Words of the day
3/7(Fri.)
1. layer[n.]/ ˋleɚ /
Definition: thickness of material (esp one of several) laid over a surface or forming horizontal division
Origin: late 14c., "one who or that lays" (especially stones, "a mason"), agent noun from lay (v.). Passive sense of "that which is laid over a surface" first recorded 1610s,
Sentence: The pine was smaller, but it had layers of branches radiating out from the trunk.
Part of speech: none
2. lean[v.]/ lin /
Definition: to move or bend in a particular direction
Origin: c.1200, from Old English hleonian "to bend, recline, lie down, rest,".
Sentence: I leaned way back on Gunther and managed not to slide off.
Part of speech: leaning [adj.]
3. shrug[v.]/ʃrʌg /
Definition: raise (one’s shoulders) slightly to express doubt, indifference, ignorance, etc
Origin: c.1400, schurgyng, of uncertain origin. Perhaps connected to Danish skrugge "to stoop, crouch."
Sentence: When I pointed out that we couldn’t get to the branches, she shrugged.
Part of speech: none
4. drain[v.]/dren/
Definition: remove the liquid from sth, usually by pouring it away or allowing it to flow away, and if something drains, liquid flows away or out of it.
Origin: Old English dreahnian "to drain, strain out," from Proto-Germanic *dreug-, source of drought, dry, giving the English word originally a sense of "make dry."
Sentence: Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.
Part of speech: drained[adj.]
5. psyche[n.]/ˋsaɪkɪ /
Definition: human soul or mind
Origin: 1640s, "animating spirit," from Latin psyche, from Greek psykhe "the soul, mind, spirit; breath; life, one's life, the invisible animating principle or entity which occupies and directs the physical body.
Sentence: … a kind of measles of the spirit, a mumps of the psyche, a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
Part of speech: psychedelic[adj.][n.]=psychodelic
3/10(Mon.)
1. simplicity[n.]/ sɪmˋplɪsətɪ /
Definition: being easy, plain or straightforward
Origin: late 14c., "singleness of nature, unity, indivisibility; immutability," from Old French simplicite (12c., Modern French simplicité).
Sentence: You tell me it is too early to be liking back,
but that is because you have forgotten
the perfect simplicity of being one
and the beautiful complexity introduced by two.
Part of speech: simple[adj.], simplification[n.], simplify[v.], simply[adv.]
2. solemnly[adv.]/ ˋsɑləmlɪ /
Definition: done, said, etc in a serious and committed way, after deep thought
performed with religious or other ceremony; formal
Origin: mid-14c., "performed with due religious ceremony or reverence, sacred, devoted to religious observances," also, of a vow, etc.
Sentence: Back then it never fell so solemnly
against the side of my tree house,
and my bicycle never leaned against the garage
as it does today,
all the dark blue speed drained out of it.
Part of speech: solemn[adj.], solemnity[n.], solemnize[v.]
3. anticipate[v.]/æn`tɪsəˏpet /
Definition: expect (sth)
see (what is going to happen or what needs to be done) and act accordingly
Origin: 1530s, "to cause to happen sooner," a back-formation from anticipation, or else from Latin anticipatus, past participle of anticipare "take (care of) ahead of time," literally "taking into possession beforehand."
Sentence: People who can anticipate two or three bonus decades, free from the stresses of raising children and paying the bills, will find themselves with the time to pursue activities.
Part of speech: anticipant[n.][adj.], anticipation[n.], anticipative[adj.], anticipator[n.]
4. breakthrough[n.]/ ˋbrek͵θru /
Definition: important development or discovery, esp in scientific knowledge
Origin: 1918, in a military sense, from break (v.) + through (adv.). The verbal phrase is attested from c.1400.
Sentence: Whether continuing to make breakthroughs in nuclear physics or just playing the role of a nuclear physicist on television, older people are already changing the rules of aging.
Part of speech: none
5. flexibility[n.]/ ͵flɛksəˋbɪlətɪ /
Definition: that can bend easily without breaking
easily changed to suit new conditions
(of people) willing and able to change according to different circumstances; adaptable
Origin: 1610s, of physical things, from French flexibilité or directly from Late Latin flexibilitatem (nominative flexibilitas), from Latin flexibilis (see flexible).
Sentence: There is a lot of scientific evidence to support the importance of regular, non-strenuous activity for maintaining body strength and flexibility as one ages.
Part of speech: flexible[adj.]
3/11(Tue.)
1. likelihood[n.]/ ˋlaɪklɪ͵hʊd /
Definition: probability
Origin: late 14c., "resemblance, similarity," from likely + -hood. Meaning "probability" is from mid-15c.
Sentence: According to Dan Buetner, the areas of the world where people are most likely to live long and healthy lives, there are four factors that seem to contribute to the likelihood that someone will celebrate a triple-digit birthday.
Part of speech: likely[adj.][adv.]
2. pursue[v.]/ pɚˋsu /
Definition: follow (sb/sth), esp in order to catch or kill; chase
be occupied or busy with; go on with
Origin: late 13c., "to follow with hostile intent," from Anglo-French pursuer and directly from Old French poursuir (Modern French poursuivre), variant of porsivre "to chase, pursue, follow; continue, carry on."
Sentence: People who can anticipate two or three bonus decades, free from the stresses of raising children and paying the bills, will find themselves with the time to pursue activities.
Part of speech: pursuit [n.]
3. spare[adj.]/spɛr /
Definition: time when you are not working
available to use because it is extra
Origin: "kept in reserve, not used, provided or held for extra need," late 14c., from or from the same root as spare (v.).
Sentence: In his spare time, he plays basketball and ping-pong, and he has recently begun learning how to play the guitar.
Part of speech: none
4. strenuous[adj.]/ ˋstrɛnjʊəs /
Definition: making great efforts; energetic
requiring great effort
Origin: "characterized by great effort," mid-15c. (implied in strenuously), from Latin strenuus "active, brisk, quick, nimble, prompt, vigorous, keen."
Sentence: Another benefit to cultivating food at home is that home gardeners get regular, yet not overly strenuous, exercise.
Part of speech: strenuosity[n.]
5. subject[v.]/ ˋsʌbdʒɪkt /
Definition: to defeat people or a country and then control them against their wishes and limit their freedom
Origin: late 14c., "to make (a person or nation) subject to another by force," also "to render submissive or dependent," from Medieval Latin subiectare "place beneath," frequentative of Latin subicere "to make subject, subordinate" (see subject (n.)).
Sentence: Even without earbuds, people are subjected to tunes on telephone, in elevators and in offices, so it shouldn’t be surprising that this supposedly harmless background noise attaches itself to their brains.
Part of speech: subjection[n.]征服；隸屬；服從
3/12(Wed.)
1. affair[n.]/ əˋfɛr /
Definition: thing (to be) done; concern; matter
personal business matters
Origin: Meaning "an affair of the heart; a passionate episode" is from French affaire de coeur (itself attested in English from 1809)
c.1300, "what one has to do," from Anglo-French afere, Old French afaire (12c., Modern French affaire) "business, event; rank, estate," from the infinitive phrase à faire "to do."
Sentence: It wasn’t that I didn’t care what my friend was saying; it’s just that the garden, especially in summer, comes in and out of the mind like a love affair.
Part of speech: none
2. jerk[v.][n.]/ dʒɝk /
Definition: sudden pull, push, start, stop, twist, lift or throw
Origin: [n.] 1550s, "stroke of a whip," from jerk (v.). Sense of "sudden sharp pull or twist" first recorded 1570s.
[v.] "to pull," 1540s, "to lash, strike as with a whip," of uncertain origin, perhaps echoic.
Sentence: …the front door slams behind me with a loud bang. I jerk upright, still holding his shoe…
Part of speech: none
3. remainder[n.]/ rɪˋmendɚ /
Definition: the part of something that is left over after everything else is gone
Origin: late 14c., from Anglo-French remainder, Old French remaindre, noun use of infinitive, a variant of Old French remanoir (see remain (v.)).
Sentence: I walk the remainder of the way well outside his field of stroller vision…
Part of speech: remind [v.], remains [n.]
4. disfigure[v.]/dɪsˋfɪgjɚ /
Definition: spoil the appearance of (sb/sth)
Origin: late 14c., from Old French desfigurer "disfigure, alter, disguise, destroy," from Medieval Latin diffigurare, from Latin dis- (see dis-) + figura "figure," from figurare "to figure" .
Sentence: … a kind of measles of the spirit, a mumps of the psyche, a disfiguring chicken pox of the soul.
Part of speech: disfigurement [n.]
5. curriculum[n.]/ kəˋrɪkjələm /
Definition: subjects included in a course of study or taught at a particular school, college, etc
Origin: 1824, from Modern Latin transferred use of classical Latin curriculum "a running, course, career" (also "a fast chariot, racing car"), from currere (see current (adj.)).Used in English as a Latin word since 1630s at Scottish universities.
Sentence: It’s hands-on experience and academic curriculum to tie it together.
Part of speech: curricular [adj.]
3/13(Thu.)
1. dedicated[v.]/ˋdɛdə͵ketɪd /
Definition: devoted to sth; committed
Origin: early 15c. (of churches), from Latin dedicatus, past participle of dedicare "consecrate, proclaim, affirm, set apart," from de- "away" (see de-) + dicare "proclaim," from stem of dicere "to speak, to say" (see diction). Dedicated "devoted to one's aims or vocation" is first attested 1944.
Sentence: Berkeley schools have spent three years reshaping the menu and becoming dedicated to serving food that is healthy, fresh, local, and delicious.
Part of speech: dedication [n.], dedicative [adj.], dedicator [n.]
2. kale[n.]/kel /
Definition: dark green vegetable with curled leaves
Origin: also kail, c.1300, alternative form of cawul (c.1200), surviving in this spelling after Middle English as a Scottish variant of cole "cabbage" (see cole-slaw). Slang meaning "money" is from 1902.
Sentence: One staffer pushes fresh celery into a chipper, while another leafs kale.
Part of speech: none
3. overhaul[v.]/͵ovɚˋhɔl /
Definition: examine (sth) carefully and thoroughly and make any necessary repairs
Origin: 1620s, from over- + haul (v.); originally nautical, "pull rigging apart for examination," which was done by slackening the rope by hauling in the opposite direction to that in which it is pulled in hoisting. Replaced overhale in sense of "overtake" (1793).
Sentence: Berkeley is still the only district of its size in the nation to completely overhaul its food program.
Part of speech: none
4. remodel[v.]/riˋmɑd! /
Definition: change the structure or shape of sth
Origin: 1789, from re- "back, again" + model (v.).
Sentence: Another the spacious, newly remodeled kitchen, others chop broccoli…
Part of speech: remold [v.]
5. spacious[adj.]/ ˋspeʃəs /
Definition: having or providing much space; roomy
Origin: late 14c., from Old French spacios, espacios "roomy, spacious, extensive" (12c., Modern French spacieux), or directly from Latin spatiosus "roomy, ample" (Medieval Latin spaciosus), from spatium "room, space".
Sentence: Another the spacious, newly remodeled kitchen, others chop broccoli…
Part of speech: space [n.], special [adj.]
3/14(Fri.)
1. acre[n.]/ `ekɚ /
Definition: measure of land
field; piece of land
Origin: Old English æcer "tilled field, open land."
Sentence: Studies have shown that an acre of land dedicated to growing plants can produce more than twice as much food as an acre used for raising animals.
Part of speech: acreage [n.]
2. advocate[n.][v.]/ˋædvəkɪt /
Definition: speak publicly in favour of (sth); recommend; support
Origin: [n.] mid-14c., "one whose profession is to plead cases in a court of justice," a technical term from Roman law, from Old French avocat "barrister, advocate, spokesman," from Latin advocatus "one called to aid.
[v.] 1640s, from advocate (n.).
Sentence: They advocate solutions that do not involve giving up meat altogether, such as creating farming practices that are more humane to animals.
Part of speech: advocate [v.], advocator [n.]
3. cite[v.]/ saɪt /
Definition: speak or write (words taken from a passage, a book, an author, etc); quote
Origin: mid-15c., "to summon," from Old French citer "to summon" (14c.), from Latin citare "to summon, urge, call; put in sudden motion, call forward; rouse, excite."
Sentence: Vegetarians cite medical studies that establish a connection between a high consumption of red meat and many diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Part of speech: citation [n.]
4. consumption[n.]/ kən`sʌmpʃən /
Definition: using up of food, energy, resources, etc
Origin: late 14c., "wasting of the body by disease; wasting disease" (replacing Old English yfeladl "the evil disease"), from Old French consumpcion, from Latin consumptionem (nominative consumptio) "a using up, wasting".
Sentence: Vegetarians cite medical studies that establish a connection between a high consumption of red meat and many diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Part of speech: consumptive [n.]
5. digest[v.][n.]/daɪˋdʒɛst /
Definition: change (food) in the stomach and bowels so that it can be used by the body
Origin: [v.] "assimilate food in bowels," late 14c., from Latin digestus (see digest (n.)).
[n.] "collection of writing," late 14c., from Latin digesta, from neuter plural of digestus, literally "digested thing."
Sentence: These cattle are fed corn, which they cannot digest.
Part of speech: digestion [n.], digestive [adj.]
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