Week 9: vocabulary (etymology)

1) Outlying adjective

Away from the center or main area

e.g. Janet is tired of city life and wants to move to an outlying suburb.

2) Survey verb

To measure and record the details of an area of land

e.g. Jeff surveyed the area to determine the best use for the land.

3) Abolish verb

To put an end to something, such as an organization, rule or custom

e.g. One of President Lincoln’s goals was to abolish slavery.

4) Restoration noun

The act or the process of returning something to its original condition, or to a state similar to its original condition

e.g. The artist had to work very hard in order to finish restoration of the classic painting.

5) Arid adjective

(of land or weather) having little rain; very dry

e.g. Claire lives in an arid climate near the desert.

6) Uprising adjective

An act of opposition by many people, sometimes using violence, against those who are in power

e.g. The government’s unpopular decision resulted in an uprising by its citizens.

7) Premier adjective

Best or most important

e.g. This airline offers premier service to its frequent passengers.

8) Imposing adjective

Noticeable because of large size, appearance or importance

e.g. The imposing castle could be seen from miles away.

9) Synonymous adjective

Having the same or nearly the same meaning

e.g. In the U.S., fall is synonymous with the changing colors of the trees.

10) Resonate verb

To be understood in a deep or emotional manner

e.g. The motivational speaker’s message resonated with the audience.

11)  Wistful adjective

Sad and thinking about something that is impossible or past

e.g. Steven thought of the wistful memories from his time in Germany.

12)  Helm verb

To control the direction in which something travels

The board of directors selected a new CEO to helm the company.

13)  Tout verb

To advertise or praise something, often to encourage its use or sale

e.g. The store owner touted his new line of vacuum cleaners.

14)  Get short shrift phrasal verb

To be treated without sympathy and given little attention

e.g. The actor got short shrift after the scandal broke.

15)  Imbue with phrasal verb

To fill something or someone with a quality or feeling

e.g. Cynthia was imbued with compassion when she saw the lost dog.

16)  Viable adjective

Able to exist, perform as intended or succeed

e.g. The company needs to find a more viable location or the business will fail.

17)  Repudiate verb

To refuse to accept or obey something or someone; reject

e.g. Carl repudiated his father’s advice and decided to take a different job.

18)  Oracle noun

Someone who knows a lot about a subject and can give good advice

e.g. Many people used to consult an oracle before making important decisions.

19)  Irrevocably adverb

In a manner that is impossible to change

e.g. Cindy’s reputation was irrevocably damaged by her arrest.

20)  Inextricably adverb

In a manner emphasizing that two things are unable to be separated, freed or escaped from

e.g. I didn’t realize I had added too many eggs until after they had been inextricably mixed into the cake better.

21)  Stoke verb

To encourage certain ideas or feelings in a lot of people

e.g. The entrepreneur tried to stoke people’s interest in his products.

22)  Relegate verb

To put something or someone into a lawyer or less important rank or position

e.g. Ryan was relegated to a position with fewer responsibilities.

23)  Hypothesis noun

An idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proven

e.g. Catherine needs to develop a strong hypothesis before she begins her research.

24)  To the fore idiom

Brought to public attention or into a noticeable position

e.g. The public protests brought the issue to the force, so politicians paid attention.

25)  Negative adjective

Something bad

Don’t just say something negative!