Just Vocabulary's Podcast
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Just Vocabulary's Podcast is for anyone who wants to improve their English. This daily (Monday through Friday) 2-3 minute podcast covers new interesting words to amaze your friends. The ESL Podcast is hosted by Jan Folmer. If English is your Second Language; this podcast is for you.
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JV452 (Stigma and Tendentious)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Sun, Oct 5, 2008
STIGMA = (noun) sign of social unacceptability: the shame or disgrace attached to something regarded as socially unacceptable. A strong lack of respect for someone or a bad opinion of them because they have done something society does not approve of.
Example:
- People should not be stigmatized on the basis of race.
- There's a stigma associated with low-income food programs.
- The disease AIDS no longer seems to have the stigma attached to it that it had a decade ago.
Synonyms:
shame, disgrace, dishonor, reproach, scar, smudge, blemish
Antonyms:
glory, honor
TENDENTIOUS = (adjective) having a tendency toward something and wanting to influence others to
agree with your viewpoint, especially in an argumentative way. Trying to influence opinion: written or spoken with personal bias in order to promote a cause or support a viewpointExample: - Phil's account of the events was tendentious, not to mention inaccurate. - Luckily Phil's tendentious statements no longer anger his friends and family. - The tendentious talk show host used his show to promote his political ideology.
Synonyms:
biased, partial, inclined, argumentative
Antonyms:
impartial, unbiased
Download File - 3.9 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV451 (Sunder and Subjugate)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Fri, Oct 3, 2008
SUNDER = (verb) break something apart: to separate something into parts, especially by force, or be separated in this way.
Example:
- During the cold war East and West Berlin were sundered by an impenetrable wall.
- The controversial issue threatened to sunder the government.
- The unity of the group could not be sundered
Synonyms:
separate, crack, divide, split, break, sever
Antonyms:
assemble, join, unify
SUBJUGATE =
(verb) to conquer or take control by force. to bring somebody, especially a people or nation, under the control of another, e.g. by military conquest. To treat yourself, your wishes or your beliefs as being less important than other people or their wishes or beliefs.
Example: - The United States is set up in a way that ensures the government could
never subjugate its people. - The rebel leader's plan was to subjugate the people of the country in
order to establish a new form of government. - Frank was determined not to allow his boss to subjugate him with his threats - Journalists must subjugate personal political convictions to their professional commitment to fairness and balance.
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JV450 (Truncate and Uncouth)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Wed, Oct 1, 2008
TRUNCATE = (verb) to shorten something by cutting off or removing a part. 2. to shorten decimal number: to restrict the precision of a decimal number by limiting the digits to the right of the decimal point without rounding
Example: - Television coverage of the match was truncated by a technical fault. - Because Lisa's report was longer than allowed, she had to truncate the ending. - The movie was truncated so that it would fit the television time slot. - Marc truncate certain words when sending text messages. - Our discussion was truncated by the arrival of our main menu.
UNCOUTH = behaving in a rude, unpleasant way. Rude and without refinement.
Example: - Frank's uncouth brother uses his shirt for a napkin. - Joanne's new boyfriend seems like an uncouth, opinionated boor. - It was really uncouth of Phil to make that comment about how much more money he makes than his coworker. - Their hockey team had more talent but less couth.
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JV449 (Transcend and Deluge)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Sep 29, 2008
TRANSCEND = verb 1 be or go beyond the range or limits of. 2 be superior to; surpass.
Examples:
- Marc hope he would gain things from soccer that transcend the game
itself, like honor and good sportsmanship.
- Lisa said that society must transcend its racial and ethnic divisions.
- The rock star's popularity transcended borders.
Synonyms:
surpass, be superior, exceed, rise above, go beyond, outshine
Antonyms:
be inferior, fail, lose
DELUGE =
(n.) heavy downpour or flood; (v.) to overwhelm with a large amount of something.
Examples:
- We've been deluged with replies to our advertisement.
- Karen was caught in a deluge on her way to the interview, and her clothing and papers were soaked.
- This little stream can become a deluge when it rains heavily.
Synonyms:
(n.) torrent, downpour, flood, cataclysm, spate, inundation, (v.) douse, drench, soak, engulf, inundate, oversupply
Antonyms:
sprinkling, undersupply
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JV448 (Welter and Tantamount)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Thu, Sep 25, 2008
WELTER =
(n.) a large, confused, or disorderly group of things; (v.) 1. to roll
about--wallow; 2. to be immersed in something, like a liquid
Examples:
- The report was issued amid a welter of conflicting evidence. - I did not want David to welter in sorrow over his break-up, so I took him out to dinner. - It's amazing that anyone survived the welter of chaos and violence during the riot. - I couldn't even hear myself think in the welter of the noisy market place
Synonyms:
(n.) commotion, confusion, turmoil, jumble, excitement, fuss, (v.) roll, wallow, soak, bask
Antonyms:
(n.) calm, order
TANTAMOUNT = (adjective) equivalent to a particular thing in effect, outcome, or value--the same as
Examples: - Many felt the questionable accounting practices of the company were tantamount to corporate fraud.
- Marc's refusal to testify was tantamount to an admission of guilt.
- I believe his testimony was tantamount to perjury.
Synonyms:
equal, equivalent, identical, parallel, synonymous
Antonyms:
opposite, unlike
Download File - 3.6 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV447 (Yoke and Vapid)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Tue, Sep 23, 2008
YOKE = (n.) 1. a wooden bar that harnesses two animals together; 2. a bar
designed to fit across a person's shoulders so that loads can be
balanced on the ends; 3. a bond that ties; 4. something that is
restrictive or oppressive; (v.) to link or become joined together
Examples:
- The people of that country have been living under the yoke of oppression for far too long.
- The farmer yoked the oxen together in order to plow the field.
- Our creative department will have to yoke with the account service department to meet the needs of the customers.
Synonyms: (n.) collar, harness, crosspiece,
bondage, chain, enslavement, link, connection, oppression, (v.)
harness, attach, connect, join, bond, tie
Antonyms:
(v.) disconnect, divide, separate, free, release
VAPID = 1. dull: lacking interest or liveliness. 2. insipid: lacking strength, taste, or flavor
Example:
- A tuneful but vapid musical comedy
- Joanne watched a vapid tv programme
- The debate turned into a vapid conversation.
Download File - 3.7 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV446 (Incessant and Paltry)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Sep 22, 2008
INCESSANT =
uninterrupted and continuous, unceasing: continuing for a long time without stopping
Examples: - Lisa's incessant questions were cute at first, but soon became very annoying. - Frank's bossâ incessant demands are putting so much pressure on him that he's
beginning to see physical signs of the strain. - The city endured weeks of incessant bombing.
Synonyms:
constant, unending, ceaseless, continuous, uninterrupted, perpetual
Antonyms:
temporary, periodic
PALTRY =
1. not worthy of consideration; 2. so small as to be contemptible
Examples:
- Joanne's paltry salary is barely enough to cover my rent.
- Marc was tired of Lisa's paltry excuses.
- The restaurant served a paltry meal, leaving everyone hungry and irritable.
Synonyms:
tiny, insignificant, meager, scant, negligible, worthless, pathetic
Antonyms:
large, grand, significant, substantial
Download File - 3.6 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV445 (Minutia and Arduous)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Sat, Sep 20, 2008
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MINUTIA = (plural noun) the small, precise, or trivial details of something.
Example: - The committee studied the minutiae of the report for hours. - Comedy is so often based in the minutiae of everyday life.
- He had memorized the many minutiae of the legal code
Origin: mid 18th cent.: Latin, literally âtrifles,â from minutia âsmallness,â from minutus (see minute 2 ).
ARDUOUS =
1. requiring great physical endurance or exertion; 2. requiring great mental effort; 3.steep or demanding.
Examples:
- Reading War and Peace would be an arduous task, because it would require a persistent effort over a long period of time.
- Frank was given the arduous task of managing the global product launch in
20 countries.
- In those days, a trip to the West was an arduous journey.
Synonyms:
difficult, hard, strenuous, laborious, formidable, tiring, exhausting,
Antonyms:
effortless, easy
Download File - 3.8 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV444 (Sumptuous and Omniscient)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Fri, Sep 19, 2008
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SUMPTUOUS = 1. of superior quality; 2. magnificent, grand, and lavish, especially when created at great expense
Example: - Paris Hilton turned up dressed in a sumptuous evening gown. - Marc recently sold his sumptuous apartment. - Frank decided to buy a sumptuous luxury car.
Synonyms:
luxurious, lavish, magnificent, deluxe, extravagant, grand, impressive, expensive
Antonyms:
cheap, inferior, poor, low-key, humble, simple
OMNISCIENT = having or seeming to have unlimited knowledge. Knowing and understanding all things
Example: - They give the impression that the magazine is omniscient. - Marc seemed to know everything about Lisa, but surely, he couldn't be omniscient. - If God is omniscient, then He knows everything that will ever happen to me in my life. Synonyms:
all-knowing, all-seeing
Antonyms:
short-sighted
Download File - 3.7 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV443 (Pittance and Rapacious)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Thu, Sep 18, 2008
PITTANCE = (noun) a very small or inadequate amount of money.
Examples:
- Marc did not accept Lisa's apology because it didn't show even a pittance of sincerity.
- After the attorney's fees, Phil only received a pittance of the original settlement.
- Fresh out of college, many young people work for a pittance just to gain some experience.
Synonyms:
rationing, allowance, bit, trifle, smidgen, inadequacy
Antonyms:
abundance, plenty
RAPACIOUS = (adjective) greedy and grasping, especially for money, and sometimes willing to use unscrupulous means to obtain what is desired
2. destructive and vicious: engaging in violent pillaging and likely to harm or destroy things.
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JV442 (Tractable and Wince)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Wed, Sep 17, 2008
TRACTABLE = (adjective) easily dealt with, controlled or persuaded.
Example:
- It can be easy for marketers to influence tractable young minds.
- The problem turned out to be rather less tractable than I had expected.
- The horse was intractable and wouldn't make a good riding horse.
Synonyms:
manageable, compliant, complaisant, controllable, docile, workable,
Antonyms:
intractable, nonconforming, inflexible, stubborn
WINCE = (verb, noun) to show pain briefly and suddenly in the face, often moving the head back at the same time.
Synonyms:
(verb) flinch, recoil, shrink, cringe
Example: - Did I hurt you? - I thought I saw you wince. - It makes me wince even thinking about eye operations. - Lisa gave a wince as the nurse put the needle in.
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Download File - 4.2 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV441 (Fecund and Vitriolic)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Sun, Sep 14, 2008
FECUND = (adjective) 1. fertile: capable of producing much vegetation or many offspring. 2. highly imaginative: able to produce many different and original ideas.
Synonyms:
fertile, productive, prolific, creative, fruitful
Antonyms:
unproductive, unimaginative, barren, impotent, infertile, sterile, feckless
Examples: - The avid gardener was proud of his lush and fecund garden. - It was a fecund meeting that produced several new ideas for how to improve our product. - Meditation creates a fecund atmosphere that
enables me to think of completely original ideas.
VITRIOLIC = (adjective) 1. filled with or expressing extreme bitterness and hatred toward somebody or something
2. like metallic sulfate: resembling a glassy metallic sulfate.
Example: - Marc is a writer who has often been criticized by the press but never before with such vitriol. - The Mayor launched a vitriolic attack on the Police Dept. Officer, accusing him of shielding maffia friends.
As a NOUN - His review was more than just unfavorableâit was loaded with vitriol
Synonyms: acrimonious, rancorous, bitter, caustic, mordant, acerbic.
Download File - 4.3 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV440 (Ribald and Divulge)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Fri, Sep 12, 2008
RIBALD = (adj.) coarsely or irreverently humorous , describes language that is humorously vulgar and sexual; (noun) a
person who uses language that is humorously vulgar.
Example: - The stand-up comedian entertained his audience with ribald stories. - Joanne didn't like the movie Knocked Up because it was full of ribald jokes.
- The ribald made everyone at the restaurant feel uncomfortable with lewd comments about the food.
Synonyms:
(adj.) rude, crude, lewd, profane, dirty, indecent, vulgar, racy,
Antonyms:
proper, wholesome
DIVULGE = verb To make known (private or sensitive information). To reveal something, especially something private or secret.
Examples:
- Marc divulged Lisa's little secret.
- Lisa thought she could divulge information with complete trust.
- Marc shouldn't divulge other people's secrets.
Synonyms:
disclose, reveal, tell, expose
Antonyms:
hide, mask
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JV439 (Presage and Trudge)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Sep 8, 2008
PRESAGE = (v.) to predict that something will happen, especially something
unpleasant; (n.) 1. a warning or sign of a future event; 2. a bad or
uneasy feeling of something to come.
Examples: - The October snow was a presage to a very hard winter. - A sluggish stock market usually presages an economic recession - Other than some shortness of breath, he didn't have any of the signs that usually presage a heart attack.
Synonyms:
(v.) foreshadow, foretell, predict, portend, (n.) indication, prediction, forecast, omen,
TRUDGE = (n.) a long, strenuous walk; (v.) to walk in a heavy-footed, slow manner
Examples: - Because of the heavy snow Marc has to trudge through the snow to get to his car. - Even though the task was hard, Frank decided to trudge forward rather than give up. - The beautiful view from the Mount Everest was well worth the trudge to get there.
Synonyms:
walk, lumber, march, plod, tramp,
Antonyms:
glide, float
Download File - 3.9 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV438 (Inexorable and Jocund)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Aug 4, 2008
INEXORABLE = 1. unstoppable: impossible to stop 2. adamant and pitiless: not moved by anyone's attempts to plead or persuade
Examples: - Because the German soccer team still had not been defeated, its climb to the top seemed inexorable.
- Frank was inexorable in his determination to play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. - The Managing Director was inexorable in his plan to overtake the biggest competitor.
Synonyms:
unyielding, adamant, obstinate, hard-nosed, relentless, stubborn, unstoppable
Antonyms:
yielding, submissive, docile
JOCUND =
jolly: cheerful and full of good humor.
Synonyms:
cheerful, happy, merry, gleeful, jolly, carefree, animated, jovial, spirited
Antonyms:
miserable, sad, depressed
Examples: - Jeremy performed a jocund dance at the festival. - Frank's jocund personality always cheered people up. - The jocund atmosphere and good moods all around the room made for a great wedding.
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JV437 (Veneer and Gossamer)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Thu, Jul 31, 2008
VENEER = (noun) 1. deceptive appearance: a superficial appearance or show put on to please or impress others. 2. a thin layer of a material bonded to the surface of a less attractive or inferior material.
Example: - The Godfather managed to hide his corrupt dealings under a veneer of respectability. - The wardrobe is made of chipboard with a pine veneer. - Frank had a veneer of sophistication but was really just a bully.
Synonyms: surface, lamination, layer, facade, front, false front.
GOSSAMER = (adjective) 1. (noun) a fine film of cobwebs, often seen floating in the air or covered with dew on the ground. 2. delicate fabric: a delicate, sheer fabric or gauze. 3. something sheer and delicate: something delicate, sheer, and filmy.
Example: - Lisa's dress swirled like gossamer - In the light from the table lamp, Joanne's hair was blond gossamer. - I didn't see the gossamer spider webs until the sun hit them just right.
Synonyms: Gauzy, fine, sheer, translucent.
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JV436 (Trenchant and Languid)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Jul 28, 2008
TRENCHANT = 1. expressed in a forceful, direct, and effective way; 2. deliberately hurtful.
Examples: - With trenchant criticism, the minister said that his opponent lacked morality. - There were boos and hisses during the Marc's speech, but the most
trenchant comment came from his colleague, "you suck." - Lisa wrote a trenchant and powerful essay about World War II.
Synonyms:
sarcastic, biting, clear, critical, forceful, incisive, powerful,
Antonyms:
indirect, flattering
LANGUID = 1. lacking energy and spirit; 2. slow moving
EXAMPLE: - During the hot and languid African summer I spent numerous
hours sitting leisurely by the pool. - It was clear by his languid demeanor that Frank was no longer interested in his girlfriend. - Marc had been languid for several months, and his waistline showed it.
Synonyms:
sluggish, listless, lethargic, lazy, lackadaisical, inactive,
Antonyms:
active, spirited, energetic, lively
Download File - 3.6 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV435 (Halcyon and Falter)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Tue, Jul 22, 2008
HALCYON = 1. tranquil and free from disturbance or care 2. happy and carefree; (n.) 1. a mythical bird thought to have brought calm to the seas;
Examples: - Lisa recalled the halcyon days of her youth.
- The sea went from stormy and turbulent to calm and halcyon.
- I love the lake when it is serene and halcyon.
Synonyms: peaceful, placid, calm, tranquil, serene, balmy, golden,
Antonyms: turbulent, hectic, unhappy
FALTER =
Download File - 3.7 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV434 (Jettison and Insolent)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Sun, Jul 20, 2008
JETTISON = 1. to discard or abandon something such as an idea or project. 2. to throw something from a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.
Examples: - As ratings dropped, the station jettisoned educational podcasts.
- Seawater filled the Titanic so rapidly that Leonardo began to frantically jettison unnecessary items.
- Microsoft was forced to jettison some of their ideas when it became clear that their plans were too elaborate.
Synonyms:
abandon, cast off, discard, expel, unload, eliminate Antonyms:
keep, retain
INSOLENT = 1. disrespectful and rude; 2. unrestrained by convention
Examples: - The insolent child always talked back to his mother.
- The lawyer's insolent behavior got him thrown out of the courtroom.
- That kind of insolence will not be tolerated in my classroom.
Synonyms:
impolite, rude, disrespectful, brazen, insulting, arrogant. Antonyms:
respectful, considerate, polite
Download File - 3.9 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV433 (Revive and Pontificate)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Fri, Jul 18, 2008
REVIVE = 1. to bring back to life; 2. to give new life or energy to something; 3. to restore and renew.
Example: - A hot shower and a cup of tea will revive you. - Traditional skills are being revived by local craftsmen. -
The paramedics revived the unconscious man after several minutes.
Synonyms:
restore, renew, rejuvenate, revitalize, refresh, resurrect,
Antonyms:
extinguish, kill
PONTIFICATE = speak pompously: to speak about something in a knowing and self-important way, especially when not qualified to do so. To speak about something in as if you are the authoritative expert on the subject.
Example: - Experts get on the tube and pontificate about the economy. - I think it should be illegal for non-parents to pontificate on/about parenting. -
I have a feeling he's going to get up and pontificate about the subject as if he's the foremost authority.
Synonyms:
expound, expatiate, preach
Antonyms:
ask, deliberate
Download File - 3.5 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV432 (Virtuous and Strident)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Wed, Jul 16, 2008
VIRTUOUS = with moral integrity: having or showing moral goodness or righteousness. A good moral quality in a person, or the general quality of goodness in a person
Example: - I've been up working since six o'clock this morning so I'm feeling very virtuous. - He described them as a virtuous and hard-working people. - I'm convinced he only does that charity work so that he can feel virtuous.
Synonyms:
moral, ethical, honest, conscientious, scrupulous, principled, upstanding,
Antonyms:
virtueless, immoral, unethical, dishonest
STRIDENT = 1. harshly loud, grating, and offensive; 2. loudly, strongly, or urgently expressed.
Synonyms:
harsh, grating, shrill, noisy, loud, vulgar, bold
Antonyms:
respectful, quiet, reserved
Example: - People are put off by his strident voice. - The strident committee member openly complained during the meeting. -
Whenever Lisa drinks too much, her voice becomes strident.
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JV431 (Drawl and Vociferous)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Sun, Jul 13, 2008
DRAWL = a way of speaking in which the speaker draws out the vowel sounds and pronounces words slowly
Examples:
- Frank drawled when he spoke, so that all his words ran together as one. - I find his Texas drawl to be rather charming. Synonyms: accent
Antonyms:
enunciation
VOCIFEROUS = shouting noisily: shouting in a noisy and determined way
Examples: - The vociferous coach yelled at the players throughout the entire game.
- Vociferous people express their opinions
and complaints loudly and repeatedly in speech, and vociferous demands,
etc. are made repeatedly and loudly.
Synonyms:
loud, boisterous, clamorous, noisy, shrill, vocal
Antonyms:
quiet, silent
Download File - 3.6 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV430 (Inveterate and Fatuous)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Jul 7, 2008
INVETERATE = 1. fixed in a habit or practice, especially a bad one.
2. firmly established and of long standing.
Examples: - Frank was an inveterate smoker and there was little hope of him being able to quit. - Even after retiring from the army, he was unable to discontinue
his inveterate visual scanning of a room. - Tracy is known as an inveterate liar, so beware of believing her.
Synonyms:
habitual, confirmed, chronic, abiding, protracted, customary
Antonyms:
intermittent, temporary, occasional
FATUOUS = showing a lack of intelligence or thought combined with complacency.
Examples:
- My hopes of manning a space shuttle are fatuous, I am scared of heights.
- I couldn't believe Mugabe's fatuous statement to the press.
- Phil is not very smart and is known for making fatuous comments before thinking them through.
Synonyms:
asinine, imbecile, ludicrous, moronic, vacuous, delusive, stupid, foolish, unreal
Antonyms:
brilliant, intelligent, smart, wise, knowing
Download File - 3.6 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV429 (Harangue and Pluck)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Fri, Jun 27, 2008
HARANGUE = (n.) a forceful, public criticism made in a speech or sometimes in
writing; (v.) to criticize or question somebody, or try to persuade somebody to do something in a forceful angry way
Examples:
- Frank's lawyer made comments, which were marked by a vicious harangue against the defendant.
- Joanne's parents will sometimes come up to her room and harangue her for playing her music too loud.
- Marc delivered a long harangue to his students.
Synonyms:
diatribe, rant, tirade, attack, criticism, invective, lecture, peroration
Antonyms:
encomium
PLUCK =
courage and determination
Examples:
- Lisa's got a lot of pluck to stand up for herself like that.
- My grandfather is 85 but he has a lot of pluck.
- Phil never shown a lot of pluck and routinely lets people walk all over him.
Synonyms:
courage, spirit, heart, mettle, moxie, determination, fortitude, bravery
Antonyms:
cowardice, indifference
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JV428 (Insular and Respite)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Mon, Jun 23, 2008
INSULAR = 1. not interested in new or foreign ideas; 2. originating on an island; 3. alone, like an island
Examples: - Marc's insular attitude toward foreign cultures restricted his desire to travel.
- My sister was quite happy to grow up in her
insular environment, but once she got older, she was ready to break
free and explore the world.
-
Many older people cling to insular beliefs without ever considering other people's opinions.
Synonyms:
narrow-minded, provincial, confined, conservative,
Antonyms:
broad-minded, open, welcoming
RESPITE = 1. a pause from doing something, often for relaxation; 2. a usually
short interruption of relief in the intensity or amount of something,
especially harm or discomfort; 3. a temporary suspension of a punishment.
Examples:
- We needed a few moments of respite in the shade during our strenuous marathon. - Lisa worked in the garden all day, with only five minutes of respite for a drink of water.
- The end of the difficult project was in sight, and I looked forward to some respite.
Synonyms:
pause, reprieve, rest, recess, interruption, lull, letup, cessation, deliverance, hiatus, suspension
Antonyms:
continuation
Download File - 3.8 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV427 (Transitory and Stratify)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Wed, Jun 18, 2008
TRANSITORY = not permanent or lasting, but existing only for a short time.
Examples: - The Dutch soccer team took an early but transitory lead in the first half of Sunday's game. - According to the government, the sudden shift in consumer spending will prove to be transitory. - The "green flash" is a transitory green glow on the horizon at the moment the sun sets.
Synonyms:
temporary, short-term, short-lived, momentary, fleeting, transient
Antonyms:
lengthy, long-lived, permanent
STRATIFY = 1. to make, arrange, or divide into layers; 2. to divide (society)
into social status groups; 3. to preserve seeds for germination by
placing between layers of earth
Synonyms:
tier, layer, divide, classify
Examples: - Marc stratified the research document into several smaller reports. - The professor stratified our research group by age and level of education. - Alcoholism is an epidemic that has touched every stratum of our society.
Download File - 4.1 MB Listen To This Podcast (Streaming Audio)
JV426 (Furtive and Foible)
Author: The useful vocabulary show! Thu, Jun 1 |