ALTIN LİSTE-İYİ İSİMLER-3

fringe

: a border made of hanging threads used to decorate the edge of something (such as clothing, rugs, and curtains) : a narrow area along the edge of something : an area of activity that is related to but not part of whatever is central or most widely accepted : a group of people with extreme views or unpopular opinions : an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band a : something resembling a fringe : edge, periphery —often used in plural <operated on the fringes of the law> b chiefly British : 4bang c : one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light d : an area bordering a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer than on the green itself a : something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or subject <a fringe sport> b : a group with marginal or extremist views c : fringe benefit a lampshade with a fringe a fringe of moss around the tree a party on the political fringe

fling

: a brief sexual relationship : a short period of time spent doing enjoyable and exciting things : an act or instance of flinging a : a casual try or involvement b : a casual or brief love affair : a period devoted to self-indulgence She had a fling with her boss. They had time for one last fling before going back to school.

locus

: a central or main place where something happens or is found a : the place where something is situated or occurs : site, location <was the culture of medicine in the beginning dispersed from a single focus or did it arise in several loci? — S. C. Harvey> b : a center of activity, attention, or concentration <in democracy the locus of power is in the people — H. G. Rickover> : the set of all points whose location is determined by stated conditions : the position in a chromosome of a particular gene or allele The area became a locus of resistance to the government. <an area of the Southwest that has been the locus of a number of New Agey movements>

impress

: a characteristic or distinctive mark : stamp <the impress of a fresh and vital intelligence is stamped ... in his work — Lytton Strachey> : impression, effect <have an impress on history> : the act of impressing a : a mark made by pressure : imprint b : an image of something formed by or as if by pressure; especially : seal c : a product of pressure or influence

scheme

: a clever and often dishonest plan to do or get something : an official plan or program of action : the way that something is arranged or organized a archaic (1) : a mathematical or astronomical diagram (2) : a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time b : a graphic sketch or outline : a concise statement or table : epitome : a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one : a systematic or organized configuration : design <color scheme> a scheme to cheat people out of their money The company has a new scheme for insurance coverage. a scheme to improve the economy the color scheme of a room

comrade

: a close friend you have worked with, been in the military with, etc. Comrade —used as a title for a member of a communist party a : an intimate friend or associate : companion b : a fellow soldier [from its use as a form of address by communists] : communist He enjoys spending time with his old army comrades. <the boy, and two others who are known to be his comrades, are wanted for questioning by the police>

shroud

: a cloth that is used to wrap a dead body : something that covers or hides something obsolete : shelter, protection : something that covers, screens, or guards: as a : one of two flanges that give peripheral support to turbine or fan bedding b : a usually fiberglass guard that protects a spacecraft from the heat of launching : burial garment : winding-sheet, cerement a : one of the ropes leading usually in pairs from a ship's mastheads to give lateral support to the masts b : one of the cords that suspend the harness of a parachute from the canopy <the truth of the affair will always be hidden under a shroud of secrecy>

imposition

: a demand or request that is not reasonable or that causes trouble for someone : the act of establishing or creating something in an official way : the act of imposing something : something imposed: as a : levy, tax b : an excessive or uncalled-for requirement or burden : the act of imposing : deception : the order of arrangement of imposed pages Your kids can stay with me the night you're away—it's really not an imposition. the imposition of a life sentence on the defendant the imposition of a tax on liquor

chronicle

: a description of events in the order that they happened : a historical account of events arranged in order of time usually without analysis or interpretation <a chronicle of the Civil War> : narrative a chronicle of the American Civil War a chronicle of the President's years in office

crisis

: a difficult or dangerous situation that needs serious attention a : the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever b : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function c : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis> : the decisive moment (as in a literary plot) a : an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis> b : a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis> She was dealing with a family crisis at the time. Most people blame the government for the country's worsening economic crisis. last year's state budget crisis In times of national crisis, we need strong leaders we can trust. A year ago, both companies were in crisis.

bind

: a difficult situation : an annoying problem a : something that binds b : the act of binding : the state of being bound c : a place where binding occurs : tie : a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action — in a bind : in trouble It's a real bind having to meet all these deadlines. <with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind>

impetus

: a force that causes something (such as a process or activity) to be done or to become more active : a force that causes an object to begin moving or to continue to move a (1) : a driving force : impulse (2) : incentive, stimulus b : stimulation or encouragement resulting in increased activity : the property possessed by a moving body in virtue of its mass and its motion —used of bodies moving suddenly or violently to indicate the origin and intensity of the motion His discoveries have given impetus to further research. <the reward money should be sufficient impetus for someone to come forward with information about the robbery> In a revealing comment, Mr. Updike says an impetus for Rabbit, Run was the "threatening" success of Jack Kerouac's On the Road, the signature book of the 1950s Beat Generation, and its frenetic search for sensation. —Dennis Farney, Wall Street Journal, 16 Sept. 1992

savor

: a good taste or smell : the quality that makes something interesting or enjoyable : the taste or smell of something : a particular flavor or smell : a distinctive quality Without her love, life has lost its savor for me. <a gourmet who can identify the ingredients in any dish solely by their savor>

idol

: a greatly loved or admired person : a picture or object that is worshipped as a god : a representation or symbol of an object of worship; broadly : a false god a : a likeness of something b obsolete : pretender, impostor : a form or appearance visible but without substance <an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol — P. B. Shelley> : an object of extreme devotion <a movie idol>; also : ideal : a false conception : fallacy an actor who is the idol of millions <a movie idol whose reprehensible offscreen behavior caused him to experience a spectacular fall from grace>

emoticon

: a group of keyboard characters that are used to represent a facial expression (such as a smile or frown) : a group of keyboard characters (as :-)) that typically represents a facial expression or suggests an attitude or emotion and that is used especially in computerized communications (as e-mail)

huddle

: a group of people or things that are close to each other : a private discussion or meeting American football : a group of players who have gathered away from the line of scrimmage for a short time to hear instructions for the next play : a close-packed group : bunch <huddles of children> <a huddle of cottages> a : meeting, conference b : a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down sheep standing in a huddle The boss is in a huddle with the marketing director. The quarterback called the offense into a huddle.

assortment

: a group or collection of different things or people a : the act of assorting b : the state of being assorted : a collection of assorted things or persons The book has a wonderful assortment of characters. You can choose from a wide assortment of options.

extremity

: a hand or foot : the farthest limit, point, or part of something : a very great or extreme degree or amount of something (such as emotion or pain) a : the farthest or most remote part, section, or point <the island's westernmost extremity> b : a limb of the body; especially : a human hand or foot a : extreme danger or critical need b : a moment marked by imminent destruction or death a : an intense degree <the extremity of his participation — Saturday Review> b : the utmost degree (as of emotion or pain) : a drastic or desperate act or measure <driven to extremities> The extremity of her grief is impossible to imagine. <made offers of aid to the refugees, and of asylum in extremity>

promontory

: a high area of land or rock that sticks out into the sea a : a high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water b : a prominent mass of land overlooking or projecting into a lowland : a bodily prominence <stood on the windswept promontory overlooking the bay> <Cape May is Delaware Bay's largest promontory.>

pinnacle

: a high mountain top : the best or most important part of something : the point of greatest success or achievement : a tower on the roof of a building that comes to a narrow point at the top : an upright architectural member generally ending in a small spire and used especially in Gothic construction to give weight especially to a buttress : a structure or formation suggesting a pinnacle; specifically : a lofty peak : the highest point of development or achievement : acme <a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success>

plumb

: a lead weight attached to a line and used to indicate a vertical direction — out of plumb or off plumb : out of vertical or true : exactly straight down or up : in a perfectly vertical position : to a complete degree : straight down or up : vertically chiefly dialect : to a complete degree : absolutely <'you're plumb crazy', she remarked, with easy candor — Harper's Weekly> : in a direct manner : exactly; also : without interval of time : immediately He set the board plumb. I plumb forgot about the party. : exactly vertical : standing perfectly straight and not leaning in any way : exactly vertical or true : thorough, complete The carpenter made sure that the wall was plumb. <a horror movie that's plumb trash and further evidence of the deterioration of popular culture> Synonym Discussion: vertical, perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a base line. vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith <the side of the cliff is almost vertical>. perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one <the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts>. plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity <make sure that the wall is plumb>.

elixir

: a magical liquid that can cure illness or extend life a (1) : a substance held capable of changing base metals into gold (2) : a substance held capable of prolonging life indefinitely b (1) : cure-all (2) : a medicinal concoction : a sweetened liquid usually containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring : the essential principle <warned that casino gambling would not be an elixir for all of the region's economic woes>

imprint

: a mark created by pressing against a surface : something imprinted or printed : a strong effect or influence : a publisher's name on the title page of a book : something imprinted or printed: as a : a mark or depression made by pressure <the fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot> b : an identifying name (as of a publisher) placed conspicuously on a product; also : the name under which a publisher issues books c : an indelible distinguishing effect or influence We saw an imprint of a bike tire on the dirt trail. a fossil imprint of a dinosaur's foot

hodgepodge

: a mixture of different things : a heterogeneous mixture : jumble <a hodgepodge of styles> <the exhibit was a hodgepodge of mediocre art, bad art, and really bad art>

facet

: a part or element of something : a small, flat surface on a jewel : a small plane surface (as on a cut gem) — see brilliant illustration : any of the definable aspects that make up a subject (as of contemplation) or an object (as of consideration) : the external corneal surface of an ommatidium : a smooth flat circumscribed anatomical surface (as of a bone) Each facet of the problem requires careful attention. the different facets of our culture Which facet of his character is most appealing? the facets of a diamond

advocate

: a person who argues for or supports a cause or policy : a person who works for a cause or group : a person who argues for the cause of another person in a court of law : one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court : one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal : one that supports or promotes the interests of another a passionate advocate of civil rights She works as a consumer advocate. He has paid respectful attention to the home schooling movement by meeting with its advocates and endorsing their cause. —Elizabeth Drew, New York Review of Books, 10 June 2004

proponent

: a person who argues for or supports something : one who argues in favor of something : advocate <a vocal proponent of the use of electric-powered cars>

liaison

: a person who helps organizations or groups to work together and provide information to each other : a relationship that allows different organizations or groups to work together and provide information to each other : a secret sexual relationship : a binding or thickening agent used in cooking a : a close bond or connection : interrelationship b : an illicit sexual relationship : affair a : communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation (as between parts of an armed force) b : one that establishes and maintains communication for mutual understanding and cooperation : the pronunciation of an otherwise absent consonant sound at the end of the first of two consecutive words the second of which begins with a vowel sound and follows without pause She acts as a liaison between the police department and city schools. Administrators need to maintain better liaison with employees. Administrators need to establish a close liaison with employees. He regretted his liaison with a woman from the office. Today's army works on rotations; soldiers are deployed for about a year and then (in principle at least) they come home. When that happens, local liaisons and intelligence relationships must be rebuilt. —James K. Galbraith, Mother Jones, March/April 2006

proxy

: a person who is given the power or authority to do something (such as to vote) for someone else : power or authority that is given to allow a person to act for someone else : the agency, function, or office of a deputy who acts as a substitute for another a : authority or power to act for another b : a document giving such authority; specifically : a power of attorney authorizing a specified person to vote corporate stock : a person authorized to act for another : procurator Since I wouldn't be available to vote, I nominated him to act as my proxy. <sent a proxy to the meeting to cast his vote for him>

orator

: a person who makes speeches and is very good at making them : one who delivers an oration : one distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker <though a brilliant wordsmith, Thomas Jefferson was by his own admission an unskilled orator>

colleague

: a person who works with you : a fellow worker : an associate in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office A colleague of mine will be speaking at the conference. <on her first day at work her colleagues went out of their way to make her feel welcome> Not since Cronkite's CBS mentor and colleague Edward R. Murrow lifted Senator Joe McCarthy by the skunk tail for public inspection had one TV broadcast reflected such a fateful climate change in public opinion. —James Wolcott, Vanity Fair, June 2003

orientation

: a person's feelings, interests, and beliefs : a main interest, quality, or goal : the process of giving people training and information about a new job, situation, etc. a : the act or process of orienting or of being oriented b : the state of being oriented; broadly : arrangement, alignment a : a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest b : a person's self-identification as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual <sexual orientation> : change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus patients identifying themselves as homosexual or bisexual in orientation He makes no secret of his orientation. The organization has a decidedly conservative orientation. Her later works were more introspective in orientation. These materials are used for the orientation of new employees. New students need to go through a short orientation before they begin classes.

image

: a picture that is produced by a camera, artist, mirror, etc. : a mental picture : the thought of how something looks or might look : the idea that people have about someone or something : a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing; especially : an imitation in solid form : statue a : the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device b : a visual representation of something: as (1) : a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material (2) : a picture produced on an electronic display (as a television or computer screen) a : exact likeness : semblance <God created man in his own image — Genesis 1:27(Revised Standard Version)> b : a person strikingly like another person <she is the image of her mother> a : a tangible or visible representation : incarnation <the image of filial devotion> b archaic : an illusory form : apparition a (1) : a mental picture or impression of something <had a negative body image of herself> (2) : a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation <a disorderly courtroom can seriously tarnish a community's image of justice — Herbert Brownell> b : idea, concept : a vivid or graphic representation or description : figure of speech : a popular conception (as of a person, institution, or nation) projected especially through the mass media <promoting a corporate image of brotherly love and concern — R. C. Buck> : a set of values given by a mathematical function (as a homomorphism) that corresponds to a particular subset of the domain She studied her image in the mirror. The kids sat staring at the images on the TV screen. painters capturing images of war black-and-white images of the city His poem evokes images of the sea and warm summer days. He is trying hard to improve his image. The law suit has negatively affected the company's public image. a politician who cares more about image than about telling the truth

forge

: a place where objects are made by heating and shaping metal : a furnace or a shop with its furnace where metal is heated and wrought : smithy : a workshop where wrought iron is produced or where iron is made malleable

gradient

: a place where the ground slopes up or down a : the rate of regular or graded ascent or descent : inclination b : a part sloping upward or downward : change in the value of a quantity (as temperature, pressure, or concentration) with change in a given variable and especially per unit distance in a specified direction : the vector sum of the partial derivatives with respect to the three coordinate variables x, y, and z of a scalar quantity whose value varies from point to point : a graded difference in physiological activity along an axis (as of the body or an embryonic field) : change in response with distance from the stimulus

project

: a planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make something new) and that usually requires a lot of time : a task or problem in school that requires careful work over a long period of time : a specific plan or design : scheme obsolete : idea : a planned undertaking: as a : a definitely formulated piece of research b : a large usually government-supported undertaking c : a task or problem engaged in usually by a group of students to supplement and apply classroom studies : a usually public housing development consisting of houses or apartments built and arranged according to a single plan <an ambitious project to develop the city's waterfront> Synonym Discussion: plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation <plans for a house>. design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony <a design for a new dress>. plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions <the plot of the play>. scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest <a scheme to defraud the government>. project often stresses imaginative scope and vision <a project to develop the waterfront>.

query

: a question or a request for information about something : question, inquiry : a question in the mind : doubt : question mark I have a query about my order. The librarian responded to my query.

retort

: a quick, witty, or cutting reply; especially : one that turns back or counters the first speaker's words

prerogative

: a right or privilege; especially : a special right or privilege that some people have a : an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege: as (1) : one belonging to an office or an official body (2) : one belonging to a person, group, or class of individuals (3) : one possessed by a nation as an attribute of sovereignty b : the discretionary power inhering in the British Crown : a distinctive excellence If you'd rather sell the tickets than use them, that's your prerogative. It's a writer's prerogative to decide the fate of her characters. That sense that the future may not last for long is often assumed to be a prerogative of youth, the dialectical complement of another misconception the young are noted for—the conviction that they are immortal. —Thomas M. Disch, Atlantic, February 1992

bulge

: a rounded lump on the surface of something : a sudden increase a : bilge : a protuberant or swollen part or place : advantage, upper hand : sudden expansion "What's in there?" he asked, pointing to the large bulge in my purse. I'm exercising to get rid of this bulge around my middle. Synonym Discussion: projection, protrusion, protuberance, bulge mean an extension beyond the normal line or surface. projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle <those projections along the wall are safety hazards>. protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity <the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef>. protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form <a skin disease marked by warty protuberances>. bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure <bulges in the tile floor>.

college

: a school in the U.S. that you go to after high school : a school that offers courses leading to a degree (such as a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree) : a part of an American university that offers courses in a specified subject : a school in Britain that offers advanced training in a specified subject : a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation : a building used for an educational or religious purpose a : a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but not granting degrees <Balliol and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford> —called also residential college b : a preparatory or high school c : an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree; also : a university division offering this d : a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses e : an institution offering instruction usually in a professional, vocational, or technical field <business college> : company, group; specifically : an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties a : a group of persons considered by law to be a unit b : a body of electors — compare electoral college : the faculty, students, or administration of a college She teaches art at a local college. He graduated from one of the country's best colleges. She attended a business college. He attended college for several years, but didn't graduate. She dropped out of college. I went to Mount Holyoke College. When I was a junior in college, I spent a semester in Spain. the Edinburgh College of Art the London College of Fashion She is attending fashion college.

physiology

: a science that deals with the ways that living things function : the ways that living things or any of their parts function : a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved — compare anatomy : the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process She took a course in anatomy and physiology. the physiology of diseased plants

relish

: a seasoned sauce that is used to add flavor to other foods and that is made of chopped fruit or vegetables; especially : such a sauce made from pickles : enjoyment of or delight in something : a feeling of liking something : characteristic flavor; especially : pleasing or zestful flavor : a quantity just sufficient to flavor or characterize : trace a : enjoyment of or delight in something that satisfies one's tastes, inclinations, or desires <eat with great relish> b : a strong liking : inclination <has little relish for sports> a : something adding a zestful flavor; especially : a condiment (as of pickles or green tomatoes) eaten with other food to add flavor b : appetizer, hors d'oeuvre I like to eat hot dogs with mustard and relish. She plays the role with great relish. He took particular relish in pointing out my error.

appendix

: a section of extra information added at the end of a book : a small tube at the beginning of the large intestine that can be removed by surgery if it becomes infected a : appendage b : supplementary material usually attached at the end of a piece of writing : a bodily outgrowth or process; specifically : vermiform appendix In your textbooks, turn to Appendix 3: Glossary of Terms. The book has several appendixes .

campaign

: a series of activities designed to produce a particular result : a series of military battles, attacks, etc., designed to produce a particular result in a war : a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war : a connected series of operations designed to bring about a particular result <election campaign> The group launched a campaign to protect the area from commercial development. The university is organizing a campaign to attract a more diverse student population.

circuit

: a series of performances, sports events, lectures, etc., that are held or done at many different places : a path or trip around something : the complete path that an electric current travels along a : a usually circular line encompassing an area b : the space enclosed within such a line a : a course around a periphery b : a circuitous or indirect route a : a regular tour (as by a traveling judge or preacher) around an assigned district or territory b : the route traveled c : a group of church congregations ministered to by one pastor a : the complete path of an electric current including usually the source of electric energy b : an assemblage of electronic elements : hookup c : a two-way communication path between points (as in a computer) d : a neuronal pathway of the brain along which electrical and chemical signals travel a : an association of similar groups : league b : a number or series of public outlets (as theaters, radio shows, or arenas) offering the same kind of presentation c : a number of similar social gatherings <the cocktail circuit> It takes a year for the Earth to make one circuit around the sun.

homology

: a similarity often attributable to common origin a : likeness in structure between parts of different organisms (as the wing of a bat and the human arm) due to evolutionary differentiation from a corresponding part in a common ancestor — compare analogy b : correspondence in structure between a series of parts (as vertebrae) in the same individual : similarity of nucleotide or amino acid sequence (as in nucleic acids or proteins) : a branch of the theory of topology concerned with partitioning space into geometric components (as points, lines, and triangles) and with the study of the number and interrelationships of these components especially by the use of group theory —called also homology theory — compare cohomology Medical Definition of homology: a: likeness in structure between parts of different organisms due to evolutionary differentiation from the same or a corresponding part of a remote ancestor—compare analogy, homomorphy b: correspondence in structure between different parts of the same individual a: the relation existing between chemical compounds in a series whose successive members have in composition a regular difference especially of one carbon and two hydrogen atoms CH2 b: the relation existing among elements in the same group of the periodic table c: similarity of nucleotide or amino acid sequence (as in nucleic acids or proteins)

sway

: a slow movement back and forth : a controlling force or influence : the action or an instance of swaying or of being swayed : an oscillating, fluctuating, or sweeping motion : an inclination or deflection caused by or as if by swaying a : a controlling influence b : sovereign power : dominion c : the ability to exercise influence or authority : dominance the sway of the ship the sexy sway of her hips He has come under the sway of terrorists. The ancient Romans held sway over most of Europe. Synonym Discussion: power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence <the power to mold public opinion>. authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits <granted the authority to manage her estate>. jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits <the bureau having jurisdiction over parks>. control stresses the power to direct and restrain <you are responsible for the students under your control>. command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience <the army officer in command>. sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence <the empire extended its sway over the region>. dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority <given dominion over all the animals>. power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon <the awesome power of flowing water>. force implies the actual effective exercise of power <used enough force to push the door open>. energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work <a worker with boundless energy>. strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack <use weight training to build your strength>. might implies great or overwhelming power or strength <the belief that might makes right>.

hut

: a small and simple house or building : an often small and temporary dwelling of simple construction : shack : a simple shelter from the elements <smoke rose from a fisherman's hut on the shore of the lake>

ornament

: a small, fancy object that is put on something else to make it more attractive : a way to make something look more attractive and less plain archaic : a useful accessory a : something that lends grace or beauty b : a manner or quality that adorns : one whose virtues or graces add luster to a place or society : the act of adorning or being adorned : an embellishing note not belonging to the essential harmony or melody —called also embellishment, fioritura She wore a hair ornament. The columns are there purely as ornament—they have no structural function.

solitude

: a state or situation in which you are alone usually because you want to be : the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion : a lonely place (as a desert) She wished to work on her novel in solitude. He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods. Synonym Discussion: solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone. solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates <a few quiet hours of solitude>. isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily <the isolation of the village in winter>. seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life <lived in pastoral seclusion>.

narrative

: a story that is told or written : something that is narrated : story, account : the art or practice of narration : the representation in art of an event or story; also : an example of such a representation He is writing a detailed narrative of his life on the island. People have questioned the accuracy of his narrative.

vocation

: a strong desire to spend your life doing a certain kind of work (such as religious work) : the work that a person does or should be doing a : a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action; especially : a divine call to the religious life b : an entry into the priesthood or a religious order a : the work in which a person is employed : occupation b : the persons engaged in a particular occupation : the special function of an individual or group This isn't just a job for me; it's a vocation. people who follow a religious vocation He never felt a real sense of vocation. I'm a carpenter by vocation, but my hobby is painting. Word Root of VOCATION: The Latin word vox, meaning "voice," and the related word vocāre, meaning "to call", give us the root voc or vok. Words from the Latin vox or vocāre have something to do with the voice or with calling. Anything vocal is produced by the voice. A vocation is the work that someone is called to do as a job. To evoke is to call forth. To invoke is to call on for aid or protection. To provoke is to call forth another's anger. The word voice also has vox as its root.

resolve

: a strong determination to do something : fixity of purpose : resoluteness : something that is resolved : a legal or official determination; especially : a formal resolution His comments were intended to weaken her resolve but they only served to strengthen it. <a naval pilot who has been unwavering in his resolve to become an astronaut>

idea

: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do : an opinion or belief : something that you imagine or picture in your mind a : a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations b : a standard of perfection : ideal c : a plan for action : design archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern a obsolete : an image recalled by memory b : an indefinite or unformed conception c : an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness : a formulated thought or opinion : whatever is known or supposed about something <a child's idea of time> : the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation Christian Science : an image in Mind My idea is to study law. Starting her own business seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out badly. Whose idea was it to leave so early? My idea was that if we left early we could beat the crowd. Buying the car was a bad idea. I have some ideas for redecorating the room. He has an idea for a movie. I'm not sure what to do next. Do you have any ideas? She's always full of new ideas. It's a good idea to talk to people who have actually been there. Synonym Discussion: idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed <innovative ideas> <my idea of paradise>. concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be <a society with no concept of private property>. conception is often interchangeable with concept ; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result <our changing conception of what constitutes art>. thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining <commit your thoughts to paper>. notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental <you have the oddest notions>. impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses <the first impression is of soaring height>.

round-trip

: a trip to a place and back usually over the same route

sheer

: a turn, deviation, or change in a course (as of a ship) : the position of a ship riding to a single anchor and heading toward it —used to emphasize the large amount, size, or degree of something : complete and total : very steep : almost straight up and down obsolete : bright, shining : of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous a : unqualified, utter <sheer folly> <sheer ignorance> b : being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed c : viewed or acting in dissociation from all else <in terms of sheer numbers> : marked by great and continuous steepness a sheer drop to the sea <we had to get window shades because passersby could see right through our sheer curtains> Synonym Discussion: steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>. : straight up or down : in a complete manner : altogether : straight up or down without a break : perpendicularly mountains rising sheer from the plains

warp

: a twist or curve in something that is usually flat or straight : the threads that run up and down on a loom or in a woven fabric a : a series of yarns extended lengthwise in a loom and crossed by the weft b : foundation, base <the warp of the economic structure is agriculture — American Guide Series: North Carolina> : a rope for warping or mooring a ship or boat a : a twist or curve that has developed in something originally flat or straight <a warp in a door panel> b : a mental aberration There's a warp in the floorboards. <an unshakable belief in the essential goodness of humankind is the warp of his philosophy>

inch

: a unit of length equal to 1⁄36 yard — see weight table : a small amount, distance, or degree <is like cutting a dog's tail off by inches — Milton Friedman> plural : stature, height a : a fall (as of rain or snow) sufficient to cover a surface or to fill a gauge to the depth of one inch b : a degree of atmospheric or other pressure sufficient to balance the weight of a column of liquid (as mercury) one inch high in a barometer or manometer : a small advantage especially from lenient or compassionate treatment —usually used in the phrase give an inch — every inch : to the utmost degree <looks every inch a winner> — inch by inch : very gradually or slowly — within an inch of : almost to the point of <came within an inch of succeeding>

residue

: a usually small amount of something that remains after a process has been completed or a thing has been removed : the amount of something valuable (such as an estate) that is left after all debts have been paid : something that remains after a part is taken, separated, or designated or after the completion of a process : remnant, remainder: as a : the part of a testator's estate remaining after the satisfaction of all debts, charges, allowances, and previous devises and bequests b : the remainder after subtracting a multiple of a modulus from an integer or a power of the integer that can appear as the second of the two terms in an appropriate congruence <2 and 7 are residues of 12 modulo 5> c : a constituent structural unit (as a group or monomer) of a usually complex molecule <amino acid residues from hydrolysis of protein> The grill was covered in a greasy residue from the hamburgers. The divorce left a residue of pain in the family. There was some kind of sticky residue on the floor. She left the residue of her estate to her daughter.

avenue

: a wide street : a path or driveway that leads to a house located off a main road : a way of achieving something or of reaching a goal : a way of access : route : a channel for pursuing a desired object <avenues of communication> a chiefly British : the principal walk or driveway to a house situated off a main road b : a broad passageway bordered by trees : an often broad street or road We drove down the avenue. We plan to pursue all available avenues to get our message to the public. They have closed off that avenue of discussion. a new avenue of research

capacious

: able to hold or contain a lot : large in capacity : containing or capable of containing a great deal <that car has a capacious trunk that makes it a good choice for families> Synonym Discussion: spacious, commodious, capacious, ample mean larger in extent or capacity than the average. spacious implies great length and breadth <a spacious front lawn>. commodious stresses roominess and comfortableness <a commodious and airy penthouse apartment>. capacious stresses the ability to hold, contain, or retain more than the average <a capacious suitcase>. ample implies having a greater size, expanse, or amount than that deemed adequate <ample closet space>.

orthodox

: accepted as true or correct by most people : supporting or believing what most people think is true : accepting and closely following the traditional beliefs and customs of a religion Orthodox : of or relating to the Orthodox Church a : conforming to established doctrine especially in religion b : conventional capitalized : of, relating to, or constituting any of various conservative religious or political groups: as a : eastern orthodox b : of or relating to Orthodox Judaism He took an orthodox approach to the problem. She believes in the benefits of both orthodox medicine and alternative medicine. He is a very orthodox Muslim. I attend an Eastern Orthodox church. My grandmother is Russian Orthodox.

mankind

: all people thought of as one group : the human race : the totality of human beings : men especially as distinguished from women

steep

: almost straight up and down : rising or falling very sharply : going up or down very quickly : very high : lofty, high —used chiefly of a sea : making a large angle with the plane of the horizon a : mounting or falling precipitously <the stairs were very steep> b : being or characterized by a rapid and intensive decline or increase : extremely or excessively high <steep prices> The stairs are very steep. a steep drop in prices The store's prices are too steep for me. Their rates are pretty steep.

attempt

: an act of trying to do something : something that results from trying to do something a : the act or an instance of attempting; especially : an unsuccessful effort b : something resulting from or representing an attempt <surrounded by ... a few attempts at rose bushes — Marian Engel> : attack, assault <an attempt on the life of the president> She failed her driving test on the first attempt but she succeeded on her second attempt. Her attempt at a home-cooked meal consisted of frozen fish sticks and a can of soup.

pastime

: an activity that you enjoy doing during your free time : something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably : diversion Baseball has been a national pastime for years.

gratuity

: an amount of money given to a person (such as a waiter or waitress) who has performed a service : an amount of money given to a retiring soldier or employee : something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially : tip A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to the restaurant bill. <for parties of eight or more, we automatically add a 15% gratuity onto the bill>

stray

: an animal (such as a cat or dog) that is lost or has no home : a person or thing that is separated from a group a : a domestic animal that is wandering at large or is lost b : a person or thing that strays [Middle English, from straien to stray] archaic : the act of going astray Both of her cats were strays that she found wandering in the neighborhood. of an animal : lost or having no home : separated from another or others of the same kind : not in or going in the proper or intended place : having strayed or escaped from a proper or intended place <a stray dog> : occurring at random or sporadically <stray thoughts> : not serving any useful purpose : unwanted <stray light> <stray sightings of UFO's, none of which have been rigorously analyzed by scientists>

oasis

: an area in a desert where there is water and plants : a pleasant place that is surrounded by something unpleasant : a time or experience that is pleasant and restful : a fertile or green area in an arid region (as a desert) : something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast The small park is a welcome oasis amid the city's many factories. Our brief trip to the beach was a much-needed oasis in a summer of hard work.

plot

: an area of land that has been measured and is considered as a unit : a usually small piece of land that is used for a particular purpose : a series of events that form the story in a novel, movie, etc. a : a small area of planted ground <a vegetable plot> b : a small piece of land in a cemetery c : a measured piece of land : lot : ground plan, plat : the plan or main story (as of a movie or literary work) [perhaps back-formation from complot] : a secret plan for accomplishing a usually evil or unlawful end : intrigue : a graphic representation (as a chart) The plots are selling for $15,000 per acre. They just bought a 12-acre plot of land. The book's plot revolves around a woman who is searching for her missing sister. The movie has a weak plot. Police uncovered a plot to assassinate the prime minister. The prime minister was the target of an assassination plot. Her books are page-turners, and yet there is more going on in them than just the mechanics of a clever plot... —Robin McKinley New York Times Book Review, 17 May 1987 Synonym Discussion: plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme <an assassination plot>. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity <backstairs intrigue>. machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means <the machinations of a party boss>. conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery <a conspiracy to fix prices>. cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence <a cabal among powerful senators>.

remit

: an area of responsibility and authority : an act of remitting : something remitted to another person or authority

contest

: an event in which people try to win by doing something better than others : a struggle or effort to win or get something : a struggle for superiority or victory : competition : a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from competitors Contest winners receive a cash prize. Will you enter the contest? She hopes to win the contest for mayor. Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a contest for control of the House of Representatives.

uplift

: an increase in amount or number : an increase in happiness or hopefulness : an act, process, result, or cause of uplifting: as a (1) : the uplifting of a part of the earth's surface (2) : an uplifted mass of land b : a bettering of a condition especially spiritually, socially, or intellectually c (1) : influences intended to uplift (2) : a social movement to improve especially morally or culturally : a brassiere designed to hold the breasts up

ovation

: an occurrence in which a group of people at a play, speech, sporting event, etc., show enthusiastic approval or appreciation by clapping their hands together over and over : a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance than that for which a triumph was granted : an expression or demonstration of popular acclaim especially by enthusiastic applause <received a standing ovation> He was welcomed by a warm ovation when he came out onto the stage. <received a standing ovation for the masterly performance>

itch

: an uncomfortable or unpleasant feeling on your skin or inside your mouth, nose, etc., that makes you want to scratch : a constant and strong desire for something or to do something a : an uneasy irritating sensation in the upper surface of the skin usually held to result from mild stimulation of pain receptors b : a skin disorder accompanied by such a sensation; especially : a contagious eruption caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrows in the skin and causes intense itching a : a restless usually constant often compulsive desire <an itch to travel> b : lust, prurience I had a slight itch on my back. Scratching only makes the itch worse. She's always had an itch for adventure. He has an itch to travel.

whatnot

: any of the other things that might also be mentioned : any of various other things that might also be mentioned <paper clips, pins, and whatnot> You can use the container to hold paper clips, pins, and whatnot. <the drawer is full of spare pens, paper clips, stray elastics and whatnot>

isolate

: being alone : solitary, isolated : an individual, population, strain, or culture obtained by or resulting from selection or separation : an individual socially withdrawn or removed from society <interpersonal relationships are very stressful for him, so he lives as a virtual isolate on the Upper West Side of Manhattan>

liberal

: believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change : relating to or supporting political liberalism Liberal : of or belonging to the liberal political party in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom : not opposed to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts <liberal education> b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth a : marked by generosity : openhanded <a liberal giver> b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way <a liberal meal> c : ample, full obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious : not literal or strict : loose <a liberal translation> : broad-minded; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives She is a liberal Democrat who married a conservative Republican. She has a liberal attitude toward sex. He made a very liberal donation to the museum. Many fishermen keep their holes from freezing over with liberal injections of antifreeze. —Time, 28 Feb. 1974 Synonym Discussion: liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>. : a person who believes that government should be active in supporting social and political change : a person who is politically liberal Liberal : a member or supporter of a liberal political party in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada : a person who is liberal: as a : one who is open-minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways b capitalized : a member or supporter of a liberal political party (see 1liberal) c : an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in individual rights

inherent

: belonging to the basic nature of someone or something : involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature or habit : intrinsic <risks inherent in the venture> He has an inherent sense of fair play. <an inherent concept of justice> It is one more proof that our world has lost the kind of exquisite sensibility displayed by John Milton when he came up with his definition of poetry. He first wrote "simple, sensual, and passionate," but he was bothered by the grossness inherent in "sensual," and so he invented the word "sensuous." —Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007

highborn

: born into a family with very high social status : of noble birth <skeptics have argued that these dramatic masterpieces must have been written by someone more highborn than one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon>

incessant

: continuing without stopping : not stopping : continuing or following without interruption : unceasing <the incessant noise from an outside repair crew was a real distraction during the test> Much of the early motor development of the child depends on learning and refining such procedures, through play, imitation, trial and error, and incessant rehearsal. —Oliver Sacks, New Yorker, 24 Sept. 2007 Synonym Discussion: continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence <continual showers the whole weekend>. continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension <football's oldest continuous rivalry>. constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence <lived in constant pain>. incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity <annoyed by the incessant quarreling>. perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration <a land of perpetual snowfall>. perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal <a perennial source of controversy>.

fuzzy

: covered with short, soft hairs, fur, etc. : covered with fuzz : not clear : not sharp or distinct : not clear in thought : marked by or giving a suggestion of fuzz <a fuzzy covering of felt> : lacking in clarity or definition <moving the camera causes fuzzy photos> : being, relating to, or invoking pleasant and usually sentimental emotions <warm and fuzzy feelings> The plant has fuzzy leaves. Without my glasses everything looks fuzzy. The line between our areas of responsibility is fuzzy. I think his reasoning is a little fuzzy.

inclusive

: covering or including everything : open to everyone : not limited to certain people : including the stated limits and everything in between : comprehending stated limits or extremes <from Monday to Friday inclusive> a : broad in orientation or scope b : covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services <a butterfly expert with an inclusive knowledge of his subject>

trimming

: defeat, beating : the act of one who trims a : a decorative accessory or additional item <trimmings for a hat> b : an additional garnishing <turkey and all the trimmings> <our football team suffered a pretty severe trimming>

habitual

: done regularly or repeatedly : doing something regularly or repeatedly : having the nature of a habit : customary <habitual candor> <habitual behavior> : doing, practicing, or acting in some manner by force of habit <habitual drunkards> : resorted to on a regular basis <our habitual diet> : inherent in an individual <habitual grace> He was fired for his habitual lateness. They went for their habitual evening walk. Synonym Discussion: usual, customary, habitual, wonted, accustomed mean familiar through frequent or regular repetition. usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness <my usual order for lunch>. customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community <the customary waiting period before the application is approved>. habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition <a habitual morning routine>. wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated <his wonted determination>. accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom <accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty>.

impressionable

: easy to influence : capable of being easily impressed The teacher was accused of forcing his political beliefs on impressionable teenagers. The book had a profound effect on his impressionable young mind.

identical

: exactly the same : exactly alike or equal : being the same : selfsame <the identical place we stopped before> : having such close resemblance as to be essentially the same <identical hats> —often used with to or with a : having the same cause or origin <identical infections> b : monozygotic We visited the identical place we stopped at last year. They were wearing identical coats. The boxes were identical in shape. They drove virtually identical cars. The results were identical to those of the first test. Synonym Discussion: same, selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not different or not differing from one another. same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things <took the same route> <derived from the selfsame source>. very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same, may imply likeness in kind <the very point I was trying to make>. identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details <identical results>. equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance <two houses equivalent in market value>. equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality <equal shares in the business>.

innate

: existing from the time a person or animal is born : existing as part of the basic nature of something : existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn <innate behavior> : belonging to the essential nature of something : inherent : originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience She has an innate sense of rhythm. the innate problems of wireless communication ... the delays innate in both serial and book publication ... —Walter Rundell, American Association of University Professors Bulletin, September 1971

inborn

: existing from the time someone is born : natural or instinctive : present from or as if from birth : hereditary, inherited She has an inborn talent for music. That kind of knowledge is acquired, not inborn.

abundant

: existing or occurring in large amounts a : marked by great plenty (as of resources) <a fair and abundant land> b : amply supplied : abounding <an area abundant with bird life> : occurring in abundance : ample <abundant rainfall> Rainfall is more abundant in summer. It is the most abundant bird in the forest. an abundant supply of food He offers abundant evidence that he is right. a society abundant in things to buy Synonym Discussion: plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than sufficient without being excessive. plentiful implies a great or rich supply <peaches are plentiful this summer>. ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement <ample food to last the winter>. abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful <streams abundant with fish>. copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness <copious examples of bureaucratic waste>.

congenital

: existing since birth : naturally having a specified character a : existing at or dating from birth <congenital deafness> b : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent <congenital fear of snakes> c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity <congenital syphilis> : being such by nature <a congenital liar> The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital. <a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it> Synonym Discussion: innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors <a congenital heart murmur> <eye color is hereditary>.

massive

: forming or consisting of a large mass: a : bulky b : weighty, heavy <massive walls> <a massive volume> c : impressively large or ponderous d : having no regular form but not necessarily lacking crystalline structure <massive sandstone> a : large, solid, or heavy in structure <massive jaw> b : large in scope or degree <the feeling of frustration, of being ineffectual, is massive — David Halberstam> c (1) : large in comparison to what is typical <a massive dose of penicillin> (2) : being extensive and severe <massive hemorrhage> (3) : imposing in excellence or grandeur <massive simplicity> : having mass <a massive boson> The fort had massive walls. stars more massive than the sun A massive effort will be required to clean up the debris. You can find a massive amount of information on the Internet. The stunt received massive publicity. a massive collection of baseball cards

generous

: freely giving or sharing money and other valuable things : providing more than the amount that is needed or normal : abundant or ample : showing kindness and concern for others archaic : highborn a : characterized by a noble or kindly spirit : magnanimous b : liberal in giving <a generous benefactor> c : marked by abundance or ample proportions <wide overhangs and generous verandas — Lewis Mumford> The school raised the money through donations from generous alumni. He was generous with both his time and his money. She has always been very generous toward the poor. This restaurant is known for its generous portions. a generous helping of mashed potatoes She has a generous heart. He has generous sympathy for unemployed workers. Synonym Discussion: liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>.

profuse

: given, produced, or existing in large amounts : pouring forth liberally : extravagant <profuse in their thanks> : exhibiting great abundance : bountiful <a profuse harvest> He offered profuse apologies for being late. They were profuse in their thanks. Synonym Discussion: profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint <profuse apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion <a lavish party>. prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance <a luxuriant beard>. lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>. exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

bountiful

: giving or providing many desired things : given or existing in large amounts : liberal in bestowing gifts or favors : given or provided abundantly <a bountiful harvest> a bountiful supply of water <a bountiful supply of apples for the harvest festival> Synonym Discussion: liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>.

lavish

: giving or using a large amount of something : given in large amounts : having a very rich and expensive quality : expending or bestowing profusely : prodigal a : expended or produced in abundance b : marked by profusion or excess a lavish display of flowers <this lavish consumption of our natural resources simply cannot continue> Synonym Discussion: profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint <profuse apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion <a lavish party>. prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance <a luxuriant beard>. lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>. exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

stamina

: great physical or mental strength that allows you to continue doing something for a long time : staying power, endurance Do you have the stamina to finish the job?

sporadic

: happening often but not regularly : not constant or steady : occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances <sporadic protests> <a sporadic disease> Sporadic cases of the disease were reported. <sporadic loud noises kept startling everyone> The law was indeed tightened, prohibiting the employment of illegal aliens on the valid assumption that removing the magnet of jobs is necessary to stem illegal immigration. But enforcement was sporadic at best, and has now virtually ceased. —Mark Krikorian, National Review, 26 Jan. 2004 Synonym Discussion: infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant. infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time <infrequent family visits>. uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation <smallpox is now uncommon in many countries>. scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance <jobs were scarce during the Depression>. rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value <rare first editions>. sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts <sporadic cases of influenza>.

subsequent

: happening or coming after something else : following in time, order, or place <subsequent events> <a subsequent clause in the treaty> The rate of population growth reached a peak in 1999 and declined in subsequent years. Her work had a great influence on subsequent generations. Subsequent studies confirmed their findings. his arrest and subsequent conviction Her subsequent account of her ordeal, "The Upstairs Room" (1972), was a young adult tour de force, winning a Newbery Honor and other awards. Compared with Anne Frank's "Diary of a Young Girl," it is sparer and sterner. —Leslie Garis, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009

swift

: happening or done quickly or immediately : moving or able to move very fast : smart or intelligent : moving or capable of moving with great speed <a swift runner> : occurring suddenly or within a very short time <a swift transition> : quick to respond : ready a swift and accurate response <the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta> Synonym Discussion: fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves <fast horses> and rapid to the movement itself <rapid current>. swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement <returned the ball with one swift stroke>. fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness <fleet runners>. quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time <a quick wit>. speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment <speedy delivery of mail> and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness <a hasty inspection>. expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment <the expeditious handling of an order>.

precipitate

: happening very quickly or too quickly without enough thought or planning a : falling, flowing, or rushing with steep descent b : precipitous, steep : exhibiting violent or unwise speed <the army's precipitate withdrawal from the field of battle> The precipitate decline in support for Aristide has probably less to do with Haiti's political crisis than with the continuous and unrelenting economic battering: the Haitian gourde, which a year ago was trading at 27 to the dollar, by late February was down to 55 to the dollar. —Peter Dailey, New York Review of Books, 27 Mar. 2002 Synonym Discussion: precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action <the army's precipitate withdrawal>. headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought <a headlong flight from arrest>. abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony <an abrupt refusal>. impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness <an impetuous lover proposing marriage>. sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action <flew into a sudden rage>.

imminent

: happening very soon : ready to take place; especially : hanging threateningly over one's head <was in imminent danger of being run over> We are awaiting their imminent arrival. These patients are facing imminent death. The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the local authorities were momentarily stunned, and began frantically trying to prepare for what they feared were further imminent attacks. —Richard A. Clarke, Atlantic, January/February 2005

tasty

: having a good flavor : pleasing to the taste : very appealing or interesting : very attractive a : having a marked and appetizing flavor <a tasty meal> b : strikingly attractive or interesting <a tasty bit of gossip> : tasteful <the tasty prospect of getting his revenge after all those years> <a selection of tasty doughnuts from the corner bakery> Synonym Discussion: palatable, appetizing, savory, tasty, toothsome mean agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste. palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable <butterflies that birds find palatable>. appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste <appetizing hors d'oeuvres>. savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness <dumplings with savory fillings>. tasty implies a pronounced taste <a tart and tasty pie>. toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness <an enticing array of toothsome desserts>.

spacious

: having a large amount of space : vast or ample in extent : roomy <a spacious residence> : large or magnificent in scale : expansive <a more spacious and stimulating existence than the farm could offer — H. L. Mencken> <almost all of the guests were able to fit into the spacious living room>

lush

: having a lot of full and healthy growth : covered with healthy green plants : having a pleasingly rich quality a : growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage <lush grass> b : lavishly productive: as (1) : fertile (2) : thriving (3) : characterized by abundance : plentiful (4) : prosperous, profitable a : savory, delicious b : appealing to the senses <the lush sounds of the orchestra> c : opulent, sumptuous <lush accommodations> The frequent rainfall encourages the lush growth of trees, ferns, and shrubs. She always wanted to live on a lush Caribbean island. The hills are lush with deep, thick grass. a lush and fruity wine Synonym Discussion: profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint <profuse apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion <a lavish party>. prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance <a luxuriant beard>. lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>. exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

palatable

: having a pleasant or agreeable taste : pleasant or acceptable to someone : agreeable to the palate or taste : agreeable or acceptable to the mind a less than palatable beer <I did not find the idea of moving again very palatable.>

savory

: having a pleasant taste or smell : having a spicy or salty quality without being sweet : morally good : having savor: as a : piquantly pleasant to the mind <a savory triumph> b : morally exemplary : edifying c : pleasing to the sense of taste especially by reason of effective seasoning d : pungently flavorful without sweetness They prepared an assortment of both sweet and savory foods. <cedar is one of the most savory of all woods> Synonym Discussion: palatable, appetizing, savory, tasty, toothsome mean agreeable or pleasant especially to the sense of taste. palatable often applies to something that is found to be merely agreeable <butterflies that birds find palatable>. appetizing suggests a whetting of the appetite and applies to aroma and appearance as well as taste <appetizing hors d'oeuvres>. savory applies to both taste and aroma and suggests piquancy and often spiciness <dumplings with savory fillings>. tasty implies a pronounced taste <a tart and tasty pie>. toothsome stresses the notion of agreeableness and sometimes implies tenderness or daintiness <an enticing array of toothsome desserts>.

associate

: having a rank or position that is below the highest level in a group, organization, etc. : closely connected (as in function or office) with another : closely related especially in the mind : having secondary or subordinate status <associate membership in a society> He's an associate member of the club but he hopes to become a full member soon. She was promoted from assistant editor to associate editor and may soon be promoted to senior editor. : a person who you work with or spend time with : a member of a group or organization who is at a level that is below the highest level : one associated with another: as a : partner, colleague b : companion, comrade a : an entry-level member (as of a learned society, professional organization, or profession) b : employee, worker often capitalized : a degree conferred especially by a junior college <associate in arts> Her associates respected her for her hard work. She started as an associate at the law firm.

luxuriant

: having heavy and thick growth : having an appealingly rich quality a : yielding abundantly : fertile, fruitful b : characterized by abundant growth : lush <luxuriant vegetation> : abundantly and often extravagantly rich and varied : prolific : characterized by luxury : luxurious <a luxuriant fabric> <an older man who still has a luxuriant head of hair> <a luxuriant coat of fur> Synonym Discussion: profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint <profuse apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion <a lavish party>. prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance <a luxuriant beard>. lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>. exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

haphazard

: having no plan, order, or direction : marked by lack of plan, order, or direction We were given a haphazard tour of the city. <considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good> Synonym Discussion: random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure <a random selection of books>. haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence <a haphazard collection of rocks>. casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose <a casual collector>.

glorious

: having or deserving glory, fame, or honor : very beautiful or delightful a : possessing or deserving glory : illustrious b : entitling one to glory <a glorious victory> : marked by great beauty or splendor : magnificent <a glorious sunset> : delightful, wonderful <had a glorious weekend> He had a long and glorious military career. The old ruins give only a hint of the city's glorious past. The government has described the battle as a glorious victory. Our room had a glorious view of the mountains.

ample

: having or providing enough or more than enough of what is needed : quite large —used to describe a person's (especially a woman's) body as being large in usually an attractive way : generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity <there was room for an ample garden> : generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or need <they had ample money for the trip> : buxom, portly <an ample figure> They had ample money for the trip. The police found ample evidence of wrongdoing. There is ample parking at the stadium. You will have ample opportunity to finish the test. The light in the room is more than ample. There was room for an ample garden. an ample serving of pie Synonym Discussion: spacious, commodious, capacious, ample mean larger in extent or capacity than the average. spacious implies great length and breadth <a spacious front lawn>. commodious stresses roominess and comfortableness <a commodious and airy penthouse apartment>. capacious stresses the ability to hold, contain, or retain more than the average <a capacious suitcase>. ample implies having a greater size, expanse, or amount than that deemed adequate <ample closet space>. plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than sufficient without being excessive. plentiful implies a great or rich supply <peaches are plentiful this summer>. ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement <ample food to last the winter>. abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful <streams abundant with fish>. copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness <copious examples of bureaucratic waste>.

malevolent

: having or showing a desire to cause harm to another person : having, showing, or arising from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred : productive of harm or evil <the novel grossly oversimplified the conflict as a struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other> There was no acknowledgment of the effects of cycle upon cycle of malevolent defeat, of the injury of seeing one generation rise above the cusp of poverty only to be indignantly crushed, of the impact of repeating tsunamis of violence ... —Douglas A. Blackmon, Slavery By Another Name, 2008

magnanimous

: having or showing a generous and kind nature : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit <the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers — Joseph Addison> : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind <too sincere for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment — Ellen Glasgow> She was too magnanimous to resent all the things others had said to her. <a magnanimous donation to the town's animal shelter> "No problem," I dismissed his concerns with a magnanimous flick of the wrist. —Tom Perrotta, Joe College, 2000 Word Root of MAGNANIMOUS: The Latin word anima, meaning "breath" or "spirit," gives us the root anim. Words from the Latin anima have something to do with having breath or spirit. An animal is a living creature that breathes and can move around on its own. To animate something is to give it breath or life. Someone magnanimous has a courageous spirit.

intuitive

: having the ability to know or understand things without any proof or evidence : having or characterized by intuition : based on or agreeing with what is known or understood without any proof or evidence : known or understood by intuition : agreeing with what seems naturally right a : known or perceived by intuition : directly apprehended <had an intuitive awareness of his sister's feelings> b : knowable by intuition <intuitive truths> c : based on or agreeing with intuition <intuitive responses> <makes intuitive sense> d : readily learned or understood <software with an intuitive interface> : knowing or perceiving by intuition : possessing or given to intuition or insight <an intuitive mind> She has an intuitive mind. a doctor with an intuitive awareness of his patients' concerns The argument makes intuitive sense. The software has an intuitive interface. The controls of an airplane are intuitive. Push to nose down, pull to nose up, turn left, turn right. —Stephan Wilkinson, Popular Science, December 2002

equivocal

: having two or more possible meanings : not easily understood or explained a : subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse <an equivocal statement> b : uncertain as an indication or sign <equivocal evidence> a : of uncertain nature or classification <equivocal shapes> b : of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided <an equivocal attitude> c : of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude <equivocal behavior> He responded to reporters' questions with equivocal answers. The experiment produced equivocal results. When I go to galleries to see new art. ... I don't care about what I see unless it holds my eye, and that is an almost involuntary experience; but once something has that hold on me—even in a tentative, equivocal way—other factors come into play, and I find myself reaching for analogies, ideas, theories. —Jed Perl, New Republic, 20 Mar. 2000 Synonym Discussion: obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge <obscure poems>. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark hints of revenge>. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague sense of obligation>. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality <enigmatic occult writings>. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning <cryptic hints of hidden treasure>. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>.

indelible

: impossible to remove or forget : producing marks that cannot be erased a : that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased b : making marks that cannot easily be removed <an indelible pencil> a : lasting <indelible memories> b : unforgettable, memorable <an indelible performance> <winning the state basketball championship was our team's most indelible experience> But the most indelible evening of the rebellion for me was the night I had first got beaten. —Amiri Baraka, The Autobiography of Leroi Jones, 1984

scope

: intention, object : space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought : extent of treatment, activity, or influence : range of operation: as a : the range of a logical operator : a string in predicate calculus that is governed by a quantifier b : a grammatical constituent that determines the interpretation of a predicate or quantifier : any of various instruments for viewing: as a : microscope b : telescope c : a telescope mounted on a firearm for use as a sight : horoscope

broad

: large from one side to the other side : having a specified width : including or involving many things or people : wide in range or amount a : having ample extent from side to side or between limits <broad shoulders> b : having a specified extension from side to side <made the path 10 feet broad> : extending far and wide : spacious <the broad plains> a : open, full <broad daylight> b : plain, obvious <a broad hint> : dialectal especially in pronunciation : marked by lack of restraint, delicacy, or subtlety: a obsolete : outspoken b : coarse, risqué <broad humor> of a vowel : open —used specifically of a pronounced as in father a : liberal, tolerant <broad views> b : widely applicable or applied : general <a broad rule> : relating to the main or essential points <broad outlines> The store has a broad selection of coats. There was broad agreement on the new government. There are three broad categories of industry in the region: computers, finance, and education. the broad outlines of a problem discusses "family" in its broadest sense Synonym Discussion: broad, wide, deep mean having horizontal extent. broad and wide apply to a surface measured or viewed from side to side <a broad avenue>. wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned <rugs eight feet wide> or applied to unfilled space between limits <a wide doorway>. broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered <broad shoulders>. deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point <a deep cupboard> <deep woods>.

concrete

: made of concrete : relating to or involving specific people, things, or actions rather than general ideas or qualities : naming a real thing or class of things <the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract> : formed by coalition of particles into one solid mass a : characterized by or belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events b : specific, particular <a concrete proposal> c : real, tangible <concrete evidence> : relating to or made of concrete <a concrete wall> It's helpful to have concrete examples of how words are used in context. We hope the meetings will produce concrete results.

heterogeneous

: made up of parts that are different : consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents : mixed <the seating in the hall was a heterogeneous collection of old school desk chairs, wood and metal folding chairs, and even a few plush theater seats>

homogeneous

: made up of the same kind of people or things : of the same or a similar kind or nature : of uniform structure or composition throughout <a culturally homogeneous neighborhood> : having the property that if each variable is replaced by a constant times that variable the constant can be factored out : having each term of the same degree if all variables are considered <a homogeneous equation> a fairly homogeneous collection of examples In their natural state, mountains of this type are almost entirely covered by dense forest. The wooded landscape is very uniform, lacking in contrast, and any disturbance of the homogeneous green blanket is very obvious ... —John Crowley, Focus on Geography, Winter 2007

conducive

: making it easy, possible, or likely for something to happen or exist : tending to promote or assist <an atmosphere conducive to education> <the claim that the state's long-standing antitax attitude is conducive to entrepreneurship> <the noisy environment of the dorms was not very conducive to studying> ... air-conditioner cooling towers on the roof provided a conducive summertime abode, from which the germs circulated throughout the edifice in a fine infectious mist. —Wayne Biddle, A Field Guide to Germs, 1995

upper hand

: mastery, advantage, control <was determined not to let the opposition get the upper hand> <finally gained the upper hand in the argument>

trim

: neat and orderly : slim and healthy obsolete : excellent, fine : ready for service or use; also : in good physical condition <keeps trim by jogging> : exhibiting neatness, good order, or compactness of line or structure <trim houses> She has a trim figure. He keeps fit and trim by biking. : an act of trimming something (such as hair) : material (such as ribbons, lace, etc.) that is used for decorating something especially around its edges : suitable or excellent condition <tries to keep in trim> a : one's clothing or appearance b : material used for ornament or trimming c : the woodwork in the finish of a building especially around openings d : the interior furnishings of an automobile a : the position of a ship or boat especially with reference to the horizontal; also : the difference between the draft of a ship forward and that aft b : the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship c : the buoyancy status of a submarine d : the attitude of a lighter-than-air craft relative to a fore-and-aft horizontal plane e : the attitude with respect to wind axes at which an airplane will continue in level flight with free controls : something that is trimmed off or cut out : a haircut that neatens a previous haircut a skirt with lace trim <the doctor declared her to be in good trim for the race>

impervious

: not allowing something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through : not bothered or affected by something a : not allowing entrance or passage : impenetrable <a coat impervious to rain> b : not capable of being damaged or harmed <a carpet impervious to rough treatment> : not capable of being affected or disturbed <impervious to criticism> ... Berlin struck me, above all, as impervious to any political reactions whatever ... —Stephen Spender, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct.1977 He looked at her, impervious to her tears ... —Jean Stafford, Children Are Bored on Sunday, (1945) 1953 ... the trunk ... is encased in so hard a bark, as to be almost impervious to a bullet ... —Herman Melville, Omoo, 1847 <the material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain> <the rain forest is impervious to all but the most dedicated explorers> : not letting something enter or pass through <The coat is impervious to rain.> : not bothered or affected by something <He's impervious to their criticism.>

oblique

: not direct : not stated directly of a line : having a slanting direction or position : neither perpendicular nor parallel a : neither perpendicular nor parallel : inclined b : having the axis not perpendicular to the base <an oblique cone> c : having no right angle <an oblique triangle> a : not straightforward : indirect; also : obscure b : devious, underhanded : situated at an angle and having one end not inserted on bone <oblique muscles> : taken from an airplane with the camera directed horizontally or diagonally downward <an oblique photograph> The short lines of the letter "k" are oblique lines. <gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye> Harden ... , who missed a month with a strained left oblique muscle, has become one of the game's most intimidating starters in just his second full big league season. —Albert Chen, Sports Illustrated, 8 Aug. 2005 : something (as a line) that is oblique : any of several oblique muscles; especially : any of the thin flat muscles forming the middle and outer layers of the lateral walls of the abdomen We each received a list of every muscle group (back, inner thighs, outer thighs, quads, biceps, obliques, upper abs, etc.), with detailed comments on which ones we needed to change. —anonymous, Cosmopolitan, November 2007

placid

: not easily upset or excited : not moving much : calm and steady : serenely free of interruption or disturbance <placid skies> <a placid disposition>; also : complacent a person with a sunny, placid disposition the placid surface of the lake

nonverbal

: not involving or using words : not able to speak : not verbal: as a : being other than verbal <nonverbal factors> b : involving minimal use of language <nonverbal tests> c : ranking low in verbal skill <a nonverbal child> Facial expressions are very important for nonverbal communication.

separate

: not joined, connected, or combined : placed or kept apart : different from something else : not related a : set or kept apart : detached b archaic : solitary, secluded c : immaterial, disembodied a : not shared with another : individual <separate rooms> b often capitalized : estranged from a parent body <separate churches> a : existing by itself : autonomous <a separate country> b : dissimilar in nature or identity <consulted five separate authorities> There are separate restrooms for men and women. The boys have separate rooms. They slept in separate beds. We use the same Internet service provider but have separate accounts. That's an entirely separate issue. Today, there are an estimated 30,000 teams playing travel ball, which is entirely separate from more long-standing youth organizations like Little League ... —Sara Corbett New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006 Synonym Discussion: distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same. distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others <two distinct versions>. separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things <separate rooms>. discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection <broke the job down into discrete stages>. : offprint : an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form various costume combinations —usually used in plural "Women have a very strong sense of what works for them," says Lyn Devon, the New York designer who sells a nuanced line of silk separates and tailored dresses from her SoHo studio. —Jane Herman, Vogue, June 2006

neat

: not messy : clean and orderly : liking to keep things very clean and orderly : simple and clever : free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly a : free from admixture or dilution : straight <neat brandy> <neat cement> b : free from irregularity : smooth <neat silk> : marked by tasteful simplicity <a neat outfit> a : precise, systematic b : marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit : net <neat profit> : fine, admirable He keeps his apartment neat and clean. The store is always busy but they manage to keep the shelves stocked and neat. a nice neat pile of magazines Fold the paper to make a neat edge. a neat man who always wore a suit He's got a neat way of memorizing information. There is, unfortunately, no neat solution to the problem. She's a neat person who has traveled a lot. Word History of NEAT: The English word neat can be traced back to a Latin adjective nitidus that meant "shining," "bright," or "clear." The French word net that came from this Latin word had the same meanings and came into English as neat. English neat at first meant "bright" or "clean." Later it was used to mean "simple and in good taste," "skillful," and "tidy." Synonym Discussion: neat, tidy, and trim mean showing care and a concern for order. neat is used when something is clean in addition to being orderly. <Your clothes should always be neat.> tidy is used for something that is continually kept orderly and neat. <I work hard to keep my room tidy.> trim is used when something is orderly and compact. <They live in trim, comfortable houses.>

exclusive

: not shared : available to only one person or group : only allowing in people from a high social class : available to only a few people because of high cost a : excluding or having power to exclude b : limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group a : excluding others from participation b : snobbishly aloof a : accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class) b : stylish, fashionable c : restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense a : single, sole <exclusive jurisdiction> b : whole, undivided <his exclusive attention> He belongs to an exclusive club. She attended an exclusive private school. one of the city's most exclusive restaurants They gave their exclusive attention to the job. : a news story that appears in only one newspaper or that is broadcast by only one television or radio station : something exclusive: as a : a news story at first released to or reported by only one source b : an exclusive right (as to sell a particular product in a certain area)

obscure

: not well-known : not known to most people : difficult to understand : likely to be understood by only a few people : difficult or impossible to know completely and with certainty a : dark, dim b : shrouded in or hidden by darkness c : not clearly seen or easily distinguished : faint <obscure markings> : not readily understood or clearly expressed; also : mysterious : relatively unknown: as a : remote, secluded <an obscure village> b : not prominent or famous <an obscure poet> : constituting the unstressed vowel \ə\ or having unstressed \ə\ as its value The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand. The origins of the language are obscure. Many people shared an obscure sense of gratification that [Dylan] Thomas had died young, as a poet should. —Adam Kirsch, New Yorker, 5 July 2004 Synonym Discussion: obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge <obscure poems>. dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion <muttered dark hints of revenge>. vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration <a vague sense of obligation>. enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality <enigmatic occult writings>. cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning <cryptic hints of hidden treasure>. ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation <an ambiguous directive>. equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading <moral precepts with equivocal phrasing>.

triennial

: occurring or being done every three years <the triennial convention> : consisting of or lasting for three years <a triennial contract>

mechanical

: of or relating to machinery : having or using machinery : happening or done without thought or without any effort to be different or interesting a (1) : of or relating to machinery or tools <mechanical applications of science> <a mechanical genius> <mechanical aptitude> (2) : produced or operated by a machine or tool <mechanical power> <a mechanical refrigerator> <a mechanical saw> b : of or relating to manual operations : of or relating to artisans or machinists <the mechanical trades> a : done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic b : of or relating to technicalities or petty matters a : relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics <mechanical energy> b : relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter <mechanical pressure of wind on a tower> : caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process <mechanical erosion of rock> The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems. I was impressed by her mechanical know-how. She gave a mechanical reply. Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job. The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance. Synonym Discussion: spontaneous, impulsive, instinctive, automatic, mechanical mean acting or activated without deliberation. spontaneous implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness <a spontaneous burst of applause>. impulsive implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit of the moment <impulsive acts of violence>. instinctive stresses action involving neither judgment nor will <blinking is an instinctive reaction>. automatic implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable response <his denial was automatic>. mechanical stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory character of the response <a mechanical teaching method>.

companion

: one that accompanies another : comrade, associate; also : one that keeps company with another obsolete : rascal a : one that is closely connected with something similar b : one employed to live with and serve another : a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space

hereditary

: passed or able to be passed from parent to child before birth : passing from a person who has died to that person's child or younger relative : holding a position or title that was passed on from your parent or an older relative a : genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring b : characteristic of or fostered by one's predecessors a : received or passing by inheritance or required to pass by inheritance or by reason of birth b : having title or possession through inheritance or by reason of birth : of a kind established by tradition <hereditary enemies> : of or relating to inheritance or heredity He suffers from a rare hereditary condition. <eye and hair color are hereditary> Synonym Discussion: innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors <a congenital heart murmur> <eye color is hereditary>.

venom

: poison that is produced by an animal (such as a snake) and used to kill or injure another animal usually through biting or stinging : a very strong feeling of anger or hatred : poisonous matter normally secreted by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) and transmitted to prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging; broadly : material that is poisonous : ill will, malevolence She spoke of him with venom in her voice. He spewed venom against his rival.

vertical

: positioned up and down rather than from side to side : going straight up : having a structure in which there are top, middle, and bottom levels a : situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith b of an aerial photograph : taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so a : perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright b (1) : located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface (2) : lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise a : relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale <a vertical monopoly> b : of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status <the vertical arrangement of society> a shirt with vertical stripes the vertical axis of a graph Synonym Discussion: vertical, perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a base line. vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith <the side of the cliff is almost vertical>. perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one <the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts>. plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity <make sure that the wall is plumb>.

plentiful

: present in large amounts : containing or giving large amounts of something : containing or yielding plenty <a plentiful land> : characterized by, constituting, or existing in plenty Gasoline won't always be cheap and plentiful. Space is plentiful enough for several homes. Natural gas is a plentiful resource. These vegetables are a plentiful source of vitamins. Synonym Discussion: plentiful, ample, abundant, copious mean more than sufficient without being excessive. plentiful implies a great or rich supply <peaches are plentiful this summer>. ample implies a generous sufficiency to satisfy a particular requirement <ample food to last the winter>. abundant suggests an even greater or richer supply than does plentiful <streams abundant with fish>. copious stresses largeness of supply rather than fullness or richness <copious examples of bureaucratic waste>.

prolific

: producing a large amount of something : producing young or fruit especially freely : fruitful archaic : causing abundant growth, generation, or reproduction : marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity <a prolific composer> <a famously prolific author who could produce several works of fiction and nonfiction a year> Since [David] Mamet is a prolific writer of Hollywood screenplays, there are today more people who know his work than know that they know it. —Juliet Fleming, Times Literary Supplement, 18 Feb. 2000 Synonym Discussion: fertile, fecund, fruitful, prolific mean producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit. fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth <fertile soil>; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development <a fertile imagination>. fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring <a fecund herd>. fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results <fruitful research>. prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction <a prolific writer>.

fecund

: producing or able to produce many babies, young animals, or plants : fruitful in offspring or vegetation : prolific : intellectually productive or inventive to a marked degree <a fecund imagination> a fecund breed of cattle <the Franklin stove, bifocals, and the lightning rod are just a few of the inventions that we owe to the fecund creativity of Benjamin Franklin> Synonym Discussion: fertile, fecund, fruitful, prolific mean producing or capable of producing offspring or fruit. fertile implies the power to reproduce in kind or to assist in reproduction and growth <fertile soil>; applied figuratively, it suggests readiness of invention and development <a fertile imagination>. fecund emphasizes abundance or rapidity in bearing fruit or offspring <a fecund herd>. fruitful adds to fertile and fecund the implication of desirable or useful results <fruitful research>. prolific stresses rapidity of spreading or multiplying by or as if by natural reproduction <a prolific writer>.

shining

: producing or reflecting a bright, steady light : excellent or perfect : emitting or reflecting light : bright and often splendid in appearance : resplendent : possessing a distinguished quality : illustrious : full of sunshine Her latest movie is a shining example of what a film can be. <the shining moon formed a nice backdrop for our outdoor concert>

testament

: proof or evidence that something exists or is true law : the legal instructions in which you say who should receive your property, possessions, etc., after you die a archaic : a covenant between God and the human race b capitalized : either of two main divisions of the Bible a : a tangible proof or tribute b : an expression of conviction : creed a : an act by which a person determines the disposition of his or her property after death b : will The success of the album, which is only available online, is a testament to the power of the Internet. a person's last will and testament

responsive

: reacting in a desired or positive way : quick to react or respond : giving response : constituting a response : answering <a responsive glance> <responsive aggression> : quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive : using responses <a responsive liturgy> The patient was not responsive to the treatment. The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.

abstract

: relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than specific people, objects, or actions of art : expressing ideas and emotions by using elements such as colors and lines without attempting to create a realistic picture a : disassociated from any specific instance <an abstract entity> b : difficult to understand : abstruse <abstract problems> c : insufficiently factual : formal <possessed only an abstract right> : expressing a quality apart from an object <the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract> a : dealing with a subject in its abstract aspects : theoretical <abstract science> b : impersonal, detached <the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time> : having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content <abstract painting> It is true that the atrocities that were known remained abstract and remote, rarely acquiring the status of knee-buckling knowledge among ordinary Americans. Because the savagery of genocide so defies our everyday experience, many of us failed to wrap our minds around it. —Samantha Power, New York Times Book Review, 14 Mar. 2002 A glance into the classrooms of the Los Angeles public school system ... fleshes out the abstract debates with the faces of children. —Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 I take my photographs and print them on a laser copying machine in the "photo" mode; the resulting image is more stark and abstract than a traditional photographic print, which tends to dominate the page regardless of the text. —Leslie Marmon Silko, Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit, 1996 abstract ideas such as love and hate "Honesty" is an abstract word. The word "poem" is concrete, the word "poetry" is abstract. : a brief written statement of the main points or facts in a longer report, speech, etc. : an abstract work of art (such as a painting) : a summary of points (as of a writing) usually presented in skeletal form; also : something that summarizes or concentrates the essentials of a larger thing or several things : an abstract thing or state (see 1abstract) : abstraction an artist admired for his abstracts <the scientist wrote a bare-bones abstract of his research and conclusions>

forensic

: relating to the use of scientific knowledge or methods in solving crimes : relating to, used in, or suitable to a court of law : belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate : argumentative, rhetorical : relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems <forensic medicine> <forensic science> <forensic pathologist> <forensic experts>

partner

: someone's husband or wife or the person someone has sexual relations with : one of two or more people, businesses, etc., that work together or do business together : someone who participates in an activity or game with another person archaic : one that shares : partaker a : one associated with another especially in an action : associate, colleague b : either of two persons who dance together c : one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side d : a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple : a member of a partnership especially in a business; also : such membership : one of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support a mast —usually used in plural His partner, his wife of 20 years, was shocked to hear about his accident. They are partners in the real estate business. Singapore's most important trading partner is Indonesia. She was a senior partner at the Wall Street firm. We were each assigned a partner for the project.

fringe benefit

: something extra (such as vacation time) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay : an employment benefit (as a pension or a paid holiday) granted by an employer that has a monetary value but does not affect basic wage rates : any additional benefit <increased energy is a fringe benefit of regular exercise>

stimulus

: something that causes something else to happen, develop, or become more active : something that causes a change or a reaction : something that rouses or incites to activity: as a : incentive b : stimulant c : an agent (as an environmental change) that directly influences the activity of a living organism or one of its parts (as by exciting a sensory organ or evoking muscular contraction or glandular secretion) The pay raise was a stimulus for production. Heat and light are physical stimuli. The dog responded to the stimulus of the ringing bell.

patchwork

: something that is made up of different things : pieces of cloth of different colors and shapes that are sewn together in a pattern : something composed of miscellaneous or incongruous parts : hodgepodge : pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together to form a covering; also : something resembling such a covering <a patchwork of fields> The valley is a patchwork of family farms. A patchwork of laws prevent the land from being developed. a patchwork system of laws

amenity

: something that makes life easier or more pleasant a : the quality of being pleasant or agreeable b (1) : the attractiveness and value of real estate or of a residential structure (2) : a feature conducive to such attractiveness and value usually plural : something (as a conventional social gesture) that conduces to smoothness or pleasantness of social relationships <maintaining social amenities> : something that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment <hotels with modern amenities> The hotel has every amenity you could want. <an unhappy, bickering couple who, at least in public, observe all the amenities of polite behavior>

issue

: something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic : the version of a newspaper, magazine, etc., that is published at a particular time : the act of officially making something available or giving something to people to be used : the act of issuing something plural : proceeds from a source of revenue (as an estate) 2 : the action of going, coming, or flowing out : egress, emergence 3 : a means or place of going out : exit, outlet 4 : offspring, progeny <died without issue> 5 a : a final outcome that usually constitutes a solution (as of a problem) or resolution (as of a difficulty) b obsolete : a final conclusion or decision about something arrived at after consideration c archaic : termination, end <hope that his enterprise would have a prosperous issue — T. B. Macaulay> 6 a : a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties b (1) : a vital or unsettled matter <economic issues> (2) : concern, problem <I have issues with his behavior> c : the point at which an unsettled matter is ready for a decision <brought the matter to an issue> 7 : a discharge (as of blood) from the body 8 a : something coming forth from a specified source <issues of a disordered imagination> b obsolete : deed 9 a : the act of publishing or officially giving out or making available <the next issue of commemorative stamps> <issue of supplies by the quartermaster> b : the thing or the whole quantity of things given out at one time <read the latest issue> -at issue : in a state of controversy : in disagreement also in issue : under discussion or in dispute She is concerned with a variety of social issues. Water purity is a public health issue. The President's speech addressed a number of important issues. campaign issues like education and defense The issue is poverty, not race: to talk about race is simply to confuse the issue. The case involves some complicated legal issues. He should stop dodging the issue and make a decision now. There's an interesting article on page 12 of this issue. the most recent issue of the magazine

panacea

: something that will make everything about a situation better : a remedy for all ills or difficulties : cure-all The law will improve the lives of local farmers, but it is no panacea. <a woman who seems to believe that chicken soup is a panacea for nearly everything>

evidence

: something which shows that something else exists or is true : a visible sign of something : material that is presented to a court of law to help find the truth about something a : an outward sign : indication b : something that furnishes proof : testimony; specifically : something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter : one who bears witness; especially : one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against his accomplices — in evidence : to be seen : conspicuous <trim lawns ... are everywhere in evidence — American Guide Series: North Carolina> : as evidence There is no evidence that these devices actually work. He has been unable to find evidence to support his theory. Investigators could find no evidence linking him to the crime. The jury had a great deal of evidence to sort through before reaching a verdict. There is not a scrap of evidence in her favor. Anything you say may be used as evidence against you.

proof

: something which shows that something else is true or correct : an act or process of showing that something is true mathematics : a test which shows that a calculation is correct a : the cogency of evidence that compels acceptance by the mind of a truth or a fact b : the process or an instance of establishing the validity of a statement especially by derivation from other statements in accordance with principles of reasoning obsolete : experience : something that induces certainty or establishes validity archaic : the quality or state of having been tested or tried; especially : unyielding hardness : evidence operating to determine the finding or judgment of a tribunal a plural proofs or proof : a copy (as of typeset text) made for examination or correction b : a test impression of an engraving, etching, or lithograph c : a coin that is struck from a highly polished die on a polished planchet, is not intended for circulation, and sometimes differs in metallic content from coins of identical design struck for circulation d : a test photographic print made from a negative : a test applied to articles or substances to determine whether they are of standard or satisfactory quality a : the minimum alcoholic strength of proof spirit b : strength with reference to the standard for proof spirit; specifically : alcoholic strength indicated by a number that is twice the percent by volume of alcohol present <whiskey of 90 proof is 45 percent alcohol> The document was proof that her story was true. He claims that he was home when the murder was committed, but he has no proof. The proof shows that the theorem is true.

haste

: speed of motion or action : quickness or eagerness that can result in mistakes : rapidity of motion : swiftness : rash or headlong action : precipitateness <the beauty of speed uncontaminated by haste — Harper's> : undue eagerness to act The application had been approved with undue haste. <made haste to get there on time> Synonym Discussion: haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action. haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness <marry in haste>. hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion <in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush>. speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action <exercises to increase your reading speed>. expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters <the case came to trial with expedition> <paid bills with dispatch>.

outspoken

: talking in a free and honest way about your opinions : direct and open in speech or expression : frank <outspoken in his criticism — Current Biography> : spoken or expressed without reserve <his outspoken advocacy of gun control> She has been an outspoken advocate of women's rights throughout her life. an outspoken and controversial radio host She's very outspoken about political issues.

discernment

: the ability to see and understand people, things, or stituations clearly and intelligently : the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning : an act of perceiving or discerning something His lack of discernment led to his disastrous choice of business partners. <the discernment to know when someone is a true friend> I wasn't sanguine about my powers of discernment, as I've failed similar exercises in the Central Park Ramble, where I practice bird-watching for dummies and am scarcely able to distinguish a rook from a duck. —Judith Thurman, New Yorker, 1 Dec., 2003 Synonym Discussion: discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art) <the discernment to know true friends>. discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent <the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music>. perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling) <a novelist of keen perception into human motives>. penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial <lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles>. insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy <a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless>. acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment <a director of reliable box-office acumen>.

acumen

: the ability to think clearly and make good decisions : keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters Her political acumen won her the election. a lack of business acumen And perhaps this is just part of Washington's transition into the new economy: the triumph of national brands over local loyalty, of business acumen over upper Northwest idealism. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 7 Feb. 2000 Synonym Discussion: discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art) <the discernment to know true friends>. discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent <the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music>. perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling) <a novelist of keen perception into human motives>. penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial <lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles>. insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy <a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless>. acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment <a director of reliable box-office acumen>.

insight

: the ability to understand people and situations in a very clear way : an understanding of the true nature of something : the power or act of seeing into a situation : penetration : the act or result of apprehending the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively ... I had a big insight and a little insight about the book. —Rust Hills, Esquire, April 1973 ... realizing this gave me no insight into how to correct it. —Bartley McSwine, Change, May-June 1971 ... might well offer fresh insights as to the character and extent of the social adaptation involved. —George C. Barker, ETC, Summer 1945 He is a leader of great insight. The author analyzes the problem with remarkable insight. I had a sudden insight. Her book provides us with fresh new insights into this behavior. Synonym Discussion: discernment, discrimination, perception, penetration, insight, acumen mean a power to see what is not evident to the average mind. discernment stresses accuracy (as in reading character or motives or appreciating art) <the discernment to know true friends>. discrimination stresses the power to distinguish and select what is true or appropriate or excellent <the discrimination that develops through listening to a lot of great music>. perception implies quick and often sympathetic discernment (as of shades of feeling) <a novelist of keen perception into human motives>. penetration implies a searching mind that goes beyond what is obvious or superficial <lacks the penetration to see the scorn beneath their friendly smiles>. insight suggests depth of discernment coupled with understanding sympathy <a documentary providing insight into the plight of the homeless>. acumen implies characteristic penetration combined with keen practical judgment <a director of reliable box-office acumen>. Medical Definition of insight: : understanding or awareness of one's mental or emotional condition; especially : recognition that one is mentally ill : immediate and clear understanding (as seeing the solution to a problem or the means to reaching a goal) that takes place without recourse to overt trial-and-error behavior

alignment

: the act of aligning or state of being aligned; especially : the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other a : a forming in line b : the line thus formed : the ground plan (as of a railroad or highway) in distinction from the profile : an arrangement of groups or forces in relation to one another <new alignments within the political party> The school has to bring its programs into alignment with state requirements. New alignments have been created within the political party.

diversion

: the act of changing the direction or use of something : the act of diverting something : something that people do because it is enjoyable, entertaining, or pleasant : something that takes attention away from what is happening : the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use : deviation <bad weather forced the diversion of several flights> : something that diverts or amuses : pastime : an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation British : a temporary traffic detour small diversions of river water for irrigation Hiking is one of my favorite diversions. Our town offers few diversions. Sports provide him with a welcome diversion from the pressures of his job. He created a diversion while his partner stole her pocketbook.

restitution

: the act of returning something that was lost or stolen to its owner : payment that is made to someone for damage, trouble, etc. : an act of restoring or a condition of being restored: as a : a restoration of something to its rightful owner b : a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury : a legal action serving to cause restoration of a previous state the restitution of her stolen property He was ordered to make restitution to the victim.

toss

: the act of throwing or tossing something with a quick, light motion : the act of throwing a coin up into the air in order to make a decision about something based on which side of the coin is shown after it lands : the act of moving your head suddenly upward and backward : the state or fact of being tossed : an act or instance of tossing: as a : an abrupt tilting or upward fling b : a deciding by chance and especially by flipping a coin c : throw, pitch They decided what to do by a coin toss. the toss of a coin She threw her hair back with a toss of her head.

cast

: the actors in a play, film, or television show : a hard covering that is put on an arm, leg, etc., so that a broken bone can heal : a container that is used to give its form or shape to something that is poured or pressed into it; also : an object that is made by using such a container a : an act of casting b : something that happens as a result of chance c : a throw of dice d : a throw of a line (as a fishing line) or net a : the form in which a thing is constructed b (1) : the set of actors in a dramatic production (2) : a set of characters or persons <in both great houses there is the usual cast of servants — Elizabeth Bowen> c : the arrangement of draperies in a painting : the distance to which a thing can be thrown; specifically : the distance a bow can shoot a : a turning of the eye in a particular direction; also : expression <this freakish, elfish cast came into the child's eye — Nathaniel Hawthorne> b : a slight strabismus : something that is thrown or the quantity thrown; especially British : the leader of a fishing line a : something that is formed by casting in a mold or form: as (1) : a reproduction (as of a statue) in metal or plaster : casting (2) : a fossil reproduction of the details of a natural object by mineral infiltration b : an impression taken from an object with a liquid or plastic substance : mold c : a rigid casing (as of fiberglass or of gauze impregnated with plaster of paris) used for immobilizing a usually diseased or broken part : forecast, conjecture a : an overspread of a color or modification of the appearance of a substance by a trace of some added hue : shade <gray with a greenish cast> b : tinge, suggestion a : a ride on one's way in a vehicle : lift b Scottish : help, assistance a : shape, appearance <the delicate cast of her features> b : characteristic quality <his father's conservative cast of mind> : something that is shed, ejected, or thrown out or off: as a : the excrement of an earthworm b : a mass of soft matter formed in cavities of diseased organs and discharged from the body c : the skin of an insect : the ranging in search of a trail by a dog, hunting pack, or tracker She has a cast on her arm. They made a mask from a wax cast of her face.

vicinity

: the area around or near a particular place : the quality or state of being near : proximity : a surrounding area or district : neighborhood : neighborhood <there are no hotels in the vicinity of the hospital> <the vicinity of the town's only elementary school was one reason why the young couple bought the house>

indulgence

: the behavior or attitude of people who allow themselves to do what they want or who allow other people to do what they want : the act of doing something that you enjoy but that is usually thought of as wrong or unhealthy : something that is done or enjoyed as a special pleasure : remission of part or all of the temporal and especially purgatorial punishment that according to Roman Catholicism is due for sins whose eternal punishment has been remitted and whose guilt has been pardoned (as through the sacrament of reconciliation) : the act of indulging : the state of being indulgent a : an indulgent act b : an extension of time for payment or performance granted as a favor a : the act of indulging in something; especially : self-indulgence b : something indulged in <walk off gastronomic indulgences — Barbara L. Michaels> She lived a life of selfish indulgence. his indulgence in forbidden pleasures She found that she couldn't afford the indulgences she had once enjoyed. For our anniversary we allowed ourselves the indulgence of an elegant dinner at our favorite restaurant. Good food is my only indulgence.

hedonism

: the belief that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in life : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life : a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism <their spring break trip to Mexico became an exercise in heedless hedonism> Medical Definition of hedonism : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life

nurture

: the care and attention given to someone or something that is growing or developing : training, upbringing : something that nourishes : food : the sum of the environmental factors influencing the behavior and traits expressed by an organism Members of the family helped in the nurture of the baby.

tipping point

: the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place

culmination

: the end or final result of something : the action of culminating : culminating position : climax This study is the culmination of years of research. <an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage>

carpe diem

: the enjoyment of the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future

supper

: the evening meal : a social event especially for raising money that takes place in the evening and includes a meal : a light meal or snack that is eaten late in the evening I always enjoyed our Sunday night suppers. It's almost time for supper. We took a walk after supper. I had too much wine at supper. He didn't come home for supper.

alpha

: the first letter of the Greek alphabet : the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet — see alphabet table : something that is first : beginning <money is not the alpha and omega—the beginning and end—of life's purpose> : having the most power in a group of animals or people : closest in the structure of an organic molecule to a particular group or atom —symbol α <α-substitution> : socially dominant especially in a group of animals <an alpha male> : alphabetic

gist

: the ground of a legal action : the main point or part : essence <the gist of an argument> <didn't catch every word between them, but heard enough to get the gist of the conversation> ... Einstein showed how time intervals depend on the motion of people and clocks doing the measuring. And that's the gist of relativity. —Alan Lightman, Science, January/February 1984

fur

: the hairy coat of an animal especially when it is soft and thick : the fur of an animal used for clothing : a piece of clothing (such as a coat) made with fur : a piece of the dressed pelt of an animal used to make, trim, or line wearing apparel : an article of clothing made of or with fur : the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick; also : such a coat with the skin : a coating resembling fur: as a : a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue b : the thick pile of a fabric (as chenille) The cat has black-and-white fur. The rabbit's fur is soft. Her gloves are lined with fur. He made his fortune trading furs in the 17th century. Her new fur is a full-length mink coat. a teddy bear with soft fur

summit

: the highest point of a mountain : the top of a mountain : the highest level : a meeting or series of meetings between the leaders of two or more governments : top, apex; especially : the highest point : peak : the topmost level attainable <the summit of human fame> a : the highest level of officials; especially : the diplomatic level of heads of government b : a conference of highest-level officials (as heads of government) <an economic summit> The mountain range has summits over 10,000 feet high. The climbers failed to reach the summit. Leaders of several nations attended the economic summit. A summit on global warming was held that year.

acme

: the highest point of something : the highest point or stage; also : one that represents perfection of the thing expressed His fame was at its acme. <the acme of their basketball season was their hard-won victory over last year's state champs>

hindsight

: the knowledge and understanding that you have about an event only after it has happened : perception of the nature of an event after it has happened It's easy for us to say that the war was wrong, but we have the advantage of hindsight.

bowel

: the long tube in the body that helps digest food and carries solid waste out of the body the bowels : the deep inner parts of something : intestine, gut; also : one of the divisions of the intestines —usually used in plural except in medical use <the large bowel> <move your bowels> archaic : the seat of pity, tenderness, or courage —usually used in plural plural : the interior parts; especially : the deep or remote parts <bowels of the earth> a disease of the bowel They dug deep into the bowels of the earth. The engine room is down in the bowels of the ship.

climax

: the most exciting and important part of a story, play, or movie that occurs usually at or near the end : the most interesting and exciting part of something : the high point : the most intense point of sexual pleasure : a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness a : the highest point : culmination <the climax of a distinguished career> b : the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) c : orgasm d : menopause : a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment; especially : the final stage in ecological succession The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene. At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief. the climax of her career The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital. Synonym Discussion: summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable <at the summit of the Victorian social scene>. peak suggests the highest among other high points <an artist working at the peak of her powers>. pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height <the pinnacle of worldly success>. climax implies the highest point in an ascending series <the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions>. apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge <the apex of Dutch culture>. acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing <a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty>. culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective <the culmination of years of effort>.

sequence

: the order in which things happen or should happen : a group of things that come one after the other : a part of a movie, television show, etc., that deals with one subject, action, or idea : a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (as Easter) : a continuous or connected series: as a : an extended series of poems united by a single theme <a sonnet sequence> b : three or more playing cards usually of the same suit in consecutive order of rank c : a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern each in a new position d : a set of elements ordered so that they can be labeled with the positive integers e : the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein f (1) : a succession of related shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story (2) : episode a : order of succession b : an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in a sentence designed to express a coherent relationship especially between main and subordinate parts a : consequence, result b : a subsequent development : continuity of progression <the narrative sequence> He listened to the telephone messages in sequence. a chase sequence in a spy movie I enjoyed the movie's opening sequence.

periphery

: the outside edge of an area : the area that surrounds a place or thing : the perimeter of a circle or other closed curve; also : the perimeter of a polygon : the external boundary or surface of a body a : the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center : confines b : an area lying beyond the strict limits of a thing <the dogs are confined by an invisible electronic fence that runs along the periphery of the yard>

remnant

: the part of something that is left when the other parts are gone : a small piece of cloth that is left after the rest of the cloth has been sold a : a usually small part, member, or trace remaining b : a small surviving group —often used in plural : an unsold or unused end of piece goods Remnants go on sale next week. <sailed home with just a remnant of the colony's original population aboard>

abdomen

: the part of the body below the chest that contains the stomach and other organs : the rear part of an insect's body : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis; also : the cavity of this part of the trunk containing the chief viscera : the posterior section of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod — see insect illustration <showed us a tiny tattoo on her abdomen, right next to her belly button>

congregation

: the people who are attending a religious service : the people who regularly attend religious services a : an assembly of persons : gathering; especially : an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction b : a religious community: as (1) : an organized body of believers in a particular locality (2) : a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows (3) : a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order : the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated : a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative division of the papal curia The priest addressed the congregation. She is a member of a small congregation.

quarantine

: the period of time during which a person or animal that has a disease or that might have a disease is kept away from others to prevent the disease from spreading : the situation of being kept away from others to prevent a disease from spreading : a period of 40 days a : a term during which a ship arriving in port and suspected of carrying contagious disease is held in isolation from the shore b : a regulation placing a ship in quarantine c : a place where a ship is detained during quarantine a : a restraint upon the activities or communication of persons or the transport of goods designed to prevent the spread of disease or pests b : a place in which those under quarantine are kept : a state of enforced isolation The infected people were put into quarantine. The cows will be kept in quarantine for another week. The dog was put under quarantine.

ascendant

: the point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern horizon at any moment : a state or position of dominant power or importance : a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending line : becoming more popular or successful : more powerful or important than any other a : moving upward : rising b : directed upward <an ascendant stem> a : superior b : dominant

peak

: the pointed top of a mountain : a tall mountain with a pointed or narrow top : something that looks like a pointed top of a mountain : a pointed or projecting part of a garment; especially : the visor of a cap or hat : promontory : a sharp or pointed end a (1) : the top of a hill or mountain ending in a point (2) : a prominent mountain usually having a well-defined summit b : something resembling a mountain peak a : the upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail b : the narrow part of a ship's bow or stern or the part of the hold in it a : the highest level or greatest degree b : a high point in a course of development especially as represented on a graph : widow's peak a line of rocky peaks the peak of the roof The recipe says to beat the cream until it forms soft peaks. At her peak she was writing a new novel every year. Violence reached a peak just before the election. The graph shows that murders in the city declined from a peak of 173 in 2004. Synonym Discussion: summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable. summit implies the topmost level attainable <at the summit of the Victorian social scene>. peak suggests the highest among other high points <an artist working at the peak of her powers>. pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height <the pinnacle of worldly success>. climax implies the highest point in an ascending series <the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions>. apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge <the apex of Dutch culture>. acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing <a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty>. culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective <the culmination of years of effort>. : at the highest point or level : filled with the most activity : being at or reaching the maximum <peak levels> <peak output>; also : of, relating to, or being a period of maximum intensity or activity <peak business hours> The factory has been running at peak capacity for the past year. the peak season for fishing

status

: the position or rank of someone or something when compared to others in a society, organization, group, etc. : high position or rank in society : the official position of a person or thing according to the law a : position or rank in relation to others <the status of a father> b : relative rank in a hierarchy of prestige; especially : high prestige : the condition of a person or thing in the eyes of the law : state or condition with respect to circumstances <the status of the negotiations> They want to maintain the city's status as a major tourist attraction. He wants to improve his status in the community. people of different social and economic statuses She married a man of status and wealth. This job brings with it a measure of status. They sought asylum and were given refugee status by the government. They are still considered refugees. Their statuses have not changed. : position or rank of a person or thing <I lost my status as an amateur.> : state of affairs : situation <What is the patient's medical status?>

rectitude

: the quality of being honest and morally correct : the quality or state of being straight : moral integrity : righteousness : the quality or state of being correct in judgment or procedure <encouraged the graduates to go on to live lives of unimpeachable rectitude and integrity> <has a finely honed sense of rectitude that keeps him from cheating on exams>

intricacy

: the quality or state of being complex or having many parts : the quality or state of being intricate : something that is complex or detailed : something intricate : the quality or state of being intricate : something intricate <the intricacies of a plot> She admired the composition for its beauty and intricacy. I had trouble following all the intricacies in the plot. the intricacies of English grammar

malevolence

: the quality or state of being malevolent : malevolent behavior <only mindless malevolence would explain this cruel vandalism> Synonym Discussion: malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, grudge mean the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress. malice implies a deep-seated often unexplainable desire to see another suffer <felt no malice toward their former enemies>. malevolence suggests a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious conduct <a look of dark malevolence>. ill will implies a feeling of antipathy of limited duration <ill will provoked by a careless remark>. spite implies petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments <petty insults inspired by spite>. malignity implies deep passion and relentlessness <a life consumed by motiveless malignity>. spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice <venting his spleen against politicians>. grudge implies a harbored feeling of resentment or ill will that seeks satisfaction <never one to harbor a grudge>.

nursery

: the room where a baby sleeps : the room in a hospital where new babies are kept and cared for by nurses : a room where children sleep, play, and are sometimes taught obsolete : attentive care : fosterage a : a child's bedroom b : a place where children are temporarily cared for in their parents' absence c : day nursery a : something that fosters, develops, or promotes b : a place in which persons are trained or educated : an area where plants are grown for transplanting, for use as stocks for budding and grafting, or for sale : a place where young animals grow or are cared for

endgame

: the stage of a chess game after major reduction of forces; also : the final stage of some action or process <they're now in the endgame of the negotiations for a new labor contract>

apex

: the top or highest point of something a : the uppermost point : vertex <the apex of a mountain> b : the narrowed or pointed end : tip <the apex of the tongue> : the highest or culminating point <the apex of his career> <she reached the apex of fame, only to find it wasn't what she expected> <the apex of the spear>

palate

: the top part of the inside of your mouth : the roof of your mouth : the sense of taste : the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity a : a usually intellectual taste or liking <too ornate for my palate> b : the sense of taste The restaurant serves Korean food adapted for the American palate. She's been working hard on a menu that will please the palates of all her guests.

tip

: the usually pointed end of something <a pencil tip> : a small piece or part serving as an end, cap, or point — on the tip of one's tongue : about to be uttered <it was on the tip of my tongue to say exactly what I thought> : just eluding recall : a light touch or blow : a piece of advice or expert or authoritative information : a piece of advance or confidential information given by one thought to have access to special or inside sources : a gift or a sum of money tendered for a service performed or anticipated : gratuity

upbringing

: the way a child is raised : the care and teaching given to a child by parents or other people : early training; especially : a particular way of bringing up a child <had a strict upbringing>

trash

: things that are no longer useful or wanted and that have been thrown away : a container where people put things that are being thrown away : something that is very low in quality : something worth little or nothing: as a : junk, rubbish b : empty talk : nonsense (2) : inferior or worthless writing or artistic matter (as a television show); especially : such matter intended purely for sensational entertainment (3) : trash talk : something in a crumbled or broken condition or mass; especially : debris from pruning or processing plant material : a worthless person; also : such persons as a group : riffraff Take out the trash, please. I put the dirty diaper in the trash. I can't believe you're reading that trash. She thinks that they're all trash.

espouse

: to express support for (a cause, belief, etc.) : marry : to take up and support as a cause : become attached to The new theory has been espoused by many leading physicists. Those espousing unpopular views were often excluded. Synonym Discussion: adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature <forced to adopt new policies>. embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance <embraced the customs of their new homeland>. espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes <espoused the cause of women's rights>.

evince

: to show (something) clearly : to constitute outward evidence of : to display clearly : reveal She evinced an interest in art at an early age. <the teenager caught shoplifting seemed to evince no remorse> Synonym Discussion: show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent. show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words <careful not to show his true feelings>. manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation <manifested musical ability at an early age>. evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something <a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service>. evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs <evinced not the slightest fear>. demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling <demonstrated their approval by loud applause>.

flaunt

: to show (something) in a very open way so that other people will notice : to show a lack of respect for (something, such as a rule) : to display or obtrude oneself to public notice <a great flaunting crowd — Charles Dickens> : to wave or flutter showily <the flag flaunts in the breeze> : to display ostentatiously or impudently : parade <flaunting his superiority> : to treat contemptuously <flaunted the rules — Louis Untermeyer> Usage Discussion of FLAUNT: Although transitive sense 2 of flaunt undoubtedly arose from confusion with flout, the contexts in which it appears cannot be called substandard <meting out punishment to the occasional mavericks who operate rigged games, tolerate rowdyism, or otherwise flaunt the law — Oscar Lewis> <observed with horror the flaunting of their authority in the suburbs, where men ... put up buildings that had no place at all in a Christian commonwealth — Marchette Chute> <in our profession ... very rarely do we publicly chastise a colleague who has flaunted our most basic principles — R. T. Blackburn, AAUP Bulletin>. If you use it, however, you should be aware that many people will consider it a mistake. Use of flout in the sense of flaunt 1 is found occasionally <"The proper pronunciation," the blonde said, flouting her refined upbringing, "is pree feeks" — Mike Royko>. She liked to flaunt her wealth by wearing furs and jewelry. They openly flaunted the rules.

itinerant

: traveling from place to place : staying in a place for only a short amount of time : traveling from place to place; especially : covering a circuit <itinerant preacher> <an itinerant musician can see a lot of the world>

customary

: usually done in a particular situation or at a particular place or time : usual or typical of a particular person : based on or established by custom : commonly practiced, used, or observed He forgot the customary "thank you." It is customary to hold the door open for someone who is entering a building behind you. She dressed in her customary fashion. He did the work with his customary efficiency.

gorgeous

: very beautiful or attractive : very enjoyable or pleasant : splendidly or showily brilliant or magnificent Your baby is absolutely gorgeous! <sunsets in Hawaii are just gorgeous> The difference in appearance can be dramatic, as I saw on a visit to the small, modern factory where Pineider prints its stationery, in a gorgeous part of Tuscany near Florence and bordering Chianti. —Corby Kummer, Atlantic, May 2001 Synonym Discussion: splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive. splendid implies outshining the usual or customary <the wedding was a splendid occasion>. resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor <resplendent in her jewelry>. gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color <a gorgeous red dress>. glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction <a glorious sunset>. sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension <a vision of sublime beauty>. superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree <her singing was superb>.

resplendent

: very bright and attractive : shining brilliantly : characterized by a glowing splendor <meadows resplendent with wildflowers — Outdoor World> The fields were resplendent with flowers. She looked resplendent in her green evening gown. a bird with resplendent yellow feathers

opulent

: very comfortable and expensive : very wealthy : exhibiting or characterized by opulence: as a : having a large estate or property : wealthy <hoping to marry an opulent widow> b : amply or plentifully provided or fashioned often to the point of ostentation <living in opulent comfort> <an opulent upper crust that liked to show off its possessions> <an opulent mansion filled with priceless art and antiques> Synonym Discussion: rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance. rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires <became rich through shrewd investing>. wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things <wealthy landowners>. affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth <an affluent society>. opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people <an opulent mansion>.

resolute

: very determined : having or showing a lot of determination : marked by firm determination : resolved <a resolute character> : bold, steady <a resolute gaze> She is a resolute competitor. He has remained resolute in his opposition to the bill. a leader with a stern and resolute manner

staunch

: very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause a : watertight, sound b : strongly built : substantial : steadfast in loyalty or principle <a staunch friend> She is a staunch advocate of women's rights. He's a staunch believer in the value of regular exercise. I'm one of his staunchest supporters. Synonym Discussion: faithful, loyal, constant, staunch, steadfast, resolute mean firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance. faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted <faithful to her promise>. loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray <remained loyal to the czar>. constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows <constant friends>. staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it <a staunch defender of free speech>. steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction <steadfast in their support>. resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose <a resolute ally>.

sumptuous

: very expensive, rich, or impressive : extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent <sumptuous banquets> <a sumptuous residence>; also : magnificent <the cruise ship claims to offer sumptuous furnishings, exquisitely prepared cuisine, and stellar entertainment>

munificent

: very generous : very liberal in giving or bestowing : lavish : characterized by great liberality or generosity <a munificent host who has presided over many charitable events at his mansion> Synonym Discussion: liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>.

extreme

: very great in degree : very serious or severe : very far from agreeing with the opinions of most people : not moderate a : existing in a very high degree <extreme poverty> b : going to great or exaggerated lengths : radical <went on an extreme diet> c : exceeding the ordinary, usual, or expected <extreme weather conditions> archaic : last : situated at the farthest possible point from a center <the country's extreme north> a : most advanced or thoroughgoing <the extreme political left> b : maximum a : of, relating to, or being an outdoor activity or a form of a sport (as skiing) that involves an unusually high degree of physical risk <extreme mountain biking down steep slopes> b : involved in an extreme sport <an extreme snowboarder> The plant is sensitive to extreme heat and cold. They are living in extreme poverty. She went on an extreme diet. Many thought that the punishment was too extreme for the crime. The plan was rejected as too extreme. This is an extreme example of what can happen when a company grows too quickly. He has extreme opinions when it comes to politics. Members of the extreme right opposed the legislation. Synonym Discussion: excessive, immoderate, inordinate, extravagant, exorbitant, extreme mean going beyond a normal limit. excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable <excessive punishment>. immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint <immoderate spending>. inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment <inordinate pride>. extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste <extravagant claims for the product>. exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree <exorbitant prices>. extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree <extreme shyness>. : either one of two opposite conditions, feelings, positions, etc., that are thought of as being far from what is normal or reasonable : an amount or degree that is far beyond what is normal or reasonable a : something situated at or marking one end or the other of a range <extremes of heat and cold> b : the first term or the last term of a mathematical proportion c : the major term or minor term of a syllogism a : a very pronounced or excessive degree b : highest degree : maximum : an extreme measure or expedient <going to extremes> — in the extreme : to the greatest possible extent After spending lavishly for years, the company has now gone to the opposite extreme and has cut expenses drastically. His mood changed from one extreme to the other.

splendid

: very impressive and beautiful : very good : possessing or displaying splendor: as a : shining, brilliant b : marked by showy magnificence : illustrious, grand a : excellent <a splendid opportunity> b : being out of the ordinary : singular We have a splendid opportunity to do something really useful. I have some splendid news. "We'll be coming out to visit over the summer." "Oh, splendid!"

copious

: very large in amount or number a : yielding something abundantly <a copious harvest> <copious springs> b : plentiful in number <copious references to other writers> a : full of thought, information, or matter b : profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style <a copious talker> : present in large quantity : taking place on a large scale <copious weeping> <copious food and drink> The storm produced a copious amount of rain. She sat in the front row and took copious notes during the lecture. It was no surprise that spin was more copious than ever during the election campaign. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000-1 Jan. 2001

whopping

: very large, impressive, etc. : extremely large; also : extraordinary, incredible The play was a whopping success. The car sped by at a whopping 110 miles per hour.

presumably

: very likely : by reasonable assumption <presumably he's going on the trip for business reasons, but we have our doubts>

exuberant

: very lively, happy, or energetic : filled with energy and enthusiasm : existing in large amounts : very plentiful : extreme or excessive in degree, size, or extent <exuberant prosperity> a : joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic <exuberant praise> <an exuberant personality> b : unrestrained or elaborate especially in style : flamboyant <exuberant architecture> : produced in extreme abundance : plentiful <exuberant foliage and vegetation> His exuberant personality makes him fun to be around. <exuberant crowds rushed to greet the returning national champions in collegiate basketball> Steven Spielberg's career has been famously schizoid. On the one hand, he has made films borne aloft by exuberant juvenility (the Indiana Jones pictures, Jurassic Park, and so forth); on the other hand, he has made mature films of serious intent (The Color Purple, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan). And ... there is also a third hand: he has combined those two types, most notably in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, in which he transmuted a fascinating science fiction film into near-theology. —Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic, 23 July 2001 Synonym Discussion: profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance. profuse implies pouring forth without restraint <profuse apologies>. lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion <a lavish party>. prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources <prodigal spending>. luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance <a luxuriant beard>. lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance <a lush green lawn>. exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly <an exuberant imagination>.

radical

: very new and different from what is traditional or ordinary : very basic and important : having extreme political or social views that are not shared by most people : of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as a (1) : of or growing from the root of a plant <radical tubers> (2) : growing from the base of a stem, from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground <radical leaves> b : of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root c : of or relating to a mathematical root d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue <radical surgery> <radical mastectomy> : of or relating to the origin : fundamental a : very different from the usual or traditional : extreme b : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions c : associated with political views, practices, and policies of extreme change d : advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs <the radical right> slang : excellent, cool The computer has introduced radical innovations. There are some radical differences between the two proposals. The new president has made some radical changes to the company. a radical wing of extremists : a person who favors extreme changes in government : a person who has radical political opinions a : a root part b : a basic principle : foundation a : root b : a sound or letter belonging to a radical : one who is radical : free radical; also : a group of atoms bonded together that is considered an entity in various kinds of reactions or as a subunit of a larger molecule a : a mathematical expression indicating a root by means of a radical sign b : radical sign He was a radical when he was young, but now he's much more moderate. <radicals staged large, violent protests in the hopes of toppling the government>

minimal

: very small or slight in size or amount : relating to or being a minimum: as a : the least possible <a victory won with minimal loss of life> b : barely adequate <a minimal standard of living> c : very small or slight <a minimal interest in art> often capitalized : of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism The storm caused minimal damage. areas at minimal risk for flooding

precipitous

: very steep : happening in a very quick and sudden way : done too quickly and without enough thought or planning : precipitate a : very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall <a precipitous slope> b : having precipitous sides <a precipitous gorge> c : having a very steep ascent <a precipitous street> There has been a precipitous decline in home sales recently. People were shocked by his precipitous fall from political power. Synonym Discussion: steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult <a steep hill> <a steep dive>. abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level <a beach with an abrupt drop-off>. precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical <the river winds through a precipitous gorge>. sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse <sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers>.

pending

: while waiting for (something) : during : while awaiting <pending approval> He is being held in jail pending trial. She received a four-year sentence and is currently out on bail pending appeal. : not yet decided or acted on : happening or likely to happen soon : not yet decided : being in continuance <the case is still pending> : imminent, impending The results of the investigation are pending. There are lawsuits pending against the company.

fabric

: woven or knitted material : the basic structure of something a : structure, building b : underlying structure : framework <the fabric of society> : an act of constructing : erection; specifically : the construction and maintenance of a church building a : structural plan or style of construction b : texture, quality —used chiefly of textiles c : the arrangement of physical components (as of soil) in relation to each other a : cloth b : a material that resembles cloth : the appearance or pattern produced by the shapes and arrangement of the crystal grains in a rock The curtains are made of expensive fabric. scarves made of woven fabrics the fabric of the community

indenture

a (1) : a document or a section of a document that is indented (2) : a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies (3) : a contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time —often used in plural b : a formal certificate (as an inventory or voucher) prepared for purposes of control c : a document stating the terms under which a security (as a bond) is issued : indentation dent <the dropped hammer left an indenture in the floor> <made a small indenture to mark the spot where the plank was to be sawed>

romance

a (1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel b : a class of such literature : something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact : an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity : love affair capitalized : the Romance languages

ascending

a : rising or increasing to higher levels, values, or degrees <ascending powers of x> b : mounting or sloping upward : rising upward usually from a more or less prostrate base or point of attachment

pitch

a : slope; also : degree of slope : rake b : the distance between any of various things: as (1) : distance between one point on a gear tooth and the corresponding point on the next tooth (2) : distance from any point on the thread of a screw to the corresponding point on an adjacent thread measured parallel to the axis c : the theoretical distance a propeller would advance longitudinally in one revolution d : the number of teeth or of threads per inch e : a unit of width of type based on the number of times a letter can be set in a linear inch : the action or a manner of pitching; especially : an up-and-down movement — compare yaw archaic : top, zenith a : the relative level, intensity, or extent of some quality or state <tensions rose to a feverish pitch> b (1) : the property of a sound and especially a musical tone that is determined by the frequency of the waves producing it : highness or lowness of sound (2) : a standard frequency for tuning instruments c (1) : the difference in the relative vibration frequency of the human voice that contributes to the total meaning of speech (2) : a definite relative pitch that is a significant phenomenon in speech a : a steep place : declivity b : the portion of a route (as in mountain climbing or caving) between belay points chiefly British a : an outdoor site (as for camping or doing business) b : playing field 1 : an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump a : an often high-pressure sales presentation b : advertisement c : recommendation, plug <made a pitch for tax cuts> a : the delivery of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter b : a baseball so thrown c : pitchout 2

ascent

a : the act of rising or mounting upward : climb b : an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity c : the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient : an advance in social status or reputation : progress : a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill. <our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them> : the act of rising or climbing upward <The hikers began their ascent of the mountain.> : the act of rising to a higher or more powerful position : an upward slope or path

affair

affairs : work or activities done for a purpose : commercial, professional, public, or personal business : a matter that concerns or involves someone : a secret sexual relationship between two people a plural : commercial, professional, public, or personal business b : matter, concern : a procedure, action, or occasion only vaguely specified; also : an object or collection of objects only vaguely specified <their house was a 2-story affair> also af·faire a : a romantic or passionate attachment typically of limited duration : liaison 2b b : a matter occasioning public anxiety, controversy, or scandal : case After the war, the government focused on its own domestic affairs. They accused the U.S. of interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. How I choose to live is my affair, not yours. adulterous affairs between married men and single women

icon

computers : a small picture on a computer screen that represents a program or function : a person who is very successful and admired : a widely known symbol : a usually pictorial representation : image [Late Greek eikōn, from Greek] : a conventional religious image typically painted on a small wooden panel and used in the devotions of Eastern Christians : an object of uncritical devotion : idol : emblem, symbol <the house became an icon of 1960's residential architecture — Paul Goldberger> a : a sign (as a word or graphic symbol) whose form suggests its meaning b : a graphic symbol on a computer display screen that represents an object (as a file) or function (as the command to delete) Click on the icon to open your e-mail program. He has become an icon in the movie business. a singer who has become a pop icon The Statue of Liberty has become an American cultural icon.

affix

grammar : a letter or group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning : a prefix or suffix : one or more sounds or letters occurring as a bound form attached to the beginning or end of a word, base, or phrase or inserted within a word or base and serving to produce a derivative word or an inflectional form : appendage

gut

guts : the internal organs of an animal : the inside parts of something : the most important parts of something a : bowels, entrails —usually used in plural (2) : the basic visceral or emotional part of a person b : alimentary canal; also : part of the alimentary canal and especially the intestine or stomach c : belly, abdomen d : catgut plural : the inner essential parts <the guts of a car> : a narrow passage; also : a narrow waterway or small creek : the sac of silk taken from a silkworm ready to spin its cocoon and drawn out into a thread for use as a snell plural : fortitude and stamina in coping with what alarms, repels, or discourages : courage, pluck : gut course the guts of the fish the guts of a machine the guts of a business deal That decision took a lot of guts. I didn't have the guts to do it.

benign

medical : not causing death or serious injury : without cancer : not cancerous : not causing harm or damage : of a gentle disposition : gracious <a benign teacher> a : showing kindness and gentleness <benign faces> b : favorable, wholesome <a benign climate> a : of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially : not becoming cancerous <a benign lung tumor> b : having no significant effect : harmless <environmentally benign> We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign. <around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign> ... substituting such benign power sources as the hybrid, the fuel cell, and the electric motor in place of ... the internal-combustion engine. —Brock Yates, Car and Driver, May 2000

immunity

medical : the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease : special protection from what is required for most people by law : the quality or state of being immune; especially : a condition of being able to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products They have developed immunity to the virus. They have developed an immunity to the virus.

shed

obsolete : distinction, difference : something (as the skin of a snake) that is discarded in shedding : a divide of land a : a slight structure built for shelter or storage; especially : a single-storied building with one or more sides unenclosed b : a building that resembles a shed archaic : hut

perennial

of a plant : living for several years or for many years : having a life cycle that is more than two years long : existing or continuing in the same way for a long time : happening again and again : present at all seasons of the year : persisting for several years usually with new herbaceous growth from a perennating part <perennial asters> a : persistent, enduring <perennial favorites> b : continuing without interruption : constant, perpetual <the perennial quest for certainty> <a perennial student> c : regularly repeated or renewed : recurrent <death is a perennial literary theme> This variety of oregano is perennial. Flooding is a perennial problem for people living by the river. The problem ... is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001 Synonym Discussion: continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence <continual showers the whole weekend>. continuous usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension <football's oldest continuous rivalry>. constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence <lived in constant pain>. incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity <annoyed by the incessant quarreling>. perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration <a land of perpetual snowfall>. perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal <a perennial source of controversy>.

scrap

plural : fragments of discarded or leftover food a : a small detached piece <a scrap of paper> b : a fragment of something written, printed, or spoken <scraps of conversation> c : the least bit <not a scrap of evidence> plural : cracklings a : fragments of stock removed in manufacturing b : manufactured articles or parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material for reprocessing; especially : waste and discarded metal

premise

premises : a building and the area of land that it is on : a statement or idea that is accepted as being true and that is used as the basis of an argument a : a proposition antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument or inference; specifically : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn b : something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition plural : matters previously stated; specifically : the preliminary and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity plural [from its being identified in the premises of the deed] a : a tract of land with the buildings thereon b : a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (as grounds) They were asked to leave the premises. The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses. The premises were searched by the police. He disagreed with her premise. the basic premises of the argument a theory based on the simple premise that what goes up must come down Called behavioral ecology, it starts from the premise that social and environmental forces select for various behaviors that optimize people's fitness in a given environment. Different environment, different behaviors—and different human "natures." —Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 29 June 2009

remainder

the remainder : the part that is left when the other people or things are gone, used, etc. mathematics : the number that is left when one number is subtracted from another number : the number that is left over when one number does not divide evenly into another number : an interest or estate in property that follows and is dependent on the termination of a prior intervening possessory estate created at the same time by the same instrument a : a remaining group, part, or trace b (1) : the number left after a subtraction (2) : the final undivided part after division that is less or of lower degree than the divisor : a book sold at a reduced price by the publisher after sales have slowed 2 subtracted from 5 gives a remainder of 3. 5 goes into 29 five times with a remainder of 4.

foster

—used to describe a situation in which for a period of time a child lives with and is cared for by people who are not the child's parents : affording, receiving, or sharing nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties

frank

—used to say that someone is speaking or writing in a very direct and honest way : marked by free, forthright, and sincere expression <a frank reply> a : unmistakably evident <frank materialism> b : clinically evident and unmistakable <frank pus> <our ballet teacher is very frank about telling her students whether she thinks they have the talent for a career in dance> Synonym Discussion: frank, candid, open, plain mean showing willingness to tell what one feels or thinks. frank stresses lack of shyness or secretiveness or of evasiveness from considerations of tact or expedience <frank discussions>. candid suggests expression marked by sincerity and honesty especially in offering unwelcome criticism or opinion <a candid appraisal>. open implies frankness but suggests more indiscretion than frank and less earnestness than candid <open in saying what they think>. plain suggests outspokenness and freedom from affectation or subtlety in expression <plain talk>. : a member of a West Germanic tribal confederacy that entered the Roman provinces in a.d. 253, occupied the Netherlands and most of Gaul, and established themselves along the Rhine

sweep

: an act of cleaning an area with a broom or brush : a long, smooth movement often in a wide curve : a large area of land often forming a wide curve : something that sweeps or works with a sweeping motion: as a : a long pole or timber pivoted on a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well b : a triangular cultivator blade that cuts off weeds under the soil surface c : a windmill sail a : an instance of sweeping; especially : a clearing out or away with or as if with a broom b : the removal from the table in one play in casino of all the cards by pairing or combining c : an overwhelming victory d : a winning of all the contests or prizes in a competition e : a wide-ranging search of an area (as by police) a : a movement of great range and force b : a curving or circular course or line c : the compass of a sweeping movement : scope d : a broad unbroken area or extent <a sweep of wildflowers> e : an end run in football in which one or more linemen pull back and run interference for the ballcarrier : chimney sweep : sweepstakes : obliquity with respect to a reference line <sweep of an airplane wing>; especially : sweepback plural : a television ratings period during which surveys are taken to determine advertising rates <Mrs. Griswold has been a teacher for so long that the sweep of her influence extends across three generations of the townspeople.>

thriving

: characterized by success or prosperity <a thriving business> <our new landscaping business is thriving> <the once thriving downtown has fallen into steep decline since the new mall was built>

fringe

: a border made of hanging threads used to decorate the edge of something (such as clothing, rugs, and curtains) : a narrow area along the edge of something : an area of activity that is related to but not part of whatever is central or most widely accepted : a group of people with extreme views or unpopular opinions : an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band a : something resembling a fringe : edge, periphery —often used in plural <operated on the fringes of the law> b chiefly British : bang c : one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light d : an area bordering a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer than on the green itself a : something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or subject <a fringe sport> b : a group with marginal or extremist views c : fringe benefit a lampshade with a fringe a fringe of moss around the tree a party on the political fringe

apologia

: a defense especially of one's opinions, position, or actions <the finest apologia or explanation of what drives a man to devote his life to pure mathematics — British Book News>

external

: located, seen, or used on the outside or surface of something : coming from outside : existing or occurring outside your mind a : capable of being perceived outwardly <external signs of a disease> b (1) : having merely the outward appearance of something : superficial (2) : not intrinsic or essential <external circumstances> a : of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part <the building's external features> b : applied or applicable to the outside <a lotion for external use> a (1) : situated outside, apart, or beyond; specifically : situated near or toward the surface of the body (2) : arising or acting from outside <an external force> b : of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries c : having existence independent of the mind <external reality> the external features of the building the external signs of the disease

gratification

: reward, recompense; especially : gratuity : the act of gratifying : the state of being gratified : a source of satisfaction or pleasure <eating good chocolate gives me a sense of intense gratification>

peripheral

: not relating to the main or most important part computers : connected to a computer but not an essential part of it : of or relating to the area that is to the side of the area you are looking at : of, relating to, involving, or forming a periphery or surface part a : of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system <peripheral nerves> <peripheral neuritis> b : of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation <peripheral lymphocytes> : of, relating to, or being the outer part of the field of vision <good peripheral vision> : auxiliary, supplementary <peripheral equipment>; also : of or relating to computer peripherals If we focus too much on peripheral issues, we will lose sight of the goal. peripheral devices such as modems and scanners He saw in his peripheral vision that a car was trying to pass him. computers : a piece of equipment (such as a printer, speaker, etc.) that is connected to a computer but is not an essential part of it

tenet

: a belief or idea that is very important to a group : a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true; especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession the central tenets of a religion one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry

gamut

: a range or series of related things : the whole series of recognized musical notes : an entire range or series <ran the gamut from praise to contempt> She experienced the full gamut of human emotions. <the actress's work runs the gamut from goofy comedies to serious historical dramas>

stimulant

: something (such as a drug) that makes you more active or gives you more energy : something that causes more activity : an agent (as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts : stimulus : an alcoholic beverage —not used technically The movie was a stimulant to discussion. <the relaxed zoning regulations should serve as a stimulant for development in the area>

orbit

a : a path described by one body in its revolution about another (as by the earth about the sun or by an electron about an atomic nucleus); also : one complete revolution of a body describing such a path b : a circular path : a range or sphere of activity or influence <within the president's orbit>

contingency

: something (such as an emergency) that might happen : the quality or state of being contingent : a contingent event or condition: as a : an event (as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur <trying to provide for every contingency> b : something liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something else In making our business plans, we tried to prepare for any contingency that might hurt sales. <agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency> Nothing was overlooked. There was a fallback position, a fail-safe provision, for any contingency. —Gary Wills, New York Times Review of Books, 1 Apr. 2001

occasional

: happening or done sometimes but not often : not happening or done in a regular or frequent way : sometimes doing a particular job or activity a : of or relating to a particular occasion <a budget able to meet occasional demands as well as regular ones> b : created for a particular occasion <occasional verse> : acting as the occasion or contributing cause of something : encountered, occurring, appearing, or taken at irregular or infrequent intervals <occasional visitors> <an occasional vacation> : acting in a specified capacity from time to time <an occasional lecturer> : designed or constructed to be used as the occasion demands <occasional furniture> She receives occasional phone calls from her mother. There will be occasional showers during the morning. Most mornings, we'll see deer or the occasional bear walking past our house. He tells an occasional joke to keep his students interested. I need to take occasional breaks from work. Sure, I drink an occasional glass of wine from time to time. She's an occasional lecturer at the university.

range

: a group or collection of different things or people that are usually similar in some way : a series of numbers that includes the highest and lowest possible amounts : the total amount of ability, knowledge, experience, etc., that a person has a (1) : a series of things in a line : row (2) : a series of mountains (3) : one of the north-south rows of townships in a United States public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey b : an aggregate of individuals in one order c : a direction line : a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements a : a place that may be ranged over b : an open region over which animals (as livestock) may roam and feed c : the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs : the act of ranging about a (1) : the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled (2) : the horizontal distance between a weapon and target b : the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling c (1) : a place where shooting is practiced (2) : driving range a : the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope b : the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument a : a sequence, series, or scale between limits <a wide range of patterns> b : the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes c : the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution a : the set of values a function may take on b : the class of admissible values of a variable : line <knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze> <didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her>

belly

: a person's stomach or the part of the body that contains the stomach : the part of an animal's body that is like a person's belly : a curved or rounded surface or part a : abdomen 1; also : potbelly 1 b : the stomach and its adjuncts c : the undersurface of an animal's body; also : hide from this part d : womb, uterus : an internal cavity : interior : appetite for food : a surface or object curved or rounded like a human belly a : the enlarged fleshy body of a muscle b : the part of a sail that swells out when filled with wind : gut 1a(2) He got down on his belly to crawl. They slid down the snowy hill on their bellies. a gray squirrel with a white belly the belly of an airplane the belly of a ship

article

: a piece of writing about a particular subject that is included in a magazine, newspaper, etc. : a particular kind of object : a separate part of a legal document that deals with a single subject a : a distinct often numbered section of a writing b : a separate clause c : a stipulation in a document (as a contract or a creed) <articles of indenture> d : a nonfictional prose composition usually forming an independent part of a publication (as a magazine) : an item of business : matter : any of a small set of words or affixes (as a, an, and the) used with nouns to limit or give definiteness to the application : a member of a class of things; especially : an item of goods <articles of value> : a thing or person of a particular and distinctive kind or class <the genuine article> I just read an interesting article on the city's early history. He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals. Article 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The company amended its articles of incorporation.

junction

: a place where two things join : a place where roads or railroad lines come together : a road or ramp that you use when getting off a highway : an act of joining : the state of being joined a : a place or point of meeting b : an intersection of roads especially where one terminates c : a point (as in a thermocouple) at which dissimilar metals make contact d : an interface in a semiconductor device between regions with different electrical characteristics : something that joins a junction of nerves and muscle the junction of Route 12 and Route 87

joint

: a point where two bones meet in the body : a place where two things or parts are joined : a particular place a (1) : the point of contact between elements of an animal skeleton with the parts that surround and support it (2) : node b : a part or space included between two articulations, knots, or nodes c : a large piece of meat for roasting a : a place where two things or parts are joined b : a space between the adjacent surfaces of two bodies joined and held together (as by cement or mortar) c : a fracture or crack in rock not accompanied by dislocation d : the flexing part of a cover along either spine edge of a book e : the junction of two or more members of a framed structure f : a union formed by two abutting rails in a track including the elements (as bars and bolts) necessary to hold the abutting rails together g : an area at which two ends, surfaces, or edges are attached a : a shabby or disreputable place of entertainment b : place, establishment c slang : prison : a marijuana cigarette — out of joint a of a bone : having the head slipped from its socket b : at variance a : disordered b : being out of humor : dissatisfied <losing put him out of joint> She's been having pain in her muscles and joints. seal the joints of the pipes : combining the work of two or more people or groups of people : done by or involving two or more people : doing something together : united, combined <the joint influences of culture and climate> : common to two or more: as a (1) : involving the united activity of two or more <a joint effort> (2) : constituting an activity, operation, or organization in which elements of more than one armed service participate <joint maneuvers> (3) : constituting an action or expression of two or more governments <joint peace talks> b : shared by or affecting two or more <a joint fine> : united, joined, or sharing with another (as in a right or status) <joint heirs> : being a function of or involving two or more variables and especially random variables filing a joint tax return They had a joint account at the bank. divorced parents who have joint custody of their child

vertex

: a point where two lines meet to form an angle; especially : the point on a triangle that is opposite to the base : the top of the head a : the point opposite to and farthest from the base in a figure b : a point (as of an angle, polygon, polyhedron, graph, or network) that terminates a line or curve or comprises the intersection of two or more lines or curves c : a point where an axis of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola intersects the curve itself : a principal or highest point : summit <the vertex of the hill> Medical Definition of VERTEX: : the top of the head : the highest point of the skull

authoritative

: having or showing impressive knowledge about a subject : having the confident quality of someone who is respected or obeyed by other people a : having or proceeding from authority : official <authoritative church doctrines> b : clearly accurate or knowledgeable <an authoritative critique> : dictatorial The book is an authoritative guide to the city's restaurants. His manner is polite but authoritative. She addressed the group with an authoritative voice.

united

: involving people or groups working together to achieve something : made up of members who share the same purpose, interest, etc. : made one : combined : relating to or produced by joint action <a united effort> : being in agreement : harmonious <a united family> a united campaign against drug abuse <the party must present a united front if it hopes to win the election>

token

: a round piece of metal or plastic that is used instead of money in some machines : an object that looks like a coin and is used in place of a coin : something that is a symbol of a feeling, event, etc. : an outward sign or expression <his tears were tokens of his grief> a : symbol, emblem <a white flag is a token of surrender> b : an instance of a linguistic expression : a distinguishing feature : characteristic a : souvenir, keepsake b : a small part representing the whole : indication <this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish> c : something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity) a : a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government b : a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms : a member of a group (as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism; especially : a token employee — by the same token : for the same reason <please accept this parting gift as a token of our lasting affection> Synonym Discussion: sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason <encouraging signs for the economy>. mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance <a mark of a good upbringing>. token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible <this gift is a token of our esteem>. note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic <a note of irony in her writing>. symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition <rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay>. —used to describe something that is done with very little effort and only to give the appearance that an effort is being made : included in a group only to prevent criticism that people of a particular kind are being unfairly left out : done or given as a token especially in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement <a token payment> a : representing no more than a symbolic effort : minimal, perfunctory <token resistance> <token integration> b : serving or intended to show absence of discrimination <a token female employee> All the people who work there are men except for a couple of token women. The ad campaign features a few token minorities.

plea

: a serious and emotional request for something law : a statement in which a person who has been accused of a crime says in court that he or she is guilty or not guilty of the crime : a statement in which a person says that he or she is guilty of a particular crime : a plea of guilty : a legal suit or action : an allegation made by a party in support of a cause: as a : an allegation of fact — compare demurrer b (1) : a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's declaration in common-law practice (2) : an accused person's answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice c : a plea of guilty to an indictment : something offered by way of excuse or justification <left early with the plea of a headache> : an earnest entreaty : appeal <their plea for understanding must be answered> We are making a plea to all companies to stop polluting the environment. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.

squeeze

: a situation in which people or things are crowded together : an act of squeezing something : a small amount that is gotten or removed from something (such as a piece of fruit) by squeezing it a : an act or instance of squeezing : compression b : handclasp; also : embrace a : a quantity squeezed out from something <a squeeze of lemon> b : a group crowded together : crowd : a profit taken by a middleman on goods or transactions : a financial pressure caused by narrowing margins or by shortages : a forced discard in bridge : squeeze play slang : a romantic partner <she's my main squeeze> Fifty guests will be a bit of a squeeze. It'll be a tight squeeze, but we can all fit.

probation

: a situation or period of time in which a person who is starting a new job is tested and watched to see if that person is able to do the job properly law : a situation or period of time in which a person who has committed a crime is allowed to stay out of prison if that person behaves well, does not commit another crime, etc. : a situation or period of time in which a person who has made a serious mistake or done something bad is watched and must behave well in order not to be seriously punished : critical examination and evaluation or subjection to such examination and evaluation a : subjection of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain fitness (as for a job or school) b : the action of suspending the sentence of a convicted offender and giving the offender freedom during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer c : the state or a period of being subject to probation As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months. He hoped that the judge would grant him probation. He was sentenced to one year's probation. He was sent back to prison for violating his probation. She was arrested while on probation. Instead of firing her, they put her on probation. The student was placed on probation for copying test answers.

mercenary

: a soldier who is paid by a foreign country to fight in its army : a soldier who will fight for any group or country that hires him : one that serves merely for wages; especially : a soldier hired into foreign service an army of foreign mercenaries : hired to fight : caring only about making money : serving merely for pay or sordid advantage : venal; also : greedy : hired for service in the army of a foreign country His motives in choosing a career were purely mercenary. <they were a mercenary couple, who defined themselves not by what they were but by what they owned>

occasion

: a special event or time : a particular time when something happens : a chance or opportunity : a situation that allows something to happen : a favorable opportunity or circumstance <did not have occasion to talk with them> a : a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason <the occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance> b : an occurrence or condition that brings something about; especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause <his insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel> a : happening, incident b : a time at which something happens : instance a : a need arising from a particular circumstance b archaic : a personal want or need —usually used in plural plural : affairs, business : a special event or ceremony : celebration birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions They marked the occasion with their families. She wrote a song especially for the occasion. Roses are the perfect flower for any occasion. On the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a vacation to Paris. We had occasion to watch her perform last summer. The boys never had occasion to meet each other. She never found an occasion to suggest her ideas. He took the occasion to make an announcement. When versatility is fashion's best justification, the idea of a beautiful lace blouse or dress that can step up to a special occasion and then look just as good under a man-tailored jacket or a fine-gauge long-line cardigan the next day is persuasive. —S. Mower, Vogue, September 2008

specimen

: something (such as an animal or plant) collected as an example of a particular kind of thing : a small amount or piece of something that can be tested or examined : a notable example of something a : an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole b : a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study <a urine specimen> a : something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic b : person, individual <he's a tough specimen> : a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development <specimen trees> The church is a magnificent specimen of baroque architecture. Her dance partner is a superb physical specimen.

episode

: an event or a short period of time that is important or unusual : a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series : an occurrence of an illness : a usually brief unit of action in a dramatic or literary work: as a : the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs b : a developed situation that is integral to but separable from a continuous narrative : incident c : one of a series of loosely connected stories or scenes d : the part of a serial presented at one performance : an event that is distinctive and separate although part of a larger series : a digressive subdivision in a musical composition It was a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work. He tried to forget the whole embarrassing episode. a painful episode from my childhood Millions of people are expected to watch the show's final episode. Synonym Discussion: occurrence, event, incident, episode, circumstance mean something that happens or takes place. occurrence may apply to a happening without intent, volition, or plan <an encounter that was a chance occurrence>. event usually implies an occurrence of some importance and frequently one having antecedent cause <the events following the assassination>. incident suggests an occurrence of brief duration or secondary importance <a minor wartime incident>. episode stresses the distinctiveness or apartness of an incident <a brief romantic episode in a life devoted to work>. circumstance implies a specific detail attending an action or event as part of its setting or background <couldn't recall the exact circumstances>.

instance

: an example of a particular type of action or situation : an occasion of something happening a archaic : urgent or earnest solicitation b : instigation, request <am writing to you at the instance of my client> c obsolete : an impelling cause or motive a archaic : exception b : an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization c obsolete : token, sign : the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit : a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events <prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymous — Times Literary Supplement> — for instance : as an instance or example <older people, like my grandmother, for instance> an instance of great courage These delays are just another instance of bureaucratic inefficiency. In most instances the disease can be controlled by medication. They have decided not to oppose the decision in this instance.

juncture

: an important point in a process or activity : a place where things join a : joint, connection b : the manner of transition or mode of relationship between two consecutive sounds in speech : an instance of joining : junction : a point of time; especially : one made critical by a concurrence of circumstances Negotiations between the countries reached a critical juncture. At this juncture it looks like they are going to get a divorce. the juncture of two rivers

item

: an individual thing : a separate part or thing : a separate piece of news or information : two people who are in a romantic or sexual relationship obsolete : warning, hint : a distinct part in an enumeration, account, or series : article : an object of attention, concern, or interest : a separate piece of news or information : a couple in a romantic or sexual relationship There are several items for sale. I need to buy a few household items like soap. He always orders the most expensive item on the menu. There are a lot of items on our agenda tonight, so let's start the meeting. I saw an item in today's paper about the mayor's campaign plans. Synonym Discussion: item, detail, particular mean one of the distinct parts of a whole. item applies to each thing specified separately in a list or in a group of things that might be listed or enumerated <every item on the list>. detail applies to one of the small component parts of a larger whole such as a task, building, painting, narration, or process <leave the details to others>. particular stresses the smallness, singleness, and especially the concreteness of a detail or item <a description that included few particulars>.

emblem

: an object or picture used to suggest a thing that cannot be shown : a person or thing that represents an idea : a picture with a motto or set of verses intended as a moral lesson : an object or the figure of an object symbolizing and suggesting another object or an idea a : a symbolic object used as a heraldic device b : a device, symbol, or figure adopted and used as an identifying mark The flag is the emblem of our nation. He has come to be regarded as an emblem of conservatism. Synonym Discussion: emblem, symbol, and token mean a visible thing that stands for something that cannot be pictured. emblem is usually used of an object or a picture that stands for a group such as a family, an organization, or a nation. <The eagle is one of our national emblems.> symbol may be used of anything that is understood as a sign for something else. <The lion is the symbol of courage.> token is used of an object or act that shows the existence of something else. <This gift is a token of our love.>

intrinsic

: belonging to the essential nature of a thing : occurring as a natural part of something a : belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing <the intrinsic worth of a gem> <the intrinsic brightness of a star> b : being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains a : originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part <an intrinsic metabolic disease> b : originating and included wholly within an organ or part <intrinsic muscles> — compare extrinsic the intrinsic value of a gem the intrinsic brightness of a star He is the ideal courtier. His nobility is intrinsic, and so he can drape himself in this purple cloak of tasteful modernity, make a cocktail of past and present, the cream of both. —Noah Charney, The Art Thief, 2007

serene

: calm and peaceful a : clear and free of storms or unpleasant change <serene skies> b : shining bright and steady <the moon, serene in glory — Alexander Pope> : august —used as part of a title <His Serene Highness> : marked by or suggestive of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude <a serene smile> <a serene woman who was everyone's source of support> Between the two Azorean blue belfries of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, a serene statue of the Madonna gazes out at the harbor, cradling a small boat in her arm. —Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005 Synonym Discussion: calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance. calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence <the protests ended, and the streets were calm again>. tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure <the tranquil beauty of a formal garden>. serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquillity <watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening>. placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency <remained placid despite the criticism>. peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil <grown peaceful in old age>.

susceptible

: easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something : capable of being affected by a specified action or process : capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation <a theory susceptible to proof> : open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, influence, or agency <susceptible to pneumonia> : impressionable, responsive <a susceptible mind> The virus can infect susceptible individuals. <some people are more susceptible to depression during the winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight> Researchers at the University of South Carolina say that a chemical found abundantly in red wine, apples and onions helps protect against influenza, especially after a rigorous respiratory workout, when the body is more susceptible to infection. —Kim Marcus et al., Wine Spectator, 31 May 2009 Synonym Discussion: liable, open, exposed, subject, prone, susceptible, sensitive mean being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse. liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation <liable to get lost>. open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence <a claim open to question>. exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening <exposed to infection>. subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone <all reports are subject to review>. prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something <prone to delay>. susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable <very susceptible to flattery>. sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli <unduly sensitive to criticism>. Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.

vulnerable

: easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally : open to attack, harm, or damage : capable of being physically or emotionally wounded : open to attack or damage : assailable <vulnerable to criticism> : liable to increased penalties but entitled to increased bonuses after winning a game in contract bridge He was very vulnerable after his divorce. The troops were in a vulnerable position. The fort was undefended and vulnerable.

incidental

: happening as a minor part or result of something else a : being likely to ensue as a chance or minor consequence <social obligations incidental to the job> b : minor : occurring merely by chance or without intention or calculation You may incur some incidental expenses on the trip. an incidental part of the job He writes incidental music for plays. : something that happens as a minor part or result of something else : something that is incidental plural : minor items (as of expense) that are not particularized : something that is incidental

fortuitous

: happening by chance : having or showing good luck : occurring by chance a : fortunate, lucky <from a cost standpoint, the company's timing is fortuitous — Business Week> b : coming or happening by a lucky chance <belted down the stairs, and there was a fortuitous train — Doris Lessing> Usage Discussion of FORTUITOUS: Sense 2a has been influenced in meaning by fortunate. It has been in standard if not elevated use for some 70 years, but is still disdained by some critics. Sense 2b, a blend of 1 and 2a, is virtually unnoticed by the critics. Sense 1 is the only sense commonly used in negative constructions. His presence there was entirely fortuitous. You could not have arrived at a more fortuitous time. ... the intensification of competition on the job market has only exacerbated our class anxiety, as hiring seems all the more uncertain if not fortuitous. —Jeffrey J. Williams, College English, November 2003 Synonym Discussion: accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance <any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental>. fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause <a series of fortuitous events>. casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent <a casual encounter with a stranger>. contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence <the contingent effects of the proposed law>.

casual

: happening by chance : not planned or expected : designed for or permitting ordinary dress, behavior, etc. : not formal : done without much thought, effort, or concern : subject to, resulting from, or occurring by chance <a casual meeting> a : occurring without regularity : occasional <casual employment> b : employed for irregular periods <a casual worker> c : met with on occasion and known only superficially <a casual friend> a (1) : feeling or showing little concern : nonchalant <a casual approach to cooking> (2) : lacking a high degree of interest or devotion <casual sports fans> <casual readers> (3) : done without serious intent or commitment <casual sex> b (1) : informal, natural <a casual conversation> (2) : designed for informal use <casual clothing> a casual encounter on the sidewalk The atmosphere at the meeting was quite casual. He made a casual remark about her shoes. He's a casual sports fan. Synonym Discussion: accidental, fortuitous, casual, contingent mean not amenable to planning or prediction. accidental stresses chance <any resemblance to actual persons is entirely accidental>. fortuitous so strongly suggests chance that it often connotes entire absence of cause <a series of fortuitous events>. casual stresses lack of real or apparent premeditation or intent <a casual encounter with a stranger>. contingent suggests possibility of happening but stresses uncertainty and dependence on other future events for existence or occurrence <the contingent effects of the proposed law>. random, haphazard, casual mean determined by accident rather than design. random stresses lack of definite aim, fixed goal, or regular procedure <a random selection of books>. haphazard applies to what is done without regard for regularity or fitness or ultimate consequence <a haphazard collection of rocks>. casual suggests working or acting without deliberation, intention, or purpose <a casual collector>.

biennial

: happening every two years of a plant : living for only two years or seasons : having a life cycle that is two years or seasons long : occurring every two years : continuing or lasting for two years; specifically : growing vegetatively during the first year and fruiting and dying during the second The governor explained the biennial budget proposal.

accidental

: happening in a way that is not planned or intended : happening by accident : happening as an accident : arising from extrinsic causes : incidental, nonessential a : occurring unexpectedly or by chance b : happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results an accidental discovery of oil The timing of the announcement was purely accidental. The death was ruled accidental.

stuff

: materials, supplies, or equipment : a group or pile of things that are not specifically described —used to speak in a general way about something that is talked about, written about, etc. : materials, supplies, or equipment used in various activities: as a obsolete : military baggage b : personal property : material to be manufactured, wrought, or used in construction <clear half-inch pine stuff — Emily Holt> : a finished textile suitable for clothing; especially : wool or worsted material a : literary or artistic production b : writing, discourse, talk, or ideas of little value : trash a : an unspecified material substance or aggregate of matter <volcanic rock is curious stuff> b : something (as a drug or food) consumed or introduced into the body by humans c : a matter to be considered <the truth was heady stuff> <long-term policy stuff> d : a group or scattering of miscellaneous objects or articles <pick that stuff up off the floor>; also : nonphysical unspecified material <conservation and...all kinds of good stuff — Eric Korn> a : fundamental material : substance <the stuff of greatness> b : subject matter <a teacher who knows her stuff> : special knowledge or capability <showing their stuff> a : spin imparted to a thrown or hit ball to make it curve or change course b : the movement of a baseball pitch out of its apparent line of flight : the liveliness of a pitch <greatest pitcher of my time...had tremendous stuff — Ted Williams> : dunk shot She got out the cooking stuff to bake some cookies. computers, word processors, and stuff like that I need a place to store my stuff. Pick that stuff up off the floor.

extraneous

: not forming a necessary part of something : not important : existing on or coming from the outside <extraneous light> a : not forming an essential or vital part <extraneous ornamentation> b : having no relevance <an extraneous digression> : being a number obtained in solving an equation that is not a solution of the equation <extraneous roots> She sped up the process by eliminating all extraneous steps. <the architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation> Obviously, some degree of packaging is necessary to transport and protect the products we need, but all too often manufacturers add extraneous wrappers over wrappers and layers of unnecessary plastic. —Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006

extrinsic

: not part of something : coming from the outside of something a : not forming part of or belonging to a thing : extraneous b : originating from or on the outside; especially : originating outside a part and acting upon the part as a whole <extrinsic muscles of the tongue> : external You have to consider any extrinsic factors in the success of the business. <the fact that the ring belonged to your grandmother is extrinsic to its value to a jeweler> Synonym Discussion: extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character. extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature <sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value>. extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part <arguments extraneous to the issue>. foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated <techniques foreign to French cuisine>. alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability <a practice totally alien to her nature>. Medical Definition of EXTRINSIC: : originating or due to causes or factors from or on the outside of a body, organ, or part <renal tumors or cysts...causing extrinsic compression of the renal vasculature—Scientific American Medicine> : originating outside a part and acting on the part as a whole—used especially of certain muscles <the extrinsic muscles of the tongue>; compare intrinsic

archaic

: old and no longer used : old and no longer useful : of or relating to ancient times : having the characteristics of the language of the past and surviving chiefly in specialized uses <an archaic word> : of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive time : antiquated <archaic legal traditions> capitalized : of or belonging to the early or formative phases of a culture or a period of artistic development; especially : of or belonging to the period leading up to the classical period of Greek culture : surviving from an earlier period; specifically : typical of a previously dominant evolutionary stage capitalized : of or relating to the period from about 8000 b.c. to 1000 b.c. and the North American cultures of that time The company needs to update its archaic computer systems. <a man with some archaic notions about the proper sphere for women> The author is a bluestocking, with a weakness for etymology and archaic religious texts, her body of work lauded for revealing the sacred in the ordinary. —Kathryn Harrison, New York Times Book Review, 21 Dec. 2008 Synonym Discussion: old, ancient, venerable, antique, antiquated, archaic, obsolete mean having come into existence or use in the more or less distant past. old may apply to either actual or merely relative length of existence <old houses> <an old sweater of mine>. ancient applies to occurrence, existence, or use in or survival from the distant past <ancient accounts of dragons>. venerable stresses the impressiveness and dignity of great age <the family's venerable patriarch>. antique applies to what has come down from a former or ancient time <collected antique Chippendale furniture>. antiquated implies being discredited or outmoded or otherwise inappropriate to the present time <antiquated teaching methods>. archaic implies having the character or characteristics of a much earlier time <the play used archaic language to convey a sense of period>. obsolete may apply to something regarded as no longer acceptable or useful even though it is still in existence <a computer that makes earlier models obsolete>.

authentic

: real or genuine : not copied or false : true and accurate : made to be or look just like an original obsolete : authoritative a : worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact <paints an authentic picture of our society> b : conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features <an authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse> c : made or done the same way as an original <authentic Mexican fare> : not false or imitation : real, actual <an authentic cockney accent> a of a church mode : ranging upward from the keynote — compare plagal 1 b of a cadence : progressing from the dominant chord to the tonic — compare plagal 2 : true to one's own personality, spirit, or character We saw authentic examples of ancient Roman sculpture. Experts have confirmed that the signature on the letter is authentic. The witness provided an authentic record of what actually took place. She prepared a very authentic Mexican meal. The building is an authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse. In 1879 expert opinion was unanimous in rejecting Sautuola's timid suggestion that the ceiling paintings in his family's cave were made by the same prehistoric hunters whose stone and bone artifacts he had been collecting from the cave floor. He was accused of forgery and not until 1902, when discovery of similar paintings in several French caves supported Sautuola's claim, did experts agree that they were authentic relics of Paleolithic times. —William H. McNeill, New York Review, 19 Oct. 2006 Synonym Discussion: authentic, genuine, bona fide mean being actually and exactly what is claimed. authentic implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact <an authentic account of the perilous journey>; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original <an authentic reproduction> <authentic Vietnamese cuisine>. genuine implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated <genuine piety> <genuine maple syrup>; it also connotes definite origin from a source <a genuine Mark Twain autograph>. bona fide implies good faith and sincerity of intention <a bona fide offer for the stock>.

exigent

: requiring immediate attention : needing to be dealt with immediately : expecting much time, attention, effort, etc., from other people : requiring immediate aid or action <exigent circumstances> : requiring or calling for much : demanding <an exigent client> <started his workday with a flood of exigent matters that required his quick decision>

phenomenon

: something (such as an interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully : someone or something that is very impressive or popular especially because of an unusual ability or quality plural phenomena : an observable fact or event plural phenomena a : an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition b : a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon c : a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation a : a rare or significant fact or event b plural phenomenons : an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence Usage Discussion of PHENOMENON Phenomena has been in occasional use as a singular for more than 400 years and its plural phenomenas for more than 350. Our evidence shows that it is primarily a speech form used by poets, critics, and professors, among others, but one that sometimes turns up in edited prose <the Borgia were, in modern terms, a media phenomena — Economist>. It is etymologically no more irregular than stamina, agenda, and candelabra, but it has nowhere near the frequency of use that they have, and while they are standard, phenomena is still rather borderline. natural phenomena like lightning and earthquakes the greatest literary phenomenon of the decade The movie eventually became a cultural phenomenon. For example, we talk more loudly in cars, because of a phenomenon known as the Lombard effect—the speaker involuntarily raises his voice to compensate for background noise. —John Seabrook, New Yorker, 23 June 2008

exigency

: something that is necessary in a particular situation : that which is required in a particular situation —usually used in plural <exceptionally quick in responding to the exigencies of modern warfare — D. B. Ottaway> a : the quality or state of being exigent b : a state of affairs that makes urgent demands <a leader must act in any sudden exigency> <the exigencies requiring snap decisions that traders on the stock exchange face every day> Synonym Discussion: juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, straits, crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs. juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events <an important juncture in our country's history>. exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation <provide for exigencies>. emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster <the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies>. contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence <contingency plans>. pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency <come through in a pinch>. straits applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult <in dire straits>. crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference <a crisis of confidence>.

answer

: something you say or write when someone asks you a question : a response to a question that is meant to show whether or not you know something (such as a question asked as part of an exam) : the correct response to a question a : something spoken or written in reply to a question b : a correct response <knows the answer> : a reply to a legal charge or suit : plea; also : defense : something done in response or reaction <his only answer was to walk out> : a solution of a problem <more money is not the answer> : one that imitates, matches, or corresponds to another <television's answer to the newsmagazines> I asked him a simple question and he gave me a long and confusing answer. I didn't believe her answer. They wouldn't give me a straight answer to my question. I didn't know the right answer. That is the wrong answer. Do you know the answer to this question? He knew the answers to only 3 of the 10 questions. The answers are listed in the back of the book. Synonym Discussion: answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need <had answers to all their questions>. response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus <a response to the call for recruits>. reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised <a point-by-point reply to the accusation>. rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection <a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument>. retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack <she made a cutting retort to her critics>.

return

: the act of coming or going back to the place you started from or to a place where you were before : the act of going back to an activity, job, situation, etc. : the act of starting to do something again after stopping : the fact that something (such as a condition, feeling, or situation) happens again a : the act of coming back to or from a place or condition b : a regular or frequent returning : recurrence a (1) : the delivery of a legal order (as a writ) to the proper officer or court (2) : an endorsed certificate stating an official's action in the execution of such an order (3) : the sending back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners b : an account or formal report c (1) : a report of the results of balloting —usually used in plural <election returns> (2) : an official declaration of the election of a candidate (3) chiefly British : election d (1) : a formal statement on a required legal form showing taxable income, allowable deductions and exemptions, and the computation of the tax due (2) : a list of taxable property a : the continuation usually at a right angle of the face or of a member of a building or of a molding or group of moldings b : a means for conveying something (as water) back to its starting point a : a quantity of goods, consignment, or cargo coming back in exchange for goods sent out as a mercantile venture b : the value of or profit from such venture c (1) : the profit from labor, investment, or business : yield (2) plural : results d : the rate of profit in a process of production per unit of cost a : the act of returning something to a former place, condition, or ownership : restitution <the return of stolen goods> b : something returned; especially plural : unsold publications returned to the publisher for cash or credit a : something given in repayment or reciprocation <a return on their years of hard work> b : answer, retort : an answering play: as a : a lead in a suit previously led by one's partner in a card game b : the action or an instance of returning a ball (as in football or tennis) chiefly British : round-trip — in return : in reciprocation, compensation, or repayment We are looking forward to your return. We're looking forward to our return to Europe. The team looked forward to his return to coaching. a return to the old ways of farming the department's return to normal The people celebrated their leader's return to power. : used in or taken for returning to a place : happening or done for the second time : used or paying for a trip that takes you to a place and back to the place you started from a : having or formed by a change of direction <a return facade> b : doubled on itself <a return flue> a : played, delivered, or given in return <return fire from the enemy> b : taking place for the second time <a return meeting for the two champions> : used or taken on returning <the return road> : returning or permitting return <a return valve> : of, relating to, or causing a return to a place or condition <use the prestamped return envelope>

theme

: the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc. : a particular subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly : the particular subject or idea on which the style of something (such as a party or room) is based a : a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation <guilt and punishment is the theme of the story> b : a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern <the campaign has lacked a theme> : stem : a written exercise : composition <a research theme> : a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film. A constant theme in his novels is religion. The playwright skillfully brings together various themes. The album focuses on themes of love and loss. Adventures are popular themes in children's books. The growing deficit was a dominant theme in the election. The party had a Hawaiian luau theme. They played the theme from the movie "Rocky." If one theme unites his scholarship it is that the Old South cannot be viewed as a monolith. —Eric Foner, New York Times Book Review, 8 Apr. 2007

perimeter

: the outside edge of an area or surface : the total length of the lines that form a shape the perimeter basketball : the area on a basketball court that is not close to the basket a : the boundary of a closed plane figure b : the length of a perimeter : a line or strip bounding or protecting an area : outer limits —often used in plural : the part of a basketball court outside the three-point line He scored from the perimeter. <soldiers guarding the perimeter of the camp> Word Root of PERIMETER The Greek word metron, meaning "measure," gives us the root metr. Words from the Greek metron have something to do with measuring. A thermometer is an instrument that measures temperature. A diameter is the measurement across the center of a circle. The metric system is a system used for measuring size, weight, and volume. A perimeter is the measurement of the outside of a figure or shape.

shoot

: the part of a new plant that is just beginning to grow above the ground : a new branch and its leaves on an established plant : an occasion when a movie, television show, etc., is being filmed : a sending out of new growth or the growth sent out: as a : a stem or branch with its leaves and appendages especially when not yet mature b : offshoot a : an act of shooting (as with a bow or a firearm): (1) : shot (2) : the firing of a missile especially by artillery b (1) : a hunting trip or party (2) : the right to shoot game in a particular area or land over which it is held c (1) : a shooting match <skeet shoot> (2) : a round of shots in a shooting match d : the action or an instance of shooting with a camera : a session or a series of sessions of photographing or filming <a movie shoot> a : a motion or movement of rapid thrusting: as (1) : a sudden or rapid advance (2) : a momentary darting sensation : twinge (3) : thrust 2b (4) : the pace between strokes in rowing b : a bar of rays : beam <a shoot of sunlight> [probably by folk etymology from French chute — more at chute] a : a rush of water down a steep or rapid b : a place where a stream runs or descends swiftly Small green shoots grew from the base of the tree. She is currently on a movie shoot in London. —used to show that you are annoyed or surprised

compass

: to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot <persons ... who have compassed my destruction — Charles Dickens> : encompass a : bring about, achieve b : to get into one's possession or power : obtain : comprehend <attempting more than his modest abilities could compass> <the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth> : a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north : something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc. : a tool that consists of two pointed sticks joined at the top and that is used for measuring distances a : boundary, circumference <within the compass of the city walls> b : a circumscribed space <within the narrow compass of 21 pages — V. L. Parrington> c : range, scope <the compass of my voice> : a curved or roundabout course <a compass of seven days' journey — 2 Kings 3:9(Authorized Version)> a : a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north b : any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction c : an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot —usually used in plural —called also pair of compasses : direction 6c <his moral compass> He always carries a compass when he walks in the woods. His religion is the compass that guides him. Interest rates serve as a compass for determining whether to buy or sell stocks. The character in the movie had no moral compass to tell him that stealing was wrong. Synonym Discussion: range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another <a performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change>.

fleet

: very fast : swift in motion : nimble : fleeting <a jewel thief said to be light of heart and fleet of foot> Synonym Discussion: fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves <fast horses> and rapid to the movement itself <rapid current>. swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement <returned the ball with one swift stroke>. fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness <fleet runners>. quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time <a quick wit>. speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment <speedy delivery of mail> and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness <a hasty inspection>. expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment <the expeditious handling of an order>. a group of military ships that are controlled by one leader : all of a country's military ships : a group of ships or vehicles that move or work together or that are controlled or owned by one company : a number of warships under a single command; specifically : an organization of ships and aircraft under the command of a flag officer : group 2a, b; especially : a group (as of ships, planes, or trucks) operated under unified control He was the commander of the Pacific fleet. The company has a large fleet of delivery trucks.

vast

: very great in size, amount, or extent : very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range <vast knowledge> <a vast expanse> She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject. The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens. a vast expanse of land Synonym Discussion: enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large. enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness <an enormous expense> <an immense shopping mall>. huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount <incurred a huge debt>. vast usually suggests immensity of extent <the vast Russian steppes>. gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind <a gigantic sports stadium>. colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions <a colossal statue of Lincoln>. mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk <a mammoth boulder>.

lean

A: the act or an instance of leaning : inclination B: not having much fat on the body : physically thin, strong, and healthy : containing little or no fat : not having or producing much money, food, etc. a : lacking or deficient in flesh b : containing little or no fat <lean meat> : lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness <lean profits> <the lean years> : deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: as a of ore : containing little valuable mineral b : low in combustible component —used especially of fuel mixtures : characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation) She has a lean, athletic body. <all of the marathoners are extremely lean> Synonym Discussion: lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours <a lean racehorse>. spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise <the gymnast's spare figure>. lank implies tallness as well as leanness <the lank legs of the heron>. lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness <a lanky youth, all arms and legs>. gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering <a prisoner's gaunt face>. rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment <a rawboned farmer>. scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality <a scrawny chicken> <skinny street urchins>.

grotesque

a : a style of decorative art characterized by fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms often interwoven with foliage or similar figures that may distort the natural into absurdity, ugliness, or caricature b : a piece of work in this style : one that is grotesque <a gallery of grotesques from some sicko horror movie> : very strange or ugly in a way that is not normal or natural : extremely different from what is expected or usual : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the grotesque: as a : fanciful, bizarre b : absurdly incongruous c : departing markedly from the natural, the expected, or the typical The actors wore dark capes and grotesque masks. a grotesque distortion of the facts Synonym Discussion: fantastic, bizarre, grotesque mean conceived, made, or carried out without adherence to truth or reality. fantastic may connote extravagance in conception or ingenuity of decorative invention <dreamed up fantastic rumors>. bizarre applies to the sensationally strange and implies violence of contrast or incongruity of combination <a bizarre medieval castle in the heart of a modern city>. grotesque may apply to what is conventionally ugly but artistically effective or it may connote ludicrous awkwardness or incongruity often with sinister or tragic overtones <grotesque statues on the cathedral> <though grieving, she made a grotesque attempt at a smile>.

automatic

of a machine or device : having controls that allow something to work or happen without being directly controlled by a person of a gun : shooting many bullets very quickly when the trigger is pulled : happening or done without deliberate thought or effort a : largely or wholly involuntary; especially : reflex 5 <automatic blinking of the eyelids> b : acting or done spontaneously or unconsciously c : done or produced as if by machine : mechanical <the answers were automatic> : having a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism <an automatic transmission> of a firearm : firing repeatedly until the trigger is released Without thinking, he gave an automatic reply. She always has an automatic smile for everyone.

perfunctory

—used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected : characterized by routine or superficiality : mechanical <a perfunctory smile> : lacking in interest or enthusiasm <the violinist delivered a perfunctory performance that displayed none of the passion and warmth he was once known for> The eight-time Pro Bowl player sometimes goes several weeks without agreeing to do even the most perfunctory postgame interviews. —Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 8 Jan. 2007