Toefl Words And Meanings

Lesson 40 : Beliefs and Religion

2011-04-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

Lesson 40

Beliefs and Religion

1. agnostic: a thinker who disclaims any knowledge of God. The agnostic does not deny God but denies the possibility of knowing him.

2. apocalyptic: pertaining to a revelation; foretelling imminent disaster and total destruction. Apocalypse refers to the last books of the New Testament.

3. apocryphal: of questionable authority and authenticity; false or counterfeit. The Apocrypha includes the 14 books of the Septuagint found in the Vulgate but considered uncanonical by the Protestant because they are not part of the Hebrew Scriptures.

4. apostate: one who forsakes his faith or principles

5. apotheosis: deification; an exalted or glorified ideal.

6. benediction: a blessing, an invocation of divine blessing, usually at the end of a religious service. A newly married man is called a benedict, suggesting that marriage brings to a bachelor many blessings.

7. blasphemy: any irreverent or impious act or utterance

8. deist: believer in the existence of God as the creator of the universe who after setting it in motion abandoned it, assumed no control over life, exerted no influence on natural phenomenon, and gave no supernatural revelation. Deism is a natural religion based on human reason and morality.

9. infidel: a person who does not believe in any religion; among Christians or Muslims, one who does not accept their particular beliefs. This word infidelity denotes unfaithfulness to moral or martial obligations.

10. mantra: a mystical formula of invocation or incantation in Hinduism and Buddhism. The word comes from mens, the Latin meaning “mind” and the ancient Sanskrit word for “scared counsel” or “formula”

11. ontology: the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of being

12. pantheism: the doctrine that the universe, conceived of as a whole, is God.

13. sacrilegious: disrespectful or irreverent toward anything regarded as sacred. The term is derived from the Latin sacrilegium, “one who steals sacred things,” which of course is one form of sacrilege.

14. syncretism: the attempt or tendency to combine or reconcile differing beliefs, as in philosophy or religion. It comes from the Greek syn (together) and kret (Cretain) and refers to the uniting of Cretan cities against a common enemy.

15. theodicy: a vindication of divine justice in the face of the existence of evil. Theodicee was the title of a work by Leibnitz in 1710. The word combines the Greek roots for “god” and “judgment”

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. In the Middle Ages this would have brought the harshest punishment

(ontology, blasphemy, apocryphal)

2. God and nature are synonymous

(benediction, pantheism, apocalyptic)

3. This person could be a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, depending on what you are

(infidel, mantra, apotheosis)

4. An attempt to explain why God permitted the rise of Hitlerism

(theodicy, apostate, sacrilegious)

5. If you can’t beat them, join them

(agnostic, syncretism, deist)

6. The absolute best of its kind

(apotheosis, sacrilegious, apocryphal)

7. Doomsday is coming

(blasphemy, apocalyptic, ontology)

8. Belief that differing faiths can be reconciled

(agnostic, pantheist, syncretist)

9. A blessing

(mantra, benediction, blasphemy)

10. An unauthorized version

(sacrilegious, apocryphal, blasphemy)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. The apocryphal writings have been universally accepted as part of the Bible

____ 2. An apostate is one who has changed his religious beliefs.

____ 3. Pantheists emphasize the importance of religious services

____ 4. The sacrilegious person holds a place of honor in the community of believers

____ 5. The apocalyptic view is definitely pessimistic

____ 6. The agnostic is inclined to say, “Thank God for my blessings.”

____ 7. The apostate finds solace in his mantra

____ 8. Ontology attempts to answer the question: What is reality?

____ 9. Sacrilegious and blasphemous behavior is typical of an apostate

____ 10. Mantras are part of the worship in Buddhism and Hinduism

III. Synonyms or Antonyms

Find and circle the two words on each line that are either synonyms or antonyms.

1. apostate apocryphal heretic biblical

2. blasphemous apotheosis degradation occult

3. infidel mantra religion invocation

4. canonical apocryphal apocalyptic orthodox

5. laity benediction denominational anathema

Lesson 39 : Philosophy and Logic

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lesson 39

Philosophy and Logic

1. aphorism: a brief statement of principle; a tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion

2. dogma: a system of principles or tenets as of a church; prescribed doctrine; an established opinion or belief. Dogmas, derived from the Greek dokein, “to seem good,” are sometimes put forth without adequate grounds and arrogantly or vehemently proclaimed.

3. empirical: guided by practical experience and not theoretical

4. epistemology: the branch of theology that is concerned with the ultimate or last things-such as death, judgment, heaven, and hell.

5. eschatology: an idea or opinion founded on mistaken logic or perception. There are several types of logical fallacies: the fallacy of accident, of composition, of decision, of the antecedent, and of the consequences.

6. fallacy: an idea or opinion founded on mistaken logic or perception. There are several types of logical fallacies: the fallacy of accident, of composition, of division, of the antecedent, and of the consequence.

7. hedonism: pursuit of or devotion to pleasure; the ethical doctrine that what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good. In psychology, hedonism refers to the doctrine that behavior is motivated by desire for pleasure or the avoidance of pain.

8. pragmatism: the theory, developed by Charles S. Peirce and William James, that the meaning of a proposition or course of action lies in its observable consequences, and that the sum of these consequences constitutes its meaning; a method or tendency in the conduct of political affairs characterized by the rejection of theory and precedent and by the use of practical means and expedients. A pragmatic person is practical and active rather than contemplative. He may also tend to be meddlesome and officious.

9. predestination: the doctrine that God has foreordained whatever comes to pass, especially the salvation or damnation of individual souls.

10. ratiocination: the act of reasoning methodically or logically.

11. syllogism: in logic, a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise (all men are foolish), a minor premise (Smith is a man), and a conclusion (therefore, Smith is foolish); a subtle or specious piece of reasoning. Opposed to syllogistic reasoning is inductive reasoning known as the scientific method, which reasons from a part to the whole, from the particular to the general, or from the individual to the universal.

12. teleology: the doctrine that final causes exist; design, purpose, or utility as an explanation of any natural phenomenon. In philosophy, teleology looks upon natural processes as determined by the design of a divine Providence rather than as purely mechanical determinism.

13. tenet: an opinion or doctrine held to be true.

14. theosophy: a system of philosophy or religion that proposes to establish direct, mystical contact with divine principles through contemplation or revelation. The doctrines of the modern Theosophical Societies incorporate elements of Buddhism and Brahmanism.

15. utilitarian: stressing the value of practical over aesthetic values. The theory of utilitarianism, proposed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stewart Mill, held that all moral, social, or political action should be directed toward achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. How do we know what we know?

(eschatology, epistemology, pragmatism)

2. If A is B and B is C, then A is C

(fallacy, dogma, syllogism)

3. Sherlock Holmes is a prime example

(tenet, ratiocination, teleology)

4. Don’t do it; it might hurt

(hedonism, aphorism, theosophy)

5. Daniel and Pearl forever

(empirical, utilitarian, predestination)

6. Use it or lose it

(utilitarian, aphorism, fallacy)

7. The quintessential principle that brooks no argument

(theosophy, teleology, dogma)

8. Beyond human comprehension

(eschatology, ratiocination, theosophy)

9. Respect for the old tried and true ways

(ratiocination, tenet, pragmatism)

10. Logic with a twist

(eschatology, teleology, syllogism)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. A pragmatist and an empiricist are both more concerned with results than theories.

____ 2. Eschatology is deeply involved with daily rituals

____ 3. The explanation for the lion’s mane, the elephant’s trunk, the leopard’s spots falls in the province of teleology.

____ 4. A tenet is one of the ten basic principles of faith.

____ 5. Aphorism is the belief that natural phenomena can be understood only by a study of original causes.

____ 6. Epistemology is the science of letter writing.

____ 7. The empirical approach relies on observation and experience to determine truth.

____ 8. An assumption based on erroneous premises will inevitably be a fallacy.

____ 9. Theosophists generally spend a great deal of time in contemplation.

____ 10. tenets are those who “dwell in the house of the Lord.”

III. Find the Imposter

Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related to the other three

1. eschatology teleology utilitarian predestination

2. document dogma tenet doctrine

3. pragmatic experiential romantic empirical

4. laconic aphoristic pointed conjectural

5. hedonism affliction malaise paroxysm

Lesson 38 : Legal Language

2011-04-20T05:59:00.001-07:00

Lesson 38

Legal Language

1. abnegation: giving up of rights; self-denial.

2. abscond: to run away and hide in order to escape the law.

3. affidavit: a written statement made on oath, usually before a notary public. In Medieval Latin, the verb affidare meant “he has made an oath.”

4. altercation: a quarrel; an angry or heated dispute. Other synonyms are spat and squabble. Wrangle suggests a noisy dispute.

5. battery: a pounding; illegal beating. A person who commits assault and battery inflicts physical harm upon a victim; an emplacement for artillery; an array of similar things to use together, as “a battery or achievement tests”; baseball term for the pitcher and catcher; in electricity, a cell or cells that produce an electric current.

6. bequest: something given by inheritance; a gift specified in a will. In Middle English, bicewste meant “a saying”

7. cause celebre: a celebrated law case, trial, or controversy

8. caveat emptor: let the buyer beware, one buys at his own risk. The implication is that the vendor is trying to sell inferior merchandise.

9. codicil: an addition to a will; an appendix or supplement. The Latin word codex means “tree trunk” or a “wooden tablet covered with wax for writing.”

10. contiguous: adjacent; touching.

11. contraband: goods forbidden by law to be exported. This word was first used in the sixteenth century to refer to illicit trade with Spanish colonies.

12. contumacious: insubordinate; disobedient. Its original Latin meaning was “to swell up.”

13. disenfranchise: to deprive of the rights of citizenship; to deprive of a privilege. This word is sometimes written as disfranchise.

14. injunction: a command or order; a court order stopping a person or group from carrying out a given action.

15. jurisprudence: the science or philosophy of law; a system of laws.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. When the financier could not be found, the scandal came to light.

(injunction, codicil, abscond)

2. A soldier is absent without leave

(contumacious, jurisprudence, disenfranchise)

3. The plight of the whales attracts world-wide attention

(cause celebre, caveat emptor, abnegation)

4. Hidden weapons are discovered by the airport’s X-ray machine.

(contraband, contiguous, altercation)

5. Relatives gather to hear the reading of the will

(batter, affidavit, bequest)

6. Heavy artillery trained on the enemy

(altercation, battery, contraband)

7. A notarized statements

(bequest, injunction, affidavit)

8. Swore off smoking

(codicil, abnegation, disenfranchised)

9. What the law requires

(jurisprudence, cause celebre, affidavit)

10. Smuggles goods

(abscond, contraband, caveat emptor)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. When a dog displays its contumacious spirit, obedience training is often prescribed.

____ 2. Merchants follow the policy of caveat emptor when competition is fierce.

____ 3. Out houses are contiguous, and I wish we were closer together

____ 4. An important codicil is like the tail that wagged the dog

____ 5. Following the altercation on the field, both players were ejected

____ 6. contiguous lines are necessarily parallel.

____ 7. A battery is a weapon used by the Romans to shatter protection walls.

____ 8. A thief might abscond to avoid prosecution

____ 9. An altercation is similar to a fracas

____ 10. A cause celebre is a reason for celebration

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. The ___________________ specified that the heir marry within the faith

2. In discovering that the watch he had bought from the street vendor had no mechanism. Fred learned the significance of __________________.

3. Some people live by whim and fancy, others by a rigorous __________________.

4. The charlatan’s modus operandi was simple; ingratiate yourself with a rich widow, many her, then _______________ with the money.

5. To stop the flow of microchip technology out of the country, the government declared them _____________________.

6. The __________________ For the crucial game was changed at the last minute

7. Ted wished he had remembered the warning ______________________, when he was offered the 80 percent discount for the “diamond” ring that turned out to be fake.

8. Pfc. Barton lost his one stripe when his _________________ behavior was discovered.

9. The defense lawyer argued it was wrong to ____________________ his client because he had not renounced his former citizenship.

10. The judge threatened to issue a(n) __________________ if the proposed strike plans were not withdrawn.

IV. What’s the Antonyms?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. compliant ______________________

2. reconciliation ______________________

3. permit ______________________

4. self-indulgence ______________________

5. empower ______________________

6. distant ______________________

7. legal trade ______________________

8. an insignificant case ______________________

9. money or property earned by one’s labor ______________________

10. main section of a will ______________________

Lesson 37 : History and Government

2011-04-20T05:58:00.001-07:00

Lesson 37

History and Government

1. anarchy: the complete absence of government; political disorder and violence; disorder in any sphere of activity. The anarchist opposes all direct or coercive government and proposes the voluntary association of people as the mode of organized society.

2. bourgeois: typical of the social middle class; characterized by selfish concern for material comfort and for properly values. Bourgeois virtues are thriftiness and serious attitude toward life; its faults are a preoccupation with moneymaking and anxiety about respectability. It all depends on one’s point of view.

3. bureaucracy: a system that rigidly adheres to the rules, forms, and routine. In American usage, the term is almost invariable derogatory unless the context establishes otherwise.

4. demagogue: a leader who obtains power by means of impassionate appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace. In ancient

Greece

, the demagogue was the leader who championed the cause of the common people.

5. ethos: the disposition, character, or attitude that distinguishes a particular group, epoch, or region.

6. gerrymander: to divide an area into voting districts to give unfair advantage to one party in an election. The word comes from a reference to Elbridge Gerry, governor of Massachusetts, whose party redistricted the state in 1812, combined with salamander; because the map of Essex County, Massachusetts, seemed to resemble this animal after the redistricting.

7. imperialism: the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

8. Machiavellian: acting in accordance with the principles of government in which political expediency is placed above morality; subtly or unscrupulously cunning or deceptive. Nicolo Machiavelli in The Prince expounded the doctrine of political expediency.

9. martial: inclined or disposed to war; brave; warlike. The blood-red planet Mars was named after the Roman god of war.

10. muckraker: one who searches for and exposes real or alleged corruption and scandal. Muckrake, a rake for use on much or dung, was first used in the work of Lincoln Steffens and his contemporaries.

11. partisan: an adherent or supporter of a person, party, or cause; a member of an irregular troop engaged in harassing an enemy.

12. reactionary: a person who favors political conservatism or extreme rightism.

13. schism: a separation or division into factors. The term “The Great Schism” was used in connection with the Christian church to describe the split between the West and Eastern sects.

14. suffrage: the right to vote; a vote given in favor of a proposed measure or candidate

15. totalitarian: of or pertaining to a centralized government in which those in control grant neither recognition nor toleration to parties of differing opinions.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. The confederacy cotes to secede from the Union

(martial, gerrymander, schism)

2. Vote the party line all the way

(partisan, Machiavellian, reactionary)

3. Russia tries to expand its influence in the Middle East

(anarchy, imperialism, bureaucracy)

4. The Amish object to TV and other modern inventions and conveniences

(ethos, totalitarian, suffrage)

5. A spellbinding speaker

(demagogue, muckraker, bourgeois)

6. Red tape and needles duplication

(anarchy, reactionary, bureaucracy)

7. One form of investigative journalism

(bourgeois, muckraker, gerrymander)

8. Usually associated with Republicans

(Machiavellian, reactionary, imperialism)

9. Tries to crush autonomous institutions

(totalitarianism, ethos, martial)

10. The franchise

(partisan, schism, suffrage)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. Bourgeois manners tend to be different from the manners of those who have been born with “a silver spoon in their mouth.”

____ 2. To gerrymander is to vote on the basis of issue rather than party.

____ 3. Martial refers to a rank in the army.

____ 4. A Machiavellian attitude could lead to power but also to unpopularity.

____ 5. Anarchy is a form of government that is built upon bureaucracy.

____ 6. Anarchy is a form of government that favors gerrymanding.

____ 7. The ethos of a group is measured by its support of the government in power.

____ 8. Imperialism follows the totalitarian approach.

____ 9. “The Great Schism” ended the Papal monopoly over Christianity.

____ 10. For Machiavelli, the bottom line is, who wields the power?

III. Find the Imposter

Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related ot the other three.

1. anarchy narcissism terrorism nihilism

2. demagogue instigator pedant agitator

3. partisan coherent zealot adherent

4. schism disjunction fissure quarry

5. Machiavellian deceptive artistic sinister

Lesson 36 : Fun and Frolic

2011-04-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

Lesson 36

Fun and Frolic

1. antic: odd and funny; ludicrous; a playful or silly act, trick, prank or caper. Shakespeare has Hamlet hide his real intent by assuming an antic disposition.

2. beguile: to charm; to divert attention in some pleasant way; to while away; to deceive.

3. bonhomie: frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner. The word is a combination of two French words meaning “good” and “man.” Bonhomie was the name given in order of begging friars and finally to French peasants in general.

4. dalliance: a trifling away of time; amorous toying; flirtation. In Hamlet, Ophelia reminds her brother Laertes not to give her moral advice while he follows “the primrose path of dalliance”

5. divertissement: a diversion or amusement; a short belief or other entertainment performed between the acts of a play.

6. euphoria: a feeling of well-being or high spirits, especially one that is groundless, disproportionate to its cause, or inappropriate to one’s life situation.

7. guffaw: a loud, coarse burst of laughter. This is an echoic onomatopoeic word. Laughs range from chuckles, giggles, and titters to snickers and guffaws

8. insouciance: calmness; freedom from anxiety; indifference

9. japery: jesting talk; mockery; a trick or practical joke

10. regale: to entertain by providing a splendid feast; to delight with something pleasing or amusing. The first meaning is related etymologically to the word regal, as it was customary for a king to treat his courtiers to sumptuous feasts.

11. risible: able or inclined to laugh; laughable; funny. Most people are familiar with Leoncavallo’s opera. Pagilacci, in which the major character sings “Ride, Pagilacci.” Our word ridiculous shows the close relationship to risible.

12. roguish: dishonest; unprincipled; pleasantly mischevious.

13. roister: to boast or swagger; to have a noisy; disorderly good time, especially under the influence of alcohol. This word can be traced to rustic and rural, indicating the low esteem in which the country ruffian and boor was held by the sophisticated city dweller.

14. squib: a firecracker that burns with a hissing, spurting noise before exploding; a short, humorous satirirc writing or speech; a short news item or filler.

15. waggish: roguishly merry, playful.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle that comes to mind.

1. A pleasant intermission

(insouciance, divertissement, roister)

2. The laughter of the jolly green giant

(guffaw, euphoria, dalliance)

3. A ten-course banquet

(japery, regale, risible)

4. Racy humor

(bonhomie, waggish, beguile)

5. A satire

(antic, roguish, squib)

6. Laughing at the breakup of the marriage

(divertissement, insouciance, euphoria)

7. Honest, I was just kidding

(japery, regale, guffaw)

8. The morning-after hangover

(risible, roguish, roister)

9. A true friend

(bonhomie, squib, waggish)

10. A raging passion that cooled

(risible, dalliance, antic)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false?

____ 1. You cannot trust a man with bonhomie.

____ 2. A waggish person would be likely to indulge in japery

____ 3. A dalliance is a brightly colored flower

____ 4. A roisterer would be found at a bacchanal

____ 5. A squib is a variety of an octopus that has ten tentacles

____ 6. Euphoria is a ride on cloud nine

____ 7. A guffaw is to a snake as antic is to serious

____ 8. The natural reaction to a risible event is to burst into tears.

____ 9. Waggish is a miler trait than its close synonym, roguish

____ 10. A regal personality is expected to regale his guests.

Lesson 35 : Foods and Taste

2011-04-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

Lesson 35

Foods and Taste

1. a la carte: by the card or by the bill of fara. It is used to describe a meal that is ordered dish by dish, with each dish having a separate price. The opposite table d’hote, a complete meal of several courses offered at a fixed price.

2. assuage: to satisfy and slake; to lesson (pain or distress; alley; calm (passion); relieve. The Latin root suavis (“sweet”) suggests that sweets play an important role in our eating habits

3. comestible: suitable to be eaten. The plural, comestibles, is used as a noun and means “food”

4. condiment: seasoning or relish for food, such as pepper, mustard, or sauce. The latin root means “to pickle”

5. cuisine: style of cooking or preparing food; the food prepared, as at a restaurant. In French it means “kitchen”

6. culinary: of the kitchen or cooking; suitable for use in cooking. Culinary comes from the Latin word for “kitchen” or “klin,” culina.

7. gastronomic: pertaining to the art and science of good eating; epicurean; pertaining to the enjoyment of food with a discriminating taste. Faster is the Greek word for “stomach” Gastronome is the Russian name for a delicatessen.

8. gourmand: a glutton; a person with a hearty liking for good food and drink and a tendency to indulge in them to excess; a luxurious eater or epicure. Gourmet has only the second meaning, that is, a connoisseur in eating an drinking.

9. manna: food miraculously provided for the Israelites in the wilderness; divine and spiritual sustenance; anything badly needed that comes unexpectedly.

10. palatable: pleasing or acceptable to the taste; acceptable to the mind.

11. piquant: agreeably pungent or stimulating to the taste, pleasantly sharp or bitter; exciting agreeable interest or curiosity; stimulating.

12. refection: refreshment, especially with food or drink. Refection comes form a Latin word meaning “to restore” and refers to alight meal taken after a point of hunger or fatigue.

13. repast: a meal; mealtime. Like other words in this list, repast has nonmaterialistic association as well. Pastor for example is derived from the same Latin word pascere meaning “to feed”

14. subsistence: existence; means of support or livelihood, often the barest.

15. viands: foods of various kinds, especially choice dishes, ultimate root is the Latin vivere, “to live”

Exercises:

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind

1. Catsup, curry, vinegar

(a la carte, refectory, condiment)

2. Pennies from heaven

(cuisine, manna, gourmand)

3. Living on the edge of poverty

(subsistence, assuage, gastronomic)

4. Wake-up flavor

(repast, comestibles, piquant)

5. “Something’s cooking”

(culinary, palatable, viands)

6. Oranges and fruit cakes

(condiments, comestible, manna)

7. Italian, French, and Chinese

(a la carte, subsistence, cuisine)

8. He eats as if food is going out of style

(gastronomic, gourmand, viands)

9. The minister speaking to the grieving widow

(assuage, a la carte, refection)

10. Refers to ways of serving

(condiment, a la carte, palatable)

II. True or False ?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false ?

____ 1. A la carte refers to food brought to the table in a wagon.

____ 2. Assuage refers to both hunger and thirst

____ 3. Gourmand can be used with a complimentary or derogatory connotation

____ 4. Palatable applies to foods that can be served on a plate

____ 5. Gastronomic describes a condition caused by excessive indulgence in foods that are rich in fats and carbohydrates

____ 6. Viands refer to choice dishes

____ 7. A la carte refers to payment for food rather than to types of food

____ 8. Both gourmet and gourmand describe good connoisseurs

____ 9. A repast is a snack; reflection is a full meal.

____ 10. The expression “Men does not live by bread alone” suggests that things other than food are palatable.

III. Find the Imposter

Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related to the other three

1. comestible edifying esculent estable

2. slake assuage determine sate

3. sustenance substinance essential aliment

4. palatable pungent toothsome agreeable

5. banquet refection repeat relish

Lesson 34 : Travel

2011-04-20T05:50:00.001-07:00

Lesson 34

Travel

1. antipodal: on the opposite side of the globe; diametrically opposite

2. cartography: art or business of drawing or making charts or mats. The original meaning of chart was a map for the use of navigation indicating the outline of coasts, position of rocks, sandbanks, and channels.

3. concierge: doorkeeper; caretaker; custodian; janitor. The concierge in French and other European hotels has a more important position than is implied by the title of janitor or custodian

4. hegira: any flight or journey to a more desirable or congenial place than where one is. Hegira was the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution in 622 A.D., a date regarded as the beginning of the Muslim era.

5. hustings: the route followed by a campaigner for political office; an election platform; the proceedings at an election. The original Old English word referred to a lord’s household assembly as distinct from a general assembly.

6. landmark: any fixed object used to mark the boundary of a piece of land; any prominent feature of the landscape, serving to identify a particular locality; an event or discovery considered as a high point or a turning point in the history of development of something.

7. peripatetic: moving from place to place; itinerant; of the followers of Aristotle, who walked about the lyceum while he was teaching

8. portmanteau: a case or bag to carry clothing while traveling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves. The literal French meaning is “cloak carrier” A more recent use of the word in linguistics is to define a blend, a word made by putting together parts of other words, as dandle, made from dance and handle.

9. safari: a journey or hunting expedition, especially in East Africa; the caravan of such an expedition; a long, carefully planned trip, usually with a large entourage.

10. tandem: a two-wheeled carriage drawn by horses harnessed one behind the other; a bicycle with two seats and sets of pedals placed one behind the other; a relationship between two persons or things involving cooperative action and mutual dependence. Tandem may be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

11. transmigrate: to move from one habitation or country to another; in religion, to pass into some other body at death (of the soul). Believers in reincarnation and metempsychosis also feel that the souls of the dead successively return to earth in new forms and bodies.

12. traverse: to pass, move, or extend over or across; oppose; to survey or inspect carefully; to swivel or pivot; to move across a mountain slope in an oblique direction (as in skiing); a zigzagging course.

13. trek: to travel by ox wagon; to travel slowly or laboriously. Colloquially the word means “to go, especially on foot.” Trek is also used as a noun.

14. wanderlust: an impulse, longing, or urge to have or wander.

15. wayfarer: a person who travels, especially form place to place on foot.

Exercises:

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A train makes whistle-stops across the Midwest

(trek, hustings, hegira)

2. Infanticipate, slithy, swalm

(peripatetic, concierge, portmanteau)

3. The Supreme Court decision on school integration

(cartography, landmark, antipodal)

4. Tracking lions in their native habitat

(safari, wayfarer, wanderlust)

5. A bicycle built for two

(transmigrate, tandem, traversel)

6. In total disagreement

(traverse, tandem, antipodal)

7. the annual trip to a summer residence

(landmark, safari, hegira)

8. The “feel of flesh” aspect of electioneering

(wayfarer, hustings, trek)

9. Miles to go before I sleep

(traverse, peripatetic, transmigrate)

10. Take only what is necessary

(tandem, trek, portmanteau)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false?

____ 1. A safari can properly be described as a trek through the jungle

____ 2. The art of cartography has proved to be helpful for navigators.

____ 3. The early Peripaletics were philosophers

____ 4. Transmigration is a form of ESP

____ 5. Wanderlust describes the sensuality of the homeless criminal.

____ 6. Gaining the good will of the concierge can prove very helpful for a detective

____ 7. People who see eye to eye for the most part are said to be antipodal

____ 8. Transmigration can refer to movements of the soul as well as of the body

____ 9. Broadly speaking, cartography includes traveling by wagon, car, train, or plane

____ 10. The handshake of the former enemies was considered a landmark gesture.

III. Find the Imposter

Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related to the other three.

1. peripatetic hegira globe-trotting parabolic

2. vagabondage wayfarer valediction nomadism

3. tirade trek harangue diatribe

4. astronaut travail navigator pilgrim

5. anticipate antipodal different antithetic

Lesson 33 : History and Government

2011-04-20T05:40:00.002-07:00

Lesson 33

History and Government

1. canon: an ecclesiastical or secular law or code of laws; a basis for judgment; any officially recognized set of books. Canon has many specialized meaning in religion and in literature referring to the authoritative list of accepted books.

2. hegemony: leadership; preponderant influence or authority, especially of a government or state.

3. oligarchy: form of government in which the ruling power lies in the hands of a select few

4. peonage: a system by which debtors are bound in servitude to their creditors until debts are paid; the condition of being an unskilled day laborer, especially in Latin America and the southwestern United States. The word peon ultimately is traceable to the Latin word for “walker” and therefore also developed a meaning of “foot soldier”

5. pharisaical: making an outward show of piety but lacking the inward spirit; hypocritical. Originally, Pharisaism referred to the doctrine and practices of the Pharisees, the Hebrew sect that followed the path of withdrawal, separation, and dedication and became the mainstream of Jewish belief. Later chirstological history gave the work a negative connotation.

6. plebiscite: a direct vote of the qualified electors of a state in regard to some important public question. The word is derived form the Latin words plebes scitum (“the people’s decree”)

7. plenipotentiary: invested with or conferring full power; a diplomatic agent fully authorized to represent his government.

8. proxy: an agent or substitute; a document giving one authority to act for another.

9. recession: the act of withdrawing or going back; a moderate and temporary decline in economic activity that occurs during a period of otherwise increasing prosperity.

10. regicide: the killing of a king; one who kills or helps to kill a king.

11. renascent: coming into being again; showing renewed growth or vigor. The word is related to Renaissance, the humanistic revival of classical art, literature and learning that originated in Italy in the fourteenth century and later spread throughout Europe.

12. reprisal: the practice of using political or military force without actually resorting to war; retaliation for an injury with the intent of inflicting at least as much injury in return

13. subversion: ruination or complete destruction; corruption; complete overthrow. As the meaning implied, the original Latin word meant “to turn upside down”

14. surrogate: a substitute; in some states, a judge having jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the settlement of estates. As a verb, the word means “to substitute or to put into the place of another”

15. votary: a person bound by vows to live a life of religious worship and service, as a monk or nun; any person fervently devoted to a religion, activity, or ideal.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. Sharecroppers or migrant workers

(surrogate, proxy, peonage)

2. You can’t judge a book by its cover

(pharisaical, reprisal, renascent)

3. Vox populi

(votary, plebiscite, subversion)

4. A man to be reckoned with

(regicide, canon, plenipotentiary)

5. Times are bad but they could be worse

(oligarchy, recession, hegemony)

6. Holier than thou

(surrogate, canon, regicide)

7. Tit for tat

(proxy, subversion, reprisal)

8. A commitment for life

(votary, renascent, oligarchy)

9. Who’s the boss?

(peonage, hegemony, surrogate)

10. A second chance

(proxy, renascent, surrogate)

II. True or False

In the space provide, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. Hegemony refers to the currency of circulation

____ 2. A proxy and a surrogate are similar, both suggesting a substitute

____ 3. A votary is one who keeps his word

____ 4. A regicide favors the restoration of a monarchy

____ 5. Vengeance is an act of reprisal

____ 6. In an oligarchy everyone has an equal share in the government

____ 7. The word “pharisaical” has acquired a derogatory connotation.

____ 8. Subversion is an attempt to change the system that is now in place

____ 9. Working under peonage is a good way to build a future in government.

____ 10. In a plebiscite the people exercise their right of self-determination

Lesson 32 : Speech

2011-04-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

Lesson 32

Speech

1. argot: the specialized vocabulary and idioms of those in the same work or way of life, especially of the underworld. The French origin, meaning “to beg” associated beggary with thievery.

2. aspersion: act of defaming; a damaging or disparaging remark; a sprinkling of water, as in baptizing. This final definition, now rare, is based on an archaic meaning of the original Latin word for “sprinkle” The modern definition refers to “sprinkling” a few maliciously chosen words to vilify someone.

3. badinage: playful, teasing talk, banter

4. bombast: originally a soft material used for padding, talk or writing the sounds grand or important but has little meaning; pompous language. Bombastic refers to speech or writing that is heavily padded with words; grandiloquent suggests grandiose language and an oratorical effect; turgid suggests the style has obscured the meaning.

5. braggadocio: a braggart; pretentiousness; vain, noisy, or bragging swaggering manner. The word was coined by Edmund Spenser for his personification of boasting in the “Faerie Queena”

6. censure: strong disapproval; a judgement or resolution condemning a person for misconduct.

7. countermand: to cancel or revoke a command; to call back by a contrary order

8. gainsay: to deny; to speak or act against contradiction; denial

9. gobbledegook: wordy and generally unintelligible jargon; specialized language of a group of people that is usually wordy and complicated and often incomprehensible

to an outsider; a meaningless jumble of words.

10. guttural: of the throat, a harsh, rasping sound.

11. harangue: a long, blustering, noisy, or scolding speech, tirade. The original Italian word meant “a site for horse races and public assembles.

12. jargon: a language or dialect unknown to one so that it seems incomprehensible; a mixed or hybrid language or dialect, especially pidgin, specialized idioms of those in the same work, profession, speech or writing full of long, unfamiliar; or roundabout words or phrases. The Middle French root means “a chattering of birds” The word is ultimately of echoic origin.

13. mellifluous: sounding sweet and smooth, honeyed

14. resonant: echoing, reinforced and prolonged by reflection or by sympathetic vibration of other bodies. The word has specialized uses in various fields-chemistry, electricity, medicine, phonetics, physics.

15. sententious: abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims; terse; self-righteous.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, the circle the word that comes to the end.

1. Spots lingo

(harangue, jargon, resonant)

2. A snide remark

(countermand, badinage, aspersion)

3. Coughing sound

(gobbledegook, guttural, censure)

4. Sweet-sounding talk

(mellifluous, sententious, bombast)

5. A thousand times no!

(braggadocio, argot, gainsay)

6. How the rejected suitor concealed the sorrow in his hear

(gainsay, badinage, harangue)

7. The opera star shook the room with his voice

(resonant, braggadocio, mellifluous)

8. A 180-degree turnaround

(gobbledegook, argot, countermand)

9. Frank’s threats are not as frightening as the sound

(aspersion, bombast, censure)

10. An incomprehensible language

(argon, sententious, guttural)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. Argot and jargon have one meaning in common

____ 2. Bombast may be a cover for weak content

____ 3. Countermanding is equivalent to sticking to your guns.

____ 4. Sententious is more concerned with sense than sound.

____ 5. Badinage is a minor vice that indicates immaturity

____ 6. A harangue is likely to be full of bombast

____ 7. Censure refers to a firm belief in a theory under discussion

____ 8. Gobbledegook is a language that attempts imitate bird sounds

____ 9. Guttural speech is socially unacceptable

____ 10. Observing the size and strength of his opponent, Mark was wise not to gainsay his assertions.

III. Synonyms and Antonyms

Find and circle two words on each line that are either synonyms or antonyms.

1. glorification release aspersion dismay

2. mellifluous ethos attitude soft

3. timidity paranoid braggadocio freedom

4. plebescite gainsay votary deny

5. rhapsodic peccadillo falsetto bombastic

Lesson 31: Language

2011-04-20T05:33:00.001-07:00

Lesson 31

Language

1. bathos: anticlimax; triteness or triviality in style; sentimentality. Bathos is also used to denote an insincere pathos, an evocation of pity or compassion.

2. malapropism: ridiculous misuse of words, especially by confusion of words that are similar in sound. Mrs. Malaprop, a character in Sheridan’s famous Restoration play. The Rivals, is noted for her misapplication of words

3. metaphor: the application of a word or phrase to an object or concept that it does not literally denote, in order to suggest a comparison with another object or concept. The use of metaphors may help to clarify or ennoble an idea, but one must not mix metaphors. This practice results in humorous effects, such as “We must put our noses to the grindstone and push.”

4. metonymy: the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “the bottle” for strong drink.

5. onomatopoeia: formation of words in imitation of natural sounds; the use of words whose sound suggests the sense. The “bow-wow theory” of language maintains the language that originated in imitation of natural sounds; the use of words whose sound suggest the sense. By contrast, the “pooh-pooh theory” says language originated in interjections that gradually acquired meaning.

6. oxymoron: a figure of speech by which a particular phrasing of words produces an effect by seeing self-contradiction, as in “cruel kindness” or “laborious idleness.” The Greek meaning is “pointed foolishness”

7. panegyric: an oration, discourse, or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy

8. paradigm: example or pattern; a set of forms in grammar all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem (as in verb declensions)

9. paralipsis: the suggestion, by deliberately concise treatment of a topic; that much significant material is being omitted, as in the use of the phrase “not to mention other faults.” Another name for paralipsis is preterition.

10. pleonasm: the use of more words than necessary to express an idea; redundancy; superfluity. It is derived form the Greek word for “to be or have more than enough”

11. polyglot: knowing many or several languages; containing, composed of, or in several languages; a confusion of languages; a person with a speaking or reading knowledge of a number of languages; a book, especially a Bible, containing the same text in several languages.

12. semantics: the study of meaning; the study of linguistic development by classifying and examining changes in meaning and form. Semantics is also called significi, a branch of semiotics (signs and symbols) dealing with the relationship between signs and what they denote. General semantics is an educational discipline concerning the relationships between symbols and reality and with improving the adjustment of people to each other and to the environment.

13. simile: a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared using the words “like” or “as” as in “she is like a rose”

14. synecdoche: a figure of speech in which a part is used for a while or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special, as in “ten sail” for “ten ships” or a Croesus for a “rich man” or the name of the material for the thing made (“willow” for “bat”)

15. threnody: a poem, speech, or slang of lamentation, especially of the dead; dirge; funeral song.

Exercises

Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following read the statement then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. She was too young to die

(polyglot, simile, threnody)

2. The allegories on the banks of the Nile

(malapropism, metonymy, synecodoche)

3. Snap! Crackle! Pop!

(paradigm, oxymoron, onomatopoeia)

4. A true fact

(bathos, pleonasm, semantics)

5. The least of his crimes is his complicity with drugs

(metaphor, panegyric, paralipsis)

6. Jack answered the insult by saying, “I resemble that remark”

(bathos, malapropism, oxymoron)

7. Napoleon is credited with saying “From the sublime to the ridiculous it is but one step”

(panegyric, metonymy, bathos)

8. He was a lion in battle

(smile, metaphor, paralipsis)

9. Our guest spoke seven languages

(paradigm, pleonasm, polyglot)

10. The pot calling the kettle black

(semantics, synecdoche, threnody)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. Both metaphor and smile use forms of comparison

____ 2. Synecdoche and metonymy are similar figures of speech in which an object or idea is describing reference to only a part of it.

____ 3. A polyglot is a person with a taste for exotic foods

____ 4. Semantics is concerned with the syntax of a language.

____ 5. A panegyric is a test devised to determine the linguistic level of a speaker.

____ 6. Paradigm and paragon both refer to an example.

____ 7. Every simile uses the words “like” or “as”

____ 8. Onomatopoeia refers to a group of words beginning with the same consonant

____ 9. Bathos is the sudden change in style producing a ludicrous effect

____ 10. This sentence illustrates, demonstrates, and exemplifies a pleonasm.

III. Find the Imposter

Find and circle the one word on each line that is not related to the other three.

1. metaphor simile literary comparative

2. threnody legacy elegy dirge

3. encomium panegyric panorama accolade

4. paradox paradigm paragon touchstone

5. insinuation intuition innuendo paralipsis

Lesson 30 : Size and Shape

2011-04-20T05:32:00.001-07:00

Lesson 30

Size and Shape

1. amorphous: without definite form; shapeless

2. gargantuan: huge; gigantic; prodigious. The word comes from Rabelais sixteenth-century political satire, Gargantua and Pantagruel

3. iota: very small quantity; a jot. iota is the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet

4. lissome: supple; limber; flexible

5. macrocosm: the great world; the universe. The opposite of this is microcosm

6. magnitude: greatness of size or extent; importance of influence

7.magnum opus: a great work, especially of art or literature

8. microcosm: a little world; miniature universe. It is the opposite of macrocosm.

9. micrometer: an instrument for measuring very small distance, angles, diameters. In Latin, micro means small and meter means to measure.

10. scabrous: rough with small points or knobs; bumpy; scaly; full of difficulties. In Latin, scabere means “to scratch”

11. scintilla: the least trace; a particle. In Latin, scintilla means “a spark”

12. serpentine: evilly cunning or subtle; treacherous; coiled; twisting.

13. sinuous: bending; wavy. The word sinus (“a cavity in the bones of the skull”) is related to sinuous.

14. smidgen: a small amount; a bit. This word is related to “midge” or midget.

15. tenuous: unsubstantial; flimsy; physically thin.

Exercises

I. Which word comes to mind?

In each of the following, read the statement then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A writer spends ten years preparing his masterpiece.

(macrocosm, magnum opus, micrometer)

2. Cyclops had an enormous appetite

(scintilla, gargantuan, microcosm)

3. A graceful gymnast

(lissome, smidgen, iota)

4. An indefinite proposal

(serpentine, scabrous, tenuous)

5. The actress adopted a sexy walk

(amorphous, magnitude, sinuous)

6. A doctor carefully measures the size of the tumor

(amorphous, micrometer, scabrous)

7. The overthrow of the government began with the act of treachery

(serpentine, scabrous, lissome)

8. An insignificant amount

(sinuous, scintilla, gargantuan)

9. A face knotted with bumps and rough spots

(amorphous, tenuous, scabrous)

10. A trace of seasoning

(microcosm, smidgen, magnum opus)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false?

____ 1. The microcosm of the man reflects the macrocosm of the universe

____ 2. The magnitude of the Grand Canyon frequently awes travelers

____ 3. A tenuous idea is often offered hesitantly

____ 4. Two words in this lesson that are closely related are smidgen and iota

____ 5. The amorphous scheme was spelled out in such detail that it was grasped by all

____ 6. The scabrous surface reminded one of the shiny smoothness of a marble table

____ 7. The million dollar gift exemplified his gargantuan kindness

____ 8. The lissome ballerina glided through her performance with unparalleled grace

____ 9. Fielding’s Joseph Andrews was his magnum opus.

____ 10. Frank’s tenuous explanation was hardly enough to justify his outburst

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. Because of the _________________ of the offense, the judge set a high bail

2. Space exploration advances suggest that our civilization has developed in a very limited ___________________.

3. Mr. Ludwig would not admit that his business success had been achieved through _________________ tactics

4. The race was so close it would take a(n) ___________________ to measure who was the winner

5. Margaret Mitchell’s __________________ Gone With the Wind was her only book

6. There was not a _____________________ of truth to the accusation

7. The team had a(n) ________________ hold on first place until a rash of injuries sent them reeling.

8. The commencement speaker told the graduates that the road to success is full of __________________ turns.

9. Cleaning up after the parade proved to be a __________________ task.

10. The strange creature we found on the beach was so __________________, we could not identify its species.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly the opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. sturdy ________________________

2. diminutive ________________________

3. smooth ________________________

4. having form ________________________

5. wooden ________________________

6. straight ________________________

7. inflexible ________________________

8. insignificance ________________________

9. universe ________________________

10. amateur attempt ________________________

Lesson 29 Appearances and Attitudes II

2011-04-20T05:31:00.001-07:00

Lesson 29

Appearances and Attitudes

]

1. ambivalent: having conflicting feelings toward a person or thing, such as love and hate

2. bucolic: rural; rustic; pastoral. The Greek word boukolikos means “herdsman”

3. crotchety: full of peculiar whims; ill-tempered; eccentric. Crochet work was done with a small, twisted hook; from “twisted” it was an easy jump to “eccentric” –thus the connection between crochet and crotchety

4. dilatory: slow; late in doing things; inclined to delay; meant to gain time

5. disconsolate: sad; dejected; cheerless

6. dudgeon: resentment; an angry or offended feeling. It comes from the Anglo-French expression en digeon, which meant “the hand on the dagger hilt”

7. froward: contrary; not easily controlled; stubbornly willful

8. genteel: well bred; refined; excessively polite

9. jocund: pleasant; agreeable; genial. Our word joke can be traced back to jocund.

10. loquacious: talkative. Some synonyms are garrulous, voluble, prolix, verbose, and prating.

11. splenetic: irritable; bad-tempered; spiteful. The word derives from spleen, the abdominal organ that the ancients regarded as the seat of emotions

12. tendentious: opinionated; advancing a definite point of view or doctrine

13. truculent: fierce; cruel; savage

14. vacuous: empty; purposeless; stupid; senseless

15. venal: really bribed or corrupted

Exercises

I. Which Word comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind

1. Cows in meadow, sheep in the corn

(venal, bucolic, disconsolate)

2. First, I want to go-then I want to stay

(ambivalent, truculent, dudgeon)

3. “What’s your rush? So what if we’re late?”

(jocund, dilatory, genteel)

4. The millionaire asked to be buried in his Rolls Royce

(crotchety, tendentious, froward)

5. “Were you vaccinated with a phonograph needle?”

(vacuous, loquacious, splenetic)

6. Jane always has a smile on her face

(froward, venal, jocund)

7. Firing someone can easily put him/her into this frame of mind

(dudgeon, tendentious, bucolic)

8. The slightest remark sets Virginia off on a rampage

(truculent, splenetic, dilatory)

9. I can’t make up my mind

(crotchety, ambivalent, tendentious)

10. A decidedly partisan view of the inaugural address

(genteel, splenetic, tendentious)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. A jocund person has a good chance of being hired as a receptionist

____ 2. Splenetic behavior is always a sign of good breeding

____ 3. Truly great bullfighters welcome an animal that is froward

____ 4. Watergate has become synonomous with venal arrangements

____ 5. Skyscrapers and subways are integral parts of the bucolic life

____ 6. Greg’s genteel nature may account for his shyness

____ 7. A truculent response is guaranteed to win friends.

____ 8. Feeling disconsolate over his loss, Fred briefly considered retiring from baseball.

____ 9. The student’s vacuous stare suggested he did not understand the question

____ 10. Because of his loquacious nature. Carlos had little to say.

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.

1. Martha wondered how Gary could hope to convince her with such ______________ explanations

2. The successful politician walks a thin line between appearing too ______________ and too wishy-washy.

3. Stephan tired to sort out his ___________________ feelings of respect and resentment towards his father.

4. After the hectic campaign, the president-elect was refreshed by his _______________ retreat

5. A(n) ____________________ child perhaps needs more love than a well-adjusted one

6. The _____________ life has its merits, but most people cannot resist the attractions and excitement of the city.

7. A _________________ person tends to give others little opportunity to express themselves.

8. The fans were deeply disappointed to learn that their idol had been bitten by the ______________ bug

9. The _________________ host easily broke the iciness between two of the guests who had been enemies for years.

10. Because of George’s ________________ habits, we often referred to him as the late George Owens.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. punctual ______________________

2. gentle _____________________

3. even-tempered _____________________

4. gross _____________________

5. incorruptible _____________________

6. agreeable _____________________

7. cheerful _____________________

8. unequivocal _____________________

9. urban _____________________

10. intelligent _____________________

Lesson 28 : Foreign Terms

2011-04-20T05:30:00.001-07:00

Lesson 28

Foreign Terms

1. a cappella: without instrumental accompaniment. Usually used to describe choral singing. In Italian, the meaning is “in the chapel style”

2. ad hoc: for this case only; temporary. The most frequent use of this Latin term is to describe a committee that is organized to deal with a specific issue and will be disbanded later.

3. bon vivant: one who enjoys good food and other pleasant things.

4. de facto: in fact; actual. The law may require one thing (de jure), but as a matter of fact (de facto) the reality is quite different.

5. gemutlich: agreeable; cheerful. This German word is often used to describe a sense of well being.

6. leitmotif: a short musical phrase that recurs and is associated with a given character, situation, or emotion in an opera. This technique was first used by the German composer, Richard Wagner.

7. nolo contendere: a defendant’s plea declaring that he will not make a defense but not admitting hit guilt.

8. per excellence: in the greatest degree of excellence. This French term also means “beyond comparison”

9. parvenu: one who has suddenly acquired wealth or power; a person who is considered an upstart because he does not conform to the standards of the class into which he has risen. This word has the same “put down” connotation as “nouveau riche”

10. piece de resistance: the principal dish of a meal; the main item or event in a series.

11. postprandlal: after dinner. In Lain prandium means “noonday meal”

12. quid pro quo: one thing in return for another

13. qui vive: to be on the lookout or on the alert is to be on the qui vive. The literal French meaning is “who lives?” or “who goes there?” and, as such, was a term used by sentries.

14. savoir faire: a ready knowledge of what to do or say; tact.

15. sub rosa: secretly; confidentially. In Lain, “under the rose” The rose was a symbol of silence or secrecy in ancient times.

16. vis-à-vis: a person or thing that is face to face with another opposite; in reference to; opposed to.

Exercises:

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A person who enjoys good food and one wine

(bon vivant, postprandial, piece de resistance)

2. A group of citizens form a committee to beautify their town.

(a cappella, qui vive, ad hoc)

3. In court, the defendant rises to plead

(nolo contendere, parvenu, de facto)

4. Every time the camera switches to the cavalry, trumpets are heard

(par excellence, leitmotif, sub rosa)

5. You are asked to repay a favor

(savoir faire, quid pro quo, gemutlich)

6. Though the general was not voted in he was, in fact, the leader of their country

(bon vivant, de facto, sub rosa)

7. As expected, when the songstress appeared on stage, the strains in her latest hit wafted across the packed theater.

(leitmotif, savoir faire, par excellence)

8. Charles knew just what to say to cover up his slip of the lip

(qui vive, parvenu, savoir faire)

9. The amateur boxer was quite cheerful after scoring a first round KO

(gemutlich, postprandial, vis-à-vis)

10. Ronald’s deep baritone was so compelling, we did not miss the absence of the musical accompaniment

(piece de resistance, a capella, bon vivant)

II. True or False ?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. Publication of a sub rosa agreement can prove embarrassing.

____ 2. An opportunist may be described as one who is on the qui vive.

____ 3. Minority groups are likely to protest about de facto segregation.

____ 4. In her a cappella performance, the star criticized her accompanist

____ 5. Sophisticated people are expected to possess savoir faire

____ 6. Being in a gemutlich mood, Kate enjoyed the comedian’s “bring-down-the-house” monologue

____ 7. The weightiest problems are sometimes solved by ad hoc committees

____ 8. The piece de resistance of the program, the fireworks display, naturally drew the greatest applause

____ 9. Henry’s qui vive was a big factor in his political downfall.

____ 10. Coping with his status as a parvenu was more difficult for Scoot than the poverty he endured before striking it rich.

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. The lawyer suggested a(n) __________________ plea as the most prudent way to deal with the charges against his client.

2. The commissioner’s response to the question _________________ his exorbitant travel expenses was a flat denial

3. During the long illness of the leader; the country was in a(n) _________________ state of anarchy.

4. One has to admit that singing ____________________ places a greater strain on the performer.

5. The Congressional Medal of Honor is bestowed upon the solder _______________ who has demonstrated consummate bravery

6. The best way to get things done is a deal with problems on a(n) _________________ basis.

7. When a _______________________ meets a hedonist you can bet the conversation will center around good food and good times.

8. Gary learned very quickly that ______________ was the rule in politics.

9. Saddam Hussein claimed he had destroyed all his biological and nuclear weapons, but the __________________ situation was quite different.

10. Rosa’s presence made everyone feel _____________________ and ready to enjoy the evening with friends.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. grouch _______________________

2. offensive _______________________

3. publicly _______________________

4. permanent _______________________

5. tactlessness _______________________

6. blundering _______________________

7. inferior _______________________

8. ascetic _______________________

9. public _______________________

10. trivial _______________________

Lesson 27 Appearances and Attitudes

2011-04-20T05:29:00.001-07:00

Lesson 27

Appearances and Attitudes

1. pedantic: stressing trivial points of learning; lacking a sense of proportion in scholarship. A pedant is a narrow-minded teacher who insists on rigid adherence to a set of arbitrary rules.

2. pertinacious: stubborn; unyielding; holding firmly to some belief.

3. pontifical: ornate; stiff; having the pomp and dignity of a high priest or Pope.

4. pretentious: making claims to some distinctions; showy. Pretentious people put on airs, try to appear more important than they are.

5. prolix: wordy; long-winded

6. puerile: childish; silly; young. In Latin it means “boy”

7. quiescent: inactive; in repose; latent

8. recalcitrant: unruly; refusing to obey authority. In Latin it meant “to kick one’s heels (calx) in defiance)

9. restive: hard to control; restless; contrary

10. ribald: coarse; vulgar in language; irreverent

11. sardonic: sarcastic; bitterly sneering. it is believed that this word can be traced back to a Sardinian plant whose bitter taste caused facial distortion

12. sedulous: busy; working hard; diligent

13. sleazy: flimsy or thin in texture or substance; of poor quality. This word can be traced back to cloth made in Silesia, Germany.

14. supercilious: naughty; arrogant; contemptuous

15. voluptuous: sensuous; full of sensual delights and pleasures

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A gangster’s cruel smile
                                                (puerile, sedulous, sardonic)
2. Second-rate fabric that wears poorly
                                                (quiescent, pertinacious, sleazy)
3. Someone who uses a dozen words when one would do
                                                (prolix, supercilious, recalcitrant)
4. The natives were nervous before the battle
                                                (pontifical, restive, pretentious)
5. A night club comic’s suggestive monologue
                                                (pedantic, ribald, voluptuous)
6. A child who refuses to obey his parents and teachers
                                                (puerile, recalcitrant, sedulous)
7. The actress’s beauty rather than her talent was responsible for her popularity
                                                (ribald, pertinacious, voluptuous)
8. Once Barry forms an opinion, he’ll never change his mind
                                                (pertinacious, pretentious, pontifical)
9. A trait that makes a person a success
                                                (pedantic, sedulous, supercilious)
10. Someone follows the rules but misses the spirit
                                                (pontifical, pedantic, quiescent)

II. True or False?
In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false
____ 1. Mules and oxen are frequently described as being pertinacious
____ 2. Sleazy products deserve the high price they command
____ 3. Gary Cooper, famed for using words sparingly drew compliments for that prolix style.
____ 4. Although we strive to be young, no one wants to be described as puerile
____ 5. Quiescent talent can often be brought to the surface through patient teaching techniques
____ 6. Puerile behavior is not likely to win you friends
____ 7. The defendant was acquitted because of his sleazy background
____ 8. A restive person would appreciate frequent periods of silence.
____ 9. Being puerile, Brenda often does not act her age
____ 10. The voluptuous figures in the museum attracted the attention of the crowd

III. Fill in the Blank
Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below
1. Joanna, finding it difficult to tolerate the _____________________ attitude of the salespeople in the exclusive boutique, left without buying anything
2. The unscrupulous travel agent tried to sell the mystery trip as an adventure that would contain many _____________________ experiences
3. Realizing he was losing friends because of his ________________ airs, Martin vowed to stop being showy.
4. The ______________________ character of the two rivals prolonged the argument; neither would budge an inch
5. Defending his _________________ style, Professor Dobbins claimed he had written the book for scholars like himself.
6. The teacher advised the class not to adopt a(n) __________________ tone in a letter of application
7. Jerry actually drove his customers away with his ____________________ sales pitch.
8. The valedictorian was careful to keep _________________ expressions out of her speech
9. Parents wait for the day when their children will be as __________________ in fulfilling their family responsibilities as they are in preparing for a party.
10. There is a time for fun and revelry, but that does not include an overdoes of _______________ speech.

IV. What’s the Antonym?
Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provide?
1. indolent                               _________________________
2. mature                                 _________________________
3. terse                                     _________________________
4. docile                                  _________________________
5. refined                                 _________________________
6. dynamic                              _________________________
7. docile                                  _________________________
8. unassuming                         _________________________
9. austere                                 _________________________
10. concise                              _________________________

Lesson 26 : Mythology

2011-04-20T05:28:00.001-07:00

Lesson 26

Mythology

1. antaean: possessed of superhuman strength with suggestions of earthiness. Antaeus was an African giant, the son of Poseidon and Gaea, who was invincible while touching the ground, but was lifted into the air by Hercules and crushed.

2.argonaut: adventurer; one who sailed with Jason on the Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. Specifically, the word refers to a participant in the California Gold Rush of 1849

3. calliope: a musical instrument fitted with steam whistles, played from a keyboard, and usually heard at carnivals and circuses. It is named after Calliope, the Greek Muse of epic poetry.

4. cyclopean: vast, massive and rough; suggestive of the Cyclops, the race of one-eyed giants, descended form the Titans. One of the most exciting tales in the Odyssey recounts the blinding of the one-eyed Polyphemus, who had confined Odysseus’ crew in his cave and promised to “reward” Odysseus by eating him first.

5. gorgon: a repulsively ugly or terrifying woman. In Greek mythology, the Gorgon sisters included the mortal Medusa, who had snakes for hair, and eyes that, if looked into, turned the beholder into stone.

6. harpy: a shrewish woman; a predatory person. The name is derived form the Harpies, one of several loathsome, voracious monsters, having a woman’s head and trunk, and a bird’s tail, wings, and talons.

7. Homeric: suggestive of Homer or his poetry; of heroic dimensions; grand; imposing.

8. myrmidon: a faithful follower who carries out orders without question. The Myrmidons were the legendary Greek warriors of ancient Thessaly who followed their king Achilles on the expedition against Troy.

9. oracular: uttered or delivered as if divinely inspired or infallible; ambiguous of obscure; portentous; ominous. Priests or priestesses in the shrines of ancient

Greece

would give ambiguous answers in response of a god to an inquiry. One famous shrine was the oracle of Apollo and Delphi.

10. paean: any song of praise, joy or triumph. In classical mythology a Paean was a god serving as a physician to the Olympian gods, later identified with Apollo.

11. plutonian: pertaining to the planet Pluto or the underworld; grim and gloomy; harsh and unpleasing. The Greek god of the subterranean world of the dead was Pluto, after whom our solar system’s farthest planet was named.

12. Promethean: creative and boldly original. Prometheus was a Titan who taught mankind various arts and confined all its troubles in the box that Zeus treacherously gave to Epimetheus as the dowry of Pandora. For having stolen fire from Olympus and given to mankind in defiance of Zeus, Prometheus was chained to a rock where an eagle daily tore at his liver, until he was finally released by Hercules.

13. stygian: gloomy and dark; hellish; infernal; inviolable (safe from profanation). The river Styx was one of the rivers of Hades across which Charon ferried the souls of the dead.

14. terpsichorean: pertaining to dancing. Terpsichore was the Muse of dancing and choral and singing.

15. thespian: dramatic (adj.); an actor or actress (n.). Thespis was the Greek poet of the sixth century B.C. who was the reputed originator of tragic drama.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. Music like a hundred steam whistles

(harpy, calliope, plutonian)

2. I would do anything you ask

(myrmidon, Homeric, paean)

3. Not recommended to give exact directions

(gorgon, Argonaut, oracular)

4. He is an outstanding dramatic actor

(terpsichorean, thespian, antaean)

5. Beneficial to mankind

(cyclopean, stygian, Promethean)

6. A fighter is knocked down but raises himself with renewed strength

(stygian, thespian, antaean)

7. A sweeping, best-selling novel

(cyclopean, Homeric, paean)

8. A song of victory

(paean, Argonaut, gorgon)

9. A trip to the underworld

(harpy, stygian, thespian)

10. Dancing feet

(cyclopean, antaean, terpsichorean)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. Both stygian and plutonian have some association with gloom.

____ 2. A terpsichorean would be ideal for a comic role.

____ 3. An antaean creature would relish being thrown to the earth

____ 4. Homeric laughter refers to the humorous passages in the lliad and the Odyssey

____ 5. A calliope is a means of conveyance

____ 6. The first astronauts to the moon may be called Argonauts

____ 7. Harpy and gorgon refer specifically to women

____ 8. Myrmidons were faithful to their leader

____ 9. Both stygian and promethean are related to the Titans

____ 10. Antaean, cyclopean, and promethean are connected to the giants in Greek mythology.

III. Synonyms and Antonyms

Find and circle the two words in each line that are either synonyms or antonyms.

1. harpy musical calliope termagant

2. gorgon antaean obdurate frail

3. myrmidon paean anguish servant

4. loquacious awkward oracular terpsichorean

5. puny Homeric infallible graceful

Crossword Puzzle Words:Lesson 25

2011-04-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Lesson 25

Crossword Puzzle Words

1. acrid: bitter; sharp; irritating to taste or smell

2. addle: to muddle; confuse. This word is often used in compounds of such as addlebrained

3. ado: fuss; trouble; bother

4. alms: money, food, or clothing given to poor people. Note the connection with elsemonsynary which means “charitable”

5. amulet: something worn around the neck as a protection against bad luck; a charm

6. aperture: opening; hole; gap.

7. askew: to one side; crooked

8. bauble: trinket; toy; showy but worthless thing. The Old French word bauble meant “toy”

9. bevy: group; flock. Bevy comes from an Old French word that meant “drinking group”

10. bilk: deceive; swindle; cheat. This word may be a corruption of balk, a term used in the card game of cribbage

11. blithe: light-hearted; joyful; cheerful. The Anglo-Saxon word blithia was used to describe a bright sky.

12. careen: to cause to lean sideways; to lurch or toss from side to side. The Latin word carina means “side of a ship”

13. chary: careful; cautious; shy. The Anglo-Saxon word cearig meant “sorrowful”

14. nabob: a very rich or influential man. A nabob was a native distinct ruler or a European who became very wealthy in India.

15. onus: task; burden; responsibility

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind

1. An arm covered with costume jewelry

(addle, bauble, nabob)

2. Walking through the cemetery at night

(amulet, bilk, chary)

3. Peering into the camera lens

(onus, blithe, aperture)

4. A beggar on the streets of Calcutta

(alms, bevy, askew)

5. An angry crowd gathers to protest

(ado, careen, acrid)

6. A man abandons his family

(bilk, onus, careen)

7. A person of means

(nabob, amulet, chary)

8. Mutual recriminations

(chary, acrid, blithe)

9. Completely nonplussed

(addled, careen, askew)

10. A bauble fit for a king

(bevy, amulet, aperture)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. An expensive amulet is a bauble

____ 2. It’s easy to be blithe when everything is going wrong.

____ 3. Addle-pated individuals are clear thinkers

____ 4. People are likely to seek favors and money from nabobs

____ 5. Saying good-bye to poverty is bidding a “farewell to aims”

____ 6, A blithe-spirited person is would tend to be optimistic

____ 7. Being bilked is usually a pleasant experience

____ 8. A bevy of thoughts dwell in the mind of a thinking person

____ 9. A careening car is probably out of control

____ 10. Collecting aims for the rich is hard to justify

En Français:Lesson 24

2011-04-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

Lesson 24

En Français

1. coiffure : a style of hair arrangement

2. demarche : a line of action ; change of policy. Demarche comes from the French marcher (« to walk »)

3. denouement: the final outcome of the intricacies of a plot. The French meaning is “the untying of a knot”

4. éclat: acclaim; brilliant success. The French word eclater means “to burst out”

5. élan: enthusiasm; ardor; vigor. Its original meaning was “to throw a lance.”

6. entrepreneur: one who organizes and manages a business undertaking

7. impasse: difficulty without a solution; stalemate; blind alley

8. ingénue: actress playing an innocent, inexperienced young woman

9. malaise: a feeling of discomfort or uneasiness. In French, mal mean “bad” and aise means “ease”

10. mélange: mixture; hodgepodge. The French verb meter means “to mix.”

11. repartee: quick, witty reply, wit. The French meaning is The quick return of a thrust or blow.

12. sangfroid: composure; equanimity. In French it means “cold blood”

13. tete-a-tete: intimate conversation between two people. The literal meaning is “head-to-head”

14. tour de force: a feat of strength or skill

15. vignette: an anecdote; a brief literary composition.

Exercises

I. Which Word Come to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A cold-blooded killer

(vignette, sangfroid, mélange)

2. There is a loud applause for the star of Hamlet

(tour de force, demarche, malaise)

3. You get together with your brother for a serious conversation.

(denouement, entrepreneur, tete-a-tete)

4. Two rival hostesses emerge abashed after some sharp word play

(repartee, coiffure, éclat)

5. A producer advertises his search for a 14-year old Juliet

(élan, impasse, ingénue)

6. The surprise ending was a stroke of genius

(demarche, éclat, denouement)

7. The non-stop 120hour session failed to produce an agreement

(élan, impasse, vignette)

8. A feeling that things are going wrong

(sangfroid, malaise, demarche)

9. Hard to identify but easy to recognize

(mélange, vignette, élan)

10. An idea worth trying

(demarche, coiffure, melange)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. The denouement of a mystery story should satisfy every one of the readers’ questions.

____ 2. In order for success in most projects, a certain degree of élan is required

____ 3. The bargainers reached an impasse, and everyone went home satisfied with the way the strike had been concluded

____ 4. A man with sangfroid could stare a gunman in the eye and not show his fear

____ 5. Madame de Pompadour was noted for her coiffure

____ 6. The entrepreneur attributed his success to his long years of experience

____ 7. The newly appointed general suggested a demarche that had eluded his predecessors

____ 8. The starring role of the ingénue was played with éclat by the young actress

____ 9. The vignette caught our attention but its inordinate length eventually put us to sleep

____ 10. Repartee may be compared to a duel without swords.

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. The novel was spiced with a(n) _________________ of saucy tales, personal recollections, and outrageous exaggerations

2. The octogenarian __________________ had only a fifth grade education, but he had outsmarted the most savvy competitors

3. Mischa, not blessed with the gift of __________________, could only answer the insult with an embarrassed stammer

4. We were all enraptured with the _______________ about the little girl and the red baboon

5. With her wide blue eyes and diffident smile, Carol was a natural for the _____________ role.

6. The peace talks reached a(n) ______________ when neither side would budge an inch since their last confrontation.

7. I can vouch for his __________________ but not for his honesty.

8. The actor’s ______________ in his first film was followed by a disappointing series of failures.

9. Marie Antoinette set the pattern for women’s ______________ throughout the realm

10. President Carter’s declaration that the feeling in the country was one of _____________ was a faux pas that may have cost him a second term.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. failure ____________________

2. settlement ____________________

3. agitation ____________________

4. sage ____________________

5. well-being ____________________

6. ennui ____________________

7. a flop in business ____________________

8. building events in a story to a climax ____________________

9. a veteran actress who has seen better days ____________________

10. a relatively unimpressive act ____________________

Foreign Terms:Lesson 23

2011-04-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Lesson 23

Foreign Terms

1. avant-garde: the leaders of a movement; vanguard. Avante-garde people are generally regarded as some reformers, people with new ideas who are somewhat ahead of their time.

2. bete noire: someone or something that is feared or disliked. In French, the two words mean “black beast.” A black sheep was an eye-sore in the flock, its wool was less valuable. If something is your bete noire, you do your best to avoid it; it is a thorn in your side.

3. bot mot: a bright saying; witticism. In French, bon means “good,” and mot means “word.” A clever remark or ad lib is often labeled as bon mot.

4. coup de grace: the shot or blow that brings death; the finishing stroke. The actual French meaning is “blow of mercy.” The officer in charge of a firing squad administers the coup de grace by firing a bullet into the victim’s head after his men have shot.

5. cul-de-sac: a passage or street with only one outlet; a situation form which there is no escape; an argument that leads nowhere. In French it means “bottom of the sack.”

6. dues ex machina: someone who intervenes unexpectedly to solve a dilemma. The literal Latin meaning is “god out of the machine.” In the ancient theater the first few acts laid out the problems facing the characters and when no solution was apparent, a “god” was lowered onto the stage and helped to resolve the issues.

7. fait accompli: something that is already done so that there is no use in debating it. In French, “an accomplished fact.”

8. fin de siecle: referring to the last years of the nineteenth century; decadent. The French meaning is “end of the century.”

9. gauche: awkward; lacking grace; without tact. It is French for “left-handed.” Lefties were thought to be clumsy (sinister in Latin). Another French meaning is “warped”

10. junta: a political group that seeks to control a government; a faction or cabal. In Spanish this word originally meant “to join.” In Spain, a junta was a legislative assembly; the word was corrupted to junto, which meant “clique” or “faction.” Today, we use the original word with its changed meaning.

11. laissez-faire: hands-off policy: letting business operate without government interference. There was a mid-eighteenth century school of French economists whose motto was laissez-faire, laissez-passer (“let us alone, let us have free passage for our goods”)

12. mot juste: the right word; exact phrase

13. non compos mentis: incapable of handling one’s own affairs; insane. In Latin, “not of sound mind.” This could be said of someone who has lost his memory and understanding by reason of disease or accident.

14. non sequitur: in logic this is a conclusion that does not follow from the evidence; a remark that seems out of place. The Latin meaning is “it does not follow.”

15. sine qua non: an essential condition; that which is indispensable. The Latin meaning is “without which not.”

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A murderer who pleads temporary insanity

(laissez-faire, non compos mentis, cul-de-sac)

2. An ailing horse is being put out of his misery

(coup de grace, mot juste, gauche)

3. Several schemers plan a take-over

(fait accompli, junta, sine qua non)

4. You ask for her age and she says, “I’m five feet tall.”

(bete noire, fin de siecle, non sequitur)

5. Alban Berg was a composer who experimented with atonalities

(avant-garde, bot mot, dues ex machine)

6. The discussion centered around how history would characterize the last years of the twentieth century

(non sequitur, avant-garde, fin de siecle)

7. Loss of trust in a do-nothing leadership

(fait accompli, laissez-faire, junta)

8. The right word at the right time

(bot mot, gauche, non compos mentis)

9. It’s a pity but there was no alternative

(non sequitur, non compos mentis, sine qua non)

10. A weak spot

(bete noir, cul-de-sac, mot juste)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. Being born in this country is a sine qua non for anyone running for presidency

____ 2. If you are in the avant-garde, you are inclined to the conservatism.

____ 3. Someone who always seems to get the better of you is your bete noire.

____ 4. It is considered gauche to sip your coffee from the saucer

____ 5. “Open sesame” was the mot juste

____ 6. Non sequitur refers to a leader who has no following

____ 7. A fait accompli is a done deed

____ 8. Laissez-faire invites people to do their own thing with few restrictions

____ 9. A creative writer will not find it necessary to resort to dues ex machine

____ 10. The fleeing criminal was lucky to find a cul-de-sac

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.

1. The accused hoped his _______________ responses would corroborate his insanity plea.

2. The revelation that all the hero’s adventures were really a dream is the kind of _____________ that suggests a lack of originality by the author.

3. The thief was cornered when the police chased his car into a _______________.

4. The military ______________ promised to hold democratic elections as soon as the turmoil subsided.

5. As we approach the twenty-first century, I wonder if we will regard our ______________ as decadent as the previous one.

6. According to some pundits, the _______________ that is threatening the president’s reelection bid is his own wife.

7. Isn’t it strange that the _________________ you searched for at the party escaped you till you got home?

8. The discussion of abortion inevitably ends in a(n) ____________________.

9. The ___________________ for success in business is a wealthy father-in-law.

10. We laughed at Perry’s interest in a political career because his outstanding trait is his way of expressing himself.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. superfluous ____________________

2. dexterous ____________________

3. competent ____________________

4. conservative ____________________

5. incipience ____________________

6. perfectly logical ____________________

7. strictness ____________________

8. just getting started ____________________

9. guardian angel ____________________

10. graceful ____________________

Lesson 22 :Legal Language

2011-04-20T05:11:00.001-07:00

Lesson 22

Legal Language

1. amicus curiae: a friend of the court; a lawyer or layman who advises the court on a legal matter

2. arson: the crime of setting fire to property in order to collect insurance

3. barrister: lawyer in

England

. A barrister practices at the bar, or court of justice.

4. embezzle: to steal money that was entrusted to your care.

5. extradition: turning over a fugitive from one jurisdiction to another. The root of the word is the Latin trachtio (“the act of handing over”)

6. habeas corpus: a court order requiring that a prisoner be produced to determine the legality of his imprisonment; a procedure that lawyers use to get clients out of illegal detention. In Latin it means “to have the body.”

7. immaterial: without substance; unimportant

8. incarcerate: to jail; confine

9. indeterminate: having inexact limits; indefinite

10. larceny: theft. Grand larceny involves theft in excess of a fixed sum, whereas petty larceny refers to a less consequential theft.

11. litigious: quarrelsome; given to carrying on lawsuits

12. miscreant: villain; criminal; evil person. The original meaning was “unbeliever” or “heretic.” From there it was easy to jump to “villain”

13. perpetrator: a person who commits an offense

14. plagiarism: passing off someone else’s writings or ideas as your own. The Latin word for kidnaper is plagiarus

15. probation: a period of testing or trial. This refers to a suspension of sentence on the condition that the convicted person demonstrates good behavior in order to stay out of jail.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A prominent psychiatrist offers to help out in a court case

(perpetrator, larceny, amicus curiae)

2. The fire marshal suspects foul play

(probation, arson, immaterial)

3. Detectives fly across the border to bring back a suspect

(indeterminate, extradition, habeas corpus)

4. A scholar suggests that Shakespeare was not especially original

(plagiarism, incarcerate, miscreant)

5. The crooked bank manager fears the day when his books will be audited

(litigious, embezzle, barrister)

6. Sal was sentenced to five to ten years in jail

(probation, indeterminate, larceny)

7. The teacher quickly recognized that Gary’s report was beyond his capacity

(larceny, immaterial, plagiarism)

8. The jury found the defendant guilty as charged

(barrister, litigious, miscreant)

9. The bank officer suddenly acquired unexplainable wealth

(litigious, embezzle, incarcerate)

10. Enid made a proposal that had no connection to the problem

(immaterial, probation, extradition)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. Burning down a building is an act of larceny.

____ 2. Litigious people provide a good income for lawyers

____ 3. An alert lawyer can use a write of habeas corpus to keep his client out of jail before charges are brought against him.

____ 4. When you embezzle funds you misuse money that has been entrusted to you.

____ 5. That which is immaterial is usually critical in any court case.

____ 6. A miscreant is likely to be involved in grand larceny

____ 7. Probation is an investigative procedure to determine if a crime has been committed

____ 8. A perpetrator is someone who betrays his country

____ 9. A barrister would likely be familiar with court procedure

____ 10. A person guilty of arson could sometimes be charged with murder.

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. Anyone who believes “there is a little ___________ in everyone’s heart” is merely trying to rationalize his own failing.

2. The rigorous _____________ period was intended to discourage unsuitable applicants

3. Murder was added to the ________________ change when the firemen discovered a body in the burned out structure

4. The terrorist sought refuge in a country where he believed he would be free from _____________.

5. ____________ may not be punishable by a prison sentence but it can cost a pretty penny and ruin a reputation.

6. The unexpected appearance of a(n) ________________ gave the prosecution the impetus to follow through to a guilty verdict.

7. The British _____________ may sound more sophisticated but he is in reality the same as a

U.S.

lawyer

8. Paul, ever the romantic, told Peggy she was guilty of ________________ for she had stolen his heart.

9. It is hard to believe that the club treasurer would _______________ the money entrusted to him.

10. The police collared the ______________ but lacked witnesses or evidence to get an indictment.

IV.What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. important ____________________

2. release ____________________

3. forgiving ____________________

4. precise ____________________

5. paragon ____________________

6. reimburse ____________________

7. benefactor ____________________

8. easy-going ____________________

9. definite ____________________

10. liberate ____________________

Lesson 21 Appearances and Attitudes

2011-04-20T05:10:00.001-07:00

Lesson 21

Appearances and Attitudes

1. jejune: barren; flat; dull. The Latin word jejunus means “empty”

2. libidinous: characterized by lust; lewd; lascivious. In psychoanalytic theory, the libido is the driving force behind all human action

3. licentious: morally unrestrained; lascivious. This is derived form an Old French word that meant “license” and referred to an abuse of liberty or undisciplined freedom.

4. mercurial: changeable; volatile. These adjectives are characteristic of the heavy, silver-white metallic element mercury. In Roman mythology the swift messenger of the gods, Mercury was volatile, quick-witted, eloquent, and manually skillful.

5. meretricious: flashy; tawdry; falsely alluring. It is from the Latin word meretricious (“prostitute”)

6.minatory: menacing; threatening

7. mutable: inconstant; fickle; tending to frequent change. In biology, a mutation is a change in some inheritable characteristic.

8. niggardly: stingy; miserly. Niggardly comes from a Norman French word meaning “to rub” or “to pinch.” A pennypincher is niggardly.

9. nonchalant: cool; indifferent; without warmth or animation. It comes from a French root, chaloir (“to care for”)

10. noxious: unwholesome; harmful to health. The Latin nocere means “to hurt”

11. obdurate: hardhearted; inflexible; not easily moved to pity.

12. obtuse: slow to understand; dull.

13. officious: meddlesome; offering unnecessary and unwanted advise.

14. omniscient: having infinite knowledge; knowing all things.

15. pusillanimous: cowardly; fainthearted in Latin, “tiny mind”

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. A Chinese fortune cookie accurately predicts your future

(jejune, omniscient, licentious)

2. Eight poker players puffing on cigars in your living room

(noxious, officious, niggardly)

3. You receive an anonymous letter hinting at violence

(libidinous, minatory, nonchalant)

4. Your father absolutely refuses to let you borrow his car

(meretricious, obtuse, obdurate)

5. The Lion in The Wizard of Oz

(pusillanimous, mercurial, mutable)

6. It doesn’t take much to upset James to the point of exasperation

(mutable, mercurial, noxious)

7. Maxine can’t make up her mind about which dress to wear

(jejune, meretricious, mutable)

8. Jose had abandoned five wives, but he was ready to try again

(licentious, pusillanimous, niggardly)

9. Malcolm blames everyone but himself for his failures

(obtuse, licentious, nonchalant)

10. Nothing seems to excite him

(officious, nonchalant, minatory)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. The conservative congregation was quite pleased with the minister’s libidinous position.

____ 2. One of our most coveted military awards, the Purple Heart, is given to those who have distinguished themselves by pusillanimous actions in combat.

____ 3. An officious bank manager can make his tellers uneasy.

____ 4. Putting a $50 bill in the church collection plate is a niggardly gesture

____ 5. Interior decorators generally abhor meretricious furniture

____ 6. Clara spoke in a jejune tone that attracted everyone’s attention.

____ 7. Being of a mercurial temperament, Tom could not restrain his delight.

____ 8. A noxious element in human relations inclines people to be forgiving

____ 9. Becoming omniscient is unattainable even for the greatest among us.

____ 10. Anxious to achieve a quick success, the president dispatched his most obtuse negotiator

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.

1. The ______________ nature of the negotiators made it likely they would come to blows

2. The professor’s _____________ attitude about any subject led us to regard him with awe and discomfort

3. Being human is equivalent to being _____________ for, as Heracleitus said, change is the only permanence we can count on.

4. Twenty years of _______________ living had taken its complete toll of Mr. Bodack.

5. The marriage proposal was made in such a(n) __________________ manner that Gloria doubted its sincerity.

6. The fumes form the gigantic fire were judged to be so ________________ that the authorities issued a general evacuation order for nearby homes.

7. Alvin’s generous offer to call the bout a draw was mistakenly regarded as a(n) ________________ act.

8. When Iris learned that the role of Roxanne required her to wear _________________ garb, she opted to turn down the offer.

9. Elizabeth’s _______________ interference did not endear her to the people in her office.

10. Only after Bob had spent an exciting, eye-opening year in the Peace Corps did he realize the ______________ monotony of his previous life.

IV. What’s the Antonym?

Which of the new words is most nearly opposite in meaning to the one provided?

1. friendly _______________________

2. extravagant _______________________

3. harmless _______________________

4. stouthearted _______________________

5. yielding _______________________

6. acute _______________________

7. ignorant _______________________

8. zealous _______________________

9. extravagant _______________________

10. chaste _______________________

Science “Ology” Words:Lesson 20

2011-04-20T05:09:00.001-07:00

Lesson 20

Science “Ology” Words

1. archaeology: the systematic recovery by scientific methods of material evidence remaining form man’s life and culture in past ages, and the detailed study of this evidence.

2. cardiology: the medical study of the diseases and functioning of the heart. Emphasis on prevention and treatment of heart disease has made most people familiar with cardiographs, the curve that traces the mechanical movements of the heart.

3. ecology: the science of the relationships between organisms and their environments. This field is also called bionomics.

4. endocrinology: the physiology of the ductless glands, such as the thyroid or adrenal, whose secretions pass directly into the blood stream from the cells of the gland.

5. gerontology: the scientific study of the physiological and pathological phenomena associated with aging. The Greek stern geront (“old”), explains the source of the names of such popular medicines as Geritol.

6. gynecology: a branch of medicine that deals with women, their diseases, hygiene, and medial care.

7. morphology: the biological study of the form and structure rather than the functioning of living organisms. In linguistics, morphology, denotes the study of word formations, including the origin and function of inflections and derivations.

8. necrology: a list or record of people who have died, especially in the recent past.

9. neurology: the medical science of the nervous system and its disorders.

10. paleontology: the study of fossils and ancient life forms. Paleo is a combining form indicating “ancient” or “prehistoric.”

11. pathology: the scientific study of the nature of disease, its causes, processes, development, and consequences; the anatomic or functional manifestations of disease.

12. rhinology: the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nose. The Greek root rhinoceros (“nose-horned”), explains how the rhinoceros got its name.

13. seismology: the geophysical science of earthquakes and of the mechanical properties of the earth.

14. speleology: the scientific study or systematic exploration of caves

15. toxicology: the study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons and the treatment of poisoning.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. Fears that the Alaskan pipeline will destroy the delicate balance of animal life in the region

(neurology, archaeology, ecology)

2. A special panel on diseases of the aged

(endocrinology, gerontology, rhinology)

3. The honored list of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice

(necrology gynecology, toxicology)

4. The monster left an impression of his footprint in the rock

(paleontology, morphology, seismology)

5. The Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for centuries in the Qumran cave

(cardiology, speleology, pathology)

6. The plastic surgeon made a sketch of his patient’s new nose

(rhinology, toxicology, speleology)

7. With permission from the Egyptian government, we began our dig

(archaeology, endocrinology, morphology)

8. We were stunned when the young basketball player succumbed to a heart attack

(ecology, gerontology, cardiology)

9. Some California cities have endured dozens of serious earthquakes

(necrology, paleontology, seismology)

10. The cadaver’s appearance suggested that he might have been poisoned

(gynecology, toxicology, neurology)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. Archaeology and paleontology could be dealing with the same material

____ 2. Mr. Rohas opened the door to the gynecologist’s office, gulped, and realized he was in the wrong place.

____ 3. Every cardiologist must have a repertoire to demonstrate his dexterity with a deck of cards.

____ 4. Morphology is concerned with finding pain killers.

____ 5. Pathologists work closely with engineers to construct sale, durable roadways.

____ 6. In a study of the area’s ecology, we determined the extent of pollution.

____ 7. When visiting Grandma in her health-related facility, I discussed her case with the gerontologist on duty.

____ 8. With an interest in speleology, they learned the difference between stalagmites and stalactites.

____ 9. Modern-day seismologists can predict rainy weather with great accuracy.

____ 10. Our town maintains a necrology of those citizens who died in our country’s wars.

III. Putting the Scientists in the Proper Place:

For each of the following pairs indicate yes in the space provided if the scientist is correctly paired with the “tools of his/her trade” and no if not.

____ 1. archaeologist arches

____ 2. gerontologist aged people

____3. morphologist drugs

____ 4. seismologist Richter scale

____ 5. pathologist charts and maps

____ 6. paleontologist fossils

____ 7. speleologist caves

____ 8. toxicologist serums

____ 9. rhinologist zoo animals

____ 10. necrologist old coins.

Words Of Loves and Fears and Hates:Lesson 19

2011-04-20T05:08:00.001-07:00

Lesson 19

Of Loves and Fears and Hates

1. acrophobia: abnormally intense fear of being in high places.

2. bibliophile: one who loves books; a book collector. The opposite is a biblioclast.

3. claustrophobia: an abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces. One who has a fear of open spaces suffers from agoraphobia.

4. Francophile: an admirer of France, its people, and its customs. It may also be used as an adjective.

5. hydrophobia: feat of water; rabies. One of the symptoms of the disease caused by the bite of a rabid animal is an inability to swallow; hence, the name hydrophobia for the disease itself.

6. misanthropy: hatred of or distrust of mankind. The misanthropist has his opposite in the philanthropist, that is, one who loves mankind—and has the means to support worthy causes.

7. misogyny: hatred of women

8. paranoid: showing unreasonable distrust, suspicion, or an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance. Paranoia is usually a chronic condition characterized by delusions of persecution or of grandeur that the afflicted strenuously defends with apparent logic and reason.

9. philately: the collection and study of postage stamps, post marks, and related materials. The derivation, from the Greek philo. (“loving”), and ateles (“without charge”) reminds us that the original stamp indicated a tax-free shipment.

10. Philistine: a sumg, ignorant, especially middle-class person who is held to be indifferent or antagonistic to artistic and cultural values; boorish or barbarous; an ignoramus or outsider.

11. phylogeny: love of or fondness for women.

12. philology: historical and comparative linguistics; the study of human speech, especially as the vehicle of literature; literary or classical learning. The philologist is known by other related labels, the philologer and the philologue.

13. Russo phobia: dislike or fear of

Russia

or its policies

14. triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13. Though the word is long, the arithmetic etymology from Greek is simple: treis (“three”), kai (“and”), and deka (“ten”)

15. xenophobia: an unusual fear or contempt of strangers or foreigners, especially as reflected in one’s political or cultural views.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. Bats and beavers are prone to this

(claustrophobia, hydrophobia, phylogeny)

2. No member of the famous trapeze artist, The Flying Valencias, ever had this

(Francophilism, misanthropy, acrophobia)

3. Jack the Ripper must have been one

(misogynist, philatelist, philologist)

4. Beware of Friday the 13^th

(bibliophile, triskaidekaphobia, Philistine)

5. Many

U.S.

citizens like anything that is American and detest anything else

(xenophobe, Russophobe, paranoid)

6. In an elevator, invariably I grow nervous

(phylogeny, claustrophobia, philology)

7. My uncle spends every vacation in Paris

(Francophile, xenophobia, bibliophile)

8. Our neighbors trust nobody, absolutely nobody!

(acrophobia, Philistine, paranoid)

9. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a noted stamp collector

(philately, misanthropy, phylogeny)

10. At the start of A Christmas Carol, Scrooge hates everybody.

(bibliophile, misanthropy, triskaidekaphobia)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____ 1. A bibliophile is a file clerk in a library.

____ 2. A Francophile would feel quite at home in Philadelphia

____ 3. you can assume that a hermit is a misanthrope.

____ 4. Some men dream of having a harem, but not the misogynist

____ 5. A philistine would be a frequent visitor to the museums

____ 6. Scholars who specialize in philology are likely to be expert musicians

____ 7. His xenophobia led him to retire from the world.

Words with Tales attached:Lesson 18

2011-04-20T05:07:00.001-07:00

Lesson 18

Words with Tales attached

1. accolade: praise or approval; an embrace of greeting or salutation. When French generals kiss the cheeks of the man being honored, they are continuing a custom of the early French kings who placed their arms around the neck (Latin ad “to” and colum “neck”) of the new knight in order to kiss him. William the Conqueror used his fist to confer knighthood. Later a gentle stroke with the flat of the sword on the side of the neck became the accepted method.

2. conclave: a private or secret meeting; an assembly or gathering, especially one with authority, power, and influence. When a pope is to be elected, the College of Cardinals meets in a room locked on the inside and outside. No one is permitted to leave until a new pope has been chosen. From Latin, then, a conclave is a meeting in a room locked with (con) a key (clavis). You can recognize the same root in clef, clavicle, and conclude.

3. dirge: a funeral hymn; a slow sad song, poem, or musical composition; a lament. Dirge is a contraction of the first word of a Latin funeral service that begins, “Dirge, Domine…” (“O Lord, direct my way in Thy sight”) This in turn is based on the words of a Psalm. (“…Make Thy way straight before may face”)

4. draconian: harsh or vigorous; a law or code of extreme severity. Draco was an Athenian lawgiver whose code or laws, established in 621 B.C., called for the most severe penalties for the smallest offense.

5. epicurean: devoted to the pursuit of pleasure; fond of the good food, comfort, and ease. The followers of Epicurus are associated with the pursuit of pleasure, so that Epicureanism has become synonymous with luxurious living. The early Epicureans were contrasted with the Stoics, followers of Zeno, who taught that the wise man should be free from passion and submissive to natural law. The Stoic today is one who endures the hardships of life without complaint.

6. gossamer: soft, sheer, gauzy fabric; fine film of cobwebs seen in autumn; anything delicate, light or insubstantial. Lexicographers theorize that this word, derived from Middle English goose and somer, was first used as a name for Indian summer, when gees were in season.

7. immolate: to kill, as a sacrifice; ;to destroy or renounce for the sake of something else. Ground grain or meal (Latin mole) was sprinkled by the Roman priest on the head of an animal before it was sacrificed. Later, this preparatory act of sprinkling, immolation, came to mean the sacrifice itself.

8. juggernaut: anything that exacts blind devotion or terrible sacrifice; any terrible, irresistible force. Juggernaut is the Hindu god whose idol is dragged in a religious procession on an enormous car. Devotees are sometimes crushed under the wheels of the advancing car. The word today is applied to any large, overpowering, destructive force or object such as war, a giant battleship or a powerful football team.

9. junket: a party, banquet, or an outing; a trip taken by an official and paid for with public funds. Junket began as a Latin word juncos (“a twig”) and referred to as basket made of rushed and twigs. Soon the word was applied to delicacies, especially cream and cheese preparations served in these baskets. Finally, it became the feast served out of doors, a picnic. The political slant to junket probably stems from the clambakes or beef-and pretzel-feasts once offered by political clubs to their followers. After moving into the political sphere, the word acquired its modern meaning of an official trip underwritten by the taxpayer-a long way from the twigs and cheese.

10. ostracism: a rejection or exclusion form a group or society by general consent. In ancient Athens, if the assembly decided a person was endangering the public welfare or liberty a vote was taken to send the guilty one into exile. A potsherd or oyster shell (from the Greek ostra) on which was written the name of the person to be ostracized was dropped into an urn. The modern blackballing of members from organizations closely follows this method.

11. proletariat: the working class; the unprotected class. Proles, a Latin word for “offspring” is the source of proletariat or the poor class, who, because they were prolific, served the state only by producing offspring.

12. rigmarole: confused, incoherent, foolish talk; a complicated and petty procedure. Rigmarole is an alternation of ragman roll, a series of documents in which the Scottish noblemen acknowledged their allegiance to Edward I of England.

13. rubric: a title, heading, or direction in a book written or printed in red or otherwise distinguished form the rest of the text; an established custom or rule of procedure; a short commentary or explanation covering a broad subject. In the monasteries, the monks who copied the works of the ancient authors often adorned their manuscripts with beautiful decorations. For headings, they followed the Roman practice of using red ink (Latin rubber). Thus rubric came to mean not only the initial ornamental letters but also the directive or rule of conduct that was often part of the heading.

14. Socratic: Pertaining to Socrates or his philosophical method of repeated questioning to elicit truths implicit in all rational beings. Socrates, a Greek philosopher and the chief speaker in Plato’s Dialogues, developed his ideas by constantly asking questions or forcing admissions from his opponents. Condemned to death for irreverence to the gods and corrupting the youth, Socrates is now remembered as a seeker after truth and a man who taught his disciples how to think.

15. sycophant: a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite; one who attempt to win favor or advance himself by flattering persons of influence. Since the Greek roots mean “showing figs,” two possible explanations have been offered for the story behind sycophant. One is that the gesture of a fig was used to denounce a criminal, making a sycophant an informer. The other is more literal. it was unlawful to export figs and one who reported such an act was called a sycophant, or fig-shower. The modern meaning derives form the informer’s cringing and servile manner.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement , then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. They are the backbone of our industrial power

(rubric, proletariat, juggernaut)

2. The silent treatment

(conclave, dirge, ostracism)

3. In some underdeveloped countries, a thief is punished by having his hand cut off.

(Socratic, draconian, junket)

4. Eat, drink, and be merry

(epicurean, immolate, sycophant)

5. This play describes the Drama Critics’ Award.

(accolade, rigmarole, gossamer)

6. The president and his cabinet deliberated for three hours.

(rubric, conclave, dirge)

7. Screen stars are often surrounded by flatterers

(sycophant, immolate, proletariat)

8. Detective Brady went through the lengthy process of reading the prisoner his rights

(juggernaut, accolade, rigmarole)

9. Belonging to the library board allowed me to take many expense-free trips to conventions

(sycophant, dirge, junket)

10. The wailing of the widow could be heard over the sound of the organ at the funeral.

(dirge, ostracism, draconian)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false.

____1. A sycophant speaks with sincerity

____ 2. A dirge would be inappropriate at a wedding.

____ 3. A rigmarole is a tall masted sailing ship

____ 4. A rubric has to be written in red

____ 5. A model sailing ship in a bottle is a good example of a juggernaut.

____ 6. Professor Smith lectured the entire period in true Socratic fashion

____ 7. With accolades still ringing in his ears, the star thanked the audience.

____ 8. The warden resorted to draconian measures to get the truth out of the felon.

____ 9. His alibi, lacking in substance, was as light as gossamer.

____ 10. Harold organized a taxpayer’s protest against congressional junkets.

III. Synonyms and Antonyms

Indicate whether the following pairs of words are the same, opposite, or unrelated in meaning by writing S.O. or U in the space provided.

____ 1. ostracism-acceptance

____ 2. accolade--encomium

____ 3. immolate--soften

____ 4. rigmarole--fabrication

____ 5. epicurean--pleasure-bound

IV. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below

1. After their leader’s death, the government radio station began to broadcast a ______________.

2. We felt that the new rules were __________________, but our protests were unheeded.

3. The first victims of AIDS were subject to __________________, by people who were generally ignorant of the disease.

4. In order to get a loan, you have to go through a tremendous _______________at a local bank.

5. The famous movie producer was surrounded by _________________.

6. The Chicago Bulls _______________ rolled over their opponents with startling ease.

7. In addition to the loud _______________, each star received a floral tribute.

8. The revolution’s leaders sought to win the support of the _________________.

9. At an all-night ___________________, the angry reporters decided to resign.

10. With his __________________ tastes, Vincenzo found it easy to mingle with the sybarites.

Size and Shape:Lesson 17

2011-04-20T05:06:00.001-07:00

Lesson 17

Size and Shape

1. archaeology: the systematic recovery by the scientific methods of material evidence remaining from man’s life and culture in past ages, and the detailed study of this evidence.

2. elfin – fairylike; delicate; small and charmingly merry or mischievous. In folklore, an elf was a tiny, often prankish fairy who lived in the woods and possessed magical powers, like Shakespeare’s Puck.

3. infinitesimal – too small to be measured. Mathematicians, philosophers, and photographers are accustomed to dealing in concepts that range from the infinite (too large to be measured) to the infinitesimal

4. Lilliputian – very small; tiny, narrow-minded; petty. In Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, the hero was shipwrecked on the island of Lilliput, the inhabitants of which stood six inches tall.

5. megalopolis – an extensive, heavily populated, continuously urban area, including any number of cities. This larger than a metropolis since it includes an inner city, suburbia, and any adjacent towns.

6. minimize – to reduce to a minimum; decrease to the least possible amount or degree; belittle. Again we meet a synonym for “small.” minim, this time combined with the suffix ize , “to make,” and denoting as in the definition for infinitesimal, making something appear to be of the least possible amount, value, or importance

7. minutiae – small or trivial details; trifling matters. The word is not restricted in meaning to unimportant details since a seemingly minor point can prove to be of major significance

8. palatial – like a palace; large and ornate. A closely related word derived from the same Latin root palatine (palace), refers to royal privileges, a high official, a Roma soldier as well as to the chief of the seven hills upon which Rome was built.

9. peccadillo – a small sin or fault. We admire the person who dresses impeccably, “without fault,” perhaps are tolerant to the peccadillos of our friend; and probably forgive the person who offers his peccavi (confessions, or literally “I have sinned)

10. picayune – of little value or account; petty or prejudiced. Originally, this meant a coin of small value. Inevitably, the meaning was transferred to a person of low esteem because of his or her criticism or bias.

11. simulacrum – a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance; an image or representation of something

12. soupcon – suspicion; a slight trace or flavor; a very small amount.

13. teeming: swarming; prolific or fertile. The Old English word terman meant “to produce offspring.” Indeed, an obsolete meaning of teeming was “to become pregnant and produce offspring.” What is perhaps more interesting is that our word team also comes from the Old English team, which meant “childbearing” or “brood”

14.titanic: of enormous size, strength, or power. In classical mythology the Titans were a race of giants who ruled the world before gods and goddesses. Cronus, perhaps the most famous (think of our word chronology), swallowed all his children in an attempt to avert a prophecy of doom, but one son, Jupiter (Zeus), survived and eventually overthrew his father.

15. vista: a far-reaching intellectual view, a view or prospect, especially one seen through a long, narrow avenue or passage; a mental view extending over a long period of time or embracing many remembrances or experiences.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind?

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind.

1. The myriad molecules on the head of a pin

(infinitesimal, vista, picayune)

2. The two cities have grown so quickly you can hardly tell where on ends and the other begins.

(megalopolis, Lilliputian, palatial)

3. Most of their points were scored when out best man was in the penalty box

(amplitude, elfin, minimize)

4. Mac stumbled once over his lines but otherwise his performance was perfect

(minutiae, peccadillo, simulacrum)

5. This is the biggest rocket in our arsenal.

(soupcon, titanic, teeming)

6. The seven dwarfs of Disney

(Lilliputian, palatial, vista)

7. I was bogged down in petty details.

(megalopolis, minutiae, titanic)

8. We took a guided tour of Buckingham Palace

(teeming, palatial, soupcon)

9. The defense kept objecting to every minor point that was raised in court

(picayune, elfin, peccadillo)

10. After climbing to the top of the mountain, we looked out on a marvelous landscape.

(minimize, teeming, vista)

II. True or False?

In the space provided indicate whether each statement is true or false

____ 1. An elfin creature is huge and lumbering

____ 2. Soupcon is the call to dinner

____ 3. You should feel complimented if your mental powers are called Lilliputian

____ 4. Vista galleries are so called because they attract many visitors.

____ 5. A teeming street is dilapidated and deserted.

____ 6. It took a titanic effort to open the car door under water.

____ 7. The amplitude of the harvest gratified the farmers.

____ 8. In summers, we seek to trade our megalopolis for the country air.

____ 9. Don’t minimize Fermi’s contributions to the development of the atomic bomb.

____ 10. My parents are willing to overlook an occasional peccadillo.

III. Synonyms and Antonyms

Find and circle two words on each line which are either synonyms or antonyms.

1. infinitesimal titanic pompous hopeful

2. swarming cooperative teeming moderate

3. economy amplitude pettiness range

4. picayune searching serviceable unbiased

5. exaggerate imitate minimize assemble

Mystery and the Occult:Lesson 16

2011-04-20T05:05:00.001-07:00

Lesson 16

Mystery and the Occult

1. alchemy – a method of miraculous change of one thing into another. In the Middle Ages, the chief aim of honest and dishonest experimenters was to change base metals into gold and to discover the elixir of eternal youth

2. arcane – beyond comprehension; mysterious; secret. The Latin word arcanus means “shut up” or “hidden”

3. conundrum – a riddle; any puzzling question or problem

4. demonology – the study of demons or of beliefs about them.

5. exorcise – to drive away an evil spirit by charms or incantations

6. inscrutable – mysterious; completely obscure; unfathomable

7. pallor – lack of color; unnatural paleness

8. phenomenology – the science that classifies and describes unusual happenings.

9. polygraph – an instrument that records changes in blood pressure, respiration, pulse rate, etc; a lie detector

10. purloin – to steal

11. ritual – a system of rites, religious or otherwise; a prescribed form or procedure; ceremony

12. shamus – private detective. The caretaker of a synagogue is also called a shamus

13. soothsayer – one who predicts the future. Sooth is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “true,” hence, a soothsayer is a “sayer of truth”

14. thaumaturgy – magic; the supposed working of miracles

15. warlock – sorcerer; conjurer; male witch. From the Anglo-Saxon word for traitor or liar. A warlock was supposed to be able to cast a magic spell because of a compact he made with the Devil.

Exercises

I. Which Word Comes to Mind”

In each of the following, read the statement, then circle the word that comes to mind

1. The last page of the murder mystery, with all the guests in the living room

(thaumaturgy, demonology, shamus)

2. “As I gaze into my crystal ball….”

(warlock, soothsayer, arcane)

3. “Man, your face is as white as a ghost’s”

(pallor, conundrum, inscrutable)

4. A pickpocket’s nimble fingers

(purloin, alchemy, ritual)

5. “Would you be willing to take a test to prove your innocence?”

(exorcise, phenomenology, polygraph)

6. A good poker player’s face

(alchemy, inscrutable, thaumaturgy)

7. With the IQ of a genius, Luz can solve any mathematical puzzle

(conundrum, warlock, ritual)

8. An alien warship was reported to have flown over Seattle

(phenomenology, demonology, shamus)

9. We recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning

(exorcise, soothsayer, ritual)

10. At the museum we needed an expert to explain the meaning of the strange painting

(arcane, purloin, alchemy)

II. True or False?

In the space provided, indicate whether each statement is true or false

____1. A warlock has military responsibilities.

____2. To wear your heart on your sleeve is to have an inscrutable expression.

____3. A cattle rustler is on who would purloin a sirloin.

____4. When we say, “It’s Greek to me,” we are referring to something that is arcane.

____5. Abracadabra is the start of a familiar ritual.

____6. My father’s stockbroker practiced alchemy by converting our assets into debits.

____7. I was shocked by the shut-in’s pallor.

____8. After months of exorcise, Tonio was in great shape.

____9. Accused of theft, the bank teller offered to submit to a polygraph.

____10. Macbeth’s witches area subject for demonology.

III. Fill in the Blank

Insert one of the new words in the proper space in each sentence below.

1. Harry Houdini, the celebrated magician, was a master of ______________

2. As part of his morning ____________, Andre shined his shows, pressed his trousers, and put a flower in his buttonhole.

3. Many employers would like their workers to take ___________tests, but the unions oppose that procedure.

4. Helen may know several ________languages, but that hasn’t helped her to earn a living in today’s society.

5. A famous mathematical ____________, which has stumped the experts for a century, recently was solved with the aid of a microcomputer.

6. Through some amazing ___________, the shy reporter became Superman.

7. The Edison Hotel hired a ___________ to deal with recent thefts.

8. A waxen ___________had come over Audra’s usually florid face.

9. Colonel Snyder’s mission was to ___________the enemy’s atomic documents.

10. Awaiting the announcement of the Academy Awards, the composed actor maintained an ___________ expression.