ALTIN LİSTE-İYİ İSİMLER-4

ectotherm

: a cold-blooded animal :

dispute

: a disagreement or argument a : verbal controversy : debate b : quarrel obsolete : physical combat They could not settle their dispute. There is a labor dispute between workers and management. The two farmers are involved in a land dispute. beyond dispute: : known to be true : certain <The drug's effectiveness is beyond dispute.>

deity

: a god or goddess a : the rank or essential nature of a god : divinity b capitalized : god 1, supreme being : a god or goddess <the deities of ancient Greece> : one exalted or revered as supremely good or powerful <to the ancient Greeks, Zeus was the deity who ruled over the sky and weather, and Poseidon was god of the sea> <we prayed to the Deity for guidance> the Deity: the Supreme Being : God

termite

: a kind of soft, white insect that lives in groups, eats wood, and causes a lot of damage to wooden structures : any of numerous pale-colored soft-bodied social insects (order Isoptera) that live in colonies consisting usually of winged sexual forms, wingless sterile workers, and soldiers, feed on wood, and include some which are very destructive to wooden structures and trees —called also white ant The house has a lot of termite damage.

sovereign

: a king or queen : a British gold coin that was used in the past a : one possessing or held to possess supreme political power or sovereignty b : one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere c : an acknowledged leader : arbiter : any of various gold coins of the United Kingdom Ricky Martin, sovereign of Latin pop culture, is back. —Raquel Cepeda, Vibe, May 1999 During these two centuries the throne of Scotland was occupied by no more than seven sovereigns of only four different generations. —G.W.S. Barrow, The Anglo-Norman Era In Scottish History, 1980 <after the current sovereign dies, the monarchy may be abolished> : having unlimited power or authority : not limited : having independent authority and the right to govern itself a : superlative in quality b : of the most exalted kind : supreme <sovereign virtue> c : having generalized curative powers <a sovereign remedy> d : of an unqualified nature : unmitigated <sovereign contempt> e : having undisputed ascendancy : paramount a : possessed of supreme power <a sovereign ruler> b : unlimited in extent : absolute c : enjoying autonomy : independent <sovereign states> : relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a supreme ruler : royal <a sovereign right> Local officials and a huge and enthusiastic crowd greeted Napoleon at the Portoferraio harbor. The Allies had granted him the title of Emperor of Elba, which was to be a sovereign state under his jurisdiction. —David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 4 July 2005 If Cleopatra VII used her own personality more like Elizabeth I than Elizabeth II, she seems to have had the latter Elizabeth's sovereign sense of duty—as well as her fertility: With a dispatch usually associated with the gods, Cleopatra bore Caesar a son called Caesarion—"little Caesar"—in 47 B.C.E., the year after they met (she was twenty-one, he fifty-two). —Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic, 1 & 8 April 2002 the sovereign power of a king The government's sovereign duty is to protect the rights of its citizens. Synonym Discussion of sovereign free, independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to the rule or control of another. free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions <you're free to do as you like>. independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies <the colony's struggle to become independent>. sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere <separate and sovereign armed services>. autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government <in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous>. free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint. free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>. emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>.

rival

: a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another : something or someone that is as good or almost as good as another person or thing a : one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage obsolete : companion, associate : equal, peer The teams have been longtime rivals. The men are romantic rivals for her affection.

epicure

: a person who appreciates fine food and drink archaic : one devoted to sensual pleasure : sybarite : one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine <Thomas Jefferson was one of America's first great epicures.> Synonym Discussion of epicure epicure, gourmet, gourmand, gastronome mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking. epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste. gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them. gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's. gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

peer

: a person who belongs to the same age group or social group as someone else : a member of the British nobility : one that is of equal standing with another : equal; especially : one belonging to the same societal group especially based on age, grade, or status archaic : companion a : a member of one of the five ranks (as duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron) of the British peerage b : noble He was respected and admired by his peers. teenagers spending time with their peer groups

occupant

: a person who is using or living in a particular building, apartment, or room : a person who is in a room, vehicle, etc., at a particular time : one who acquires title by occupancy : one who occupies a particular place; especially : resident The apartment's previous occupant was a painter. Both of the car's occupants were injured.

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

earnest

: a serious and intent mental state <a proposal made in earnest> : a considerable or impressive degree or amount <the sap started running in earnest> The sidewalks were crowded as women and men argued and bargained with each other as the shopping day began in earnest. —Harold Robbins, The Storyteller, 1985 Books are an addiction, that, when aroused in earnest, is rarely calmed. —Joseph Epstein, The Middle of My Tether, 1983 The divorce proceedings began in earnest, and they were earnestly vile. —Angie Bowie et al., US, 23 Nov. 1982 On Easter Monday the rain began in earnest. —Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia, (1977) 2003 : serious and sincere : not lighthearted or playful : characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind : grave, important Barnum's antics provoked tongue-in-cheek reporting and nods and winks in the newspapers, but no earnest cries of humbug. The artful deceiver turned fraud into family fun. —Jackson Lears, New Republic, 12 Nov. 2001 Students of all ages were forced to watch these earnest but bizarre short films, which apprised them of such things as the folly of playing on steep precipices overlooking the ocean, the need to minimize one's square-dancing during the early days of the menstrual cycle, the inadvisability of shooting heroin before an important track meet and the necessity of placing the fork to the left of the plate. —Joe Queenan, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2000 ... a Prussian émigré who became a middle-class English gentleman; an angry agitator who spent much of his adult life in the scholarly silence of the British Museum Reading Room; a gregarious and convivial host who fell out with almost all his friends; a devoted family man who impregnated his housemaid; and a deeply earnest philosopher who loved drink, cigars and jokes. —Francis Wheen, The Nation, 10 July 2000 ... a bland expression on my face, looking more innocent than an innocent person has any business looking, I imagined that the sales-women who sometimes glanced over at me saw an earnest young shopper instead of a transparent little klepto. —Tobias Wolff, Forbes, 20 Mar. 1989 an earnest plea for help <I'll accept only an earnest apology from you.> Synonym Discussion of earnest serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters <a serious play about social injustice>. grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude <read the proclamation in a grave voice>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity <a sad and solemn occasion>. sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <remained sedate amid the commotion>. staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <a quiet and staid community>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity <a sober look at the state of our schools>. earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose <an earnest reformer>. : something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain : a token of what is to come : pledge ... the cruiser Aurora, manned by Bolsheviks and anchored in the Neva, announced that it would open fire on the Winter Palace, and fired a few blank charges as an earnest of its resolve. —Martin Gilbert, The First World War, (1994) 1995 In 1942, Roosevelt, Stimson, and Marshall all recognized the degree of fraud in MacArthur but let him get away with his act because in those black days morale required an invincible hero in the Pacific as an earnest of eventual victory there. —Paul Fussell, Wartime, 1989 When I had promised to pay for his information and given him an earnest, he told me that he had made two journeys between Carfax and a house in Piccadilly, and had taken from this house to the latter nine great boxes, "main heavy ones," with a horse and cart hired by him for this purpose. —Bram Stoker, Dracula, 1897 in earnest: in an earnest or serious way <The search began in earnest when the police arrived.> <After light showers during the day, it began to rain in earnest in the evening.> <It's hard to tell if he's making this proposal in earnest.> : not fooling : serious and sincere <We thought he was joking at first, but then we realized that he was in earnest.>

recess

: a short period of time during the school day when children can play : a usually brief period of time during which regular activity in a court of law or in a government stops : a dark, hidden place or part : the action of receding : recession : a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part a : indentation, cleft <a deep recess in the hill> b : alcove <a recess lined with books> : a suspension of business or procedure often for rest or relaxation <children playing at recess> The students play outside after lunch and at recess. Do you have morning recess? The Senate debates will continue after the August recess. The Senate wanted to vote on the bill before recess.

clique

: a small group of people who spend time together and who are not friendly to other people : a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons; especially : one held together by common interests, views, or purposes <that clique refuses to even talk to outsiders at their lunch table>

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>

postulate

: a statement that is accepted as being true and that is used as the basis of a theory, argument, etc. : a hypothesis advanced as an essential presupposition, condition, or premise of a train of reasoning : axiom Einstein's theory of relativity was deduced from two postulates. <one of the postulates that the true agnostic rejects is the assumption that it is even possible for us to know whether God exists>

membrane

: a thin sheet or layer; especially : a thin sheet or layer of tissue that is part of a plant or an animal's body : a thin soft pliable sheet or layer especially of animal or plant origin : a piece of parchment forming part of a roll

mammal

: a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin : any of a class (Mammalia) of warm-blooded higher vertebrates (as placentals, marsupials, or monotremes) that nourish their young with milk secreted by mammary glands, have the skin usually more or less covered with hair, and include humans Human beings, dogs, and cats are all mammals.

larva

: a very young form of an insect that looks like a worm : the immature, wingless, and often wormlike feeding form that hatches from the egg of many insects, alters chiefly in size while passing through several molts, and is finally transformed into a pupa or chrysalis from which the adult emerges : the early form of an animal (as a frog or sea urchin) that at birth or hatching is fundamentally unlike its parent and must metamorphose before assuming the adult characters The larva of a butterfly is called a caterpillar. <the larva looked ugly, but it was destined to hatch into a beautiful butterfly>

plebiscite

: a vote by which the people of a country or region express their opinion for or against an important proposal : a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler They are going to hold a plebiscite on the question of national independence. The issue will be decided by plebiscite.

endotherm

: a warm-blooded animal

livelihood

: a way of earning money in order to live : means of support or subsistence obsolete : the quality or state of being lively Many fishermen believe that the new regulations threaten their livelihoods.

maxim

: a well-known phrase that expresses a general truth about life or a rule about behavior : a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct : a proverbial saying <it's a common maxim that "a watched pot never boils," but that's not literally true>

resilient

: able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens : able to return to an original shape after being pulled, stretched, pressed, bent, etc. : characterized or marked by resilience: as a : capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture b : tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change The tallow tree, an ornamental species introduced by Benjamin Franklin in 1772, can quickly grow to 10 metres and is resilient to many pests. —New Scientist, 19-25 Aug. 2006 In this affecting and eloquent account of the Dew family members' attempts to come to terms with the homosexuality of the elder son ... Stephen emerges as a remarkably resilient and self-aware young man. —Genevieve Stuttaford, Publishers Weekly, 18 Apr. 1994 Scientists are trying to figure out how the complex structure of such crystals and polymers and their interactions on the molecular level lead to resilient materials like sea shells, teeth and bones. —JoAnn Shroyer, Quark, Critters and Chaos, 1993 Old roses are tough and resilient; they may be a little loose and blowzy ... but the fact remains, these bushes want to live. —Beverly Lowry, New York Times Book Review, 3 Dec. 1989 Hot-dipped nails have a resilient, thick zinc jacket that withstands more of the perils of a nail's life. —Jim Locke, The Apple Corps Guide to the Well-Built House, 1988 The local economy is remarkably resilient. <after being dipped in liquid nitrogen, the rubber ball's normally resilient surface is as brittle as ceramic> Synonym Discussion of resilient elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching <an elastic waistband>. resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed <a resilient innersole>. springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape <the cake is done when the top is springy>. flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking <flexible plastic tubing>. supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury <supple leather>.

versatile

: able to do many different things : having many different uses : changing or fluctuating readily : variable <a versatile disposition> : embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another a (1) : capable of turning forward or backward : reversible <a versatile toe of a bird> (2) : capable of moving laterally and up and down <versatile antennae> b of an anther : having the filaments attached at or near the middle so as to swing freely : having many uses or applications <versatile building material> Examples of versatile in a sentence Horses stand apart because of their versatile roles in human society, which came to include dairy production, transportation, haulage, plowing, sports, warfare, religion, and status. —Sandra L. Olsen, Natural History, May 2008 Linemen have to be nimble, corners physical and linebackers versatile. —Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 22 Dec. 2008 Adobos are the Philippines' most beloved, and most versatile, dishes. They consist of meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables (such as okra and eggplant) slow-cooked in an aromatic broth of vinegar or coconut milk, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, and, sometimes, soy sauce until virtually all the liquid has evaporated. —Amy Besa, Saveur, December 2008 This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to three scientists for their work on a versatile strategy for synthesizing all manner of novel chemical compounds in an environmentally friendly way. ... The three scientists focused on a reaction called metathesis ... —A. Cunningham, Science News, 15 Oct. 2005 Within weeks [Gerd] Binnig, then 38 and with an infant daughter, worked with a colleague to build a prototype for what has become one of the most versatile scientific tools ever created: the atomic force microscope, or AFM. —Ivan Amato, Fortune, 14 June 2004 She is a versatile athlete who participates in many different sports. A pocketknife is a versatile tool.

compatible

: able to exist together without trouble or conflict : going together well of devices and especially computers : able to be used together : capable of existing together in harmony <compatible theories> <compatible people> : capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively : capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction : capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection) : designed to work with another device or system without modification; especially : being a computer designed to operate in the same manner and use the same software as another computer two people with compatible personalities This printer is compatible with most PCs.

egalitarian

: aiming for equal wealth, status, etc., for all people : asserting, promoting, or marked by egalitarianism egalitarian policies for the redistribution of wealth

real

: actually existing or happening : not imaginary : not fake, false, or artificial : important and deserving to be regarded or treated in a serious way : of or relating to fixed, permanent, or immovable things (as lands or tenements) a : not artificial, fraudulent, or illusory : genuine <real gold>; also : being precisely what the name implies <a real professional> b (1) : occurring or existing in actuality <saw a real live celebrity> <a story of real life> (2) : of or relating to practical or everyday concerns or activities <left school to live in the real world> (3) : existing as a physical entity and having properties that deviate from an ideal, law, or standard <a real gas> — compare ideal 3b c : having objective independent existence <unable to believe that what he saw was real> d : fundamental, essential e (1) : belonging to or having elements or components that belong to the set of real numbers <the real roots of an equation> <a real matrix> (2) : concerned with or containing real numbers <real analysis> (3) : real-valued <real variable> f : measured by purchasing power <real income> <real dollars> g : complete, utter <a real fiasco> of a particle : capable of being detected — compare virtual for real : in earnest : seriously <fighting for real> : genuine <couldn't believe the threats were for real> : genuinely good or capable of success (as in competition) <not yet sure if this team is for real> The movie is based on real events. The detective Sherlock Holmes is not a real person. He has no real power; he is just a figurehead. The battle scenes in the movie seemed very real to me. The team has a real chance at winning. There is a very real possibility that we will be moving to Maine. In real life, relationships are not perfect. The actor looks taller on TV than he does in real life. He's always daydreaming and seems to be out of touch with the real world. What is his real name? : very or really : very <he was real cool — H. M. McLuhan> Usage Discussion of real Most handbooks consider the adverb real to be informal and more suitable to speech than writing. Our evidence shows these observations to be true in the main, but real is becoming more common in writing of an informal, conversational style. It is used as an intensifier only and is not interchangeable with really except in that use. We had a real good time. The water is real warm. We went to bed real late. in real life: in a real situation : in actual existence <We can laugh at things in movies that would scare us in real life.> get real: to start to think in a serious or reasonable way : to stop having foolish ideas, hopes, etc. <We have to get real about this problem.> <You think you can get into Harvard with those grades? Get real.> for real: true and genuine <The information is for real.> US : honest and serious <He convinced us that he was for real and really wanted to help.> US : genuinely good, skillful, etc. <The team has proven that it's for real this year.> : seriously or truly <He's in trouble for real.> <They were just pretending to argue before, but now they're doing it for real.> keep it real: to talk and behave in an honest and serious way that shows who one really is <He says he's just trying to keep it real.>

epidemic

: affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time <typhoid was epidemic> a : excessively prevalent b : contagious 4 <epidemic laughter> : characterized by very widespread growth or extent : of, relating to, or constituting an epidemic <the practice had reached epidemic proportions> Overuse injuries—particularly in the elbows and shoulders of young pitchers—are indeed becoming epidemic. Orthopedists often blame coaches and parents for failing to monitor how many pitches kids are throwing and for not giving them time to rest their arms. —Sara Corbett, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006 The dream of running off to live the good life in a postcard perfect town in the mountains or by the sea often reaches epidemic proportions near the end of summer. —John Rasmus, National Geographic, September 2004 Saturday Night Fever propelled disco fever to epidemic proportions: By 1978, 40 percent of all the music on Billboard's Hot 100 was disco. —Peter Braunstein, American Heritage, November 1999 <the little girl's giggles were epidemic, and soon the entire gathering was laughing> medical : an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people : a sudden quickly spreading occurrence of something harmful or unwanted : an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time : an outbreak of epidemic disease : an outbreak or product of sudden rapid spread, growth, or development <an epidemic of bankruptcies> Cosmetic surgery is now so prevalent that it could qualify as a national epidemic. —Toni Bentley, New York Times Book Review, 22 Oct. 2006 "Spim," as people are beginning to call unsolicited instant messages, is the latest installment in the growing epidemic of unwanted electronic ads and a further sign that unscrupulous online marketers will seek to take advantage of all of the Internet's communication tools, not limiting themselves to spam or pop-up ads. —David McGuire, www.washingtonpost.com, 13 Nov. 2003 Whatever might have motivated Kennedy to put [Ian] Fleming on his list, from that point, Bond became an international obsession. When the first Bond film appeared in 1962—Dr. No—the obsession was a full-blown craze, a cultural epidemic. —Gerald Early, New Letters, 1999

surplus

: an amount (such as an amount of money) that is more than the amount that is needed a : the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied b : an excess of receipts over disbursements : the excess of a corporation's net worth over the par or stated value of its stock If there is any surplus, it will be divided equally. There is a surplus of workers and not enough jobs.

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.

thought

: an idea, plan, opinion, picture, etc., that is formed in your mind : something that you think of : the act or process of thinking : the act of carefully thinking about the details of something a : the action or process of thinking : cogitation b : serious consideration : regard c archaic : recollection, remembrance a : reasoning power b : the power to imagine : conception : something that is thought: as a : an individual act or product of thinking b : a developed intention or plan <had no thought of leaving home> c : something (as an opinion or belief) in the mind <he spoke his thoughts freely> d : the intellectual product or the organized views and principles of a period, place, group, or individual <contemporary Western thought> a thought : a little : somewhat <a thought too much vinegar in the dressing> He could easily have held the audience for a one-hour answer that ranged from his thoughts on jazz to his soap-opera career playing gangsters ... —Calvin Trillin, Nation, 28 May 2007 ... thoughts expressed while sitting alone at the keyboard would be put more diplomatically—or go unmentioned—face to face. —Daniel Goleman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2007 Yes, well don't forget, sir, we're viewing this with twenty-twenty hindsight, but at the time no one gave a thought to geckos or what they ate—they were just another fact of life in the tropics. —T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, April 1993 My first thought was that something must have changed. The thought of leaving never crossed my mind. Do you have any thoughts about the subject? She abandoned all thoughts of going home. It was just a thought. She was lost in thought. She abandoned all thought of going home. They should have put more thought into the proposal. While you're enjoying the holidays, you should spare a thought for those who are less fortunate. He has no thought for anyone but himself. Synonym Discussion of thought 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>. school of thought: : a way of thinking <There are two main schools of thought on that topic.>

discipline

: control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior : a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders : behavior that is judged by how well it follows a set of rules or orders : punishment obsolete : instruction : a field of study : training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior c : self-control : a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity Sir Robert Peel is credited with creating the first modern police force, the bobbies, in London, in 1829, but the transformation of law enforcement, and especially forensic science, into a professional discipline was a haphazard affair. —Jeffrey Toobin, New Yorker, 7 May 2007 Pragmatism became America's most important contribution to the life of the mind in the 20th century. Filtered through scores of later interpreters, it percolated across a broad segment of academic culture and influenced disciplines as diverse as literary criticism and legal theory. —Theo Anderson, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2007 So the next fall I went to Hampshire College and began studying under Herbert Bernstein. Without him, I would never have become a scientist. He shamed me into doing the hard work necessary to be able not just to talk about math and physics but to calculate. Without that discipline, my story would have been very different ... —Lee Smolin, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005 He stood erect, his bearing patrician, his dress impeccable. His face was stern and his pale eyes unsmiling behind his trifocals, like a man who had been called from important duties in the principal's office to administer discipline to an unruly classroom. —Nick Taylor, Laser, 2000 The teacher has a hard time maintaining discipline in the classroom. The troops were praised for their dedication and discipline. Some parents feel that the school's principal has been too harsh in meting out discipline. Keeping a journal is a good discipline for a writer.

devout

: deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion : loyal to something : devoted to a particular belief, organization, person, etc. : serious and sincere : devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises : expressing devotion or piety <a devout attitude> a : devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior : serious, earnest <a devout baseball fan> <born a devout coward — G. B. Shaw> b : warmly sincere <a devout wish for peace> It is his devout wish to help people in need. <devout Red Sox fans never lost faith during the long World Series drought>

charitable

: done or designed to help people who are poor, sick, etc. : showing kindness in talking about or judging other people : not very critical : full of love for and goodwill toward others : benevolent a : liberal in benefactions to the needy : generous b : of or relating to charity <charitable institutions> : merciful or kind in judging others : lenient She makes a charitable donation every year. He performs charitable work to help the poor. They give money to charitable causes. She has tried to be charitable about her sister's problems. Half of the class has a chance at passing the test, and that is a charitable estimate.

premeditated

: done or made according to a plan : planned in advance : characterized by fully conscious willful intent and a measure of forethought and planning <premeditated murder>

foolproof

: done, made, or planned so well that nothing can go wrong : so simple, plain, or reliable as to leave no opportunity for error, misuse, or failure <a foolproof plan> DNA fingerprinting gives police a virtually foolproof way to link a suspect to a crime scene.

tantamount

: equal to something in value, meaning, or effect : equivalent in value, significance, or effect <a relationship tantamount to marriage> His statement was tantamount to an admission of guilt. They see any criticism of the President as tantamount to treason. Did You Know? Tantamount comes from the Anglo-French phrase tant amunter, meaning "to amount to as much." This phrase comes from the Old French tant, meaning "so much" or "as much," and amounter, meaning "to ascend" or "to add up to." When tantamount first entered English, it was used similarly to the Anglo-French phrase, as a verb meaning "to be equivalent." "His not denying tant-amounteth to the affirming of the matter," wrote clergyman Thomas Fuller in 1659, for example. There was also a noun tantamount in the 17th century, but the adjective is the only commonly used form of the term nowadays.

every nook and cranny

: every place : everywhere <We searched every nook and cranny.> : every part <He knows every nook and cranny of that engine.>

pervasive

: existing in every part of something : spreading to all parts of something : existing in or spreading through every part of something <a pervasive odor> A resuscitated orthodoxy, so pervasive as to be nearly invisible, rules the land. —Mark Slouka, Harper's, November 2004 The manic money-grab excitement of the Nineties had never been altogether free of our pervasive American guilt. —Norman Mailer, New York Review of Books, 27 Mar. 2002 Race was never articulated as an issue at the trial, even though its presence was pervasive. —Howard Chua-Eoan, Time, 6 Mar. 2000 the pervasive nature of the problem television's pervasive influence on our culture

amiable

: friendly and pleasant archaic : pleasing, admirable a : generally agreeable <an amiable comedy> b : being friendly, sociable, and congenial ... an amiable man, a gray-headed, fiftyish, good old boy with a long career in media and public relations, and a hellish taste for margaritas ... —Denis Johnson, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2000 These strained plot contortions aren't really necessary: the funny, amiable heart of the movie is in the scenes of these tough old duffers scamming their way through the training program. —David Ansen, Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2000 The book pivots around Molly Bonner, an amiable, 40-ish woman whose second husband has just died in a helicopter accident, leaving her grief-struck and rich. —Tad Friend, Vogue, March 1997 Gianni Versace is an amiable smoothy with a light touch and a corona of gray hair. —Marie Brenner, Vanity Fair, January 1997 Everyone knew him as an amiable fellow. She had an amiable conversation with her friend. Did You Know? Amiable derives from the Late Latin adjective amicabilis, meaning "friendly," which in turn comes from the Latin word for "friend" and can ultimately be traced back to amare, meaning "to love." When amiable was adopted into English in the 14th century, it meant "pleasing" or "admirable," but that sense is now obsolete. The current, familiar senses of "generally agreeable" ("an amiable movie") and "friendly and sociable" came centuries later. Amare has also given English speakers such words as amative and amorous (both meaning "strongly moved by love"), amour ("a usually illicit love affair"), and even amateur (which originally meant "admirer"). Synonym Discussion of amiable amiable, good-natured, obliging, complaisant mean having the desire or disposition to please. amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with <an amiable teacher not easily annoyed>. good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon <a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in>. obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful <our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room>. complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness <was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair>.

permissive

: giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do archaic : granted on sufferance : tolerated a : granting or tending to grant permission : tolerant b : deficient in firmness or control : indulgent, lax : allowing discretion : optional <reduced the permissive retirement age from 65 to 62> Some states have more permissive laws than others. : supporting growth or genetic replication (as of a virus) <permissive temperatures> <permissive monkey cells>

forage

: grasses and other plants that are eaten by animals (such as cows) : food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing : the act of foraging : search for provisions The grass serves as forage for livestock

recurrent

: happening or appearing again and again : running or turning back in a direction opposite to a former course —used of various nerves and branches of vessels in the arms and legs : returning or happening time after time <recurrent complaints> The loss of innocence is a recurrent theme in his stories. <had recurrent problems with the computer for months and finally junked it>

omnipotent

: having complete or unlimited power often capitalized : almighty 1 : having virtually unlimited authority or influence <an omnipotent ruler> obsolete : arrant Rockefeller mostly left the uncertain task of drilling to thousands of independent producers, who then competed furiously to sell him crude oil at the cheapest possible price. As a result, he was loathed by the drillers, who saw him as an omnipotent deity shadowing their lives. —Ron Chernow, Vanity Fair, May 1998 Whether or not the Big Bang truly implies that the universe was created out of nothing by an omnipotent deity in a wholly gratuitous act of love, it does demonstrate that the universe is, as philosophers say, contingent—that is, it need not have existed. —Jim Holt, Harper's, November 1994 Tad fixes another round and by the time you all troop out of the bathroom you are feeling omnipotent. —Jay McInerney, Bright Lights, Big City, 1984 <the nearly universal religious belief that God is omnipotent and omniscient> Did You Know? The word omnipotent made its way into English through Anglo-French, but it ultimately derives from the Latin prefix omni-, meaning "all," and the word potens, meaning "potent." The omni- prefix has also given us similar words such as omniscient (meaning "all-knowing") and omnivorous (describing an animal that eats both plants and other animals). Although omnipotent is used in general contexts to mean "all-powerful" (as in "an omnipotent warlord"), its original applications in English referred specifically to the power held by an almighty God. The word has been used as an English adjective since the 14th century; since 1600 it has also been used as a noun referring to one who is omnipotent. : one who has unlimited power or authority : one who is omnipotent capitalized : god Examples of omnipotent in a sentence He pursued his own thoughts without heeding me. 'Jane! you think me, I daresay, an irreligious dog: but my heart swells with gratitude to the beneficent God of this earth just now. ... I did wrong: I would have sullied my innocent flower—breathed guilt on its purity: the Omnipotent snatched it from me.' —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847

angular

: having little flesh so that the shapes of your bones can be seen : thin and bony : having one or more angles a : forming an angle : sharp-cornered b : having one or more angles : measured by an angle <angular distance> a : stiff in character or manner : lacking smoothness or grace b : lean and having prominent bone structure He has an angular face. She's a tall, angular girl. The house is low and angular.

potent

: having or wielding force, authority, or influence : powerful : achieving or bringing about a particular result : effective a : chemically or medicinally effective <a potent vaccine> b : rich in a characteristic constituent <a potent drink> : able to copulate —usually used of the male

throughout

: in or to every part : from the beginning to the end : during the whole time or situation : in or to every part : everywhere <of one color throughout> : during the whole time or action : from beginning to end <remained loyal throughout> The house is painted white throughout. The house has wood floors throughout. He had a difficult year, but his supporters remained loyal throughout. : in or to every part of (something) : during an entire (situation or period of time) : all the way from one end to the other of : in or to every part of <cities throughout the United States> : during the whole course or period of <troubled her throughout her life> The company has stores throughout the United States and Canada. She has traveled throughout the world. His supporters remained loyal throughout his difficulties. Throughout her life, she has suffered with the disease. It rained throughout the day.

evanescent

: lasting a very short time : tending to vanish like vapor <beauty that is as evanescent as a rainbow> Did You Know? The fragile, airy quality of things evanescent reflects the etymology of the word evanescent itself. It derives from a form of the Latin verb evanescere, which means "to evaporate" or "to vanish." Given the similarity in spelling between the two words, you might expect "evaporate" to come from the same Latin root, but it actually grew out of another steamy Latin root, evaporare. : tending to disappear quickly : of relatively short duration <an evanescent rash>

sediment

: material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid : material (such as stones and sand) that is carried into water by water, wind, etc. : the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid : material deposited by water, wind, or glaciers There was a layer of sediment in the bottom of the tank. <the sediment at the bottom of the river needs to be routinely dredged so that it doesn't interfere with barge traffic>

virtue

: morally good behavior or character : a good and moral quality : the good result that comes from something a : conformity to a standard of right : morality b : a particular moral excellence plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy : a beneficial quality or power of a thing : manly strength or courage : valor : a commendable quality or trait : merit : a capacity to act : potency : chastity especially in a woman by virtue of or in virtue of : through the force of : by authority of He led me across the concrete floor, through a concrete warehouse, and to the concrete screening room, where he began to extol the virtue and beauty of his eleven-mile-long sewage interceptor. —Frederick Kaufman, Harper's, February 2008 Disinterestedness was the most common term the founders used as a synonym for the classical conception of virtue or self-sacrifice; it better conveyed the threats from interests that virtue seemed increasingly to face in the rapidly commercializing eighteenth century. —Gordon S. Wood, Revolutionary Characters, 2006 It was not only his title that made Poor Richard—and by extension [Benjamin] Franklin—an honorary Frenchman. He may well have devoted a great amount of ink to virtue and order, but he checked those concepts at the door of the beau monde; he made it clear that he was not too good for that world ... —Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005 Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties. Handed down from generation to generation, like a caustic strand of DNA, it infects the unhappy, the unfortunate and the unlucky, and turns them into desperate strivers, prepared to do anything to realize their ridiculous ambitions. —David Byrne, The New Sins/Los Nuevos Pecados, 2001 Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall ... —William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, 1605 <the virtue of wool as a clothing material is that it can provide insulation from the cold even when wet> <a lady of honor and virtue> by virtue of: because of (something) <She has the right to participate by virtue of her status as a former employee.> make a virtue (out) of necessity: to benefit from something that one is forced to do <When he lost his driver's license, he made a virtue out of necessity and got in shape by riding his bike to work.>

impregnable

: not able to be captured by attack : very strong : not likely to be weakened or changed : incapable of being taken by assault : unconquerable <an impregnable fortress> : unassailable; also : impenetrable <impregnable walls> <an impregnable fortress that had foiled one invader after another over the centuries> <the castle's supposedly impregnable walls> Did You Know? Since the days when the Norman French ruled England, English-speakers have been captured by the allure of French terms. Impregnable is one of the many English words that bear a French ancestry. It derives from the Middle French verb prendre, which means "to take or capture." Combining prendre with various prefixes has given our language many other words, too, including surprise, reprise and enterprise.

irrefutable

: not able to be proved wrong : not capable of being refuted : impossible to refute : incontrovertible <irrefutable proof> There is irrefutable evidence that he committed these crimes. <the irrefutable reply of "Because I like it!">

unprecedented

: not done or experienced before : having no precedent : novel, unexampled ... on one occasion, a president (Eisenhower) refers to himself as "conservative." Four years later, the Republican presidential nominee (Goldwater) announces that he is "a conservative." Another sixteen years later, Ronald Reagan, a self-declared conservative, is elected president by an overwhelming majority. By that time—1980—more Americans identify themselves as conservatives than as liberals. This was, and remains, a tectonic transformation, unprecedented in American history. —John Lukacs, Harper's, March 2008 Faced with an unprecedented crisis that combines cyclical turbulence with metastasizing digital technology that steals away revenue and readers at an alarming and seemingly accelerating rate (while offering newspapers only stingy payoffs), publishers and editors everywhere have thrown away their rule books—and, to find their way in this new and alien environment, are ready to implement previously unthinkable changes. —Mark Fitzgerald et al., Editor & Publisher, August 2008 Many of the forces that initially sent the economy into a tailspin in 1929 and 1930 have been at work in the 2000s as well: a stock-market boom turned bust, a real estate boom turned bust, unprecedented levels of consumer debt. —Justin Fox, Time, 10 Mar. 2008 Shakespeare served as exemplar of the writer who achieved success, and an unprecedented degree of financial reward, from his pen alone. —Jonathan Bate, Harper's, April 2007 Fan fiction ... was once mainly a fringe pursuit. Now, it's changing the world of fiction, as Internet exposure helps unknown authors find mainstream success. Some Web sites are attracting unprecedented numbers of readers and, in some cases, leading to book deals. —John Jurgensen, Wall Street Journal, 16-17 Sep. 2006 Shocking as it is, more than a month after the hurricane hit, New Orleans is still, for all practical purposes, a ghost town. The entire population has left—an unprecedented situation in modern times in any major city anywhere. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005 The team has enjoyed unprecedented success this year. This level of growth is unprecedented. An unprecedented number of students are taking the class.

exhalation

: something exhaled or given off : emanation : an act of exhaling

invocation

: the act of mentioning or referring to someone or something in support of your ideas : the act of invoking something : the act of asking for help or support especially from a god : a prayer for blessing or guidance at the beginning of a service, ceremony, etc. a : the act or process of petitioning for help or support; specifically often capitalized : a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship) b : a calling upon for authority or justification : a formula for conjuring : incantation : an act of legal or moral implementation : enforcement his repeated invocations of the ancient philosophers justifying his position by invocation of the past The poem begins with an invocation of the Muses. They began the meeting with an invocation.

propagation

: the act or action of propagating: as a : increase (as of a kind of organism) in numbers b : the spreading of something (as a belief) abroad or into new regions c : enlargement or extension (as of a crack) in a solid body

juxtaposition

: the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side; also : the state of being so placed : the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side; also : the state of being so placed

adjoining

: touching or bounding at a point or line <the cows had broken through the fence and were grazing in the adjoining field> Synonym Discussion of adjoining adjacent, adjoining, contiguous, juxtaposed mean being in close proximity. adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between <a house with an adjacent garage>. adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line <had adjoining rooms at the hotel>. contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side <offices in all 48 contiguous states>. juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast <a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church>.

avid

: very eager : wanting something very much : desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : greedy <avid for publicity> : characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit <avid readers> He is an avid admirer of horror movies. They took an avid interest in politics. some of the newspaper's most avid readers Synonym Discussion of avid eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.

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> 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 Industry sages argue that lump charcoal is poised for a back-to-the-future resurgence. They say that a new generation of consumers—aware that most briquettes are shot through with all manner of extraneous materials, from fillers of pulverized limestone to binders of sugarcane bagasse and ignition catalysts of sodium nitrate—are willing to pay the two-buck-a-bag premium for true lump, which, compared to traditional briquettes, lights quicker, burns hotter, and throws off no chemical residue. —John T. Edge, Gourmet, June 2003 The summer concert season is at hand, which means lots of warm nights wishing the guy in the row behind you would bogart that joint instead of blowing smoke into your hair, and lots of days spent wondering just how many extraneous ... charges one ticket can possibly have added on. —Entertainment Weekly, 18 May 2001 She sped up the process by eliminating all extraneous steps. <the architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation> Did You Know? We'll try not to weigh you down with a lot of extraneous information about the word extraneous, but we will tell you that it has been a part of the English language since at least 1638. It derives from the Latin word extraneus, which literally means "external." Extraneus is also the root of the words strange and estrange ("to alienate the affections or confidence of"). Synonym Discussion of extraneous 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>.

venerable

: old and respected : valued and respected because of old age, long use, etc. : deserving to be venerated —used as a title for an Anglican archdeacon or for a Roman Catholic who has been accorded the lowest of three degrees of recognition for sanctity : made sacred especially by religious or historical association a : calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments <a venerable jazz musician>; broadly : conveying an impression of aged goodness and benevolence <encouraged by the venerable doctor's head-nodding> b : impressive by reason of age <under venerable pines> [Julie] Powell never met Julia Child (who died last year), but the venerable chef's spirit is present throughout, and Powell imaginatively reconstructs episodes from Child's life in the 1940s. Her writing is feisty and unrestrained, especially as she details killing lobsters, tackling marrowbones and cooking late into the night. —Publishers Weekly, 13 June 2005 Under her stewardship, the onetime boardinghouse came to be heralded as the South's most venerable family restaurant, a reliquary of old-fashioned cooking—collard greens enriched with fatback, creamed corn straight from the cob, fried chicken with a pepper-flecked crust—where the tables groaned beneath the weight of a quintessential midday repast, and history stood still on the plate for all to admire. —John T. Edge, Gourmet, January 2003 The lower the P/E, as a rough rule of thumb, the cheaper the stock. Though this guide to value has lots of exceptions, it remains a venerable market benchmark. —Jonathan Weil, Wall Street Journal, 21 Aug. 2001 I then descended to the Courts of justice, over which the judges, those venerable sages and interpreters of the law, presided, for determining the disputed rights and properties of men, as well as for the punishment of vice, and protection of innocence. —Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, 1726 <the venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers> <a venerable tradition that colleges have been maintaining for centuries> Synonym Discussion of venerable 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>.

vaccine

medical : a substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease : a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease

neural

medical : of, relating to, or involving a nerve or the nervous system : of, relating to, or affecting a nerve or the nervous system : situated in the region of or on the same side of the body as the brain and spinal cord : dorsal She suffers from a neural disorder.

vertebrate

a : having a spinal column b : of or relating to the vertebrates : organized or constructed in orderly or developed form biology : an animal that has a backbone : any of a subphylum (Vertebrata) of chordates possessing a spinal column that includes the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes

congruent

mathematics : having the same size and shape : matching or in agreement with something : congruous : superposable so as to be coincident throughout : having the difference divisible by a given modulus <12 is congruent to 2 (modulo 5) since 12−2=2·5> Their goals are not congruent with the goals of the team. <a theory congruent with the known facts of the case>

epitome

: a perfect example : an example that represents or expresses something very well a : a summary of a written work b : a brief presentation or statement of something : a typical or ideal example : embodiment <the British monarchy itself is the epitome of tradition — Richard Joseph> : brief or miniature form —usually used with in Terns, nicknamed sea swallows by fishermen, are superb flying machines, the epitome of beauty on the wing. —E. Vernon Laux, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2001 Manchester, then known as 'Cottonopolis' and perceived throughout the world as the epitome of the whirling fierceness of the industrial revolution. ... —Roy Jenkins, Gladstone, (1995) 1997 Hamilton thought the bank was a fait accompli, but he had not reckoned on Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Jefferson, the lover of rural virtues, had a deep, almost visceral hatred of banks, the epitome of all that was urban. —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, July/August 1990 I didn't tell him that, at the time, I thought the place to be the epitome of bourgeois comfort; in those days I thought that there was some connection between creative talent and penury. —Ishmael Reed, "August Wilson," 1987, in Writin' Is Fightin', 1988 <the golden rule is often cited as the epitome of moral conduct: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"> <the prestigious prep school prides itself on being widely regarded as the epitome of tradition and old-fashioned values> Did You Know? Epitome first appeared in print in 1520, when it was used to mean "summary." If someone asks you to summarize a long paper, you effectively cut it up, mentioning only the most important ideas in your synopsis, and the etymology of epitome reflects this process. The word descends from Greek epitemnein, meaning "to cut short," which in turn was formed from the prefix epi- and the verb temnein, which means "to cut." Your summary probably also presents all the key points of the original work, which may explain why epitome eventually came to be used for anything (such as a person or object) that is a clear or good example of an abstraction.

diverse

: different from each other : made up of people or things that are different from each other : differing from one another : unlike <people with diverse interests> : composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities <a diverse population> Examples of diverse in a sentence We can adapt to new problems in ways that other species cannot. It is this ability that enabled our ancestors to spread over the globe, displacing other hominids and many other species along the way. Our cultures and individual behaviors are so successfully diverse that humans are more like an entire ecosystem than a single species. —Barbara Oakley, Evil Genes, (2007) 2008 Since the methods and policies of the Spaniards on the edges of empire varied over time and place, and the indigenous tribes and peoples with whom they came into contact were almost endlessly diverse, Weber was faced with the daunting challenge of writing a book that was at the same time comprehensive and comprehensible. —J. H. Elliott, New York Review of Books, 23 Feb. 2006 The place is packed at both lunch and dinner. The crowd, always a diverse blend of athletes and fans, cops and criminals, showbiz and fashion, appears as heterogeneous as ever. —Eric Asimov, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2003 Many students, from campuses diverse as Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, had classmates sign cards pledging to vote for "books, not bombs." —Liza Featherstone, Nation, 4/11 Aug. 2003 His message appealed to a diverse audience. a diverse group of subjects Synonym Discussion of diverse different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character. different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness <different foods>. diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast <such diverse interests as dancing and football>. divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation <went on to pursue divergent careers>. disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility <disparate notions of freedom>. various stresses the number of sorts or kinds <tried various methods>. Numerous commentators have condemned different than in spite of its use since the 17th century by many of the best-known names in English literature. It is nevertheless standard and is even recommended in many handbooks when followed by a clause, because insisting on from in such instances often produces clumsy or wordy formulations. Different from, the generally safe choice, is more common especially when it is followed by a noun or pronoun.

delicate

: easily broken or damaged : easily injured, hurt, or made sick : attractive and made up of small or fine parts : pleasing to the senses: a : generally pleasant <the climate's delicate, the air most sweet — Shakespeare> b : pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially in a mild or subtle way <a delicate aroma> <a robust wine will dominate delicate dishes> c : marked by daintiness or charm of color, lines, or proportions <a delicate floral print> <an ample tear trilled down her delicate cheek — Shakespeare> d : marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture <a delicate tracery> <a delicate lace> a : marked by keen sensitivity or fine discrimination <delicate insights> <a more delicate syntactic analysis — R. H. Robins> b : fastidious, squeamish <a person of delicate tastes> a : not robust in health or constitution : weak, sickly <had been considered a delicate child> b : easily torn or damaged : fragile <the delicate chain of life> a : requiring careful handling: (1) : easily unsettled or upset <a delicate balance> <the delicate relationships defined by the Constitution — New Yorker> (2) : requiring skill or tact <in a delicate position> <delicate negotiations> <a delicate operation> (3) : involving matters of a deeply personal nature : sensitive <this is a delicate matter. Could I possibly speak to you alone — Daphne Du Maurier> b : marked by care, skill, or tact <delicate handling of a difficult situation> : marked by great precision or sensitivity <a delicate instrument> He has a delicate stomach and often gets sick when traveling. The fabric has a delicate floral print. We hung delicate lace curtains in the windows. The tomb was adorned with delicate carvings. the delicate flavor of the wine Synonym Discussion of delicate choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely <freedom of choice>. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed <the option of paying now or later>. alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility <equally attractive alternatives>. preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections <a preference for cool weather>. selection implies a range of choice <a varied selection of furniture>. election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment <doing a tax return forces certain elections on you>. choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind <choice fabric>. exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste <an exquisite gold bracelet>. elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste <a sumptuous but elegant dining room>. rare suggests an uncommon excellence <rare beauty>. delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility <delicate craftsmanship>. dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate <dainty sandwiches>.

remunerative

: paying a lot of money : serving to remunerate : providing remuneration : profitable re·mu·ner·a·tive·ly adverb Our investors are seeking more remunerative opportunities. <made a highly remunerative investment that will end up paying my college tuition>

expedient

: providing an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something : suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance : characterized by concern with what is opportune; especially : governed by self-interest Marley found it expedient to maintain social relationships with gunmen and politicans from both political parties. —Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 1994 The marble floor ... gave the hall the aspect of a cathedral, and the walls were decorated with aphorisms such as Cicero's THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE HIGHEST LAW, a phrase he found curiously—or at least potentially—expedient in what was certainly designed as a temple to the idea of law. —Tom Clancy, Patriot Games, 1987 Under political pressure and at the urging of Jefferson, Madison finally (but grudgingly) admitted that a bill of rights might help, over time, to instill in the people a greater respect for "the fundamental maxims of free government." But even as he was sheparding the first amendments through Congress, in 1789, he privately described them (amazingly enough) as a "nauseous project," required only for expedient reasons of politics. —Jack N. Rakove, Atlantic, December 1986 They found it expedient to negotiate with the terrorists. Do the right thing, not the expedient thing. Synonym Discussion of expedient expedient, politic, advisable mean dictated by practical or prudent motives. expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles <a politically expedient decision>. politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity <a politic show of interest>. advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic <sometimes it's advisable to say nothing>. : an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something : an expedient solution : something done or used to achieve a particular end usually quickly or temporarily : an expedient action or solution In 1882, racing to meet the deadline on Life on the Mississippi, he [Mark Twain] boasted to W.D. Howells that he had managed to churn out 9,500 words in a day, having resorted to the old hack's expedient of copying out large chunks from other people's books ... —Jonathan Raban, Times Literary Supplement, 21-27 Sept. 1990 The Viet Cong taught the peasants to dig cave shelters under the sleeping platforms rural Vietnamese cover with mats of woven straw and use as beds. This expedient gave the peasants a handy shelter right inside the house, unless that house happened to be one of those set afire by the napalm or the white phosphorus, called Willy Peter in U.S. military idiom. —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988 For government is an expedient, by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. —Henry David Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience," 1849 For it is plain that every word we speak is in some degree a diminution of our lungs by corrosion, and consequently contributes to the shortening of our lives. An expedient was therefore offered, that since words are only names for things, it would be more convenient for all men to carry about them such things as were necessary to express the particular business they are to discourse on. —Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, 1726 The government chose short-term expedients instead of a real economic policy. We can solve this problem by the simple expedient of taking out another loan. Synonym Discussion of expedient resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon <exhausted all of their resources> <a last resort>. expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible <a flimsy expedient>. shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient <desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure>. makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference <old equipment employed as a makeshift>. stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure <a new law intended only as a stopgap>.

auspicious

: showing or suggesting that future success is likely : showing or suggesting that future success is likely : propitious <made an auspicious beginning> : attended by good fortune : prosperous <an auspicious year> After his auspicious debut, Chambers became sought after by serious collectors of folk art; but given that the present show is now only the second he has had and is the first retrospective look at him, he is probably as obscure to the general museum going public today as he was in 1942. —Sanford Schwartz, New York Review of Books, 15 Jan. 2009 There is, first of all, Marconi himself, the 21-year-old prodigy who burst on London with his gizmo in 1896. This wasn't the most auspicious moment for a half-Irish, half-Italian unknown to announce that he had bested some of the empire's greatest scientific minds. —Kevin Baker, New York Times Book Review, 5 Nov. 2006 Indeed, it hardly seems like an auspicious time to introduce a brand of cigarettes, especially for tiny Star, which accounts for just over 1 percent of the U.S. market with its four brands of discount smokes. —David Noonan, Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2000 His acclaimed first novel was an auspicious debut. <told him she couldn't dance with him just then, but her auspicious smile encouraged him to ask again later> Did You Know? Auspicious comes from Latin auspex, which literally means "bird seer" (from the words avis, meaning "bird," and specere, meaning "to look"). In ancient Rome, these "bird seers" were priests, or augurs, who studied the flight and feeding patterns of birds, then delivered prophecies based on their observations. The right combination of bird behavior indicated favorable conditions, but the wrong patterns spelled trouble. The English noun "auspice," which originally referred to this practice of observing birds to discover omens, also comes from Latin auspex. Today, the plural form "auspices" is often used with the meaning "kindly patronage and guidance."

eccentric

: tending to act in strange or unusual ways : strange or unusual : not following a perfectly circular path a : deviating from an established or usual pattern or style <eccentric products> b : deviating from conventional or accepted usage or conduct especially in odd or whimsical ways <an eccentric millionaire> a : deviating from a circular path; especially : elliptical 1 <an eccentric orbit> b : located elsewhere than at the geometrical center; also : having the axis or support so located <an eccentric wheel> It was Charles Darwin's eccentric mathematician cousin Francis Galton who in 1874 ignited the nature-nurture controversy. ... —Matt Ridley, Time, 2 June 2003 Eccentric drifters that normally roam the farthest reaches of the solar system, these daredevils fly so close to the Sun that they pass through its scorching corona. —Maggie McKee, Astronomy, December 2002 In the spit-and-polish Navy, he and his equally unkempt colleagues were regarded as eccentric. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999 He was a kind but eccentric man. She's become more eccentric over the years. Did You Know? Eccentric comes to us through Middle English from the Medieval Latin word eccentricus, but it is ultimately derived from a combination of the Greek words ex, meaning "out of," and kentron, meaning "center." The original meaning of "eccentric" in English was "not having the same center" (as in "eccentric spheres"). In this sense, it contrasts with concentric, meaning "having a common center" (as in "concentric circles, one within another"). But since at least 1630, English speakers have also used "eccentric" to describe individuals who are figuratively off-center. It can also be used to describe something that doesn't follow a truly circular path, as in "an eccentric orbit." Synonym Discussion of eccentric strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic, odd, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable <a journey filled with strange sights>. singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness <a singular feeling of impending disaster>. unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel <a career unique in the annals of science>. peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness <the peculiar status of America's first lady>. eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior <the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers>. erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating <a friend's suddenly erratic behavior>. odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected <an odd sense of humor>. quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness <a quaint fishing village>. outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric <outlandish fashions of the time>.

life expectancy

: the average number of years that a person or animal can expect to live : the average life span of an individual improvements in diet that have resulted in greater life expectancy for many people calculating the life expectancies of different social groups

onset

: the beginning of something : attack, assault <withstand the onset of the army> : beginning, commencement <the onset of winter> <the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion> <the claim that if you take enough vitamin C at the onset of a cold, you'll often recover faster>

purport

: the main or general meaning of something (such as a speech or a person's actions) the purport of the book The letter was not read aloud, but all present were informed of its purport.

surround

: a border or an area that is around the outside edge of something : something (as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds <from urban centre to rural surround — Emrys Jones> <the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him>

biome

: a major ecological community type (as tropical rain forest, grassland, or desert)

hatchling

: a recently hatched animal : a very young bird, fish, etc., that has just come out from an egg : a recently hatched animal

moisture

: a small amount of a liquid (such as water) that makes something wet or moist : liquid diffused or condensed in relatively small quantity These flowers grow best with moisture and shade. Wool socks will pull moisture away from your skin. The leaves absorb moisture from the air.

poignant

: causing a strong feeling of sadness : pungently pervasive <a poignant perfume> a (1) : painfully affecting the feelings : piercing (2) : deeply affecting : touching b : designed to make an impression : cutting <poignant satire> a : pleasurably stimulating b : being to the point : apt ... this movie isn't a soft-pedaled, poignant tale of addiction and recovery—it's just about the addiction. —David Crowley, Vibe, June 2001 In a poignant attempt to split the difference between the two camps, Justices Breyer and David Souter tried to prevent the Court from destroying itself. —Jeffrey Rosen, New Republic, 25 Dec. 2000 I've witnessed the poignant efforts of young whites striving to conform to the vague tenets of the mainstream, taking crushingly dull jobs, settling down with the least challenging of spouses ... —Jake Lamar, UTNE Reader, May/June 1992 ... a new and sharper and most poignant sense of loss for that broken musical instrument which had once been my leg. —Oliver Sacks, A Leg to Stand On, 1984 The photograph was a poignant reminder of her childhood. <a poignant story of a love affair that ends in tragedy> Did You Know? Poignant comes to us from French, and before that from Latin-specifically, the Latin verb pungere, meaning "to prick or sting." Several other common English words derive from pungere, including pungent, which can refer, among other things, to a "sharp" odor. The influence of pungere can also be seen in puncture, as well as punctual, which originally meant simply "of or relating to a point." Even compunction and expunge come from this pointedly relevant Latin word. Synonym Discussion of poignant pungent, piquant, poignant, racy mean sharp and stimulating to the mind or the senses. pungent implies a sharp, stinging, or biting quality especially of odors <a cheese with a pungent odor>. piquant suggests a power to whet the appetite or interest through tartness or mild pungency <a piquant sauce>. poignant suggests something is sharply or piercingly effective in stirring one's emotions <felt a poignant sense of loss>. racy implies having a strongly characteristic natural quality fresh and unimpaired <spontaneous, racy prose>. moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion. moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy <a moving appeal for contributions>. impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction <an impressive list of achievements>. poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities <a poignant documentary on the homeless>. affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos <an affecting deathbed reunion>. touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion <the touching innocence in a child's eyes>. pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt <pathetic attempts to justify misconduct>.

volatile

: likely to change in a very sudden or extreme way : having or showing extreme or sudden changes of emotion : likely to become dangerous or out of control : readily vaporizable at a relatively low temperature : flying or having the power to fly a : lighthearted, lively b : easily aroused <volatile suspicions> c : tending to erupt into violence : explosive <a volatile temper> a : unable to hold the attention fixed because of an inherent lightness or fickleness of disposition b : characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change <a volatile market> : difficult to capture or hold permanently : evanescent, transitory I am beginning to hear investors say that the best way to beat this volatile market is by trading—anxiously moving in and out of securities as the market ebbs and flows. In my view there is no surer path to the poorhouse. —John W. Rogers, Jr., Forbes, 25 May 2009 Usually, only a few of the volatile chemicals in a fragrance are obviously noticeable to human noses. —Ivan Amato, Science News, 24 Sept. 2005 VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) are thought to be among the potential culprits behind illnesses often lumped under the heading of Sick Building Syndrome. —Scott Schilling, This Old House, March 2005 ... it was Elvis who represented rock and roll at its unblushing, volatile best; he was its first master and the embodiment of every reason that adolescents of the postwar years turned to it in favor of the cheerfully torpid pop music ... to which their parents were listening. —David Hajdu, New York Review of Books, 9 Oct. 2003 When left unused, make-up has a tendency to dry out because any water or other volatile substances it contains evaporate. —Barry Fox, New Scientist, 9 Aug. 2003 The stock market can be very volatile. She is a volatile woman. The protests are increasing, creating a volatile situation in the capital. Did You Know? Volatile was originally for the birds - quite literally. Back in the 14th century, volatile was a noun that referred to birds (especially wild fowl) or other winged creatures, such as butterflies. That's not as flighty as it sounds. Volatile traces back to the Latin verb volare, which means "to fly." By the end of the 16th century, people were using volatile as an adjective for things that were so light they seemed ready to fly. The adjective was soon extended to vapors and gases, and by the early 17th century, volatile was being applied to individuals or things as prone to sudden change as some gaseous substances. In recent years, volatile has landed in economic, political, and technical contexts far flown from its avian origins. : a chemical or compound that changes into a gas easily : a substance that is readily vaporizable at relatively low temperature : a volatile substance

jurisdiction

: the power or right to make judgments about the law, to arrest and punish criminals, etc. : the power or right to govern an area : an area within which a particular system of laws is used : the power, right, or authority to interpret and apply the law a : the authority of a sovereign power to govern or legislate b : the power or right to exercise authority : control : the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised The court has jurisdiction over most criminal offenses. His attorney claimed the court lacked jurisdiction in this matter. The matter falls outside the jurisdiction of this court. territory under the jurisdiction of the federal government He was arrested in another jurisdiction. Synonym Discussion of jurisdiction 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>. Legal Definition of jurisdiction : the power, right, or authority to interpret, apply, and declare the law (as by rendering a decision) <to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime — U.S. Constitution art. IV> <a court of competent jurisdiction> — see also situs, International Shoe Co. v. Washington — compare venue Editor's note: Jurisdiction determines which court system should properly adjudicate a case. Questions of jurisdiction also arise regarding quasi-judicial bodies (as administrative agencies) in their decision-making capacities. alienage jurisdiction : jurisdiction granted to federal courts over civil disputes between a state or citizen and a foreign state or citizens or subjects of a foreign state ancillary jurisdiction : jurisdiction giving a court the power to adjudicate claims (as counterclaims and cross-claims) because they arise from a cause of action over which the court has original jurisdiction; specifically : supplemental jurisdiction acquired by a federal court allowing it to adjudicate claims that are based on state law but that form part of a case brought to the court under its diversity jurisdiction — compare pendent jurisdiction in this entry Editor's note: Ancillary jurisdiction allows a single court to decide an entire case instead of dividing the claims among several courts and proceedings, and allows a federal court to decide a claim that would otherwise be properly brought to a state court. appellate jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted to particular courts to hear appeals of the decisions of lower tribunals and to reverse, affirm, or modify those decisions — compare original jurisdiction in this entry concurrent jurisdiction : jurisdiction that is shared by different courts and that may allow for removal <two states may have concurrent jurisdiction over crimes committed on boundary rivers — W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.> consent jurisdiction : jurisdiction granted by consent of the parties diversity jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted to federal courts over civil disputes involving parties having diverse citizenship (as in being from different states) where the matter in controversy exceeds a statutory amount (as $75,000) Editor's note: The diversity jurisdiction of the district courts requires that there be complete diversity of the parties, which means that no party on one side has the same citizenship as a party on the other side. Interpleader in federal district courts, however, requires only minimal diversity, which means that at least one party has citizenship that differs from the others. The federal courts have traditionally refused to exercise their diversity jurisdiction over cases involving domestic relations and probate. exclusive jurisdiction : jurisdiction granted only to a particular court to the exclusion of others <federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases> federal question jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted to federal courts over civil actions arising under the Constitution, federal laws, or treaties of the U.S. : federal jurisdiction over cases involving a federal question — see also well-pleaded complaint rule Editor's note: The federal courts have usually interpreted the statutory phrase "arising under" rather strictly. U.S. Supreme Court decisions have held that the plaintiff's pleading must establish that the cause of action raises an issue of federal law (as by depending on construction or application of a federal law). general jurisdiction : jurisdiction that is not limited (as to a particular class of cases); specifically : the personal jurisdiction granted a court over a party allowing the court to adjudicate a cause of action that does not arise out of or is not related to the party's contacts within the territory of that court in personam jurisdiction \ˌin-pər-ˈsō-nəm-, -per-ˈsō-näm-\ : the jurisdiction granted a court over persons before it that allows the court to issue a binding judgment : personal jurisdiction in this entry in rem jurisdiction \in-ˈrem-\ : the jurisdiction granted a court over property that allows the court to issue binding judgments (as an order for partition) affecting a person's interests in the property — compare personal jurisdiction in this entry jurisdiction in personam : in personam jurisdiction in this entry jurisdiction in rem : in rem jurisdiction in this entry limited jurisdiction : jurisdiction that is restricted (as to a type of case) original jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted a court to try a case in the first instance, make findings of fact, and render a usu. appealable decision <the district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States — U.S. Code> pendent jurisdiction : supplemental jurisdiction that allows a federal court to adjudicate state law claims which form part of a case that was brought to it under its federal question jurisdiction; also : pendent party jurisdiction in this entry — compare ancillary jurisdiction in this entry pendent party jurisdiction : supplemental jurisdiction that allows a federal court to adjudicate a state law claim asserted against a third party which is part of a case brought to it under its original jurisdiction personal jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted a court over the parties before it that allows it to issue a binding judgment — see also doing business statute, fair play and substantial justice, long-arm statute, minimum contacts — compare subject matter jurisdiction in this entry Editor's note: The U.S. Supreme Court has held in a series of decisions that the exercise of personal jurisdiction must meet the requirements of due process and must not violate notions of fair play and substantial justice. The constitutional standard to determine whether a party is subject to the personal jurisdiction of a court is whether that party has had minimum contacts within the territory (as a state) of that court. primary jurisdiction : the jurisdiction granted by a judicially created doctrine to an administrative agency to decide certain controversies initially before relief is sought in the courts — compare exhaustion of remedies quasi in rem jurisdiction : the jurisdiction of a court over a person which is based on the person's interests in property under the court's jurisdiction and which allows the court to issue a binding judgment against the person — see also sequestration — compare personal jurisdiction in this entry specific jurisdiction : personal jurisdiction granted a court over a party that allows it to adjudicate only a cause of action that arises out of or is related to the party's contacts within the territory of that court — compare general jurisdiction in this entry subject matter jurisdiction : the jurisdiction of a court over the subject, type, or cause of action of a case that allows the court to issue a binding judgment <housing court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to adjudicate fraudulent conveyance actions — National Law Journal> — compare personal jurisdiction in this entry Editor's note: Diversity jurisdiction, federal question jurisdiction, and jurisdiction over admiralty and bankruptcy cases are examples of the federal courts' subject matter jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction is generally established by statute. supplemental jurisdiction : jurisdiction granted federal courts over claims that could not be heard in a federal court on their own but that are so closely related to claims over which the court has original jurisdiction that they form part of the same case — see also ancillary jurisdiction and pendent jurisdiction in this entry Editor's note: Supplemental jurisdiction was created by a federal statute that codified the judicially created doctrines of ancillary and pendent jurisdiction. : the authority (as of a state) to govern or legislate <the trade bill was within the Ways and Means committee's jurisdiction> <whether a foreign state shall be subject to the jurisdiction of another>; broadly : the power or right to exercise authority <the department of consumer affairs has jurisdiction over such complaints> : the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised <no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State — U.S. Constitution art. IV> —called also territorial jurisdiction

amenable

: willing to agree or to accept something that is wanted or asked for : able to be controlled, organized, or affected by something : liable to be brought to account : answerable <citizens amenable to the law> a : capable of submission (as to judgment or test) : suited <the data is amenable to analysis> b : readily brought to yield, submit, or cooperate <a government not amenable to change> c : willing 1 <was amenable to spending more time at home> Mr. Bush is in a position to make his party more amenable to minorities and especially blacks. He should seize the moment. —Jason L. Riley, Wall Street Journal, 16 Jan. 2003 While no one yet knows how wide ... margins can go, contracts establish royalty rates and project them far into the future. Many agents have thus pushed for a term of license of just a few years. Publishers, however, are not always amenable. —Steven M. Zeitchik, Publishers Weekly, 14 June 1999 Some of the newer findings address a vexing flaw in the sole noninvasive screening test for detecting microscopic prostate cancer, the form most amenable to a cure. —Marc B. Garnick et al., Scientific American, December 1998 ... depression, schizophrenia and manic depression, mental troubles that are now considered amenable to treatment by drug therapy ... —Sherry Turkle, London Review of Books, 19 Mar. 1998 <whatever you decide to do, I'm amenable—just let me know> <our normally balky cat becomes the most amenable of creatures when confronted with the strange environment of the veterinary clinic> Did You Know? Amenable is a legacy of Anglo-French and derives ultimately from Latin minari, meaning "to threaten." Since 1596, English speakers have been using it in courtrooms and writings of law with the meaning "answerable," as in "citizens amenable to the law." It later developed the meanings "suited" ("a simple function . . . which is perfectly amenable to pencil-and-paper arithmetic" - Nature, April 1973) and "responsive" (as in "mental illnesses that are amenable to drug therapy"). It also came to be used of people with a general disposition to be agreeable or complaisant - like Mr. Dick in David Copperfield, who was "the most friendly and amenable creature in existence." Nowadays, "amenable" is often used to describe someone who is favorably disposed to a particular named something. Synonym Discussion of amenable responsible, answerable, accountable, amenable, liable mean subject to being held to account. responsible implies holding a specific office, duty, or trust <the bureau responsible for revenue collection>. answerable suggests a relation between one having a moral or legal obligation and a court or other authority charged with oversight of its observance <an intelligence agency answerable to Congress>. accountable suggests imminence of retribution for unfulfilled trust or violated obligation <elected officials are accountable to the voters>. amenable and liable stress the fact of subjection to review, censure, or control by a designated authority under certain conditions <laws are amenable to judicial review> <not liable for the debts of the former spouse>. obedient, docile, tractable, amenable mean submissive to the will of another. obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority <obedient to the government>. docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance <a docile child>. tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing <tractable animals>. amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness <amenable to new ideas>.

verdict

law : the decision made by a jury in a trial : a judgment or opinion about something : the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial : opinion, judgment The verdict was not guilty. The jury reached a guilty verdict. Do you want my verdict on the meal? The critic's verdict about the show was positive. open verdict: law : an official statement or decision saying that a crime has been committed but not naming a criminal or saying that there has been a death but not naming the cause of death

prenatal

medical : relating to pregnant women and their unborn babies : occurring, existing, or performed before birth <prenatal care> : providing or receiving prenatal medical care <a prenatal clinic> <prenatal patients> : occurring, existing, performed, or used before birth <prenatal care> <the prenatal period> <prenatal testing> <prenatal vitamins> : providing or receiving prenatal medical care <a prenatal clinic> <a prenatal patient>—called also antenatal; compare intranatal, neonatal, postnatal

remittent

of a disease : marked by alternating periods of abatement and increase of symptoms <remittent fever>

hibernation

of an animal : to spend the winter sleeping or resting : to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state : to be or become inactive or dormant bears hibernating in their dens

you're welcome

used as a response after being thanked by someone <"Thanks for the ride." "You're welcome.">

vice versa

used to say that the opposite of a statement is also true : with the order changed : with the relations reversed : conversely

degree

: a unit for measuring temperature : a unit for measuring the size of an angle : an amount or level that can be measured or compared to another amount or level : a step or stage in a process, course, or order of classification <advanced by degrees> a : a rank or grade of official, ecclesiastical, or social position <people of low degree> b archaic : a particular standing especially as to dignity or worth c : the civil condition or status of a person : a step in a direct line of descent or in the line of ascent to a common ancestor a obsolete : step, stair b archaic : a member of a series arranged in steps : a measure of damage to tissue caused by injury or disease — compare first-degree burn, second-degree burn, third-degree burn a : the extent, measure, or scope of an action, condition, or relation <different in degree but not in kind> b : relative intensity <a high degree of stress> c : one of the forms or sets of forms used in the comparison of an adjective or adverb d : a legal measure of guilt or negligence <found guilty of robbery in the first degree> a : a title conferred on students by a college, university, or professional school on completion of a program of study b : a grade of membership attained in a ritualistic order or society c : an academic title conferred to honor distinguished achievement or service d : the formal ceremonies observed in the conferral of such a distinction : a unit of measure for angles equal to an angle with its vertex at the center of a circle and its sides cutting off 1⁄360 of the circumference; also : a unit of measure for arcs of a circle equal to the amount of arc that subtends a central angle of one degree archaic : a position or space on the earth or in the heavens as measured by degrees of latitude a : a step, note, or tone of a musical scale b : a line or space of the musical staff : one of the divisions or intervals marked on a scale of a measuring instrument; specifically : any of various units for measuring temperature a : the sum of the exponents of the variables in the term of highest degree in a polynomial, polynomial function, or polynomial equation b : the sum of the exponents of the variable factors of a monomial c : the greatest power of the derivative of highest order in a differential equation after the equation has been rationalized and cleared of fractions with respect to the derivative to a degree: : to a remarkable extent : exceedingly <I felt desolate to a degree — Charlotte Brontë> : in a small way <to a degree he succeeded> There are 360 degrees in a circle. These trees will thrive, to a greater or lesser degree, in a number of climates. to a greater or lesser degree/extent: to some degree/extent <This new tax affects everyone to a greater or lesser degree/extent.> by degrees: very slowly : by a series of small changes <The tomatoes changed by degrees from green to red.> honorary degree: a degree given by a college or university to someone who is not a student but who has done something important bachelor's degree: a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study master's degree: a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree

pious

: deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion : falsely appearing to be good or moral a : marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship b : marked by conspicuous religiosity <a hypocrite—a thing all pious words and uncharitable deeds — Charles Reade> : sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or secular : religious <a pious opinion> : showing loyal reverence for a person or thing : dutiful a : marked by sham or hypocrisy b : marked by self-conscious virtue : virtuous : deserving commendation : worthy <a pious effort> We must ask to what extent, and at however unconscious a level, a conflict arises in the pious political mind when it is sworn to uphold the civil religion of the Constitution. —E. L. Doctorow, Free Inquiry, October/November 2008 But our problem is the lack of any shared or coherent attitude toward the rest of the world, without which, as Judt acknowledges, Europe exists in pieces, an outsize Switzerland held together by nothing more solid than pious sentiment. —Nicholas Fraser, Harper's, May 2006 The other side of the masonry block was covered with a web of ancient graffiti, she said, left by pious visitors to the tomb. —Tom Mueller, Atlantic, October 2003 The news offered so many occasions for pious or ribald commentary that any chance of agreement about what any of it meant was lost in a vast din of clucking and sniggering. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, August 1997 Japanese schools have another eccentricity, which is the pious, Sunday-school-like enthusiasm of students and teachers alike for education about values. Teachers sometimes sound so saccharine that they would make Mr. Rogers look like a cynic. —Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times Magazine, 17 Aug. 1997 They lived a quiet, pious life. I'm tired of hearing politicians making pious pronouncements about their devotion to the people. pious hope/wish: something that is hoped for but will probably not happen <His speech contained no practical solutions, just the pious hope that the war would end soon.>

coherence

: the quality or state of cohering: as a : systematic or logical connection or consistency b : integration of diverse elements, relationships, or values : the property of being coherent <a plan that lacks coherence> <the house has been expanded and remodeled so many times that now it's a jumbled mess that lacks coherence>

industrious

: working very hard : not lazy obsolete : skillful, ingenious : constantly, regularly, or habitually active or occupied : diligent <an industrious worker>

epidermis

medical : the outer layer of skin a : the outer epithelial layer of the external integument of the animal body that is derived from the embryonic epiblast; specifically : the outer nonsensitive and nonvascular layer of the skin of a vertebrate that overlies the dermis b : any of various animal integuments : a thin surface layer of tissue in higher plants formed by growth of a primary meristem

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) 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 Although the Voting Rights Act served, in some measure, to formalize the notion of racial representation, its consequences undermined its premise—that a transparency of interests existed between the representative and the represented. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 24 Oct. 1994 Thirty years ago the modesty of the general expectation was still consistent with the original American premise of self-government. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, November 1992 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 on premises: inside a building or on the area of land that it is on <Full meals are available at restaurant on premises.> <No smoking on premises.> on the premises: inside a building or on the area of land that it is on <The hotel has a restaurant on the premises.> <No smoking is allowed on the premises.> premised on/upon: based on (a particular idea or belief) <The plan is premised on the belief that people are willing to pay more to use alternative fuel sources.>

presumption

: a belief that something is true even though it has not been proved law : an act of accepting that something is true until it is proved not true : willingness to do something without the right or permission to do it : presumptuous attitude or conduct : audacity a : an attitude or belief dictated by probability : assumption b : the ground, reason, or evidence lending probability to a belief : a legal inference as to the existence or truth of a fact not certainly known that is drawn from the known or proved existence of some other fact The trial was unfair from the beginning because there was no presumption of innocence. a defendant's right to a presumption of innocence on the presumption that: believing that <Thousands of people used this drug on the presumption that it was safe.>

strategy

: a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal usually over a long period of time : the skill of making or carrying out plans to achieve a goal a (1) : the science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopted policies in peace or war (2) : the science and art of military command exercised to meet the enemy in combat under advantageous conditions b : a variety of or instance of the use of strategy a : a careful plan or method : a clever stratagem b : the art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal : an adaptation or complex of adaptations (as of behavior, metabolism, or structure) that serves or appears to serve an important function in achieving evolutionary success <foraging strategies of insects> They are proposing a new strategy for treating the disease with a combination of medications. The government is developing innovative strategies to help people without insurance get medical care. a specialist in campaign strategy exit strategy: a plan for ending involvement <The company needs to have an exit strategy.>

brand

: a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name : a particular kind or type of something : a mark that is burned into the skin of an animal (such as a cow) to show who owns the animal a : a charred piece of wood b : firebrand 1 c : something (as lightning) that resembles a firebrand : sword a (1) : a mark made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership (2) : a printed mark made for similar purposes : trademark b (1) : a mark put on criminals with a hot iron (2) : a mark of disgrace : stigma <the brand of poverty> a : a class of goods identified by name as the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make b : a characteristic or distinctive kind <a lively brand of theater> c : brand name 2 : a tool used to produce a brand What brand are those jeans you are wearing? The store sells a variety of shoe brands. I don't like his brand of humor. a lively brand of theater leading brand: a brand that sells the most <The company claims that its product is better than the leading brand.> name brand: a product that is made by a well-known company <clothing stores that sell name brands at low prices>

core

: a central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature <the core of the city>: as a : the usually inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple); especially : the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened ovary in a pome fruit (as an apple) b : the portion of a foundry mold that shapes the interior of a hollow casting c : a vertical space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing apparatus) in a multistory building d (1) : a mass of iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil (2) : a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material (as ferrite) used in computer memories (3) : a computer memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine wires; broadly : the internal memory of a computer e : the central part of a celestial body (as the earth or sun) usually having different physical properties from the surrounding parts f : a nodule of stone (as flint or obsidian) from which flakes have been struck for making implements g : the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable h : an arrangement of a course of studies that combines under basic topics material from subjects conventionally separated and aims to provide a common background for all students <core curriculum> i : the place in a nuclear reactor where fission occurs a : a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity) <the staff had a core of experts> <the core of her beliefs> b : the essential meaning : gist <the core of the argument> c : the inmost or most intimate part <honest to the core> : a part (as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass especially to determine composition chiefly Scottish : a group of people to the core: in a very complete or extreme way —used for emphasis <He is patriotic to the core.> <Her family is English to the core.> <He's rotten to the core.> <They were shaken to the core.> rotten to the core: (of a person) very bad or dishonest

maneuver

: a clever or skillful action or movement : a planned movement of soldiers or ships maneuvers : military activities that are done for training a : a military or naval movement b : an armed forces training exercise; especially : an extended and large-scale training exercise involving military and naval units separately or in combination —often used in plural : a procedure or method of working usually involving expert physical movement a : evasive movement or shift of tactics b : an intended and controlled variation from a straight and level flight path in the operation of an airplane a : an action taken to gain a tactical end b : an adroit and clever management of affairs often using trickery and deception With a quick maneuver, she avoided an accident. Through a series of legal maneuvers, the defense lawyer kept her client out of jail. He led his troops in a well-planned maneuver. To prepare for war, the army is performing maneuvers off the coast. The army is on maneuvers. Synonym Discussion of maneuver trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end. trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end <the tricks of the trade>. ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression <the ruses of smugglers>. stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy <the stratagem-filled game>. maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty <last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy>. artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention <the clever artifices of the stage>. wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements <used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself>. feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent <a feint toward the enemy's left flank>.

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>

analogy

: a comparison of two things based on their being alike in some way : the act of comparing two things that are alike in some way : inference that if two or more things agree with one another in some respects they will probably agree in others a : resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike : similarity b : comparison based on such resemblance : correspondence between the members of pairs or sets of linguistic forms that serves as a basis for the creation of another form : correspondence in function between anatomical parts of different structure and origin — compare homology He does, though, suffer from the occupational deformation of international relations specialists: an enthusiasm for ransacking the past in search of precedents, analogies, patterns, and cycles that might explain the present and forecast the future. —Tony Judt, New York Book Review, 10 Apr. 2003 People who do this call themselves "white-hat" hackers—good people who show other people their vulnerabilities. Take the following analogy: I've designed a great new lock pick, and I'm going to give this great new gadget away to show everyone that the typical door lock is ineffective against my new pick. —John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2000 It has often been said that movie stars are the royalty of America. (The better analogy, really, is that the royals are the movie stars of Britain.) —Neal Gabler, Life: The Movie, 1998 Parts of the far-infrared sky look like colonies of spiders gone mad. The fine structure seen there is called cirrus, by analogy with filamentary clouds on Earth. —Virginia Trimble et al., Sky & Telescope, January 1995 Synonym Discussion of analogy likeness, similarity, resemblance, similitude, analogy mean agreement or correspondence in details. likeness implies a closer correspondence than similarity which often implies that things are merely somewhat alike <a remarkable likeness to his late father> <some similarity between the two cases>. resemblance implies similarity chiefly in appearance or external qualities <statements that bear little resemblance to the truth>. similitude applies chiefly to correspondence between abstractions <two schools of social thought showing points of similitude>. analogy implies likeness or parallelism in relations rather than in appearance or qualities <pointed out analogies to past wars>. draw/make an analogy between: to compare so as to find a likeness <He drew/made an analogy between flying a kite and fishing.>

cohesion

: a condition in which people or things are closely united : the act or state of sticking together tightly; especially : unity <the lack of cohesion in the Party — Times Literary Supplement> : union between similar plant parts or organs : molecular attraction by which the particles of a body are united throughout the mass There was a lack of cohesion in the rebel army.

circumstance

: a condition or fact that affects a situation circumstances : the way something happens : the specific details of an event : an event or situation that you cannot control a : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant <the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration> b : a subordinate or accessory fact or detail <cost is a minor circumstance in this case> c : a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (as a crime) <the circumstance of the missing weapon told against him> <the circumstances suggest murder> a : the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation) <constant and rapid change in economic circumstance — G. M. Trevelyan> b : state of affairs : eventuality <open rebellion was a rare circumstance> —often used in plural <a victim of circumstances> c plural : situation with regard to wealth <he was in easy circumstances> <rose from difficult circumstances> : attendant formalities and ceremonial <pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war — Shakespeare> : an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events) <considering each circumstance in turn> I can't imagine a circumstance in which I would do that. The circumstances of his death are suspicious. She says that her client is a victim of circumstance and should not be blamed for the accident. He was a victim of circumstances. Synonym Discussion of circumstance 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>.

luxury

: a condition or situation of great comfort, ease, and wealth : something that is expensive and not necessary : something that is helpful or welcome and that is not usually or always available archaic : lechery, lust : a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort : sumptuous environment <lived in luxury> a : something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary <one of life's luxuries> b : an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease <had the luxury of rejecting a handful of job offers — Terri Minsky> He spent a fortune on expensive wines and other luxuries. Right now a new car is a luxury that I can't afford. On my salary, I can afford few luxuries. We were lucky to have the luxury of choosing from among several good options. We can't afford the luxury of waiting any longer. in the lap of luxury: in a situation of great ease, comfort, and wealth

prognosis

: a doctor's opinion about how someone will recover from an illness or injury : a judgment about what is going to happen in the future : the prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of disease or peculiarities of the case : forecast, prognostication Right now, doctors say his prognosis is good. The president had a hopeful prognosis about the company's future. : the act or art of foretelling the course of a disease : the prospect of survival and recovery from a disease as anticipated from the usual course of that disease or indicated by special features of the case <the prognosis is poor because of the accompanying cardiovascular disease—P. A. Mead et al> : the act or art of foretelling the course of a disease : the prospect of survival and recovery from a disease as anticipated from the usual course of that disease or indicated by special features of the case <the prognosis is poor because of the accompanying cardiovascular disease—P. A. Mead et al>

caricature

: a drawing that makes someone look funny or foolish because some part of the person's appearance is exaggerated : someone or something that is very exaggerated in a funny or foolish way : exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics : a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature : a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature An artist was doing caricatures in the park. His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective. The interview made her into a caricature of a struggling artist. Synonym Discussion of caricature caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation. caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject <caricatures of politicians in cartoons>. burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment <a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court>. parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work <a witty parody of a popular novel>. travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd <this production is a travesty of the opera>.

pleasure

: a feeling of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction : a pleasant or pleasing feeling : activity that is done for enjoyment : something or someone that causes a feeling of happiness, enjoyment, or satisfaction : desire, inclination <wait upon his pleasure — Shakespeare> : a state of gratification a : sensual gratification b : frivolous amusement : a source of delight or joy I paint for the sheer pleasure of it. His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college. Is this trip for business or pleasure? It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today. Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family. at someone's pleasure: used to say that something is done or can be done because someone wants it to be done <The building can be converted to condominiums at the owner's pleasure.> at the pleasure of (someone): used to say that something is done or can be done because someone wants it to be done <I serve at the pleasure of the president, and I will continue to serve as long as the president wants me to.> my pleasure: used as a response to someone who has thanked one for doing something to say that one was happy to do it <"Thanks for your help." "(It was) My pleasure."> with pleasure: used to say that one is happy to do something for someone <"Would you deliver a message for me?" "Yes, with pleasure.">

affection

: a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something affections : feelings of love : a person's romantic feelings : a moderate feeling or emotion : tender attachment : fondness <she had a deep affection for her parents> a (1) : a bodily condition (2) : disease, malady b : attribute <shape and weight are affections of bodies> obsolete : partiality, prejudice : the feeling aspect (as in pleasure) of consciousness a : propensity, disposition b archaic : affectation 1 : the action of affecting : the state of being affected She has deep affection for her parents. He shows great affection for his grandchildren. feelings of love and affection He now looks back on those years with great affection. She developed a deep affection for that country and its people. Synonym Discussion of affection feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation. feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it <the feelings that once moved me are gone>. emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses <the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence>. affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings <a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family>. sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea <her feminist sentiments are well known>. passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion <revenge became his ruling passion>. terms of affection: words and names that friends and lovers say to each other to show their affection

devotion

: a feeling of strong love or loyalty : the quality of being devoted : the use of time, money, energy, etc., for a particular purpose devotions : prayer, worship, or other religious activities that are done in private rather than in a religious service a : religious fervor : piety b : an act of prayer or private worship —usually used in plural c : a religious exercise or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation a : the act of devoting <devotion of time and energy> b : the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal <her devotion to the cause> <filial devotion> obsolete : the object of one's devotion She has cared for the poor with selfless devotion. The devotion they felt for each other was obvious. The project will require the devotion of a great deal of time and money. They spend an hour each morning at their devotions. Synonym Discussion of devotion fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty. fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty <marital fidelity>. allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country <pledging allegiance>. fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow <fealty to the truth>. loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray <valued the loyalty of his friends>. devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication <a painter's devotion to her art>. piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental <filial piety>.

solidarity

: a feeling of unity between people who have the same interests, goals, etc. : unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards The vote was a show of solidarity.

dedication

: a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something : the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group, cause, etc. : a message at the beginning of a book, song, etc., saying that it was written or is being performed in order to honor or express affection for someone : the act of officially saying that something (such as a new building) was created for a particular purpose (such as worship) or to remember or honor a particular person : an act or rite of dedicating to a divine being or to a sacred use : a devoting or setting aside for a particular purpose : a name and often a message prefixed to a literary, musical, or artistic production in tribute to a person or cause : self-sacrificing devotion <her dedication to the cause> : a ceremony to mark the official completion or opening of something (as a building) It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but we managed to finish the project on time. the dedication of the temple They celebrated the dedication of the new building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

ceremony

: a formal act or event that is a part of a social or religious occasion : very polite or formal behavior : a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention <the marriage ceremony> a : a conventional act of politeness or etiquette <the ceremony of introduction> b : an action performed only formally with no deep significance c : a routine action performed with elaborate pomp a : prescribed procedures : usages <the ceremony attending an inauguration> b : observance of an established code of civility or politeness <opened the door without ceremony and strode in> There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week. With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift. He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave. stand on ceremony : to insist on doing the things that are usual or expected in polite or formal behavior —usually used in negative statements <He doesn't stand on ceremony, he gets the job done.>

consensus

: a general agreement about something : an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group a : general agreement : unanimity <the consensus of their opinion, based on reports ... from the border — John Hersey> b : the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned <the consensus was to go ahead> : group solidarity in sentiment and belief Usage Discussion of consensus The phrase consensus of opinion, which is not actually redundant (see sense 1a; the sense that takes the phrase is slightly older), has been so often claimed to be a redundancy that many writers avoid it. You are safe in using consensus alone when it is clear you mean consensus of opinion, and most writers in fact do so. Yet despite this and other dust-ups during the convention, the general consensus is that Episcopalians weathered this one with their customary civility intact. —Antonio Ramirez, Commonweal, 12 Sept. 1997 Despite years of debate over the best wine to serve at Thanksgiving, no real consensus has emerged. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 30 Nov. 1995 Beyond the general goal of sustainability, there was little consensus at the conference on how to get from here to there. —Constance Holden, Science, 6 July 1990 ... it is the consensus of opinion that the Iceni in their geographic isolation remained 'Celtic' ... —Antonia Fraser, The Warrior Queens, 1988 Everyone on the council seems to understand the need for consensus. There is a lack of consensus among the citizens. The decision was made by consensus. reach a consensus: to come to an agreement <Scientists have not reached a consensus on the cause of the disease.> growing consensus: increasing agreement among people <There is a growing consensus about/on the need for further investigation.> consensus of opinion: a general opinion shared by all the people in a group <What is the consensus of opinion among the experts?>

merit

: a good quality or feature that deserves to be praised : the quality of being good, important, or useful : value or worth a obsolete : reward or punishment due b : the qualities or actions that constitute the basis of one's deserts c : a praiseworthy quality : virtue d : character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem; also : achievement : spiritual credit held to be earned by performance of righteous acts and to ensure future benefits a plural : the substance of a legal case apart from matters of jurisdiction, procedure, or form b : individual significance or justification She saw merit in both of the arguments. The study has no scientific merit. on one's own merits: according to one's skills and one's good and bad qualities <The five contestants will be judged on their own merits.> on merit: on a person's having the required skills or qualifications <Hiring decisions are based entirely on merit.>

preponderance

: a greater amount or number of something : a superiority in weight, power, importance, or strength a : a superiority or excess in number or quantity b : majority <not since Rome in its glory days had a nation enjoyed such overwhelming military preponderance> <a preponderance of the evidence points to the guilt of the defendant>

bunch

: a group of things of the same kind that are held or tied together or that grow together : a group of people or things that are together or are associated with each other in some way : a large amount : protuberance, swelling a : a number of things of the same kind <a bunch of grapes> b : group 2a <a bunch of friends> c : a considerable amount : lot <a bunch of money> He always had a bunch of keys on his belt. Dried herbs hung in bunches from the kitchen rafters. thanks a bunch/lot/million (informal): thank you very much <Wow, this is great! Thanks a million!> —often used in an ironic way to say that one is not pleased that someone has done or said something <"I'm boring? Thanks a lot!"> <Thanks a million for leaving the door open. There are flies everywhere now.>

hemisphere

: a half of the Earth : half of a sphere : half of a round object : either of the two halves of the brain a : a half of the celestial sphere as divided into two halves by the horizon, the celestial equator, or the ecliptic b : half of a spherical or roughly spherical body (as a planet); specifically : the northern or southern half of the earth as divided by the equator or the eastern or western half as divided by a meridian c : the inhabitants of a terrestrial hemisphere : realm, province : one of two half spheres formed by a plane through the sphere's center : a map or projection of a celestial or terrestrial hemisphere : cerebral hemisphere a tumor in the right cerebral hemisphere

anchor

: a heavy device that is attached to a boat or ship by a rope or chain and that is thrown into the water to hold the boat or ship in place : a person or thing that provides strength and support : a large store that attracts customers and other businesses to an area (such as a shopping mall) : a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom : a reliable or principal support : mainstay : something that serves to hold an object firmly : an object shaped like a ship's anchor : an anchorman or anchorwoman : the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last : a large business (as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall : a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured The ship dropped anchor in a secluded harbor. He described his wife as the emotional anchor of his life. a local bank that has been the financial anchor of the community

carriage

: a large vehicle with four wheels that is pulled by a horse and that carries people : a wheeled structure that is used to carry and move something heavy (such as a large gun) : a separate section of a train : the act of carrying a archaic : deportment b : manner of bearing the body : posture archaic : management chiefly British : the price or expense of carrying obsolete : burden, load a : a wheeled vehicle; especially : a horse-drawn vehicle designed for private use and comfort b British : a railway passenger coach : a wheeled support carrying a burden obsolete : import, sense obsolete : a hanger for a sword : a movable part of a machine for supporting some other movable object or part <a typewriter carriage> They rode to the city in carriages. I took the baby to the park in the carriage. Synonym Discussion of carriage bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture <a woman of regal bearing>. deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training <your deportment was atrocious>. demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior <the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter>. mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor <a mien of supreme self-satisfaction>. manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others <the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders>. carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking <the kind of carriage learned at boarding school>.

standard

: a level of quality, achievement, etc., that is considered acceptable or desirable standards : ideas about morally correct and acceptable behavior : something that is very good and that is used to make judgments about the quality of other things : a conspicuous object (as a banner) formerly carried at the top of a pole and used to mark a rallying point especially in battle or to serve as an emblem a : a long narrow tapering flag that is personal to an individual or corporation and bears heraldic devices b : the personal flag of the head of a state or of a member of a royal family c : an organization flag carried by a mounted or motorized military unit d : banner 1 : something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example : criterion <quite slow by today's standards> : something set up and established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality a : the fineness and legally fixed weight of the metal used in coins b : the basis of value in a monetary system <the gold standard> : a structure built for or serving as a base or support a : a shrub or herb grown with an erect main stem so that it forms or resembles a tree b : a fruit tree grafted on a stock that does not induce dwarfing a : the large odd upper petal of a papilionaceous flower (as of the pea) b : one of the three inner usually erect and incurved petals of an iris : a musical composition (as a song) that has become a part of the standard repertoire By modern standards, the house is just too small. This book is the standard by which all others must be judged. Synonym Discussion of standard standard, criterion, gauge, yardstick, touchstone mean a means of determining what a thing should be. standard applies to any definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority <standards of behavior>. criterion may apply to anything used as a test of quality whether formulated as a rule or principle or not <questioned the critic's criteria for excellence>. gauge applies to a means of testing a particular dimension (as thickness, depth, diameter) or figuratively a particular quality or aspect <polls as a gauge of voter dissatisfaction>. yardstick is an informal substitute for criterion that suggests quantity more often than quality <housing construction as a yardstick of economic growth>. touchstone suggests a simple test of the authenticity or value of something intangible <fine service is one touchstone of a first-class restaurant>. : regularly and widely used, seen, or accepted : not unusual or special : generally accepted and used because of high quality or excellence : accepted and used by most of the educated speakers and writers of a language a : constituting or conforming to a standard especially as established by law or custom <standard weight> b : sound and usable but not of top quality <standard beef> a : regularly and widely used, available, or supplied <standard automobile equipment> b : well-established and very familiar <the standard opera> : having recognized and permanent value <a standard reference work> : substantially uniform and well established by usage in the speech and writing of the educated and widely recognized as acceptable <standard pronunciation is subject to regional variations> a window of standard width The movie was a pretty standard romantic comedy. The word is considered standard.

monologue

: a long speech given by a character in a story, movie, play, etc., or by a performer (such as a comedian) : a long speech made by one person that prevents anyone else from talking a : soliloquy b : a dramatic sketch performed by one actor c : the routine of a stand-up comic : a literary composition written in the form of a soliloquy : a long speech monopolizing conversation The play begins with the main character's monologue. The comedian is famous for his monologue about winning the lottery. I stifled a yawn as she launched into a monologue about how she is going to become a famous star.

mantle

: a loose piece of clothing without sleeves that was worn over other clothes especially in the past : something that covers or surrounds something else : the position of someone who has responsibility or authority a : a loose sleeveless garment worn over other clothes : cloak b : a figurative cloak symbolizing preeminence or authority <accepted the mantle of leadership> a : something that covers, enfolds, or envelops b (1) : a fold or lobe or pair of lobes of the body wall of a mollusk or brachiopod that in shell-bearing forms lines the shell and bears shell-secreting glands (2) : the soft external body wall that lines the test or shell of a tunicate or barnacle c : the outer wall and casing of a blast furnace above the hearth; broadly : an insulated support or casing in which something is heated : the upper back of a bird : a lacy hood or sheath of some refractory material that gives light by incandescence when placed over a flame a : regolith b : the part of the interior of a terrestrial planet and especially the earth that lies beneath the crust and above the central core : mantel She accepted the mantle of leadership. <a long black velvet mantle>

metamorphosis

: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means b : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances : a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching We have watched her metamorphosis from a shy schoolgirl into a self-confident businesswoman. a company that has gone through a series of metamorphoses The government has undergone political metamorphosis since his election. the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs The class learned about how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies.

paradigm

: a model or pattern for something that may be copied : a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about : example, pattern; especially : an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype : an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms : a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind And the paradigm of a thing to be philosophical about is death. —Jim Holt, New York Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 2009 Such problems drive home a critical flaw in the paradigm of energy independence—namely, that energy isn't a zero-sum game anymore. —Paul Roberts, Mother Jones, May/June 2008 That the biomedical paradigm of single cause and single disease was a chimera was well understood by even its most vigorous advocates. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007 Her recent book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography. the Freudian paradigm of psychoanalysis a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm paradigm shift: an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way <This discovery will bring about a paradigm shift in our understanding of evolution.>

principle

: a moral rule or belief that helps you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions : a basic truth or theory : an idea that forms the basis of something : a law or fact of nature that explains how something works or why something happens a : a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption b (1) : a rule or code of conduct (2) : habitual devotion to right principles <a man of principle> c : the laws or facts of nature underlying the working of an artificial device : a primary source : origin a : an underlying faculty or endowment <such principles of human nature as greed and curiosity> b : an ingredient (as a chemical) that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality capitalized Christian Science : a divine principle : god in principle : with respect to fundamentals <prepared to accept the proposition in principle> Usage Discussion of principle Although nearly every handbook and many dictionaries warn against confusing principle and principal, many people still do. Principle is only a noun; principal is both adjective and noun. If you are unsure which noun you want, read the definitions in this dictionary. Urban guerrilla warfare was futile against a thermonuclear superstate that would stop at nothing to defend the profit principle. —Philip Roth, American Pastoral, 1997 Better, of course, to take a higher road, operate on the principle of service and see if things don't turn out better ... —Richard Ford, Independence Day, 1995 Pointlessness was life's principle, and it spread its sadness. —Arthur Miller, Timebends, 1987 His investment strategy is based on the principle that the stock market offers the best returns for long-term investors. the basic principles of hydraulics against someone's principles: in opposition to what someone believes <It's against his principles to cheat.> a matter of principle: a situation that requires something be done a certain way because one believes it is the only right way <It was a matter of principle for her that she pay her own way.> <As a matter of principle, he would not accept the gift.> on principle: because of one's beliefs <She refused on principle to give toy guns to the children.>

pigment

: a natural substance that gives color to animals and plants : a substance that gives color to something else : a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials; especially : a powdered substance that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble and used especially to impart color to coating materials (as paints) or to inks, plastics, and rubber : a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue; also : any of various related colorless substances Chlorophyll is a group of green pigments. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to skin and fur. Albinos lack normal skin pigment. Pigments are used to give color to paint, ink, and plastic. Red pigment is mixed into the ink.

sensation

: a particular feeling or effect that your body experiences : a particular feeling or experience that may not have a real cause : the ability to feel things through your physical senses a : a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) resulting from the immediate external stimulation of a sense organ often as distinguished from a conscious awareness of the sensory process — compare perception b : awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ c : a state of consciousness due to internal bodily changes <a sensation of hunger> d : an indefinite bodily feeling <a sensation of buoyancy> : something (as a physical stimulus, sense-datum, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation a : a state of excited interest or feeling <their elopement caused a sensation> b : a cause of such excitement <the show was the musical sensation of the season>; especially : one (as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding <the rookie hitting sensation of the American League> I experienced a stinging sensation in my arm. She felt a burning sensation in her throat. She craved new experiences and sensations. She had the strange sensation that someone was watching her. I couldn't quite shake the sensation that I'd been fooled. Her injury left her with no sensation in her legs.

stage

: a particular point or period in the growth or development of something : a raised platform in a theater, auditorium, etc., where the performers stand : the art or profession of acting and especially of acting in theaters a : one of a series of positions or stations one above the other : step b : the height of the surface of a river above an arbitrary zero point <flood stage> a (1) : a raised platform (2) : the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings (3) : the acting profession : the theater as an occupation or activity (4) : soundstage b : a center of attention or scene of action a : a scaffold for workmen b : the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination a : a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling by stagecoach : station b : the distance between two stopping places on a road c : stagecoach a : a period or step in a process, activity, or development: as (1) : one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal <the larval stage of an insect> (2) : a period or phase in the course of a disease; also : the degree of involvement or severity of a disease b : one passing through a (specified) stage : an element or part of an electronic device (as an amplifier) : one of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own fuel and engine an early stage of the disease children at the same stage of development The actors walked out onto the stage. He was on stage for the entire show. He has no intention of leaving the political stage. The company wants to compete on the world stage. in stages : in a series of separate steps rather than all at one time <The changes will be made in stages.>

archetype

: a perfect example of something : the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype; also : a perfect example : idea : an inherited idea or mode of thought in the psychology of C. G. Jung that is derived from the experience of the race and is present in the unconscious of the individual He is the archetype of a successful businessman. an archetype of the modern family Archetype derives via Latin from the Greek adjective archetypos ("archetypal"), formed from the verb "archein" ("to begin" or "to rule") and the noun "typos" ("type"). ("Archein" also gave us the prefix arch-, meaning "principal" or "extreme" and used to form such words as "archenemy," "archduke," and "archconservative.") "Archetype" has specific uses in the fields of philosophy and psychology. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, for example, believed that all things have ideal forms (aka archetypes) of which real things are merely shadows or copies. And in the psychology of C. G. Jung, "archetype" refers to an inherited idea or mode of thought that is present in the unconscious of the individual. In everyday prose, however, "archetype" is most commonly used to mean "a perfect example of something."

remission

: a period of time during a serious illness when the patient's health improves : the act of reducing or canceling the amount of money that you owe : the reduction of a prison sentence : the act or process of remitting : a state or period during which something is remitted The patient is in remission. a temporary remission of symptoms He was given remission for good behavior. go into remission (of an illness) : to be in a stage during which symptoms are much less severe <Her cancer has gone into remission.> in remission (of an illness) : in a stage during which symptoms are much less severe <Her cancer is in remission.>

session

: a period of time that is used to do a particular activity : a formal meeting or series of meetings of a group of people (such as a court of law or legislature) : a period of time during the year in which a school, college, or university has classes : a meeting or series of meetings of a body (as a court or legislature) for the transaction of business <morning session> plural a (1) : a sitting of English justices of peace in execution of the powers conferred by their commissions (2) : an English court holding such sessions b : any of various courts similar to the English sessions : the period between the first meeting of a legislative or judicial body and the prorogation or final adjournment : the ruling body of a Presbyterian congregation consisting of the elders in active service : the period during the year or day in which a school conducts classes : a meeting or period devoted to a particular activity <a recording session> Her health insurance will cover 12 one-hour sessions of therapy per year. the U.N. Special Session on Disarmament I'm going to take classes during the summer session. closed session : a meeting or a portion of a meeting closed to all but members <The board will meet in closed session to discuss the issue.> in session : in the process of meeting formally <Congress is in session right now.> US : conducting classes <School will be back in session at the beginning of September.>

progeny

: a person who comes from a particular parent or family : the child or descendant of someone : the young of an animal or plant : something that is the product of something else a : descendants, children b : offspring of animals or plants : outcome, product : a body of followers, disciples, or successors Many Americans are the progeny of immigrants. The small plants are the progeny of an oak tree. Their work is the progeny of many earlier studies. Did You Know? Progeny is the progeny of the Latin verb progignere, meaning "to beget." That Latin word is itself an offspring of the prefix pro-, meaning "forth," and gignere, which can mean "to beget" or "to bring forth." Gignere has produced a large family of English descendants, including benign (meaning "mild" or "harmless"), congenital (meaning "inherent"), engine, genius, germ, indigenous, ingenuous, and malign. Gignere even paired up with pro- again to produce a close relative of progeny: the noun progenitor, which can mean "an ancestor in the direct line," "a biologically ancestral form," or "a precursor or originator."

mimic

: a person who copies the behavior or speech of other people : a person who mimics other people; also : an animal that naturally looks like something else : mime : one that mimics <a gifted mimic who can do a terrific imitation of anyone's voice> <a mimic in black clothes and white facial makeup> a : imitative b : imitation, mock <a mimic battle> : of or relating to mime or mimicry <police were concerned that the mimic gun, although intended only as a toy, might be confused with the real thing in certain situations> <a mimic battle fought by kids playing around in the schoolyard>

predecessor

: a person who had a job or position before someone else : something that comes before something else : one that precedes; especially : a person who has previously occupied a position or office to which another has succeeded archaic : ancestor Today's computers are much faster than their predecessors were. <the once-ubiquitous typewriter was the predecessor of today's electronic keyboard>

novice

: a person who has just started learning or doing something : a new member of a religious group who is preparing to become a nun or a monk : a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious community : beginner, tyro Novices serve time as scullery serfs as they work toward the privilege of trailing a pastry chef ... —Guy Trebay, New York Times, 4 Sept. 2002 For the novice, walking the course also means being scared senseless by all the possibilities to screw up. —Tim Keown, ESPN, 17 Sept. 2001 Yet it's obvious to him and everyone else who the novice is here, the book-learned tournament virgin. —James McManus, Harper's, December 2000 Much defter than one would have thought possible from the length of her fingernails, Toula had no fear of high fast notes; her flair, mounted between Andrea's perfectionist reserve and Alice's novice awkwardness, seemed all too displayed. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994 He's a novice in cooking. a book for the novice chess player

cosmopolitan

: a person who has lived in and knows about many different parts of the world : cosmopolite : a cocktail made of vodka, orange-flavored liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice —called also cos*mo, \ˈkäz-(ˌ)mō\, <as someone who had lived in Paris for a year as an exchange student, she seemed very much the cosmopolitan to her old classmates> : showing an interest in different cultures, ideas, etc. : having people from many different parts of the world : having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing : having wide international sophistication : worldly : composed of persons, constituents, or elements from all or many parts of the world : found in most parts of the world and under varied ecological conditions <a cosmopolitan herb> Greater cultural diversity has led to a more cosmopolitan attitude among the town's younger generations. the cosmopolitan taste of the store's customers It's one of the country's more cosmopolitan cities. cosmopolite: a cosmopolitan person or organism <having sung in opera houses all over the world, she has the confident demeanor of a seasoned cosmopolite>

incumbent

: a person who holds a particular office or position : the holder of an office or ecclesiastical benefice : one that occupies a particular position or place Because the statehouse now determines voting districts, the current map generally ensures that incumbents face minimal challenges to re-election. —Terry McCarthy, Time, 20 Dec. 2004 When Reagan and Clinton were seeking re-election, they didn't go after their opponents directly, in part because they didn't have to. Those incumbents knew that there's a point at which strong and tough can look weak and desperate. —Jonathan Alter, Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2004 Jane Austen was born into the downwardly mobile branch of an upper-middle-class family. ... None of the Austen children could inherit the family home from their father, a Church of England clergyman; after his death it would go to the next incumbent. —Kevin Barry, New York Times Book Review, 7 Dec. 1997 Voters will have the chance to see the incumbent and her opponent in a series of three debates. Incumbents often have an advantage in elections. Did You Know? When incumbent was first used in English in the 15th century, it referred to someone who occupied a benefice—a paid position in a church. This was often a lifetime appointment; the person could only be forced to leave the office in the case of certain specific legal conflicts. In the mid-17th century, incumbent came to refer to anyone holding any office, including elected positions. These days, in the American political system, incumbent generally refers to someone who is the current holder of a position during an election to fill that position. Incumbent came to English through Anglo-French and derives from the Latin incumbere, meaning "to lie down on." : imposed as a duty : obligatory <incumbent on us to take action> : having the status of an incumbent (see 1incumbent) <the team's incumbent third baseman>; especially : occupying a specified office <the incumbent mayor> : lying or resting on something else : bent over so as to rest on or touch an underlying surface It is incumbent upon the press to act not in its own best interests, but in society's best interests. —Carll Tucker, Saturday Review, 23 June 1979 ... the various types of obligation incumbent on the members of the profession. —R. M. MacIver, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, January 1955 ... Mr. Lorry felt it incumbent on him to speak a word or two of reassurance. —Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859 <it is incumbent upon you to attend every staff meeting>

demeanor

: a person's appearance and behavior : the way someone seems to be to other people : behavior toward others : outward manner Staffs like the one at Veritas have come a long way from the days when sommeliers ... intimidated diners with their overbearing demeanor and French accents. —Food & Wine, September 2002 Sam himself, a quiet young man with a rather shy demeanor, was somewhat bemused by all this attention. —Lola Oberman, Bird Watcher's Digest, November/December 1994 <the director of the opera company has a haughty demeanor that can be irritating> Did You Know? There's a long trail from Latin minari (which means "to threaten" and has been connected to the threatening cries of cattle drivers) to English demeanor. Along the way, we first encounter Latin minare; it means "to drive" and was once used specifically of driving animals for herding. From there, the path leads us to Anglo-French, where we pass by mener (to lead) and then demener (to conduct). Next comes Middle English demenen and then Modern English demean, both meaning "to conduct (oneself) in a certain manner." And, finally, we take one last step, and add the suffix -or to demean to get demeanor. Synonym Discussion of demeanor bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture <a woman of regal bearing>. deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training <your deportment was atrocious>. demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior <the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter>. mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor <a mien of supreme self-satisfaction>. manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others <the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders>. carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking <the kind of carriage learned at boarding school>.

mien

: a person's appearance or facial expression : air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality : demeanor <of aristocratic mien> : appearance, aspect <dresses of formal mien> He has the mien of an ancient warrior. <the stern mien of the librarian suggested that she was not one to put up with any nonsense> Did You Know? Like its synonyms bearing and demeanor, mien means the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. Bearing is the most general, but now usually implies characteristic posture, as in "a woman of regal bearing." Demeanor suggests attitude expressed through outward behavior in the presence of others; for example, "the manager's professional demeanor." Mien is a somewhat literary term referring to both bearing and demeanor. "A mien of supreme self-satisfaction" is a typical use. Mien and demeanor are also linked through etymology. Mien arose through the shortening and alteration of the verb demean, which comes from Latin mener ("to lead") and is also the root of demeanor. In this case, demean means "to conduct or behave (oneself) usually in a proper manner," not "to degrade." That other demean is a distinct word with a different etymology. Synonym Discussion of mien bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture <a woman of regal bearing>. deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training <your deportment was atrocious>. demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior <the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter>. mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor <a mien of supreme self-satisfaction>. manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others <the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders>. carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking <the kind of carriage learned at boarding school>.

counter

: a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games : something of value in bargaining : asset : a level surface (as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted <jewelry counter> <a lunch counter> over the counter : in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange <stock bought over the counter> : without a prescription <drugs available over the counter> under the counter : by surreptitious means : in an illicit and private manner <workers being paid under the counter> : one that counts; especially : a device for indicating a number or amount : in a way that goes against or does not agree with something : in an opposite or wrong direction : to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect <values that run counter to those of society> : contrary, opposite : the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang a : the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing); also : a blow thus given in boxing b : an agency or force that offsets : check : a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel : an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes : a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play : marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect : given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy : situated or lying opposite <the counter side> : recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding <counter orders from the colonel> <was unprepared for such a strong counter campaign by opponents of the legislative bill> counter- prefix : in a direction opposite to : as a reaction against a : contrary : opposite <counterclockwise> <countermarch> b : opposing : retaliatory <counterforce> <counteroffensive> : complementary : corresponding <counterweight> <counterpart> : duplicate : substitute <counterfoil>

dwelling

: a place where a person lives : a shelter (as a house) in which people live <the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth>

continuum

: a range or series of things that are slightly different from each other and that exist between two different possibilities : a coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression of values or elements varying by minute degrees <"good" and "bad"...stand at opposite ends of a continuum instead of describing the two halves of a line — Wayne Shumaker> : the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals; broadly : a compact set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of which contains a limit point of the other His motives for volunteering lie somewhere on the continuum between charitable and self-serving. a continuum of temperatures ranging from very cold to very hot

rhythm

: a regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements : a regular, repeated pattern of events, changes, activities, etc. a : an ordered recurrent alternation of strong and weak elements in the flow of sound and silence in speech b : a particular example or form of rhythm <iambic rhythm> a : the aspect of music comprising all the elements (as accent, meter, and tempo) that relate to forward movement b : a characteristic rhythmic pattern <rumba rhythm>; also : 1meter 2 c : the group of instruments in a band supplying the rhythm —called also rhythm section a : movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements <the rhythms of country life> b : the repetition in a literary work of phrase, incident, character type, or symbol : a regularly recurrent quantitative change in a variable biological process <a circadian rhythm> — compare biorhythm : the effect created by the elements in a play, movie, or novel that relate to the temporal development of the action : rhythm method Jets that cross time zones in a day play havoc with the natural rhythms acquired through evolution. —Nancy Shelton, Skeptical Inquirer, May/June 1996 They shattered punk orthodoxy with radical politics and jagged rhythms, their rage captured in brutally succinct outbursts. —Matt Diehl, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 1994 I would even say that when the bouncy style is not an attempt to dazzle the reader, or one's self, but to incorporate into American literary prose the rhythms, nuances, and emphases of urban and immigrant speech, the result can sometimes be a language of new and rich emotional subtleties ... —Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975 She walked as Doctor Reefy thought he had never seen anyone walk before. To her whole body there was a swing, a rhythm that intoxicated him. —Sherwood Anderson, Winesburg, Ohio, 1919 At that the others began to gibber in unison, also rising to their feet, spreading their hands and swaying their bodies in rhythm with their chant. —H. G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau, 1896 the composer's use of jazz rhythm She enjoyed the rhythms of country life. Travel can disrupt your body's daily rhythm.

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.

mutation

: a significant and basic alteration : change : umlaut a : a relatively permanent change in hereditary material involving either a physical change in chromosome relations or a biochemical change in the codons that make up genes; also : the process of producing a mutation b : an individual, strain, or trait resulting from mutation The cat's short tail is the result of mutation. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation. The cat's short tail is the result of a mutation. The building is a mutation of the original design.

exodus

: a situation in which many people leave a place at the same time capitalized : the mainly narrative second book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture — see bible table : a mass departure : emigration <the mass exodus from the cities for the beaches and the mountains on most summer weekends> Did You Know? The Biblical book of Exodus describes the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, so it's no surprise that the word has come to refer more generally to any mass departure. The word itself was adopted into English (via Latin) from Greek Exodus, which literally means "the road out." The Greek word was formed by combining the prefix ex- and hodos, meaning "road" or "way." Other descendants of the prolific "hodos" in English include "episode," "method," "odometer," and "period." There are also several scientific words that can be traced back to "hodos." "Anode" and "cathode" can refer, respectively, to the positive and negative electrodes of a diode, and "hodoscope" refers to an instrument for tracing the paths of ionizing particles.

confrontation

: a situation in which people, groups, etc., fight, oppose, or challenge each other in an angry way : the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: as a : a face-to-face meeting b : the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict c : comparison <the flashbacks bring into meaningful confrontation present and past, near and far — R. J. Clements> There were several violent confrontations between rival gangs. He would prefer not to have a confrontation with the authorities. a series of confrontations between residents and police We want cooperation, not confrontation. We seek to avoid military confrontation at all costs.

reciprocity

: a situation or relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc. : a reciprocal arrangement or relationship : the quality or state of being reciprocal : mutual dependence, action, or influence : a mutual exchange of privileges; specifically : a recognition by one of two countries or institutions of the validity of licenses or privileges granted by the other Grownups know that little things matter ... and that relationships are based on respect and reciprocity. —Margaret Carlson, Time, 4 June 2001 Introduced in the McKinley Tariff of 1890, reciprocity gave the president authority to remove items from the free list if their countries of origin placed unreasonable tariffs on American goods. —Mary Beth Norton et al., A People and a Nation, 1988 Indeed when they talked on an indifferent subject, as now, there was ever a second silent conversation passing between their emotions, so perfect was the reciprocity between them. —Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure, 1895 The proposal calls for reciprocity in trade relations.

glow

: a soft and steady light : a pink color in your face from exercising, being excited, etc. : a pleasant feeling : brightness or warmth of color; especially : redness a : warmth of feeling or emotion b : a sensation of warmth <the drug produces a sustained glow> a : the state of glowing with heat and light b : light such as is emitted by a solid body heated to luminosity : incandescence We could see the glow of the lamp in the window. The town's lights cast a glow on the horizon. the rosy glow of health He felt a glow as he remembered the day they first met. Their problems were all forgotten in the glow of victory. She felt the glow from the fireplace. in glowing terms: in a very enthusiastic way <They spoke about their trip in glowing terms.>

characteristic

: a special quality or trait that makes a person, thing, or group different from others : a distinguishing trait, quality, or property : the integral part of a common logarithm : the smallest positive integer n which for an operation in a ring or field yields 0 when any element is used n times with the operation <the ability to fashion tools and other characteristics that distinguish human beings from other animals> : typical of a person, thing, or group : showing the special qualities or traits of a person, thing, or group : revealing, distinguishing, or typical of an individual character He responded to their comments with characteristic good humor. <the characteristic taste of licorice> Synonym Discussion of characteristic characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive mean indicating a special quality or identity. characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class <responded with her characteristic wit>. individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class <a highly individual writing style>. peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness <an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British>. distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy <a distinctive aura of grace and elegance>.

absence

: a state or condition in which something expected, wanted, or looked for is not present or does not exist : a state or condition in which something is absent : a failure to be present at a usual or expected place : a period of time when someone is not present at a place, job, etc. : the state of being absent : the period of time that one is absent : want, lack <an absence of detail> : inattention to present surroundings or occurrences <absence of mind> Moreover, he has this field pretty much to himself, for while there are many popular writers on science, there are few on engineering, an absence that is all the more remarkable since without engineering our technological world could not function. —Witold Rybczynski, New York Review of Books, 9 June 2005 The 1990 census revealed that 21 percent of 25-year-olds were living with one or both parents, up from 15 percent in 1970. Some young people are not moving out at all before their mid-20s, but many more are doing an extra rotation through the family home after a temporary or lengthy absence. —Paul McFedries, Word Spy, 2004 Called the Galápagos of the East, the Seychelles Islands, in the Indian Ocean, have been inhabited for only the past 200 years. In humanity's absence, nature ran wild: Tens of thousands of giant tortoises still lumber along the beaches, and a palm forest shelters ... rare black parrots. —Audubon, September-October 1998 Only five to six inches long and weighing less than two ounces, the elf owl is the smallest bird of prey in the world. Its bobbed tail, white "eyebrows," and absence of ear tufts give this tiny mothlike predator its impish appearance. —Ken Lamerton, Bird Watcher's Digest, May/June 1996 The products showed a remarkable absence of defects. He had many absences from work. I expected to see her and was surprised by her absence. She returned to the company after a long absence.

creed

: a statement of the basic beliefs of a religion : an idea or set of beliefs that guides the actions of a person or group : a brief authoritative formula of religious belief : a set of fundamental beliefs; also : a guiding principle <central to the creed of this organization of medical volunteers is the belief that health care is a basic human right> <the Amish live by a strict creed that rejects many of the values and practices of modern society>

radius

: a straight line from the center of a circle or sphere to any point on the outer edge; also : the length of this line : an area that goes outward in all directions from a particular place medical : the bone in the lower part of your arm on the same side as your thumb : a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface a : the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm; also : a corresponding part of vertebrates above fishes b : the third and usually largest vein of an insect's wing a : the length of a radius <a truck with a short turning radius> b : the circular area defined by a stated radius c : a bounded or circumscribed area : a radial part : the distance from a center line or point to an axis of rotation Measure the radius of the circle. a radius of 10 inches The new museum is expected to draw people from a wide radius. There are three restaurants within a one-block radius of our apartment.

propensity

: a strong natural tendency to do something : an often intense natural inclination or preference Other researches are exploring how the adolescent propensity for uninhibited risk taking propels teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol. —Claudia Wallis, Time, 10 May 2004 On the other hand, a jury might be convinced that a meth dealer who had brazenly fired a pistol through his door had a propensity for violence. —John Cloud, Time, 14 July 2003 A central tenet of this camp's proponents is that a considerable number of biological dispositions evolved during the Stone Age, including a male propensity for making war. —Bruce Bower, Science News, 27 Jan. 2001 He had a propensity for crime. <the criminal propensities of the family extended over several generations> Did You Know? When it comes to synonyms of "propensity," the letter "p" predominates. "Proclivity," "preference," "penchant," and "predilection" all share with "propensity" the essential meaning "a strong instinct or liking." Not every word that is similar in meaning to "propensity" begins with "p," however. "Propensity" comes from Latin propensus, the past participle of "propendēre," a verb meaning "to incline" or "to hang forward or down." Thus "leaning" and "inclination" are as good synonyms of "propensity" as any of those "p"-words. Synonym Discussion of propensity leaning, propensity, proclivity, penchant mean a strong instinct or liking for something. leaning suggests a liking or attraction not strong enough to be decisive or uncontrollable <a student with artistic leanings>. propensity implies a deeply ingrained and usually irresistible inclination <a propensity to offer advice>. proclivity suggests a strong natural proneness usually to something objectionable or evil <a proclivity for violence>. penchant implies a strongly marked taste in the person or an irresistible attraction in the object <a penchant for taking risks>.

breakthrough

: a sudden increase in knowledge, understanding, etc. : an important discovery that happens after trying for a long time to understand or explain something : a person's first important success : an offensive thrust that penetrates and carries beyond a defensive line in warfare : an act or instance of breaking through an obstacle <a breakthrough agreement> a : a sudden advance especially in knowledge or technique <a medical breakthrough> b : a person's first notable success <a breakthrough novel> Researchers say they have made a major breakthrough in cancer treatment. The police have announced a breakthrough in the murder case. This job could be the breakthrough she's been waiting for.

whim

: a sudden wish, desire, decision, etc. : a capricious or eccentric and often sudden idea or turn of the mind : fancy <quit his job on a whim> : a large capstan that is made with one or more radiating arms to which a horse may be yoked and that is used in mines for raising ore or water It's hard to predict voters' whims. <on a whim, we stopped at the roadside stand to get ice cream> Synonym Discussion of whim caprice, whim, vagary, crotchet mean an irrational or unpredictable idea or desire. caprice stresses lack of apparent motivation and suggests willfulness <by sheer caprice she quit her job>. whim implies a fantastic, capricious turn of mind or inclination <an odd antique that was bought on a whim>. vagary stresses the erratic, irresponsible character of the notion or desire <he had been prone to strange vagaries>. crotchet implies an eccentric opinion or preference <a serious scientist equally known for his bizarre crotchets>.

footprint

: a track or mark left by a foot or shoe : the amount of space that is covered on a surface by something (such as a computer) : an impression of the foot on a surface a : the area on a surface covered by something <a tire with a wide footprint> <the footprint of a laser beam> b : range of operation (as of a service) <a global footprint> : a marked effect, impression, or impact <left a footprint in the field of research> : something that identifies <a genetic footprint> The child left her tiny footprints in the snow. He walked into the kitchen with his boots on, making muddy footprints on the floor. The new model has a smaller footprint than the older model.

circus

: a traveling show that is often performed in a tent and that typically includes trained animals, clowns, acrobats, etc. : a situation or event that is very busy, lively, and confusing and that attracts a lot of attention : a circular area where several streets meet a : a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing) b : a public spectacle a : an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns b : a circus performance c : the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus d : something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle) <a media circus> a obsolete : circle, ring b British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets He worked for a small circus. We're going to the circus.

alliance

: a union between people, groups, countries, etc. : a relationship in which people agree to work together : the state of being joined in some activity or effort : the state of being allied : a group of people, countries, etc., that are joined together in some activity or effort a : the state of being allied : the action of allying b : a bond or connection between families, states, parties, or individuals <a closer alliance between government and industry> : an association to further the common interests of the members; specifically : a confederation of nations by treaty : union by relationship in qualities : affinity : a treaty of alliance We need to form a closer alliance between government and industry. strengthen the alliance of western nations There has been a pattern of shifting alliances in the political world. The article condemns what some say is an unholy alliance between government and media. one nation working in alliance with another There is disagreement within the alliance about how to deal with this problem.

makeshift

: a usually crude and temporary expedient : substitute makeshift adjective <when his belt broke, he was forced to use string as a makeshift> Synonym Discussion of makeshift resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply. resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon <exhausted all of their resources> <a last resort>. expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible <a flimsy expedient>. shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient <desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure>. makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference <old equipment employed as a makeshift>. stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure <a new law intended only as a stopgap>.

increment

: a usually small amount or degree by which something is made larger or greater : the action or process of increasing especially in quantity or value : enlargement a : something gained or added b : one of a series of regular consecutive additions c : a minute increase in quantity : the amount or degree by which something changes; especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables They increased the dosage of the drug in small increments over a period of several weeks. Fines increase in increments of $10. The volume is adjustable in 10 equal increments. a: something gained or added <the most common form of leukocytosis is that in which the increment is in the neutrophilic leukocytes—W. A. D. Anderson> b: one of a series of regular consecutive additions (as of growth or spread of disease) : the amount or degree by which something changes; especially : the amount of positive or negative change in the value of one or more of a set of variables

foundation

: a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath : something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) that provides support for something : an organization that is created and supported with money that people give in order to do something that helps society : the act of founding : a basis (as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something stands or is supported <the foundations of geometry> <the rumor is without foundation in fact> a : funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment b : an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance : an underlying base or support; especially : the whole masonry substructure of a building a : a body or ground upon which something is built up or overlaid b : a woman's supporting undergarment : corset c : a cosmetic usually used as a base for makeup The inspector discovered a crack in the house's foundation. The book explains the moral foundations on which her political career was built. These problems threaten the very foundations of modern society. The scandal has shaken the government to its foundations. They established a foundation to help orphaned children.

luminary

: a very famous or successful person : a person of prominence or brilliant achievement : a body that gives light; especially : one of the celestial bodies luminaries of the art world <awed by the vast number of luminaries in the night sky> Did You Know? Allow us to shed some light on "luminary." It came to English by way of Anglo-French and Late Latin, and it traces back to the Latin word lumen, meaning "light." Other "lumen" descendants in English include "illuminate" (to light up), "luminous" (emitting light) and "phillumenist" (one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels). "Luminary" has been shining its light in English since the 15th century.

multiplicity

: a very large number a : the quality or state of being multiple or various b : the number of components in a system (as a multiplet or a group of energy levels) : a great number : the number of times a root of an equation or zero of a function occurs when there is more than one root or zero <the multiplicity of x = 2 for the equation (x − 2)3 = 0 is 3> <a multiplicity of suggestions for turning the company around> <Shakespeare's works seem to encompass the full multiplicity of human experience.>

myriad

: a very large number of things : ten thousand : a great number <a myriad of ideas> Usage Discussion of myriad Recent criticism of the use of myriad as a noun, both in the plural form myriads and in the phrase a myriad of, seems to reflect a mistaken belief that the word was originally and is still properly only an adjective. As the entries here show, however, the noun is in fact the older form, dating to the 16th century. The noun myriad has appeared in the works of such writers as Milton (plural myriads) and Thoreau (a myriad of), and it continues to occur frequently in reputable English. There is no reason to avoid it. Mr. McCullough hails Adams for being uncannily prescient ... foreseeing a myriad of developments, from the difficulty of defeating the British ... to the divisive consequences of slavery. —Michiko Kakutani, New York Times, 22 May 2001 Sectarian Protestantism reinforced both American individualism and the tendency of the society to be self-organizing in a myriad of voluntary associations and communities. —Francis Fukuyama, Atlantic, May 1999 Out in the barrios, under the nipa palms, he listened to the myriads of humming cicadas and the call of the geckos. —Nina FitzPatrick, Fables of the Irish Intelligentsia, 1991 To read Marie Corelli, you had to be able to follow several hundred printed words at a time, and there were myriads in England who were up to it. —Hugh Kenner, A Sinking Island, 1987 ... laced his fingers behind his head and stared at the myriads of tiny colored dots that make up darkness. —John Steinbeck, East of Eden, 1952 There are a myriad of possibilities. <the car can be outfitted with a myriad of options> Did You Know? In English, the "ten thousand" sense of myriad mostly appears in references to Ancient Greece, such as the following from Thirwall's History of Greece: "4000 men from Peloponnesus had fought at Thermopylae with 300 myriads." More often, however, English speakers use myriad in the broad sense - both as a singular noun ("a myriad of tiny particles") and a plural noun ("myriads of tiny particles"). Myriad can also serve as an adjective meaning "innumerable" ("myriad particles"). Myriad comes from Greek myrias, which in turn comes from myrioi ("countless" or "ten thousand"). A relative of myriad is myriapod, which descends in part from the Greek word for "foot." A myriapod is a creature with many feet - a centipede or millipede, that is. : very many : innumerable <those myriad problems>; also : both numerous and diverse <myriad topics> : having innumerable aspects or elements <the myriad activity of the new land — Meridel Le Sueur> ... the more quotations that could be found, the more easily the subtle differences between the (possibly) myriad usages and meanings of any single word could be identified. This is how historical dictionaries are made ... —Simon Winchester, The Meaning of Everything, 2003 The age of white guilt, with its myriad corruptions and its almost racist blindness to minority individuality, may someday go down like the age of racism went down ... —Shelby Steele, Harper's, November 2002 World War II accelerated the progress of science and technology into the microcosm. Scientists and technologists played tag with one another in their search for microscopic control. With mathematics and myriad theories, they defined a new microcosm. —Joseph A. Amato, Dust, 2000 The old system's problems were myriad. <the myriad problems that today's cities face>

nuance

: a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, etc. : a subtle distinction or variation : a subtle quality : nicety : sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings (as of meaning, feeling, or value) Between the lines of lexicographical nuance and quotation, Johnson was paying old debts and seeking out wisdom about himself and his adopted city, as well as compiling perhaps the greatest commonplace book in the history of mankind. —Andrew O'Hagan, New York Review, 27 Apr. 2006 In every silky statement from General Musharraf about the need for a short—in other words: limited—war, and in every nuance of the Pakistani official posture, I was sure I detected the local version of Schadenfreude. —Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, January 2002 To La Farge, eccentricity meant convention; a mind really eccentric never betrayed it. True eccentricity was a tone—a shade—a nuance—and the finer the tone, the truer the eccentricity. —Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams, 1907 He listened to the subtle nuances in the song. a poem of little depth and nuance Did You Know? The history of "nuance" starts in Latin with the noun nubes, meaning "cloud." "Nubes" floated into Middle French as nue, also meaning "cloud," and "nue" gave rise to nuer, meaning "to make shades of color." "Nuer" in turn produced "nuance," which in Middle French meant shade of color. English borrowed "nuance" from French, with the meaning "a subtle distinction or variation," in the late 18th century. That use persists today. Additionally, "nuance" is sometimes used in a specific musical sense, designating a subtle, expressive variation in a musical performance (such as in tempo, dynamic intensity, or timbre) that is not indicated in the score.

deference

: a way of behaving that shows respect for someone or something : respect and esteem due a superior or an elder; also : affected or ingratiating regard for another's wishes Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward "enemies within") are hallmarks of tribalism ... —Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic, March 1992 In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-reformation of downtown, forbidding "Manhattanization." —Richard Rodriguez, Harper's, October 1990 She could have subtly appealed to the deference ... she knew was still in there, encoded in their middle-aged hearts; she never did. —Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine, 16 Dec. 1990 A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible, in Sproat's estimation, for white leaders to contain the white supremacists. —Robert L. Harris, Jr., American Historical Review, December 1987 Her relatives treat one another with deference. He is shown much deference by his colleagues. Did You Know? The words deference and defer both derive from the Latin deferre, which means "to bring down" or "to carry away." At the same time you might also hear that defer traces to the Latin differre, which means "to postpone" or "to differ." Which root is right? Both. That's because English has two verbs, or homographs, spelled defer. One means "to submit or delegate to another" (as in "I defer to your greater expertise"). That's the one that is closely related to deference and that comes from deferre. The other means "to put off or delay" (as in "we decided to defer the decision until next month"); that second defer derives from differre. Synonym Discussion of deference honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition <the nomination is an honor>. homage adds the implication of accompanying praise <paying homage to Shakespeare>. reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe <great reverence for my father>. deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence <showed no deference to their elders>. in deference to: in order to show respect for the opinions or influence of (someone or something) : out of respect for (someone or something) <He decided not to get a tattoo in deference to his mother.> <The police have not yet revealed the victim's name out of deference to his family.> <customs used in deference to tradition>

grace

: a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward : a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving graces : skills that are needed for behaving in a polite way in social situations a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace a : approval, favor <stayed in his good graces> b archaic : mercy, pardon c : a special favor : privilege <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling> d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : reprieve a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic b : a pleasing appearance or effect : charm <all the grace of youth — John Buchan> c : ease and suppleness of movement or bearing —used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop : a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks plural capitalized : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty : a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura a : sense of propriety or right <had the grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin> b : the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful She walked across the stage with effortless grace. She handles her problems with grace and dignity. He has shown remarkable grace during this crisis. She is quite lovable despite her lack of social graces. Let us give thanks for God's grace. By the grace of God, no one was seriously hurt. She tried to live her life in God's grace. Synonym Discussion of grace mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>.

mutable

: able or likely to change often : prone to change : inconstant a : capable of change or of being changed b : capable of or liable to mutation the government's mutable economic policies <a politician with very mutable positions on all the issues> : capable of change or of being changed in form, quality, or nature : capable of or liable to mutation

admissible

: able to be admitted or allowed; especially : able to be allowed or considered in a legal case : capable of being allowed or conceded : permissible <evidence legally admissible in court> : capable or worthy of being admitted <admissible to the university> The judge decided that the confession was admissible in court. <using direct quotations without naming your source is not admissible>

credible

: able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe : good enough to be effective : offering reasonable grounds for being believed <a credible account of an accident> <credible witnesses> : of sufficient capability to be militarily effective <a credible deterrent> <credible forces> We've received credible information about the group's location. She does a credible job of playing the famous singer.

renewable

: able to be extended for another time period : able to be renewed : restored or replaced by natural processes : able to be replaced by nature : capable of being renewed <renewable contracts> : capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices <renewable resources> a renewable life insurance policy Forests are renewable natural resources, but they must be treated with care. Wind and water are renewable fuel sources.

contagious

: able to be passed from one person or animal to another by touching : having a sickness that can be passed to someone else by touching : capable of being easily spread to others : causing other people to feel or act a similar way : communicable by contact : catching <contagious diseases> : bearing contagion <contagious people> : used for contagious diseases <a contagious ward> : exciting similar emotions or conduct in others <contagious enthusiasm> It's a highly contagious virus. I have a cold and I'm still contagious. I'm sick, but the doctor says I'm not contagious.

sustainable

: able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed : involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources : able to last or continue for a long time : capable of being sustained a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture> b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society> <a line of argument that is probably not sustainable in a public forum against skilled debaters> <has no sustainable claim to the property without a deed or some other document>

agile

: able to move quickly and easily : quick, smart, and clever : marked by ready ability to move with quick easy grace <an agile dancer> : having a quick resourceful and adaptable character <an agile mind> Leopards are very fast and agile. <the expressive movements of agile dancers>

elastic

: able to return to an original shape or size after being stretched, squeezed, etc. : able to be changed a of a solid : capable of recovering size and shape after deformation b : relating to or being a collision between particles in which the total kinetic energy of the particles remains unchanged : capable of recovering quickly especially from depression or disappointment <my elastic spirits revived — Wilkie Collins> : capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape : flexible <an elastic bandage> a : capable of ready change or easy expansion or contraction : not rigid or constricted <an elastic concept> b : receptive to new ideas : adaptable <an elastic mind> <when vacationing, we generally have very elastic daily sightseeing plans> Synonym Discussion of elastic elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching <an elastic waistband>. resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed <a resilient innersole>. springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape <the cake is done when the top is springy>. flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking <flexible plastic tubing>. supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury <supple leather>.

alert

: able to think clearly and to notice things a : watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency b : quick to perceive and act : active, brisk An alert guard stopped the robbers. He was tired and had trouble staying alert while he was driving. She wasn't mentally alert enough to answer the questions. An alert watchdog guarded the door. Synonym Discussion of alert watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity. watchful is the least explicit term <the watchful eye of the department supervisor>. vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness <eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy>. wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers <wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology>. alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity <alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide>. intelligent, clever, alert, quick-witted mean mentally keen or quick. intelligent stresses success in coping with new situations and solving problems <an intelligent person could assemble it fast>. clever implies native ability or aptness and sometimes suggests a lack of more substantial qualities <clever with words>. alert stresses quickness in perceiving and understanding <alert to new technology>. quick-witted implies promptness in finding answers in debate or in devising expedients in moments of danger or challenge <no match for his quick-witted opponent>. : something (such as a message or loud sound) that tells people there is some danger or problem : an alarm or signal of danger : the state of being ready for something you have been warned about (such as an attack) : a state of careful watching and readiness especially for danger or opportunity <on 24-hour alert> a : an alarm or other signal of danger b : an urgent notice <an alert to parents ... about new immunization requirements — Ann Schrader> : the period during which an alert is in effect They sounded an alert when enemy planes were approaching the city. Medical officials have put out an alert to hospitals to look out for the virus. The government has issued a terrorism alert.

alleged

: accused of having done something wrong or illegal but not yet proven guilty : said to have happened but not yet proven : asserted to be true or to exist <an alleged miracle> : questionably true or of a specified kind : supposed, so-called <bought an alleged antique vase> : accused but not proven or convicted <an alleged burglar> The alleged thief was arrested. He denied the alleged conspiracy.

expeditious

: acting or done in a quick and efficient way : marked by or acting with prompt efficiency <a company that is well-regarded for its expeditious handling of any request or complaint> Did You Know? Like expeditious, all of the following words contain ped. Can you guess which ones get those three letters from the same Latin root as expeditious? encyclopedia expedition stampede torpedo orthopedic impede The Latin source of expeditious is the verb expedire, which means "to extricate," to prepare, or to be useful. The ped is from pes, meaning "foot." (The ex- means "out of," and the literal sense of expedire is to free the feet.) The ped in impede also comes from pes. But the ped in encyclopedia and orthopedic is from the Greek pais, meaning "child"; stampede is from the Spanish estampar, meaning "to stamp"; and torpedo is from the Latin torpere, meaning "to be sluggish." What about expedition? Meaning both a journey and promptness, it too is from expedire." Synonym Discussion of expeditious 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>.

nocturnal

: active mainly during the night : happening at night : of, relating to, or occurring in the night <a nocturnal journey> : active at night <a nocturnal predator> <he bought a new telescope so he could pursue his favorite nocturnal hobby of astronomy>

commerce

: activities that relate to the buying and selling of goods and services : social intercourse : interchange of ideas, opinions, or sentiments : the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place : sexual intercourse He was the Secretary of Commerce under the last President. <a government agency in charge of regulating interstate commerce> Synonym Discussion of commerce business, commerce, trade, industry, traffic mean activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities. business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions. commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities. industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale. traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

genuine

: actual, real, or true : not false or fake : sincere and honest a : actually having the reputed or apparent qualities or character <genuine vintage wines> b : actually produced by or proceeding from the alleged source or author <the signature is genuine> c : sincerely and honestly felt or experienced <a deep and genuine love> d : actual, true <a genuine improvement> : free from hypocrisy or pretense : sincere Usage Discussion of genuine The objection which some commentators make to the pronunciation \ˈjen-yə-ˌwīn\ is perhaps occasioned by the fact that it is more frequent among those with less schooling. However, this variant is heard in the speech of cultured or highly educated speakers sufficiently frequently for it to be recognized as a widespread pronunciation at all social levels. This variant was recorded as early as 1890 and appears to be simply a long-standing spelling pronunciation. Examples of genuine in a sentence But whatever else he is, he is the genuine article. A writer of one terrible book after another, but a writer nonetheless. —Dale Peck, New Republic, 1 July 2002 Having had two brothers, a sister and a brother-in-law die violently, he acquired a genuine identification with suffering, particularly that of what has come to be called the underclass. —George F. Will, New York Times Book Review,24 May 1998 Like a poem, a genuine essay is made of language and character and mood and temperament and pluck and chance. —Cynthia Ozick, Atlantic, September 1998 There has been a genuine improvement in the economy in recent months. She showed a genuine interest in our work. He has always shown a genuine concern for poor people. a genuine desire to help others She seems to be a very genuine person. Synonym Discussion of genuine 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>. the genuine article : the real thing <A lot of people pretend to be cowboys, but he's the genuine article.>

unanimous

: agreed to by everyone : having the same opinion : being of one mind : agreeing : formed with or indicating unanimity : having the agreement and consent of all The judges made a unanimous ruling. <a unanimous vote to upgrade the school's computer facilities>

logical

: agreeing with the rules of logic : sensible or reasonable : of or relating to the formal processes used in thinking and reasoning a (1) : of, relating to, involving, or being in accordance with logic (2) : skilled in logic b : formally true or valid : analytic, deductive : capable of reasoning or of using reason in an orderly cogent fashion <a logical thinker> Since she helped us before, it's logical to assume that she'll help us again. He seems to be a logical choice for the job. She wasn't able to give me a logical explanation for her behavior.

repertoire

: all the plays, songs, dances, etc., that a performer or group of performers knows and can perform : all the things that a person is able to do The band's repertoire includes both classic and modern jazz. He has a limited repertoire when it comes to cooking. Did You Know? The Late Latin noun repertorium, meaning "list," has given us two words that can be used to speak of the broad range of things that someone or something can do. One is repertory, perhaps most commonly known as a word for a company that presents several different plays, operas, or other works at one theater, or the theater where such works are performed. Repertoire, which comes from repertorium via French, once meant the same thing as repertory but later came to refer to the range of skills that a person has under his or her belt, such as the different pitches a baseball pitcher can throw or the particular dishes that are a chef's specialty.

legitimate

: allowed according to rules or laws : real, accepted, or official : fair or reasonable a : lawfully begotten; specifically : born in wedlock b : having full filial rights and obligations by birth <a legitimate child> : being exactly as purposed : neither spurious nor false <a legitimate grievance> <a legitimate practitioner> a : accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements <a legitimate government> b : ruling by or based on the strict principle of hereditary right <a legitimate king> : conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules and standards <a legitimate advertising expenditure> <a legitimate inference> : relating to plays acted by professional actors but not including revues, burlesque, or some forms of musical comedy <the legitimate theater> Law books were getting thicker by the week with Supreme Court decisions barring legitimate claims because they weren't timely filed. —John Grisham, The Chamber, 1995 Even in many courtrooms, where there is valid concern about the privacy of defendants, judges recognize that camera coverage serves a legitimate public interest. —New Republic, 22 Feb. 1993 He was indeed already a legitimate child according to the law of Scotland, by the subsequent marriage of his parents. —Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, 1818 legitimate means for achieving success the legitimate use of firearms There's no legitimate reason for prescribing this medication to a child. Synonym Discussion of legitimate lawful, legal, legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law. lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (as natural, divine, common, or canon) <the lawful sovereign>. legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts <legal residents of the state>. legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards <a perfectly legitimate question about taxes>. licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law <the licit use of drugs by doctors>.

lenient

: allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way : not harsh, severe, or strict : exerting a soothing or easing influence : relieving pain or stress : of mild and tolerant disposition; especially : indulgent By giving one more person—the executive—the power to reduce (but not to increase) punishments, our constitutions (both Federal and state) seem to be sending an important message: that in a world in which errors are inevitable, it is better to err on the side of overly lenient, rather than overly harsh, punishment. —Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Times Book Review, 16 July 1989 He could trust himself, he said ... to be more lenient than perhaps his father had been to himself; his danger, he said ... would be rather in the direction of being too indulgent ... —Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, 1903 But in other points, as well as this, I was growing very lenient to my master: I was forgetting all his faults, for which I had once kept a sharp look-out. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847 a teacher who is lenient with students who have misbehaved Many people felt that the punishment was too lenient. Full Definition of lenient 1 : exerting a soothing or easing influence : relieving pain or stress 2 : of mild and tolerant disposition; especially : indulgent le·nient·ly adverb See lenient defined for English-language learners See lenient defined for kids Examples of lenient in a sentence By giving one more person—the executive—the power to reduce (but not to increase) punishments, our constitutions (both Federal and state) seem to be sending an important message: that in a world in which errors are inevitable, it is better to err on the side of overly lenient, rather than overly harsh, punishment. —Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Times Book Review, 16 July 1989 He could trust himself, he said ... to be more lenient than perhaps his father had been to himself; his danger, he said ... would be rather in the direction of being too indulgent ... —Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, 1903 But in other points, as well as this, I was growing very lenient to my master: I was forgetting all his faults, for which I had once kept a sharp look-out. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847 a teacher who is lenient with students who have misbehaved Many people felt that the punishment was too lenient. Did You Know? Lenient is a word with a soothing history. It derives from the Latin verb lenire, meaning "to soothe" or "to soften" (itself from lenis, meaning "soft or mild"). The first, now archaic, sense of "lenient" referred to something soothing that relieved pain and stress. That meaning was shared by "lenitive," an earlier derivative of "lenire" that was commonly used with "electuary" ("lenitive electuary" being a medicated paste prepared with honey or another sweet and used by veterinarians to alleviate pain in the mouth). Linguists also borrowed "lenis" to describe speech sounds that are softened - for instance, the "t" sound in "gutter" is lenis. By way of comparison, the "t" sound in "toe" is fortis.

permeable

: allowing liquids or gases to pass through : capable of being permeated : penetrable; especially : having pores or openings that permit liquids or gases to pass through <a permeable membrane> <permeable limestone> The cell has a permeable membrane. <a permeable fabric that allows your body heat to escape will be much more comfortable in the summertime>

wit

: an ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny : a person who is known for making clever and funny remarks wits : the ability to think or reason a : mind, memory b : reasoning power : intelligence a : sense 2a —usually used in plural <alone and warming his five wits, the white owl in the belfry sits — Alfred Tennyson> b (1) : mental soundness : sanity —usually used in plural (2) : mental capability and resourcefulness : ingenuity a : astuteness of perception or judgment : acumen b : the ability to relate seemingly disparate things so as to illuminate or amuse c (1) : a talent for banter or persiflage (2) : a witty utterance or exchange d : clever or apt humor a : a person of superior intellect : thinker b : an imaginatively perceptive and articulate individual especially skilled in banter or persiflage at one's wit's end or at one's wits' end : at a loss for a means of solving a problem She is full of wit and vivacity. His latest book doesn't have the same wit as his earlier books. The book is a collection of his wit and wisdom. She was a famous writer and wit. Synonym Discussion of wit wit, humor, irony, sarcasm, satire, repartee mean a mode of expression intended to arouse amusement. wit suggests the power to evoke laughter by remarks showing verbal felicity or ingenuity and swift perception especially of the incongruous <a playful wit>. humor implies an ability to perceive the ludicrous, the comical, and the absurd in human life and to express these usually without bitterness <a sense of humor>. irony applies to a manner of expression in which the intended meaning is the opposite of what is seemingly expressed <the irony of the title>. sarcasm applies to expression frequently in the form of irony that is intended to cut or wound <given to heartless sarcasm>. satire applies to writing that exposes or ridicules conduct, doctrines, or institutions either by direct criticism or more often through irony, parody, or caricature <a satire on the Congress>. repartee implies the power of answering quickly, pointedly, or wittily <a dinner guest noted for repartee>.

regeneration

: an act or the process of regenerating : the state of being regenerated : spiritual renewal or revival : renewal or restoration of a body, bodily part, or biological system (as a forest) after injury or as a normal process : utilization by special devices of heat or other products that would ordinarily be lost <the regeneration of knitting and crocheting is in full bloom, with Hollywood stars admitting they knit and crochet on movie sets>

rite

: an act that is part of a usually religious ceremony a : a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony b : the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches : a ceremonial act or action <initiation rites> : a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy Incense is often burned in their religious rites. <the annual summer rite of loading up the car for the big family vacation> the last rites : a religious ceremony that is performed by a Catholic priest for someone who is dying

runoff

: an additional race, contest, or election that is held because an earlier one has not resulted in a winner : water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground into streams : a final race, contest, or election to decide an earlier one that has not resulted in a decision in favor of any one competitor : the portion of precipitation on land that ultimately reaches streams often with dissolved or suspended material

armistice

: an agreement to stop fighting a war : temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents : truce <both sides in the conflict agreed to an armistice during the solemn holy days> Did You Know? Armistice descends from Latin sistere, meaning "to come to a stand" or "to cause to stand or stop," combined with arma, meaning "weapons." An armistice, therefore, is literally a cessation of arms. Armistice Day is the name that was given to the holiday celebrated in the United States on November 11 before it was renamed Veterans Day by Congress in 1954. The original name refers to the agreement between the Allied Powers and Germany to end hostilities that constituted the first World War, designated to take effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Other armistices, involving Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Austria-Hungary, were effected on other dates before and after November 11.

layer

: an amount of something that is spread over an area : a covering piece of material or a part that lies over or under another : a bird that lays eggs : one that lays (as a worker who lays brick or a hen that lays eggs) a : one thickness, course, or fold laid or lying over or under another b : stratum c : horizon 2 a : a branch or shoot of a plant that roots while still attached to the parent plant b : a plant developed by layering Everything was covered by a thin layer of sand. The top layer of the rug is badly worn but the bottom layer is still OK. The cake has three layers. She glued together several layers of paper. He was wearing several layers of clothing. rocks that formed in layers from flows of lava

proportion

: an amount that is a part of a whole : the relationship that exists between the size, number, or amount of two things : the correct or appropriate relationship between the size, shape, and position of the different parts of something : harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole : balance, symmetry a : proper or equal share <each did her proportion of the work> b : quota, percentage : the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree : ratio : size, dimension : a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth (as in 4/2=10/5) — compare extreme 1b, mean in proportion : proportional His ears were drawn out of proportion with his head. The size of the window seems out of proportion with the height of the wall. in proportion to: related in size, number, or amount to (something else) <Your share of the profits will be in proportion to the amount of work that you do.> : having the correct or appropriate relationship in size, shape, or position to (some other part of the same thing) <The garage is not in proportion to the house.> : when compared to the size, shape, or position of (some other part of the same thing) <His head is large in proportion to his body.> keep things in proportion: to understand which things are truly important and not become upset by small things that are not important. <Let's keep things in proportion. You should be able to wait one more day after you have waited two months already.> get out of proportion: to become larger, worse, or more important (than something really is or should be) <Their fears have gotten (totally/completely) out of proportion.>

reptile

: an animal (such as a snake, lizard, turtle, or alligator) that has cold blood, that lays eggs, and that has a body covered with scales or hard parts : a person who cannot be trusted or who is not likable : an animal that crawls or moves on its belly (as a snake) or on small short legs (as a lizard) : any of a class (Reptilia) of air-breathing vertebrates that include the alligators and crocodiles, lizards, snakes, turtles, and extinct related forms (as dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and are characterized by a completely ossified skeleton with a single occipital condyle, a distinct quadrate bone usually immovably articulated with the skull, ribs attached to the sternum, and a body usually covered with scales or bony plates : a groveling or despised person He called the governor's top aide a reptile. <the actor plays a total reptile who's somehow still a hit with the ladies>

omnivore

: an animal that eats both plants and other animals : one that is omnivorous

territory

: an area of land that belongs to or is controlled by a government : one of the parts of the United States that is not a state : any one of the large parts that some countries are divided into a : a geographic area belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a governmental authority b : an administrative subdivision of a country c : a part of the United States not included within any state but organized with a separate legislature d : a geographic area (as a colonial possession) dependent on an external government but having some degree of autonomy a : an indeterminate geographic area b : a field of knowledge or interest a : an assigned area; especially : one in which a sales representative or distributor operates b : an area often including a nesting or denning site and a variable foraging range that is occupied and defended by an animal or group of animals go with the territory or come with the territory : to be a natural or unavoidable aspect or accompaniment of a particular situation, position, or field <criticism goes with the territory in this job> Those mountains are in Mexican territory. Guam is a U.S. territory. The birds are busy establishing territories and building nests. Male cats spray to mark territory. The goal of the expedition is to map unexplored territory. virgin territory: an experience or situation that is new for someone <We're headed into virgin territory with these new regulations.> dangerous ground/territory: a situation in which a person may do or say something that will have a bad result, make people angry, etc. <As the conversation turned to politics, I knew we were heading into dangerous territory.> <You know you're treading on dangerous ground, don't you?> come/go with the territory: to be a natural part of a particular situation, position, or area of work <Of course players get injured sometimes. It comes with the territory.>

shade

: an area of slight darkness that is produced when something blocks the light of the sun : something that is used to block strong light : a darkened area in a drawing, painting, etc. a : comparative darkness or obscurity owing to interception of the rays of light b : relative obscurity or retirement a : shelter (as by foliage) from the heat and glare of sunlight b : a place sheltered from the sun : an evanescent or unreal appearance plural a : the shadows that gather as darkness comes on b : netherworld, hades a : a disembodied spirit : ghost b —used to signal the similarity between a previously encountered person or situation and one at hand ; usually used in plural <shades of my childhood> : something that intercepts or shelters from light, sun, or heat: as a : a device partially covering a lamp so as to reduce glare b : a flexible screen usually mounted on a roller for regulating the light or the view through a window c plural : sunglasses a : the reproduction of the effect of shade in painting or drawing b : a subdued or somber feature a : a color produced by a pigment or dye mixture having some black in it b : a color slightly different from the one under consideration a : a minute difference or variation : nuance b : a minute degree or quantity : a facial expression of sadness or displeasure The buildings cast shade on the plaza. The tree provided plenty of shade. These plants grow well in shade. It was a hot sunny day, but luckily their seats for the game were in the shade. We sat in the shade of a willow tree. He used his hand as a shade as he looked out into the bright sunlight. a lamp with a broken shade She pulled down the shades. She was wearing a cool pair of shades.

sentiment

: an attitude or opinion : feelings of love, sympathy, kindness, etc. a : an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling : predilection b : a specific view or notion : opinion a : emotion b : refined feeling : delicate sensibility especially as expressed in a work of art c : emotional idealism d : a romantic or nostalgic feeling verging on sentimentality a : an idea colored by emotion b : the emotional significance of a passage or expression as distinguished from its verbal context His criticism of the court's decision expresses a sentiment that is shared by many people. an expression of antiwar sentiments She likes warmth and sentiment in a movie. You have to be tough to succeed in the business world. There's no room for sentiment. Synonym Discussion of sentiment feeling, emotion, affection, sentiment, passion mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation. feeling denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it <the feelings that once moved me are gone>. emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses <the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence>. affection applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings <a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family>. sentiment often implies an emotion inspired by an idea <her feminist sentiments are well known>. passion suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion <revenge became his ruling passion>. opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute <each expert seemed to have a different opinion>. view suggests a subjective opinion <very assertive in stating his views>. belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent <a firm belief in her party's platform>. conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief <the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human>. persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth <was of the persuasion that everything changes>. sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings <her feminist sentiments are well-known>. my sentiments exactly: used to express complete agreement <"The lecture was interesting, but it was much too long." "My sentiments exactly!">

differentia

: an element, feature, or factor that distinguishes one entity, state, or class from another; especially : a characteristic trait distinguishing a species from other species of the same genus <a list of the chief differentiae between a controlling cult and a legitimate religious sect>

replica

: an exact or very close copy of something : an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist <a replica of this was painted ... this year — Constance Strachey> : a copy exact in all details <DNA makes a replica of itself> <sailed a replica of the Viking ship>; broadly : copy <this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb — G. F. Kennan> We toured a replica of the ship. It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn. Synonym Discussion of replica reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another. reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing <reproductions from the museum's furniture collection>. duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing <a duplicate of a house key>. copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically <printed 1000 copies of the lithograph>. facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale <a facsimile of a rare book>. replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details <a replica of the Mayflower> but not always in the same scale <miniature replicas of classic cars>.

microbe

: an extremely small living thing that can only be seen with a microscope : microorganism, germ

connotation

: an idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its meaning a : the suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes b : something suggested by a word or thing : implication <the connotations of comfort that surrounded that old chair> : the signification of something <that abuse of logic which consists in moving counters about as if they were known entities with a fixed connotation — W. R. Inge> : an essential property or group of properties of a thing named by a term in logic — compare denotation Miuccia Prada, a connoisseur of vintage jewelry, has a collection of tiaras and subverts their formal connotations by wearing them for the day. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, March 1997 Suddenly, Hsun-ching brightened. "So this is propaganda?" Alison did not know that, in Chinese, the word for propaganda literally means to spread information, and does not carry any negative connotations. —Mark Salzman, The Laughing Sutra, 1991 The word "evolution," with its connotation of unrolling, of progressive development, was not favored by Darwin; he preferred the bleak phrase "descent with modification" for his theory. —John Updike, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 1985 a word with negative connotations For many people, the word "fat" has negative connotations. The word "childlike" has connotations of innocence.

feature

: an interesting or important part, quality, ability, etc. : a part of the face (such as the eyes, nose, or mouth) : a movie that is made to be shown in a theater for entertainment : a full-length movie a : the structure, form, or appearance especially of a person b obsolete : physical beauty a : the makeup or appearance of the face or its parts b : a part of the face : lineament a : a prominent part or characteristic b : any of the properties (as voice or gender) that are characteristic of a grammatical element (as a phoneme or morpheme); especially : one that is distinctive : a special attraction: as a : a featured motion picture b : a featured article, story, or department in a newspaper or magazine c : something offered to the public or advertised as particularly attractive <one of the car's most popular features> This year's models include several new safety features. This camera has several features that make it easy to use. The car has some interesting new design features. His plan combines the best features of the earlier proposals. Her eyes are her best feature. Tonight's feature is a new romantic comedy. He starred in his first feature film a year ago.

prologue

: an introduction to a book, play, etc. : the preface or introduction to a literary work a : a speech often in verse addressed to the audience by an actor at the beginning of a play b : the actor speaking such a prologue : an introductory or preceding event or development the prologue to his autobiography <unfortunately, the burglary, which he committed while still a teen, was but a prologue to a wasted life of crime>

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. Did You Know? Both "emblem" and its synonym "symbol" trace back to the Greek verb ballein, meaning "to throw." "Emblem" arose from emballein, meaning "to insert," while "symbol" comes from "symballein," Greek for to throw together. "Ballein" is also an ancestor of the words "parable" (from "paraballein," "to compare"), "metabolism" (from "metaballein," "to change"), and "problem" (from "proballein," "to throw forward"). Another (somewhat surprising) "ballein" descendant is "devil," which comes from Greek diabolos, literally meaning "slanderer." "Diabolos" in turn comes from diaballein, meaning "to throw across" or "to slander."

quota

: an official limit on the number or amount of people or things that are allowed : a specific amount or number that is expected to be achieved : a proportional part or share; especially : the share or proportion assigned to each in a division or to each member of a body : the number or amount constituting a proportional share : a fixed number or percentage of minority group members or women needed to meet the requirements of affirmative action The agency imposes strict fishing quotas. The company has imposed quotas on hiring. He lost his driver's license because he exceeded the quota of traffic violations. The department set new sales quotas in January.

edict

: an official order given by a person with power or by a government : a proclamation having the force of law : order, command <we held firm to Grandmother's edict — M. F. K. Fisher> The government issued an edict banning public demonstrations. <the school board's edict put a new student dress code into effect>

judgement

: an opinion or decision that is based on careful thought : the act or process of forming an opinion or making a decision after careful thought : the act of judging something or someone : the ability to make good decisions about what should be done a : a formal utterance of an authoritative opinion b : an opinion so pronounced a : a formal decision given by a court b (1) : an obligation (as a debt) created by the decree of a court (2) : a certificate evidencing such a decree a capitalized : the final judging of humankind by God b : a divine sentence or decision; specifically : a calamity held to be sent by God a : the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing b : an opinion or estimate so formed a : the capacity for judging : discernment b : the exercise of this capacity : a proposition stating something believed or asserted We have to make a judgment about the value of their services. The judgment of the editors is final. Don't rush to judgment without examining the evidence. "Were his policies good or bad?" "I'll have to reserve judgment on that. It's too soon to know." Use your own best judgment. The court granted a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs. the judgment of the court I won a judgment against the bank. Did You Know? Judgment can also be spelled "judgement," and usage experts have long disagreed over which spelling is the preferred one. Henry Fowler asserted, "The OED [Oxford English Dictionary] prefers the older and more reasonable spelling. 'Judgement' is therefore here recommended." William Safire held an opposite opinion, writing, "My judgment is that Fowler is not to be followed." "Judgement" is in fact the older spelling, but it dropped from favor and for centuries "judgment" was the only spelling to appear in dictionaries. That changed when the OED (Fowler's source) was published showing "judgement" as an equal variant. Today, "judgment" is more popular in the U.S., whereas both spellings make a good showing in Britain. Synonym Discussion of judgment sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions. sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence <a choice showing good sense>. common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge <common sense tells me it's wrong>. judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity <they relied on her judgment for guidance>. wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average <a leader of rare wisdom>. against one's better judgment: contrary to what one thinks is best <I agreed to let him join us, even though it was against my better judgment.> the Last Judgment: the time when according to some religions all people will be judged by God

prototype

: an original or first model of something from which other forms are copied or developed : someone or something that has the typical qualities of a particular group, kind, etc. : a first or early example that is used as a model for what comes later : an original model on which something is patterned : archetype : an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type : a standard or typical example : a first full-scale and usually functional form of a new type or design of a construction (as an airplane) They tested the prototype of the car. He is developing a prototype for his invention. He is the prototype of a conservative businessman. The Sherlock Holmes stories are the prototypes of modern detective stories. Did You Know? The prefix prot-, or proto-, comes from Greek and has the basic meaning "first in time" or "first formed." A prototype is someone or something that serves as a model or inspiration for those that come later. A successful fund-raising campaign can serve as a prototype for future campaigns. The legendary Robin Hood, the "prototypical" kindhearted and honorable outlaw, has been the inspiration for countless other romantic heroes. And for over a century, Vincent van Gogh has been the prototype of the brilliant, tortured artist who is unappreciated in his own time.

item

: and in addition : also —used to introduce each article in a list or enumeration : 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 of item 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>.

constituent

: any one of the people who live and vote in an area : a member of a constituency : one of the parts that form something : one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal : a member of a constituency : an essential part : component, element : a structural unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological category that consists of one or more linguistic elements (as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur as a component of a larger construction She's pledged to help her elderly constituents. Many senators have received calls from constituents who want them to vote in favor of the law. the chemical constituents of the liquid Synonym Discussion of constituent element, component, constituent, ingredient mean one of the parts of a compound or complex whole. element applies to any such part and often connotes irreducible simplicity <the basic elements of geometry>. component and constituent may designate any of the substances (whether elements or compounds) or the qualities that enter into the makeup of a complex product; component stresses its separate entity or distinguishable character <the components of a stereo system>. constituent stresses its essential and formative character <the constituents of a chemical compound>. ingredient applies to any of the substances which when combined form a particular mixture <the ingredients of a cocktail>. : forming part of a whole : serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component <constituent parts> : having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution <a constituent assembly> The company can be separated into several constituent parts.

vein

: any one of the tubes that carry blood from parts of the body back to the heart : any one of the thin lines that can be seen on the surface of a leaf or on the wing of an insect : a long, narrow opening in rock filled with gold, silver, etc. a : a narrow water channel in rock or earth or in ice b (1) : lode 2 (2) : a bed of useful mineral matter c : lode 3 : blood vessel; especially : any of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the capillaries toward the heart a : any of the vascular bundles forming the framework of a leaf b : any of the thickened cuticular ribs that serve to stiffen the wings of an insect : something suggesting veins (as in reticulation); specifically : a wavy variegation (as in marble) a : a distinctive mode of expression : style <stories in a romantic vein> b : a distinctive element or quality : strain <introduced a welcome vein of humor> c : a line of thought or action a : a special aptitude <inherited an artistic vein> b : a usually transitory and casually attained mood c : top form <thou troublest me; I am not in the vein — Shakespeare> <the author goes on in that sarcastic vein for pages>

forthcoming

: appearing, happening, or arriving soon : readily available : honest and open : being about to appear or to be produced or made available <the forthcoming holidays> <your forthcoming novel> <funds are forthcoming> a : responsive, outgoing <a forthcoming and courteous man> b : characterized by openness, candidness, and forthrightness <not forthcoming about his memories of medical school — Mark Kramer> He was more forthcoming about his past than they expected. She has been less than forthcoming about her involvement in the scandal.

en masse

: as a single group : all together : in a body : as a whole <moved the inmates en masse to the new prison> Her supporters arrived en masse for the rally.

on a par with

: at the same level or standard as (someone or something else) <The new version of the software is on a par with the old one.> <His new book is on par with his best sellers.>

moderate

: average in size or amount : neither too much nor too little : neither very good nor very bad : not expensive : not too high in price a : avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits <a moderate drinker> b : calm, temperate a : tending toward the mean or average amount or dimension b : having average or less than average quality : mediocre : professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are not extreme : limited in scope or effect : not expensive : reasonable or low in price of a color : of medium lightness and medium chroma Her doctor recommended moderate exercise. There were moderate levels of chemicals in the lake. drinking moderate amounts of coffee Most of these medicines relieve mild to moderate pain. a family of moderate income a book of moderate length The group met with only moderate success. a writer of moderate talent The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices. Both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans can agree on this new law. : a person whose political ideas are not extreme : a person who has moderate opinions or is a member of a moderate political group : one who holds moderate views or who belongs to a group favoring a moderate course or program Moderates from both political parties have agreed on an economic plan. <to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads>

incipient

: beginning to develop or exist : beginning to come into being or to become apparent <an incipient solar system> <evidence of incipient racial tension> The project is still in its incipient stages. <I have an incipient dislike and distrust of that guy, and I only met him this morning.> Did You Know? A good starting point for any investigation of "incipient" is the Latin verb incipere, which means "to begin." "Incipient" first emerged in English in a 1669 scientific text that referred to "incipient putrefaction." Later came the genesis of two related nouns, "incipiency" and "incipience," both of which are synonymous with "beginning." "Incipere" also stands at the beginning of the words "inception" ("an act, process, or instance of beginning") and "incipit," a term that literally means "it begins" and which was used for the opening words of a medieval text. "Incipere" itself derives from another Latin verb, capere, which means "to take" or "to seize."

conformity

: behavior that is the same as the behavior of most other people in a society, group, etc. : the fact or state of agreeing with or obeying something : correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement <behaved in conformity with her beliefs> : an act or instance of conforming : action in accordance with some specified standard or authority <conformity to social custom> The corporate culture demands a certain conformity of appearance. <the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs>

credence

: belief that something is true : the quality of being believed or accepted as something true or real a : mental acceptance as true or real <give credence to gossip> b : credibility 1 <lends credence to the theory> : credentials —used in the phrase letters of credence [Middle French, from Old Italian credenza] : a Renaissance sideboard used chiefly for valuable plate : a small table where the bread and wine rest before consecration The theory is gaining credence among scientists. <I'm afraid I don't put much credence in common gossip.> Synonym Discussion of credence belief, faith, credence, credit mean assent to the truth of something offered for acceptance. belief may or may not imply certitude in the believer <my belief that I had caught all the errors>. faith almost always implies certitude even where there is no evidence or proof <an unshakable faith in God>. credence suggests intellectual assent without implying anything about grounds for assent <a theory now given credence by scientists>. credit may imply assent on grounds other than direct proof <gave full credit to the statement of a reputable witness>. give credence to: to believe —usually used in negative statements <Don't give credence to their gossip.> place/put little credence in: to generally not believe <I place/put little credence in statistics.> lend weight/credence/credibility: to make something seem true or correct —usually + to <A growing amount of evidence lends weight/credence/credibility to their theory.>

native

: born in a particular place —used to refer to the place where a person was born and raised : belonging to a person since birth or childhood : inborn, innate <native talents> : belonging to a particular place by birth archaic : closely related : belonging to or associated with one by birth : natural, normal a : grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity : local b : living or growing naturally in a particular region : indigenous : simple, unaffected a : constituting the original substance or source b : found in nature especially in an unadulterated form <mining native silver> chiefly Australian : having a usually superficial resemblance to a specified English plant or animal capitalized : of, relating to, or being a member of an aboriginal people of North or South America : native american people who are native to France She has a native ability to learn quickly. The island is home to several native species of trees. Synonym Discussion of native native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>. indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>. aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>.

terse

: brief and direct in a way that may seem rude or unfriendly : smoothly elegant : polished : using few words : devoid of superfluity <a terse summary>; also : short, brusque <dismissed me with a terse "no"> Everything about him is tidy, from his terse wit to the flecks of gray hair that fall in precise iterations around the edges of his scalp. —Devin Gordon, Newsweek, 29 July 2002 ... Johnston stays bolted to the wheelhouse floor, wrestling the helm and jotting down notes in the ship log. His entries are terse, bullet descriptions of the unending chaos outside. —Sebastian Junger, The Perfect Storm, 1997 This vicious cycle was captured succinctly in Gandhi's terse warning that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. —David McCabe, Commonweal, 11 Apr. 1997 She accepts the caller's terse expression of sympathy and duly expresses in return her appreciation for that unenviable bit of message-bearing. —John Barth, Harper's, January 1994 She gave me a few terse instructions and promptly left the room. <could tell from his terse replies to my questions that he was in no mood to talk> Synonym Discussion of terse concise, terse, succinct, laconic, summary, pithy, compendious mean very brief in statement or expression. concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative <a concise description>. terse implies pointed conciseness <a terse reply>. succinct implies the greatest possible compression <a succinct letter of resignation>. laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious <an aloof and laconic stranger>. summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation <a summary listing of the year's main events>. pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance <a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners>. compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment <a compendious dictionary>. : being brief and to the point <a terse statement>

tenable

: capable of being defended against attack or criticism : capable of being held, maintained, or defended : defensible, reasonable <the soldiers' encampment on the open plain was not tenable, so they retreated to higher ground> <the tenable theory that a giant meteor strike set off a chain of events resulting in the demise of the dinosaurs>

vigilant

: carefully noticing problems or signs of danger : alertly watchful especially to avoid danger Over the years, as tension between pitchers and hit batsmen heightened to the point that hitters began rushing the mound, umpires have had to become far more vigilant about keeping the game from degenerating into a dogfight. —Buzz Bissinger, Sports Illustrated, 21 Mar. 2005 At the Château de Wideville's magnificent seventeenth-century gates, guests have their names ticked off by vigilant staff and then snake through a lugubrious park à l'anglaise. —Hamish Bowles, Vogue, September 2002 And as a foreign tourist in North Korea, under the care of vigilant minders who wanted me to see only the best, I had enjoyed the finest fare available. —Christopher Hitchens, Vanity Fair, January 2001 A vigilant hand had, as usual, kept the fire alive and the lamp trimmed; and the room, with its rows and rows of books, its bronze and steel statuettes of "The Fencers" on the mantelpiece and its many photographs of famous pictures, looked singularly home-like and welcoming. —Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 When traveling through the city, tourists should be extra vigilant. They were vigilant about protecting their children. We remain vigilant against theft. Synonym Discussion of vigilant watchful, vigilant, wide-awake, alert mean being on the lookout especially for danger or opportunity. watchful is the least explicit term <the watchful eye of the department supervisor>. vigilant suggests intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness <eternally vigilant in the safeguarding of democracy>. wide-awake applies to watchfulness for opportunities and developments more often than dangers <wide-awake companies latched onto the new technology>. alert stresses readiness or promptness in meeting danger or in seizing opportunity <alert traders anticipated the stock market's slide>.

terminal

: causing death eventually : leading finally to death : having an illness that cannot be cured and that will soon lead to death : of or relating to patients who have a terminal illness a : of or relating to an end, extremity, boundary, or terminus <a terminal pillar> b : growing at the end of a branch or stem <a terminal bud> a : of, relating to, or occurring in a term or each term <terminal payments> b (1) : leading ultimately to death : fatal <terminal cancer> (2) : approaching or close to death : being in the final stages of a fatal disease <a terminal patient> (3) : of or relating to patients with a terminal illness <terminal care> c : extremely or hopelessly severe <terminal boredom> a : occurring at or constituting the end of a period or series : concluding <the terminal moments of life> b : not intended as preparation for further academic work <a terminal curriculum> She was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was suffering from terminal boredom. another person with terminal stupidity branches that end in a terminal bud Synonym Discussion of terminal last, final, terminal, ultimate mean following all others (as in time, order, or importance). last applies to something that comes at the end of a series but does not always imply that the series is completed or stopped <last page of a book> <last news we had of him>. final applies to that which definitely closes a series, process, or progress <final day of school>. terminal may indicate a limit of extension, growth, or development <terminal phase of a disease>. ultimate implies the last degree or stage of a long process beyond which further progress or change is impossible <the ultimate collapse of the system>. : a building where buses or trains regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off : a building at an airport where people get on and off airplanes : a computer or a combination of a keyboard and a video display that is connected to a system and used for entering or receiving data : a part that forms the end : extremity, termination : a terminating usually ornamental detail : finial : a device attached to the end of a wire or cable or to an electrical apparatus for convenience in making connections a : either end of a carrier line having facilities for the handling of freight and passengers b : a freight or passenger station that is central to a considerable area or serves as a junction at any point with other lines c : a town or city at the end of a carrier line : terminus : a combination of a keyboard and output device (as a video display unit) by which data can be entered into or output from a computer or electronic communications system I will meet you outside the bus terminal. Flight 1584 is now departing from Gate 6 in Terminal A. You are not allowed in the terminal without a ticket. Ten terminals are connected to this server. You will need to clean the corrosion off the battery terminals. in terminal decline: getting worse without any chance to improve <The business is in terminal decline.>

diligent

: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking <a diligent worker> The American intelligence community's single greatest failing is its lack of good "humint"—human intelligence, the dirty, diligent, shoe-leather penetration of terror networks. —Johanna McGeary, Time, 15 Oct. 2001 Like any diligent foreign correspondent, he attends the briefings and collects face time with the officials, but he knows it's the citizens (the upstanding as well as the jailers, the whores, the black marketeers and the smugglers) who tell the truth ... —Rolling Stone, 19 Sept. 1996 He was a fourth-year drama student at UCLA and diligent about such valuable actorly exercises as eavesdropping, spying, and telling complicated lies to fellow passengers on airplanes. —Michael Chabon, A Model World and Other Stories, 1991 In spite of diligent work as editor, hack writer, sea captain, and assorted other trades, he wound up poor. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987 <a student who has been unceasingly diligent in pursuit of a degree in mathematics> Did You Know? You're more likely to be diligent about something if you love doing it. The etymology of diligent reflects the fact that affection can lead to energetic effort. The word, which entered English in the 14th century by way of Anglo-French, descends from the Latin verb diligere, meaning "to value or esteem highly" or "to love." Of course, you don't need to care for the task at hand in order to be diligent, but it certainly does help! Synonym Discussion of diligent busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied. busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure <too busy to spend time with the children>. industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work <industrious employees>. diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit <very diligent in her pursuit of a degree>. assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application <assiduous practice>. sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application <a sedulous investigation of the murder>.

supposed

: claimed to be true or real a : pretended <twelve hours are supposed to elapse between Acts I and II — W. S. Gilbert> b : alleged <trusted my supposed friends> a : held as an opinion : believed; also : mistakenly believed : imagined <the sight which makes supposed terror true — Shakespeare> b : considered probable or certain : expected <it was not supposed that everybody could master the technical aspects — J. C. Murray> c : understood <you will be supposed to refer to my grandaunt — G. B. Shaw> : made or fashioned by intent or design <what's that button supposed to do> a : required by or as if by authority <soldiers are supposed to obey their commanding officers> b : given permission : permitted <was not supposed to have visitors> <this new computer program is a supposed improvement over the old one>

undeniable

: clearly true : impossible to deny : plainly true : incontestable <an undeniable fact> : unquestionably excellent or genuine <an applicant with undeniable references> The band's popularity is undeniable.

adjacent

: close or near : sharing a border, wall, or point a : not distant : nearby <the city and adjacent suburbs> b : having a common endpoint or border <adjacent lots> <adjacent sides of a triangle> c : immediately preceding or following of two angles : having the vertex and one side in common The Harrimans owned two large adjacent houses on N Street, one for themselves and one for Averell Harriman's pictures. —Larry McMurtry, New York Times Review of Books, 23 Oct. 2003 Hearing unexpected chords was linked to magnetic activity in a left-brain region known as Broca's area and in adjacent right-brain tissue. —Bruce Bower, Science News, 5 May 2001 The hallways, especially those adjacent to the satellite phone, were crowded with journalists, avid to cover the Taliban takeover ... —Michael Ignatieff, New Yorker, 24 Mar. 1997 Digging further in that spot and five adjacent areas, they retrieved 19 skulls, five eggs, over 150 jaws and hundreds of teeth, limbs and bone bits. —Natalie Angier, Time, 8 Oct. 1984 <their house is adjacent to a wooded park> Synonym Discussion of adjacent adjacent, adjoining, contiguous, juxtaposed mean being in close proximity. adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between <a house with an adjacent garage>. adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line <had adjoining rooms at the hotel>. contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side <offices in all 48 contiguous states>. juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast <a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church>.

fanciful

: coming from the imagination : showing imagination : unusual and appealing : marked by fancy or unrestrained imagination rather than by reason and experience <a fanciful person> : existing in fancy only <a fanciful notion> : marked by or as if by fancy or whim <gave their children fanciful names> a fanciful tale of a monster in the woods They gave all their children fanciful names. Synonym Discussion of fanciful imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical, quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable. imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination <an imaginary desert isle>. fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination <a teller of fanciful stories>. visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization <visionary schemes>. fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief <a fantastic world inhabited by monsters>. chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic <chimerical dreams of future progress>. quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense <a quixotic crusade>.

utter

: complete and total : carried to the utmost point or highest degree : absolute, total <utter darkness> <utter strangers> It's hard to believe that we were utter strangers just a few days ago. The situation descended into utter chaos. The children displayed an utter lack of interest in the performance. The movie was utter garbage. That argument is utter nonsense. complete and utter: absolute, total <The wedding was a complete and utter disaster.> not utter a word: to not say anything <Don't utter a word about this to anyone.>

consummate

: complete in every detail : perfect 2 : extremely skilled and accomplished 3 : of the highest degree Examples Always the consummate professional, Erika has testimonials from dozens of satisfied clients on her website. "[Daniel] Bryan, 34, loved professional wrestling, and Miami is where the consummate wrestler became a top notch WWE superstar." — Jim Varsallone, The Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2016 Did You Know? Consummate, which derives from the Latin verb consummare (meaning "to sum up" or "to finish"), has been used as an adjective in English since the 15th century. Some usage commentators feel the word is overused and others think it should be limited to the "perfect" sense (as in "a consummate little model of a clipper ship"), but neither of those positions is more than an opinion. All of the senses of the word are well-established and have served careful writers well for many, many years.

licit

: conforming to the requirements of the law : not forbidden by law : permissible <law enforcement agencies are demanding stricter regulation of the sale of licit medications that can later be used in the home manufacture of illicit drugs> Did You Know? Licit is far less common than its antonym illicit, but you probably won't be surprised to learn that the former is the older of the two. Not by much, though: the first known use of licit in print is from 1483, whereas illicit shows up in print for the first time in 1506. For some reason illicit took off while licit just plodded along. When licit appears these days it often modifies "drugs" or crops. Meanwhile, illicit shows up before words like "thrill" and "passion" (as well as "gambling," "relationship," "activities," and, of course, "drugs" and "crops.") The Latin word licitus, meaning "lawful," is the root of the pair; licitus itself is from licēre, meaning "to be permitted." : conforming to the requirements of the law : not forbidden by law

cognition

: conscious mental activities : the activities of thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering : cognitive mental processes; also : a product of these processes disabilities affecting cognition and judgment

didactic

: designed or intended to teach people something —used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted a : designed or intended to teach b : intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment <didactic poetry> : making moral observations Slaves related human as well as animal trickster tales; they told Bible stories, explanatory tales, moralistic and didactic tales, supernatural tales and legends. —Lawrence W. Levine, The Unpredictable Past, 1993 For two decades, many Americans, including some early advocates of the Vietnam intervention, have been relentlessly didactic, extracting cautionary lessons from Vietnam. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 22 May 1989 —the trappings, one might say—of a didactic and resolutely pious Victorian sensibility in the service of an anarchic imagination. —Joyce Carol Oates, The Profane Art, 1983 <the poet's works became increasingly didactic after his religious conversion> Did You Know? Didaktikos is a Greek word that means "apt at teaching." It comes from didaskein, meaning "to teach." Something "didactic" does just that: teaches or instructs. "Didactic" conveyed that neutral meaning when it was first borrowed in the 17th century, and still does; a didactic piece of writing is one that is meant to be instructive as well as artistic. Parables are generally didactic because they aim to teach a moral lesson. "Didactic" now sometimes has negative connotations, too, however. Something "didactic" is often overburdened with instruction to the point of being dull. Or it might be pompously instructive or moralistic. Medical Definition of didactic : involving lecture and textbook instruction rather than demonstration and laboratory study

functional

: designed to have a practical use medical : affecting the way a part of your body works : working properly a : of, connected with, or being a function b : affecting physiological or psychological functions but not organic structure <functional heart disease> : used to contribute to the development or maintenance of a larger whole <functional and practical school courses>; also : designed or developed chiefly from the point of view of use : performing or able to perform a regular function They worked outside, so they preferred wearing functional clothes. The building's design is not only functional but also beautiful. The flashlight was still functional after I dropped it. The computer network is fully functional.

distinct

: different in a way that you can see, hear, smell, feel, etc. : noticeably different : easy to see, hear, smell, feel, etc. : strong and definite : distinguishable to the eye or mind as discrete : separate <a distinct cultural group> <teaching as distinct from research> : presenting a clear unmistakable impression <a neat distinct handwriting> archaic : notably decorated a : notable <a distinct contribution to scholarship> b : readily and unmistakably apprehended <a distinct possibility of snow> <a distinct British accent> There are three distinct categories. Each herb has its own distinct flavor. The phrase has three distinct meanings. There was the distinct smell of something burning. The outline became less and less distinct as the light faded. We had the distinct impression that they were lying. Synonym Discussion of distinct 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>.

cryptic

: difficult to understand : having or seeming to have a hidden meaning : secret, occult a : having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious <cryptic messages> b : marked by an often perplexing brevity <cryptic marginal notes> : serving to conceal <cryptic coloration in animals>; also : exhibiting cryptic coloration <cryptic animals> : not recognized <a cryptic infection> : employing cipher or code ... his hectic characters either communicate in choppy or cryptic exchanges or rattle on in breathless recitations full of contradictions and asides. —Donna Seaman, Booklist, 15 Mar. 1994 Since Hughes's poems contained neither Eliot's footnotes nor Ezra Pound's cryptic orientalism, many critics and editors assumed the poet unintelligent and his work raw or, at best, slight. —Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review, 9 Oct. 1988 The remark seemed cryptic to Philip, but when he heard her say it two or three times to different persons, and found that it aroused hearty agreement, he came to the conclusion that it was only obscure to his own intelligence. —W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage, 1915 His instructions were cryptic. He said only to wait until we felt certain the answer was clear. <puzzled by the cryptic e-mail message left on his computer> Did You Know? The history of "cryptic" starts with "kryptein," a Greek word meaning "to hide." Can you uncover other "kryptein" relatives in English? Not surprisingly, crypt, meaning "underground chamber," is one. The element "krypton" would be another correct guess, and so would "apocrypha," which can mean "writings of dubious authenticity." "Kryptein" also gave us several words having to do with secret codes, such as "cryptogram" ("a communication in cipher or code") and "cryptography" ("the coding and decoding of secret messages"). And, in fact, something "cryptic" can sometimes seem as if written in code. Synonym Discussion of cryptic 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>.

longitude

: distance measured in degrees east or west from an imaginary line (called the prime meridian) that goes from the North Pole to the South Pole and that passes through Greenwich, England : an imaginary line that circles the Earth at a particular longitude a : angular distance measured on a great circle of reference from the intersection of the adopted zero meridian with this reference circle to the similar intersection of the meridian passing through the object b : the arc or portion of the earth's equator intersected between the meridian of a given place and the prime meridian and expressed either in degrees or in time archaic : long duration a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude calculating the longitudes of different places The regions are on roughly the same longitude.

latitude

: distance north or south of the equator measured in degrees up to 90 degrees : an imaginary line that circles the Earth at a particular latitude and that is parallel to the equator : freedom to choose how to act or what to do archaic : extent or distance from side to side : width : angular distance from some specified circle or plane of reference: as a : angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees b : angular distance of a celestial body from the ecliptic c : a region or locality as marked by its latitude a : scope, range b : the range of exposures within which a film or plate will produce a negative or positive of satisfactory quality : freedom of action or choice <students are allowed considerable latitude in choosing courses> a map of the world showing lines of latitude and longitude located at a latitude of 40 degrees north Madrid and New York City are on nearly the same latitude. islands located at different latitudes We weren't given much latitude in deciding how to do the job. The judge has wide latitude to reject evidence for the trial.

sedentary

: doing or involving a lot of sitting : not doing or involving much physical activity : staying or living in one place instead of moving to different places : not migratory : settled <sedentary birds> <sedentary civilizations> a : doing or requiring much sitting <a sedentary job> b : not physically active <a sedentary lifestyle> : permanently attached <sedentary barnacles> Editing the dictionary is a sedentary job. The work is very sedentary. Their health problems were caused by their sedentary lifestyles. He became sedentary later on in his life. Did You Know? English speakers borrowed "sedentary" in the late 16th century from Middle French sedentaire, which in turn derives from Latin sedentarius. "Sedentarius," which means "of one that sits," is from the present participle of the verb sedēre, meaning "to sit." Other descendants of "sedēre" in English include "dissident," "insidious," "preside," "reside," and "subsidy." "Sedēre" is also the base of the rare word sedens, a noun meaning "a person who remains a resident of the place or region of his birth."

spontaneous

: done or said in a natural and often sudden way and without a lot of thought or planning : doing things that have not been planned but that seem enjoyable and worth doing at a particular time : proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint : arising from a momentary impulse : controlled and directed internally : self-acting <spontaneous movement characteristic of living things> : produced without being planted or without human labor : indigenous : developing or occurring without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment : not apparently contrived or manipulated : natural Shane has a lovely habit of paying us spontaneous visits: one time she brought over a jar of a pickle she'd recently put up; another time just a good story or two. —James Oseland, Saveur, December 2006 Cold viruses can damage the olfactory system directly. This loss of smell may last even after the cold is over. Sometimes the sense comes back as suddenly as it disappeared, perhaps because even as adults we generate new olfactory neurons. Spontaneous improvement might be a person's best hope, because there are no real proven treatments for reversing olfactory nerve damage. —Harvard Health Letter, September 2001 Peter Jakobsen of the European Space Agency, which built the Faint Object Camera, drew spontaneous applause at the January meeting when he showed an image of supernova SN1987A from the instrument. —Kristin Leutwyler, Scientific American, March 1994 The comment was completely spontaneous. He's a guy who's spontaneous and fun. Did You Know? Spontaneous derives, via the Late Latin spontaneus, from the Latin sponte, meaning "of one's free will, voluntarily," and first appeared in English in the mid-17th century. Thomas Hobbes was an early adopter: he wrote that "all voluntary actions ... are called also spontaneous, and said to be done by man's own accord" in his famous 1656 The Questions Concerning Liberty, Necessity, and Chance. Today the word is more often applied to things done or said in a natural and often sudden way, without a lot of thought or planning—or to people who do or say things in such a way. Synonym Discussion of spontaneous 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>.

usual

: done, found, or used most of the time or in most cases : normal or regular : accordant with usage, custom, or habit : normal : commonly or ordinarily used <followed his usual route> : found in ordinary practice or in the ordinary course of events : ordinary as usual : in the accustomed or habitual way <as usual they were late> She charges less than the usual fee. He took his usual route to work. the usual method for preparing chili She is not my usual doctor. It's usual to charge a fee for delivery. It's not usual for him to get home so late. Synonym Discussion of usual 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>.

mundane

: dull and ordinary : relating to ordinary life on earth rather than to spiritual things : of, relating to, or characteristic of the world : characterized by the practical, transitory, and ordinary : commonplace <the mundane concerns of day-to-day life> On him, a mundane navy blazer looked like an Armani dinner jacket; around him, a dusky locker room became the chandeliered lobby of the Savoy. —Curry Kirkpatrick, ESPN, 19 Mar. 2001 How did our ancestors pass from the mundane activity of counting to the concept of 'number' in the abstract, devoid of any particular collection of objects to label? —John D. Barrow, Pi in the Sky, 1992 They decided on buttock tattoos, rather than the more mundane engagement ring, because a tattoo is permanent. You can always pawn a ring. —Mike Royko, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 1988 The day began with the mundane business of getting my white chiffon dress shortened ... —Lady Bird Johnson, January 14, 1964, in A White House Diary, 1970 mundane chores, like washing dishes They lead a pretty mundane life. prayer and meditation helped her put her mundane worries aside Synonym Discussion of mundane earthly, worldly, mundane mean belonging to or characteristic of the earth. earthly often implies a contrast with what is heavenly or spiritual <abandoned earthly concerns and entered a convent>. worldly and mundane both imply a relation to the immediate concerns and activities of human beings, worldly suggesting tangible personal gain or gratification <worldly goods> and mundane suggesting reference to the immediate and practical <a mundane discussion of finances>.

sensitive

: easily upset by the things that people think or say about you : likely to cause people to become upset : aware of and understanding the feelings of other people : sensory a : receptive to sense impressions b : capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) <sensitive cells> : highly responsive or susceptible: as a (1) : easily hurt or damaged; especially : easily hurt emotionally (2) : delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others b : excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive <sensitive to egg protein> c : readily fluctuating in price or demand <sensitive commodities> d : capable of indicating minute differences : delicate <sensitive scales> e : readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) <a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light> f : highly radiosensitive a : concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters <sensitive documents> b : calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment : touchy <a sensitive issue like race relations> : having or showing concern for a specified matter —usually used in combination <a price-sensitive customer> <environmentally sensitive policies> He acts like a tough guy, but he's really very sensitive to criticism. I found him to be a sensitive and caring person. Synonym Discussion of sensitive 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.

obvious

: easy to see or notice : easy for the mind to understand or recognize archaic : being in the way or in front : easily discovered, seen, or understood Her doctor immediately noticed the obvious signs of the disease. She saw only the most obvious differences. It was obvious that things weren't working out. The answer seems obvious enough to me. The problem was immediately obvious to everyone in the room. He was the obvious candidate for president. The obvious question is: how did he become so successful? For obvious reasons, I would not like to reveal my name. Synonym Discussion of obvious evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended. evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion <an evident fondness for sweets>. manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required <manifest hostility>. patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it <patent defects>. distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required <a distinct refusal>. obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer <the obvious solution>. apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference <for no apparent reason>. plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration <her feelings about him are plain>. clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern <a clear explanation>.

apparent

: easy to see or understand : seeming to be true but possibly not true : open to view : visible : clear or manifest to the understanding <reasons that are readily apparent> : appearing as actual to the eye or mind : having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate : manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid <the air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real — J. R. Sutherland> "Reborn" is overwhelmingly a record of an inner landscape, and so there is little sense of the times—no mention of civil-rights demonstrations, no arguments about Cuba. Sontag barely even let her journal know that she was at work on a novel, although the effects of that undertaking are perhaps apparent in the increasingly aphoristic style of her pages. —Darryl Pinckney, New Yorker, 22 & 29 Dec. 2008 He believes that the key to memory, despite its apparent complexities, will eventually prove to be simple: a single molecule. He may be right. —Michael Greenberg, New York Review of Books, 4 Dec. 2008, Since last fall, beekeepers in at least 35 states have reported colonies that shrank rapidly for no apparent reason. Adult bees just go missing, leaving behind young bees in need of tending. —Susan Milius, Science News, 28 July 2007 The Internal Revenue Service last week suggested that between 1 million and 2 million Americans have overseas bank accounts that issued them credit or debit cards-the apparent purpose being to evade U.S. taxes. —Robert J. Samuelson, Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2002 From the beginning, it was apparent that she was not an ordinary child. He started yelling and throwing things for no apparent reason. We disagreed on the apparent meaning of the movie. What was the apparent cause of the accident? Synonym Discussion of apparent apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates. apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge <the apparent cause of the accident>. illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view <an illusory sense of security>. seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else <the seeming simplicity of the story>. ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one <the ostensible reason for their visit>. synonyms see in addition evident

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 ... the delays innate in both serial and book publication ... —Walter Rundell, American Association of University Professors Bulletin, September 1971 ... the materials for conflict are innate to social life. —Richard Sennett, Psychology Today, November 1970 The faculty for myth is innate in the human race. —W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919 She has an innate sense of rhythm. the innate problems of wireless communication Synonym Discussion of innate 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>.

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. Synonym Discussion of inborn 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>.

equity

: fairness or justice in the way people are treated finance : the value of a piece of property (such as a house) after any debts that remain to be paid for it (such as the amount of a mortgage) have been subtracted : a share in a company : a share of a company's stock a : justice according to natural law or right; specifically : freedom from bias or favoritism b : something that is equitable a : a system of law originating in the English chancery and comprising a settled and formal body of legal and procedural rules and doctrines that supplement, aid, or override common and statute law and are designed to protect rights and enforce duties fixed by substantive law b : trial or remedial justice under or by the rules and doctrines of equity c : a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge, supplement, or override a narrow rigid system of law a : a right, claim, or interest existing or valid in equity b : the money value of a property or of an interest in a property in excess of claims or liens against it c : a risk interest or ownership right in property d : the common stock of a corporation In making these decisions we should be governed by the principle of equity. We've been slowly paying off our mortgage and building up equity in our house. negative equity: a situation in which the amount of money that a person owes for something (such as a house or a car) is more than the thing is worth

remote

: far away : far away from other people, houses, cities, etc. : far away in time : happening a long time ago or far into the future : separated by an interval or space greater than usual <an involucre remote from the flower> : far removed in space, time, or relation : divergent <the remote past> <comments remote from the truth> : out-of-the-way, secluded <a remote cabin in the hills> : acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance <remote computer operation>; also : relating to the acquisition of information about a distant object (as by radar or photography) without coming into physical contact with it <remote sensing> : not arising from a primary or proximate action : small in degree : slight <a remote possibility> <hadn't the remotest idea of what was going on> : distant in manner : aloof She enjoys reading about remote lands. The mission is to transport medical supplies to remote areas of the globe. a tradition that dates back to remote antiquity an invention that may be available in the remote future There is a remote possibility that I'll be free Friday night.

solid

: firm or hard : not having the form of a gas or liquid : having no space inside : not hollow : made entirely from the specified material a : being without an internal cavity <a solid ball of rubber> b (1) : printed with minimum space between lines (2) : joined without a hyphen <a solid compound> c : not interrupted by a break or opening <a solid wall> : having, involving, or dealing with three dimensions or with solids <a solid configuration> a : of uniformly close and coherent texture : not loose or spongy : compact b : possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid : neither gaseous nor liquid <solid waste> : of good substantial quality or kind <solid comfort>: as a : sound <solid reasons> b : made firmly and well <solid furniture> c : reliable <a solid performer> a : having no break or interruption <waited three solid hours> b : unanimous <had the solid support of the party> c : intimately friendly or associated <solid with the boss> a : prudent; also : well established financially b : serious in purpose or character : of one substance or character: as a : entirely of one metal or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness <solid gold> b : of a single color Concrete is a solid material. When ice melts, it passes from a solid to a liquid form. I was on a liquid diet when I was sick because I couldn't digest solid food. I was glad to get off the plane and back on solid ground. The pond was frozen solid. The ring is solid gold. a chunk of solid marble I prefer solid colors like blue or green instead of plaids and stripes. : a solid substance : a substance that is not a gas or a liquid geometry : an object that has length, width, and height : a three-dimensional object solids : foods that are not liquid : a geometrical figure or element (as a cube or sphere) having three dimensions — see volume table a : a substance that does not flow perceptibly under moderate stress, has a definite capacity for resisting forces (as compression or tension) which tend to deform it, and under ordinary conditions retains a definite size and shape b : the part of a solution or suspension that when freed from solvent or suspending medium has the qualities of a solid —usually used in plural <milk solids> : something that is solid: as a : a solid color b : a compound word whose members are joined together without a hyphen She couldn't eat solids after the surgery.

enigmatic

: full of mystery and difficult to understand : of, relating to, or resembling an enigma : mysterious Space seethes with an enormous enigmatic energy, and, each second, trillions of cubic light-years more of it materializes from nothingness. —Bob Berman, Astronomy, November 2007 You'll recognize them by their enigmatic smile and faraway look as they jog, skate, commute, or wander the aisles of the supermarket. —Consumer Reports, December 2005 Despite all that has been written—and surmised—about him, Bill Gates remains the enigmatic ringmaster of the digital circus. —J. D. Reed, People, 15 Mar. 1999 <the discovery of the abandoned ship in mid ocean remains one of the most enigmatic episodes in seafaring history> <the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile> Did You Know? When it comes to things that aren't clearly understandable, you have a wide range of word choices, including dark, enigmatic, cryptic, and equivocal. Of these, dark is the most sinister, implying an imperfect or clouded revelation, often with ominous overtones. Enigmatic (which traces back to Greek ainissesthai, meaning "to speak in riddles") emphasizes a puzzling, mystifying quality, whereas cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning. Equivocal is the best choice for language that is left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading. Synonym Discussion of enigmatic 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>.

excessive

: going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper : exceeding what is usual, proper, necessary, or normal an excessive display of wealth High fever, nausea, and excessive sweating are some of the symptoms. Synonym Discussion of excessive 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>.

perpendicular

: going straight up or to the side at a 90 degree angle from another line or surface a : standing at right angles to the plane of the horizon : exactly upright b : being at right angles to a given line or plane : extremely steep : precipitous often capitalized : of or relating to a medieval English Gothic style of architecture in which vertical lines predominate : relating to, uniting, or consisting of individuals of dissimilar type or on different levels She lives on the street that is perpendicular to mine. <river rafters staring awestruck at the canyon's nearly perpendicular cliffs> Synonym Discussion of perpendicular 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>.

utmost

: greatest or highest in degree, number, or amount : farthest or most distant : situated at the farthest or most distant point : extreme <the utmost point of the earth — John Hunt> : of the greatest or highest degree, quantity, number, or amount <a matter of utmost concern> <supreme power that extended to the utmost points of the empire> <inhabitants of the war-ravaged region are experiencing the utmost misery imaginable> Did You Know? Utmost traces back to the Old English Ūtmest, a superlative adjective formed from the adverb Ūt, meaning "out." Ūtmest eventually evolved into utmost, perhaps influenced by the spelling of the word most. Not surprisingly, the earlier sense of utmost carries the same meaning as outermost. The second sense of utmost, meaning "of the greatest or highest degree," first appeared in English in the 14th century but didn't see frequent use until almost 400 years later. A related word is utter, meaning "absolute" or "total," as in the phrase utter chaos; it comes from Old English utera, meaning "outer," and ultimately from Ūt. : the highest point or degree that can be reached : the most possible : the extreme limit : the highest attainable point or degree <the utmost in reliability> : the highest, greatest, or best of one's abilities, powers, and resources <will do our utmost to help> This new system represents the utmost in modern technology. It's designed to provide the utmost in comfort. We had to push ourselves to the utmost to finish the job in time.

endemic

: growing or existing in a certain place or region : common in a particular area or field a : belonging or native to a particular people or country b : characteristic of or prevalent in a particular field, area, or environment <problems endemic to translation> <the self-indulgence endemic in the film industry> : restricted or peculiar to a locality or region <endemic diseases> <an endemic species> Divorce has become so endemic in our society that a whole lore has risen up around it: that divorce is a temporary crisis; that so many children have experienced their parents' divorce that children nowadays do not worry much about it; that in fact it makes things easier, and it is itself a mere rite of passage; that if the parents feel better, so will the children. —Elisabeth Lasch-Quinn, New Republic, 6 May 2002 The rap performers I enjoy are those who emphasize production values, songcraft and that quality of playfulness endemic to all good pop. —Francis Davis, Atlantic, October 1993 Situated only 250 miles off the coast of Africa, Madagascar is biologically unique. Not only does it have a rich animal and plant life, it also houses a huge number of endemic species found nowhere else on earth. —Jim Milliot et al., Publishers Weekly, 15 May 2000 <the fish is not an endemic species of the lake, and it is rapidly devouring the native trout population> Did You Know? If you translate it literally, endemic means "in the population." It derives from the Greek endēmos, which joins en, meaning "in," and dēmos, meaning "population." "Endemic" is often used to characterize diseases that are generally found in a particular area; malaria, for example, is said to be endemic to tropical and subtropical regions. This use differs from that of the related word epidemic in that it indicates a more or less constant presence in a particular population or area rather than a sudden, severe outbreak within that region or group. The word is also used by biologists to characterize the plant and animal species that are only found in a given area. Synonym Discussion of endemic native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>. indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>. aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>. : an organism that is restricted or peculiar to a locality or region : an endemic organism

repetitive

: happening again and again : repeated many times : having parts, actions, etc., that are repeated many times in a way that is boring or unpleasant : repetitious : containing repetition an injury caused by repetitive wrist movements She left the job because the work was too repetitive. At the risk of being repetitive, I must remind you again to be careful.

constant

: happening all the time or very often over a period of time : staying the same : not changing : always loyal : marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness : exhibiting constancy of mind or attachment <a constant friend> : invariable, uniform <a constant flow> : continually occurring or recurring : regular <a constant annoyance> He suffers from constant headaches. Her constant chatter was a nuisance. The house is in constant need of repairs. The scar serves as a constant reminder of the accident. a problem demanding constant attention The equipment should be stored at a constant temperature. He kept the car's speed constant. She has struggled to maintain a constant weight. They remained constant friends throughout their lives. Synonym Discussion of constant 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>. 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>. : something that stays the same : something that does not change : a quantity or number whose value does not change : something invariable or unchanging: as a : a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument b : a number that is assumed not to change value in a given mathematical discussion c : a term in logic with a fixed designation Her job was the one constant in her life.

simultaneous

: happening at the same time : existing or occurring at the same time : exactly coincident : satisfied by the same values of the variables <simultaneous equations> The two gunshots were simultaneous. <a simultaneous release of the movie and its soundtrack on CD> Synonym Discussion of simultaneous contemporary, contemporaneous, coeval, synchronous, simultaneous, coincident mean existing or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them <Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin>. contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people <contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping>. coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons <two stars thought to be coeval>. synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals <synchronous timepieces>. simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time <the two shots were simultaneous>. coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship <the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year>.

concurrent

: happening at the same time : operating or occurring at the same time a : running parallel b : convergent; specifically : meeting or intersecting in a point : acting in conjunction : exercised over the same matter or area by two different authorities <concurrent jurisdiction> ... the last two Mysore Wars in the 1790s, like the concurrent European wars against Revolutionary France, demonstrated Britain's capacity to reassert and reconfigure itself in the wake of crushing global defeats. —Linda Colley, Captives, 2002 Concurrent with the party conventions, an assortment of activists, professional pols and show-biz celebrities with populist pretensions ... will gather for four days of speechifying, seminar giving and satirical merrymaking ... —Andrew Ferguson, Time31 July 2000 Added to other evidence, this led to Cooke's conviction and a sentence of two concurrent twenty-year terms. —David Fisher, Hard Evidence, 1995 the concurrent use of two medications He's currently serving two concurrent life sentences for murder.

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 of casual 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>.

contemporary

: happening or beginning now or in recent times : existing or happening in the same time period : from the same time period : happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time a : simultaneous b : marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current <the absurd notion that early cave dwellers were contemporary with the dinosaurs> <a magazine devoted to contemporary fashions> Synonym Discussion of contemporary contemporary, contemporaneous, coeval, synchronous, simultaneous, coincident mean existing or occurring at the same time. contemporary is likely to apply to people and what relates to them <Abraham Lincoln was contemporary with Charles Darwin>. contemporaneous is more often applied to events than to people <contemporaneous accounts of the kidnapping>. coeval refers usually to periods, ages, eras, eons <two stars thought to be coeval>. synchronous implies exact correspondence in time and especially in periodic intervals <synchronous timepieces>. simultaneous implies correspondence in a moment of time <the two shots were simultaneous>. coincident is applied to events and may be used in order to avoid implication of causal relationship <the end of World War II was coincident with a great vintage year>. : a person who lives at the same time or is about the same age as another person : one that is contemporary with another : one of the same or nearly the same age as another He was a contemporary of George Washington. She is politically very different from most of her contemporaries.

immediate

: happening or done without delay : happening or existing now : important now a : acting or being without the intervention of another object, cause, or agency : direct <the immediate cause of death> b : present to the mind independently of other states or factors <immediate awareness> c : involving or derived from a single premise <an immediate inference> : being next in line or relation <the immediate family> a : existing without intervening space or substance <brought into immediate contact> b : being near at hand <the immediate neighborhood> a : occurring, acting, or accomplished without loss or interval of time : instant <an immediate need> b (1) : near to or related to the present <the immediate past> (2) : of or relating to the here and now : current <too busy with immediate concerns to worry about the future> : directly touching or concerning a person or thing <the child's immediate world is the classroom> This requires your immediate attention. The new restaurant was an immediate success. This crisis calls for immediate action. The response to the crisis was immediate. The wildfire poses no immediate threat to any houses in the area. The danger is not immediate. They have evacuated everyone in the immediate area of the wildfire. Many people suffered in the war's immediate aftermath. The effect of the new policy will be unknown for the immediate future. He was sitting to my immediate right.

imminent

: happening very soon : ready to take place; especially : hanging threateningly over one's head <was in imminent danger of being run over> 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 The compression squashes the bullet slightly, enabling about a half-dozen spiral grooves cut along the barrel's inner wall to grab the bullet and make it spin. That spin stabilizes the bullet's imminent flight. —Peter Weiss, Science News, 11 Jan. 2003 Plaints about the imminent demise of the language are made in every century. But there is usually nothing inherently wrong with most changes the purists deplore. —Steven Pinker, New York Times, 24 Dec. 1999 We are awaiting their imminent arrival. These patients are facing imminent death.

fragrant

: having a pleasant and usually sweet smell : having a sweet or pleasant smell The soup was fragrant with herbs and spices. <the balsam fir is a favorite as a Christmas tree because it is so fragrant> Synonym Discussion of fragrant odorous, fragrant, redolent, aromatic mean emitting and diffusing scent. odorous applies to whatever has a strong distinctive smell whether pleasant or unpleasant <odorous cheeses should be tightly wrapped>. fragrant applies to things (as flowers or spices) with sweet or agreeable odors <a fragrant rose>. redolent applies usually to a place or thing impregnated with odors <the kitchen was redolent of garlic and tomatoes>. aromatic applies to things emitting pungent often fresh odors <an aromatic blend of tobaccos>.

seminal

: having a strong influence on ideas, works, events, etc., that come later : very important and influential medical : of or containing semen : of, relating to, or consisting of seed or semen : containing or contributing the seeds of later development : creative, original <a seminal book> Kandel was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2000 for his seminal observation that it was in the action of the synapses between cells that memory existed, not in the cells themselves, and that a molecule called cyclic AMP was what allowed cells to retain memory over the long term. —Michael Greenberg, New York Review of Books, 4 Dec. 2008 Writer Susan Sontag died December 28 at age 71 after a long battle with cancer. She left behind an impressive body of fiction and criticism, including her seminal 1960s essays "Notes on Camp" and "Against Interpretation." —Allan Gurganus, Advocate, 1 Feb. 2005 I wonder if the curators who organized "Matisse Picasso" ever asked themselves why it was that Alfred H. Barr Jr., the first director of the Museum of Modern Art and the guiding spirit behind the museum's seminal exhibitions of both Picasso and Matisse, never mounted a show like the one that has now arrived at MoMA QNS. Such an exhibition might seem to be logical, almost inevitable for the Museum of Modern Art. —Jed Perl, New Republic, 3 Mar. 2003

almighty

: having complete power : having a great deal of power or importance : very great or loud often capitalized : having absolute power over all <Almighty God> a : relatively unlimited in power <an almighty board of directors> b : having or regarded as having great power or importance <the almighty dollar> : mighty —used as an intensive <an almighty shock> <the almighty shock that we got when we received the bill> <when we are young, we want our parents to be almighty and to be able to make everything right when something goes wrong> : to a great degree : extremely <although he did not precisely starve, he was almighty hungry — W. A. Swanberg> <that's an almighty large pumpkin you've grown there> the Almighty: the perfect and all-powerful spirit or being that is worshipped especially by Christians, Jews, and Muslims as the one who created and rules the universe : God <worshipping the Almighty>

informed

: having information : based on information a : having information <informed sources> <informed observers> b : based on possession of information <an informed opinion> : educated, knowledgeable <what the informed person should know> Informed sources told us of the new policy. We need to spend more time researching our options so that we can make an informed choice. informed decision: a decision based on facts or information <voters making informed decisions> informed opinion: a belief, judgment or way of thinking about something based on information <She has enough knowledge of the system to offer an informed opinion of why it isn't working.>

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 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 The sky looks heavy enough to sink and crush us when we see another twister bullying across the fields—a squat, malevolent-looking wedge. —Priit J. Vesilind, National Geographic, April 2004 No bigger than most house cats, it is possessed of such formidable armor and malevolent mien that when the makers of the latest Godzilla epic went looking for a prototype, they selected this lizard ... —Peter Benchley, National Geographic, April 1999 The predominant spirit is very un-American; a kind of malevolent, drifting determinism pervades human beings who cannot, or do not want to, cope. —John Fowles, Atlantic, August 1986 <the novel grossly oversimplified the conflict as a struggle between relentlessly malevolent villains on one side and faultless saints on the other>

radiant

: having or showing an attractive quality of happiness, love, health, etc. : bright and shining : sent out from something in rays or waves that you cannot see a : radiating rays or reflecting beams of light b : vividly bright and shining : glowing : marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness <a radiant smile> a : emitted or transmitted by radiation b : emitting or relating to radiant heat She had a radiant inner glow. She looked radiant at her wedding. Synonym Discussion of radiant bright, brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering., : something that radiates: as a : a point in the heavens at which the visible paths of meteors appear to meet when traced backward b : the part of a gas or electric heater that becomes incandescent

prudent

: having or showing careful good judgment : characterized by, arising from, or showing prudence: as a : marked by wisdom or judiciousness <prudent advice> b : shrewd in the management of practical affairs <prudent investors> c : marked by circumspection : discreet d : provident, frugal An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action. —Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 2 Sept. 2002 We missed the Mass for St. Rose of Lima, who, though prudent, had failed to be martyred and was therefore only second-string. —Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992 Prudent burners take several precautions. Burning one of two bordering fields, they wet the edge of one or the other, usually the one being burned, to prevent the flames from jumping. —Alec Wilkinson, Big Sugar, 1989 Since the inexplicable power of a magnetized needle to "find" the north smacked of black magic ... . For many decades the prudent sea captain consulted his compass secretly. —Daniel J. Boorstin, The Discoverers, 1983 He always listened to her prudent advice. You made a prudent choice. Did You Know? Prudent arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and traces back, by way of Middle French, to the Latin verb providēre, meaning "to see ahead, foresee, provide (for). "Providēre" combines pro-, meaning "before, and vidēre, meaning "to see, and it may look familiar to you; it is also the source of our "provide," "provident," "provision," and "improvise." "Vidēre" also has many English offspring, including "evident," "supervise," "video," and "vision." Synonym Discussion of prudent wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment. wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them <wise beyond his tender years>. sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom <the sage advice of my father>. sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment <the sapient musings of an old philosopher>. judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions <judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure>. prudent suggests exercise of the restraint of sound practical wisdom and discretion <a prudent decision to wait out the storm>. sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality <a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery>. sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness <remained sane even in times of crises>.

judicious

: having or showing good judgment : having, exercising, or characterized by sound judgment : discreet judicious use of our resources Judicious planning now can prevent problems later. Synonym Discussion of judicious wise, sage, sapient, judicious, prudent, sensible, sane mean having or showing sound judgment. wise suggests great understanding of people and of situations and unusual discernment and judgment in dealing with them <wise beyond his tender years>. sage suggests wide experience, great learning, and wisdom <the sage advice of my father>. sapient suggests great sagacity and discernment <the sapient musings of an old philosopher>. judicious stresses a capacity for reaching wise decisions or just conclusions <judicious parents using kindness and discipline in equal measure>. prudent suggests exercise of the restraint of sound practical wisdom and discretion <a prudent decision to wait out the storm>. sensible applies to action guided and restrained by good sense and rationality <a sensible woman who was not fooled by flattery>. sane stresses mental soundness, rationality, and levelheadedness <remained sane even in times of crises>.

erudite

: having or showing knowledge that is learned by studying : having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying : possessing or displaying erudition <an erudite scholar> He wasn't bashful about showing himself to be feverishly erudite, ... terminally droll, and a wizard phrasemaker. —Susan Sontag, New Yorker, 18 & 25 June 2001 ... an engaging fellow: erudite, entertaining, intolerant of trendiness and fearlessly old-fashioned. ... He can turn a nice phrase, too. —Mordecai Richler, Wall Street Journal, 2 May 1995 He was well read, especially in the works of Kipling, a field in which Violet could give him a game, and from time to time they would exchange erudite letters about Kipling characters. —Anthony Powell, The Strangers All are Gone, 1982 <the most erudite people in medical research attended the conference> <an erudite lecture on the latest discoveries in astronomy> Did You Know? Erudite derives via Middle English "erudite" from Latin eruditus, the past participle of the verb erudire, meaning "to instruct." A closer look at that verb shows that it is formed by combining the prefix e-, meaning "missing" or "absent," with the adjective "rudis," which means "rude" or "ignorant" and is also the source of our word rude. We typically use the word rude to mean "discourteous" or "uncouth" but it can also mean "lacking refinement" or "uncivilized"; someone who is erudite, therefore, has been transformed from a roughened or uninformed state to a polished and knowledgeable one through a devotion to learning.

dense

: having parts that are close together : crowded with people : not smart : not able to understand things easily a : marked by compactness or crowding together of parts <dense vegetation> <dense traffic> b : having a high mass per unit volume <carbon dioxide is a dense gas> a : slow to understand : stupid, thickheaded <was too dense to get the joke> b : extreme <dense ignorance> : having between any two elements at least one element <the set of rational numbers is dense> : demanding concentration to follow or comprehend <dense prose> : having high or relatively high opacity <a dense fog> <a dense photographic negative> They cut a path through the dense jungle. a dense tangle of wires a dense cluster of stars That part of the city has a dense population of immigrants. A dense mass of spectators filled the courtroom. In the movie, she plays his kind but somewhat dense aunt. Synonym Discussion of dense stupid, dull, dense, crass, dumb mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions. stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary <stupid students just keeping the seats warm> <stupid with drink>. dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock <monotonous work that leaves the mind dull>. dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas <too dense to take a hint>. crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy <a crass, materialistic people>. dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension <too dumb to figure out what's going on>.

appealing

: having qualities that people like : pleasing or attractive : marked by earnest entreaty : imploring : having appeal : pleasing <an appealing design> a book with an appealing title <the idea of living on Mars is appealing to space enthusiasts> find appealing: to be attracted to or pleased by : like <It is an idea that most people will find appealing.>

corresponding

: having the same characteristics as something else : matching something else : directly related to something a : having or participating in the same relationship (as kind, degree, position, correspondence, or function) especially with regard to the same or like wholes (as geometric figures or sets) <corresponding parts of similar triangles> b : related, accompanying <all rights carry with them corresponding responsibilities — W. P. Paepcke> a : charged with the duty of writing letters <corresponding secretary> b : participating or serving at a distance and by mail <a corresponding member of the society> "Robert" is a boy's name, and the corresponding name for a girl is "Roberta." a test question and its corresponding chapter in the textbook As the cost of steel goes up, expect to see a corresponding increase in building costs.

vigorous

: healthy and strong : done with great force and energy : possessing vigor : full of physical or mental strength or active force : strong <a vigorous youth> <a vigorous plant> : done with vigor : carried out forcefully and energetically <vigorous exercises> She remained vigorous into her nineties. His speech was met with vigorous applause. She gave a vigorous defense of her beliefs. Synonym Discussion of vigorous vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force. vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness <as vigorous as a youth half his age>. energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity <an energetic campaigner>. strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging <the strenuous life on an oil rig>. lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment <a lusty appetite for life>. nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor <full of nervous energy>.

annals

: historical records : records of the activities of an organization : a record of events arranged in yearly sequence : historical records : chronicles : records of the activities of an organization <his annals of the reigns of English kings was used as a source by Shakespeare>

reverence

: honor or respect that is felt for or shown to (someone or something) : honor or respect felt or shown : deference; especially : profound adoring awed respect : a gesture of respect (as a bow) : the state of being revered : one held in reverence —used as a title for a clergyman The national pickle dish, kimchi, is held in such reverence that Seoul boasts a museum devoted entirely to its 160 different varieties. —The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices, & Flavorings, 1992 Reverence for or worship of the dead is found in all societies, because belief in life after death is universal. —World Religions, 1983 He took the command of this small party at once—the little girl and the little boy following him about with great reverence at such times as he condescended to sport with them. —William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, 1848 Her poems are treated with reverence by other poets. Their religion has a deep reverence for nature. Synonym Discussion of reverence honor, homage, reverence, deference mean respect and esteem shown to another. honor may apply to the recognition of one's right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition <the nomination is an honor>. homage adds the implication of accompanying praise <paying homage to Shakespeare>. reverence implies profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe <great reverence for my father>. deference implies a yielding or submitting to another's judgment or preference out of respect or reverence <showed no deference to their elders>.

invincible

: impossible to defeat or overcome : incapable of being conquered, overcome, or subdued <a seemingly invincible army> The loss proved that the team is not invincible. <an invincible wrestler who has never lost a match> Did You Know? The origins of "invincible" are easily subdued. The word derives, via Middle French, from Late Latin invincibilis, which was itself formed by combining the negative prefix in- with vincere, meaning "to conquer." Other descendants of "vincere" in English include "convince," "evince," "vanquish," and even "victor." "Vincere" also gave English "vincible," meaning (unsurprisingly) "capable of being overcome or subdued," though it is significantly less common than "invincible."

inalienable

: impossible to take away or give up : incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred <inalienable rights> Did You Know? Alien, "alienable," "inalienable" - it's easy enough to see the Latin word alius, meaning "other," at the root of these three words. "Alien" joined our language in the 14th century, and one of its earliest meanings was "belonging to another." By the early 1600s that sense of "alien" had led to the development of "alienable," an adjective describing something you could give away or transfer ownership of, and "unalienable," its opposite. By about 1645, "inalienable" was also in use as a synonym of "unalienable." "Inalienable" is the more common variant today, but it was "unalienable" that was used in the Declaration of Independence to describe rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

inexhaustible

: impossible to use up completely : impossible to exhaust : not exhaustible: as a : incapable of being used up <inexhaustible riches> b : incapable of being wearied or worn out <an inexhaustible hiker> The world's supply of oil is not inexhaustible. He seems to have inexhaustible energy.

sound

: in good condition : solid and strong : in good health : free from mistakes : showing good judgment a : free from injury or disease b : free from flaw, defect, or decay : solid, firm; also : stable a : free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension <sound reasoning> b : exhibiting or based on thorough knowledge and experience <sound scholarship> c : legally valid <a sound title> d : logically valid and having true premises e : agreeing with accepted views : orthodox a : thorough b : deep and undisturbed <a sound sleep> c : hard, severe <a sound whipping> : showing good judgment or sense <sound advice> a building of sound construction The bridge is structurally sound. a sound mind in a sound body The tests show that his heart is sound. She used sound reasoning in making the decision. She gave us some sound advice. She has a sound understanding of the system's structure. The stock market has made a sound recovery. Did You Know? English contains several sound homographs, all with distinct histories. For example, the sound that means "something heard" descends from Latin sonus ("sound"), whereas the sound that means "to measure the depth of water" traces to Old French sonde ("sounding line"). Another sound, however, is the contemporary form of Old English's gesund. Gesund is related to several words in other languages, such as Old Saxon gisund ("sound"), Old Frisian sund ("fresh, unharmed, healthy"), and Gothic swinths ("sound" or "healthy"). Another relative is Old High German's gisunt ("healthy"), which led to modern German's gesund, the root of gesundheit. Synonym Discussion of sound healthy, sound, wholesome, robust, hale, well mean enjoying or indicative of good health. healthy implies full strength and vigor as well as freedom from signs of disease <a healthy family>. sound emphasizes the absence of disease, weakness, or malfunction <a sound heart>. wholesome implies appearance and behavior indicating soundness and balance <a face with a wholesome glow>. robust implies the opposite of all that is delicate or sickly <a lively, robust little boy>. hale applies particularly to robustness in old age <still hale at the age of eighty>. well implies merely freedom from disease or illness <she has never been a well person>. valid, sound, cogent, convincing, telling mean having such force as to compel serious attention and usually acceptance. valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority <a valid reason for being absent> <a valid marriage>. sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds <a sound proposal for reviving the economy>. cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation <the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury>. convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept <a convincing argument for welfare reform>. telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter <a telling example of bureaucratic waste>. of sleep : deeply and completely : to the full extent : thoroughly <sound asleep> a : a particular auditory impression : tone b : the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing c : mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing a : a speech sound <a peculiar r-sound> b : value in terms of speech sounds <-cher of teacher and -ture of creature have the same sound> archaic : rumor, fame a : meaningless noise b obsolete : meaning c : the impression conveyed : import : hearing distance : earshot <within sound of your voice> : recorded auditory material : a particular musical style characteristic of an individual, a group, or an area <the Nashville sound>

wide-ranging

: including many different ideas, actions, or things : extensive in scope : comprehensive <wide-ranging interests>

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 Synonym Discussion of scope 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>.

thorough

: into one side and out the other side of (something) : from one side or end to another side or end of (something) —used to describe movement within a place or an area of land, air, etc. a (1) —used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and especially the opposite side of <drove a nail through the board> (2) : by way of <left through the door> (3) —used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another <a highway through the forest> <a road through the desert> (4) : without stopping for : past <drove through a red light> b —used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process <the matter has already passed through her hands> —used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: as a : by means of : by the agency of b : because of <failed through ignorance> c : by common descent from or relationship with <related through their grandfather> a : over the whole surface or extent of : throughout <homes scattered through the valley> b —used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse <flew through the air> c —used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions <put him through hell> —used as a function word to indicate a period of time: as a : during the entire period of <all through her life> b : from the beginning to the end of <the tower stood through the earthquake> c : to and including <Monday through Friday> a —used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion <got through the book> <went through the money in a year> b —used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval especially by an official body <got the bill through the legislature> He hit the nail through the wood. She looked through the binoculars. The bullet had gone through his hand. He just walked through the door. The security guards pushed their way through the crowd. She could see a figure through the fog. I looked through the window.

sedulous

: involving or accomplished with careful perseverance <sedulous craftsmanship> : diligent in application or pursuit <a sedulous student> <an impressively sedulous suitor, he was constantly sending her flowers and other tokens of his affection> Did You Know? No fooling-the word sedulous ultimately comes from the Latin se dolus, which literally means "without guile." Those two words were eventually melded into one, sedulo, meaning "sincerely" or "diligently," and from that root developed Latin sedulus and English "sedulous." Don't let the "sed-" beginning mislead you; "sedulous" is not related to words such as "sedentary" or "sedate" (which derive from the Latin verb sedēre, meaning "to sit"). "Sedulous" people are not the sedate or sedentary sort. They're the hardworking types Scottish author Samuel Smiles must have had in mind when he wrote in his 1859 book Self-Help, "Sedulous attention and painstaking industry always mark the true worker."

benevolent

: kind and generous : organized to do good things for other people a : marked by or disposed to doing good <a benevolent donor> b : organized for the purpose of doing good <a benevolent society> : marked by or suggestive of goodwill <benevolent smiles> Trees that size are like whales, sort of benevolent in their huge bulk ... —Sebastian Junger, This Old House, March/April 1998 Grandfather sometimes turned on us like a rigged trap, and of course the benevolent gaze of the sage became the glare of the patriarch. —Darryl Pinckney, High Cotton, 1992 They tore out the windows of the club's simple storefront and bricked them over and left two much smaller windows ... so that the look of the club changed from that of a benevolent neighborhood organization to that of a paramilitary one. —"The Talk of the Town" ,New Yorker26 Feb. 1990 A Southern writer is allowed his eccentricities. The prevailing attitude is a kind of benevolent neglect. —Walker Percy, "Why I Live Where I Live," 1980, in Signposts in a Strange Land, 1991 a gift from a benevolent donor He belonged to several benevolent societies and charitable organizations. Did You Know? Someone who is "benevolent" genuinely wishes other people well, which is not surprising if you know the word's history. "Benevolent" can be traced back to Latin bene, meaning "good," and velle, meaning "to wish." Other descendants of "velle" in English include "volition" ("the act or power of making one's choices or decisions"), "voluntary," and the rare word velleity (meaning either "the lowest degree of volition" or "a slight wish or tendency"). There is also one more familiar "velle" descendant - "malevolent," the antonym of "benevolent," a word describing one who is disposed to doing ill instead of good.

mercy

: kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly : kindness or help given to people who are in a very bad or desperate situation : a good or lucky fact or situation a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment <begged for mercy> b : imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion b : a fortunate circumstance <it was a mercy they found her before she froze> : compassionate treatment of those in distress <works of mercy among the poor> at the mercy of : wholly in the power of : with no way to protect oneself against He is a vicious criminal who deserves no mercy. She fell to her knees and asked for mercy. They came on a mission of mercy to provide food and medical care for starving children. It's a mercy that the building was empty when the fire started. Thank heaven for small mercies. Synonym Discussion of mercy mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>. at someone's or something's mercy: in a position or situation in which one can be harmed by (someone or something one cannot control) <The army advanced, and the people were at their mercy.> show no mercy: to treat (someone) very harshly <Although the mayor had apologized already, the press showed him no mercy.> <We will show no mercy to the opposing team!> throw oneself on the mercy of (someone): to beg (someone) for mercy <The prisoner confessed his crimes and threw himself on the mercy of the court.> at the mercy of: in a position or situation in which one can be harmed by (someone or something one cannot control) <The people were at the mercy of the advancing army.> <Our plans were at the mercy of the weather.>

clemency

: kind or merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment a : disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due b : an act or instance of leniency : pleasant mildness of weather The President has granted clemency to several people this month. <the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler> Synonym Discussion of clemency mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>.

ephemeral

: lasting a very short time : lasting one day only <an ephemeral fever> : lasting a very short time <ephemeral pleasures> ... several rather inflated pages of material about an ephemeral love affair Fitzgerald allegedly had with an English woman named Bijou ... —Joyce Carol Oates, Times Literary Supplement, 5 Jan. 1996 As a consequence North Africa was easily reconquered by the Byzantine emperor in the 530s, and the Vandals' influence on North African development was ephemeral and negligible. —Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993 This accounts for the peculiar sense most observers have that the ephemeral, sensationalist, polymorphous, magpie popular culture of the United States is at bottom remarkably conservative ... —Louis Menand, Harper's, March 1993 <the autumnal blaze of colors is always to be treasured, all the more so because it is so ephemeral> Did You Know? The mayfly (order Ephemeroptera) typically hatches, matures, mates, and dies within the span of a few short hours (though the longest-lived species may survive a record two days); poets sometimes use this insect to symbolize life's ephemeral nature. When "ephemeral" (from the Greek word ephēmeros, meaning "lasting a day") first appeared in print in English in the late 16th century, it was a scientific term applied to short-term fevers, and later, to organisms (such as insects and flowers) with very short life spans. Soon after that, it acquired an extended sense referring to anything fleeting and short-lived (as in "ephemeral pleasures").

momentary

: lasting a very short time : lasting only a moment a : continuing only a moment : fleeting b : having a very brief life : operative or recurring at every moment He experienced a momentary loss of consciousness. <the pain of the flu shot was only momentary>

transitory

: lasting only for a short time : tending to pass away : not persistent : of brief duration : temporary <the transitory nature of earthly joy> the transitory nature of earthly pleasures <a transitory panic struck me when I realized that we had left the baby in the car>

elitism

: leadership or rule by an elite : the selectivity of the elite; especially : snobbery <elitism in choosing new members> : consciousness of being or belonging to an elite

apt

: likely to do something : having a tendency to do something : appropriate or suitable : quick to learn : unusually fitted or qualified : ready <proved an apt tool in the hands of the conspirators> a : having a tendency : likely <plants apt to suffer from drought> b : ordinarily disposed : inclined <apt to accept what is plausible as true> : suited to a purpose; especially : being to the point <an apt quotation> : keenly intelligent and responsive <an apt pupil> Usage Discussion of apt 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. Stripe" is an apt name for the cat, since she has striped fur. <that dog is apt to run off if you don't put him on a leash> Synonym Discussion of apt fit, suitable, meet, proper, appropriate, fitting, apt, happy, felicitous mean right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance. fit stresses adaptability and sometimes special readiness for use or action <fit for battle>. suitable implies an answering to requirements or demands <clothes suitable for camping>. meet suggests a just proportioning <meet payment>. proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom <proper acknowledgement>. appropriate implies eminent or distinctive fitness <an appropriate gift>. fitting implies harmony of mood or tone <a fitting end>. apt connotes a fitness marked by nicety and discrimination <apt quotations>. happy suggests what is effectively or successfully appropriate <a happy choice of words>. felicitous suggests an aptness that is opportune, telling, or graceful <a felicitous phrase>. quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability. quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power <quick reflexes> <a keen quick mind>. prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response <prompt emergency medical care>. ready suggests facility or fluency in response <backed by a pair of ready assistants>. apt stresses the possession of qualities (as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible <an apt student> <her answer was apt and to the point>. abbreviation of: apartment, aptitude

subterranean

: located or living under the surface of the ground : existing or working in secret : being, lying, or operating under the surface of the earth : existing or working in secret : hidden <a subterranean network of criminals> <a subterranean bunker that supposedly could withstand even an atomic blast>

coherent

: logical and well-organized : easy to understand : able to talk or express yourself in a clear way that can be easily understood : working closely and well together a : logically or aesthetically ordered or integrated : consistent <coherent style> <a coherent argument> b : having clarity or intelligibility : understandable <a coherent person> <a coherent passage> : having the quality of holding together or cohering; especially : cohesive, coordinated <a coherent plan for action> a : relating to or composed of waves having a constant difference in phase <coherent light> b : producing coherent light <a coherent source> ... the diaries and the novels demonstrate how a novelist tweaks and grooms reality into something more structured and coherent than life as it is lived. —Penelope Lively, Atlantic, February 2001 He is without a political agenda as he is without a coherent moral sensibility. —Joyce Carol Oates, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 1990 At times, without my insisting on it, my writings become coherent; the successive elements that occur to me are clearly related. —William Stafford, Writing the Australian Crawl, 1978 This time the song was old, a pattern of rhythmic monosyllables which had lost coherent meaning somewhere in time. —Tony Hillerman, The Blessing Way, 1970 He proposed the most coherent plan to improve the schools. They are able to function as a coherent group.

longevity

: long life : the fact of living for many years : length of life : the length of time that something or someone lasts or continues a : a long duration of individual life b : length of life <a study of longevity> : long continuance : permanence, durability His longevity was remarkable considering he had been so sick when he was a child. Better medical treatment has led to greater longevity. a study of human longevity The longevity of a car's tires depends on how the car is driven. They're trying to increase the product's longevity. : a long duration of individual life <attributed his longevity to daily exercise and a healthy diet> : length of life <studies in longevity>

allegiance

: loyalty to a person, country, group, etc. a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides : devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause He owes allegiance to them for all the help they have given him. Both candidates are working hard to convince voters to switch allegiances. Synonym Discussion of allegiance fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty. fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty <marital fidelity>. allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country <pledging allegiance>. fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow <fealty to the truth>. loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray <valued the loyalty of his friends>. devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication <a painter's devotion to her art>. piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental <filial piety>. the Pledge of Allegiance: a formal promise of loyalty to the United States that groups of people say together

synthetic

: made by combining different substances : not natural : relating to or involving synthesis : not analytic <the synthetic aspects of a philosophy> : attributing to a subject something determined by observation rather than analysis of the nature of the subject and not resulting in self-contradiction if negated — compare analytic : characterized by frequent and systematic use of inflected forms to express grammatical relationships <synthetic languages> a (1) : of, relating to, or produced by chemical or biochemical synthesis; especially : produced artificially <synthetic drugs> <synthetic silk> (2) : of or relating to a synfuel b : devised, arranged, or fabricated for special situations to imitate or replace usual realities c : factitious, bogus <that organic farm doesn't use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers> <boots of waterproof synthetic leather>

elaborate

: made or done with great care or with much detail : having many parts that are carefully arranged or planned : planned or carried out with great care <took elaborate precautions> : marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness <elaborate prose> Jumping spiders, the largest family of spiders, have excellent eyesight and perform elaborate courtship and threat displays, often characterized by ritualized body postures and leg waving. —Simon Pollard, Natural History, March 1995 Mostly, I think, because it's wicked hot today, I've been having elaborate fantasies about the perfect hot-weather lunch: two dozen freshly opened Little Necks and a couple bottles of ice-cold lager. None of that red "cocktail" sauce on 'em either, just lemon and coarse black pepper. —Vladimir Estragon, Waiting for Dessert, 1982 On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. —Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850 They made elaborate preparations for his visit. I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan. The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes. He told the story in elaborate detail.

importunate

: making repeated or annoying requests or demands : causing annoyance or trouble : troublesomely urgent : overly persistent in request or demand <importunate creditors> : troublesome <the demands of the chairmanship were becoming too importunate for me to continue without an assistant> Did You Know? Importunate has been part of the English language since the 16th century, and the synonymous "importune" arrived even earlier, in the 15th century. The seemingly superfluous inclusion of the suffix -ate in "importunate" is a bit mysterious; one theory is that English speakers modeled the adjective after words like "obstinate." "Importune" and "importunate" come from Latin importunus. The prefix im- means "not," and "importunus" can be contrasted with Latin opportunus, which shares its meaning with and is the ancestor of our opportune, meaning "suitable or timely." (The connection is obscure now, but "opportunus" itself harks back to the Latin phrase ob portum, meaning "[coming] to harbor.") "Importune," and later "importunate," once meant "inopportune, untimely," but that sense is now obsolete.

humidity

: moisture in the air : the amount of moisture in the air : a moderate degree of wetness especially of the atmosphere — compare relative humidity the humidity of the region It's not the heat that will get you—it's the humidity. The temperature is 67 degrees with humidity at 75 percent. an area of low humidity

predominant

: more important, powerful, successful, or noticeable than other people or things : having superior strength, influence, or authority : prevailing : being most frequent or common Religion is the predominant theme of the play. She is predominant among new writers. Synonym Discussion of predominant dominant, predominant, paramount, preponderant mean superior to all others in influence or importance. dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling <a dominant social class>. predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence <a predominant emotion>. paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction <unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign>. preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect <preponderant evidence in her favor>.

taboo

: not acceptable to talk about or do : forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers a : banned on grounds of morality or taste <the subject is taboo> b : banned as constituting a risk <the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosives — Robert Leckie> Sex is a taboo subject for many people. In this company, dating a coworker is considered taboo. : a rule against doing or saying something in a particular culture or religion : something that is not acceptable to talk about or do : something that is taboo : a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force : a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure : belief in taboos religious taboos against drinking alcohol Marrying a close relative is a taboo in many cultures.

intact

: not broken or damaged : having every part : untouched especially by anything that harms or diminishes : entire, uninjured of a living body or its parts : having no relevant component removed or destroyed: a : physically virginal b : not castrated The house survived the war intact. After 25 years, their friendship remained intact. Synonym Discussion of intact perfect, whole, entire, intact mean not lacking or faulty in any particular. perfect implies the soundness and the excellence of every part, element, or quality of a thing frequently as an unattainable or theoretical state <a perfect set of teeth>. whole suggests a completeness or perfection that can be sought, gained, or regained <felt like a whole person again after vacation>. entire implies perfection deriving from integrity, soundness, or completeness of a thing <the entire Beethoven corpus>. intact implies retention of perfection of a thing in its natural or original state <the boat survived the storm intact>.

immune

: not capable of being affected by a disease : not influenced or affected by something : having special protection from something that is required for most people by law a : free, exempt <immune from further taxation> b : marked by protection <some criminal leaders are immune from arrest> : not susceptible or responsive <immune to all pleas>; especially : having a high degree of resistance to a disease <immune to diphtheria> a : having or producing antibodies or lymphocytes capable of reacting with a specific antigen <an immune serum> b : produced by, involved in, or concerned with immunity or an immune response <immune agglutinins> <immune globulins>

untenable

: not capable of being defended against attack or criticism : not tenable : not able to be defended <an untenable position> : not able to be occupied <untenable apartments> The Agriculture Department is in an untenable position. With the two hats that it wears—one to protect consumer health and the other to help farmers sell food—it cannot tell us to eat fewer calories. After all, fewer calories generally mean less food, which would fly in the face of the department's mandate to help farmers. —Marian Burros, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2002 All the theories of the Moon's origin proposed before the Apollo Moon landings of 1969 ... became untenable when the rocks returned from the Moon proved to be as old as the Earth and significantly dissimilar. —Physics Today, January 1997 The problem was then resolved—not by finding that the conduct in question was justified, because that would have offended the judge's sense of order, and not by rejecting the applicability of the defense, which would have led to a reportable opinion and an appeal—but through a dismissal of the charges on the wholly untenable ground that the prosecution had not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt. —Edward N. Costikyan, New York Times Book Review, 13 Mar. 1988 But scholars are citizens, too, and if it is wrongheaded to demand political payoff from basic research, it would be equally untenable to demand that research be quarantined from the real-world considerations that weigh so heavily upon us. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times, 4 Apr. 1998 Did You Know? Untenable and its opposite "tenable" come to us from Old French tenir and ultimately from Latin tenēre, both of which mean "to hold." We tend to use "untenable" in situations where an idea or position is so off base that holding on to it is unjustified or inexcusable. One way to hold on to the meaning of "untenable" is to associate it with other "tenēre" descendants whose meanings are associated with "holding" or "holding on to." "Tenacious" ("holding fast") is one example. Others are "contain," "detain," "sustain," "maintain," and "retain."

unmanned

: not carrying or done by a person : not manned <an unmanned spaceflight> of a hawk : not trained

invariable

: not changing or capable of change : staying the same : not variable : not changing or capable of change : constant <an invariable routine>

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> 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 They were painted in oil paints on old-fashioned canvas. But the manner of their portrayal was oblique and enigmatic, with an element of hide-and-seek in which hiding most often won out over seeking. —John Russell, New York Times Magazine, 11 Nov. 1990 The driveway met the street at an oblique angle, and a jutting corner of the customer's cinderblock building, a large power pole, and a berm of trash (pallets, pails, chunks of wood) made it a dogleg affair. —Bryan Di Salvatore, New Yorker, 12 Sept. 1988 The short lines of the letter "k" are oblique lines. <gave the eavesdropper an oblique glance out of the corner of her eye> : 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 He hammered on my back with both fists, but I had a lot of muscle layer to protect back there. Twenty years of working on the lats and the lateral obliques. I got hold of his shirtfront with both hands and pulled him away from the wall and slammed him back up against it. —Robert B. Parker, Mortal Stakes, 1975

sober

: not drunk : having or showing a very serious attitude or quality : plain in color a : sparing in the use of food and drink : abstemious b : not addicted to intoxicating drink c : not drunk : marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor : unhurried, calm : marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness <a sober candlelight vigil> : subdued in tone or color : showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice I'm driving, so I have to stay sober tonight. He is a sober, hardworking farmer. The story is a sober look at drug abuse. Illness is a sober reminder of our mortality. The article is a sober reflection on the state of our nation. Synonym Discussion of sober serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters <a serious play about social injustice>. grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude <read the proclamation in a grave voice>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity <a sad and solemn occasion>. sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <remained sedate amid the commotion>. staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <a quiet and staid community>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity <a sober look at the state of our schools>. earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose <an earnest reformer>. (as) sober as a judge: not at all drunk : completely sober

roughly

: not exactly but close in number, quality, meaning, etc. : in a way that is not gentle or careful : in a very simple or basic way : in a rough manner: as a : with harshness or violence <treated the prisoner roughly> b : in crude fashion : imperfectly <roughly dressed lumber> : without completeness or exactness : approximately <roughly 20 percent> Roughly translated, it means "hurry up!". The new product is modeled roughly on an earlier design. He threw the package roughly in the truck. The guard told us roughly that we had to stand back.

straight

: not having curves, bends, or angles : vertical or level : following one after the other in order : following each other without interruption a : free from curves, bends, angles, or irregularities <straight hair> <straight timber> b : generated by a point moving continuously in the same direction and expressed by a linear equation <a straight line> <the straight segment of a curve> a : lying along or holding to a direct or proper course or method <a straight thinker> b : candid, frank <a straight answer> c : coming directly from a trustworthy source <a straight tip on the horses> d (1) : having the elements in an order <the straight sequence of events> (2) : consecutive <12 straight days> e : having the cylinders arranged in a single straight line <a straight 8-cylinder engine> f : plumb, vertical <the picture isn't quite straight> a : exhibiting honesty and fairness <straight dealing> b : properly ordered or arranged <set the kitchen straight> <set us straight on that issue>; also : correct <get the facts straight> c : free from extraneous matter : unmixed <straight whiskey> d : marked by no exceptions or deviations in support of a principle or party <votes a straight Democratic ticket> e : having a fixed price for each regardless of the number sold f : not deviating from an indicated pattern <writes straight humor> <a straight-A student> g (1) : exhibiting no deviation from what is established or accepted as usual, normal, or proper : conventional; also : square 5f (2) : not using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol h : heterosexual : being the only form of remuneration <on straight commission> She has long, straight hair. The flagpole is perfectly straight. The picture isn't quite straight. We sat in the airport for five straight hours. : in a straight or direct way : in or into a vertical position : without any delay : directly or immediately : in a straight manner <came straight home from work> She walked straight up to him and slapped him in the face. The tunnel goes straight through the mountain. The library is straight ahead. He was so drunk he couldn't walk straight. She sat with her legs straight out. The tree fell straight down. The car went straight off the road. She told him straight to his face that she hated him. Pine trees stood straight along the path. Sit up straight and don't slouch.

dispassionate

: not influenced or affected by emotions : not influenced by strong feeling; especially : not affected by personal or emotional involvement <a dispassionate critic> <a dispassionate approach to an issue> Journalists aim to be dispassionate observers. He spoke in a dispassionate tone about the accident. Synonym Discussion of dispassionate fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side. fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests <a fair decision>. just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper <a just settlement of territorial claims>. equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned <the equitable distribution of the property>. impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice <an impartial third party>. unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice <your unbiased opinion>. dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment <a dispassionate summation of the facts>. objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings <I can't be objective about my own child>.

inadvertent

: not intended or planned : not focusing the mind on a matter : inattentive : unintentional <an inadvertent omission> <an inadvertent encounter with a rattlesnake in the brush>

aloof

: not involved with or friendly toward other people : not involved in or influenced by something : removed or distant either physically or emotionally <he stood aloof from worldly success — John Buchan> In truth, he isn't so much aloof as he is courtly in a formal, afternoon-tea sort of way. —Joe Klein, Time, 21 July 2003 Most American journalists who "do" politics cannot resist getting to know the Players. Walter Lippmann was typical of an earlier generation, the disinterested wise man who remained aloof, chiselling great thoughts on marble columns. —Gore Vidal, Nation, 12 June 1995 Jeremy Price (this name and a few others have been changed), a black teacher from St. Paul's, tried a few times to make small talk, but he was a Brahmin from another planet: cool, ironic, aloof. —Lorene Cary, Black Ice, 1991 Somehow, I remember the fireworks man as solitary, aloof, coveralled, perhaps sooty, staring straight ahead as he came, perhaps reflecting back on the trench-war violence he had just been a part of ... —George Plimpton, Fireworks, 1984 They tried to keep aloof from the politics of the day. <the new kid was really not so aloof as we thought him at first, just painfully shy> Synonym Discussion of aloof indifferent, unconcerned, incurious, aloof, detached, disinterested mean not showing or feeling interest. indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice <indifferent to the dictates of fashion>. unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles <unconcerned about the homeless>. incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness <incurious about the world>. aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness <aloof from his coworkers>. detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness <observed family gatherings with detached amusement>. disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias <judged by a panel of disinterested observers>.

fleeting

: not lasting : lasting for only a short time : passing swiftly : transitory I caught a fleeting glimpse of the comet. <had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking> Synonym Discussion of fleeting transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time. transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay <a hotel catering primarily to transient guests>. transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end <fame in the movies is transitory>. ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration <many slang words are ephemeral>. momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state <my feelings of guilt were only momentary>. fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult <let a fugitive smile flit across his face> <fleeting moments of joy>. evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality <the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation>.

transient

: not lasting long : staying somewhere only a short time a : passing especially quickly into and out of existence : transitory <transient beauty> b : passing through or by a place with only a brief stay or sojourn <transient visitors> : affecting something or producing results beyond itself A Summer in New York is actually Europe, the Sequel—city of transient Danes and Italians and Spaniards and French. —Guy Trebay, Village Voice, 30 July 1991 But Vandenberg, who had already written a hagiographic biography of Hamilton, was doing his personal hero no service. Rather, he trivialized him by dragging him into the transient issues of the day. —John Steele Gordon, American Heritage, July/August 1990 The mountain lies between his residence and the main road, and occludes the expectation of transient visits. —Thomas Jefferson, letter, 4 Aug. 1820 <had transient thoughts of suicide but never acted upon them> : a person who does not have a permanent home and who stays in a place for only a short time before going somewhere else : one that is transient (see 1transient): as a : a guest or boarder who stays only briefly b : a person traveling about usually in search of work a : a temporary oscillation that occurs in a circuit because of a sudden change of voltage or of load b : a transient current or voltage

discreet

: not likely to be seen or noticed by many people : having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech : prudent; especially : capable of preserving prudent silence : unpretentious, modest <the warmth and discreet elegance of a civilized home — Joseph Wechsberg> : unobtrusive, unnoticeable <followed at a discreet distance> For a couple who wanted a discreet bar between the study and the living room, Quogue, New York, architect Stuart Disston designed a small-scale bar that's hidden behind ... doors under the stairs and takes advantage of plumbing in an adjacent powder room. —Sallie Brady, This Old House, January/February 2006 Without the knowledge of the exiled African National Congress leadership, he entered into a discreet dialogue with the South African government—which was reaching a similar conclusion. He later succeeded in convincing suspicious comrades of the need for a negotiated solution. —F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005 The New York Stock Exchange, meanwhile, has proposed a rule that would bar a stock-market analyst from talking to newspapers that fail to disclose the analyst's conflicts of interest. Even the C.E.O. of Goldman Sachs, one of Wall Street's most discreet firms, has chimed in ... and has extorted his peers to restore "trust in our system." —New Yorker , 9 Dec. 2002 Discreet disclaimers by the tourist board to the effect that "there is no evidence whatever that Prince Vlad Tepes (TSEH-pesh), or Vlad the Impaler, inhabited the castle" do nothing to discourage its notoriety as Dracula's reputed residence. Mythically, at least, this is in fact where he lived—and always will. —Erik Sandberg-Diment, New York Times, 21 June 1998 <he was very discreet, only saying what was necessary> <with a discreet gesture, she signalled to her husband that she was ready to leave the party>

unconditional

: not limited in any way : complete and absolute : not conditional or limited : absolute, unqualified <unconditional surrender> <unconditional love> : unconditioned They demanded an unconditional surrender. He had an unconditional loyalty to his family. their unconditional love of their children

intangible

: not made of physical substance : not able to be touched : not tangible : not tangible : impalpable <education's intangible benefits> Leadership is an intangible asset to a company. <electrical energy is completely intangible> : something intangible: as a : an asset (as goodwill) that is not corporeal b : an abstract quality or attribute

anonymous

: not named or identified : made or done by someone unknown : not distinct or noticeable : lacking interesting or unusual characteristics : of unknown authorship or origin <an anonymous tip> : not named or identified <an anonymous author> <they wish to remain anonymous> : lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability <the anonymous faces in the crowd> <the gray anonymous streets — William Styron> The donor wishes to remain anonymous. An anonymous buyer purchased the painting. The college received an anonymous gift. He made an anonymous phone call to the police. The reporter got an anonymous tip. His was just another anonymous face in the crowd.

arbitrary

: not planned or chosen for a particular reason : not based on reason or evidence : done without concern for what is fair or right : depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law <the manner of punishment is arbitrary> a : not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority <an arbitrary government> b : marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power <protection from arbitrary arrest and detention> a : based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something <an arbitrary standard> <take any arbitrary positive number> <arbitrary division of historical studies into watertight compartments — A. J. Toynbee> b : existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will <when a task is not seen in a meaningful context it is experienced as being arbitrary — Nehemiah Jordan> U.S. News was revealed to have considered assigning in its next rankings an arbitrary SAT score to Sarah Lawrence College because the school no longer collects applicants' scores. —Julie Rawe, Time, 2 Apr. 2007 Darwin's emphasis on how populations gradually change gave the notion of species a more arbitrary quality: Species had whatever boundaries taxonomists chose. The idea of a species as a population of individuals that breed mostly with each other comes from 20th-century theorists. —S. Milius, Science News, 25 Mar. 2006 The Marriage Act certainly employed arbitrary and draconian means. It forced all couples to marry between 8 am and 12 noon, according to the rites of the established Church of England, in one of their respective local parish churches. —David Johnson, History Today, November 2003 Two days after President Lincoln issued the first version of his Emancipation Proclamation, he suspended the right of habeas corpus for anyone accused of resisting the draft or discouraging enlistment. Hundreds of civilians were arrested, some for good reasons, some for entirely arbitrary and personal ones. —Michael Lesy, Double Take, Spring 2001 An arbitrary number has been assigned to each district. I don't know why I chose that one; it was a completely arbitrary decision. Although arbitrary arrests are illegal, they continue to occur in many parts of the country. Did You Know? Arbitrary is derived from the same source as "arbiter." The Latin word arbiter means "judge," and English adopted it, via Anglo-French, with the meaning "one who judges a dispute"; it can now also be used for anyone whose judgment is respected. "Arbitrary" traces back to the Latin adjective arbitrarius ("done by way of legal arbitration"), which itself comes from "arbiter." In English "arbitrary" first meant "depending upon choice or discretion" and was specifically used to indicate the sort of decision (as for punishment) left up to the expert determination of a judge rather than defined by law. Today, it can also be used for anything determined by or as if by a personal choice or whim.

fictitious

: not true or real : of, relating to, or characteristic of fiction : imaginary a : conventionally or hypothetically assumed or accepted <a fictitious concept> b of a name : false, assumed : not genuinely felt The characters in the book are all fictitious. She gave a fictitious address on the application. Did You Know? Fictitious is related to the Latin word ficticius, meaning "artificial" or "feigned." It was first used in English as an antonym for "natural." For instance, a fake diamond would be referred to as a fictitious one. This use indicates the word's deeper Latin roots. Ficticius is from Latin fingere, meaning "to shape, form, or devise." Nowadays, "fictitious" is no longer used for physical things shaped by the human hand. Rather, it is typically used for imaginative creations or for feigned emotions. Synonym Discussion of fictitious fictitious, fabulous, legendary, mythical, apocryphal mean having the nature of something imagined or invented. fictitious implies fabrication and suggests artificiality or contrivance more than deliberate falsification or deception <fictitious characters>. fabulous stresses the marvelous or incredible character of something without necessarily implying impossibility or actual nonexistence <a land of fabulous riches>. legendary suggests the elaboration of invented details and distortion of historical facts produced by popular tradition <the legendary exploits of Davy Crockett>. mythical implies a purely fanciful explanation of facts or the creation of beings and events out of the imagination <mythical creatures>. apocryphal implies an unknown or dubious source or origin or may imply that the thing itself is dubious or inaccurate <a book that repeats many apocryphal stories>.

exceptional

: not usual : unusual or uncommon : unusually good : much better than average : mentally or physically disabled : forming an exception : rare <an exceptional number of rainy days> : better than average : superior <exceptional skill> : deviating from the norm: as a : having above or below average intelligence b : physically disabled We're bending the rules for this exceptional situation. an exceptional student in math The seafood dishes at this restaurant are exceptional. a separate school for exceptional children

reticent

: not willing to tell people about things : inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech : reserved : restrained in expression, presentation, or appearance <the room has an aspect of reticent dignity — A. N. Whitehead> : reluctant ... his friends and associates are conspicuously reticent to discuss him in public. —Martin Flanagan, Manchester Guardian Weekly, 29 Dec. 1991 ... two or three rather reticent abstract paintings. —Jay Jacobs, Gourmet, January 1979 An extremely reticent man, Morris does not like to talk about his experience in personal terms. —Helen Dudar, New York Times Magazine, 30 Oct. 1977 <the panel decided to investigate the fraud charges against the company, which has always been reticent about its internal operations> <her husband is by nature a reticent person, and she resigned herself to that fact long ago> Did You Know? Reticent first appeared about 170 years ago, but the "reluctant" sense of "reticent" is a mid-20th century introduction. Though it is now well-established, this newer sense bothers some people, particularly because it has veered away from the word's Latin origins - "reticent" is from the verb "reticēre," meaning "to keep silent." But there is some sense in the way the newer meaning developed. We first tended to use the "reluctant" sense of "reticent" when the context was speech (as in "reticent to talk about her past"), thus keeping the word close to its "silent" sense. Eventually, however, exclusive association with speech was abandoned. Now one can be "reticent" to do anything. Synonym Discussion of reticent silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking. silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed <the strong, silent type>. taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability <taciturn villagers>. reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs <was reticent about his plans>. reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange <greetings were brief, formal, and reserved>. secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal <the secretive research and development division>.

underway

: occurring, performed, or used while traveling or in motion <underway replenishment of fuel>

celestial

: of or relating the sky : of or relating to heaven : of, relating to, or suggesting heaven or divinity <celestial beings> : of or relating to the sky or visible heavens <the sun, moon, and stars are celestial bodies> a : ethereal, otherworldly <celestial music> b : olympian, supreme capitalized [Celestial Empire, old name for China] : of or relating to China or the Chinese stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies The late afternoon sunlight gave the room a celestial glow.

strategic

: of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war, politics, etc., usually over a long period of time : useful or important in achieving a plan or strategy : of, relating to, or marked by strategy <a strategic retreat> a : necessary to or important in the initiation, conduct, or completion of a strategic plan b : required for the conduct of war and not available in adequate quantities domestically <strategic materials> c : of great importance within an integrated whole or to a planned effect <emphasized strategic points> : designed or trained to strike an enemy at the sources of its military, economic, or political power <a strategic bomber> The bridges have great strategic value. The hill is located at a strategic position.

systemic

: of or relating to an entire system medical : of, relating to, or affecting the entire body : of, relating to, or common to a system: as a : affecting the body generally b : supplying those parts of the body that receive blood through the aorta rather than through the pulmonary artery c : of, relating to, or being a pesticide that as used is harmless to the plant or higher animal but when absorbed into its sap or bloodstream makes the entire organism toxic to pests (as an insect or fungus) The company made some systemic changes to the way it operated. The problem seems to be systemic.

aesthetic

: of or relating to art or beauty a : of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful <aesthetic theories> b : artistic <a work of aesthetic value> c : pleasing in appearance : attractive <easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other ergonomic and aesthetic features — Mark Mehler> : appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous about the beautiful; also : responsive to or appreciative of what is pleasurable to the senses My generation has an annoying penchant for treating luxuries as necessities and turning guilty pleasures into aesthetic and even moral touchstones. —Terrence Rafferty, GQ, October 1997 Whereas the essence of Proust's aesthetic position was contained in the deceptively simple yet momentous assertion that "a picture's beauty does not depend on the things portrayed in it." —Alain de Botton, How Proust Can Change Your Life, 1997 I suppose that jazz listening and prizefight watching are my two most passionate avocations, and this is largely so because the origins of my aesthetic urges are in the black working class. —Gerald Early, "The Passing of Jazz's Old Guard: ...", in The Best American Essays 1986, Elizabeth Hardwick & Robert Atwan, editors, 1986 There are practical as well as aesthetic reasons for planting trees. making aesthetic improvements to the building : a set of ideas or opinions about beauty or art aesthetics : the study of beauty especially in art and literature : the artistic or beautiful qualities of something plural but sing or plural in constr : a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty : a particular theory or conception of beauty or art : a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight <modernist aesthetics> <staging new ballets which reflected the aesthetic of the new nation — Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp> plural : a pleasing appearance or effect : beauty <appreciated the aesthetics of the gemstones> Aesthetics is an important part of Greek philosophy. the aesthetics of the gemstones

retrospective

: of or relating to the past or something that happened in the past : effective from a particular date in the past a (1) : of, relating to, or given to retrospection (2) : based on memory <a retrospective report> b : being a retrospective <a retrospective exhibition> : affecting things past : retroactive <retrospective laws> : relating to or being a study (as of a disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and collects data about their past history to explain their present condition They issued a retrospective report. a retrospective analysis of what went wrong The museum is having a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works. Full Definition of retrospective 1 a (1) : of, relating to, or given to retrospection (2) : based on memory <a retrospective report> b : being a retrospective <a retrospective exhibition> 2 : affecting things past : retroactive <retrospective laws> 3 : relating to or being a study (as of a disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and collects data about their past history to explain their present condition ret·ro·spec·tive·ly adverb See retrospective defined for English-language learners See retrospective defined for kids Examples of retrospective in a sentence They issued a retrospective report. a retrospective analysis of what went wrong The museum is having a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works. Did You Know? Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again, wrote Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1839 novel Hyperion. But these days the past is trendy, old-fashioned is hip, and "flea-market vogue" is not an oxymoron. And of course, "retrospective" is as retro as it gets. A glance at the history of "retrospective" reveals that it traces back to the Latin retro- (meaning "back," "behind," or "backward") and "specere" (meaning "to look at"). Once you have "retrospective" behind you, you can also add its kin "retrospect" (which is used as a noun, an adjective, and a verb) and "retrospection" to your vocabulary, too. "Retrospective" can also be used as a noun, referring to an exhibition that "looks back" at artistic work created over a span of years. : an exhibition of work that an artist has done in the past : a generally comprehensive exhibition, compilation, or performance of the work of an artist over a span of years; broadly : review 7a <a retrospective of 20th century haute couture> The museum is featuring a retrospective of Picasso's early works.

primitive

: of, belonging to, or seeming to come from an early time in the very ancient past : not having a written language, advanced technology, etc. : very simple and basic : made or done in a way that is not modern and that does not show much skill a : not derived : original, primary b : assumed as a basis; especially : axiomatic <primitive concepts> a : of or relating to the earliest age or period : primeval <the primitive church> b : closely approximating an early ancestral type : little evolved <primitive mammals> c : belonging to or characteristic of an early stage of development : crude, rudimentary <primitive technology> d : of, relating to, or constituting the assumed parent speech of related languages <primitive Germanic> a : elemental, natural <our primitive feelings of vengeance — John Mackwood> b : of, relating to, or produced by a people or culture that is nonindustrial and often nonliterate and tribal <primitive art> c : naive d (1) : self-taught, untutored <primitive craftsmen> (2) : produced by a self-taught artist <a primitive painting> the time when primitive man first learned to use fire The technology they used was primitive and outdated. The camp had only a primitive outdoor toilet. : an artist who makes art in a simple style that is childlike; also : the art made by such an artist : someone who belongs to a primitive society a : something primitive; specifically : a primitive idea, term, or proposition b : a root word a (1) : an artist of an early period of a culture or artistic movement (2) : a later imitator or follower of such an artist b (1) : a self-taught artist (2) : an artist whose work is marked by directness and naïveté c : a work of art produced by a primitive artist d : a typically rough or simple usually handmade and antique home accessory or furnishing a : a member of a primitive people b : an unsophisticated person The museum is known for its collection of American primitives.

individual

: of, relating to, or existing as just one member or part of a larger group : having a special and unusual quality that is easily seen : intended or designed for one person obsolete : inseparable a : of, relating to, or distinctively associated with an individual <an individual effort> b : being an individual or existing as an indivisible whole c : intended for one person <an individual serving> : existing as a distinct entity : separate : having marked individuality <an individual style> What are the individual traits of the breed? The doctor carefully evaluates the individual needs of her patients. Students will receive as much individual attention as possible. She has a very individual style of writing. a pattern as individual as a fingerprint Synonym Discussion of individual special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class. special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own <special ingredients>. especial may add implications of preeminence or preference <a matter of especial importance>. specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species <children with specific nutritional needs>. particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual <a ballet step of particular difficulty>. individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group <valued each individual opinion>. characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive mean indicating a special quality or identity. characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class <responded with her characteristic wit>. individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class <a highly individual writing style>. peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness <an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British>. distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy <a distinctive aura of grace and elegance>. : a single person : a person who is considered separate from the rest of a group : a particular person : a single member or part of a group a : a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection: as (1) : a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution <a teacher who works with individuals> (2) : a single organism as distinguished from a group b : a particular person <are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?> : an indivisible entity : the reference of a name or variable of the lowest logical type in a calculus They promote a philosophy that sacrifices the rights of the individual for the public welfare. They are both rather odd individuals. Are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone? She's a very talented individual. The markings on tigers are unique to each individual. matter of (individual) conscience: something that people must decide about according to what they believe is morally right <The issue is a matter of (individual) conscience.>

beyond

: on or to the farther part or side : to or until a later time : in addition : on or to the farther side : farther : in addition : besides From the house we can see the valley and the hills beyond. We passed the hotel and drove a bit beyond to see the ocean. The children who are part of the study will be monitored through their school years and beyond. : something that lies beyond : something that lies outside the scope of ordinary experience; specifically : hereafter <who knows how we'll fare in the beyond?> above and beyond : far beyond what is required by (something, such as a duty) <He went above and beyond the call of duty.>

stratum

: one of usually many layers of a substance (such as rock) : a level of society made up of people of the same rank or position : a bed or layer artificially made a : a sheetlike mass of sedimentary rock or earth of one kind lying between beds of other kinds b : a region of the sea or atmosphere that is analogous to a stratum of the earth c : a layer of tissue <deep stratum of the skin> d : a layer in which archaeological material (as artifacts, skeletons, and dwelling remains) is found on excavation a : a part of a historical or sociological series representing a period or a stage of development b : a socioeconomic level of society comprising persons of the same or similar status especially with regard to education or culture : one of a series of layers, levels, or gradations in an ordered system <strata of thought> : a statistical subpopulation Usage Discussion of stratum The plural strata has occasionally been used as a singular since the 18th century and is sometimes given the plural stratas <there was a strata of Paris which mere criticism of books fails to get hold of — Ezra Pound> <a Roman burial ground suggests stratas of corruption and decay — Connie Fletcher, Booklist>. Current evidence shows senses 2, 3b, and 4 so used, with 3b the most common. Singular strata is persistent but not frequent. Strata may someday establish itself as a singular like agenda, but that use is still not established. <the lower strata of society have been hit especially hard by this economic downturn> <the level of writing in that pop novel is several strata beneath that of serious fiction>

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 of hereditary 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>.

society

: people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values : the people of a particular country, area, time, etc., thought of especially as an organized community : people who are fashionable and wealthy : companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : company : a voluntary association of individuals for common ends; especially : an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession a : an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another b : a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests a : a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity <literary society> b : a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners a : a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association b : the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly : an interdependent system of organisms or biological units Poverty hurts society as a whole. We need to do more to help the poorer members of our society. the values of Western society She was introduced to society at a formal reception. The club's members are drawn from the ranks of high society.

vegetation

: plants in general : plants that cover a particular area : the act or process of vegetating : inert existence : plant life or total plant cover (as of an area) : an abnormal growth upon a body part <fibrin vegetations on the mitral valve> the dense vegetation of the jungle <the local vegetation is flourishing as a result of the recent rains>

feasible

: possible to do : capable of being done or carried out <a feasible plan> : capable of being used or dealt with successfully : suitable : reasonable, likely Egyptian hieroglyphics ... are also usually assumed to be the product of independent invention, but the alternative interpretation of idea diffusion is more feasible than in the case of Chinese writing. —Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 ... there do not appear to be any remedies for this situation that are at once politically feasible and likely to work. —Richard A. Posner, Times Literary Supplement, 1 Sept. 1995 The '70s was the era in which it seemed more important, or more feasible, to reform our bodies than to change the world. —Barbara Ehrenreich, Utne Reader, May/June 1992 The government has now made it feasible for tourists to spend as long as a month in the country ... —Fred C. Shapiro, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 1990 looking for a feasible way to create new jobs <would it be feasible to build a cabin in so short a time?> Synonym Discussion of feasible possible, practicable, feasible mean capable of being realized. possible implies that a thing may certainly exist or occur given the proper conditions <a possible route up the west face of the mountain>. practicable implies that something may be effected by available means or under current conditions <a solution that is not practicable in the time available>. feasible applies to what is likely to work or be useful in attaining the end desired <commercially feasible for mass production>.

precedent

: prior in time, order, arrangement, or significance <behavior that may be explained by a precedent event in her troubled life> : a similar action or event that happened at an earlier time : something done or said that can be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future : the usual or traditional way of doing something : an earlier occurrence of something similar a : something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind <a verdict that had no precedent> b : the convention established by such a precedent or by long practice : a person or thing that serves as a model Suddenly, against all historical precedent just for that week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency would have morphed into a well-organized and dependable outfit. —John McWhorter, National Review, 26 Sept. 2005 On July 12, in an action that seems to have been without precedent, the House voted, 355-0, to condemn a scientific article. —Jonathan Rauch, National Journal, 7 Aug. 1999 In cases close-run enough to require the Supreme court to decide them, precedent and principle are elastic enough, or complex enough, that justices can often decide either way without brazenly contradicting themselves. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Republic, 20 & 27 Sept. 1993 We begin to appreciate the mystery when we realize that the act of naming, or denotation, is generically without precedent in natural history. —Walker Percy, "Naming And Being," 1960, in Signposts in a Strange Land, 1991 The judge's ruling was based on a precedent established by an earlier decision. He says that the government will set a dangerous precedent if it refuses to allow the protesters to hold a rally. The judge's ruling was based on legal precedent. break (with) precedent (somewhat formal) : to do something that has not been done before <The voters broke (with) precedent when they elected a woman to the position.> set a precedent: to decide something that will be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future <The ruling in the case is likely to set a precedent for how future cases are decided.>

indigenous

: produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment : produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment <indigenous plants> <the indigenous culture> : innate, inborn Viking invaders quickly subdued the indigenous population, known as the Picts. —Jared M. Diamond, Collapse, 2005 Unlike France, Italy relies on dozens of indigenous regional grape varieties for its prodigious range of wines. —Gerald Asher, Gourmet, September 2002 Though Gilded Age architecture was not indigenous to America, at least it was borrowed from belle epoque Europe, from which much of America's late-nineteenth-century culture evolved. —Robert D. Kaplan, An Empire Wilderness, 1988 There are several indigenous groups that still live in the area. <the culture of the indigenous people of that country> Synonym Discussion of indigenous native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>. indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>. aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>.

therapeutic

: producing good effects on your body or mind : of or relating to the treatment of illness : of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods <a therapeutic rather than a diagnostic specialty> : providing or assisting in a cure : curative, medicinal <therapeutic diets> <a therapeutic investigation of government waste> the therapeutic benefits of yoga Gardening can be very therapeutic. the therapeutic effects of radiation

fertile

: producing many plants or crops : able to support the growth of many plants : producing a large amount of something : producing many ideas a : producing or bearing fruit in great quantities : productive b : characterized by great resourcefulness of thought or imagination : inventive <a fertile mind> c obsolete : plentiful a (1) : capable of sustaining abundant plant growth <fertile soil> (2) : affording abundant possibilities for growth or development <damp bathrooms are fertile ground for fungi — Consumer Reports> <a fertile area for research> b : capable of growing or developing <a fertile egg> c (1) : capable of producing fruit (2) of an anther : containing pollen (3) : developing spores or spore-bearing organs d : capable of breeding or reproducing : capable of being converted into fissionable material <fertile uranium 238> an area that is a fertile breeding ground for political extremism This subject remains a fertile field for additional investigation. He has a fertile mind. Synonym Discussion of fertile 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>.

lucrative

: producing money or wealth : producing wealth : profitable Clubs take care of their star and other best players first, paying them lucrative salaries. By the time they get to the bottom half of the roster, they would not have enough money left to pay veterans worthwhile salaries ... —Murray Chass, New York Times, 16 Aug. 1994 Since the health care industry is lucrative and largely insulated from the usual disciplines of the marketplace, it has been able to absorb an ever-growing fraction of the gross domestic product. —Marcia Angell, New England Journal of Medicine, 17 June 1993 The learned profession of the law was certainly not behind any other learned profession in its Bacchanalian propensities; neither was Mr. Stryver, already fast shouldering his way to a large and lucrative practice, behind his compeers in this particular, any more than in the drier parts of the legal race. —Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859 Their success has given Gladwell an active, and extremely lucrative, second career as a public speaker. Much in demand, he is paid in the neighborhood of $40,000 per lecture. —Rachel Donadio, New York Times Book Review, 5 Feb. 2006 The business has proved to be highly lucrative. <the hired gun's mission was to turn the failing store into a lucrative operation>

velocity

: quickness of motion a : quickness of motion : speed <the velocity of sound> b : rapidity of movement <[my horse's] strong suit is grace & personal comeliness, rather than velocity — Mark Twain> c : speed imparted to something <the power pitcher relies on velocity — Tony Scherman> : the rate of change of position along a straight line with respect to time : the derivative of position with respect to time a : rate of occurrence or action : rapidity <the velocity of historical change — R. J. Lifton> b : rate of turnover <the velocity of money> particles moving at high velocities measuring the velocity of sound the velocity of a bullet

relevant

: relating to a subject in an appropriate way a : having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand b : affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion <relevant testimony> c : having social relevance ... the sport [men's tennis] is so invisible to the American fan that it's in danger of becoming as relevant as—gasp—soccer —Mike Freeman, NewYork Times, 1 Sept. 2002 Mendelian genetics is no more relevant to understanding heredity in the real world than Euclidean geometry is to understanding the shape of an oak tree. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 But it is much less relevant when the question becomes, as it should, "What, then, must we do with and for the one third or so of black America that seems to be permanently alienated from the structures of opportunity in this society?" —Glenn C. Loury, Atlantic, November 1997 The smallest distance that is relevant to measurement today is something like 10-17 centimeters, which is how far a thing called the Z0 (see zero) can travel before it departs our world. —Leon Lederman et al., The God Particle, 1993 The ideas and observations expressed in the book are still relevant today. <make sure your comments during the interview are short and relevant> Synonym Discussion of relevant relevant, germane, material, pertinent, apposite, applicable, apropos mean relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand. relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection <found material relevant to her case>. germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion <a point not germane to the discussion>. material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case <facts material to the investigation>. pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance <a pertinent observation>. apposite suggests a felicitous relevance <add an apposite quotation to the definition>. applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case <the rule is not applicable in this case>. apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune <the quip was apropos>.

pecuniary

: relating to or in the form of money : consisting of or measured in money : of or relating to money <that makes good pecuniary sense> <the judge recused himself from the case because he had a pecuniary interest in the company that was being sued> Did You Know? Pecuniary first appeared in English in the early 16th century and comes from the Latin word pecunia, which means "money." Both this root and Latin peculium, which means "private property," are related to the Latin noun for cattle, pecus. In early times, cattle were viewed as a trading commodity (as they still are in some parts of the world), and property was often valued in terms of cattle. Pecunia has also given us impecunious, a word meaning "having little or no money," while peculium gave us peculate, a synonym for "embezzle." In peculium you might also recognize the word peculiar, which originally meant "exclusively one's own" or "distinctive" before acquiring its current meaning of "strange."

reproductive

: relating to or involved in the production of babies, young animals, or new plants : of, relating to, or capable of reproduction <highly reproductive wild geese> : an actual or potential parent; specifically : a sexually functional social insect

terrestrial

: relating to or occurring on the earth : living or growing on land instead of in water or air : sending a broadcast signal from the Earth a : of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants <terrestrial magnetism> b : mundane in scope or character : prosaic a : of or relating to land as distinct from air or water <terrestrial transportation> b (1) : living on or in or growing from land <terrestrial plants> <terrestrial birds> (2) : of or relating to terrestrial organisms <terrestrial habits> : belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate composition) <the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars> The toad has terrestrial habits, spending most of its time on shore. <scientists haven't even found all the terrestrial life on our planet> Did You Know? Terrestrial might be a pretty down-to-earth word, but some of its relatives are out of this world. "Terrestrial" first appeared in English in the 15th century and derives from the Latin root terra, which means "earth." In the mid-1800s "extra-" was added to "terrestrial," giving us "extraterrestrial," an adjective that can be used to describe things (including science fiction creatures) that come from space. "Terrestrial" shares the "-al" suffix with "celestial," which was first used in the 14th century. Not surprisingly, "celestial" ("of or relating to the sky or visible heavens") traces back to the Latin for sky, "caelum."

residual

: remainder, residuum: as a : the difference between results obtained by observation and by computation from a formula or between the mean of several observations and any one of them b : a residual product or substance c : an internal aftereffect of experience or activity that influences later behavior; especially : a disability remaining from a disease or operation : a payment (as to an actor or writer) for each rerun after an initial showing (as of a TV show) : remaining after a process has been completed or something has been removed : of, relating to, or constituting a residue : leaving a residue that remains effective for some time <a residual pesticide> She's still dealing with the residual effects of the accident.

demanding

: requiring much time, attention, or effort : expecting much time, attention, effort, etc., from other people : hard to satisfy : requiring much time, effort, or attention : exacting <a demanding job> <demanding customers> She had a demanding schedule with little free time. Factory work can be physically demanding. I have heard it is one of the most demanding courses at the university. Their boss was really demanding, often expecting them to work long into the night.

fugitive

: running away to avoid being captured : lasting a very short time : running away or intending flight <a fugitive slave> <a fugitive debtor> : moving from place to place : wandering a : being of short duration b : difficult to grasp or retain : elusive c : likely to evaporate, deteriorate, change, fade, or disappear <dyed with fugitive colors> : being of transient interest <fugitive essays> As he daydreamed, fugitive thoughts passed through his mind. <that fugitive trait called artistic creativity> : a person who is running away to avoid being captured; especially : a person who is trying to escape being arrested by the police : a person who flees or tries to escape; especially : refugee : something elusive or hard to find Did You Know? Fugitive was adopted into English as both a noun and an adjective in the 14th century. Both forms came to Middle English by way of Middle French from the Latin adjective fugitivus. Fugitivus, in turn, comes from fugitus, the past participle of the verb fugere, meaning "to flee." Since its adoption, the noun fugitive has been used to identify a motley group of individuals: runaway slaves and soldiers, on-the-run criminals, exiles, refugees, and vagabonds. Eventually, it also developed a less commonly used extended sense for things which are difficult to find or pin down.

favorable

: showing approval : expressing approval : giving or providing what is desired : giving a result that helps, benefits, or shows approval of someone a : disposed to favor : partial b : expressing approval : commendatory c : giving a result that is in one's favor <a favorable comparison> d : affirmative <a favorable reply> : winning approval : pleasing <a favorable impression> a : tending to promote or facilitate : advantageous <a favorable wind> b : marked by success The new play got many favorable reviews. He was given a favorable recommendation. Early test results were favorable. Synonym Discussion of favorable favorable, auspicious, propitious mean pointing toward a happy outcome. favorable implies that the persons involved are approving or helpful or that the circumstances are advantageous <favorable weather conditions>. auspicious applies to something taken as a sign or omen promising success before or at the start of an event <an auspicious beginning>. propitious may also apply to beginnings but often implies a continuing favorable condition <a propitious time for starting a business>.

elegant

: showing good taste : graceful and attractive : simple and clever : marked by elegance <elegant clothes> <an elegant solution> : of a high grade or quality : splendid <elegant gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars> an elegant solution to the problem <the most elegant First Lady in the nation's history> Synonym Discussion of elegant choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely <freedom of choice>. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed <the option of paying now or later>. alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility <equally attractive alternatives>. preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections <a preference for cool weather>. selection implies a range of choice <a varied selection of furniture>. election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment <doing a tax return forces certain elections on you>. choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind <choice fabric>. exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste <an exquisite gold bracelet>. elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste <a sumptuous but elegant dining room>. rare suggests an uncommon excellence <rare beauty>. delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility <delicate craftsmanship>. dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate <dainty sandwiches>.

assiduous

: showing great care, attention, and effort : marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application <an assiduous book collector> <tended her garden with assiduous attention> They were assiduous in their search for all the latest facts and figures. The project required some assiduous planning. Did You Know? Judges presiding over assizes (former periodical sessions of the superior courts in English counties) had to be assiduous in assessing how to best address their cases. Not only were their efforts invaluable, but they also served as a fine demonstration of the etymologies of "assiduous," "assess," and "assize." All three of those words derive from the Latin verb assidēre, which is variously translated as "to sit beside," "to take care of," or "to assist in the office of a judge." "Assidēre," in turn, is a composite of the prefix ad- (in this case, meaning "near" or "adjacent to") and sedēre, meaning "to sit." Synonym Discussion of assiduous busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous, sedulous mean actively engaged or occupied. busy chiefly stresses activity as opposed to idleness or leisure <too busy to spend time with the children>. industrious implies characteristic or habitual devotion to work <industrious employees>. diligent suggests earnest application to some specific object or pursuit <very diligent in her pursuit of a degree>. assiduous stresses careful and unremitting application <assiduous practice>. sedulous implies painstaking and persevering application <a sedulous investigation of the murder>.

boundary

: something (such as a river, a fence, or an imaginary line) that shows where an area ends and another area begins : a point or limit that indicates where two things become different boundaries : unofficial rules about what should not be done : limits that define acceptable behavior : something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent Those two trees mark the boundary of our property. The river forms the country's western boundary. at the boundary between fact and fiction You need to set boundaries with your children. Did he violate the boundaries of the doctor-patient relationship? know no bounds/boundaries: to be capable of affecting people everywhere <This is a disease that knows no boundaries.> : to have no limits <My admiration for him knows no bounds/boundaries.>

vogue

: something (such as a way of dressing or behaving) that is fashionable or popular in a particular time and place archaic : the leading place in popularity or acceptance a : popular acceptation or favor : popularity b : a period of popularity : one that is in fashion at a particular time the new vogue for scarves His art seems to be enjoying a vogue these days. When did Thai food come into vogue? That style went out of vogue years ago. Synonym Discussion of vogue fashion, style, mode, vogue, fad, rage, craze mean the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date. fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place <the current fashion>. style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste <a media baron used to traveling in style>. mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated <slim bodies are the mode at this resort>. vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion <short skirts are back in vogue>. fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion <last year's fad is over>. rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad <Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time> <crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted>.

fad

: something (such as an interest or fashion) that is very popular for a short time : a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze She's always interested in the latest fads. <once the fad for that kind of music had passed, nobody would have been caught dead listening to it> Synonym Discussion of fad fashion, style, mode, vogue, fad, rage, craze mean the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date. fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place <the current fashion>. style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste <a media baron used to traveling in style>. mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated <slim bodies are the mode at this resort>. vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion <short skirts are back in vogue>. fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion <last year's fad is over>. rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad <Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time> <crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted>.

garnish

: something (such as small pieces of fruit, chopped herbs, etc.) that is put on food as a decoration : embellishment, ornament : something (as lemon wedges or parsley) used to garnish food or drink a : an unauthorized fee formerly extorted from a new inmate of an English jail b : a similar payment required of a new worker <added a garnish of parsley to the plate before serving it>

stimuli

: 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 1 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.

preliminary

: something that comes first in order to prepare for or introduce the main part of something else : a game that is played before the main part of a competition to decide which players or teams will be allowed to continue playing : something that precedes or is introductory or preparatory: as a : a preliminary scholastic examination b plural British : front matter c : a preliminary heat or trial (as of a race) d : a minor match preceding the main event (as of a boxing card) <a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions> : coming before the main part of something : coming before and usually forming a necessary prelude to something else <preliminary studies> <preliminary results> Preliminary findings show that the drug could help patients with skin cancer. The team was eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament. research that is preliminary to the study

incentive

: something that encourages a person to do something or to work harder : something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action The rising cost of electricity provides a strong incentive to conserve energy. The government offers special tax incentives for entrepreneurs. The company is offering a special low price as an added incentive for new customers. Synonym Discussion of incentive motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act <a motive for the crime>. impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution <buying on impulse>. incentive applies to an external influence (as an expected reward) inciting to action <a bonus was offered as an incentive>. inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another <offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe>. spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor <fear was a spur to action>. goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire <thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency>.

consequence

: something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions : importance or value : a conclusion derived through logic : inference : something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions <the economic consequences of the war> a : importance with respect to power to produce an effect <a mistake of no consequence> b : social importance : the appearance of importance; especially : self-importance The slightest error can have serious consequences. What were the economic consequences of the war? The decrease in sales was a consequence of some bad publicity about the company. Some say many jobs will be lost as a consequence of the trade agreement. He weighed the consequences of making a career change. The style you choose is of no consequence. Synonym Discussion of consequence importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone <a region with no cities of importance>. consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects <the style you choose is of little consequence>. moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence <a decision of great moment>. weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something <the argument carried no weight with the judge>. significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized <the treaty's significance>. suffer the consequences: to be punished for what one has done <He broke the law, so he has to suffer the consequences.>

deed

: something that is done : an act or action : a legal document that shows who owns a building or piece of land : something that is done <evil deeds> : a usually illustrious act or action : feat, exploit <a hero's daring deeds> : the act of performing : action <righteous in word and in deed> : a signed and usually sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract They taught their children to be kind and to do good deeds. News of their heroic deeds spread far and wide. It's too late now. The deed is done. The land was transferred by deed. He gave them the deed to the property.

compensation

: something that is done or given to make up for damage, trouble, etc. : something good that acts as a balance against something bad or undesirable : payment given for doing a job a : the act of compensating : the state of being compensated b : correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ c : a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another a (1) : something that constitutes an equivalent or recompense <age has its compensations> (2) : payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents b : payment, remuneration <working without compensation> The court awarded the victims millions of dollars in compensation. She offered to pay for lunch as compensation for keeping me waiting. Moving to the coast had some drawbacks, but there were also compensations. seek compensation: to try to get an amount of money to make up for damage, trouble, etc. caused by someone

precaution

: something that is done to prevent possible harm or trouble from happening in the future : care taken in advance : foresight <warned of the need for precaution> : a measure taken beforehand to prevent harm or secure good : safeguard <take the necessary precautions> Be sure to follow the usual safety precautions when cooking outdoors. When driving, she always wears her seatbelt as a precaution. Every home owner should take precautions against fire. She took the precaution of packing extra medicine for the trip.

by-product

: something that is produced during the production or destruction of something else : something that happens as a result of something else : something produced in a usually industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product : a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended result

travesty

: something that is shocking, upsetting, or ridiculous because it is not what it is supposed to be : a burlesque translation or literary or artistic imitation usually grotesquely incongruous in style, treatment, or subject matter : a debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation <a travesty of justice> It is a travesty and a tragedy that so many people would be denied the right to vote. The trial was a travesty of justice.

outlet

: something that people use to express their emotions or talents : a store that sells products made usually by one company and often at reduced prices : a television, radio, or publishing company a : a place or opening through which something is let out : exit, vent b : a means of release or satisfaction for an emotion or impulse <sexual outlets> c : a medium of expression or publication d : a publication or broadcast organization <media outlets> : a stream flowing out of a lake or pond a : a market for a commodity b : an agency (as a store) through which a product is marketed <retail outlets> : a receptacle for the plug of an electrical device <this road is the only outlet for traffic coming from the racetrack> <technology has provided many new outlets for amateur writers and artists to share their work with a global audience>

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> : a remedy for all ills or difficulties

necessity

: something that you must have or do : something that is necessary : the quality of being necessary : the quality or state of being necessary a : pressure of circumstance b : physical or moral compulsion c : impossibility of a contrary order or condition : the quality or state of being in need; especially : poverty a : something that is necessary : requirement b : an urgent need or desire of necessity : in such a way that it cannot be otherwise; also : as a necessary consequence <further changes will occur of necessity> Sunscreen is an absolute necessity for the beach. food, clothes, and other basic necessities Getting plenty of rest is a necessity. Without a car, living close to work is a necessity. All we took with us on our hiking trip were the bare necessities. born of necessity: established because it was necessary in some way <Their relationship was born of necessity, but it has developed into a true and lasting friendship.> by necessity (out of necessity): because of conditions that cannot be changed <The process is by necessity a slow one.> : because of conditions that cannot be changed : because it is necessary <He works two jobs out of necessity.>

repercussion

: something usually bad or unpleasant that happens as a result of an action, statement, etc., and that usually affects people for a long time : reflection, reverberation a : an action or effect given or exerted in return : a reciprocal action or effect b : a widespread, indirect, or unforeseen effect of an act, action, or event —usually used in plural <your decision not to go to college will have repercussions you'll feel for years to come>

intermittent

: starting, stopping, and starting again : not constant or steady : coming and going at intervals : not continuous <intermittent rain>; also : occasional <intermittent trips abroad> Examples of intermittent in a sentence Decades of intermittent but recurring controversies with imperial authorities, and the lodestar of the glorious Revolution, disposed Americans to continue to believe that representation existed, first and foremost, to protect the rights of their communities against the abuse of executive power. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings, 1996 Bronchodilators continue to play an important role in asthma treatment, especially for people who have relatively mild or intermittent attacks. —Stephen Hoffmann, Harvard Medical School Health Letter, June 1991 In the intermittent light he could make out the shape of a solitary oak tree, spreading great arms from its short tremendous trunk. —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising, (1973) 1999 The patient was having intermittent pains in his side. The forecast is for intermittent rain.

arable

: suitable for farming : able to produce crops : of or relating to growing crops : fit for or used for the growing of crops British : engaged in, produced by, or being the cultivation of arable land The family is selling several acres of arable land. chiefly British : land fit or used for the growing of crops; also : a plot of such land <the village arable of Anglo-Saxon times>

congenial

: suitable or appropriate : pleasant and enjoyable : very friendly : having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred <congenial companions> a : existing or associated together harmoniously b : pleasant; especially : agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook <a congenial atmosphere> c : sociable, genial <a congenial host> She moved on, leaving behind the world of politics for the more congenial sphere of the arts. —Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001 Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. —Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989 It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. —Lady Bird Johnson, 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary, 1970 The town is a congenial place for raising children. We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library. He found the work to be congenial. She was congenial and easygoing. Did You Know? According to ancient Roman and Greek mythology, each person at birth was assigned a guardian spirit. The Latin name for this attendant spirit was genius. Two people who get along well together can be thought of as sharing a similar spirit; they might even be described by a word combining the Latin prefix com- (meaning "with, together") and genius. And, indeed, it was this com-genius combination that gave rise in the 17th century to the English word congenial. (The Greek word for the guardian spirit, daimōn, gave us eudaemonia, meaning "well-being" or "happiness," but that word is extremely rare.)

convergent

: tending to move toward one point or to approach each other : converging <convergent lines> : exhibiting convergence in form, function, or development <convergent evolution> a of an improper integral : having a value that is a real number b : characterized by having the nth term or the sum of the first n terms approach a finite limit <a convergent sequence> <a convergent series>

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 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 Varying widely in scope and theme, the 10 essays about the Bill of Rights in this collection often shine with insight and sparkling turns of phrase; some, however, betray lack of discernment. —Jonathan Kellerman et al., Publishers Weekly, 17 Apr. 2000 If one searched the archives to find an example of Spanish colonial policy at its worst, one would surely select Don Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo, a vain, arrogant, opinionated fop who never displayed a shred of either courage or discernment but who did distinguish himself as one of the most inept and vengeful Spaniards ever to function overseas. —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985 His lack of discernment led to his disastrous choice of business partners. <the discernment to know when someone is a true friend> Synonym Discussion of discernment 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 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 ... the historical acumen, the steady shrewdness, and the uncommon common sense with which the old maestro watches the American procession of similar problems faced by dissimilar egos. —Alistair Cooke, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 1987 Here was a man of extraordinary sensitivity, political acumen, spiritual power, and sexual wildness; a free spirit if ever there was one. —Alice Walker, Living by the Word, 1986 Her political acumen won her the election. a lack of business acumen Did You Know? A keen mind and a sharp wit can pierce the soul as easily as a needle passes through cloth. Remember the analogy between a jabbing needle and piercing perception, and you will readily recall the history of acumen. Our English word retains the spelling and figurative meaning of its direct Latin ancestor, a term that literally meant "point." Latin acumen traces to the verb acuere, which means "to sharpen" and derives from acus, the Latin word for "needle." In its first known English uses in the 1500s, acumen referred specifically to a sharpness of wit. In modern English, it conveys the sense that someone is perceptive enough to grasp a situation quickly and clever enough to use it. Synonym Discussion of acumen 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>.

acquisition

: the act of acquiring : something or someone acquired or gained <the team announced two new acquisitions> Examples of acquisition in a sentence Steven Schwartzman, the billionaire CEO of Blackstone, suffers no personal liquidity problems. But his firm, and others like it—have had to call off a series of proposed acquisitions because they can't get financing. —Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2008 The gifting of books, too, endured as a legacy of our book hunting. I quickly learned not to ask for newly published books as birthday or Christmas presents, since they provided my father with too little of a challenge. The measure of a gift's value was the amount of thought and effort that went into its acquisition. —Charles Mitchell, Bloomsbury Review, November/December 2002 Although some believe that the rise of advertising and strip malls have fostered slavish devotion to shopping where it didn't exist before, Hine posits that the acquisition of objects has a firm place in humanity's history. —Publishers Weekly, 7 Oct. 2002 McKnight and Ward, free-agent acquisitions who each have only one full season as a starter, have brought much-needed speed to the position. But rookie Chris Chambers, a second-round draft pick from Wisconsin, is the jewel. —Jeffri Chadiha, Sports Illustrated, 1 Oct. 2000 the country's acquisition of new ships The big company's newest acquisition is a small chain of clothing stores. The museum has put its latest acquisitions on display.

surveillance

: the act of carefully watching someone or something especially in order to prevent or detect a crime : close watch kept over someone or something (as by a detective); also : supervision government surveillance of suspected terrorists The bank robbery was recorded by surveillance video cameras.

reconciliation

: the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement : the process of finding a way to make two different ideas, facts, etc., exist or be true at the same time : the action of reconciling : the state of being reconciled : the Roman Catholic sacrament of penance Signing the trade agreement was praised as an act of reconciliation between the two countries. He contacted us in hopes of a reconciliation. a reconciliation of opposing views

succession

: the act of getting a title or right after the person who had that title or right before you has died or is no longer able or allowed to have it; also : the process by which this happens : a series of people or things that come one after the other a : the order in which or the conditions under which one person after another succeeds to a property, dignity, title, or throne b : the right of a person or line to succeed c : the line having such a right a : the act or process of following in order : sequence b (1) : the act or process of one person's taking the place of another in the enjoyment of or liability for rights or duties or both (2) : the act or process of a person's becoming beneficially entitled to a property or property interest of a deceased person c : the continuance of corporate personality d : unidirectional change in the composition of an ecosystem as the available competing organisms and especially the plants respond to and modify the environment a : a number of persons or things that follow each other in sequence b : a group, type, or series that succeeds or displaces another As third in the line of succession, she would only become queen if her brothers both died or became ineligible. in succession: following one after the other <The guests arrived in succession.> <He won the championship twice in succession.> <She listed the names in quick/rapid succession.>

charity

: the act of giving money, food, or other kinds of help to people who are poor, sick, etc.; also : something (such as money or food) that is given to people who are poor, sick, etc. : an organization that helps people who are poor, sick, etc. : the organizations that help people in need : benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity a : generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need b : an institution engaged in relief of the poor c : public provision for the relief of the needy a : a gift for public benevolent purposes b : an institution (as a hospital) founded by such a gift : lenient judgment of others The holidays are a time for charity and good will. She refused to accept charity. The dinner was held to raise funds for several charities. She runs a local charity that gives books to children. All the money will go to charity. Synonym Discussion of charity mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>.

habitation

: the act of living in a place : a place where someone lives : the act of inhabiting : occupancy <not fit for human habitation> : a dwelling place : settlement, colony The house was not fit for human habitation. a wilderness area with few habitations

comparison

: the act of looking at things to see how they are similar or different : the act of suggesting that two or more things are similar or in the same category : the act or process of comparing: as a : the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another b : an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities <his faults seem minor by comparison> : identity of features : similarity <several points of comparison between the two> : the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation a comparison of the data from the two studies the comparison of monkeys to humans I don't think comparisons of her situation and mine are appropriate. a comparison of the data from the two studies the comparison of monkeys to humans I don't think comparisons of her situation and mine are appropriate. by/in comparison: when compared with another : when looked at or thought about in relation to someone or something else <Yesterday's weather was very cold. Today's weather is mild by comparison.> —often + with <He's a well-behaved child in comparison with his brother.> draw a comparison: to say that two or more things or people are similar <The brochure draws a comparison between the hotel and a medieval palace.> <The writer draws unflattering comparisons between the mayor and a dictator.> make a comparison: to say that two or more things or people are similar <His work has been widely praised. Comparisons have been made to the great painters of past centuries.> : to look at similarities and differences between two or more things or people <The Web site allows consumers to make direct comparisons between competing products.> no comparison: used to suggest that two or more things are very different <There's really no comparison between the two models.>

maintenance

: the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained : support : something that maintains : the upkeep of property or equipment : an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on Soon he could take an Underwood apart and put it together blindfolded, a trick that won him the account for maintenance of all the typewriters at Columbia-Presbyterian hospital ... —Ian Frazier, Atlantic, November 1997 The new machine made the sharecropper system that had replaced slavery obsolete, and the maintenance of segregation and terror unnecessary. —C. Vann Woodward, New York Times Book Review, 24 Feb. 1991 But the apartments they actually leased sat directly across Wayne Avenue—minus the gardens and the careful maintenance that existed when white families had lived there. —Gloria Naylor, Linden Hills, 1985 The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance. the costs of routine car maintenance maintenance of law and order money for the family's maintenance

emission

: the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source : something sent out or given off a : an act or instance of emitting : emanation b archaic : publication c : a putting into circulation a : something sent forth by emitting: as (1) : electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body (2) usually plural : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine) b : effluvium trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

proclamation

: the act of saying something in a public, official, or definite way : the act of proclaiming something : an official statement or announcement made by a person in power or by a government : the action of proclaiming : the state of being proclaimed : something proclaimed; specifically : an official formal public announcement the proclamation of martial law The President issued a proclamation which freed the slaves.

locomotion

: the act or power of moving from place to place : an act or the power of moving from place to place : travel <interest in free locomotion and choice of occupation — Zechariah Chafee Jr.> Walking is one form of locomotion.

inoculation

: the act or process or an instance of inoculating; especially : the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies : inoculum : the act or process or an instance of inoculating: as a: the introduction of a microorganism into a medium suitable for its growth b (1): the introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies (2): the introduction of a vaccine or serum into a living organism to confer immunity <travelers in the tropics should have typhoid inoculations> : inoculum

biomass

: the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat) : plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel : the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)

life span

: the amount of time that a person or animal actually lives : the average length of life of a kind of organism or of a material object especially in a particular environment or under specified circumstances : the duration of existence of an individual the average life span of house cats increase the human life span

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> Did You Know? Vicinity has its origins in the idea of neighborliness - it was borrowed into English in the 16th century from Middle French vicinité, which in turn derives from the Latin adjective vicinus, meaning "neighboring." "Vicinus" itself can be traced back to the noun vicus, meaning "row of houses or "village," and ultimately all the way back to the same ancient word that gave Gothic, Old Church Slavic, and Greek words for "house." Other descendants of "vicinus" in English include "vicinal" ("local" or "of, relating to, or substituted in adjacent sites in a molecule") and "vicinage," a synonym of "vicinity" in the sense of "a neighboring or surrounding district." in the vicinity of: in the area that is close to (a place) <He lives in the general/immediate vicinity of the school.> : close to or around (an amount) <His yearly salary is in the vicinity of one million dollars.>

pedestal

: the base of a column or other tall object —used to describe the position of someone who is admired, successful, etc. a : the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassic column — see column illustration b : the base of an upright structure : base, foundation : a position of esteem the pedestal of a vase

frame

: the basic structure and shape of the body of a person or animal : an arrangement of parts that support and form the basic shape of something : an open structure that holds something (such as glass or a picture) a : something composed of parts fitted together and united b : the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body : physique, figure a : the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building) b : a frame dwelling obsolete : the act or manner of framing a : a machine built upon or within a framework <a spinning frame> b : an open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting something <a window frame> c (1) : a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses (2) plural : that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses d : a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and the body a : an enclosing border b : the matter or area enclosed in such a border: as (1) : one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling); also : a round in bowling (2) : an individual drawing in a comic strip usually enclosed by a bordering line (3) : one picture of the series on a length of film (4) : a complete image for display (as on a television set) c : an inning in baseball d (1) : framework 1a (2) : context, frame of reference e : an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play : frame-up the frame of a house I need new frames for my glasses.

genesis

: the beginning of something : the origin or coming into being of something <the genesis of a new political movement> a book about the genesis of the civil rights movement <was present at the meeting which was later considered the genesis of the new political movement> : the origin or coming into being of something : the process or mode of origin

likelihood

: the chance that something will happen : probability <a strong likelihood that he is correct — T. D. Anderson> There is a strong likelihood that he will be reelected. <the weatherman on TV said that the likelihood of rain today was fairly high> in all likelihood: more likely than not : probably <In all likelihood it will rain tomorrow.>

diction

: the clearness of a person's speech : the way in which words are used in speech or writing obsolete : verbal description : choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness a : vocal expression : enunciation b : pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing He has wisely chosen to render almost all the material in what novelists and writers of creative nonfiction like to call "close third person," approximating the diction and consciousness of his characters but retaining the freedom to wander into the bigger picture. —Thomas Mallon, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009 No one is better than Didion at using flatness of affect and formality of diction to convey seething anger and disdain. —New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2001 When he sang Anatol in the world premiere of Samuel Barber's Vanessa, in 1958, Gedda's performance received high marks for impeccable diction and enunciation—in that mostly American cast, he was the only principal whose English could be understood. —Patrick J. Smith, Opera News, November 1999 The actor's diction was so poor I could hardly understand what he was saying. The student's essay was full of careless diction.

curriculum

: the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc. : the courses offered by an educational institution : a set of courses constituting an area of specialization The college has a liberal arts curriculum.

presence

: the fact of being in a particular place : the state of being present : the area that is close to someone : someone or something that is seen or noticed in a particular place, area, etc. : the fact or condition of being present(see 3present) a : the part of space within one's immediate vicinity b : the neighborhood of one of superior especially royal rank archaic : company 2a : one that is present: as a : the actual person or thing that is present b : something present of a visible or concrete nature a : the bearing, carriage, or air of a person; especially : stately or distinguished bearing b : a noteworthy quality of poise and effectiveness <the actor's commanding presence> : something (as a spirit) felt or believed to be present Bacteria sense their neighbors and respond to the presence of others in the colony by exchanging small molecules and bits of proteins called peptides ... —Susan Gaidos, Science News, 17 Jan. 2009 Though because it is a seaside town, there are more people now that it's summer. ... As well, their presence means that our few restaurants—dark through the snowy months—are open now, their lights burning merrily into the summer evenings. —Richard Ford, Wall Street Journal, 14-15 June 2008 The two authors suggest that war is better understood as a form of play than as a place of business, that Clausewitzian theory collapses into absurdity in the presence of atomic weapons. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, September 2007 <men should watch their language when in the presence of ladies> <the orchestra's musical director has a very stately presence> commanding presence: a manner which attracts attention <He has a commanding presence when he speaks.> grace (a person, group, etc.) with one's presence: to come to a place to be with (a person, group, etc.) —usually used humorously <He finally decided to grace us with his presence 10 minutes after dinner started.> <Will you be gracing the meeting with your presence?>

sympathy

: the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else's trouble, grief, misfortune, etc. : a sympathetic feeling : a feeling of support for something : a state in which different people share the same interests, opinions, goals, etc. a : an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other b : mutual or parallel susceptibility or a condition brought about by it c : unity or harmony in action or effect <every part is in complete sympathy with the scheme as a whole — Edwin Benson> a : inclination to think or feel alike : emotional or intellectual accord <in sympathy with their goals> b : feeling of loyalty : tendency to favor or support <republican sympathies> a : the act or capacity of entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another b : the feeling or mental state brought about by such sensitivity <have sympathy for the poor> : the correlation existing between bodies capable of communicating their vibrational energy to one another through some medium She went to her best friend for sympathy. Letters of sympathy were sent to the families of the victims. My deepest sympathies go out to the families of the victims. Our sympathies are with them. There was no sympathy between them. Synonym Discussion of sympathy attraction, affinity, sympathy mean the relationship existing between things or persons that are naturally or involuntarily drawn together. attraction implies the possession by one thing of a quality that pulls another to it <felt an attraction to danger>. affinity implies a susceptibility or predisposition on the part of the one drawn <an affinity for mathematics>. sympathy implies a reciprocal or natural relation between two things that are both susceptible to the same influence <two minds in sympathy>. pity, compassion, commiseration, condolence, sympathy mean the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another. pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress <felt pity for the captives>. compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare <treats the homeless with great compassion>. commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort <murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters>. condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss <expressed their condolences to the widow>. sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort <went to my best friend for sympathy> <in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents>.

quintessence

: the fifth and highest element in ancient and medieval philosophy that permeates all nature and is the substance composing the celestial bodies : the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form : the most typical example or representative <the quintessence of calm> <the Parthenon in Greece was considered the quintessence of the perfectly proportioned building> <a selfless desire to help others is the quintessence of the virtue of charity> Did You Know? Long ago, when people believed that the earth was made up of four elements-earth, air, fire, and water-they thought the stars and planets were made up of yet another element. In the Middle Ages, people called this element by its Medieval Latin name, quinta essentia, literally, "fifth essence." Our forebears believed the quinta essentia was essential to all kinds of matter, and if they could somehow isolate it, it would cure all disease. We have since given up on that idea, but we kept "quintessence," the offspring of "quinta essentia," as a word for the purest essence of a thing. Some modern physicists have given "quintessence" a new twist-they use it for a form of so-called "dark energy," which is believed to make up 70 percent of the universe. the quintessence (formal) : the most important part (of something) <The quintessence of music is the melody.> : the perfect example (of something) <He was the quintessence of calm.>

zeitgeist

: the general beliefs, ideas, and spirit of a time and place : the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era His songs perfectly captured the zeitgeist of 1960s America. Did You Know? Scholars have long maintained that each era has a unique spirit, a nature or climate that sets it apart from all other epochs. In German, such a spirit is known as "Zeitgeist," from the German words Zeit, meaning "time," and Geist, meaning "spirit" or "ghost." Some writers and artists assert that the true zeitgeist of an era cannot be known until it is over, and several have declared that only artists or philosophers can adequately explain it. We don't know if that's true, but we do know that "zeitgeist" has been a useful addition to the English language since at least 1835.

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. Synonym Discussion of summit 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>.

synergy

: the increased effectiveness that results when two or more people or businesses work together : synergism; broadly : combined action or operation : a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts) A synergy has developed among the different groups working on this project. two companies that have found synergy

vestigial

: the last small part that remains of something that existed before : the smallest possible amount of something a (1) : a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost (2) : the smallest quantity or trace b : footprint 1 : a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms <a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke> <the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago> Did You Know? Vestige is derived via Middle French from the Latin noun vestigium, meaning "footstep, footprint, or track." Like "trace" and "track," "vestige" can refer to a perceptible sign made by something that has now passed. Of the three words, "vestige" is the most likely to apply to a tangible reminder, such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone. "Trace," on the other hand, may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect ("the snowfield is pockmarked with the traces of caribou"). "Track" implies a continuous line that can be followed ("the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs"). Synonym Discussion of vestige trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect <the killer left no traces>. vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone <boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age>. track implies a continuous line that can be followed <the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs>.

vestige

: the last small part that remains of something that existed before : the smallest possible amount of something a (1) : a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost (2) : the smallest quantity or trace b : footprint 1 : a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms <a few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke> <the fossilized vestige of a dinosaur that traversed that muddy landscape millions of years ago> Did You Know? Vestige is derived via Middle French from the Latin noun vestigium, meaning "footstep, footprint, or track." Like "trace" and "track," "vestige" can refer to a perceptible sign made by something that has now passed. Of the three words, "vestige" is the most likely to apply to a tangible reminder, such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone. "Trace," on the other hand, may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect ("the snowfield is pockmarked with the traces of caribou"). "Track" implies a continuous line that can be followed ("the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs"). Synonym Discussion of vestige trace, vestige, track mean a perceptible sign made by something that has passed. trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect <the killer left no traces>. vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone <boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age>. track implies a continuous line that can be followed <the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs>. Medical Definition of vestige : a bodily part or organ that is small and degenerate or imperfectly developed in comparison to one more fully developed in an earlier stage of the individual, in a past generation, or in closely related forms

edge

: the line or part where an object or area begins or ends : the part of a blade that cuts : the sharpness of a blade a : the cutting side of a blade <a razor's edge> b : the sharpness of a blade <a knife with no edge> c (1) : force, effectiveness <blunted the edge of the legislation> (2) : vigor or energy especially of body <maintains his hard edge> d (1) : incisive or penetrating quality <writing with a satirical edge> (2) : a noticeably harsh or sharp quality <her voice had an edge to it> (3) : a secondary but distinct quality <rock music with a bluesy edge> e : keenness or intensity of desire or enjoyment <lost my competitive edge> a : the line where an object or area begins or ends : border <on the edge of a plain> b : the narrow part adjacent to a border <the edge of the deck> c (1) : a point near the beginning or the end; especially : brink, verge <on the edge of disaster> (2) : the threshold of danger or ruin <living on the edge> d : a favorable margin : advantage <has an edge on the competition> : a line or line segment that is the intersection of two plane faces (as of a pyramid) or of two planes They peered over the edge of the roof. The fabric was frayed at the edge. He made us all nervous by standing so close to the edge of the cliff. She sat on the edge of the counter, swinging her legs. the edge of an ax His voice had a sarcastic edge. Her writing seem to have lost its edge. These amendments will blunt the edge of the legislation. close to the edge: dealing with dangerous situations and taking many risks <He likes to live (life) on the edge.> <The high-wire walker lives close to the edge.> on the edge of: very close to (something) <a species on the edge of extinction> <The company was teetering on the edge of disaster/bankruptcy.> <He was on the edge of saying something when the phone rang.> over the edge: into a mental or emotional state that makes someone completely lose control <His friends worried that the news might send/drive/push him over the edge.> on edge: not calm or relaxed <She was on edge before her exam.> <Her nerves were on edge before her exam.>

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 of climax 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>. : the highest or most intense point : orgasm a: menopause b: andropause

skin

: the natural outer layer of tissue that covers the body of a person or animal : the skin of an animal that has been removed from the body often with its hair or feathers still attached and that is used to make things (such as clothes) : the outer covering of a fruit, vegetable, etc. a (1) : the integument of an animal (as a fur-bearing mammal or a bird) separated from the body usually with its hair or feathers (2) : a usually unmounted specimen of a vertebrate (as in a museum) b : the hide or pelt of a game or domestic animal c (1) : the pelt of an animal prepared for use as a trimming or in a garment — compare 4hide (2) : a sheet of parchment or vellum made from a hide (3) : bottle 1b a : the external limiting tissue layer of an animal body; especially : the 2-layered covering of a vertebrate body consisting of an outer epidermis and an inner dermis b : an outer covering (as a rind or husk) of a fruit or seed c : a membranous film or scum (as on boiling milk or drying paint) : the life or physical well-being of a person <saved his own skin> : a sheathing or casing forming the outside surface of a structure (as a ship or airplane) by the skin of one's teeth : by a very narrow margin under one's skin : so deeply penetrative as to irritate, stimulate, provoke thought, or otherwise excite under the skin : beneath apparent or surface differences : at heart the rough skin of a shark Choose makeup that matches your skin tone. These snakes shed their skins once a year. Native Americans had many uses for animal skins. His boots are made of alligator skin. Potato skin is very nutritious. : devoted to showing nudes <skin magazines> skin and bones (informal): very thin in a way that is unattractive and unhealthy <After the illness, he was skin and bones.> <The starving dog was nothing but skin and bones.>

incidence

: the number of times something happens or develops : the rate at which something occurs : the angle at which a ray (such as a ray of light) hits a surface a : angle of incidence b : the arrival of something (as a projectile or a ray of light) at a surface a : an act or the fact or manner of falling upon or affecting : occurrence b : rate of occurrence or influence <a high incidence of crime> an increased incidence of diabetes a high incidence of criminal behavior Did You Know? The words incident, incidence, and instance may seem similar (and, in fact, incident and incidence are closely related), but they are not used identically. In current use, incidence usually means "rate of occurrence" and is often qualified in some way ("a high incidence of diabetes"). Incident usually refers to a particular event, often something unusual or unpleasant ("many such incidents go unreported"). Instance suggests a particular occurrence that is offered as an example ("another instance of bureaucratic bumbling"); it can also be synonymous with case ("many instances in which the wrong form was submitted"). The plural incidences sometimes occurs in such contexts as "several recent incidences of crime," but this use is often criticized as incorrect.

background

: the part of a scene or picture that is farthest from the viewer : the part of a scene that is behind a main figure or object in a painting, photograph, etc. : a surface or color that is behind or around something (such as a printed design) : a position that attracts little attention a : the scenery or ground behind something b : the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground : an inconspicuous position a : the conditions that form the setting within which something is experienced b (1) : the circumstances or events antecedent to a phenomenon or development (2) : information essential to understanding of a problem or situation c : the total of a person's experience, knowledge, and education a : intrusive sound or radiation that interferes with received or recorded electronic signals b : a more or less steady level of noise above which the effect (as radioactivity) being measured by an apparatus (as a Geiger counter) is detected; especially : a somewhat steady level of radiation in the natural environment (as from cosmic rays) : a level of computer processing at which the processor uses time not required for a primary task to work on an additional task — compare foreground on background : with the understanding that information offered for publication will not be attributed to a specific source <an official speaking on background> Objects in the foreground are drawn larger than those in the background. a photograph of a house with mountains in the background red letters printed on a white background An ethnic conflict that was simmering away in the background finally erupted into civil war. Let me provide you with some background on this problem. Synonym Discussion of background background, setting, environment, milieu, mise-en-scène mean the place, time, and circumstances in which something occurs. background often refers to the circumstances or events that precede a phenomenon or development <the shocking decision was part of the background of the riots>. setting suggests looking at real-life situations in literary or dramatic terms <a militant reformer who was born into an unlikely social setting>. environment applies to all the external factors that have a formative influence on one's physical, mental, or moral development <the kind of environment that produces juvenile delinquents>. milieu applies especially to the physical and social surroundings of a person or group of persons <an intellectual milieu conducive to artistic experimentation>. mise-en-scène strongly suggests the use of properties to achieve a particular atmosphere or theatrical effect <a gothic thriller with a carefully crafted mise-en-scène>.

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>

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 2 : 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>

elite

: the people who have the most wealth and status in a society : the most successful or powerful group of people : a person who is a member of an elite : a successful and powerful person a singular or plural in construction : the choice part : cream <the elite of the entertainment world> b singular or plural in construction : the best of a class <superachievers who dominate the computer elite — Marilyn Chase> c singular or plural in construction : the socially superior part of society <how the French-speaking elite...was changing — Economist> d : a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence <members of the ruling elite> e : a member of such an elite —usually used in plural <the elites ... , pursuing their studies in Europe — Robert Wernick> : a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch <the winners of this science award represent the elite of our high schools> <the country's elite owned or controlled most of the wealth>

debris

: the pieces that are left after something has been destroyed : things (such as broken pieces and old objects) that are lying where they fell or that have been left somewhere because they are not wanted : the remains of something broken down or destroyed : an accumulation of fragments of rock : something discarded : rubbish After the earthquake, rescuers began digging through the debris in search of survivors. Everything was covered by dust and debris.

divination

: the practice of using signs (such as an arrangement of tea leaves or cards) or special powers to predict the future : the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers : unusual insight : intuitive perception the art of reading tea leaves and other forms of divination <if her powers of divination are so great, why doesn't she know what the stock market will do?>

resonance

: the quality of a sound that stays loud, clear, and deep for a long time : a quality that makes something personally meaningful or important to someone : a sound or vibration produced in one object that is caused by the sound or vibration produced in another a : the quality or state of being resonant b (1) : a vibration of large amplitude in a mechanical or electrical system caused by a relatively small periodic stimulus of the same or nearly the same period as the natural vibration period of the system (2) : the state of adjustment that produces resonance in a mechanical or electrical system a : the intensification and enriching of a musical tone by supplementary vibration b : a quality imparted to voiced sounds by vibration in anatomical resonating chambers or cavities (as the mouth or the nasal cavity) c : a quality of richness or variety d : a quality of evoking response <how much resonance the scandal seems to be having — United States News & World Report> : the sound elicited on percussion of the chest : the conceptual alternation of a chemical species (as a molecule or ion) between two or more equivalent allowed structural representations differing only in the placement of electrons that aids in understanding the actual state of the species as an amalgamation of its possible structures and the usually higher-than-expected stability of the species a : the enhancement of an atomic, nuclear, or particle reaction or a scattering event by excitation of internal motion in the system b : magnetic resonance : an extremely short-lived elementary particle : a synchronous gravitational relationship of two celestial bodies (as moons) that orbit a third (as a planet) which can be expressed as a simple ratio of their orbital periods the resonance of the singer's voice His story didn't have much resonance with the audience.

symmetry

: the quality of something that has two sides or halves that are the same or very close in size, shape, and position : the quality of having symmetrical parts : balanced proportions; also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions : the property of being symmetrical; especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis — compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry : a rigid motion of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping onto itself : the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow) —used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them the symmetry of the human body The building has perfect symmetry.

sincerity

: the quality or state of being sincere : honesty of mind : freedom from hypocrisy

warmth

: the quality or state of being warm in temperature : the quality or state of being kind or friendly : the quality or state of being warm in temperature : the quality or state of being warm in feeling <a child needing human warmth and family life> : a glowing effect produced by the use of warm colors I could feel the warmth of the fireplace. She enjoyed the warmth of their praise. They possessed a graciousness and warmth that put their guests at ease.

prestige

: the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important : standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion : commanding position in people's minds Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige. The job has low pay and low prestige. The family has wealth and social prestige. Synonym Discussion of prestige influence, authority, prestige, weight, credit mean power exerted over the minds or behavior of others. influence may apply to a force exercised and received consciously or unconsciously <used her influence to get the bill passed>. authority implies the power of winning devotion or allegiance or of compelling acceptance and belief <his opinions lacked authority>. prestige implies the ascendancy given by conspicuous excellence or reputation for superiority <the prestige of the newspaper>. weight implies measurable or decisive influence in determining acts or choices <their wishes obviously carried much weight>. credit suggests influence that arises from the confidence of others <his credit with the press>.

magnitude

: the size, extent, or importance of something : a number that shows the brightness of a star : a number that shows the power of an earthquake a : great size or extent b (1) : spatial quality : size (2) : quantity, number : the importance, quality, or caliber of something : a number representing the intrinsic or apparent brightness of a celestial body on a logarithmic scale in which an increase of one unit corresponds to a reduction in the brightness of light by a factor of 2.512 : a numerical quantitative measure expressed usually as a multiple of a standard unit : the intensity of an earthquake represented by a number on an arbitrary scale <a magnitude six earthquake> <the magnitude of the issue can scarcely be overstated> <the mountain's sheer magnitude usually leaves tourists speechless>

voice

: the sounds that you make with your mouth and throat when you are speaking, singing, etc. : the ability to speak : the ability to sing a : sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx; especially : sound so produced by human beings b (1) : musical sound produced by the vocal folds and resonated by the cavities of head and throat (2) : the power or ability to produce musical tones (3) : singer (4) : one of the melodic parts in a vocal or instrumental composition (5) : condition of the vocal organs with respect to production of musical tones (6) : the use of the voice (as in singing or acting) <studying voice> c : expiration of air with the vocal cords drawn close so as to vibrate audibly (as in uttering vowels and consonant sounds as \v\ or \z\) d : the faculty of utterance <lost my voice> : a sound resembling or suggesting vocal utterance : an instrument or medium of expression <the party became the voice of the workers> a : wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed <the voice of the people> b : right of expression; also : influential power : distinction of form or a system of inflections of a verb to indicate the relation of the subject of the verb to the action which the verb expresses <active and passive voices> with one voice : without dissent : unanimously He has a deep voice. "Can we speak privately?" she said in a low voice. a voice on the radio We heard voices coming from the next room. She does the voices for several cartoon characters. I shouted so much that I lost my voice. She has a terrific voice. Town meetings give people a voice in local politics. Listen to the voice of the people. Please vote and make your voices heard!

outset

: the start or beginning of something : beginning, start There have been problems with the project from the outset. From its very outset, the company has produced the highest quality products. He made it clear at the outset that he is not going to quit his job. She set high goals for herself at the outset of her career.

stratification

: the state of being divided into social classes : the state of having many layers a : the act or process of stratifying b : the state of being stratified : a stratified formation the stratification of the Earth's crust

proximity

: the state of being near : the quality or state of being proximate : closeness <the proximity of the curtains to the fireplace was a cause of concern for the safety inspector> Did You Know? The history of "proximity" hinges on the idea of closeness, both physical and metaphorical. English speakers borrowed the word from Middle French, which in turn acquired it from Latin proximitat-, proximitas, forms of the adjective proximus, meaning "nearest" or "next." A number of other languages, including Catalan, Portuguese, and Italian, derived similar words from Latin proximus. Other descendants of "proximus" in English include "proximal," "proximate," and the somewhat more rare "approximal" (meaning "contiguous"). in close proximity: near to each other <family members who live in close proximity>. —often + to <The bus stop is located in close proximity to my home.>

innocence

: the state of being not guilty of a crime or other wrong act : lack of experience with the world and with the bad things that happen in life : lack of knowledge about something a : freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness b : chastity c : freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense d (1) : freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity (2) : lack of worldly experience or sophistication e : lack of knowledge : ignorance <written in entire innocence of the Italian language — E. R. Bentley> : one that is innocent : bluet He vows that he will prove his innocence in court. the trusting innocence of childhood The age of innocence was over. in all innocence: somewhat formal : done without knowing that one's act would cause harm or be wrong in some way <I mentioned in all innocence what turned out to be a very painful topic for her.> : the whole amount, quantity, or extent of : as much as possible : every member or individual component of

autonomy

: the state of existing or acting separately from others : the power or right of a country, group, etc., to govern itself : the quality or state of being self-governing; especially : the right of self-government : self-directing freedom and especially moral independence : a self-governing state The Catalans take the matter of their language very seriously; it is an outward indication of their autonomy, of their distinction from the rest of Spain. —Polly Evans, It's Not About the Tapas, 2006 The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, become colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installed—all without the consent of the subjugated state. —Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002 The social payoff of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down approach to economic recovery. —Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002 Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence from the will of others. This way of thinking reflects just the kind of distinction—between oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a part—that Dewey considered false. —Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001 a teacher who encourages individual autonomy The territory has been granted autonomy.

zenith

: the strongest or most successful period of time : the highest point reached in the sky by the sun, moon, etc. : the point of the celestial sphere that is directly opposite the nadir and vertically above the observer — see azimuth illustration : the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body : culminating point : acme <at the zenith of his powers — John Buchan> <at the zenith of her career as a dancer> Did You Know? When you reach the zenith, you're at the top, the pinnacle, the summit, the peak. Zenith developed from Arabic terms meaning "the way over one's head," and then traveled through Old Spanish, Medieval Latin, and Middle French before arriving in English. As long ago as the 1300s, English speakers used zenith to name the highest point in the celestial heavens, directly overhead. By the 1600s, zenith was being used for other high points as well. As in our example sentence, zenith is often contrasted with nadir. In celestial contexts, the nadir is the point that is vertically downward from the observer (imagine a line going through the earth from the observer's feet and out the other side into the sky). Figuratively, nadir simply means "the lowest point."

inception

: the time at which something begins : an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement The project has been shrouded in controversy from its inception. Since its inception, the business has expanded to become a national retail chain. We'll assist you at every stage from inception to completion. Synonym Discussion of inception origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence. origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being <an investigation into the origin of baseball>. source applies more often to the point where something springs into being <the source of the Nile> <the source of recurrent trouble>. inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes <the business has been a success since its inception>. root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned <the real root of the violence>.

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> Did You Know? Apex entered English from Latin, where it originally meant "a small rod at the top of a flamen's cap." What's a flamen's cap? Flamens were priests who devoted themselves to serving just one of the many ancient Roman gods (for instance, just Jupiter or Mars). Those priests wore distinctive conical caps that English speakers dubbed "flamen's caps." Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century dramatist Ben Jonson was one of the few English writers known to have used "apex" in its flamen's-cap sense: "Upon his head a hat of delicate wool, whose top ended in a cone, and was thence called apex."

disposition

: the usual attitude or mood of a person or animal : a tendency to act or think in a particular way : a tendency to develop a disease, condition, etc. : the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: as a : administration, control b : final arrangement : settlement <the disposition of the case> c (1) : transfer to the care or possession of another (2) : the power of such transferal d : orderly arrangement (see 1dispose) a : prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination b : temperamental makeup c : the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances They move jerkily, like puppets, but have a happy disposition; they are perpetually smiling and are given to frequent paroxysms of laughter. —Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 ... the eight species of wild equids (horses and their relatives) vary greatly in disposition, even though all eight are genetically so close to each other that they will interbreed and produce healthy (though usually sterile) offspring. —Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 His father, Increase [Mather], with all his faults—his sour, depressive disposition, his open preference for England—is much more attractive. —Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987 Her easy disposition and sociability masked the intensity of her feelings. —John Edgar Wideman, Bothers and Keepers, 1984 a dog with an excellent disposition Her disposition was to always think negatively. He has a disposition toward criminal behavior. people with a genetic disposition toward a particular disease A will is a legal document that is used in the disposition of property. Synonym Discussion of disposition disposition, temperament, temper, character, personality mean the dominant quality or qualities distinguishing a person or group. disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one <a cheerful disposition>. temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization <an artistic temperament>. temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations <a resilient temper>. character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents <strength of character>. personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person <a somber personality>.

plankton

: the very small animal and plant life in an ocean, lake, etc. : the passively floating or weakly swimming usually minute animal and plant life of a body of water fish that feed mainly on plankton

bearing

: the way in which a person moves, stands, or behaves : a relation or connection : a machine part in which another part turns or slides : the manner in which one bears or comports oneself a : the act, power, or time of bringing forth offspring or fruit b : a product of bearing : crop a : an object, surface, or point that supports b : a machine part in which another part (as a journal or pin) turns or slides : a figure borne on a heraldic field : pressure, thrust a : the situation or horizontal direction of one point with respect to another or to the compass b : a determination of position c plural : comprehension of one's position, environment, or situation d : relation, connection; also : purport : the part of a structural member that rests on its supports a man of military bearing <these new facts have some bearing on the case> beyond bearing (formal) : too painful, unpleasant, etc., to be accepted or endured <a grief almost past bearing> get/find one's bearings: to find out one's position <Let's stop here and find our bearings.> —often used figuratively <Our course for new employees will help you get/find your bearings at work.> lose one's bearings: to become lost <The ship lost its bearings in the fog.> —often used figuratively <I feel I've lost my bearings and do not know what I want to do in my life.>

deportment

: the way that a person behaves, stands, and moves especially in a formal situation : the manner in which one conducts oneself : behavior The new students were instructed in proper dress and deportment. His stiff deportment matched his strict demeanor. Did You Know? Deportment evolved from the verb deport, meaning "to behave especially in accord with a code," which in turn came to us through Middle French from Latin "deportare," meaning "to carry away." (You may also know "deport" as a verb meaning "to send out of the country"; that sense is newer and is derived directly from Latin "deportare.") Deportment can simply refer to one's demeanor, or it can refer to behavior formed by breeding or training and often conforming to conventional rules of propriety: "Are you not gratified that I am so rapidly gaining correct ideas of female propriety and sedate deportment?" wrote 17-year-old Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin. Synonym Discussion of deportment bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture <a woman of regal bearing>. deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training <your deportment was atrocious>. demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior <the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter>. mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor <a mien of supreme self-satisfaction>. manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others <the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders>. carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking <the kind of carriage learned at boarding school>.

manner

: the way that something is done or happens : the way that a person normally behaves especially while with other people manners : behavior while with other people a : kind, sort <what manner of man is he> b : kinds, sorts <all manner of problems> 2 a (1) : a characteristic or customary mode of acting : custom (2) : a mode of procedure or way of acting : fashion (3) : method of artistic execution or mode of presentation : style b plural : social conduct or rules of conduct as shown in the prevalent customs <Victorian manners> c : characteristic or distinctive bearing, air, or deportment <his poised gracious manner> d plural (1) : habitual conduct or deportment : behavior <mind your manners> (2) : good manners e : a distinguished or stylish air to the manner born : fitted by or as if by birth or rearing to a particular position, role, or status She has a very forceful manner of speaking. I objected to the manner in which the decision was made. Some people have no manners. Someone should teach you some manners! He forgot his manners and reached across the table for the salt. He painted this picture in his early manner.

interplay

: the ways in which two or more things, groups, etc., affect each other when they happen or exist together : interaction <the interplay of opposing forces> the interplay between the old and the new enjoys the interplay of three very different flavors

context

: the words that are used with a certain word or phrase and that help to explain its meaning : the situation in which something happens : the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment, setting <the historical context of the war> ... it was Dickens who first used the word 'detective' in a literary context ... —John Mullan, How Novels Work, 2006 Entrepreneurship and civil freedoms depend on a context of civil order, predictability, and individual security. —Susan L. Woodward, Balkan Tragedy, 1995 ... the old building, its original acre, inside its high outer wall, was immune to change, out of context and out of time. —Harriet Doerr, The Tiger in the Grass, 1995 We need to look at the event within the larger context of world history. The book puts these events in their proper historical and social contexts. We need to consider these events in context.

circumspect

: thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something : careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent <diplomacy required a circumspect response> <she has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse> Synonym Discussion of circumspect cautious, circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk. cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger <a cautious driver>. circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding <circumspect in his business dealings>. wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it <keeps a wary eye on the competition>. chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely <chary of signing papers without having read them first>.

proliferation

: to increase in number or amount quickly : to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring : to increase in number as if by proliferating : multiply : to cause to grow by proliferating : to cause to increase in number or extent as if by proliferating <rumors about the incident proliferated on the Internet> Did You Know? Proliferate came about in 1873 as a back-formation of "proliferation." That means that "proliferation" came first (we borrowed it from French in the 1850s) and was later shortened to form the verb "proliferate." Ultimately these terms come from Latin. The French adjective prolifère ("reproducing freely") comes from the Latin noun proles and the Latin combining form "-fer." Proles means "offspring" or "descendants," and -fer means "bearing." Both of these Latin forms gave rise to numerous other English words. "Prolific" and "proletarian" ultimately come from "proles"; "aquifer" and words ending in "-ferous" have their roots in "-fer."

further

: to or at a more distant place or time : to a greater degree or extent : in addition to what has been said : farther 1 <my ponies are tired, and I have further to go — Thomas Hardy> : in addition : moreover : to a greater degree or extent <further annoyed by a second intrusion> Usage Discussion of further Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used <our techniques can be further refined>. Further is also used as a sentence modifier <further, the workshop participants were scarcely optimistic — L. B. Mayhew>, but farther is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning of distance <the farther shore> and further the meaning of addition <needed no further invitation>. The town, such as it is, is one of those Northwest places that look like the outskirts of somewhere bigger, further down the road, but turn out to be all there is. —Jonathan Raban, New York Review of Books, 26 Mar. 2009 The Russian artillery fire and bombs are reaching further into the southern sections of the city ... —Alessandra Stanley, New York Times, 17 Jan. 1995 ... her example gave me courage to develop my own voice further. —Rita Dove, Essence, May 1995 We need to look back further into the past to find the cause of these problems. I've never been further west than St. Louis. Their house is further up the street. We need to research further into this matter. The police have been reluctant to take their investigation any further. "They are not our friends." "I would go even further and say they are our enemies." I had enough money to invest. I realized, further, that the risk was small.

farther

: to or at or to a more distant place or time or a more advanced point : at or to a greater distance or more advanced point <got no farther than the first page> <nothing could be farther from the truth> : to a greater degree or extent <see to it that I do not have to act any farther in the matter — Bernard DeVoto> Usage Discussion of farther Farther and further have been used more or less interchangeably throughout most of their history, but currently they are showing signs of diverging. As adverbs they continue to be used interchangeably whenever spatial, temporal, or metaphorical distance is involved. But where there is no notion of distance, further is used <our techniques can be further refined>. Further is also used as a sentence modifier <further, the workshop participants were scarcely optimistic — L. B. Mayhew>, but farther is not. A polarizing process appears to be taking place in their adjective use. Farther is taking over the meaning of distance <the farther shore> and further the meaning of addition <needed no further invitation>. It's farther away than I'd thought. <they had traveled farther down the Colorado River than any previous explorers> : more distant : more distant : remoter <the farther side of town> : further <clearing his throat preparatory to farther revelations — Edith Wharton> the farther side of town <for farther information on this condition, you should consult your family physician>

lateral

: toward, on, or coming from the side : of or relating to the side : situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side : extending from side to side <the lateral axis of an airplane> : produced with passage of breath around the side of a constriction formed with the tongue <\l\ is lateral> the lateral force of an earthquake <from the lateral view you can see how thick the wall really is> American football : a pass thrown to the side or backward : a branch from the main part (as in an irrigation or electrical system) : a pass in football thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or in a direction away from the opponent's goal : a lateral speech sound

folklore

: traditional customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings : ideas or stories that are not true but that many people have heard or read : traditional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people : a branch of knowledge that deals with folklore : an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated The coyote appears in a great deal of Native American folklore. the rich folklore of Louisiana He can't tell the difference between fact and folklore.

implicit

: understood though not clearly or directly stated : not affected by doubt a : capable of being understood from something else though unexpressed : implied <an implicit assumption> b : involved in the nature or essence of something though not revealed, expressed, or developed : potential <a sculptor may see different figures implicit in a block of stone — John Dewey> c of a mathematical function : defined by an expression in which the dependent variable and the one or more independent variables are not separated on opposite sides of an equation — compare explicit 4 : being without doubt or reserve : unquestioning <an implicit trust> This assumption, implicit in innumerable statements by President Reagan ... dictates most of our current political and military programs. —Henry Steele Commager, Atlantic, March 1982 ... in the best stories the end is implicit from the beginning. —Joan Aiken, The Writer, May 1968 The goodness and strength implicit within Pen unfold but slowly. —John DeBruyn, LIT, Spring 1966 The movies borrowed from other arts on the way to finding methods implicit in their medium. —Bernard DeVoto, The World of Fiction, 1950 There is a sense of moral duty implicit in her writings. I have implicit trust in her honesty.

remarkable

: unusual or surprising : likely to be noticed : worthy of being or likely to be noticed especially as being uncommon or extraordinary Competing in the Olympics is a remarkable achievement. The girl has a remarkable talent. Synonym Discussion of remarkable noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation <a piano recital with no noticeable errors>. remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment <a film of remarkable intelligence and wit>. prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background <a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town>. outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind <honored for her outstanding contributions to science>. conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind <conspicuous bureaucratic waste>. salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it <the salient points of the speech>. striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision <the region's striking poverty>.

systematic

: using a careful system or method : done according to a system : relating to or consisting of a system : presented or formulated as a coherent body of ideas or principles <systematic thought> a : methodical in procedure or plan <a systematic approach> <a systematic scholar> b : marked by thoroughness and regularity <systematic efforts> : of, relating to, or concerned with classification; specifically : taxonomic We used a systematic approach to solve the problem. She made a systematic study of the evidence. the systematic production of cars

lucid

: very clear and easy to understand : able to think clearly a : suffused with light : luminous b : translucent <snorkeling in the lucid sea> : having full use of one's faculties : sane : clear to the understanding : intelligible His lucid history of this grim subject is scrupulously accurate, so far as I am able to judge ... —Richard A. Posner, New Republic, 8 Apr 2002 "You would like me to read to you?" "You would oblige me greatly by doing so, Dorothea," said Mr. Casaubon, with a shade more meekness than usual in his polite manner. "I am wakeful: my mind is remarkably lucid." —George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872 The atmosphere, seen through a short space of half or three-quarters of a mile, was perfectly lucid, but at a greater distance all colours were blended into a most beautiful haze ... —Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, 1839 The stroke also set off a major crisis of presidential succession, as the debilitated and not entirely lucid president continued to cling to office and plan feebly for re-election. —Beverly Gage New York Times Book Review, 13 Dec 2009 He is able to recognize his wife in his lucid moments. <those lucid bands that spread across the arctic sky and are known as the northern lights> Did You Know? It's easy enough to shed some light on the origins of "lucid" - it derives, via the Latin adjective lucidus, meaning "shining," from the Latin verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." "Lucid" has been used by English speakers since at least the late 16th century. Although it once meant merely "filled with light" or "shining," it has developed extended senses describing someone whose mind is clear or something with a clear meaning. Other shining examples of "lucēre" descendants include "translucent," "lucent" ("glowing"), and the somewhat rarer "relucent" ("reflecting light" or "shining"). Even the word light itself derives from the same ancient word that led to "lucēre." Synonym Discussion of lucid clear, transparent, translucent, limpid mean capable of being seen through. clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness <clear water>. transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly <a transparent sheet of film>. translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond <translucent frosted glass>. limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water <her eyes were limpid pools of blue>. clear, perspicuous, lucid mean quickly and easily understood. clear implies freedom from obscurity, ambiguity, or undue complexity <clear instructions>. perspicuous applies to a style that is simple and elegant as well as clear <a perspicuous style>. lucid suggests a clear logical coherence and evident order of arrangement <a lucid explanation>.

virtual

: very close to being something without actually being it : existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet : being such in essence or effect though not formally recognized or admitted <a virtual dictator> : of, relating to, or using virtual memory : of, relating to, or being a hypothetical particle whose existence is inferred from indirect evidence <virtual photons> — compare real 3 : being on or simulated on a computer or computer network <print or virtual books> <a virtual keyboard>: as a : occurring or existing primarily online <virtual shopping> b : of, relating to, or existing within a virtual reality <a virtual tour> The Web site provides a virtual tour of the stadium.

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 Synonym Discussion of resolute 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>.

conspicuous

: very easy to see or notice : attracting attention by being great or impressive : obvious to the eye or mind <conspicuous changes> : attracting attention : striking <a conspicuous success> : marked by a noticeable violation of good taste Conspicuous species of large organisms with small populations are vulnerable—and several fishes and marine mammals, including Steller's sea cow, have succumbed. —Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, June 1991 Its most conspicuous feature was knee breeches, which showed off his well-turned legs and feet. —Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1984 There were a number of conspicuous changes to the building. The sign was placed in a very conspicuous spot. The bird has a conspicuous red head. She felt very conspicuous in her pink coat. He was uncomfortable about his conspicuous weight gain. The business was a conspicuous success. Synonym Discussion of conspicuous noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation <a piano recital with no noticeable errors>. remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment <a film of remarkable intelligence and wit>. prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background <a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town>. outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind <honored for her outstanding contributions to science>. conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind <conspicuous bureaucratic waste>. salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it <the salient points of the speech>. striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision <the region's striking poverty>.

eager

: very excited and interested : feeling a strong and impatient desire to do something or for something a archaic : sharp b obsolete : sour : marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest ... wine connoisseurs eager to visit cellars and late-fall pilgrims seeking the increasingly rare white truffle ... —Corby Kummer, Atlantic, August 2000 ... so many religions were steeped in an absolutist frame of mind—each convinced that it alone had a monopoly on the truth and therefore eager for the state to impose this truth on others. —Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, 1996 She was eager to get started. The crowd was eager for more. Synonym Discussion of eager eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.

exponential

: very fast : increasingly rapid mathematics : including or using an exponent : of or relating to an exponent : involving a variable in an exponent <10x is an exponential expression> : expressible or approximately expressible by an exponential function; especially : characterized by or being an extremely rapid increase (as in size or extent) <an exponential growth rate> The business has experienced several years of exponential growth. Prices have increased at an exponential rate. 103 is an exponential expression.

integral

: very important and necessary a : essential to completeness : constituent <an integral part of the curriculum> b (1) : being, containing, or relating to one or more mathematical integers (2) : relating to or concerned with mathematical integration or the results of mathematical integration c : formed as a unit with another part <a seat with integral headrest> : composed of constituent parts : lacking nothing essential : entire I do know that shoot-'em-ups (and saw-'em-ups) are likely to remain part of our lives, and that suggests a depressing idea: Maybe the love of violence is an integral part of human nature... —Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Oct. 2007 Stuffed with peanut butter, celery is the quintessential after-school snack; diced, it provides an essential crunch to chicken and potato salads; buttered up, it is an integral part of Thanksgiving stuffing. —Sara Dickerman, New York Times Magazine, 3 Sept. 2006 Sitting out on the grass ... watching the freight trains roll by on the levee at two in the morning, drinking a beer and listening to the music drifting out of the club, is an integral part of the whole experience. —Tom Piazza, Why New Orleans Matters, 2005 She had become an integral part of their lives. <a car dealer respected for his integral honesty and straightforwardness with customers> : the result of a mathematical integration — compare definite integral, indefinite integral The main tools used in the study of these functions are those we have already discussed: representation as integrals, power-series expansions, and differential equations. —Robert S. Strichartz, The Way of Analysis, 2000

urgent

: very important and needing immediate attention : showing that something is very important and needs immediate attention a : calling for immediate attention : pressing <urgent appeals> <an urgent need> b : conveying a sense of urgency : urging insistently : importunate We've come to deliver an urgent message. an urgent appeal for assistance He addressed us in an urgent manner. An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.

palatial

: very large and impressive : like a palace : of, relating to, or being a palace : suitable to a palace : magnificent pa·la·tial·ly play \-shə-lē\ adverb

solemn

: very serious or formal in manner, behavior, or expression : sad and serious : done or made sincerely : marked by the invocation of a religious sanction <a solemn oath> : marked by the observance of established form or ceremony; specifically : celebrated with full liturgical ceremony a : awe-inspiring : sublime <solemn beauty> b : marked by grave sedateness and earnest sobriety <a solemn gathering> c : somber, gloomy <a solemn gray building> The women running the office where I was given immunizations and completed more paperwork said they had a young friend back in the District who would love my British accent. They were going to call her this very instant, they teased, and then I'd have a companion for the evening. They also talked in more solemn tones about all the brave men and women who came through the base and then shipped off to Iraq. —Willem Marx, Harper's, September 2006 Caesar was slaughtered in a sanctified space, his body was sacrosanct since he held the position of supreme pontiff, and his assassins had recently taken a solemn oath to protect his life with their own. Yet none of this seems to have figured prominently in the charges that were laid against his killers. —Robert Garland, History Today, February 2004 The testimony may well have had serious judicial consequences, even lethal ones, but its style is so glum and flat-footed that it gives an impression not of solemn majesty but of grotesque comedy ... —Jonathan Ree, Times Literary Supplement, 13 Aug. 2004 To the vast majority of people in this Muslim nation of 145 million, Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, not war and hatred. It requires that women dress modestly, but not make themselves invisible. Its mosques are solemn and silent, but its shrines are relaxed and colorful. Its liturgy says Islam should be spread by persuasion, not by force ... —Pamela Constable, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2001 He spoke in a solemn and thoughtful manner. He wore a very solemn expression on his face. He recited the poem in a solemn voice. A solemn crowd gathered around the grave. We made a solemn promise to love each other forever. Synonym Discussion of solemn serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters <a serious play about social injustice>. grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude <read the proclamation in a grave voice>. solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity <a sad and solemn occasion>. sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness <remained sedate amid the commotion>. staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint <a quiet and staid community>. sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity <a sober look at the state of our schools>. earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose <an earnest reformer>.

slightly

: very small in degree or amount : thin and not very strong or muscular a : having a slim or delicate build : not stout or massive in body b : lacking in strength or substance : flimsy, frail c : deficient in weight, solidity, or importance : trivial <a slight movie> : small of its kind or in amount <a slight chance> <a slight odor of gas> There is a slight chance of rain. Her head is tilted at a slight angle in the picture. If you have even the slightest doubt, then don't do it. Synonym Discussion of slight thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance <thin wire> <a thin soup>. slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion <the slender legs of a Sheraton chair>. slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness <a slim volume of poetry> <a slim chance>. slight implies smallness as well as thinness <a slight build>. tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness <a tenuous thread>.

ingenious

: very smart or clever : having or showing ingenuity obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment : having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving <an ingenious detective> : marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution <an ingenious contraption> How many dog-size bathrobes (an ingenious device) are out there? —David Colman, Vogue, April 2001 ... spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques ... the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data ... —Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999 ... an ingenious method of checking errors ... —W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982 The book has an ingenious plot. She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly. It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely. Synonym Discussion of ingenious clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude <a person clever with horses>. adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties <an adroit negotiator>. cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating <a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects>. ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something <an ingenious software engineer>.

unearthly

: very strange, unnatural, and frightening : unreasonably early or late : not earthly: as a : not mundane : ideal <unearthly love> b : not terrestrial <unearthly radio sources> c : preternatural, supernatural <an unearthly light> d : weird, eerie <unearthly howls> e : absurd, ungodly <gets up at an unearthly hour> We left at the unearthly time of 5:00 a.m. <an unearthly knack for picking winning lottery numbers> unearthly hour/time British : unreasonably early or late <She was up at an/some unearthly hour.> <We left at the unearthly time of 4:00 a.m.>

rigorous

: very strict and demanding : done carefully and with a lot of attention to detail : difficult to endure because of extreme conditions : manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict a : marked by extremes of temperature or climate b : harsh, severe : scrupulously accurate : precise rigorous enforcement of the rules a rigorous course of study We subjected the data to a rigorous analysis. Synonym Discussion of rigorous rigid, rigorous, strict, stringent mean extremely severe or stern. rigid implies uncompromising inflexibility <rigid rules of conduct>. rigorous implies the imposition of hardship and difficulty <the rigorous training of recruits>. strict emphasizes undeviating conformity to rules, standards, or requirements <strict enforcement of the law>. stringent suggests severe, tight restriction or limitation <stringent standards of admission>.

abrupt

: very sudden and not expected : talking to other people in a very brief and unfriendly way : rudely brief a : characterized by or involving action or change without preparation or warning : unexpected <came to an abrupt stop> <an abrupt turn> <an abrupt decision to retire> b : unceremoniously curt <an abrupt manner> c : lacking smoothness or continuity <an abrupt transition> : giving the impression of being cut or broken off; especially : involving a sudden steep rise or drop <abrupt hills> <a high abrupt bank bounded the stream> There was an abrupt change in the weather. The road came to an abrupt end. The storm caused an abrupt power failure. She has an abrupt manner. Did You Know? We'll break it to you gently: abrupt derives from "abruptus," the past participle of the Latin verb abrumpere, meaning "to break off." "Abrumpere" combines the prefix ab- with "rumpere," which means "break" and which forms the basis for several other words in English that suggest a kind of breaking, such as "interrupt," "rupture," and "bankrupt." Whether being used to describe a style of speaking that seems rudely short (as in "gave an abrupt answer"), something with a severe rise or drop ("abrupt climate change"), or something that seems rash and unprecipitated ("made the abrupt decision to quit college"), "abrupt," which first appeared in English in the 16th century, implies a kind of jarring unexpectedness that catches people off guard. Synonym Discussion of abrupt 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>. 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>.

credential

: warranting credit or confidence —used chiefly in the phrase credential letters : a quality, skill, or experience that makes a person suited to do a job : a document which shows that a person is qualified to do a particular job : something that gives a title to credit or confidence; also : qualification 3a plural : testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official power : certificate, diploma My experience as a manager is my strongest credential.

precipitation

: water that falls to the ground as rain, snow, etc. : the process of separating a solid substance from a liquid : the quality or state of being precipitate : hastiness : an act, process, or instance of precipitating; especially : the process of forming a precipitate : something precipitated: as a : a deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow; also : the quantity of water deposited b : precipitate The weather forecast calls for some sort of frozen precipitation tomorrow—either snow or sleet. a 50 percent chance of precipitation Minerals are separated from the seawater by precipitation.

complaisant

: willing or eager to please other people : easily convinced to do what other people want : marked by an inclination to please or oblige : tending to consent to others' wishes Did You Know? The homophones "complaisant" and "complacent" are often confused - and no wonder. Not only do they look and sound alike, but they also both derive ultimately from Latin complacēre, meaning "to please greatly." "Complacent" usually means "self-satisfied" or "unconcerned," but it also shares with "complaisant" the sense of "marked by an inclination to please or oblige." This sense of "complacent" is an old one, but that hasn't kept language critics from labeling it as an error - and on the whole, modern writers do prefer "complaisant" for this meaning. Conversely, "complaisant" is sometimes mistakenly used in contexts such as "complaisant about injustices," where "complacent," with its sense of "marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies," should go. One aid is to remember that with the preposition "about," you probably want "complacent." Synonym Discussion of complaisant amiable, good-natured, obliging, complaisant mean having the desire or disposition to please. amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with <an amiable teacher not easily annoyed>. good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon <a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in>. obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful <our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room>. complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness <was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair>.

receptive

: willing to listen to or accept ideas, suggestions, etc. : able or inclined to receive; especially : open and responsive to ideas, impressions, or suggestions a of a sensory end organ : fit to receive and transmit stimuli b : sensory of a female animal : willing to copulate with a male <a receptive mare> I was happy to be speaking before such a receptive audience. <needed a partner who was receptive to new ways of managing the business>

incognito

: with your true identity kept secret (as by using a different name or a disguise) : with one's identity concealed Did You Know? The ancient Greeks and Romans knew that there were times when you didn't want to be recognized. For example, a myth tells how Zeus and Hermes visited a village incognito and asked for lodging. The apparently penniless travelers were turned away from every household except that of a poor elderly couple named Baucis and Philemon, who provided a room and a feast despite their own poverty. The Romans had a word that described someone or something unknown (like the gods in the tale): incognitus, a term that is the ancestor of our modern incognito. : one appearing or living incognito : the state or assumed identity of one living or traveling incognito or incognita

solitary

: without anyone or anything else : not involving or including anyone or anything else : done by a person who is alone : separate from other people or things a : being, living, or going alone or without companions b : saddened by isolation : unfrequented, desolate <a solitary seashore> a : taken, passed, or performed without companions <a solitary ramble> b : keeping a prisoner apart from others <solitary confinement> : being at once single and isolated <a solitary example> a : occurring singly and not as part of a group or cluster <flowers terminal and solitary> b : not gregarious, colonial, social, or compound <solitary bees> He took a solitary walk on the beach. A solitary house stood on top of the cliff. Most cats are solitary creatures. He's a very solitary man. Synonym Discussion of solitary alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome, lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others. alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms <everyone needs to be alone sometimes>. solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course <glorying in the calm of her solitary life> but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss <left solitary by the death of his wife>. lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship <felt lonely and forsaken>. lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy <an only child often leads a lonesome life>. lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone <a lone robin pecking at the lawn>. forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear <a forlorn lost child>. desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement <desolate after her brother's death>.

temporal

a : of or relating to time as opposed to eternity b : of or relating to earthly life c : lay or secular rather than clerical or sacred : civil <lords temporal> : of or relating to grammatical tense or a distinction of time a : of or relating to time as distinguished from space b : of or relating to the sequence of time or to a particular time : chronological The struggle of the dispersed Tibetan people is made all the more newsworthy by the nonviolent emphasis of their spiritual and temporal leader, the Nobel Peace laureate Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in Dharamsala, India. —Flynne Bachleda, Publisher's Weekly, 15 Aug. 1994 By eschewing history and politics, The Last Train From Madrid leeches war of its particular temporal context, providing an eight-year-old with his first glimpse of war as eternal anonymous suffering. —Donald Hall, Harper's, May 1991 ... each in their own way wanted an authority which could both uphold the law and maintain the order of society; once the first age was over, the consequence of this was the de facto separation between those who maintained the law ... and the men of the sword who had the power to enforce temporal order. —Albert Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples, 1991 The history of life is not a continuum of development, but a record punctuated by brief, sometimes geologically instantaneous, episodes of mass extinction and subsequent diversification. The geological time scale maps this history, for fossils provide our chief criterion in fixing the temporal order of rocks. —Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life, 1989 : a bodily part (as a bone or muscle) that is near the temples or the sides of the skull behind the orbits : a temporal part

basal

a : relating to, situated at, or forming the base b : arising from the base of a stem <basal leaves> a : of or relating to the foundation, base, or essence : fundamental b : of, relating to, or being essential for maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism : minimal <a basal diet> c : used for teaching beginners <basal readers> <she clearly lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic>

illustration

a : the action of illustrating : the condition of being illustrated b archaic : the action of making illustrious or honored or distinguished : something that serves to illustrate: as a : an example or instance that helps make something clear b : a picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive The illustration on page 30 shows the parts of an engine. a book with many photographs and illustrations The illustrations that he provided in his speech were very effective. They selected photographs to use for the illustration of the book. Illustration is the key to good communication. Synonym Discussion of illustration instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain <an instance of history repeating itself>. case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with <a case of mistaken identity>. illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement <a telling illustration of Murphy's Law>. example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case <a typical example of bureaucratic waste>. sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities <show us a sample of your work>. specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available <one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art>.

ken

a : the range of vision b : sight, view <'tis double death to drown in ken of shore — Shakespeare> : the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge <abstract words that are beyond the ken of young children — Lois M. Rettie> Did You Know? Ken appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century as a term of measurement of the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea - about 20 miles. British author John Lyly used that sense in 1580 when he wrote, "They are safely come within a ken of Dover." Other 16th-century writers used "ken" to mean "range of vision" ("Out of ken we were ere the Countesse came from the feast." - Thomas Nashe) or "sight" ("'Tis double death to drown in ken of shore." - Shakespeare). Today, however, "ken" rarely suggests literal sight. Rather, "ken" nowadays almost always implies a range of comprehension, understanding, or knowledge. beyond someone's ken: not within the range of what someone knows or understands <These changes occurred for reasons that are beyond my ken.>

assumption

a : the taking up of a person into heaven b capitalized : August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary : a taking to or upon oneself <the assumption of a new position> : the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something <the assumption of power> : arrogance, pretension a : an assuming that something is true b : a fact or statement (as a proposition, axiom, postulate, or notion) taken for granted : the taking over of another's debts I made the assumption that he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up. He will come home tomorrow. At least, that's my assumption. Many scientific assumptions about Mars were wrong. I'm telling you our arrival time on the assumption that you will check to see whether or not our flight is on time before you come to the airport. Her plan is based on the underlying assumption that the economy will improve in the near future. her assumption of the presidency the buyer's assumption of debt on/under/with the assumption: : as though one knows : in the belief <We are operating on/under/with the assumption that the loan will be approved.>

consistency

a archaic : condition of adhering together : firmness of material substance b : firmness of constitution or character : persistency : degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation of constituent particles <boil the juice to the consistency of a thick syrup> a : agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole : correspondence; specifically : ability to be asserted together without contradiction b : harmony of conduct or practice with profession <followed her own advice with consistency> His statements on this subject have lacked consistency. Customers expect consistency in the quality of service they receive. Practice will ensure greater consistency of performance. The paints vary in consistency.

species

biology : a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus : a particular group of things or people that belong together or have some shared quality a : kind, sort b : a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name; specifically : a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class <confessing sins in species and in number> c : the human race : human beings —often used with the <survival of the species in the nuclear age> d (1) : a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name (2) : an individual or kind belonging to a biological species e : a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion : the consecrated eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Eucharist a : a mental image; also : a sensible object b : an object of thought correlative with a natural object There are approximately 8,000 species of ants. All European domestic cattle belong to the same species. laws that protect endangered species

receptor

biology : a nerve ending that senses changes in light, temperature, pressure, etc., and causes the body to react in a particular way : receiver: as a : a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ b : a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

fauna

biology : all the animals that live in a particular area, time period, or environment : animal life; especially : the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment — compare flora studying the diverse fauna of the island studying the faunas of different islands

flora

biology : all the plants that live in a particular area, time, period, or environment : a treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period : plant or bacterial life; especially : such life characteristic of a region, period, or special environment <fossil flora> <intestinal flora> — compare fauna an amazing variety of coastal flora the floras of different coastal regions

nucleus

biology : the central part of most cells that contains genetic material and is enclosed in a membrane physics : the central part of an atom that is made up of protons and neutrons : a central or most important part of something a : the small bright body in the head of a comet b : the small brighter and denser portion of a galaxy : a central point, group, or mass about which gathering, concentration, or accretion takes place: as a : a cellular organelle of eukaryotes that is essential to cell functions (as reproduction and protein synthesis), is composed of nucleoplasm and a nucleoprotein-rich network from which chromosomes and nucleoli arise, and is enclosed in a definite membrane — see cell illustration b : a mass of gray matter or group of cell bodies of neurons in the central nervous system c : a characteristic and stable complex of atoms or groups in a molecule; especially : ring <the naphthalene nucleus> d : the positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and usually neutrons : the peak of sonority in the utterance of a syllable : a basic or essential part : core <players who are the nucleus of the team> <a college campus that was a nucleus of opposition to the war> <the nucleus of the movement's methodology has always been passive resistance>

symbiosis

biology : the relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other : a relationship between two people or groups that work with and depend on each other : the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism); especially : mutualism : a cooperative relationship (as between two persons or groups) <the symbiosis...between the resident population and the immigrants — John Geipel> The bird lives in symbiosis with the hippopotamus. Their professional association was one of symbiosis. Did You Know? Symbiosis was adopted by the scientific community in the late 1800s, though it had appeared in English in a non-scientific sense as far back as 1622. When a biological symbiosis is mutually beneficial, it is termed "mutualism." For example, when the yucca moth lays her eggs in the seed pods of the yucca, she acts as pollinator, and when the larvae hatch they feed on some, but not all, of the seeds. When one organism lives off another at the other's expense, it's called "parasitism." Either way, living together is what "symbiosis" is all about; the word came to us, via German and New Latin, from the Greek symbiōsis, meaning "state of living together." "Symbiōsis," in turn, traces to "symbios" ("living together"), a combination of syn-, meaning "with," and bios, meaning "life."

simile

grammar : a phrase that uses the words like or as to describe someone or something by comparing it with someone or something else that is similar : a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses) — compare metaphor But Dickens finds the unexpected detail, the vivid simile. Think of Joe Gargery in Great Expectations, "with eyes of such a very undecided blue that they seemed to have somehow got mixed with their own whites." Or, in David Copperfield, Dora's cousin "in the Life-Guards, with such long legs that he looked like the afternoon shadow of somebody else." —James Wood, New Republic, 14 Dec. 1998 After the internship year, doctors assume greater responsibility for directing patient care. Dr. Shockcor at West Virginia offered a homely simile: "It's like working in a factory, putting doors on cars. I'm now responsible that the doors get put on right, whereas as an intern I had to make sure I had a door in my hands and didn't miss a car going by." —Michael Harwood, New York Times Magazine, 3 June1984 "She's as fierce as a tiger" is a simile, but "She's a tiger when she's angry" is a metaphor. What do you think of the author's use of simile?

conjunction

grammar : a word that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words : a situation in which two or more things happen at the same time or in the same place : the act or an instance of conjoining : the state of being conjoined : combination <working in conjunction with state and local authorities> : occurrence together in time or space : concurrence a : the apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac b : a configuration in which two celestial bodies have their least apparent separation : an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words : a complex sentence in logic true if and only if each of its components is true — see truth table table Some common conjunctions are "and," "but," and "although." <the conjunction of the two major highways creates a massive influx of cars into the city> in conjunction with (formal): in combination with : together with <The concert will be held in conjunction with the festival.> <The medicine is typically used in conjunction with other treatments.> subordinating conjunction

predicate

grammar : the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject a : something that is affirmed or denied of the subject in a proposition in logic b : a term designating a property or relation : the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said of the subject and that usually consists of a verb with or without objects, complements, or adverbial modifiers In the sentence "The child threw the ball," the subject is "the child" and the predicate is "threw the ball."

morphology

linguistics : the study and description of how words are formed in language biology : the study of the form and structure of animals and plants : the form and structure of a plant or animal or any of its parts a : a branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of animals and plants b : the form and structure of an organism or any of its parts a : a study and description of word formation (as inflection, derivation, and compounding) in language b : the system of word-forming elements and processes in a language a : a study of structure or form b : structure, form : the external structure of rocks in relation to the development of erosional forms or topographic features : a branch of biology that deals with the form and structure of animals and plants especially with respect to the forms, relations, metamorphoses, and phylogenetic development of organs apart from their functions—see anatomy 1; compare physiology 1 : the form and structure of an organism or any of its parts

chronic

medical : continuing or occurring again and again for a long time : happening or existing frequently or most of the time : always or often doing something specified a : marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute <chronic indigestion> <chronic experiments> b : suffering from a chronic disease <the special needs of chronic patients> a : always present or encountered; especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <chronic petty warfare> b : being such habitually <a chronic grumbler> He suffers from chronic arthritis. a chronic need for attention Inflation has become a chronic condition in the economy. Don't bother seeing that film—it's chronic. Synonym Discussion of chronic inveterate, confirmed, chronic mean firmly established. inveterate applies to a habit, attitude, or feeling of such long existence as to be practically ineradicable or unalterable <an inveterate smoker>. confirmed implies a growing stronger and firmer with time so as to resist change or reform <a confirmed bachelor>. chronic suggests something that is persistent or endlessly recurrent and troublesome <a chronic complainer>.

respiration

medical : the act or process of breathing a : the placing of air or dissolved gases in intimate contact with the circulating medium of a multicellular organism (as by breathing) b : a single complete act of breathing : the physical and chemical processes by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions : any of various energy-yielding oxidative reactions in living matter The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.

norm

norms : standards of proper or acceptable behavior the norm : an average level of development or achievement the norm : something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or expected : an authoritative standard : model : a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior : average: as a : a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median achievement of a large group b : a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group c : a widespread or usual practice, procedure, or custom <standing ovations became the norm> a : a real-valued nonnegative function defined on a vector space with value analogous to length and satisfying the conditions that the function is zero if and only if the vector is zero, the function of the product of a scalar and a vector is equal to the product of the absolute value of the scalar and the function of the vector, and the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of the functions of the two vectors; specifically : the square root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the elements of a matrix or of the components of a vector b : the greatest distance between two successive points of a set of points that partition an interval into smaller intervals She scored well above the norm in math. Smaller families have become the norm. Women used to stay at home to take care of the children, but that's no longer the norm. Synonym Discussion of norm average, mean, median, norm mean something that represents a middle point. average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures <scored an average of 85 on tests>. mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes <a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°>. median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below <average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars>. norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade <scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic>.

figurative

of words, language, etc. : used with a meaning that is different from the basic meaning and that expresses an idea in an interesting way by using language that usually describes something else : not literal : showing people and things in a way that resembles how they really look : not abstract a : representing by a figure or resemblance : emblematic b : of or relating to representation of form or figure in art <figurative sculpture> a : expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another with which it may be regarded as analogous : metaphorical <figurative language> b : characterized by figures of speech <a figurative description> The phrase "know your ropes" means literally "to know a lot about ropes," while its figurative meaning is "to know a lot about how to do something." <the figurative use of "allergy" to mean "a feeling of dislike">

latent

used to describe something (such as a disease) that exists but is not active or cannot be seen : present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic <a latent infection> On the ground in Afghanistan there is some latent, if wary, gratitude for American aid over the years, but no one expects to build a foundation for the Taliban's downfall on a couple of million rice cakes. —Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001 There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed. —Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910 Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy. —Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850 <he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet> Synonym Discussion of latent latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence. latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop <a latent desire for success>. dormant suggests the inactivity of something (as a feeling or power) as though sleeping <their passion had lain dormant>. quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity <the disease was quiescent>. potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have <a potential disaster>.

reciprocal

—used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc. a : inversely related : opposite b : of, constituting, or resulting from paired crosses in which the kind that supplies the male parent of the first cross supplies the female parent of the second cross and vice versa : shared, felt, or shown by both sides : serving to reciprocate : consisting of or functioning as a return in kind <the reciprocal devastation of nuclear war> a : mutually corresponding <agreed to extend reciprocal privileges to each other's citizens> b : marked by or based on reciprocity <reciprocal trade agreements> <the two nations agreed to give reciprocal work rights to each other's citizens, thus facilitating the daily border crossings of workers from both countries> : something in a reciprocal relationship to another : either of a pair of numbers (as 2⁄3 and 3⁄2 or 9 and 1⁄9 ) whose product is one; broadly : multiplicative inverse

contiguous

—used to describe things that touch each other or are immediately next to each other : being in actual contact : touching along a boundary or at a point of angles : adjacent : next or near in time or sequence : touching or connected throughout in an unbroken sequence <contiguous row houses> And in the west, contiguous to Lebanon, was the mountain stronghold of Latakia ... —Robert D. Kaplan, Atlantic, February 1993 The Santa Monica Mountains, a sort of foot-note to the big contiguous ranges, stood off to the southwest of us, discrete and small. —John McPhee, New Yorker, 26 Sept. 1988 'I've had my men looking into the land situation ... and they think they could get us an additional thirty thousand acres, not all of it contiguous but we might make some trades.' —James A. Michener, Texas, 1985 <Connecticut and Massachusetts are contiguous states.> Did You Know? You probably won't be surprised to learn that the word contact is a relative of contiguous, but would you believe that contagion and contingent are too? All of those words derive from the Latin contingere, meaning "to have contact with." The words contact and contiguous are fairly easy to connect with contingere, but what of the other two? In its early use, contingent was a synonym of "touching," and if you remember that touching something can pollute it (and that another meaning of contingere was "to pollute"), then contagion logically ties in, too. Synonym Discussion of contiguous adjacent, adjoining, contiguous, juxtaposed mean being in close proximity. adjacent may or may not imply contact but always implies absence of anything of the same kind in between <a house with an adjacent garage>. adjoining definitely implies meeting and touching at some point or line <had adjoining rooms at the hotel>. contiguous implies having contact on all or most of one side <offices in all 48 contiguous states>. juxtaposed means placed side by side especially so as to permit comparison and contrast <a skyscraper juxtaposed to a church>.