to do something.
- that which encourages or motivates a person to do something
- a positive motivational influence
(n)
If your mom wants you to mow the lawn but you don’t feel like it, she might offer to treat you to ice cream after as an _____. An _____ is something that stimulates you to take action or work harder.
This noun dates back to Middle English, from a Late Latin word meaning “stimulating.” In Latin, _____us meant “setting the tune,” from incinere, “to sing.”
The related English verb is _____ize. The less common verb _____ was first used in the early 1980s, and has been criticized as business jargon.
incentive (n)
incentivize (v)
defintion:
- a thing that motivates or encourages one to do something.
- that which encourages or motivates a person to do something
- a positive motivational influence
Example sentences:
Many studios are coming here to make movies because of the large tax incentive offered by the state.
Now that Jill has a husband, she feels she no longer has any incentive to worry about her looks.
The teacher knew her students would behave well for an incentive as simple as a star sticker.
For parents who adopt special needs children, the government offers a tax incentive to help cover the cost of the adoption process.
The greatest incentive I have for losing weight is my desire to share a long and healthy life with my family.
Right now there is no incentive for customers to conserve water.
definition:
“convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.” (conspiracy theory)
psyop (n)
.F.F.O.G.-
definition:
“convey selected information and indicators to audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.” (conspiracy theory)
definition:
- to break a connection of or between
- to disjoin or unfasten
- an unbridgeable disparity (as from a failure of understanding)
(n) (v)
When you _____ something, you detach or separate it from something else. If you work plowing driveways during the winter, you need to _____ the plow from your truck in the spring.
You can _____ toy train cars, and you can also _____ your laptop from its charger. In fact, unplugging electrical appliances is another way to _____ something.
_____ also means a lack of understanding or connection. So there might be a _____ between you and your brother, or between what a politician promises to do and what she actually does. _____ combines dis-, “the opposite of” with connect, from the Latin conectere, “join together.”
disconnect (n) (v)
definition:
- to break a connection
- an instance of disconnecting or being disconnected.
- make disconnected, disjoin or unfasten
- break the connection of or between.
- an unbridgeable disparity (as from a failure of understanding)
Example sentences:
There is a vast disconnect between public opinion and the city’s policy.
Before the burglar entered the house, he decided to disconnect the phone lines so the homeowners couldn’t contact the police.
If you disconnect the television from the outlet, the screen will no longer show a picture.
Tired of the constant messages from creditors, the debtor decided to disconnect the answering machine from the wall.
defintion:
- vulnerable to an influence
- likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, influence, or agency; responsive
(adj)
If you are _____ to something such as infections or earaches, it means you are likely to become sick with these things.
Have you ever received something you don’t want? Well, with _____ meaning “likely to be influenced or affected by” that is probably going to be the case. If you’re _____ to flattery, and someone wants something from you, all they have to do is give you a compliment or two and you’ll do what they want. Material that’s _____ to cracking won’t be in good condition for long.
susceptible (adj)
susceptibility (n)
defintion:
- vulnerable to an influence
- likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
- open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, influence, or agency; responsive
Example sentences:
She has a weak immune system and is susceptible to colds.
Patients with liver disease may be susceptible to infection.
Since the dog lived outside, he was highly susceptible to parasites that thrive outdoors.
Many young children get the flu vaccine so they will be less susceptible to the virus.
Because James smoked for over twenty years, he is extremely susceptible to respiratory illnesses.
Dress your children warmly because they are very susceptible to illness after being exposed to cold weather.
If our garden is not sprayed with pesticides, it will be susceptible to insects.
People who live alone are more susceptible to depression during the holidays.
As a schoolteacher, I am very susceptible to illnesses carried by small children.
Because Lindsay is insecure, she is highly susceptible to peer pressure.
After drinking six glasses of wine, Caroline became susceptible to the advances of a very flirtatious man.
Individuals who do not receive adequate nutrition are extremely susceptible to diseases.
defintion:
- the process of examining one’s own thoughts and feelings
- the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
- the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes.
(n)
_____ means “to look inside,” and describes the act of thinking about your own actions or inner thoughts. When you examine what you do, say, think or feel and how it affects your life and the lives of others, that’s _____.
It’s easy to piece together the meaning of the noun _____. Consider that intro means “within,” while spec is from the Latin for “look.” So you can tell that the word means the act of “looking within.” _____ isn’t “thinking about yourself” in the sense of calculating your own interests; it’s more like searching inside in order to understand yourself, what some people mock as “navel gazing.” Nineteenth-century philosopher William Godwin once said, “The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed is mainly derived from the act of _____.”
introspection (n)
introspective (adj)
introspect (v)
defintion:
- the process of examining one’s own thoughts and feelings
- the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct
- the examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes.
Example sentences:
Quiet introspection can be extremely valuable.
During a fierce battle, there is no time for a soldier to engage in introspection.
Perhaps if you indulged in a little introspection you would stop repeating the same bad habits.
Rather than spend time in introspection understanding his own needs, Josh prefers to simply jump into a relationship.
As the young woman engaged in introspection at her father’s funeral, she suddenly realized what truly mattered in life.
During the retreat, we will have a time period set aside solely for introspection so church members can explore their own feelings and thoughts.
This year’s professional review asked all employees to conduct an introspection of their sense of worth to the company.
After I read the self-help book, I realized the importance of introspection in my own happiness.
The survivor competition offers participants the opportunity to challenge themselves physically and through introspection of their own mental conditioning.
When Brad heard about his wife’s affair, he left town to take part in some much-needed introspection.
Matt spent so much time staring out the window in introspection that he rarely finished any projects at work.
defintion:
- lacking clarity or distinctness
- of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.
- thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way.
- not described well
(adj)
If your grasp of physics is _____ and you’ve got a test coming up, it’s time to hit the books. When something is _____, it’s unclear, murky, and hard to understand.
_____ comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or rambling. Think of a vagabond, someone who wanders around the world with only a _____ idea of where he’s going. There are a few big, impressive words for _____, including ambiguous, nebulous, and tenebrous.
vague (adj)
defintion:
- lacking clarity or distinctness
- of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.
- thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way.
- not described well
Example sentences:
The book’s blurb was so vague it told me nothing whatsoever about the plot.
Because Jason suffered a brain injury he does not remember his childhood and has only a vague memory of his family.
My blind date’s vague description did not help me locate him in the crowded restaurant.
As Mitch looked through the shower curtain, he could see the vague outline of his wife’s body.
Deb was so disappointed in the fortuneteller’s vague prediction she asked for a refund.
Many patients suffer vague symptoms.
He had been very vague about his activities.
He saw a vague outline of a building through the fog.
Vague feelings of sadness.
A vague uneasiness.
defintion:
- not harmful or offensive.
- lacking intent or capacity to injure
- not injurious to physical or mental health
(adj)
Something that’s _____ isn’t harmful or likely to cause injury. Public figures like mayors and governors have to expect they’ll get critical or even hurtful emails and phone calls, as well as more _____ feedback.
The adjective _____ is useful when you’re talking about something that doesn’t offend or injure anyone. _____ remarks or comments are meant kindly, and _____ germs won’t make you sick. An _____ question is innocently curious, rather than aimed to hurt someone’s feelings. The word comes from the Latin roots in-, “not,” and nocere, “to injure or harm.”
innocuous (adj)
defintion:
- not harmful or offensive; harmless
- lacking intent or capacity to injure
- not injurious to physical or mental health
Example sentences:
Because the bacteria was innocuous, the hospital staff had no need to worry about the leak.
In the ring the wrestler appeared dangerous, but in reality, he was really innocuous.
Although Sarah meant her joke to be innocuous, the people around her took it to heart.
Since the snake’s venom is innocuous you do not have to be concerned about being bitten!
While you may think bullying is innocuous, it leaves a lasting scar on its victim.
When compared to football, tennis seems like a very innocuous sport.
Even though Henry looks sweet and innocent, he is far from innocuous.
The scientist poured the innocuous liquid into the vial.
Although the berries appear innocuous, they are really poisonous.
The politician worked hard to make innocuous speeches that would not offend anyone.
defintion:
- the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
- a particular _____ is something that you expect or know is going to happen.
- an individual who is likely to be selected or targeted; candidate
- someone who is considered for something (for an office/prize/honor etc.); candidate
- a person regarded as likely to succeed or be a potential customer/client etc.; candidate
- (plur.) Someone’s _____s are their chances of being successful, especially in their career.
(n) (v)
A _____ is the possibility that something fabulous will happen. After you graduate top of your class at Harvard, for example, your job _____s look great.
_____ is from the Latin word _____us which means a “view or outlook.” A _____ is still a way of looking ahead and expecting good things. It’s like potential in that it’s something that might be but isn’t yet. There is also the potential for something bad to happen, but _____s usually look good. In the 1800s, when men in floppy brown hats started saying “There’s gold in them there hills!” the noun became a verb, to _____ is to search for gold. Either way, when you have _____s, you have a golden future.
prospect (n) (v)
prospective (adj)
prospects (n)
defintion:
- the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
- a particular prospect is something that you expect or know is going to happen.
- an individual who is likely to be selected or targeted; candidate
- someone who is considered for something (for an office/prize/honor etc.); candidate
- a person regarded as likely to succeed or be a potential customer/client etc.; candidate
- (plur.) Someone’s prospects are their chances of being successful, especially in their career.
Example sentences:
Jay improved his computer skills so he would be a good prospect for the job opening in the technology department.
During the meeting the scholarship committee will work to select the best prospect among the applicants for the award.
The hiring manager was frustrated because after three months she had still not received a good prospect for the open sales position.
Right now, the college football scouts are competing for the best prospect on the high school level.
The gold digger scanned the expensive bar for a financial prospect to pay her bills.
There was no prospect of a reconciliation.
Clients deemed likely prospects for active party membership.
defintion:
- the action of advertising a product with the intent of selling inferior goods
- a deceptive way of selling that involves advertising a product at a very low price in order to attract customers who are then persuaded to switch to a more expensive product
- the action (generally illegal) of advertising goods which are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more expensive goods.
(n)
_______ is a tricky method in which a business attracts customers with low prices and then gets them to buy more expensive products instead.
Bait is something used to catch things, like fish. Similarly, _______ is a trick used by businesses to lure customers into their stores. Usually, the _______ will start with advertising an extremely low price for something that’s usually expensive. That’s the bait that gets people into the store. Then, the sale item will be out of stock, but other (more expensive) items will be available. That’s the switch. _______ is deceptive and unethical.
bait-and-switch (n)
defintion:
- the action of advertising a product with the intent of selling inferior goods
- a deceptive way of selling that involves advertising a product at a very low price in order to attract customers who are then persuaded to switch to a more expensive product
- the action (generally illegal) of advertising goods which are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more expensive goods.
Example sentences:
It does not happen much in America, but in less regulated countries many customers fall victim to the bait-and-switch tactic, buying something shoddy that was advertised as being superior.
You run the risk of bait-and-switch scams when buying things online, as the seller can post any kind of picture yet sell you something far worse than what was shown.
Few people are able to use the bait-and-switch tactic in many countries, since markets in those countries are carefully regulated and maintained to ensure that sellers offer what is advertised.
It is illegal to bait-and-switch on customers in most countries, as you must sell exactly what you have advertised.
If you purchased an advertised Ferrari but received a run-down old car from the nineties instead, you’ve fallen prey to a bait-and-switch.
A bait-and-switch scheme.
- defintion:*
(n) simple language that anyone can understand
layman’s terms (n)
- defintion:*
(n) simple language that anyone can understand
Example sentence:
The process was explained to us in layman’s terms.
==============================================
layman (n)
defintion:
- a normal person without a specific profession or expertise
- a person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject.
- someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
Example sentences:
Daisy looked to her husband for help after severely injuring herself during their hike, but he was only a layman and had no knowledge of first aid.
Never ask a layman for advice when you can consult an expert.
Jonathan was just your average layman with no particular profession or area of expertise.
Quantum physics textbooks are made for serious scientific minds and impossible for the average layman to read.
For a layman, he knows almost as much about crime scene investigation as a certified forensics expert.
defintion:
- lacking conscious awareness of
- unaware of what is present or occurring
- lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness
- not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.
(adj)
If you don’t notice or aren’t aware, it means that the adjective _____ applies to you!
When we think of the adjective _____, it is usually in situations that involve being totally unaware of what’s staring us right in the face. It can also mean being forgetful and absent-minded. The cartoon character Mr. Magoo is a perfect example of someone who is _____; his eyesight is so bad that he always gets himself into various scrapes and mishaps. For example, Mr. Magoo mistakes an airplane for a theater and instead of watching a movie, he takes a seat on a departing airplane!
oblivious (adj)
oblivion (n)
defintion:
- lacking conscious awareness of; unaware
- unaware of what is present or occurring
- lacking active conscious knowledge or awareness
- not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one.
Example sentences:
She lay motionless where she was, oblivious to pain.
Danny appeared oblivious of his surroundings
The huge dog closed its eyes and appeared oblivious to the crawling baby.
How could the rich man be oblivious to the hungry man asking him for a dollar?
As Gene rapidly ate his dinner, he seemed oblivious to the taste of the burnt food.
The absent-minded couple acted oblivious to the mess their child made in the restaurant.
In his drunken stupor, Fred was oblivious to the fact he was driving in the wrong lane.
She became absorbed, oblivious to the passage of time.
Oblivious of the mounting pressures for political reform.
=========================================================
oblivion (n)
- the state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.
- the state of being disregarded or forgotten
- extinction / nonexistence
Oblivion is the state of being forgotten. Your uncle dreamed of being a rock star, but after recording one hit song, he faded into oblivion.
Oblivion can also mean “total forgetfulness” — like what patients with dementia or new parents feel. If you find yourself putting the crackers in the fridge and milk in the cupboards, or forgetting your own phone number, you might be experiencing oblivion.
definition:
- below the threshold of conscious perception
- influences or messages that affect your mind without you being aware of it.
- below the threshold of sensation or consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone’s mind without their being aware of it.
- impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses; imperceptible
(adj)
Each of your five senses constantly sends new information to your brain. And there’s another way your brain receives information: through _____ messages. The unconscious mind picks up on things you don’t even realize.
Faint humming might make you irritated. Red lights can raise your blood temperature. Usually, _____ methods are used to control people, like flashing words quickly during a television program. If you’re worried, there’s not much you can do, because _____ literally means “below the threshold” or surface of your conscious mind, and you probably will never even notice that you’re being controlled. Try reading only the capital letters of this definition for an example of a _____ message.
subliminal (adj)
- below the threshold of conscious perception
- influences or messages that affect your mind without you being aware of it.
- below the threshold of sensation or consciousness; perceived by or affecting someone’s mind without their being aware of it.
- impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses; imperceptible
Example sentences:
In the old days, commercials contained subliminal suggestions that encouraged consumers to purchase certain products.
When stars wear certain sneakers, they send subliminal messages that convey the idea their success is related to their shoe choice.
The hypnotist implanted a subliminal message in his subject’s mind that caused him to bark like a dog whenever he heard a whistle.
Since subliminal suggestions exist beneath our conscious levels of thought, we rarely realize their influence.
The organization denied it utilized subliminal messages in its films to recruit new members.
definition:
- the force or strength of a moving object
- the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
- the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events.
- If a process or movement gains _____, it keeps developing or happening more quickly and keeps becoming less likely to stop.
(n)
_____ is generally used to mean increasing forward motion. A boulder rolling down a hill gains _____. So does a great idea, a team on a winning streak, or the economy.
To find an object’s physical _____ you multiply its mass by its velocity. Determining the _____ of the economy or the latest fad is much more difficult. Used figuratively, _____ implies that, like a boulder rolling down a hill, something with _____ will continue moving forward on its own. If you’re running for class president, you might want to build _____ by holding a few rallies, passing out flyers and starting a website. Once you have _____, your opponents won’t be able to stop you.
momentum (n)
- the force or strength of a moving object
- the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
- the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events.
- If a process or movement gains momentum, it keeps developing or happening more quickly and keeps becoming less likely to stop.
Example senences:
If the fundraising campaign does not gain momentum soon, we will not reach our goal.
Keep reaching for your dreams even when distractors try to slow your momentum.
A stationary object has no momentum.
Because the basketball team has won six consecutive games, it has a great momentum right now.
As the truck rolled down the hill, its momentum increased.
The vehicle gained momentum as the road dipped.
The investigation gathered momentum in the spring.
This campaign is really gaining momentum.
They are each anxious to maintain the momentum of the search for a solution.
definition:
- use or manipulate to one’s advantage
- using it to gain an advantage for themselves, rather than trying to help other people or do what is right.
- use (a situation or person) in an unfair or selfish way.
- benefit unfairly from the work of (someone), typically by overworking or underpaying them.
(v)
An _____ is a heroic act or notable deed. The King Arthur legends are full of stories of the _____s of the Knights of the Round Table, including Sir Lancelot and King Arthur himself.
This noun is from Middle English expleit, “outcome,” from Latin explicitus, “unfolded, set forth.” The verb _____ means to use someone or something, usually selfishly or for profit. Workers who are tired of being _____ed by factory owners form unions that allow them to stand together as a powerful force.
exploit (v)
exploitation (n)
- use or manipulate to one’s advantage
- using it to gain an advantage for themselves, rather than trying to help other people or do what is right.
- use (a situation or person) in an unfair or selfish way.
- benefit unfairly from the work of (someone), typically by overworking or underpaying them.
Example sentences:
500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology.
Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent exploitation.
The company was exploiting a legal loophole.
Making money does not always mean exploiting others.
For hefty paychecks, the paparazzi were willing to exploit the grieving widow at her husband’s funeral.
Fuel suppliers will exploit the national oil shortage by raising prices to increase their bottom lines.
By hiding her money in a foreign bank, Megan hopes to exploit the country’s low tax rates.
Jason was willing to exploit his good looks to get money from the wealthy widow.
If Ray does not receive his money, he will exploit Kim by selling her risqué photos to the tabloids.
definition:
- good at convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation.
- intended or having the power to induce action or belief
- convincing
(adj)
If you are _____, then you have a knack for getting people to do things. Your most _____ friend might be able to talk you into riding in a hot air balloon despite your fear of heights.
People can be _____ by using emotion or logic. A _____ encyclopedia salesman might lead you to believe you’ll be a smarter person with your own complete set of reference books. Temptations can also be _____. If your mom offers you ten dollars to walk her dog, you might find her offer very _____. _____ can be tricky to spell, remember that the u sounds like a w.
persuasive (adj)
persuasion (n)
persuade (v)
- good at convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation.
- intended or having the power to induce action or belief
- convincing
Example sentences:
An informative and persuasive speech.
Only after much persuasion from Ellis had she agreed to hold a show at all.
According to the brochure, the purpose of the program is to persuade children out of gangs.
A persuasive argument.
If your friends try to persuade you to break the law, you should consider making new friends.
My wife is insane if she thinks she can persuade me to buy her a $2,000 purse.
When the salesman attempted to persuade me to buy a rundown car, I laughed in his face.
The lawyer tried to persuade his client to accept the generous settlement offer.
defintion:
- marked by a lack of interest
- showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
- seeming not to be interested in or enthusiastic about doing anything.
- showing little or no emotion or animation
- inunterested, passive, indifferent
(adj)
____ is an adjective that describes the feeling of being bored with what’s going on around you. If you don’t care one way or another, you’re ____.
The Greek word pathos describes a type of emotional suffering that afflicts people who are super sensitive to their environment. Pathos is a root word of ____, but the prefix a- turns it into the opposite: emotional boredom, insensitivity, and a lack of enthusiasm. Maybe you feel apathetic because nothing around you stirs your interest, or maybe it’s because you need some coffee.
apathetic (adj)
apathy (n)
- marked by a lack of interest
- showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
- seeming not to be interested in or enthusiastic about doing anything.
- showing little or no emotion or animation
- inunterested, passive, indifferent
Example sentences:
Because Jane was apathetic about completing her schoolwork, she did not graduate on time.
Because the diva thought she was better than everyone else, she was apathetic about having others wait on her.
Although James was apathetic about his classes, he loved playing football.
To get on the jury, you will need to be apathetic about the crime.
In the 1970’s, many people were apathetic about marriage and had little interest in settling down.
The apathetic men were unwilling to do anything to save their families from the kidnappers.
The employee’s apathetic attitude was apparent in the rude way he greeted customers.
Sometimes it seems as though we live in an apathetic world filled with uncaring people.
How can you be so apathetic about the war when people are dying in battle every minute?
defintion:
- to make timid or fearful
- deliberately make someone frightened enough to do what you want them to do.
- frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what one wants.
(v)
You can see “timid” in the middle of _____, and to be timid is to be frightened or to pull back from something. When you _____, you frighten or make someone afraid. A pet rat might _____ your sister’s friends, keeping them out of your fort.
“To frighten” or “make fearful” is at the root of the verb _____. An animal might _____ a smaller animal by bearing its teeth, and a person can _____ another by threatening to do something harmful. You can be _____ed with mental or emotional bullying, as well as with something physical: “they were all good spellers, but some of them knew how to _____ the competition into thinking they didn’t have a chance at winning the spelling bee.”
intimidate (v)
intimidation (n)
- to make timid or fearful
- deliberately make someone frightened enough to do what you want them to do.
- frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what one wants.
Example sentences:
Her boss intimidates her.
His schedule was very intimidating. He had projects to work on from 8 a.m. in the morning to 8 p.m. at night.
Because Jim often attempts to intimidate younger children, he is considered a bully.
The mafia tried to intimidate shop owners into paying protection fees.
The dictator tries to intimidate his enemies with verbal threats.
In ancient times, criminals were often dealt with harshly to intimidate potential lawbreakers.
While in court, the defendant tried to intimidate the jury with menacing looks.
He tries to intimidate his rivals.
defintion:
- a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.
- an ambiguity with one interpretation that is indelicate
- a term or phrase that has more than one definition with one of them being indecent
- a word or phrase that has two meanings, one of which is rude and/or often sexual.
(n)
A __________ is a word or remark that has a hidden (or not so hidden) naughty meaning. We’d give you an example, but this is a family site.
__________ is from a now obsolete French term meaning literally “double understanding.” The British, masters of the art of the __________, imported the phrase from their Gallic cousins. While some regard it as a low form of verbal humor, Shakespeare himself was a great lover of the form, and his plays are filled with some highly filthy examples.
double entendre (n)
- a word or phrase open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué or indecent.
- an ambiguity with one interpretation that is indelicate
- a term or phrase that has more than one definition with one of them being indecent
- a word or phrase that has two meanings, one of which is rude and/or often sexual.
Example sentences:
A joke was fashioned from the use of a double entendre by mistaking a pirate’s treasure of booty with a body part.
When the teacher said a word that had a double entendre, laughing could be heard from the back of the room since the kids took what she said as an inappropriate remark.
Once the teacher innocently stated the sentence with the double entendre during his lecture, he turned bright red from embarrassment for using a word that had a risqué meaning.
When the double entendre was explained to the old lady, she realized that she said a phrase meaning one thing but it was believed to mean something less proper.
Nobody laughed at the man’s corny pun, but everyone chuckled loudly at the double entendre of saying balls to mean basketballs.
He was unable to get through two consecutive sentences without a smutty double entendre.
defintion:
- having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned.
- marked by a lack of interest
- not mattering one way or the other
- marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another
- characterized by a lack of partiality
(adj)
If you’re _____ about something, you don’t care much about it one way or another. You might feel _____ about politics, changing the channel whenever the TV news comes on.
People seem _____ when they’re obviously unconcerned, an _____ observer of a tennis match is clearly not rooting for either player, and an _____ voter might choose a candidate at the last minute by flipping a coin. A slightly less common meaning of _____ is “unbiased or impartial,” which you can see in its root, the Old French _____, or “impartial.” In this sense of the word, we all hope our laws and legal system are _____.
indifferent (adj)
indifference (n)
- having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned.
- marked by a lack of interest
- not mattering one way or the other
- marked by no especial liking or dislike or preference for one thing over another
- characterized by a lack of partiality
Example sentence:
As political aides, we are going door-to-door in hopes of getting indifferent voters to come out to the polls.
Because I am not a football fan, I am indifferent to the fact my husband met a popular football player yesterday.
The indifferent look on Matt’s face made it hard for me to understand his mood.
Even though Ginger claims to be indifferent to Hank, it is obvious she likes him a great deal.
The lazy babysitter was indifferent to the children jumping all over the furniture.
When the loan officer quickly scanned my application, I realized she was indifferent to my request.
My husband seemed indifferent to the food on his plate and ate it without comment.
Surprisingly, the storeowner seemed indifferent to the fact I wanted to purchase some of her merchandise.
Although the poodle barked at Ben, the dog seemed perfectly indifferent to me and ignored me altogether.
The reclusive actor seemed indifferent to his own fame and was always shocked when people wanted his autograph.
defintion:
- (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions
- the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
- getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way.
- the process of releasing strong emotions and feelings
(n)
Use the noun _____ to refer to the experience a person can have of releasing emotional tension and feeling refreshed afterwards.
Conceived by Aristotle as the cleansing effect of emotional release that tragic drama has on its audience, _____ stems from a Greek verb meaning “to purify, purge.” Today, it can be used to describe any emotional release, including a good long laugh or cry that is followed by a sense of balance and freshness afterwards.
catharsis (n)
cathartic (adj)
- (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions
- the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
- getting rid of unhappy memories or strong emotions such as anger or sadness by expressing them in some way.
- the process of releasing strong emotions and feelings
Example sentences:
Crying is a great catharsis for releasing pain and anger.
As the city grieves for those who died during the hurricane, many survivors find catharsis in the warmth of their religious communities.
When I hit a punching bag, I am generating my own personal catharsis by releasing my anger into an object.
Sometimes the act of taking a break away from the world will help a tired person experience the catharsis he or she needs to deal with everyday life.
I find journal writing to be a most effective catharsis because putting my thoughts down on paper allows me to visualize my feelings.
During his first year of marriage, John went through a huge catharsis in which he learned how to honestly express his emotions.
For many people,journaling is a catharsis which allows them to reflect upon their innermost feelings.
Finally admitting his guilt was a healing catharsis for the burglar.
After spending several months with a psychologist, I was finally able to have an emotional catharsis which allowed me to deal with my painful childhood.
definition:
- sharply contrasted in character or purpose
- in direct contrast to an idea; in opposition of
- directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.
(adj)
Something is _____ when it is in complete and utter opposition to the character of something. If you’re a vegetarian, eating giant T-bone steaks is _____ to your beliefs.
You’ll find that _____ is a useful word when you’re trying to express an extreme contrast. If someone is trying to convince you to do something you don’t believe in, or to allow an organization you’re involved with to adopt measures you are strongly against, you can use _____. You go out to vote because sitting out of the voting process is _____ to what you believe in. If you find that your club wants to adopt exclusive measures when it is supposed to be open, you’ll tell them that that’s _____ to the club’s purpose.
antithetical (adj)
antithesis (n)
- sharply contrasted in character or purpose
- in direct contrast to an idea; in opposition of
- directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible.
Example sentences:
Before the women’s rights movement, most men were antithetical about the idea of women being their equals.
The bill has not passed parliament because the conservative party is antithetical to the liberal party’s proposal.
Evolution and Christianity are antithetical beliefs because they view the concept of creation differently.
While I am social and outgoing, my husband’s personality is completely antithetical to my nature and leads him to be reserved.
The video game centers on the antithetical powers of good and evil as they fight for control.
Their priorities are antithetical to those of environmentalists.
These are practices entirely antithetical to her professed beliefs.
definition:
- without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
- completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious.
- often something bad that is done in an open or very obvious way
- (of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly
- completely obvious, especially in an offensive manner
(adj)
Something ____ is very obvious and offensive. Don’t get caught in a ____ lie, because you won’t be able to weasel your way out of it.
____ acts are done without trying to hide them. This adjective is probably from Latin blaterare “to chatter, croak” or Latin blatīre “to chatter, gossip.”
blatant (adj)
synonym: flagrant, glaring, obvious, (brazen = bold and without shame)
- without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
- completely lacking in subtlety; very obvious.
- often something bad that is done in an open or very obvious way
- (of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly
- completely obvious, especially in an offensive manner
Example sentences:
Blatant lies.
It was a blatant disregard of the law.
A blatant appeal to vanity.
Despite their blatant attraction to each other they try to stay just friends.
A blatant attempt to spread the blame for the fiasco.
When the judge heard the defendant’s blatant lie, he became very angry.
In prison, a blatant act of disobedience will get you placed in isolation.
By wearing a very short dress to the funeral, Ellie showed blatant disrespect.
The advertising is so blatant in this magazine that one can barely read the articles.
After the player deliberately hit the quarterback in a rough manner, he was charged with a blatant foul.
Your blatant lie about having car insurance is not going to win you any favors in traffic court.
The thief’s blatant attempt to steal the police car angered everyone in law enforcement.
It is not wise to offer a cop a blatant bribe.
defintion:
- the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and effective way.
- the skill of being careful to say or do things which will not offend people.
- the management of relationships between the governments of different countries
(n)
_____ is the art of helping groups to get along and even work together. If you have a gift for _____, you can get bickering siblings to cooperate.
The word _____ comes from the French which means “_____t.” A _____t lives in a foreign country, fluent in its language, and culture. The job of a _____t is to practice _____ among nations, understanding the concerns and needs of all and, if possible, guiding them toward decisions that are mutually agreeable.
diplomacy (n)
diplomatic (adj)
diplomat (n)
synonym: tact, tactful, tactfulness
- the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and effective way.
- the skill of being careful to say or do things which will not offend people.
- the management of relationships between the governments of different countries
Example sentences:
My aunt was an ambassador who worked on the diplomacy between America and France.
They were hopeful that diplomacy would help to avoid a war between the countries.
Diplomacy helped to mediate the session between the disagreeing representatives.
As a lawyer, my job is to keep diplomacy amongst our international clients.
Hoping to avoid conflict, they sent in a politician to exercise diplomacy in the matter.
His genius for tact and diplomacy.
definition:
- the principle or practice of subtly encouraging a behavior or belief by advocating its opposite.
- a manipulative psyhoclogical tactic to get someone to do something, by saying or doing the opposite of what they expect
reverse psychology (n)
- the principle or practice of subtly encouraging a behavior or belief by advocating its opposite.
- a manipulative psyhoclogical tactic to get someone to do something, by saying or doing the opposite of what they expect
Example sentences:
My mother would often use reverse psychology on me, telling me not to clean the dishes because she knew I don’t like agreeing with orders.
Reverse psychology is very effective on defiant people that don’t like to do what other people tell them.
If you tell someone to be quiet but you actually want them to be even louder, you’re using reverse psychology.
I use a bit of reverse psychology and say, “It’s okay if you can’t do it, we can make it easier.”
defintion:
- rarely
- not often
- infrequent
- hardly ever
(adv)
If you _____ see your grandfather because he lives far away, you might be grateful for the opportunity to visit him over the summer. Use the adjective _____ to refer to things that don’t happen very often.
seldom (adv)
- rarely
- not often
- infrequent
- hardly ever
Example sentences:
In the beach town, the temperature seldom falls below sixty-eight degrees.
If you seldom wear an item of clothing, perhaps you should donate it to charity.
The police seldom cruise through the neighborhoods in the city.
Watching TV is seldom credited with improving a person’s intelligence.
defintion:
- said or done without having been planned or written in advance
- acts are not planned or arranged, but are done because someone suddenly wants to do them.
- performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus
- (of a person) having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner.
(adj)
Something _____ happens when you’re least expecting it. _____ things are natural or instinctive, and they happen without warning.
If you plan to go to a movie and then you go, that’s not a _____ thing. Ditching the movie at the last minute to go to the park? That’s _____. _____ things happen all of a sudden, on the spur of the moment, without being planned. _____ can also refer to things that happen without outside influence. Your parents will be happy if you do your chores _____ly instead of waiting till they nag you.
spontaneous (adj)
spontaneity (n)
- said or done without having been planned or written in advance
- acts are not planned or arranged, but are done because someone suddenly wants to do them.
- performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus
- (of a person) having an open, natural, and uninhibited manner.
Example sentences:
The audience broke into spontaneous applause.
If you have to plan in order to be spontaneous, then you’re not acting naturally upon instinct.
Carl never plans anything because he is extremely spontaneous.
I didn’t have a suitcase when I arrived at the airport to take a spontaneous trip.
When Joanne saw her daughter walk down the aisle, she couldn’t control his spontaneous flood of tears.
Without thinking, Maria made a spontaneous choice to join her boyfriend’s poker game.
defintions:
- (religious) save from sins
- (of a person) atone or make amends for (error or evil).
- to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something).
- pay the necessary money to clear (a debt).
- pay off (loans or promissory notes)
- the act of earning something back
(v)
If you _____ yourself, you make up for wrongs by doing something that makes you seem good again, like when after being irritable and snappy with your grandmother, you _____ yourself by bringing her flowers and apologizing.
_____ comes from the French word which means “to deliver,” and which in turn comes from the Latin for “buy back.” In Christianity you can be _____ed by renouncing your sins. Classic heroes fail and then _____ themselves with valiant acts. But _____ doesn’t have to be religious or moral. When you turn in a glass bottle for recycling, you _____ it, just as you _____ your coupon for 20% off your next chicken nuggets.
redeem (v)
redemption (n)
related: redeeming quality
- (religious) save from sins
- (of a person) atone or make amends for (error or evil).
- to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something).
- pay the necessary money to clear (a debt).
- pay off (loans or promissory notes)
- the act of earning something back
Example sentences:
Phillip prays his confession will earn him the redemption of a reduced prison sentence.
Through writing his biography, the man hoped to earn redemption for his crimes by changing the lives of troubled young people.
My daughter hoped doing extra chores would earn her redemption for staying out past her curfew.
At the counter kids can exchange tickets for redemption and receive fun items such as toys and stuffed animals.
Connor earned redemption for vandalizing the school by cleaning the cafeteria for two months.
- defintion:*
- regard or treat (someone or something) as psychologically abnormal or unhealthy
(v)
This word is used to describe conditions like a disease, like the “_____” of Hollywood stars who live their lives in public and become obsessed with fitness.
pathologize (v)
- regard or treat (someone or something) as psychologically abnormal or unhealthy
pathological (adj)
- involving, caused by, or of the nature of a physical or mental disease.
pathology (n)
- any abnormal variation from a sound or proper condition
Example:
This word “pathologize” is used to describe conditions like a disease.
For example, the “pathology” of Hollywood stars who become obsessed with fitness.
defintion:
- to restore to a previous or better condition
- to restore something to make it look new again
- to repair and improve something to get it back into good condition
- to restore (something old, especially a building) to a good state of repair.
(v)
To _____ means to renew or rebuild so that something is in good condition. When you move into an old house, you will probably want to _____ the kitchen and bathrooms.
Most usages of the word _____ revolve around buildings and architecture. During a generation change in a neighborhood, retired people move out and young families move in. They want to give new life to the old house they have bought so they _____ it by painting, redoing the floors, etc. If you _____ a historic building, you restore to its original splendor. Think of this sense of renewal if something _____s your spirits.
renovate (v)
renovation (n)
related word: revamp, refurbish
- to restore to a previous or better condition
- to restore something to make it look new again
- to repair and improve something to get it back into good condition
- to restore (something old, especially a building) to a good state of repair.
Example sentences:
The homeowners decided to renovate their old kitchen.
Because the buyer would need to renovate, he put in an offer for less than the asking price.
The father and son decided to renovate the old Camaro to its former glory.
The community pitched in to renovate the old historic buildings in town.
Knowing that he would need to renovate, the builder proposed a budget on materials for the task.
defintion:
- (in chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.
- the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time
the butterfly effect (n)
- the phenomenon whereby a small change at one place in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere, e.g., a butterfly flapping its wings in Rio de Janeiro might change the weather in Chicago
- (in chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.
- the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time
defintion:
- the leading character in a literary composition
- the principal character in a work of fiction
- the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
- the main figure or one of the most prominent figures in a real situation.
(n)
A ____ is the central character in a story: the ____ of Huckleberry Finn is, guess who?, Huckleberry Finn.
A novel, movie, or play might have many main characters, but it can really only have one ____, or maybe two in the case of, say, Romeo and Juliet. That’s because protos means “first” in Greek, and agonistes means “competitor” or “actor.” It can also mean a leading figure in a real-life situation: “Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were the ____s of the U.S. Civil War.”
Don’t use it to mean “a supporter of an idea or cause”; the word you’re looking for in that situation is proponent.
protagnoist (n)
- the leading character in a literary composition
- the principal character in a work of fiction
- the leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
- the main figure or one of the most prominent figures in a real situation.
Example sentences:
In the short story, the protagonist must finally stand up to the bullies who torment him.
In the screenplay, the protagonist must steal a car in order to save his daughter’s life.
A protagonist usually has an antagonist opposing his goals.
By the end of the movie, we realize the protagonist cannot achieve his dreams because of his greedy nature.
The protagonist was willing to give his life for the woman he loved.
definition:
- tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
- dull, tedious, and repetitive; lacks variety and interest
- very boring because it has a regular, repeated pattern which never changes.
(adj)
When something goes on and on and on and on and on, the same way, for a long time, that’s _____. _____ things are boring and repetitive, like that long story you’ve heard your brother tell a hundred times before.
Ever hear a song that just sounds like the same thing over and over? Ever hear a dog that keeps barking all day? Or a voice that’s dull and unchanging in tone? All those things are _____: they don’t change much, and they’re dull as dishwater. Anything tedious or humdrum is probably _____. If someone says you’re being _____, try to vary your tone of voice or the things you’re talking about.
monotonous (adj)
monotony (n)
related word: monotone
- tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
- dull, tedious, and repetitive; lacks variety and interest
- very boring because it has a regular, repeated pattern which never changes.
Example sentences:
Because Marvin was angry at his wife, he gave only monotonous responses to her questions.
Since it involves repeating movements, raking leaves is such a monotonous task.
After the third quarter of the boring basketball game, all of the players’ actions seemed monotonous to me.
Everyone complains about my science teacher’s uninteresting and monotonous lectures.
Because she does the same thing every single day, Jane considers her life to be monotonous.
When studying for his exam became too monotonous, Alan took a short break.
Since it was based on your average romance story, the movie’s plot seemed monotonous after a while.
If your daily routine has become too monotonous, you need to sit down and reorganize your schedule.
After being served baked potatoes three days in a row for lunch, my family and I found the cruise ship food to be monotonous.
As it requires me to eat green beans every day for a week, the first part of my new diet is very monotonous.
defintion:
- a point conceded or yielded
- the act of conceding or yielding
- a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; A COMPROMISE
- the action of conceding, granting, or yielding something.
- a gesture, especially a token one, made in recognition of a demand or prevailing standard.
_______________________________________________________________
(n)
The noun _____ comes in handy in negotiations, between countries, political parties, or even parents and their kids. Want a raise in your allowance? You may have to agree to do more chores as a _____ before your parents will agree.
Although a _____ in an argument is the act of yielding or granting something, don’t get confused and think that a _____ stand is called that because the workers are granting you popcorn at the baseball stadium. _____s at a ballpark or at another venue are called that because the stadium has granted the right to sell food to a certain provider. Chew on that the next time you’re munching on peanuts at a game.
concession (n)
conceed (v)
- a point conceded or yielded
- the act of conceding or yielding
- a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands; A COMPROMISE
- the action of conceding, granting, or yielding something.
- a gesture, especially a token one, made in recognition of a demand or prevailing standard.
Example sentences:
The prosecutor must be willing to offer a concession of leniency if he wants the defendant to testify against his co-conspirators.
Because of the storm, the city has made a concession that gives citizens a grace period to pay their utility bills without a fee.
The management is willing to give the employees a ten percent salary increase as a concession if they end the strike immediately.
As a concession for being late, the taxi driver offered me a fifty percent discount on the fare.
The union was not impressed by the concession the county offered the teachers to return to work.
In exchange for investing in my company, the investor is asking for a concession that amounts to twenty-five percent of the business.
With neither of the country leaders willing to make a concession to ease trade restrictions, the negotiations have ended.
The hotel offered the newlyweds a free bottle of champagne as a concession for not having their suite ready.
If the prisoners do not receive the concession they requested, they will not release the guards they are holding as hostages.
Since the developer could not give the landowner his desired concession, he was not able to buy the land for the new subdivision.
defintion:
- overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with
- to receive so many of something (letters, demands, requests, etc) that you cannot deal with them all
- flood
(v)
To _____ means to quickly fill up or overwhelm, just like a flood. Your bathroom could be _____ed with water if the pipes burst, and hopefully your inbox is _____ed with nice emails on your birthday.
Commonly used to refer to a deluge of water, _____ can also refer to an overflow of something less tangible, like information. Right before the holidays, toy stores are often _____ed with eager parents scrambling to get the latest action figures and video games. Attempt to read the entire dictionary in one sitting and you’ll _____ your mind with vocabulary. But you probably won’t remember any of it tomorrow.
inundate (v)
inundation (n)
- overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with
- to receive so many of something (letters, demands, requests, etc) that you cannot deal with them all
- flood
Example sentences:
My boss is the type of person who likes to inundate others with projects.
As a teacher, you can expect to have a room full of students who will inundate you with questions.
The natural force of the hurricane will soon inundate the state with water.
Because of the poor economy, unemployed workers will more than likely inundate the government with requests for financial assistance.
If you inundate my husband with questions, he will get very upset.
When the volcano erupts, lava will inundate the town and force people out of their homes.
Since James is very sensitive to odors, he will not spray any fragrance in his house that will inundate his sinuses.
I hope the excited fans will not inundate the shy celebrity when she walks into the theater.
If dogs and cats are not spayed and neutered, they can overpopulate and inundate the planet.
Angry customers may inundate our customer support line if their orders do not arrive on time.
defintion:
- enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
- to enter an organization secretly in order to spy on or influence it.
- enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually, especially in order to acquire secret information.
(v)
If you _____ a group or organization, you join it in order to gain information, like an employee of a donut shop that _____s the competition to try to learn its “secret recipe” for its delicious dough.
_____ is a verb that is familiar to international spies and undercover agents, who are all adept at joining a group under false pretenses, fitting in, and working their way up to the highest ranks in order to find out as much information as they can about the group. The word can be used more broadly to describe anything that stealthily becomes a part of something else, such as slang words that _____ our everyday speech.
infiltrate (v)
infiltration (n)
infiltrator (n)
- enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
- to enter an organization secretly in order to spy on or influence it.
- enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually, especially in order to acquire secret information.
Exanple sentences:
After the air conditioning unit malfunctioned, a large amount of debris would infiltrate the air and cause sickness to the household.
In the horror movie, the monster infiltrated society and wiped out many of them.
Cold air would infiltrate the foyer due to a draft caused by a space under the front door.
After the small child wiped his nose after shaking his friend’s hand, germs would infiltrate his body and make him very sick.
The mother-in-law despised her new daughter-in-law who felt had decided to infiltrate the family in order to gain a large inheritance.
defintion:
- something intended to distract someone’s attention from something more important.
- a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
- an activity that dredirects or amuses or stimulates
(n)
A _____ can be something that takes you off the course you are on, like a detour while you are traveling, or a game of tennis that takes you away from the stress of work.
The noun _____ and the verb divert are related. Both have to do with a change of focus or direction. When you want a break from something, many _____s are welcome, like a rousing game of “twenty questions” on a long car ride. Conversely, some diversions are unwelcome, like when the guy next to you is texting during your French midterm.
diversion (n)
divert (v)
diversionary (adj)
- something intended to distract someone’s attention from something more important.
- a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
- an activity that dredirects or amuses or stimulates
Example sentences:
The robbers threw smoke devices to create a diversion.
Diana created a diversion so that her friend could sneak into class without the teacher noticing.
Soldiers often use a diversion tactic, like a small attack away from their target, to sneak up on the enemy.
Melissa took a diversion from her normal afternoon workout and decided to go to the movies instead.
Many citizens do not agree with the politician’s diversion of funding from sciences to defense.
Grant’s main diversion from doing his homework was watching anime or playing video games.
defintion:
(adj) below an average level.
subpar (adj)
below an average level.
Example sentences:
Instead of churning out a subpar film, they smartly walked away from the project.
I went to the play last night. The staging was subpar and the costumes were a riciulous bore.
defintion:
- lacking any obvious principle of organization
- dependent upon or characterized by chance
- without care; in a slapdash manner
- marked by great carelessness
- random, chaotic, incomplete
(adj)
Anything _____ is random, disorganized, slipshod, or hit-or-miss. A tent erected _____ly might look more like a big nylon bag of dirty laundry than a place to sleep.
Ever heard the expression “I’ll _____ a guess?” That word means “chance,” as in “take a chance.” Think of the hap in _____ as short for “happen.” Combine hap- and -hazard and you get something that happens (or appears to have happened) by chance. If you approach a math problem with _____ reasoning, you’re likely to get it wrong.
haphazard (adj)
- lacking any obvious principle of organization
- dependent upon or characterized by chance
- without care; in a slapdash manner
- marked by great carelessness
- random, chaotic, incomplete
Example sentences:
Compared to her mother’s organized system, Jen’s approach to housekeeping was haphazard, at best.
The haphazard arrangement of different types of flowers created a surprisingly beautiful bouquet.
Because of the haphazard mixture of fabric pieces and the way they’re laid out, they call this a crazy quilt.
Steven’s notes were a haphazard jumble of thoughts and I couldn’t make any sense out of them.
In his haphazard approach to nearly everything, Dale finds that his life is full of surprises.
Even though the layout of the map looks haphazard, careful study will reveal a clever arrangement of landmarks pointing to the treasure.
Her haphazard method of arranging the furniture made the den look cluttered and somewhat disturbing.
While her life had been characterized by a series of haphazard events, Cynthia somehow managed to develop into a very organized, structured businesswoman.
If you notice haphazard circles on the surface of the ocean, keep watching because it means whales have been jumping in the area.
Despite Gary’s haphazard study habits, he actually does quite well in all his courses.
defintion:
- serving as a temporary substitute; sufficient for the time being.
- done or made using whatever is available
- something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency
- something temporary and usually of poor quality, but used because there is nothing better available.
(adj)
If you have to use a garbage can lid as a sled or a set of drapes as a ball gown, then you know what it means to put together a _____ creation. Something makeshift has been improvised, thrown together with whatever is around.
What’s interesting about _____ is the way it can vary in meaning from approval to criticism. Those people trapped in the island in Lost? They came up with some pretty cool _____ tents and survival ideas. But a government described as _____, for example, probably has little going for it.
makeshift (adj)
- serving as a temporary substitute; sufficient for the time being.
- done or made using whatever is available
- something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency
- something temporary and usually of poor quality, but used because there is nothing better available.
Example sentences:
During the storm, we used the large tree branches as a makeshift shelter.
We converted the boxes into a makeshift table until our furniture arrived.
Because thousands of families were displaced during the hurricane, the football stadium has been turned into a makeshift shelter.
defintion:
- coincidence
- a chance situation or coincidence
- something that happened because of certain circumstances, although not planned by anyone.
(n)
A _____ is a coincidental event. If you call your brother on the phone, that’s intentional. If you bump into him in a restaurant, it’s _____.
_____ is a combination of the words, happen and circumstance. Whereas circumstances are the conditions that surround an event, _____ is the event itself. If you have no food at home so you go out to eat and sit next to a charming person who you end up marrying, your meeting was _____ and your being hungry and having no food at home were the circumstances.
happenstance (n)
- coincidence
- a chance situation or coincidence
- something that happened because of certain circumstances, although not planned by anyone.
Example sentences:
The coffeeshop conversation was happenstance, a coincidental meeting that lead to a whirlwind romance.
The office workers’ matching outfits came about by happenstance and weren’t planned at all.
Police think that the crime scene evidence was staged and wasn’t left my happenstance.
- definition:*
- occurring at the same time, resulting from chance or unplanned circumstances
(adj)
Things that are _____ take place at the same time, but there isn’t any connection. It’s just chance, a coincidence.
Sometimes things seem connected because they happen at the same time, but they really aren’t: they’re just _____. A sports fan might have a lucky shirt he wears to bring his team luck. But, if his team wins, that’s just _____. Shirts, unfortunately, don’t influence game outcomes. _____ is the opposite of causal, which means one thing directly causing another to happen. When _____ things happen, like a friend calls just when you were thinking of her, it’s just luck or chance.
coincidental (adj)
coincidence (n)
- occurring at the same time, resulting from chance or unplanned circumstances
Example sentences:
Having not even known that my friend was back in town, our meeting at the local grocery store was completely coincidental.
Getting sick on the day of my doctor’s appointment was completely coincidental, but at least I had something to discuss when I arrived.
Winning the lottery is a completely coincidental event, occurring only by chance and nothing else.
Being struck by lightning is a coincidental occurrence, one that you cannot plan for in any way and that only happens by chance.
A kid’s worst nightmare is the coincidental meeting of his mom and one of her friends while they are shopping in town, which guarantees an hour long delay in getting back home.
defintion:
- comprised of various elements
- made up of various parts or elements.
- consisting of separate interconnected parts
- a thing made up of several parts or elements.
- made up of several different things, parts, or substances.
(n)
A _____ is something made up of complicated and related parts. A _____ photograph of your family might have your eyes, your sister’s nose, your dad’s mouth, and your mother’s chin.
_____ comes from the Latin for “putting together.” It can be used as a noun or adjective. If you and five friends put together a map showing all the places each of you has ever lived, you’ve created a _____. You could also describe it as a _____ map of your lives. _____ is also the name of a family of plants that have many little flowers wound so densely together that it just looks like one flower.
composite (n)
- made up of various parts or elements.
- consisting of separate interconnected parts
- a thing made up of several parts or elements.
- made up of several different things, parts, or substances.
Example sentences:
The composite test score is the sum of the math and vocabulary scores.
If a number can be evenly divided by digits other than itself and one, the number is said to be composite in origin.
The composite poster was made of hundreds of tiny photographs.
When a chain of sentences is put together with commas, the resulting independent clause is called a composite sentence.
The new resort will be a composite facility that contains a hotel, a casino, and a spa.
It’s a composite pictures with different faces superimposed over one another.
defintion:
- started; began
- set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
- take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
(v)
If you want to end the feud between your siblings, you might need to _____ peace talks, and come up with a fair way to decide who gets the top bunk. As a verb, _____ means to start. As a noun, _____ refers to someone who has been inducted into a group.
As a verb, to _____ is to begin, pioneer, or broach a topic. You might say, “Let’s _____ the swearing-in ceremony so our new _____s can join the Rule-Breakers’ Club and still get home without missing their curfews.”
initiate (v)
initiative (n)
- set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
- take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
————————————————————————————-
Example sentences:
The chatty coworker always initiated conversations with her fellow employees while they were trying to work.
Only the man who initiated the fight was taken to jail since the other guy was merely defending himself from the attack.
The doctor initiated treatment right away, starting an IV and medicine as soon as the patient was admitted.
He proposes to initiate discussions on planning procedures.
- TWO WORDS:*
- defintion:*
- an unexpected development in a book, film, television program, etc.
- defintion*
- an episode that ends in suspense
plot twist (n)
- an unexpected development in a book, film, television program, etc.
Example sentences:
Soap opera characters, on the other hand, live in a consistently overdramatic world where they are always engaged in some sort of complicated plot twist or attempting to be rescued from a distinct level of peril.
Dallas was also responsible for introducing a plot twist that would become almost a requirement for nearly all series in the future - the season’s end cliffhanger.
=============================================================
related word: cliffhanger
- an ending to an episode of a serial drama that leaves the audience in suspense.
- “it will take more than outrageous cliffhangers to win the ratings wars”*
- a story or event with a strong element of suspense.
- “the game was a cliffhanger right up to the final buzzer”*
A cliffhanger is a plot device in a book, movie, or TV show that leaves the audience in suspense at the end of a scene or episode. If your favorite show ends its season with a cliffhanger, you’ll have to wait months to find out what happens next.
The key to a good cliffhanger is a character in some precarious position — this keeps the plot exciting, and it also ensures that the audience will return to see how dilemmas are resolved. In the case of a book, a cliffhanger keeps you turning the pages. The use of cliffhangers goes back to Homer’s “Odyssey,” though the word itself dates from 1937, from serial movies that would sometimes literally leave characters dangling from a cliff at the end.
deinition:
- not important
- not important or significant
- lacking worth or importance
(adj)
If something is considered of little worth or importance, it is _____. If astronomers forecast a tremendous meteor shower, it might turn out to be no more than space junk, too _____ to record.
You can use the adjective _____ to describe things that just don’t matter or are of no relevance, as in “the rainy forecast is totally _____, the bowling tournament is inside!” It also describes things that don’t make sense in a certain order, “trying to win their votes is _____: the election’s over.” Something small or minor can be _____ too, though the red bump on your nose on picture-day may not seem as _____ to you as it does to the photographer.
inconsequential (adj)
antonym: consequential
- not important
- not important or significant
- lacking worth or importance
Example sentences:
It was decided that Pluto was too inconsequential to be a planet.
Compared to the seven car pileup on the highway yesterday, my little fender bender is inconsequential.
The millionaire considered a five hundred dollar tip inconsequential.
While you may consider my feelings to be inconsequential, they are very important to me.
When you walk with your head down and eyes lowered, you come across as being inconsequential.
Worrying about inconsequential tasks will prevent you from doing projects which really matter.
At the end of the day, everything is inconsequential except for your loved ones.
Despite the teacher’s warning, the students would not stop their inconsequential chatter.
Because the suspect’s charge was inconsequential, the judge let him out on bail.
Some earthquakes are so inconsequential that they do not pose any immediate danger to mankind.
defintion:
- to be relevant to; pertains to = relates to
- related or connected to the subject being referenced
- to be appropriate, related, or applicable to something else
(v)
To ____ is to be relevant or somehow associated with something. If you’re a lawyer, you try to find evidence that will pertain to the case and eliminate anything that is not connected.
Behind the verb ____ lies the Latin verb pertinēre, which means “to be applicable” or “to hold through.” If you think the rules of the road don’t ____ to you, try explaining that to the state trooper when you get pulled over. Usage note: The word ____ often takes an s at the end, as in “That ____s to this matter,” but loses it with a helper: “That doesn’t ____ to it.”
pertain (v)
pertains to (v)
pertaining to (v)
- to be relevant to; pertains to = relates to
- related or connected to the subject being referenced
- to be appropriate, related, or applicable to something else
Example sentences:
The statistics found in the study pertain to the relationship between coffee drinking and poor sleep habits.
The x-rays displayed pertain to fracture in the patient’s left wrist.
These notes pertain to the symbolism and metaphors of poetry.
The discussion questions pertain to common themes found in romantic British literature.
All of the evidence and documents that pertain to the case were presented to the jury.
definition:
- a longing for a time or event that has passed
- a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
- something done or presented in order to evoke feelings of nostalgia.
(n)
Think of the noun _____ when you long for the good old days of the past.
The noun _____ was invented by a Swiss doctor in the late 1600s. He put together the Greek nostos “homecoming” and algos “pain, distress” as a literal translation of the German Heimweh “homesickness.” Originally, it was a medical diagnosis for mercenary soldiers. Today, it describes a bittersweet longing for the past. Think of the drea
nostalgia (n)
nostalgic (adj)
- a longing for a time or event that has passed
- a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
- something done or presented in order to evoke feelings of nostalgia.
Example sentences:
My grandfather says jazz music triggers nostalgia for his youth.
If my sister sees the family pictures and videos, nostalgia may help her regain his memory.
Watching cartoons on Saturday morning initiates nostalgia for the years when my family and I were really close.
Because my grandfather has nostalgia for the days of his youth, he is constantly telling stories about his childhood.
Seeing my daughter in a poodle skirt brought on nostalgia for when I was a teenybopper.
definition:
_____ is a principle from philosophy. Suppose an event has two possible explanations. The explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is usually correct. Another way of saying it is that the more assumptions you have to make, the more unlikely an explanation.
Occam’s razor (or Ockham’s razor) (n)
Occam’s razor is a principle from philosophy. Suppose an event has two possible explanations. The explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is usually correct. Another way of saying it is that the more assumptions you have to make, the more unlikely an explanation.
definition:
- the minimum size or amount of something required to start or maintain a venture.
- the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
(n)
_______ is the minimum amount of something required to start or maintain any project or venture. In order for a new ice cream store to succeed, the need for it must reach _______.
Any movement or venture has to reach_______ to carry on and succeed. The _______ of a popular band would be the point at which their popularity starts to explode. In nuclear physics, _______ is the smallest mass of material that will start a chain reaction in a nuclear bomb or reactor. Both kinds of _______ begin chain reactions.
critical mass (n)
- the minimum size or amount of something required to start or maintain a venture.
- the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
==========================================================
idiom: “the hundredth monkey effect”
source: Wikipedia
“The hundredth monkey effect is a hypothetical phenomenon in which a new behavior or idea is spread rapidly by unexplained means from one group to all related groups once a critical number of members of one group exhibit the new behavior or acknowledge the new idea.”
definition:
- the vocabulary of a subject or language
- the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
- terminology geared to a particular topic or specific group of people
- all the terms associated with a particular subject; the _____ of a person or group is all the words they commonly use.
(n)
A _____ is the vocabulary of a language or subject. “No-hitter,” “go-ahead run,” and “Baltimore chop” are part of the baseball lexicon.
_____s are really dictionaries, though a _____ usually covers an ancient language or the special vocabulary of a particular author or field of study. In linguistics, the _____ is the total stock of words and word elements that carry meaning. _____ is from Greek word meaning “word(book),” ultimately going back to the word legein, “to speak.”
lexicon (n)
similar words: terminology, jargon, vernacular
- the vocabulary of a subject or language
- the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.
- terminology geared to a particular topic or specific group of people
- all the terms associated with a particular subject; the _____ of a person or group is all the words they commonly use.
Example sentences:
In the first year of law school, we learned a large number of words that became the basics of our legal lexicon.
It is hard to understand what teenagers say because their lexicon is constantly changing.
Since I am not a software engineer, I could not understand the lexicon used by the programmers who joined me at my table in the cafeteria.
Rappers often create new words their fans use as lexicon in their own conversations.
Unless you are a physician, you will find it difficult to understand much of the medical lexicon spoken by your doctor.
definition:
- disqualify oneself (as a judge) in a particular case
- when a judge removes themself from a legal case because they consider themselves to be biased.
- to declare oneself disqualified to act as a judge, or remove oneself from participation to avoid a conflict of interest
(v)
The verb _____ is used in legal situations and means to remove someone from a position of judicial authority, either a judge or a member of a jury, who is deemed unacceptable to judge, usually because of some bias.
The Latin word meaning “to refuse” is the place to start in the history of _____. You can _____ someone else, but also yourself. As the sister-in-law of the person accused of stealing 400 gallons of pudding from the local pudding factory, you had no choice but to _____ yourself from judging the trial. Too bad, it sounds like an interesting one.
recuse (v)
similar phrase: “conflict of interest”
- disqualify oneself (as a judge) in a particular case
- when a judge removes themself from a legal case because they consider themselves to be biased.
- to declare oneself disqualified to act as a judge, or remove oneself from participation to avoid a conflict of interest
Example sentences:
The judge had to recuse herself from the case when the defendant turned out to be her cousin.
Because his nephew was competing, the judge had to recuse himself from scoring that event.
After it was discovered that a contestant was a relative, the reality show producer was forced to recuse himself from the casting process.
A baking competition judge had to recuse herself when her own pie was chosen as a finalist.
The CEO decided to recuse himself from the hiring process when his nephew applied for a position.
defintion:
- a person who rejects the majority and takes an opposing view
- a person who deliberately behaves in a way that is different from the people around them.
- opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against current practice.
contrarian (n)
- a person who rejects the majority and takes an opposing view
- a person who deliberately behaves in a way that is different from the people around them.
- opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against current practice.
Example sentences:
The politician took a contrarian stance and opposed the bill supported by most of the members of his party.
A contrarian at heart, Emma likes to vote against the majority any chance she gets.
Because of his contrarian view on the war, the man refused to go to war for his country.
The contrarian investors usually buy stocks that other people are getting rid of.
defintion:
- a person or being that can change their body’s form at will
- (in folklore) a creature that has the ability to change its physical form at will
- (chiefly in fiction) a person or being with the ability to change their physical form at will.
shapeshifter (n)
shapeshift (v)
related: chameleon (n) a changeable or inconstant person, a person who changes their opinions or behavior according to the situation
Example sentences: link
defintion:
- something that does not have a clear meaning
- unclear or confusing, or it can be understood in more than one way.
- the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
- unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning
- an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
(n)
Something with _____ is unclear. Think about the sentence, “Jill saw the man with binoculars.” If you are wondering whether Jill or the man had the binoculars, you are noticing the _____, or the double meaning, of this sentence.
Lawyers word contracts to avoid _____, but in doing so prevent anyone who is not a lawyer from understanding what they have written! If you can’t choose between two decisions because both seem somehow wrong, you are dealing with moral _____. Imagine if a friend who has helped you out many times asks you to cheat. It’s wrong to cheat but it also seems wrong not to help someone who has been there for you.
ambiguity (n)
ambiguous (adj)
defintion:
- something that does not have a clear meaning
- unclear or confusing, or it can be understood in more than one way.
- the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
- unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning
- an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
Example sentences: link
defintion:
- surrender under agreed conditions
- cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender.
- to give in; to surrender under certain terms
- stop resisting and do what someone else wants you to do.
(v)
To _____ means to give in to something. If your parents refuse to raise your allowance, you might try to argue until they _____. Good luck!
To _____ is to surrender outright or to give in under certain terms. Either way, you’re agreeing to something you don’t really want.
capitulate (v)
capitulation (n)
synonymous: succumb, yield, submit, surrender
defintion:
- surrender under agreed conditions
- cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender.
- to give in; to surrender under certain terms
- stop resisting and do what someone else wants you to do.
defintion:
- complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best.
- freedom to do whatever one wants
- the authority to do whatever you think is right.
- complete freedom or authority to act
(n)
____ ____ is complete freedom. If a dozen seven-year-olds were given ____ ____ to spend the day doing whatever they wanted, things might get a little crazy.
____ ____ means” you’re free to do whatever you want. It was originally adopted by English speakers to mean “blank paper,” and grew to have its current meaning in the late 1700s. One of those blank papers might be a check that can be made payable to any amount. So if your wealthy aunt offers to take you on a ____ ____ shopping spree, it means she’ll buy you whatever you like.
carte blanche (n)
defintion:
- complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best.
- freedom to do whatever one wants
- the authority to do whatever you think is right.
- complete freedom or authority to act
defintion:
- to keep up or support
- continue something or maintain it for a period of time
- cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption.
- lengthen or extend in duration or space
- strengthen or support physically or mentally.
(v)
_____ means to support something or keep it going. If you get hungry in the mid-afternoon, you might try snacking to _____ your energy through dinner.
Beams and rafters _____ a roof, they keep it up. If you _____ a conversation over the course of hours, you keep it going during that time. If you _____ an injury, it means you are injured. If you _____ an interest in what you’re studying, it means that you’re just as excited about the subject after studying as you are when you began.
sustain (n)
similar words: maintain, maintencence (keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”)
defintion:
- to keep up or support
- continue something or maintain it for a period of time
- cause to continue or be prolonged for an extended period or without interruption.
- lengthen or extend in duration or space
- strengthen or support physically or mentally.
defintion:
- to stick to firmly
- to conform to or follow rules exactly
- act in the way that it says you should stick to a rule or agreement
- stick fast to (a surface or substance).
(v)
If you don’t want monkey droppings to _____ to the sole of your shoe, watch where you’re walking. Maybe if you’d _____, or stick to, the zoo rules and stay on the walking path, you wouldn’t have to worry about it.
_____ is from the 15th-century French verb meaning “to stick.” Things that are sticky will _____, or attach, to surfaces and stay there, whether you want them to or not. When a person chooses to _____ to something, it is more of a choice to stick with it or agree to abide by rules or guidelines. You can also adhere by being loyal, as when you adhere to the high moral standards or behavior expected of some organization.
adhere (v)
adherent (n)
adhesive (adj) (n)
defintion:
- to stick to firmly
- to conform to or follow rules exactly
- act in the way that it says you should stick to a rule or agreement
- stick fast to (a surface or substance).
defintion:
- a standard or typical example
- an example that represents or expresses something very well
- a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.
(n)
If you’re talking about a typical example of something, call it the _____. The cartoon character Garfield is the _____ of the lazy, food-obsessed cat.
Coming to us from Greek through Latin, epitome refers to something that is the ultimate representative of its class. Are you the _____ of the hard-working student or do you believe in study in moderation?
epitome (n)
epitomize (v)
defintion:
- a standard or typical example
- an example that represents or expresses something very well
- a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type.
defintion:
- omit or decline to take (something pleasant or valuable); go without.
- do without or cease to hold or adhere to
- refrain from
forgo (v)
foregone (adj)
a foregone conclusion (n)
defintion:
- omit or decline to take (something pleasant or valuable); go without.
- do without or cease to hold or adhere to
- refrain from
defintion:
- not conclusive, not leading to a conclusion
- not conclusive; not putting an end to doubt or question
- not leading to a firm conclusion; not ending doubt or dispute.
(adj)
If something’s _____, that means it doesn’t lead to a ———- or a resolution.
_____ often describes scientific results. If your data about a flu outbreak is _____, then your results don’t prove anything.
A good way to remember the meaning of _____ is to look at the root word ———-, which means “definitive, decisive, and convincing.” When you add in, which means “not,” to the front of ———-, you get a word that means “not definitive.”
When something’s _____, it doesn’t resolve your questions and leaves room for debate. If you’re a detective, the last thing you want to hear is that your evidence is _____.
inconclusive (adj)
defintion:
- not conclusive, not leading to a conclusion
- not conclusive; not putting an end to doubt or question
- not leading to a firm conclusion; not ending doubt or dispute.
defintion:
- talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
- to speak in an arrogant tone, particularly for a long period
- express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
(v)
To _____ is to talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner. To _____ properly, you need to be a know-it-all with very strong opinions and the urge to share them.
_____ comes from the French word ——, another word for the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The noun _____ refers to the government of the Roman Catholic Church. Another word for this is the papacy.
pontificate (v)
pontiff (n)
defintion:
- talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner
- to speak in an arrogant tone, particularly for a long period
- express one’s opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
definition:
- 1. secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for
- secure (someone) against legal liability for their actions.
- to promise to protect them against something bad happening, especially financially
- 2. compensate; insure
- make amends for; pay compensation for
- to provide with a payment for damage or loss.
(v)
To pay compensation for a loss, damages, or similar expense is to _____. “The insurance company _____ed its customers for their claims after the severe storm — one customer lost three cars, a row boat, and a golf cart.”
The verb _____ also means to secure against future loss. The farmers bought insurance to _____ themselves and their animals against catastrophic loss. The word _____ comes from a Latin word which means “to unhurt.” The city wanted to shut down an old local landmark because they were afraid it no longer met modern safety standards, but local citizens wanted it to remain. In a compromise, the owners agreed to _____ the city against possible loss and the landmark was allowed to remain.
indemnify (v)
indemnification (n)
definition:
- 1. secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for
- secure (someone) against legal liability for their actions.
- to promise to protect them against something bad happening, especially financially
- 2. compensate; insure
- make amends for; pay compensation for
- to provide with a payment for damage or loss.
Example sentences:
This plan indemnifies workers against wages lost through illness.
The newspaper could not be forced to indemnify the city for personal-injury liability.
Since Kevin was driving drunk, the insurance company will not indemnify him from the property damage he caused.
They agreed to indemnify the taxpayers against any loss.
The printers were indemnified against legal action.
The corporaiton doesn’t have the money to indemnify everybody.
The amount of insurance that may be carried to indemnify the owner in the event of a loss.
The trucking company will indemnify the victim of the car accident caused by the sleeping trucker.
Do you think the airline is going to indemnify the expense I incurred from missing my connecting flight?
The construction company is going to indemnify the worker who lost his arm because of another employee’s negligence.
The insurance firm will indemnify the board of directors against lawsuits from shareholders.
defintion:
- based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
- not done for any particular reason; chosen or done at random
- not based on any principle, plan, or system.
- based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
(adj)
Something that’s _____ seems like it’s chosen at random instead of following a consistent rule. Team members would dislike their coach using a totally _____ method to pick starting players.
Even though _____ comes from a word meaning “judge” (——-), that doesn’t mean judges are always fair. Calling a decision-maker _____ is usually a negative thing, suggesting the person is making rules based on whim rather than justice. A coach who selects starting players _____ly isn’t strictly applying a rule; he could just be picking names out of a hat.
arbitrary (adj)
defintion:
- ased on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
- not done for any particular reason; chosen or done at random
- not based on any principle, plan, or system.
- based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
defintion:
- 1. heavenly or spiritual
- of heaven or the spirit
- 2. extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
- Someone or something that is ethereal has a delicate beauty.
(adj)
Something _____ is airy and insubstantial, like a ghostly figure at the top of the stairs. This word can also describe something delicate and light, like a singer’s ethereal voice.
_____ comes from the Greek word for ether, which means “air” or more specifically “the upper regions of space.” An _____ substance or sound is one that carries the feeling of light and air — something you might see in a vision that strikes you as heavenly or supernatural.
ethereal (adj)
ether (n) the clear sky; the upper regions of air beyond the clouds.
defintion:
- 1. heavenly or spiritual
- of heaven or the spirit
- 2. extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
- Someone or something that is ethereal has a delicate beauty.
defintion:
- capable of being touched
- something you CAN percieve by touch
- perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
(adj)
When you can touch something, it’s _____: “I need _____ proof that aliens exist, I want to shake their little green hands!”
_____ is from Latin tangere, “to touch,” and it simply means something that can be touched or felt, though it can be used in metaphorical senses: _____ assets have a value that can be precisely measured, and _____ grief can be clearly sensed by an onlooker. So you might not need to physically touch something for it to be _____, but it has to be grounded in the real world of facts: “Has the teen pop star demonstrated any _____ ability to sing?”
tangible (adj)
tangibility (n)
- synonym: palpable, tactile*
- antonym:* intangible (adj) unable to be touched or grasped; not having physical presence.
defintion:
- capable of being touched
- something you CAN percieve by touch
- perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
definition:
- force into an inadequate space.
- fit for a specific purpose even when not well suited
- a curved instrument used to ease one’s heel into a shoe.
shoehorn (v) (n)
definition:
- force into an inadequate space.
- fit for a specific purpose even when not well suited
- a curved instrument used to ease one’s heel into a shoe.
- defintion:*
- the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution.
(n)
_____ means overthrowing something, like a government or law, or it can mean corrupting someone’s personal morals, like making a vegetarian eat bacon by tricking her.
The Latin root means “to turn from below,” and when you turn something on its head in a sneaky way, that’s _____. Imagine digging a hole in the ground, then covering the hole with a layer of sticks and leaves. When someone walks on it, they fall in. That’s the basic idea of _____, attacking from below. People often use _____ to take down a corrupt government, and acts of _____ are a powerful way to protest injustice.
subversion (n)
subvert (v)
subversive (adj)
sabatuer (n)
- defintion:*
- the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution.
- defintion:*
- a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
(n)
An air of mystery around someone gives that person a certain _____, like your glamorous next door neighbor who’s rumored to work for the CIA.
The noun _____ is good for describing someone you find fascinating, like your beautiful and mysterious French teacher with that special _____. A place or an object can also be described this way; many travelers are attracted to India’s _____, for example. The root of _____ is thought to be the Greek word mystikos, “secret or mystic.”
mystique (n)
- defintion:*
- a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
defintion:
- a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
- something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained; mystery
(n)
Use the noun ____ to refer to something that is a puzzle or a mystery. Why do you have to learn difficult words like this? That is an ____.
Traveling to English from Greek by means of the Latin word for “riddle,” ____ refers to something or someone that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to figure out. Many things have been named ____, including a rock band, a video game, a rollercoaster ride, and a very famous coding machine used in World War II.
enigma (n)
enigmatic (adj)
defintion:
- a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
- something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained; mystery
definiton:
- 1. human behavior, especially that of a sexual nature, that isn’t considered normal or moral
- sexual behavior or desire that is considered abnormal or unacceptable.
- 2. the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.
(n)
Although most often used to refer to some sort of psychological corruption or abnormal behavior (usually sexual), the word _____ can actually refer to anything that is used for a distorted or wrong purpose.
The Latin word which means “turn around,” serves as the basis for the noun _____, suggesting something that is contrary to something else. The word developed a religious meaning in the 15th century, when it came to be used to refer to any distortion of church doctrine. Around 1700, the word developed a secular meaning, denoting what was considered deviant sexual behavior, often any sexual behavior other than that used to reproduce.
perversion (n)
pervert (n)
definiton:
- 1. human behavior, especially that of a sexual nature, that isn’t considered normal or moral
- sexual behavior or desire that is considered abnormal or unacceptable.
- 2. the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.
defintion:
- not alive, especially not in the manner of animals and humans.
- showing no sign of life; lifeless.
(adj)
_____ describes a non-living thing. Chairs, baseballs, sofa cushions and sadly, snowmen, are all _____ objects.
We can break _____ down into two Latin roots: in, which means “not,” and animatus, which translates to “alive.” So inanimate means simply, “not alive.” That include things that are recently dead, things that were never alive to begin with, and things that simply look dead: A bear in hibernation may appear _____ due to its decreased heart rate, but don’t be fooled, it’s very much alive.
inanimate (adj)
related: inanimate object
defintion:
- not alive, especially not in the manner of animals and humans.
- showing no sign of life; lifeless.
defintion:
- (v) to record (a related series of events) in a factual and detailed way.
- (n) a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.
To _____ an event is to record it as it happens, and a _____ is a record of those events. If your grandmother took the time to _____ the details of her 1910 journey to Japan, you can read her _____ today.
To _____ something is to describe past or current events. _____ is related to _____logical and comes from the Greek ta khronika, which means “annals of time.” Events are usually _____d in the order in which they occurred. The noun chronicle is a record of things that happened — told in _____logical order, like the diary you kept in elementary school. It is a _____ of those years.
chronicle (v)
chronicles (n)
- (v) to record (a related series of events) in a factual and detailed way.
- (n) a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.
- defintion:*
- giving human traits to objects and living creatures that are not human
(n)
The idea behind _____ is that of attributing human characteristics to nonhumans, gods, animals, or inanimate objects. If you believe that your cat wants to celebrate his birthday, you are participating in _____.
The Greek words for “human” and “form” created the word _____, originally used to give human qualities to a deity. The Greeks and Romans used the idea in stories about their gods, giving them human traits to balance their powers (and make better stories). Even today, many people picture the god they worship as a human form. Whether it’s an old man with a beard, mother earth, or a bearded lady, that’s _____.
anthropomorphism (n)
anthropomorphic (adj)
anthropomorphize (v)
- defintion:*
- giving human traits to objects and living creatures that are not human
- definition:*
- the state of being all the same or uniform in look/action
(n)
_____ is the sameness of things. If you’re looking for _____ in your wardrobe, you’ll want shirts and jeans that all have something similar about them.
_____ can also mean that something is the same throughout. Plain yogurt has a _____ about it, it’s white all the way through and it should be the same texture throughout.
homogeneity (n)
homogeous (adj)
- antonym: heterogeneous, hetergeneity*
- (=the quality or state of being diverse in character or content.)*
- definition:*
- the state of being all the same or uniform in look/action
definition:
- an expert on a particular subject
- an expert judge in matters of taste.
- an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
(n)
A _____ is a person who, through study and interest, has a fine appreciation for something, like the _____ who can identify the clarinet player on a jazz recording by the sound of his inhalations alone.
A _____ is an authority in his field, someone who has expert knowledge and training, especially in the arts. A _____ may also be someone with an extremely developed sense of taste, like the _____ who can identify rare wine by a flavor others can’t even detect. Then again, some people call themselves _____s of just about anything they like, pizza, old vinyl albums, even cartoons, because they know so much about it.
connoisseur (n)
definition:
- an expert on a particular subject
- an expert judge in matters of taste.
- an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
defintion:
- the state or quality of lasting forever.
- forevermore or permanently
- the property of being perpetual (seemingly ceaseless)
(n)
The word _____ means “the property of lasting forever.” The _____ of an eternal flame means that it will burn endlessly, while an ordinary candle flame will eventually extinguish.
Anything in _____ keeps on going and going and going. If you crash the family car and your parents ban you from driving it in _____, you’re never driving that car again. First appearing in the 15th century, the noun perpetuity derives from the Latin word perpetuus meaning “continuing throughout.”
perpetuity (n)
defintion:
- the state or quality of lasting forever.
- forevermore or permanently
- the property of being perpetual (seemingly ceaseless)
defintion:
- changing one’s mind frequently
- prone to sudden unpredictable change
- changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection.
(adj)
People who are _____ change their minds so much you can’t rely on them. If your best friend suddenly decides that she doesn’t like you one week, and then the next week she wants to hang out again, she’s being _____.
_____ comes from the Old English word ficol, for deceitful. We usually use _____ to talk about people, but it can also be used for abstract things that alternately favor you and abuse you, like the weather. If you win the lottery and then lose everything else in the world that’s important to you, fate is being _____.
fickle (adj)
defintion:
- changing one’s mind frequently
- prone to sudden unpredictable change
- changing frequently, especially as regards one’s loyalties, interests, or affection.
definition:
- boring; annoying because it is long or slow
- too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
- so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
(adj)
If something is _____, it’s boring. If you’re anxious to get outside and enjoy the sun, even the best lecture will seem _____.
_____ is the adjective from ___um, which is both Latin and English for boredom. You ordinarily wouldn’t use _____ for people, just things; you might say “His speeches are _____,” but usually not “He is _____.” Something that is _____ could also be called tiresome. Shakespeare’s Friar Laurence says “I will be brief, for my short date of breath / Is not so long as is a _____ tale.”
tedious (adj)
tedium (n)
definition:
- boring; annoying because it is long or slow
- too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous.
- so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
- definition:*
- (n) a situation in which one action or event causes many other similar actions or events
snowball effect (n)
similar: domino effect
- definition:*
- a situation in which one action or event causes many other similar actions or events
Example sentences:
The city hopes that these improvements will have a snowball effect and spur private investment in the community.
It had a snowball effect, and I remember waking up one morning with over 4,000 messages to download.
Joe’s wealth grew like a snowball effect through time.
defintion:
- feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
- feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
- showing great respect for a person or thing.
(adj)
When you have great awe and respect for someone or something, and you show it by respectfully worshiping that person, thing, deity, or musical group, you are being _____.
Originally, the word _____ was used only in religious contexts, but now it works when people are just acting like they’re in a religious setting (even if the object of their worship is a sports star or political pundit). People are occasionally _____ in regard to antique cars, supermodels, spelling bee champions and giant TV screens. _____ is related to the verb revere, which is also about having or showing respect for someone or something.
reverent (adj)
reverence (n)
anotonym: irreverent
defintion:
- feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
- feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
- showing great respect for a person or thing.
defintion:
- 1. instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
- a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.
- unexplained feelings you have that something is true even when you have no evidence or proof of it.
- 2. the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning; instinct
(n)
If you know the definition of this noun by quick insight without relying on reason, you know what _____ means!
_____ is a noun whose definition means that someone uses quick understanding to interpret but without using reasoning or perception, a snap judgment. The definition of the word comes from the Latin roots in- meaning “at” or “on” and tueri meaning “look at, watch over.” If we use our _____ it means that we don’t always make the correct interpretation, and in fact, the Australian writer Christina Stead wrote, “_____ is not infallible; it only seems to be the truth.”
intuitition (n)
intuititive (adj) defintion
similar: “a gut instinct” or “have a hunch”
defintion:
- 1. instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
- a thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.
- unexplained feelings you have that something is true even when you have no evidence or proof of it.
- 2. the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning; instinct
definition:
- the ability to say or do things in such a way that doesn’t upset or offend anyone
- consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
- the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people
- adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
- the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings.
(n)
To talk carefully without hurting anyone’s feelings, that’s _____. Politicians have _____, which makes them good at speaking about sensitive matters without making fools of themselves. At least, sometimes they have _____.
Around a friend who’s afraid of snakes, you use _____ when talking about reptiles because you don’t want to upset them. The Latin root word tangere means “touch,” and a person with _____ avoids touching dangerous words like they are an electric fence. When you say something without _____, you “put your foot in your mouth,” as the phrase goes. You don’t literally put your foot in your mouth, although if you did you’d avoid offending people with words.
tact (n)
tactful (adj)
tactfulness (n)
definition:
- the ability to say or do things in such a way that doesn’t upset or offend anyone
- consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
- the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people
- adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
- the ability to avoid upsetting or offending people by being careful not to say or do things that would hurt their feelings.
