week 13

austere

ȯ-ˈstir

adjective

very plain

Middle English, Latin, Greek

Though austere, their designs bring together function with beauty, making their objects http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/lessons-in-austere-dutch-design-at-moscow-manezh/489567.html#ixzz2kkNT0C2w

This room is very simple and austere.

http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?m=200905&paged=4

esoteric

ˌe-sə-ˈter-ik

adjective

difficult to understand

Latin, Greek

An IFA has raised concerns about people being advised to move their small pension pots into esoteric, illiquid investments.

http://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news-and-analysis/pensions/ifa-raises-alarm-over-esoteric-investments-for-small-pension-pots/2003003.article

Some people find football to be an esoteric sport.

http://profootballcenter.blogspot.com/2012/07/three-best-stadiums-lambeau-field.html

facsimile

fak-ˈsi-mə-lē

noun

an accurate copy

Latin

A facsimile of a fifteenth-century manuscript, which contains the last copy of a famous medieval poem about King Arthur, has been given to The University of Lincoln by Lincoln Cathedral.

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/University-Lincoln-gifted-copy-medieval/story-20057565-detail/story.html#ixzz2kkOOj18b

Fax machines, or facsimile machines can send exact copies of documents across a country.

http://blogs.arrows3.com/sip/fax-over-ip/

grotesque

grō-ˈtesk

adjective

strange looking

Middle French, Old Italian

A French politician has slammed Britain’s “grotesque and hypocritical” immigration policies for leaving Calais overrun with migrants.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/442530/Britain-is-a-paradise-for-poor-migrants-say-angry-French

Most amoebas are grotesquely shaped.

http://www.passmyexams.co.uk/GCSE/biology/unicellular-and-multicellular-organisms.html

mesmerize

mez-mə-ˌrīz

verb

to fascinate

German

Mesmerizing, magical and imaginative, performing arts ensemble MOMIX defies categorization as easily as its dancers seem to defy gravity.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/10/31/3278550/dancers-mesmerize-with-botanica.html

Mesmerizing people is an important part of mentalism.

http://samisosablogs.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html

metamorphosis

ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs

noun

a change in form

Latin, Greek

A 6-foot-1 scorer, Appling had to embrace becoming a full-time point guard after his freshman year as part of a four-year metamorphosis that continues to this day.

http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/11/keith_appling_gets_four-year_m.html

A caterpillar turning into a butterfly is an easy example of metamorphosis.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorations/bug/libraryarticle.asp?ItemID=126&SubjectID=119&categoryID=4&SubjectName=Insects

notorious

nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs

adjective

regarded negatively

Latin

Police in California says he’s a notorious con man with a history of scamming unsuspecting victims up and down the West Coast.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Notorious-con-artist-may-be-lurking-in-Valley-231850481.html

Al Capone is a notorious gangster from the 1930s.

http://godfather.wikia.com/wiki/Al_Capone

perfunctory

pər-ˈfəŋ(k)-trē

adjective

uninterested

Latin

The writing was very perfunctory but because there were zombies in it, that grabbed my attention because zombies are hot right now.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/entertainment/movies/horror-film-to-make-u-s-debut-at-state/article_12d3fe61-3dc9-5268-b29b-e8522839b148.html

Exams sometimes seem perfunctory, like the doctor is just going through the motions.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2817764/Doctors-face-the-pain-of-pricey-car-insurance.html

provocative

prə-ˈvä-kə-tiv

adjective

attention getting

Latin

To get noticed in what Mr. Baiocco refers to as the “world of competing sorrows,” some charities now resort to provocative advertisements and unconventional marketing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/08/giving/charities-try-provocative-ads-to-attract-attention.html?_r=0

Possible job candidates need provocative resumes to be considered by employers.

http://letsgotowork.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/3-steps-to-an-attention-getting-resume/

travesty

ˈtra-və-stē

noun

a joking, disrespectful imitation

French, Latin

Everyone who has a military family member or knows anyone who is serving and protecting our nation and our freedom should be as mad as I am over this travesty.

http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letter-travesty-on-military-equipment/article_216fd2bf-2b65-5880-8954-8712cda23e9a.html

Vampires Suck is a travesty of Twilight.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1666186/

Week 12

advocate

ˈad-və-ˌkāt
verb

to promote

Middle English, Latin
And just in his first week, Dakduk found himself in the position of lobbying against policies he promoted in his previous capacity at the veterans' advocacy group.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/08/veterans-advocate-changes-jobs-and-positions

Some NC teachers planned a walkout to advocate for higher pay.

http://triangle.news14.com/content/news/701215/nc-teachers-hold-walk-in-over-gop-legislation

antipathy

an-ˈti-pə-thē
noun

strong dislike

Latin, Greek
Volunteers focused on several wards and found that many unregistered voters had antipathy toward the political process.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131101/COMM011101/311010302

The Wicked Witch of the West shows antipathy towards Dorothy.

http://www.comicvine.com/wicked-witch-of-the-west/4005-25373/

emancipate

i-ˈman(t)-sə-ˌpāt
verb

to free

Latin
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds, Have no fear for atomic energy, because none of them can stop the time.
http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Spear-to-Bakers-Biscuits-20131108

By signing the Emancipation Proclamation Lincoln freed all slaves in the US.
http://civilwardailygazette.com/2013/01/01/lincoln-issues-the-emancipation-proclamation/
 

idiosyncrasy

ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē
noun

personal habit

Greek
Personal idiosyncrasy and curiosity are part of living history, not something that can or should be avoided.
http://www.popmatters.com/review/176117-my-american-revolution-a-modern-expedition-through-historys-forgotte/

The habit of biting nails is an idiosyncrasy.
http://www.thewritingnut.com/blog-challenge/az-day-3-character-checklist/attachment/habit-male-biting-nails-400a062507/
 

imminent

ˈi-mə-nənt
adjective

likely to occur soon

Latin
The one remaining culvert on the Union Pacific causeway across the Great Salt Lake is in "imminent" peril of collapse.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57087689-78/lake-culvert-causeway-railroad.html.csp

A plane crash is imminent here.
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/arcticpuppy/4072474918/
 

impede

im-ˈpēd
verb

to hinder

Latin

A congressional subcommittee chaired by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Thursday heard testimony contending that a slow federal rulemaking process has impeded access to insurance coverage for those needing treatment for mental illness.

http://www.theday.com/article/20131108/NWS13/311089923/1019&town=

A boot on their tire would impede a driver.
http://philapark.org/2011/10/theboot/
 

inclusive

in-ˈklü-siv
adjective

complete

Middle English, Latin

Its about time policy makers and society at large work together to create inclusive spaces for them to lead a life just like any other person.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/11/06/sri-lanka-enabling-disability-inclusive-local-services-in-the-eastern-province

Entertainment and food are some parts of an all inclusive vacation. 

http://www.yucatan-holidays.com/featured-articles/all-in-on-all-inclusive-vacations-cancun-riviera-maya/

jurisdiction

ˌju̇r-əs-ˈdik-shən
noun 

control

Middle English, Anglo-French, Latin
The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would assert Clean Water Act jurisdiction over all natural and artificial tributary streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands that affect the chemical, physical and biological integrity of larger, downstream navigable waters under a proposed rule.
http://www.bna.com/epa-corps-propose-n17179879956/

The US government has jurisdiction over all 50 states.
http://telliotthshistory.wikispaces.com/US+Government
 

precarious

pri-ˈker-ē-əs
adjective

unsafe

Latin
The new Time magazine cover boy has already been anointed the GOP presidential frontrunner for 2016 — a precarious perch, for sure, because it is a long way to election-day.
http://cognoscenti.wbur.org/2013/11/08/frontrunner-chris-christie-john-sivolella

Standing on top of these rocks is a precarious thing to do.
http://www.summitpost.org/summit-of-ancient-art/782662
 

preposterous

pri-ˈpäs-t(ə-)rəs
adjective

ridiculous 

Latin
Sturgeon said it was preposterous for the UK government to threaten that BAE's two yards in Glasgow would lose their multibillion-pound contracts for 13 new Type 26 frigates if Scotland voted for independence next year.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/07/royal-navy-shipyard-threat-nicola-sturgeon

To some the idea of Santa Claus is preposterous.
http://www.visitfortwayne.com/blog/index.php/2012/11/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town/

week 11

clandestine
klan-ˈdes-tən
adjective
concealed
French, Latin
 Jones is alleging that Sony and MJJ Productions set up a “secret” company so that Quincy could not keep track of what was going on. The complaint details “Disguised Royalties” and “Clandestine Agreements.”
http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/10/25/quincy-jones-accuses-michael-jackson-estate-sony-music-of-clandestine-agreements-wants-10-mil

The CIA is an agency that like to keep their work as clandestine as possible.
http://www.trutv.com/conspiracy/government-lies/manchurian-candidate/cia-programmed-killers.html

contingency
kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē
noun
possibility
Middle English, French, Latin

“We plan for every contingency,” Mr. Obama said in a more than hour-long press conference from the White House.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/10/08/obama-says-debt-ceiling-contingency-plans-in-works/

Hospitals have to be prepared for every contingency.
http://www.quellerfisher.com/hospital-negligence/

egocentric
ˌē-gō-ˈsen-trik
adjective
self-involved
Latin

The lack of civility in politics today is because we have become so egocentric, so consumed with ourselves, that we really have begun to think that it’s all about us and what we think.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_8f415938-3231-11e3-a82c-001a4bcf887a.html

Egocentric people think the universe revolves around them.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201201/the-healthy-side-narcissism

exonerate
eg-ˈzä-nə-ˌrāt
verb
prove innocent
Middle English, Latin
A lawyer for the undercover New York City police detective prosecutors have accused of participating in a motorcycle rally-turned-violent-melee says the video authorities used to incriminate him will ultimately exonerate him.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/10/lawyer-video-will-exonerate-nypd-undercover-officer-charged-in-suv-motorcycle/

People who are exonerated are often very emotional and happy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/us/10exonerate.html

incongruous
in-ˈkäŋ-grə-wəs
adjective
contradictory
Latin
Even without the penguins, a winter sports arena in the desert is more than a little incongruous.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/09/travel/unexpected-desert-dubai-cnngo/

Putting these two signs next to each other is very incongruous.
http://ap-terms-oxymoron-paradox.wikispaces.com/1.+Paradox+%26+Oxymoron

indigenous
in-ˈdi-jə-nəs
adjective
native
Latin

Some 200 indigenous women from seven regions are due to meet next week in Lima, Peru, ahead of a January 2013 international conference at the UN Headquarters in New York to look at how indigenous women can play a greater role in the challenges of the post-2015 development agenda.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=46308&Cr=indigenous&Cr1=#.UnVYcCDD9jo

Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia.
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/plan-to-lift-roo-exports-prompts-legal-threat-20110807-1ihnp.html

liability
ˌlī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun
handicap
Middle English, Anglo-French, Latin

Halloween became safety oriented about 10 years ago; some websites offered Halloween Candy Liability Waiver forms that people could print out, and give to the trick or treater's parents before they could get their candy.   

http://www.wwlp.com/news/local/hampden/halloween-night-liability

Helen Keller proved that her blindness and deafness were not liabilities to her learning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller

prolific
prə-ˈli-fik
adjective
creating abundantly
French, Latin

And then there are some authors whose output would take years to read. Here are the 11 most prolific science fiction and fantasy authors of all time.

http://io9.com/11-most-prolific-science-fiction-and-fantasy-authors-of-1443957263

Rabbits deserve their reputation for being prolific because they produce many offspring.
http://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/rabbits.asp

reinstate
ˌrē-ən-ˈstat
verb
to restore
Middle English, Anglo-French, Latin

A federal appeals court issued a ruling Thursday reinstating most of Texas' controversial new abortions restrictions, just three days after a federal judge ruled they were unconstitutional.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/10/31/federal-appeals-court-reinstates-most-texas-abortion-restrictions/

President Obama was reinstated for his 2nd term last year.
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-10/politics/37026127_1_gun-violence-gun-debate-gun-laws

superfluous
su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs
adjective
unnecessary
Middle English, Latin

Awarding such superfluous theories thus is meaningless. The authorities should encourage development of theories that seek truly developing environment.

http://www.arabnews.com/news/468255

Apostrophes are sometimes used superfluously.
http://www.apostropheabuse.com/2012/04/you-missed-one.html