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COLLOQUIALadjective 1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal. 2. involving or using conversation.

Word Origin & History1751, from colloquy "a conversation" (1459), from L. colloquium "conference, conversation," from com- "together" + loqui "speak.“

Examples of COLLOQUIAL<the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way><a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful>But I think part of this pickle that we're in—if I may be colloquial, even though I'm not running for office—is that we've lost their sense of responsibility. —Sarah Vowell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2008

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MISNOMERnoun1 : the misnaming of a person in a legal instrument 2 a : a use of a wrong or inappropriate name b : a wrong name or inappropriate designation

Origin of MISNOMERMiddle English misnoumer, from Anglo-French mesnomer, from mes- mis- + nomer to name, from Latin nominare — more at nominate First Known Use: 15th century

Examples of MISNOMER“International Airport” is something of a misnomer, since almost all the arriving and departing flights are local.

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STAUNCHadjective, -er, -est. 1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person: a staunch Republican; a staunch friend. 2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty: He delivered a staunch defense of the government. 3. strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods. 4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel.

Word Origin & History1412, "impervious to water," from O.Fr. estanche "firm, watertight," fem. of estanc "dried, exhausted, wearied, vanquished," from V.L. *stanticare, probably from L. stans (gen. stantis), prp. of stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand. Sense of "strong,

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VILIFICATIONadjective, -er, -est. 1. firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person: a staunch Republican; a staunch friend. 2. characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty: He delivered a staunch defense of the government. 3. strong; substantial: a staunch little hut in the woods. 4. impervious to water or other liquids; watertight: a staunch vessel. Word Origin & Historyvilify mid-15c., "to lower in worth or value," from L.L. vilificare "to make cheap or base," from L. vilis "cheap, base" (see vile) + root of facere "to make" (see facticious). Meaning "to slander, speak evil of" is first recorded 1590s. Related: Vilified, vilifying.

Examples of VILIFICATION<warned that the constant vilification of candidates for public office was undermining the people's faith in the political system

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ATROPHYnoun 1 : decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; also : arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant 2 : a wasting away or progressive decline <was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering — Willa Cather> Origin of ATROPHYLate Latin atrophia, from Greek, from atrophos ill fed, from a- + trephein to nourish First Known Use: 1601

Examples of ATROPHYThe doctor is concerned about possible atrophy of the shoulder muscles.

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SOPHMORICAdjective 1. of or pertaining to a sophomore or sophomores. 2. suggestive of or resembling the traditional sophomore; intellectually pretentious, overconfident, conceited, etc., but immature: sophomoric questions.

Origin: 1805–15, Americanism ; sophomore + -ic

Examples of SOPHOMORICHis behavior at the party was sophomoric.Example SentencesIt is curious that an editorial page so consistently self-righteous should stoop to such a sophomoric stunt. The editors allege that the administration is trying to muzzle the sophomoric and often vulgar publication. In all these cases, it seems to have an extremely inflated sense of economic/nationalist pride that make it appear sophomoric.

Señora Kauper's Spanish classes

ARCHIVESnoun 1. Usually, archives. documents or records relating to the activities, business dealings, etc., of a person, family, corporation, association, community, or nation. 2. archives, a place where public records or other historical documents are kept. 3. any extensive record or collection of data: The encyclopedia is an archive of world history. The experience was sealed in the archive of her memory.

Origin: 1595–1605; orig., as plural < French archives  < Latin archī ( v ) a  < Greek archeîa,  orig. plural of archeîon  public office, equivalent to arch ( ḗ ) magistracy, office + -eion  suffix of place Example SentencesWhen a museum can't afford many blockbuster exhibits, the archives come into the spotlight. The collapse of communism and the opening up of archives on both sides of the iron curtain have helped. The site archives millions of strategically-selected.

Señora Kauper's Spanish classes

CLICHÉnoun 1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser,  or strong as an ox. 2. (in art, literature, drama, etc.) a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc. 3. anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.

Origin: 1825–35; < French: stereotype plate, stencil, cliché, noun use of past participle of clicher  to make such a plate, said to be imitative of the sound of the metal pressed against the matrix

Cultural Dictionarycliché definition A much used expression that has lost its freshness and descriptive power. Some clichés are “I thank you from the bottom of my heart” and “It's only a drop in the bucket.”

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INGRATEnoun 1. an ungrateful person.

Origin of INGRATELatin ingratus ungrateful, from in- + gratus grateful — more at grace

Example SentencesOnly an ingrate would question his casting decisions. Undoubtedly he is painted as a clever young man, but he is latterly a reckless flirt and an obnoxious ingrate. But heaven forbid some young ingrate exercises their right to protest against their government's actions.

Señora Kauper's Spanish classes

PROTÉGÉNoun a person under the patronage, protection, or care of someone interested in his or her career or welfare.

Origin: 1780–90; < French, noun use of past participle of protéger  to protect < Latin prōtegere. See protect

Examples of PROTÉGÉHe was a protégé of the great composer.

And you were complaining about Spanish and its accents, LOOK, Double accents [French]

reprehensible  — adj open to criticism or rebuke; blameworthy

Examples of REPREHENSIBLE<a reprehensible tyrant, who oppressed his country for decades, has finally been brought to justice> <your behavior towards the other team was truly reprehensible, so you're being suspended from the next three games>

Synonyms culpable. Antonyms praiseworthy.

[C14: from Late Latin reprehensibilis , from Latin reprehendere  to hold back, reprove; see reprehend ]

TANGENT

— n 1. a geometric line, curve, plane, or curved surface that touches

another curve or surface at one point but does not intersect it 2. tan  (of an angle) a trigonometric function that in a right-

angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to that of the adjacent side; the ratio of sine to cosine

3. the straight part on a survey line between curves 4. music  a part of the action of a clavichord consisting of a

small piece of metal that strikes the string to produce a note 5. on a tangent , at a tangent  on a completely different or

divergent course, esp of thought: to go off at a tangent — adj 6. a. of or involving a tangent b. touching at a single point 7. touching 8. almost irrelevant [

C16: from Latin phrase līnea tangēns  the touching line, from tangere  to touch]

NUANCEnoun, plural -anc·es  1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc. 2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tone

Origin: 1775–85; < French: shade, hue, equivalent to nu ( er ) to shade (literally, to cloud < Vulgar Latin *nūbāre,  derivative of *nūba,  for Latin nūbēs  cloud) + -ance -ance

KINDLEverb (used with object) 1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning. 2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter). 3. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame: He kindled their hopes of victory. 4. to light up, illuminate, or make bright: Happiness kindled her eyes. verb (used without object) 5. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame. 6. to become aroused or animated. 7. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

Origin: 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen  < Old Norse kynda;  compare Old Norse kindill  torch, candle

BIGOTnoun a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion

Origin: 1590–1600; < Middle French ( Old French: derogatory name applied by the French to the Normans), perhaps < Old English bī God  by God

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PLACIDadjective pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed: placid waters.

Origin: 1620–30; < Latin placidus calm, quiet, akin to placēre to please (orig., to calm); see -id4

Example SentencesEven placid Oman is being dragged into the row. The colonial society seems placid, prospering at a Neolithic level, with the world populated by small farming villages. His demeanor was as placid as that of a midnight watchman finishing his shift.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

ABHORverb (used with object), -horred, -hor·ring. to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.

Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English < Latin abhorrēre to shrink back from, shudder at, equivalent to ab- ab- + horrēre to bristle, tremble

Example SentencesWhile I absolutely abhor his views, he has a right to them. Nature may abhor a vacuum, but human beings abhor disorder. Uncertainty — which investors abhor — is in greater abundance.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

ENFRANCHISEverb (used with object), -chised, -chis·ing. 1. to grant a franchise to; admit to citizenship, especially to the right of voting. 2. to endow (a city, constituency, etc.) with municipal or parliamentary rights. 3. to set free; liberate, as from slavery.

Origin: 1505–15; < Middle French, Old French enfranchiss- (long stem of enfranchir to free), equivalent to en- en-1 + franch- free ( see frank1 ) + iss- -ish

Example SentencesThe effort could enfranchise millions of people who have lived in this country for years without seeking citizenship. His strategy was to create public jobs for the unemployed, enfranchise labor and expand the minimum wage. In a direct presidential election, any state that chose to enfranchise its women would have automatically doubled its clout.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

HAMPERverb (used with object) 1. to hold back; hinder; impede: A steady rain hampered the progress of the work. 2. to interfere with; curtail: The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes. Noun 1. a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover: picnic hamper; clothes hamper.

Origin: 1300–50; Middle English hampren; akin to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem1

Example SentencesAttacks by pirates are common and hamper the delivery of food aid. High winds, powerful waves and difficult currents hamper operations. His only outlets are running around his neighborhood or burrowing into the depths of the clothes hamper.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

NOXIOUSadjective 1. harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being: noxious fumes. 2. morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious: a noxious plan to spread dissension

Origin: 1605–15; < Latin noxius harmful, hurtful, injurious, equivalent to nox ( a ) harm, hurt, injury (akin to nocēre to do harm, inflict injury; see innocent) + -ius -ious

Example SentencesThese chemicals can make plants smell good or, alternately, noxious. She got him to eat his peas, whenever the noxious legume appeared on his plate, by paying him $5. The noxious gas was the result of the impact

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

BILKverb (used with object) 1. to defraud; cheat: He bilked the government of almost a million dollars. 2. to evade payment of (a debt). 3. to frustrate: a career bilked by poor health. 4. to escape from; elude: to bilk one's pursuers.noun 5. a cheat; swindler. 6. a trick; fraud; deceit.Word Origin & Historybilk 1650s, from the noun (1630s), first used as a cribbage term. Origin obscure, it was believed in 17c. to be "a word signifying nothing," perhaps of Arabic origin; but it is rather perhaps a thinned form of balk. Meaning "to defraud" is first recorded 1670s.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

ABRASIVEnoun 1. any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc.,

as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.adjective 2. tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading. 3. tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive: an abrasive personality

Origin: 1870–75; < Latin abrās ( us ) ( see abrasion) + -ive

NUANCEnoun, plural -anc·es  1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc. 2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tone

Origin: 1775–85; < French: shade, hue, equivalent to nu ( er ) to shade (literally, to cloud < Vulgar Latin *nūbāre,  derivative of *nūba,  for Latin nūbēs  cloud) + -ance -ance

KINDLEverb (used with object) 1. to start (a fire); cause (a flame, blaze, etc.) to begin burning. 2. to set fire to or ignite (fuel or any combustible matter). 3. to excite; stir up or set going; animate; rouse; inflame: He kindled their hopes of victory. 4. to light up, illuminate, or make bright: Happiness kindled her eyes. verb (used without object) 5. to begin to burn, as combustible matter, a light, fire, or flame. 6. to become aroused or animated. 7. to become lighted up, bright, or glowing, as the sky at dawn or the eyes with ardor.

Origin: 1150–1200; Middle English kindlen  < Old Norse kynda;  compare Old Norse kindill  torch, candle

BIGOTnoun a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion

Origin: 1590–1600; < Middle French ( Old French: derogatory name applied by the French to the Normans), perhaps < Old English bī God  by God

TANGENT— n 1. a geometric line, curve, plane, or curved surface that touches

another curve or surface at one point but does not intersect it 2. tan  (of an angle) a trigonometric function that in a right-

angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to that of the adjacent side; the ratio of sine to cosine

3. the straight part on a survey line between curves 4. music  a part of the action of a clavichord consisting of a

small piece of metal that strikes the string to produce a note 5. on a tangent , at a tangent  on a completely different or

divergent course, esp of thought: to go off at a tangent — adj 6. a. of or involving a tangent b. touching at a single point 7. touching 8. almost irrelevant [

C16: from Latin phrase līnea tangēns  the touching line, from tangere  to touch]

ABASEMENTabase  — vb 1. to humble or belittle (oneself, etc) 2. 2. to lower or reduce, as in rank or estimation [a'basement — n Noun 3. abasement - a low or downcast state; "each

confession brought her into an attitude of abasement“2. abasement - depriving one of self-esteem         humiliationdegradation, debasement - changing to a lower state (a less respected state)comedown - decline to a lower status or level

[Middle English abassen, from Old French abaissier : Latin ad-, ad- + Vulgar Latin *bassire (from Medieval Latin bassus, low).]

BILLOWINGn. 1. A large wave or swell of water.2. A great swell, surge, or undulating mass, as of smoke or sound.v. bil·lowed, bil·low·ing, bil·lows v.intr. 1. To surge or roll in billows.2. To swell out or bulge: sheets billowing in the breeze.v.tr. To cause to billow: wind that billowed the sails.

Word Origin & History

billow 1550s, perhaps older in dialectal use, from O.N. bylgja "a wave," from P.Gmc. *bulgjan (cf. M.H.G. bulge "billow, bag"), from PIE *bhelgh- "to swell" (see belly). Related: Billowing; billowy.

NULLIFY

verb (used with object), -fied, -fy·ing. 1. to render or declare legally void or inoperative: to nullify a contract. 2. to deprive (something) of value or effectiveness; make futile or of no consequence.

Origin: 1585–95; < Late Latin nūllificāre  to despise. See nulli-, -fy

ENIGMA

noun, plural -mas, -ma·ta  1. a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation: His disappearance is an enigma that has given rise to much speculation. 2. a person of puzzling or contradictory character: To me he has always been an enigma, one minute completely insensitive, the next moved to tears. 3. a saying, question, picture, etc., containing a hidden meaning; riddle.

Origin: 1530–40; < Latin aenigma  < Greek aínigma,  equivalent to ainik-  (stem of ainíssesthai  to speak in riddles, derivative of aînos  fable) + -ma  noun suffix of result

reprehensible  — adj open to criticism or rebuke; blameworthy

Examples of REPREHENSIBLE<a reprehensible tyrant, who oppressed his country for decades, has finally been brought to justice> <your behavior towards the other team was truly reprehensible, so you're being suspended from the next three games>

Synonyms culpable. Antonyms praiseworthy.

[C14: from Late Latin reprehensibilis , from Latin reprehendere  to hold back, reprove; see reprehend ]

BLATANT

adjective 1. brazenly obvious; flagrant: a blatant error in simple addition; a blatant lie. 2. offensively noisy or loud; clamorous: blatant radios. 3. tastelessly conspicuous: the blatant colors of the dress.

Origin: coined by Spenser in 1596; compare Latin blatīre  to babble, prate, blaterāre  to talk foolishly, babble

adjective 1. unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding. 2. stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate sinner.

Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English obdurat  < Latin obdūrātus  (past participle of obdūrāre  to harden), equivalent to ob- ob- + dūr ( us ) hard + -ātus -ate1

OBDURATE

RESCIND

verb (used with object) 1. to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal. 2. to invalidate (an act, measure, etc.) by a later action or a higher authority

Origin: 1630–40; < Latin rescindere  to tear off again, cut away, equivalent to re- re- + scindere  to tear, divide, destroy

ENSCONCE

verb (used with object),

1. to settle securely or snugly: I found her in the

library, ensconced in an armchair.

2. to cover or shelter; hide securely: He

ensconced himself in the closet in order to

eavesdrop.

verb 1. [no object, with infinitive] be quick to do

something: he hastened to refute the assertion

2. [with adverbial of direction] move or travel hurriedly: we hastened back to Paris

3. [with object] cause (something, especially something undesirable) to happen sooner than it otherwise would: this tragedy probably hastened his own death from heart disease

Origin:mid 16th century: extended form of haste, on the pattern of verbs in -en1

 

HASTEN

noun a deep cut or tear, especially in skin; a gash: he suffered lacerations to his head and face[mass noun] the action of lacerating something, especially skin.

Origin: 1590–1600; < Latin lacerātiōn-  (stem of lacerātiō ). See lacerate, -ion

 

Laceration

Adjective

1. having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible; believable: a plausible excuse; a plausible plot. 2. well-spoken and apparently, but often deceptively, worthy of confidence or trust: a plausible commentator.

Origin: 1535–45; < Latin plausibilis  deserving applause, equivalent to plaus

 

Plausible

Adjective of or like a boor; unmannered; crude; insensitive.

 

BOORISH

Synonyms coarse, uncouth, loutish, churlish. Boorish, oafish, rude, uncouth  all describe persons, acts, manners, or mannerisms that violate in some way the generally accepted canons of polite, considerate behavior.

GROSERO

TERSE TERSEAdjective 1.: smoothly elegant : polished 2 : using few words : devoid of superfluity <a terse summary>; also : short, brusque <dismissed me with a terse “no”>Examples of TERSEShe 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>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

Origin: Latin tersus clean, neat, from past participle of tergēre to wipe off

terseadjectiveterser, tersestTranslation of TERSE: lacónico, conciso, seco

OBSCUREAdjectivea : dark, dim b : shrouded in or hidden by darkness c : not clearly seen or easily distinguished : faint <obscure markings> d: not readily understood or clearly expressed; transitive verb1 : to make dark, dim, or indistinct 2 : to conceal or hide by or as if by coveringExamples of OBSCUREThe movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.The origins of the language are obscure.

Origin of OBSCUREMiddle English, from Anglo-French oscur, obscur, from Latin obscurus

AMBIVALENCENOUN1 : simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action 2 a : continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite) b : uncertainty as to which approach to follow — am·biv·a·lent \-lənt\ adjective — am·biv·a·lent·ly adverb

ambivalencia feminine•The reaction of the american public to the invasion of iraq reveals a startling ambivalence to war in contemporary times.•Clearly, the historical turn of events from non-violence to nuclear armament, suggest a deep ambivalence about mahatma gandhi's legacy.

EXEMPLIFYverb (used with object),1. to show or illustrate by example . 2. to furnish or serve as an example of: The plays of Wilde exemplify the comedy of manners. 3. Law . to transcribe or copy; make an attested copy of (a document) under seal. Origin: 1375–1425; late Middle English exemplifien  < Middle French exemplifier  < Medieval Latin exemplificāre  to copy.

Ejemplificar, ilustrar,demostrar

Examples of EXEMPLIFYHis works exemplify the taste of the period.The city's economic growth is exemplified by the many new buildings that are currently under construction.

LUCIDADJECTIVE1 a : suffused with light : luminous b : translucent <snorkeling in the lucid sea> 2 : having full use of one's faculties : sane 3 : clear to the understanding : intelligible

Origin of LUCIDLatin lucidus, from lucēre (see lucent) First Known Use: 1591

.

Lúcido, claro

•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>

ORNATEADJECTIVE / NOUNDefinition of ORNATE1 : marked by elaborate rhetoric or florid style 2 : elaborately or excessively decorated

Origin of ORNATEMiddle English ornat, from Latin ornatus, past participle of ornare to furnish, embellish; akin to Latin ordo order

.

ELABORADO, RECARGADO

Examples of ORNATE•She doesn't like ornate jewelry.•<an ornate gambling casino that is designed to look like an Italian palace>

AMBULATORYAdjective 1. of, pertaining to, or capable of walking: an ambulatory exploration of the countryside. 2. adapted for walking, as the limbs of many animals. 3. moving about or from place to place; not stationary: an ambulatory tribe. Noun 6. Also called deambulatory. Architecture . a. an aisle surrounding the end of the choir or chancel of a church. b. the covered walk of a cloister. Origin: 1615–25; < Latin ambulātōrius, equivalent to ambulā-, stem of ambulāre 1

.

Example SentencesHe was delirious for days, trying to get up when he was not ambulatory or even able to support himself sitting up. Intensive breeding for rapid growth is responsible for their ambulatory problems

CAPACIOUSAdjective

: containing or capable of containing a great deal — ca·pa·cious·ly adverb — ca·pa·cious·ness noun

Origin of CAPACIOUSLatin capac-, capax capacious, capable, from Latin capere

.

Example SentencesThat car has a capacious trunk that makes it a good choice for families.

: amplio, espacioso, de gran capacidad

DESECRATEverb (used with object), -crat·ed, -crat·ing. 1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office. 2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose. 3. to treat with sacrilege; profane

.

Example Sentences•He wonders whether the people will honor or desecrate his corpse after he dies. •Area tribes have said the project would desecrate submerged ancestral burial sites.

PRECIPITOUSAdjective 1 : very steep ▪ a precipitous slope 2 : happening in a very quick and sudden way ▪ There has been a precipitous decline/drop in home sales recently. ▪ People were shocked by his precipitous fall from political power. 3 : done too quickly and without enough thought or planning ▪ a precipitous [=precipitate] actionOrigin of PRECIPITOUSFrench précipiteux, from Middle French, from Latin precipitium precipice First Known Use: 1646

.

Señora Kauper's Spanish class

Apatheticadjective 1. having or showing little or no emotion: apathetic behavior. 2. not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive: an apathetic audience.

Example SentencesEarly in their routine at center court, the crowd seemed to be unimpressed, almost apathetic. At least they're engaged and not apathetic. The reaction among voters has been apathetic or downright hostile.