Astonishing[adj.] /əˈstɒnɪʃɪŋ/

Origin- c.1300, astonien, from Old French estoner "to stun, daze, deafen, astound," from Vulgar Latin *extonare, from Latin ex- "out" + tonare "to thunder" (see thunder); so, literally "to leave someone thunderstruck." The modern form (influenced by English verbs in -ish, such as distinguish, diminish) is attested from c.1530. Related: Astonished; astonishing; astonishingly.

 

Definition

: causing a feeling of great surprise or wonder

Example-He showed an astonishing lack of concern for others.

 

Classification[n.] /ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/ 

Origin- 1772, "action of classifying," noun of action from Latin stem of classify, or from French classification. Meaning "result of classifying" is from 1789.

 

Definition

:UNCOUNTABLE] the process of putting people or things intoparticular groups according to the features that they have

:[COUNTABLE] a group into which someone or something is putbecause of the features that they have

Example- Hotels within this classification offer only basic facilities.

 

Concept[n.] /ˈkɒnsept/

Origin- 1550s, from Medieval Latin conceptum "draft, abstract," in classical Latin "(a thing) conceived," from concep-, past participle stem of concipere "to take in" (see conceive). In some 16c. cases a refashioning of conceit (perhaps to avoid negative connotations).

 

Roots: con-together

Examples-contents, contain, construct

 

Definition

: something conceived in the mind

: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

Example- The company launched its discount airline concept in 1989.

a new concept in fast food

 

Interactive[adj.] /ˌɪntərˈæktɪv/

Origin- 1832, from interact, probably on model of active.

 

Definition

:an interactive computer program, video etc reacts to the informationand instructions that you give it

: involving people communicating with each other and reacting to eachother

Example- A child's development is an interactive process.

 

Maintain[v.]  /meɪnˈteɪn/

Origin- mid-13c., "to practice habitually," from Anglo-French meintenir (Old French maintenir, 12c.) "keep (a wife), sustain; persevere in, practice continually," from Latin manu tenere"hold in the hand," from manu, ablative of manus "hand" (see manual) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "to carry on, keep up" is from mid-14c.; that of "to keep oneself, to support" is from late 14c. Sense of "to defend in speech" is from mid-14c. 

 

Roots: tain-hold

Examples-contain, sustain, abstain

 

Definition

: to make something stay the same

:to make regular repairs to a building, road, vehicle etc so that it staysin good condition

Example-Though now in government, hehas maintained close contact with his former colleagues in the oilindustry.

 

Organism[n.]  /ˈɔː(r)ɡəˌnɪz(ə)m/

Origin- 1660s, "organic structure, organization," from organize + -ism. Sense of "living animal or plant" first recorded 1842. 

Definition

:BIOLOGY a living thing such as a person, animal, or plant, especiallyan extremely small living thing

:a system consisting of different parts that all fit together well so that itcan operate and develop effectively

Example- The global economy is a complex organism.

 

Predator[n.]/ˈpredətə(r)/

Origin- 1862, from Latin praedator "plunderer," from praedari "to rob" (see predation). Originally Predatores (Swainson, 1840) used of insects that ate other insects.

 

Definition

: an animal that preys on other animals

: a person who looks for other people in order to use, control, or harm them in some way

Example- The population of rabbits is controlled by natural predators.

 

Reproduce[v.] /ˌriːprəˈdjuːs/

Origin- 1610s, "to produce again," from re- "again" + produce (v.), probably on model of French reproduire (16c.). Sense of "make a copy" is first recorded 1850; that of "produce offspring" is from 1894.

 

Roots: re-again

Examples-repeat, review, remember

 

Definition

: to make a copy of (something)

: to produce something that is the same as or very similar to (something else)

: to cause (something) to happen again in the same way

Example-The concert will be reproduced on compact disc.

 

 

Shelter[n.]/ˈʃeltə(r)/

Origin- 1580s, "structure affording protection," possibly an alteration of Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume "roof or wall formed by locked shields," from Old English scyldtruma, fromscield "shield" (see shield (n.)) + truma "troop," related to Old English trum "firm, strong" (see trim). 

 

Definition

: a structure that covers or protects people or things

: a place that provides food and protection for people or animals that need assistance

: a place to live

Example-We made a shelter from branches.

 

Mutualism[n.]\ˈmyü-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm, ˈmyü-chə-ˌli-, ˈmyüch-wə-ˌli-\

Origin- 1849, in reference to the doctrine of French anarchist/socialist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865), from French mutuellisme. In biology, from 1876, from mutual + -ism.

Roots:

Examples

Definition

:  the doctrine or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare

:  mutually beneficial association between different kinds of organisms

Example-

 

Parasitism[n.] \ˈper-ə-sə-ˌti-zəm, -ˌsī-, ˌpa-rə-\

Origin-1610s, from parasite + -ism. Biological sense is from 1853.

 

Definition

: the behavior of a parasite

:  an intimate association between organisms of two or more kinds; especially :  one in which a parasite obtains benefits from a host which it usually injures

Example-Many biologists think that sex, for example, is a response to parasitism.

 

Exotic[adj.]/ɪɡˈzɒtɪk/

Origin-Latin exoticus, from Greek exōtikos, from exō

First Known Use: 1599

 

Definition

: very different, strange, or unusual

of a plant or animal : not living or growing naturally in a particular area : from another part of the world

Example-She's known for her exotic tastes.

 

 

Hybrid[n.]/ˈhaɪbrɪd/

Origin- c.1600, from Latin hybrida, variant of ibrida "mongrel," specifically "offspring of a tame sow and a wild boar," of unknown origin but probably from Greek and somehow related to hubris. A rare word before c.1850. The adjective is attested from 1716.

 

Definition

: an animal or plant that is produced from two animals or plants of different kinds

: something that is formed by combining two or more things

Example-The band plays a hybrid of jazz and rock.

 

Technique[n.] /tekˈniːk/

Origin-French, from technique technical, from Greek technikos

First Known Use: 1817

 

Definition

: a way of doing something by using special knowledge or skill

: the way that a person performs basic physical movements or skills

Example-We learned some techniques for relieving stress.

 

 

Sorrel[n.]/ˈsɒrəl/

Origin- Middle English sorel, from Anglo-French surele, from sur, siur sour, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sūrsour

First Known Use: 15th century

 

Definition

: a plant with bitter leaves that people use for giving a fresh flavour tofood

: a brownish orange to light brown

Example-  Here he had rooted up the moss and wood sorrel.

 

Acre[n.]/ˈeɪkə(r)/

Origin- Middle English, from Old English æcer; akin to Old High German ackar field, Latin ager, Greek agros, and perhaps to Latin agere to drive

First Known Use: before 12th century

 

Definition

: a measure of land area in the U.S. and Britain that equals 4,840 square yards (about 4,047 square meters)

Example-The house sits on two acres of land.

 

 

Mane[n.]/meɪn/

Origin-Middle English, from Old English manu; akin to Old High German mana mane, Latin monile necklace

First Known Use: before 12th century

 

Definition

: the long hair on the neck of a horse or lion

: long, thick hair on a person's head

Example- He had a great mane of white hair.

 

Torso[n.] /ˈtɔː(r)səʊ/

Origin- Italian, literally, stalk, from Latin thyrsus stalk, thyrsus

First Known Use: 1722

 

Definition

: the main part of the human body not including the head, arms, and legs

Example- The glass bottle is the shape of a woman's torso.

 

Terminology[n.] /ˌtɜː(r)mɪˈnɒlədʒi/

Origin-Medieval Latin terminus term, expression (from Latin, limit) + English -o- + -logy

First Known Use: 1801

 

Definition

: the words and phrases used in a particular business, science, orprofession

Example-<the terminology favored by sportscasters>

 

Harlequin[n.]/ˈhɑː(r)ləˌkwɪn/

Origin-ultimately from Italian arlecchino, from Middle FrenchHelquin, a demon

First Known Use: 1590

 

Definition

: a pattern of diamond-shaped figures of different colors

: a comic character in old stories and plays who wears a mask and colorful clothes with a diamond pattern

Example- A comedy or pantomime in which harlequin is the main attraction.

 

 

Incredulous[adj.] /ɪnˈkredjʊləs/

Origin- "unbelieving," 1570s, from Latin incredulus "unbelieving, incredulous," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + credulus (see credulous). Formerly also of religious beliefs. Related:Incredulously; incredulousness.

 

Roots: cred-believe

Examples- credence, discredit, Incredible

 

Definition

: not able or willing to believe something

: feeling or showing a lack of belief

Example- Many people were incredulous that such a small fire could have caused so much damage.

 

 

Shrill[adj.] /ʃrɪl/

Origin- Middle English; probably akin to Old English scrallettan to resound loudly

First Known Use: 13th century

 

Definition

: to make a very loud, high-pitched sound

: to say (something) in a very loud, high-pitched voice

Example-<the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist>

 

Strident[adj.]/ˈstraɪd(ə)nt/

Origin-Latin strident-, stridens, present participle of stridere, stridēre to make a harsh noise

First Known Use: circa 1656

 

Definition

: a strident voice or sound is loud and unpleasant

:holding firm opinions or beliefs and tending to express them frequently,in a way that offends some people

Example-The strident tone in his voice revealed his anger.

 

Proprietary[adj.] /prəˈpraɪət(ə)ri/

Origin Late Latin proprietarius, from Latin proprietas property

First Known Use: 1589

 

Definition

: of or like that of an owner

: used, made, or sold only by the particular person or company that has the legal right to do so

: kept private by an owner

Example-The investors have a proprietary interest in the land.