QUAINT WORDS (WORDS # 29)

WELCOME! ANOTHER POST ON WORDS!

SUMMER SCENE, A BUTTERFLY VISITING LOVELY FLOWERS

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QUADRUPED

Noun (Countable) – An animal that walks on four legs

The alpaca and the guanaco are indigenous quadrupeds of South America

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QUAVER

Verb (Intransitive) – If your voice quavers, it is not steady because you are feeling nervous or afraid

Her voice quavered as she addressed the vast audience

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QUERY

Noun (Countable) -  A question that you ask because you want information or because you are not certain about something

One of our staff will be available to answer your queries

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QUOTIDIAN

Adjective – Ordinary and not unusual or surprising

The quotidian mail was placed on her desk

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MY COMMENTS ON THESE WORDS

This time we have a pleasant collection of words, they will be easy to write about!

“Quadruped” is a rather technical word and it sounds very official. I think that in everyday use we would generally say “four-footed”, especially when referring to pets. People talk about their “four footed friend”, and they could be describing the companionship of their dog. But quadruped is used in other circumstances.

“Quaver” is a frequently used expression, especially when describing the effect of an emotion. This word is used both in writing and in speaking, although you could also say something like “with a tremble in her voice”

“Query” is a more common word; it could be a synonym of the word “question”. The example included above is perfectly clear and the idea is simple, so there is not much to say here.

“Quotidian” is very clear to me because I can associate to Spanish, but I have rarely seen or heard it in use. I associate t to newspaper or magazine articles; I think I have seen it on these.

The good news for Spanish speakers is that cuadrúpedo and cotidiano both exist, sound similar and mean the same, which should be of help!

So study your lists of words and I’ll see you on the next post!

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© 2013  joveron  (Joan Robertson)

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OUTSTANDING WORDS (WORDS # 28)

WELCOME TO ANOTHER POST ON WORDS!

RED AND YELLOW ROSES, SO LOVELY!

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OBDURATE

Adjective (very formal) – Refusing to change your opinions or plans, in a way that does not seem reasonable

We tried to convince him but the manager was obdurate

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OBFUSCATE

Verb (Transitive, formal) – To deliberately make something confusing or difficult to understand

The issues were clear, but he insisted on obfuscating them

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OMNISCIENT

Adjective (Formal) – Knowing everything

The primitive tribes believed that the local shaman was omniscient

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OUST

Verb (Transitive) – To remove someone from a position of power, especially in order to take that position

The president was ousted in a coup last year

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MY COMMENTS ON THESE WORDS

This collection of words looks a bit difficult! I think the main problem is that they are rather formal, and not so commonly used.

“Obdurate” is a word I have seen use in novels but not very frequently. I don’t think I have had any opportunity for using it, and besides, I would probably say “very stubborn” or “very inflexible” or I could even say “unreasonably stubborn” and that could probably convey the idea very well. This is not an easy word to master!

“Obfuscate” is a word I have also seen in use on occasion, but not frequently. News reporters have used this term when describing a deliberate attempt to make an issue so obscure that the truth does not shine through. In this way, the truth is hidden from public opinion. Another rather difficult word!

“Omniscient” is definitely not for everyday use! I think I’ve only seen it in prayer books with reference to God Almighty, who is omniscient.  The term could be replaced by “all-knowing” or “all-seeing”. Not an easy term!

“Oust” is more common in everyday use. Apart from the meaning in the example given above, I would also use it, and actually have used it, to describe the action of removing a pet cat from a very comfortable armchair in front of the fire! The poor fellow was “ousted” from his comfortable bed!

There is some good news for Spanish speakers. The words obfuscar and omnisciente exist, sound the same and more or less mean the same!

So there you have them! As you can see, the vocabulary that is expected for the graduate entry tests can be rather complex!

So study up your words, and I’ll see you on the next post!

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© 2013  joveron  (Joan Robertson)

I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just click the word “comments” lower down.

DIZZY WORDS (WORDS # 27)

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LOVELY NARCISSUS!

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DECIDUOUS

Adjective – Deciduous trees lose all their leaves each fall. Trees that keep their leaves all year round are called evergreen.

Deciduous trees are generally beautiful, but each fall their leaves clutter the parks and sidewalks where they are planted

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DEBACLE

Noun (countable) – Something that fails completely in an embarrassing way

The celebration was a debacle, the expected guests did not arrive and the audio equipment failed!

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DISSEMINATE

Verb (transitive, formal) – To make something such as information or knowledge available to a lot of people

Nowadays the social media are powerful tools in the dissemination of news and trends 

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DUBIOUS

Adjective – Not sure about the truth or quality of something, or whether you should do something

I’m very dubious about his ability to do the job

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MY COMMENTS ON THESE WORDS

A pleasant collection of words! This time the list is relatively easy.

“Deciduous” is a well known word for every person who is interested in trees. We are all familiar with the activity of sweeping up the leaves from the ground, and maybe lighting bonfires to get rid of the piles of dead leaves we collect. Although these fires are frowned upon by ecologists!

“Debacle” is also a familiar word; we use it to describe something that flops in a really great way. I think the example provided above is very clear!

“Disseminate” is also a relatively common expression. I think the captions on “Trends” that appear on Twitter and Google+ are clear examples of social dissemination.

“Dubious” is not used so often, but in my opinion it is very descriptive. We can easily imagine a person making a dubious face! It is related to the concept of doubt. I will be dubious when I’m not sure of something!

There is good news for Spanish speakers! The words deciduo, debacle and diseminar all exist, sound and mean the same!

“Dubious” would relate to dudoso in Spanish. It doesn’t sound so similar; the other words are a better match.

So study up your words, they are all on the suggested lists for graduate entry tests.

See you on the next post!

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© 2013  joveron (Joan Robertson)

I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just click the word “comments” lower down.

CURIOUS WORDS (WORDS # 26)

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CLEMENCY

Noun (uncountable, formal) -  A decision not to punish someone severely, made by someone in a position of authority

The judge didn’t treat the culprit with clemency

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CODDLE

Verb (transitive) – To treat someone in a way that gives them too much protection from harm or difficult experiences

A young mother will usually coddle her first born child.

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COGNIZANCE

Noun (Uncountable, formal) – The process by which you recognize and understand something

If you take cognizance of all the steps in this process, you will be sure to make a good decision.

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CULINARY

Adjective -  Relating to food and how to cook it

And what culinary delights do you have for us tonight?

He delights in showing off his culinary skills.

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MY COMMENTS ON THESE WORDS

A good collection of words this time!

“Clemency” makes me think of the law and judges. I also relate the concept to “pardon” and “forgive”. There are also other words that connected to this one, such as “inclement”. I could say: “The weather has been very inclement recently” Sounds rather formal!

“Coddle” makes me imagine holding a baby in my arms, and pets also love to be “coddled”! It is also usual to “coddle” an invalid, while giving him or her a nice hot cup of tea! This word is used more or less frequently.

“Cognizance” is very formal! It relates to knowing and knowledge. I’ve read it in official documents, mostly about legal issues, or formal business agreements. I certainly wouldn’t consider it for everyday use!

“Culinary” is definitely a term that is used, both in writing and in speaking, as it refers to food, the cooking of food, the description of special dishes and the crafts and expertize that go into providing these dishes!

The good news for Spanish speakers is that clemencia and culinario exist, sound similar and mean the same! “Cognoscitivo” also exists and although it means something similar, is not an exact match for “cognizance”.

So there you are! Another set of words to study taken from the lists for graduate tests, such as GRE, TOEFL or IELTS.

See you on my next post!

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 © 2013  joveron  (Joan Robertson)

I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just click the word “comments” lower down.

ASSORTED WORDS (WORDS # 25)

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CLOSEUP OF A BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY ON AN ORANGE FLOWER

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ABASHED

Adjective – embarrassed or ashamed about something you have done.

He was abashed at the results of his efforts.

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ABOVEBOARD

Adjective - Completely honest and legal

She’s been totally open and aboveboard about this negotiation.

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ACQUIESCE

Verb (Intransitive, formal) - To agree to something or to accept something, although you do not want to

He still kept his own view. However, he acquiesced to the Board’s decision.

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ADAGE

Noun (countable) – A well-known phrase that says something about life and human experience

Birds of a feather flock together

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MY COMMENTS ON THESE WORDS

Quite a complicated set of words! I would say the most frequently used are “Aboveboard” and “Adage”

“Abashed” is related to feeling awkward about something. Adolescents are easily “abashed”. They feel uncomfortable and lack confidence in themselves. Even a light criticism will make them feel “abashed”! But I wouldn’t usually use this word, I would probably use the word “uncomfortable” and this is a characteristic that also affects adults.

“Aboveboard” I think is a more useful word, it literally means that procedures or things are “above the board”. This means that everything is on view; there is nothing hidden or secret. The word projects the idea of honest dealing, of transparent actions. I’ve seen it used in relation to business or negotiations.

“Acquiesce” is such a complicated word to write and to pronounce! It’s also very formal. Personally I wouldn’t use it. It can be associated to agreeing or accepting or allowing something to happen. So why use it if you can use these other, simpler words? However, it is used for formal writing and speaking, and it’s on the lists for the various tests, so there you have it!

“Adage” is relatively common. An adage is a saying that usually describes some traditional behavior. It has a feeling of years of experience and wisdom, and is often educational, it teaches something.

The news for Spanish speakers is not very good, I’m afraid! The only word that sounds similar in Spanish is adagio. It sounds the same, looks the same and means the same as the English term “adage”.

So that’s it for now. Study up your words and I’ll see you on my next post!

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 © 2013  joveron  (Joan Robertson)

I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just click the word “comments” lower down.