Civilize[v.] /ˈsɪvəlaɪz/

Definition

: to teach (a person or group of people) to behave in a way that you think is more polite and gentle

: to make (something) more gentle, fair, reasonable, etc.

: to cause (a group of people) to have a more highly organized and modern way of living

Origin- c.1600, "to bring out of barbarism," from French civiliser, verb from Old French civil (adj.), from Latin civilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Meaning "become civilized" is from 1868.

Roots: civ-city, citizen 

Example- Her parents hoped that boarding school might civilize her some.

 

Approach[v.] /əˈprəʊtʃ/

Definition

: to move or become near or nearer to something or someone

: to move or become near or nearer in time to something

 : to get close to (an amount or level)

Origin-Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher,from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before

Roots: porch-near

Example-The cat approached the baby cautiously.

 

Enhance[v.] /ɪnˈhɑːns/

Definition

: to increase or improve (something)

Origin-Middle English enhauncen, from Anglo-French enhaucer,enhauncer, from Vulgar Latin *inaltiare, from Latin in +altus high

Roots: en-in or use to emphasize

Example-You can enhance the flavor of the dish by using fresh herbs.

 

Pitying[adj.] /ˈpɪtiɪŋ/

Definition

: showing or expressing pity for someone or something

Origin- "to feel pity for," late 15c., from Old French pitier and from pity (n.). Related: Pitied; pitying.

 Example- To her annoyance, he gave her a pitying look.

 

Stem[n.]/stem/

Definition

: the long thin central part of a plant from which the leaves and flowersgrow

: the long thin part of a wine glass that joins the bowl to the base

: the long narrow part of a pipe used for smoking

: LINGUISTICS the part of a word that does not change when an endingis added, for example 'work' in the word 'working'

Origin-Middle English, from Old English stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to Old High German stam plant stem and probably to Greek stamnos wine jar, histanai to set

Example- Bindweed ran up the stems of the corn.

 

Terrace[n.] /ˈterəs/

Definition

:a row of houses all of the same type, built so that they join together

: a flat area outside a house, restaurant, hotel etc, used for sitting andeating meals

:one of a series of areas on a slope cut so that they look like widesteps, used for growing crops

:BRITISH a series of wide low steps at the side ofa football pitch where you can stand to watch the match

Origin- Middle French, platform, terrace, from Old French, from Old Occitan terrassa, from terra earth, from Latin, earth, land; akin to Latin torrēre to parch

Roots: ter-earth

Example- For sale: large three-bedroom house with adjoining terrace and garden.

 

Thrill[v.] /θrɪl/

Definition

: to cause (someone) to feel very excited or happy

: to feel very excited or happy about something Origin-Middle English thirlen, thrillen to pierce, from Old Englishthyrlian, from thyrel hole, from thurh through

Example-Circus performers still thrill audiences today.

 

Inference[n.] /ˈɪnf(ə)rəns/

Definition

: the act or process of reaching a conclusion about something from known facts or evidence

: a conclusion or opinion that is formed because of known facts or evidence

Origin- 1590s, from Medieval Latin inferentia, from Latin inferentem (nominative inferens), present participle of inferred.

Roots: fer-bring

Example-The program uses records of past purchases to make inferences about what customers will buy in the future.

 

Whack[v.]/wæk/

 Definition

: to hit (someone or something) with great force

: to reduce (something) by a large amount

: to murder or kill (someone)

Origin-"to strike sharply," 1719, probably of imitative origin. The noun is from 1737. The word in out of whack (1885) is perhaps the slang meaning "share, just portion" (1785), which may be from the notion of the blow that divides, or the rap of the auctioneer's hammer. To have (or take) a whack at something "make an attempt" is from 1891. 

Example-The old man lifted his cane and whacked the mugger on the head.

 

Sage[n.] /seɪdʒ/

Definition

:  a plant used to flavor food. Sage is a herb.

:  LITERARY someone who is wise and shows good judgment

Origin-Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin*sapius, from Latin sapere to taste, have good taste, be wise; akin to Oscan sipus knowing, Old Saxon ansebbian to perceive 

Example- Several questions on the seven sages of the bamboo grove

 

Frittata[n.] \frēˈtätə\

 Definition

: an unfolded omelet often containing chopped vegetables or meats

Origin- 1884, from Italian frittata, from fritto "fried".

Example- To make the frittata, boil the potatoes in salted water until just cooked.

 

Twirl[v.] /twɜː(r)l/

Definition

: to turn (something) around and around quickly

: to turn or spin around and around

: to twist or wrap (something) around something

Origin- 1590s, "move round rapidly" (intransitive), of uncertain origin, possibly connected with Old English þwirl "a stirrer, handle of a churn," and Old Norse þvara "pot-sticker, stirrer." Or on another guess a blend of twist and whirl. Transitive sense, "cause to revolve rapidly," is from 1620s. 

Example-The cheerleaders jumped and twirled.

 

Fennel[n.] /ˈfen(ə)l/

Definition

: a pale green vegetable with seeds and leaves that are used for flavouring food

Origin-Middle English fenel, from Old English finugl, from Vulgar Latin *fenuculum, from Latin feniculum fennel, irregular diminutive of fenum hay

Example- He plucked a stalk of dried fennel.

 

Batter[n.] /ˈbætə(r)/

Definition

: a mixture consisting chiefly of flour, egg, and milk or water and being thin enough to pour or drop from a spoon

: (v.)to hit something very hard several times

The court heard that he had battered his wife to deathOrigin-Middle English bater, probably from bateren

Example- Folded the beaten egg whites into the batter

  

Agriculture[n.]/ˈæɡrɪˌkʌltʃə(r)/

Definition

: the science or occupation of farming

Origin-Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin agricultura, from ager field + cultura cultivation

Roots: agri, agro- field, land

Example-They cleared the land to use it for agriculture.

 

Nutritional[n.] /njuːˈtrɪʃən(ə)l/

Definition

: the process of eating the right kind of food so you can grow properly and be healthy Origin-Middle English nutricioun, from Late Latin nutrition-, nutritio, from Latin nutrire

Roots: nutri, nutirt- sustenance

Example-The speaker discussed diet and nutrition with the class.

 

Anthropologist[n.]\ˌan(t)thrəˈpäləjē\

Definition

: the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures

Origin-New Latin anthropologia, from anthrop- + -logia -logy

Roots: anthrop-human

Example- Polish-born British anthropologist who maintained that customs and beliefs have specific social functions.

 

Intestine(s)[n.] /ɪnˈtestɪn/

Definition

: a long tube in the body that helps digest food after it leaves the stomach

Origin-Middle English, from Middle French intestin, from Latin intestinum, from neuter of intestinus 

Example- Inducing the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. 

 

Underpin[v.] /ˌʌndə(r)ˈpɪn/

Definition

: to strengthen or support (something) from below Origin- "support or prop," 1520s (figurative); 1530s (literal), from under + pin (v.). 

Example-The wall is underpinned by metal beams.

 

Primate[n.] /ˈpraɪmeɪt/ 

Definition

:BIOLOGY an animal belonging to thesame group as humans, which includes monkeys and apes

Origin-Middle English primat, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin primat-, primas archbishop, from Latin, leader, fromprimus

Roots: prim, prem, prin, pri-first

Example- A primate of the family Hominidae, of which Homo sapiens is the only extant species.

 

Valid[adj.]/ˈvælɪd/

Definition

: fair or reasonable

: acceptable according to the law

Origin-Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French valide, from Medieval Latin validus, from Latin, strong, potent, from valēre 

Roots: valid- utility

Example-There is no valid reason to proceed with the change.

 

Tumultuous[adj.] /tjuːˈmʌltʃʊəs/

Definition

: loud, excited, and emotional

: involving a lot of violence, confusion, or disorder

Origin- 1540s, from Middle French tumultuous (Modern French tumultueux), from Latin tumultuosus "full of bustle or confusion, disorderly, turbulent," from tumultus. 

 Example-The returning astronauts were given a tumultuous welcome.

 

Caterwaul[v.] /ˈkætə(r)wɔːl/

Definition

: to make a very loud and unpleasant sound

: to protest or complain noisily

Origin-Middle English caterwawen

Example-Some animal was caterwauling in my backyard last night.

 

Apparition[n.] /ˌæpəˈrɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition

: a ghost or spirit of a dead person

Origin-Middle English apparicioun, from Anglo-French aparicion,from Late Latin apparition-, apparitio appearance, from Latin apparēre

Example- An eccentric who claimed to have photographed an apparition in her very own house.

 

Amputate[v.] /ˈæmpjʊteɪt/

Definition

medical : to cut off (part of a person's body)Origin-Latin amputatus, past participle of amputare, from am-, amb- around + putare to cut, prune

Roots: put-place

Example-His arm was badly injured and had to be amputated.