1.      cautious[adj.] /ˈkɔːʃəs/

Origin- 1640s, from caution + -ous. The Latin word for this was cautus "careful, heedful."

 

Definition

1.      careful about avoiding danger or risk

Example-Any cautious tourist will guard her passport.

 

2.      Colleague[n.]  /ˈkɒliːɡ/

Origin-Middle French collegue, from Latin collega, from com- +legare to depute

First Known Use: circa 1533

 

Roots: co, com, con- with

Examples- coalesce, coherent, coincide

 

Definition

1.      an associate in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office

Example-A colleague of mine will be speaking at the conference.

 

3.      Instinctive[adj.]/ɪnˈstɪŋktɪv/

Origin- 1610s (implied in instinctively), from Latin instinct-, past participle stem of instinguere (see instinct) + -ive. 

 

Roots: stinct-sting

Examples- distinct, nondistinctive, instinct

Definition

1.      relating to or based on instinct
2.       based on feelings or desires that do not come from thinking or learning

Example-Cats have an instinctive desire to hunt.

 

4.      Intersection[n.]/ˈɪntə(r)ˌsekʃ(ə)n/

Origin- "act or fact of crossing," 1550s, from Middle French intersection (14c.) and directly from Latin intersectionem (nominative intersectio) "a cutting asunder, intersection," noun of action from past participle stem of intersecare "intersect, cut asunder," from inter- "between" (see inter-) + secare "to cut" (see section). Originally a term in geometry; meaning "crossroads" is from 1864.

 

Roots: sect-cut

Examples-dissect, sector, bisect

 

Definition

1.      a place where roads, lines etc join or cross each other
2.      the act or process of crossing or intersecting

Example-The accident occurred at a busy intersection.

 

5.      Obligation[n.]  /ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃ(ə)n/

Origin- c.1300, from Old French obligacion "obligation, duty, responsibility" (early 13c.) and directly from Latin obligationem (nominative obligatio) "an engaging or pledging," literally "a binding" (but rarely used in this sense), noun of action from past participle stem of obligare (see oblige). The notion is of binding with promises or by law or duty.

 

Roots: ob-toward, against, over

Examples- objective, obscure, obtain

 

Definition

1.      something that you must do because it is morally right
2.       something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise, etc.

Example-She failed to fulfill her obligations as a parent.

 

6.      Suburb[n.] /ˈsʌbɜː(r)b/

Origin-Middle English suburbe, from Anglo-French, from Latinsuburbium, from sub- near + urbs city  

First Known Use: 14th century

 

Roots: urb-city

Examples-urban, urbanize, urbanity

 

Definition

1.      a town or other area where people live in houses near a larger city

2.       plural :  the residential area on the outskirts of a city or large town

Example- The two roads intersect at the suburb of the city.

 

7.      Thrive[v.]  /θraɪv/

Origin-Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

First Known Use: 13th century

 

Definition

1.  to grow or develop successfully : to flourish or succeed

Example- These plants thrive with relatively little sunlight

 

8.      Wire[n.] /ˈwaɪə(r)/

Origin-Middle English, from Old English wīr; akin to Old High German wiara fine gold work, Latin viēre to plait, and probably to Greek iris rainbow

First Known Use: before 12th century

 

Definition

1.      a small microphone that is worn under clothing in order to secretly record a conversation
2.       a thin, flexible thread of metal
3.      a thread of metal that is covered with plastic, rubber, etc., and used to send or receive electricity or electrical signals

Example-The flowers were bound together with thin wire.

 

9.      Garbage[n.]  /ˈɡɑː(r)bɪdʒ/

Origin- early 15c., "giblets of a fowl, waste parts of an animal," later confused with garble in its sense of "siftings, refuse." Perhaps some senses derive from Old French garbe "a bundle of sheaves, entrails," from Proto-Germanic *garba- (cognates: Dutch garf, German garbe "sheaf"), from PIE *ghrebh- (1) "to seize, reach". Sense of "refuse, filth" is first attested 1580s; used figuratively for "worthless stuff" from 1590s. Garbology "study of waste as a social science" is from 1976.

 

Definition
1.      things that are no longer useful or wanted and that have been thrown out
2.      a container where people put things that are being thrown out
3.       something that is worthless, unimportant, or of poor quality

Example-Raccoons were going through the garbage.

 

10.  Breed[v.] /briːd/

Origin Middle English breden, from Old English brēdan; akin to Old English brōd brood

First Known Use: before 12th century

 -

Definition

1.      to keep and take care of animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind
2.      to produce young animals, birds, etc.
3.      to produce young animals, birds, etc.
4.      to take care of and teach (a child who is growing up)

Example- The plants are bred to resist disease and drought.

 

11.  Disability[n.] /ˌdɪsəˈbɪləti/

Origin- 1570s, "want of ability;" see dis- + ability.

 

Roots: dis-erase, cancel

Examples- disorganize, disarm, disburden

 

Definition

1.a condition in which someone is not able to use a part of their body orbrain properly, for example because of an injury
2. a program that provides financial support to a disabled person

Example-She has learned to keep a positive attitude about her disability.

 

12.  Miniature[adj.] /ˈmɪnətʃə(r)/

Origin-Italian miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript, from Medieval Latin, from Latin miniatus, past participle of miniare to color with minium, from minium red lead

First Known Use: circa 1586

 

Roots: mini, minu-small

Examples- mince, minority, minute

 

Definition

1.      much smaller than things of the same kind
2.      a copy on a much reduced scale
3.      a very small portrait or other painting (as on ivory or metal)

Example-A diorama filled with miniatures of town buildings as they looked in the 19th century.

 

13.  Suspicion[n.]/səˈspɪʃ(ə)n/

Origin-Middle English suspecioun, from Anglo-French, from Latinsuspicion-, suspicio, from suspicere to suspect

First Known Use: 14th century

 

Roots: sub, sus-under

Examples- suspend, suppose, suspense

 

Definition

1.      a feeling that someone has done something wrong
2.      a feeling that something bad is likely or true
3.      a feeling of doubt

Example-There has long been a suspicion that the painting is a fake.

 

14.  Privilege[n.]/ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/

Origin-Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin privilegiumlaw for or against a private person, from privus private +leg-, lex law

First Known Use: 12th century

 

Roots: priv –separate, single

Examples- privacy, private, priority

Definition
1.      a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others
2.       a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud
3.      the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society

Example- We had the privilege of being invited to the party.

 

15.  Canine[adj.] /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

Origin- c.1600, of teeth, from canine (n.) or Latin caninus. Meaning "pertaining to a dog or dogs" is from 1620s.

Roots: can, cyn-dog

Examples- cynic

 

Definition

1.      a dog
2.       a pointed tooth

Example- In the minds of some, the winner of this prestigious dog show has a fair claim to the title of King of the Canines.

 

16.  Condition[n.] /kənˈdɪʃ(ə)n/

Origin-Middle English condicion, from Anglo-French, from Latincondicion-, condicio terms of agreement, condition, fromcondicere to agree, from com- + dicere to say, determine

First Known Use: 14th century

 

Definition

1.      a way of living or existing
2.       the state in which something exists : the physical state of something
3.      the physical or mental state of a person or animal

Example-Happiness is the state or condition of being happy.

 

17.  Pheromone[n.]/ˈferəməʊn/

Origin- International Scientific Vocabulary phero- (from Greekpherein to carry) + -mone (as in hormone)

First Known Use: 1959

 

Definition

1.      biology : a chemical substance that an animal or insect produces in order to attract other animals or insects and especially a mate

Example- The stronger the pheromone signal, the more other ants followed that route.

 

18.  Trail[v.]/treɪl/

Origin-Middle English, perhaps from Anglo-French *trailer,alteration of trainer to drag, trail on the ground

First Known Use: 13th century

 

Definition

1.      to pull (something) behind you especially on the ground
2.      o be pulled behind someone or something
3.      to walk or move slowly as you follow behind (someone or something)

Example-The President is trailing in the polls as the election approaches.

 

19.  Caterpillar[n.] /ˈkætə(r)ˌpɪlə(r)/

Origin-Middle English catyrpel, from Anglo-French *catepelose,literally, hairy cat

First Known Use: 15th century

 

Definition
1.      a small creature that is like a worm with many legs and that changes to become a butterfly or moth
2.      any of various similar larvae

Example-A caterpillar must pass through the cocoon stage to become a butterfly.

 

20.  Convivial[adj.]/kənˈvɪviəl/

Origin-Late Latin convivialis, from Latin convivium banquet, fromcom- + vivere to live

First Known Use: circa 1668

 

Roots: viv-energy

Examples- revival, sempervivum, survive

 

Definition

1.  of or relating to social events where people can eat, drink, and talk in a friendly way with others

Example- The hiking club attracts a wide range of convivial people who share a love of the outdoors.

 

21.  Butler[n.] /ˈbʌtlə(r)/

Origin- Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butiller, from Old French botele bottle — more at bottle

First Known Use: 13th century

 

Definition

1.      the main male servant in the home of a wealthy person

Example- The butler went off with some of the duke's treasured possessions.

 

 

22.  obstetric[adj.]\əb-ˈste-trik, äb-\

Origin- modification of Latin obstetricius, from obstetric-, obstetrixmidwife, from obstare

First Known Use: 1742

 

Definition

of, relating to, or associated with childbirth or obstetrics

Example- Women who've had obstetric cholestasis shouldn't use a contraceptive pill containing oestrogen as this may trigger symptoms.

 

23.Soprano[n.]/səˈprɑːnəʊ/

Origin- Italian, adjective & noun, from sopra above, from Latinsupra

First Known Use: 1730

 

Definition

1.      relating to the highest female singing voice or the highest voice part in a singing group
2.      having a high sound range
3.      a girl, woman, or boy with the highest type of voice for singing

Example- He sang in a clear beautiful soprano.

 

24.Rivulet(s)[n.]/ˈrɪvjʊlət/

Origin- Italian rivoletto, diminutive of rivolo, from Latin rivulus,diminutive of rivus stream

First Known Use: 1587

 

Roots: riv-stream

Examples- rivalry, derive, river

 

Definition

1. a small stream of water or liquid

Example- Oilfields stretch for miles, shimmering rivulets coating the landscape with glittering poison.

 

25.  Deplorable[adj.]/dɪˈplɔːrəb(ə)l/

Origin- 1610s; see deplore + -able. Perhaps from French déplorable or directly from Late Latin deplorabilis. Johnson (mid-18c.) noted the weakened colloquial use of the word for "very bad."

 

Roots: de-down, complete

Examples- destitute, despoil, deprave

 

Definition
1.      very bad in a way that causes shock, fear, or disgust
2.      deserving to be deplored

Example- We will not tolerate such deplorable behavior in a house of worship.