10/21

confidential (adjective)

    kept secret within a certain circle of persons; not intended to be known publicly
        e.g.: The newspaper claims a leaked confidential report by the government admits to problems with corrupt MPs.

cursor (noun)

    A part of any of several scientific instruments that moves back and forth to indicate a position
    A moving icon or other representation of the position of the pointing device.
    An indicator, often a blinking line or bar, indicating where the next insertion or other edit will take place. Also referred to as "the caret".

disclose (verb)

    To uncover, physically expose to view.  
    To expose to the knowledge of others; to make known, state openly, reveal.

discretion (noun)

    The quality of being discreet or circumspect.
        e.g.: Bob showed great discretion despite his knowledge of the affair.
    The ability to make wise choices or decisions.
    The freedom to make one's own judgements.
        e.g.: I leave that to your discretion.

dismal (adjective)

    Disappointingly inadequate.
        e.g.: He received a dismal compensation
    Gloomy and bleak.
        e.g.: The storm made for a dismal weekend
    Depressing.
        e.g.: She was lost in dismal thoughts of despair

10/22

bleak (adjective)

    Without color; pale; pallid.  
    Desolate and exposed; swept by cold winds.
    Unhappy; cheerless; miserable; emotionally desolate.
        e.g.: Downtown Albany felt bleak that February after the divorce.

pallid (adjective)

    Appearing weak, pale or wan.
        e.g.: The patient left the hospital but was very pallid.

wan (adjective)

    Pale, sickly-looking.
    Dim, faint.
    Bland, uninterested.
        e.g.: A wan expression

dim (adjective)

    Not bright or colorful.
        e.g.: The lighting was too dim for me to make out his facial features.
    Not smart or intelligent.
        e.g.: He may be a bit dim, but he's not retarded.
    Indistinct, hazy or unclear.
        e.g.: His vision grew dimmer as he aged.
    Disapproving, unfavorable: rarely used outside the phrase take a dim view of.

indistinct (adjective)

    Not clearly defined or not having a sharp outline; faint or dim
    Hazy or vague
    Difficult to understand

10/23

draft (noun)

    An early version of a written work
        e.g.: I have to revise the first draft of my term paper.
    A preliminary sketch, rough outline
        e.g.: His first drafts were better than most authors' final products.

cheque (noun)

    A draft directing a bank to pay money to a named person or entity.
        e.g.: I was not carrying cash, so I wrote a cheque for the amount.

hinder (verb)

    To make difficult to accomplish; to frustrate, act as obstacle.
        e.g.: A drought hinders the growth of plants.
    To keep back; to delay or impede; to prevent.

impede (verb)

    to get in the way of; to hinder

stringent (adjective)

    Strict; binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe
        e.g.: They have stringent quality requirements outlining what is acceptable.

10/24

competence (noun)

    The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role.
    The quality or state of being able or suitable for a particular task; the quality or state of being competent for a particular task.
    A sustainable income.
    In law, the legal authority to deal with a matter.
        e.g.: That question is out with the competence of this court and must be taken to a higher court.

dignify (verb)

    to invest with dignity or honour
    to give distinction to
    to exalt in rank
    to honor.

exalt (verb)

    To honor; to hold in high esteem.
        e.g.: They exalted their queen.
    To raise in rank, status etc., to elevate.
        e.g.: The man was exalted from a humble carpenter to a minister.

exploit (noun)

    A heroic or extraordinary deed.
    An achievement.
        e.g.: The first trek to the summit of Mount Everest was a stunning exploit.
    A program or technique that exploits a vulnerability in other software.

perk (noun)

    Perquisite.
        e.g.: Free coffee is one of the perks of the job.

10/25

perquisite (noun)

    Any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary.
        e.g.: The perquisites of this job include health insurance and a performance bonus.
    A gratuity.
        e.g.: After the wonderful service that evening he didn’t hesitate in laying a substantial perquisite on the table.
    A privilege or possession held or claimed exclusively by a certain person, group or class.
        e.g.: Private jets and motor yachts are a perquisite of the rich.

gratuity (noun)

    A reward, service, or payment provided freely, without obligation.
    An additional charge placed for services rendered; see also: service fee.

stoppage (noun)

    A pause or halt of some activity.
    Something that forms an obstacle to continued activity, a blockage.

welfare (noun)

    Health, safety, happiness and prosperity; well-being in any respect.
    Various forms of financial aid provided by the government to those who are in need of it (abbreviated form of Welfare assistance).

wage (noun)

    An amount of money paid to a worker for a specified quantity of work, usually expressed on an hourly basis.