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12/31/01
Health: UMAMI
Noun: The fifth taste sensation, after sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Associated with mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), umami has been described as both sweet and salty, with a more pungent, meaty taste. Umami is also recognized as an effective flavor enhancer, hence the presence of MSG in so many foods.
Example Sentence: The umami taste of the asparagus and cheese made it a favorite
among the party guests.
12/28/01
Health: AGEUSIA
Noun: An inability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, or salty food, spices, or drink. Persons suffering from only a reduced ability to taste these four types of flavors are said to have hypogeusia.
Example Sentence: The food critic's ageusia made it impossible for him to
fairly judge the local cuisine.
12/27/01
Health: AEROPHOBIA
Noun: An irrational and persistent fear of flying that results in extreme anxiety for the sufferer.
Example Sentence: Betty's aerophobia prevented her from flying to Europe
for her family's reunion.
12/26/01
Health: KETOSIS-LIPOLYSIS
Noun: An abnormal increase of the body's amount of ketones, which are byproducts of protein or fat metabolism. Some medical experts agree that ketosis-lipolysis can cause dangerous, even lethal, side effects to the body's kidneys, liver, and brain functions. However, advocates of low-carbohydrate diets consider the fat-burning sign of ketosis-lipolysis a positive indication of successful weight loss.
Example Sentence: Daria's diabetes made her a prime candidate for ketosis-lipolysis.
12/21/01
Health: ADRENALINE
Noun: Produced by the adrenal gland, a substance released during times of stress, fear, or activity that increases a body's heart beat, increases lung intake, and heightens reaction time.
Example Sentence: Once her adrenaline kicked in, Carol could actually feel
her heart beating in her chest.
12/20/01
Health: ACIDOSIS
Noun: An abnormal condition of having too much acid and below-normal pH levels in the blood and body. This situation results from drops of alkaline and increases of acid and is associated with diabetes, lung disease, and kidney disease.
Example Sentence: Helen's diabetes often resulted in acidosis and a trip
to the doctor.
12/19/01
Health: ACROPHOBIA
Noun: A term for the extreme, constant fear of heights resulting in extreme anxiety for the sufferer, even in the absence of any real threat of harm.
Example Sentence: Her acrophobia prevented Cynthia from enjoying the scenic
view from the mountaintop.
12/18/01
Business: ARBITRON
Noun: A international television and rating service and marketing research firm that publishes regular marketing reports for broadcast, cable, and advertisers in the United States, Mexico, and Europe.
Example Sentence: Marvin used the Arbitron reports when deciding the market
segment in which the company would advertise in Mexico.
12/17/01
Health: ACID MANTLE
Noun: An oily layer on the skin's surface protecting the skin from impurities in the environment while regulating moisture loss and water retention.
Example Sentence: The doctor noticed that the patient's extremely dry skin was a result of an insufficient acid mantle on her skin.
12/13/01
Business: ADVERTORIAL
Noun: An ad with the formatting and appearance of a printed news article or editorial.
Example Sentence: The magazine was packed with advertorials discussing the
benefits of multivitamins and other dietary supplements.
12/12/01
Finance: ADVERTISING ELASTICITY
Noun: A term describing the cause-and-effect relationship between a company's advertising budget and changes in product sales.
Example Sentence: By increasing his advertising budget, Greg improved his
company's advertising elasticity and boosted profits.
12/11/01
Finance: ROI
Noun: Short for "return on investment," the amount of profit, benefits, or savings resulting from a completed campaign, sale, or other company objective. Often used to determine how well a company is managed.
Example Sentence: The projected ROI on the company's proposal impressed the
CEO so much, he immediately gave his approval to continue with the project.
12/10/01
Finance: PAR
Noun: The equivalent of a bond or security's face value. A bond selling at par, for example, is worth the same amount as it was when issued originally or when redeemed at maturity, such as a $1,000 bond.
Example Sentence: The bank bought back all of Sally's savings bonds at par
value.
12/07/01
Finance: GROSS PROFIT MARGIN
Noun: A company's profit less operating/variable costs divided by sales, used to calculate how much more customers pay for an item than the cost of making that item. Lower gross profit margins mean that the company is making less of a profit from each item sold. Increasing margins mean that profits are increasing per item sold.
Example Sentence: As the operating expenses for the business increased, the gross margin for its products continued to fall.
12/06/01
Finance: EXCHANGE RATE
Noun: The price at which one country's currency trades for another country's currency. This rate has a significant effect on how well a nation prospers from selling and buying goods abroad.
Example Sentence: At the current exchange rate, Marvin was only able to get one half of an English pound for every U.S. Dollar that he traded in.
12/05/01
Finance: ESCROW
Noun: Monies paid to another party to hold until a specific date and event. Afterwards, the funds are released to a specific entity or individual. For mortgages, an escrow account usually denotes a trust fund. The monies for this fund are added to each month's mortgage payments and are used to pay yearly property taxes, home-owners insurance premiums, and other expenditures.
Example Sentence: Each year, Jane's property taxes were paid automatically
by the bank through her escrow account.
12/04/01
Finance: EQUITY
Noun: The value of an owner's property investment that is free and clear of any mortgage amount still owed. This value increases steadily as the buyer pays off the mortgage, outstanding liens, or other debts, and/or the property increases in value. When all debts against a property are paid off, the owner then has 100 percent equity in his or her property.
Example Sentence: The bank approved the Smith's loan after noting that the
family had more than $40,000 equity in their home.
12/03/01
Finance: EARNINGS PER SHARE
Noun: Also called EPS, a company's profit divided by its number of outstanding shares. For example, if a company made $500,000 in profits for a year and had 800,000 shares, its EPS would be $0.63. EPS can be an important measure of how well a company is doing and how well it will do in the near future.
Example Sentence: Mary based her decision to purchase stock in ABC Development on the company's high EPS for the past five fiscal quarters.
11/30/01
Finance: FUTURES
Noun: Contracts for the sale of commodities or financial items to be delivered on a commodity exchange at a future date.
Example Sentence: Marty's unprecedented success with futures began to convince
his friends that he was part psychic.
11/29/01
Finance: FORECLOSURE
Noun: A legal term denoting a method of receiving payment for a debt incurred by a mortgage or deed of trust. Usually, this means that the property is taken from the debtor and either sold to another buyer or in a public auction.
Example Sentence: Because of months of lapsed payments, Mary knew that that
the bank was planning a foreclosure on her home.
11/28/01
Business: CAVEAT EMPTOR
Phrase: Latin for "Let the buyer beware." A rule of buyer/seller ethics dictating that a buyer or customer is solely responsible for inspecting an item and ensuring that it meets his or her needs before purchase. The seller is not obligated to disclose any known defects in a product, but is ethically bound not to purposefully conceal a defect or lie about it if asked.
Example Sentence: Before setting out to purchase her first car, Mary used
the old saying "caveat emptor" to help her remember to carefully
check out each vehicle and ask lots of questions.
11/27/01
Life: BODY IMAGE
Noun: The way in which we view ourselves, our beauty, and our self worth, as it relates to the condition, weight, and shape of our bodies.
Example Sentence: The constant negative self-assessing associated with a poor body image has been blamed for many psychological illnesses, including anorexia and other eating disorders.
11/26/01
Life: BINDI
Noun: The red dot on the center of the forehead worn by many Hindus. The Bindi represents the mystical "third eye" or the eye of wisdom. Opening that eye to attain unification of the conscious and subconscious minds is the goal of many yogis and devout Hindus.
Example Sentence: Each morning, the Hindu women in the neighborhood applied
the Bindi before heading for the market.
11/23/01
Health: METACOGNITION
Noun: Also called self-mediation, an awareness of the mental processes going on inside your head that allows you to direct this process to a desired end; sometimes referred to as "knowing about knowing."
Example Sentence: Don's metacognition enabled him to associate aspects of his experience as a construction worker to the mathematical principles behind architecture.
11/21/01
Family: HOME NETWORK
Noun: Two or more computers connected together to form a local area network (LAN) within a home. In this way, a family can use any computer to access and share programs, peripherals, Internet access, and more.
Example Sentence: Ruby installed a home network in her house so that she
could access the same stored information on any of her three computers.
11/20/01
Business: INTERACTIVE MARKETING
Noun: A communication technique used to encourage consumer response, whether through an order, a request for more information, or a visit to the actual store.
Example Sentence: Mark's site used surveys, contests, and other forms of
interactive marketing techniques to generate more interest in his services,
as well as more sales.
11/19/01
Business: IPO
Noun: Short for Initial Public Offering, a first, one-time sale of stocks for a previously privately held company that is now going to be publicly traded on a securities exchange.
Example Sentence: Anne thought that many online company IPO stocks were overvalued.
11/16/01
Business: INCUBATOR
Noun: An entity, such as a university, non-profit group, or venture capitalist organization, that provides office space, equipment, finances, and other assistance to new businesses.
Example Sentence: Lacking all the funds necessary to launch her small business,
Annette turned to a well-known business incubator for help.
11/15/01
Business: ABSORPTION RATE
Noun: In real-estate, the rate at which vacant space is leased or sold. This rate is used when determining whether to build new residential or commercial buildings in a given area.
Example Sentence: The poor absorption rate only made the community's economic
and housing problems seem all the more dismal.
11/14/01
Business: PRICE THRESHOLD
Noun: A shipping price, as determined by the merchant, set for various price ranges for products sold.
Example Sentence: Although the sale price for the product was very reasonable,
the assigned price threshold made the final cost too expensive.
11/13/01
Business: COLD-CALLING
Verb: The act of initiating a sales call or personal visit to a prospective customer you've never met or associated with.
Example Sentence: Debra despised cold calling her prospects, and often put
off the task for days.
11/12/01
Finance: CLONE FUND
Noun: A type of fund that simulates the performance of stocks in foreign securities. Clone Funds let Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) investors purchase stocks in foreign securities without conflicting with RRSP guidelines.
Example Sentence: The financial advisor often counseled clients against having
too many clone funds in their RRSPs.
11/09/01
Finance: CAPITAL GAINS TAX
Noun: A tax on profits resulting from the transfer or sale of an asset, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.
Example Sentence: Although John made an additional $20,000 profit from the
sale of his acreage, the resulting capital gains tax actually left him with
much less.
11/08/01
Finance: CALL OPTION
Noun: An option, for which you pay a fee, to purchase a stock, commodity, or other asset at a specified price by a future date, no matter what the actual stock price is at that time.
Example Sentence: Once the company's stock rose to $57, Mary realized that
her call option for $50 shares was a smart move.
11/07/01
Finance: CALL LOAN
Noun: A loan, sometimes used to purchase a security, in which the outstanding principle amount owed can be demanded at any time by the lender.
Example Sentence: Facing bankruptcy, the small bank had to demand all the
principle on its call loans to clients.
11/06/01
Finance: CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT
Noun: Also called a CD, an interest-bearing certificate with a pre-determined maturity date. CDs are usually issued by a bank, savings and loan, or other such institution.
Example Sentence: Joel decided to invest his inheritance by purchasing CDs
through his local bank.
11/05/01
Life: AROMATHERAPY
Noun: A treatment of stress and other ailments through massage with and/or smelling fragrant oils.
Example Sentence: Janet often relaxed by taking a hot bubble bath and lighting
her aromatherapy candles.
11/02/01
Life: AESTHETIC
Adjective: A term describing something beautiful, attractive, or pleasurable.
Example Sentence: City residents appreciated the new concert hall as much
for its aesthetic value as for its acoustic design.
11/01/01
Life: HUMANITARIAN
Noun: Someone who espouses human welfare and social reform.
Example Sentence: Many consider Mother Theresa a consummate humanitarian
because of her efforts to help the impoverished.
10/31/01
Health: PROSTHETICS
Noun: A medical specialty focusing on the design, use of, fitting, and construction of artificial devices used to replace missing limbs or other parts of the body.
Example Sentence: Doctor Jones' knowledge of prosthetics proved valuable
when treating war veterans.
10/30/01
Health: ACCREDITED
Adjective: A term describing a professional who has been officially authorized or licensed or who possesses the proper credentials to operate or provide services in a given capacity.
Example Sentence: Alice's chronic back pain finally motivated her to have it examined by an accredited professional.
10/29/01
Health: SALUBRIOUS
Adjective: A term describing general health or overall well-being.
Example Sentence: Because of her long bout with the flu, Helen's salubrious
demeanor was refreshing to see.
10/26/01
Health: PHYSIOTHERAPY
Noun: Also referred to as physical therapy, the medical treatment of ailments and injuries by physical means, such as massage, exercise, or heat.
Example Sentence: A broken leg often needs lots of physical therapy to recover
fully.
10/25/01
Family: ESTATE
Noun: The total property, usually in the form of land, buildings, and tenements, owned by a person or family.
Example Sentence: Lori's vast estate was valued at well over $5 million.
10/24/01
Family: DEED
Noun: A legally binding, signed document designating a transfer of property, contract, or other transaction among parties.
Example Sentence: Melanie had to show the deed to her house to the bank officer
before he would approve her loan.
10/23/01
Family: BEQUEATH
Verb: The act of leaving or giving away personal property and other assets through a will.
Example Sentence: David decided to bequeath his ungrateful relatives only
one dollar each upon his death.
10/22/01
Family: GENEALOGY
Noun: The study or an account of the order and identity of descendants within a given family tree.
Example Sentence: Joanna's study of genealogy enabled her to identify family members as far back as the early 1700s.
10/19/01
Business: ABATEMENT
Noun: A reduction or deduction of value or amount, such as from the amount of tax owed.
Example Sentence: Joan applied for a tax abatement before sending her check to the IRS.
10/18/01
Finance: CHARTER
Noun: A written and executed contract or deed creating and defining the authority of an institution, municipality, or corporation. Also, a guarantee of rights and privileges from a state or country.
Example Sentence: Although the company had branches in several states, its charter designated Pennsylvania as the state in which the business was incorporated.
10/17/01
Finance: CAPITAL
Noun: Sometimes referred to as net worth, the value of accumulated goods at a specific time, sometimes calculated to bring in income.
Example Sentence: At the urging of his brother, Joseph invested all of his capital into an offshore oil rig.
10/16/01
Finance: BILL OF LADING
Noun: A receipt of shipped goods that also serves as a contract between the shipper of the goods and the transportation company in charge of moving the items to a specified place.
Example Sentence: Upon receiving the merchandise at his store's warehouse,
Stan signed the bill of lading so that the truck driver could continue delivering
goods to area merchants.
10/12/01
Finance: BULL MARKET
Noun: An upward trend in the broad stock market index (such as Standard & Poor's 500 or NASDAQ) over a sustained period of time, usually several months to more than a year.
Example Sentence: Ann decided to sell her stocks at their current high value because she felt that the bull market could not last much longer.
10/11/01
Finance: BEAR MARKET
Noun: A downward trend in the broad stock market index (such as Standard & Poor's 500 or NASDAQ) over a sustained period of time, usually several months to more than a year.
Example Sentence: Lee took advantage of the lower prices in the bear market
to purchase cheap stocks and expand his portfolio.
10/10/01
Finance: BALLOON PAYMENT
Noun: The last payment for a mortgage loan that is much larger than the previous required payments.
Example Sentence: Alice's balloon payment for her mortgage was twice as much as her previous monthly payments, but at least the loan was finally paid in full.
10/09/01
Family: MEDIATION
Noun: A private, usually voluntary process that uses a third, impartial party to facilitate communication, reconciliation, settlement, or compromise among disputing parties.
Example Sentence: Rather than taking the case straight to court, Martin and his partner agreed to try mediation to resolve their differences about splitting the debt incurred from their failed business venture.
10/08/01
Family: PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT
Noun: An agreement between a couple prior to marriage that outlines marital property rights and financial responsibilities for the husband and the wife. Such an agreement also makes provisions for financial arrangements in the event of death or divorce and takes precedence over existing state family and probate laws that would otherwise apply.
Example Sentence: Once a luxury of the rich and famous, prenuptial agreements are often requested by many ordinary couples as a way to protect their individual property should the marriage end in divorce.
10/05/01
Family: TELECOMMUTE
Verb: to work from home or another remote location other than a company's offices. Most telecommuters connect to the main company through computers, fax machines, and phone calls to receive assignments and send in completed work.
Example Sentence: When on the road, Jessica would telecommute to her job and stay on top of her latest assignments.
10/04/01
Family: PENSION
Noun: A fixed income paid regularly by an employer to retiring employees or their dependents as a favor or reward for long service and good job performance.
Example Sentence: Chris's pension checks helped support him in his retirement
years.
10/03/01
Family: PARENTAL LEAVE
Noun: An employer benefit that lets a father or mother take extended time off from work to spend with newborns or newly adopted or foster children. Some employers provide full pay during leave, while others don't, but most consider the benefit a good way of reducing employee turnover, training costs, and absenteeism.
Example Sentence: Both Emily and John took parental leave for a month after
the birth of their son.
10/02/01
Business: SALE
Noun: A transfer of property ownership from one person to another for a price; an exchange between two or more people of items perceived to be of at least equal value, such as an exchange of a certain amount of money for a product.
Example Sentence: Through successful marketing techniques, Ben was able to
generate numerous sales from a variety of customers.
10/01/01
Family: FLEX-TIME
Noun: An alternative to the normal starting and finishing times of a business in which employees choose their own work hours within a range of available hours.
Example Sentence: Nicole took advantage of her company's flex-time benefits by working 10-hour days, four days a week, and taking a three-day weekend.
09/28/01
Health: REM SLEEP
Noun: Short for "Rapid Eye Movement" sleep, the state in which dreaming is likely to occur. Lasting from five to 20 minutes at 90-minute intervals, REM sleep is usually characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, fast and low brain waves, mild muscular jerks, irregular heart beat and respiration. Example Sentence: A routine lack of REM sleep left Jane feeling exhausted most of the time.
09/27/01
Health: BIOFEEDBACK
Noun: A method detecting involuntary processes, such as heartbeats and brainwaves, within the body so they can be manipulated with the conscious mind. Example Sentence: Because her biofeedback session indicated that she was under stress, Carol decided to take a vacation.
09/26/01
Health: HOLISTIC
Adjective: A term describing the relation to or concern with complete systems or wholes, rather than with the parts. Example Sentence: Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body.
09/25/01
Health: HUMAN GENOME
The complete compilation of the estimated 80,000 genes and the sequences of the three billion pairs of chemical bases in human DNA. Example Sentence: By identifying the genes and chemical bases in the human genome, scientists may be able to better diagnose and treat human disorders.
09/21/01
Health: HOMEOPATHIC
Adjective: A term describing the medical practice of treating a disease in such a way as to produce symptoms and conditions similar to the disease in healthy persons. The logic behind this system is that the proper remedy for a condition depends on the body's reaction to the illness.
Example Sentence: Janice believed that many of the homeopathic medicines
in her home could be used to cure several kinds of illnesses.
09/20/01
Health: DIETARY SUPPLEMENT
Noun: A product, usually in the form of a pill, capsule, gelcap, etc., intended to give our bodies the necessary or extra amounts of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, or other botanicals that we normally gain through the foods we eat. Supplements are usually intended to help decrease a person's food intake, while giving the body the nutrients it needs.
Example Sentence: Denise tried to buy her usual dietary supplement at the
corner drug store but opted instead for a new brand that caught her attention.
09/19/01
BIOENERGETICS
Noun: The study of energy exchanges, such as photosynthesis, among living things and their environments. Also, a type of physical and psychological therapy designed to release physical and psychic energy as a means to foster well-being.
Example Sentence: Katie's background in bioenergetics enabled her to understand
how plants receive energy from the sun.
09/18/01
ALLOPATHIC
Adjective: A term invented by German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843)
as a way to refer to the medicinal practices of the time, which included bleeding,
purging, vomiting, and toxic drugs. Today, the term is used by supporters
of alternative medicine when referring to traditional medicine and is considered
a derogatory term by many in the health sector.
Example Sentence: Based on superstition and misleading ancient practices,
medicinal practices in the pre-modern era were considered allopathic because
the treatment often worsened the patient's condition.
09/17/01
ACUPRESSURE
Noun: A method of massaging with the fingers specifically on those points
of the body associated with acupuncture. This technique is believed by adherents
to balance the body's energy through release of tension and increased circulation,
as well as relieve common ailments and prevent certain health disorders.
Example Sentence: David looked forward to his acupressure sessions because
he usually felt more relaxed and less tense afterward.
09/13/01
TINNITUS
Noun: A condition that causes ringing, roaring, or other noise sensations in one's ear and is usually caused by a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax buildup. There is currently no cure for tinnitus, which affects as many as 50 million U.S. citizens.
Example Sentence: John's tinnitus prevented him from hearing soft noises.
09/12/01
TACTILE
Noun: Relating to the sense of touch. Tangible; perceptible by touch.
Example Sentence: Alan used tactile learning methods when teaching his students
about clay modeling.
09/10/01
ECLECTIC
Adjective: A term describing a theory, approach, or idea that combines different, sometimes seemingly incompatible doctrines, methods, or styles into one, cohesive whole. An eclectic approach in architecture, for example, borrows designs and concepts from different building styles to create a new structure.
Example Sentence: Jan's eclectic approach to child development allowed her to borrow and use several previously developed teaching methods for her young students.
09/07/01
GESTALT
Noun: According to Webster's Dictionary, a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts. A more understandable definition might be: something that puts pieces together to form a big picture; something that, when put together, is more important than the pieces that make it up.
Example Sentence: Visual representations of spider webs and trees serve as
a useful gestalt for beginners trying to understand how the Internet and directories
work.
09/06/01
T'AI CHI CH'UAN
Noun: An ancient Chinese discipline consisting of slow and methodical movements integrated into a system of exercises. Today, there are many styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan taught throughout the world that combine different movements and numbers of movements, but all are generally designed to aid in balance, breathing, meditation, and self-defense methods. Also referred to as Tai Chi.
Example Sentence: Each day, Diane and her T'ai Chi Ch'uan group joined in
the park and practiced the exercises in unison.
9/05/01
YOGA
Noun: One of six orthodox systems comprising Indian philosophy. Derived from
the Sanskrit "yuj," which means to bind, join, attach, or yoke,
Yoga attempts to concentrate the powers within one's body, mind, and soul
to bring the intellect, the will, and emotions in harmonic balance with God.
Example Sentence: Anne's physical fitness routine included 30 minutes of
Yoga exercises each day.
9/04/01
FENG-SHUI
Noun: The ancient Chinese art of placement of objects, furniture, and other
items in the work and home environment to promote a harmonious balance between
places and the human beings in them. Translated literally, Feng-Shui, pronounced
"Fung Shway," means "wind over water." The practice has
gained a lot of popularity in Western culture in the past several years, with
Feng-Shui classes becoming increasingly available.
Example Sentence: Janet's Feng-Shui classes helped her to determine how to
arrange the furniture in her apartment.
8/31/2001
COCHLEA
Noun: A spiral structure located in the inner ear that contains the hearing organ and sensory cells sensitive to auditory stimuli. The cochlea does the work of converting sound waves entering the inner ear to electrical signals the brain can identify. These signals are carried away from cochlea via nerves to the portion of the brain that perceives sound.
Example Sentence: Inner ear infections have been known to damage a person's cochlea and lead to hearing loss.
8/30/2001
LARYNX
Noun: Also called the voice box, the upper part of the trachea that, in air-breathing vertebrates and most other mammals, contain two flaps of tissue called the vocal cords. The larynx is controlled by muscles that open and close it, controlling the flow of air and the tension of the vocal cords. It's this combination of air and tension that produce the sounds that are then shaped by our mouths and tongues to form words.
Example Sentence: Jim's hoarse voice and pain when swallowing was a result
of an inflamed larynx, also known as laryngitis.
8/29/2001
HAPTIC
Adjective: A term describing a relation to the sense of touch.
Example Sentence: Helen Keller's haptic abilities helped compensate for the
loss of her other senses.
8/28/2001
DYSLEXIA
Noun: A life-long, neurologically based disability that interferes with the acquisition and processing of language in writing, spelling, handwriting, and, sometimes, math. Dyslexia does not discriminate with regard to race or social background and is not an indicator of poor educational potential or low intelligence.
Example Sentence: Bill's dyslexia made it very difficult for him to write
letters to his family.
8/27/2001
DISEQUILIBRIUM
Noun: A loss or lack of equilibrium; out of balance.
Example Sentence: After going on all the rides at the fair, Carl experienced
severe disequilibrium.
8/24/2001
EQUILIBRIUM
Noun: Balance, whether physical, intellectual, emotional, or between opposing forces, elements, or actions.
Example Sentence: Luke's quick action brought the opposing forces of the
universe back into equilibrium and saved the day.
8/23/2001
COGNITIVE
Adjective: A term describing the mental process or act of knowing or of being aware of your environment. This can include problem solving, recognizing, interpreting, judging, and reasoning.
Example Sentence: Jamie's cognitive ability enabled her to recognize her
friends and interpret non-verbal communication.
08/22/2001
BAROTRAUMA
Noun: An injury to the ear drum, lungs, or stomach caused by abrupt and/or severe changes in biometric pressure, which increases or decreases at significant ocean depths or atmospheric heights.
Example: Divers and pilots are most susceptible to barotrauma because they tend to spend a significant amount of time in environments where the barometric pressure is very high or very low.
08/21/2001
AUDIOLOGIST
Noun: A professional specializing in recognizing, testing, and treating hearing loss in the general population. Many also make recommendations to a patient's primary physician and/or ear surgeon about hearing rehabilitation techniques. Most audiologists are required to have a minimum of a Master's Degree and be certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association.
Example Sentence: Each year, the local school hires an audiologist to test
the children's hearing.
08/20/2001
REFERRAL NETWORK
Noun: A network of merchants offering products that appeal to similar audiences, such as headphones and music CDs. In this way, consumers benefit from not having to spend a lot of time searching for all the products they may need. Merchants benefit from grouping together and gaining added exposure and sales through each other's customers.
Example Sentence: By selling books to thousands of online mini-bookstore
owners, Amazon.com uses the power of the referral network to generate revenues,
while owners pull in customers under the Amazon banner.
08/17/2001
TOP-OF-MIND
Adjective: A term describing the brands that customers readily associate in their minds when they think of a specific product.
Example Sentence: Coca-Cola achieved top-of-mind status long ago by associating generic cola products with its brand in the minds of consumers.
08/16/2001
RETENTION
Noun: The goal for companies to cost-effectively keep their customers coming back and buying products and services.
Example Sentence: Joel understood that, in order for his business to succeed, fostering retention among his existing customers was a key element.
08/15/2001
RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
Noun: The process of creating a bond with your customers or Website visitors by finding out who they are and tailoring your content and products to fit their needs, tastes, and interests.
Example Sentence: Based on the data she collected through relationship marketing
methods, Alice tailored her homepage to suit the tastes of serious PC gamers.
08/14/2001
PSYCHOGRAPHIC
Adjective: A term used to describe the qualitative aspects of consumer attitudes-views, opinions, tastes, interests, etc. Advertisers use these consumer attributes to expand on basic demographic characteristics used in marketing campaigns.
Example Sentence: Ann included psychographic attitudes toward saving the
environment when marketing her line of cleaning products to women over 40
years of age.
08/13/2001
MICROPAYMENT
Noun: A method of charging very small payments (a few pennies or fractions of a penny, for example) to access online information or a service. Accumulated payments are charged to an online cash account or credit card. Transaction costs are typically much higher than most accumulated payments, however. That's why micropayments have fallen out of favor among most online merchants.
Example Sentence: After a month's worth of access to the online reports,
John's micropayments had accumulated to $5.67.
08/10/2001
INTERSTITIAL
Noun: A type of one-page online advertisement, often with multimedia content, typically sandwiched between a site's content pages. Although popular a few years ago, interstitials have recently fallen out of favor among many online advertisers.
Example Sentence: After Mary clicked a link for more information, she had
to wait for an interstitial ad to run before the intended content page appeared.
8/09/2001
INTERNET ADVERTISING BUREAU
Noun: Also known as the IAB, an industry organization that promotes Web advertising, sets online ad standards, and conducts research.
Example Sentence: Because of its vested interest in online advertising, the
IAB is not always the most objective source for accurate statistics about
the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
08/08/2001
COST-PER-IMPRESSION
Noun: Also called "cost per thousand impressions" or CPM, a method for deciding the value of advertising within different types of media. The formula for figuring television, magazine, and other offline CPM costs take into account the potential number of viewers or subscribers, as well as the basic cost for the ad itself. Online, CPM is calculated based on the actual number ads viewed (but not necessarily accessed) on a page.
Example Sentence: According to Jan's CPM figures, it was obvious that people
were accessing the sites containing her ads, but she could not be sure how
many viewers actually saw her ad on the various Web pages.
08/07/2001
COST-PER-CLICK
Noun: Also referred to as CPC, a method of charging for posting advertisements based on the ad's clickthrough rate. For example, instead of charging a flat rate for posting your ad on a given Web site, a CPC charge would figure your bill based on how many people actually clicked your ad and accessed your information.
Example Sentence: Using the CPC services she found on the Web, Janice paid
the Website's owner 5 cents each time a viewer clicked her ad and accessed
her product Web site.
08/06/2001
CLICKTHROUGH RATE
Noun: The rate at which online viewers click on banners or other advertisements to access an advertiser's site. This rate ranges from 1 to 3 percent industry wide and is NOT an indication of how many products are being sold.
Example Sentence: Adam was able to improve his clickthrough rate by modeling
his banner ads after computer error messages.
08/03/2001
CHURN RATE
Noun: The rate at which customers opt out or cancel an online service, such as an ISP account or an e-zine subscription.
Example Sentence: Because of its high churn rate, the ISP could not build
a substantial base of loyal customers.
08/02/2001
CALL TO ACTION
Noun: A statement at the end of a sales letter or advertisement encouraging or imploring a customer to "order now," "click here," or "call now for more information."
Example Sentence: Jane's sales letter was written well, but without a call
to action, readers were left with no direction to take once they finished
reading the ad.
08/01/2001
BRANDING
Verb: The act of creating brand loyalty, name recognition and awareness, and perceived quality for a product in the minds of consumers.
Example Sentence: By branding its tires as a safety feature for families,
the company was able to outsell all of its competitors.
7/31/2001
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Noun: The collective amount charged against fixed assets for natural wear, obsolescence, or depletion (as with oil, natural gas, or another natural resources). The cost of this depreciation is then deducted from original costs, giving a book or adjusted value of the asset.
Example Sentence: Because of the accumulated depreciation on her vehicle,
Mandy's car was only worth a fraction of the price she paid for it five years
ago.
7/30/2001
ACCRUAL
Noun: A term describing the accumulation of charges, regardless of anything of value being exchanged. Also, an accounting method whereby income is reported when earned and expenses are recorded as incurred, rather than when the income and expenses are actually paid.
Example Sentence: When computing income and expenses for the year, the accountant used the accrual method, rather than waiting for actual payments to arrive or bills to be paid.
7/27/2001
ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION
Noun: A system that lets a business owner or individual deduct the full cost of an asset, such as equipment, long before the expected life of that item expires. In contrast, straight-line depreciation requires that the cost of the asset is spread evenly over its entire life expectancy.
Example Sentence: Using accelerated depreciation, Jan was able to claim the
full cost of the new equipment within the first two years after purchase and,
therefore, increase her tax deduction for the next few years.
7/26/2001
ABSORBED
Verb: A term for fixed expenses, such as rent, administration, and utilities, that are brought under the umbrella of manufacturing costs for an accounting period.
Example Sentence: All the expenses resulting from the merger were absorbed
by the main company.
7/25/2001
ABOVE-THE-LINE
Adjective: A description of a financial entry that increases or decreases the bottom line, or income before taxes, on a financial report or tax form. Above-the-line deduction entries are typically entered on Form 1040s to determine a company or individual's adjusted gross income and can include IRA contributions, student loan interest, alimony paid, moving expenses, etc.
Example Sentence: By entering her IRA contributions as an above-the-line
deduction on her tax form, Jane was able to reduce the amount of taxes she
owed.
7/24/2001
ABATEMENT
Noun: A reduction from the full amount of a tax owed by a business or individual.
Example Sentence: The unexpected tax abatement will end up saving local businesses a substantial amount of money at the end of the fiscal year.
7/23/2001
COMMON STOCK MARKET
Noun: The market used for buying or selling equity, rather than preferred stock (which shows ownership, not equity in a company).
Example Sentence: David often dabbled in the common stock market by frequently buying and selling equity in several companies.
7/20/2001
PORTFOLIO
Noun: A term for a compilation of real or financial investments, such as securities or stocks. Also a collection of creative works by an artist, writer, or other professional, usually used to showcase a person’s talent or skill.
Example Sentence: Before creating her will, Nikki examined her portfolio
to determine her financial worth.
7/19/2001
SECURITY
Noun: Evidence, such as a piece of paper, that proves ownership of an investment, such as a stock or a bond.
Example Sentence: When purchasing a stock, you should receive a security as proof of your investment.
7/18/2001
LIQUIDATION
Noun: A transaction that converts a person or company's assets into cash.
Example Sentence: To pay off his debts, Dale was considering a liquidation
of his company's assets.
7/17/2001
FUTURES
Noun: All contracts covering securities or physical commodities bought for
future acceptance or delivery on a commodity exchange. Some commodities that
have futures contracts available include some foods, fuels, precious metals,
treasury bonds, currencies, and semiconductor chips.
Example Sentence: When he noticed the exchange rate fluctuating wildly, Juan
decided to sell his currency futures contracts and avoid the risk to his bottom
line.
7/16/2001
EQUITY
Noun: the fair market value of a property or of an interest in a property less the unpaid mortgage amount, as well as the claims or liens against the property itself. Also, the dollar value of a company's common stock, assuming its liquidation at the going market price.
Example Sentence: After paying his monthly home mortgage payments for 10 years, John had accumulated more than $40,000 worth of equity in his home.
7/12/2001
ATTENUATE
Verb: To lessen in severity, value, amount, intensity, etc.; weaken.
Example Sentence: Raising the walls of the cubicles served to attenuate the
noise level.
7/11/2001
USURP
Verb: To take or assume (power, a position, property, rights, and so on) and
hold in possession by force or without right. To usurp is to take over, such
as by a coup.
Example Sentence: ReallyBig Co. usurped control of the distribution channel
from its wholesalers, leaving them with no new product to distribute.
7/10/2001
AUSTERITY
Noun: Tightened economy, such as because of shortage of consumer goods.
Example Sentence: As the wartime economy took hold, the region entered a period
of forced austerity.
7/9/2001
IMMEMORIAL
Adjective: Extending back beyond memory or record; ancient.
Example Sentence: The act of lighting a candle or fire to facilitate prayer
or meditation extends back to time immemorial.
7/6/2001
EVENTUATE
Verb: To happen in the end; result.
Example Sentence: The new tax laws will eventuate a lower tax rate for most
Americans.
7/5/2001
CATENATE
Verb: To form into a chain or linked series.
Example Sentence: The retailer decided to catenate his stores under a single
name.
7/3/2001
FLUX
Noun: A continuous movement or continual change.
Example Sentence: The high turnover rate kept the org chart in a state of
flux.
7/2/2001
TANTAMOUNT
Adjective: having equal force, value, effect, equal to. Derives from a phrase
that means "to amount to as much."
Example Sentence: The President's speech was tantamount to a declaration to
war.
6/29/2001
VACILLATE
Verb: To waver in mind; show indecision. Vacillate implies someone who wavers
between options or cannot decide which course of action to settle on.
Example Sentence: The two health plans were so similar that Kent vacillated
on which one he would choose.
6/28/2001
INNATE
Adjective: Existing naturally rather than acquired; that seems to have been
in one from birth. Innate describes that which belongs to something as part
of its nature or constitution; inborn.
Example Sentence: Beth could always rely on her innate sense of right and
wrong.
6/27/01
INTRINSIC
Adjective: Belonging to the real nature of a thing; not dependent on external
circumstances. Intrinsic implies fundamental in character.
Example Sentence: The international monetary system is based on the intrinsic
value of gold.
6/26/01
ACCOLADES
Noun: Anything done or given as a sign of great respect, approval, appreciation,
and so on; words of praise.
Example Sentence: George's performance received accolades from most of the
critics. He became a star overnight.
6/25/01
TRUISM
Noun: A statement the truth of which is obvious or well known. A truism is
a statement whose truth is widely known and whose utterance, therefore, seems
superfluous.
Example Sentence: "A penny saved is a penny earned," although trite
is a truism.
6/22/2001
EFFICACIOUS
Adjective: Producing a desired effect; having the intended result.
Example Sentence: Robert believed that the new software problem would be an
efficacious remedy to their accounting problems.
6/21/2001
EXPEDIENT
Adjective: Useful for effecting a desired result; suited to the circumstances
or the occasion; advantageous; convenient.
Example Sentence: Carter took the expedient route to complete his project,
even though it ultimately made the results less effective.
6/20/2001
TRENCHANT
Adjective: Keen; penetrating; distinct. Trenchant is not necessarily short,
just effective and clear-cut.
Example Sentence: Dinah's trenchant analysis helped Larry understand what
was really going on.
6/19/2001
TERSE
Adjective: Free of superfluous words; concise in a polished, smooth, way.
Terse language is elegantly concise and cleanly written or spoken.
Example Sentence: Joe Friday's terse style set the tone for dozens of fictional
detectives to follow.
6/18/2001
IMMINENT
Noun: Likely to happen without delay. Imminent implies the anticipation of
something threatening.
Example Sentence: From the tense atmosphere at the White House, it was clear
that the invasion was imminent.
6/15/2001
SAGACIOUS
Adjective: Having or showing keen perception or discernment and sound judgment
or foresight. Sagacious implies showing insight and wisdom in one's understanding
and judgment of things. Sagacious can also refer to someone skillful in state
craft or management.
Example Sentence: Polly respected Uncle Ed's sagacious advice; his years of
experience lent his opinions special credence in this particular matter.
6/14/2001
SUPERSEDE
Verb: To cause to be set aside or dropping from use as inferior or obsolete
and replaced by something else. Supersede implies a substitution with more
modern and effective policies or devices.
Example Sentence: The personal computer superseded the typewriter for word
processing chores.
6/13/2001
MONOLITHIC
Adjective: Something like a single large block or piece of stone in size;
unity of structure or purpose; unyielding quality.
Example Sentence: The monolithic bureaucracy proved an insurmountable barrier
for all but the most resolute.
6/12/2001
TORPID
Adjective: Sluggish in functioning; slow and dull. Torpid implies slowness
because of lethargy and stupidity or something or someone not capable of necessary
and meaningful change.
Example Sentence: Nate's torpid performance was negatively impacting the group's
workload.
6/11/2001
COMPRISE
Verb: To include; contain; consist of. In careful usage the whole comprises
the parts; the whole is not comprised of the parts.
Example Sentence: The solution comprised elements from several working theories.
6/8/2001
NEWBIE
Noun: Any person new in a position or with an organization. Newbie is specifically
used online to refer to an Internet neophyte.
Example Sentence: As a newbie to USENET newsgroups, Donna got flamed whenever
she committed a breach of etiquette,
6/7/2001
FOREBODING
Noun: A prediction, portent, or presentiment, especially of something bad
or harmful.
Example Sentence: Neil had a sense of foreboding that something bad was about
to happen.
6/6/2001
RATIFY
Verb: To approve or confirm, especially to give official sanction to. Ratify
implies a formal or official approval.
Example Sentence: The board ratified the new contract.
6/5/2001
APPROBATION
Noun: Approval or commendation. Approbation implies declaring or recognizing
something or someone as good.
Example Sentence: The crowd nodded their approbation during the Governor's
speech.
6/4/2001
PERIPATETIC
Adjective: Moving from place to place, walking about. Peripatetic implies
a walking or moving about in carrying on some activity and is applied humorously
to persons who are always on the go.
Example Sentence: Ronnie's husband lived the peripatetic lifestyle of a traveling
salesman.
6/1/2001
VANGUARD
Noun: The leading position or persons in a movement, field of endeavor, and
so on.
Example Sentence: Dr. Benjamin was in the vanguard of research into acne therapy.
5/31/2001
TRANSCEND
Verb: To go beyond the limits of; exceed. Transcend suggests a surpassing
to an extreme degree.
Example Sentence: The art exhibit transcended all boundaries of good taste.
5/30/2001
EGRESS
Noun: The act of going out or forth; a way out, exit. Egress can be a place
or means to depart or the act of departing.
Example Sentence: The hall monitor barred the students from all egress without
a hall pass.
5/29/2001
IMPETUS
Noun: Anything stimulates activity; driving force or motive; incentive; impulse.
Impetus implies initiative, a pushing forward, or an energetic beginning.
Example Sentence: The Senator gave impetus to the school standards movement
when he proposed the abolition of social promotion.
5/25/2001
INERTIA
Noun: A tendency to remain in a fixed condition without change; disinclination
to move or act.
Example Sentence: Sheer inertia contributed to some degree of continuing sales,
even after the promotion had ceased.
5/24/2001
CONCILIATORY
Adjective: Tending to win over or reconcile. Conciliatory implies a degree
of friendly behavior.
Example Sentence: Trying a different tactic, the head of the union made conciliatory
remarks to senior management.
5/23/2001
CAPITULATE
Verb: To give up (to an enemy) on prearranged conditions; surrender conditionally.
Capitulate comes from the practice of settling or drawing up the heads or
chapters of an agreement.
Example Sentence: The company capitulated, conditional on the union agreeing
to a new vote in 12 months.
5/22/2001
BELAY
Verb: To hold; stop; cancel.
Example Sentence: Belay that order!
5/18/2001
VERACITY
Noun: Habitual truthfulness; honesty; accuracy or precision, as of perception;
that which is true.
Example Sentence: Nina confirmed the veracity of Darlene's story; all the
facts were true.
5/17/2001
PUNCTILIOUS
Adjective: Very careful about every detail of behavior, ceremony, and so on.
Punctilious conveys an extreme behavior that may not be seen as normal in
some quarters.
Example Sentence: Robinson was a punctilious host, attending to every detail
of the affair.
5/16/2001
FASTIDIOUS
Adjective: Not easy to please; very critical. A fastidious person is meticulous,
exacting, and sensitive to procedure - sometimes to the point of obsession.
Example Sentence: Paul's office was fastidiously maintained with not a single
detail out of place; he even alphabetized all the business cards in his Rolodex.
5/15/2001
PROCURE
Verb: To get or bring about by some effort; obtain. Suggests active effort
or contrivance in getting or bringing to pass.
Example Sentence: It too some effort, but Joel was able to procure the documents
from Senator Randolph's safe deposit box.
5/14/2001
CONSORTIUM
Noun: A partnership or association. A consortium can be, but not always, a
temporary alliance of two or more business firms in a common venture.
Example Sentence: The three firms formed a consortium to set standards for
e-commerce transactions.
5/11/2001
CABAL
Noun: a small group of persons joined in a secret, often political intrigue.
It can refer to any group whose objectives are self-serving and whose methods
are deceptive and suspect.
Example Sentence: The cabal secretly plotted to overthrow the government in
a surprise coup.5/10/2001
5/10/2001
PREDILECTION
Noun: A preconceived liking; partiality or preference. Predilection implies
a preconceived liking formed as a result of one's background and temperament
that inclines one to a particular preference.
Example Sentence: When it came to buying books, Ralph had a predilection for
murder mysteries.
5/9/2001
CONCEPTUAL
Adjective: Of a generalized idea of a thing or class of things; abstract notion.
Example Sentence: Lyle favored a conceptual approach that embodied the Apostolic
ideals.
5/8/2001
JAVA
Noun: A high-level programming language, widely used for programming on Web
sites and pages.
Example Sentence: After he mastered Java, Marcus could add some snazzy applets
to his Web pages
5/7/2001
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language, the language behind documents on the World Wide
Web. HTML includes capabilities that enable authors to insert hyperlinks.
Example Sentence: Marcus learned to code in HTML so he could fine-tune the
appearance of his personal Web pages.
5/4/2001
SPECULATIVE
Adjective: Of, characterized by, or having the nature of thought or conjecture.
Example Sentence: All comments were speculative; no one really knew what was
going to happen.
5/3/2001
REPUDIATE
Verb: To refuse to have anything to do with; disown or cast off publicly.
Example Sentence: In the end, Mr. Jones repudiated the charges and refused
to acknowledge Andi when he saw her in the halls.
5/2/2001
MEANDERING
Adjective: Wandering or rambling aimlessly. To meander is to move from one
place to the next without purpose; an uneventful, unfocused, unproductive
effort. Meandering suggests completely irrelevant movement or discourse.
Example Sentence: Mrs. Ricketts responded to the question with a meandering
response that never really addressed the central issue.
5/1/2001
IDYLLIC
Adjective: Pleasing and simple; having to do with the country life.
EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Uncle George looked forward to an idyllic retirement in
the country.
4/30/2001
CANDID
Adjective: Very honest or frank in what one says or writes. Candid implies
a basic honesty that makes deceit or evasion impossible, sometimes to the
embarrassment of the listener.
Example Sentence: Dana candidly addressed the company's performance, warts
and all.
4/27/2001
AUDACIOUS
Adjective: Bold or daring; fearless. Audacious suggests an imprudent or reckless
boldness.
Example Sentence: Joan's audacious accusations proved unfounded.
4/26/2001
INCITE
Verb: To urge to action; stir up. Incite implies an urging or stimulating
to action, either in a favorable or an unfavorable sense.
Example Sentence: Leaping to the platform, Marvin tried to incite the crowd
to rush the gates.
4/25/2001
EPHEMERAL
Adjective: Short-lived. Ephemeral literally means existing only one day and,
by extension, applies to that which is markedly short-lived.
Example Sentence: Donald knew his glory was ephemeral because new results
were being announced the next day.
4/24/2001
APTITUDE
Noun: A natural ability or talent; quickness to learn and understand.
Example Sentence: Florence's aptitude for numbers put her in good stead among
the other members of the group.
EVISCERATE
Verb: To deprive of an essential part; take away the force and significance
of.
Example Sentence: The committee eviscerated the proposal, leaving nothing
that would offend even one of its constituents.
4/20/2001
SALUTARY
Adjective: Promoting or conducive to health; healthful. Promoting or conducive
to some good purpose; beneficial.
Example Sentence: Norma's proposal for a baby sitting co-op among all the
company's flextime working mothers was a salutary idea.
4/19/2001
SERENDIPITY
Noun: a seeming gift for finding something good accidentally. Serendipity
implies a history of or knack for making pleasant discoveries by accident;
serendipity is more than just a one-time occurrence.
Example Sentence: Maria was blessed with serendipity; the right thing always
seemed to happen at the right time for her.
4/18/2001
GREGARIOUS
Adjective: Fond of the company of others. Gregarious is often misused to imply
boisterous when in fact it is closer to sociable in meaning.
Example Sentence: Phil's gregarious nature made him a natural greeter for
the company party.
4/17/2001
MALLEABLE
Adjective: Capable of being changed, molded, trained and so on. Malleable
implies yielding to required change or conformity.
Example Sentence: Blake preferred to hire younger employees because she found
them more malleable than set-in-their-ways older workers.
4/16/2001
COMPLAISANT
Adjective: Willing to please. Complaisant implies yielding too easily to another's
require or insistence and is often used in derogatory reference, implying
a lack of strong will.
Example Sentence: Harold thought the store personnel were too complaisant
when it came to customer returns.
4/13/2001
AUGMENT
Verb: To make greater, as in size, quantity, or strength; enlarge. Weak or
small things can be supplemented; anything can be augmented.
Example Sentence: By augmenting the band with a horn section, George found
the sound he was searching for.
4/12/2001
HOMOGENOUS
Adjective: Having similarity in structure because of common descent. Homogenous
implies overall similarities, for example, over an entire population.
Example Sentence: the small island's inhabitants were remarkably homogenous
in appearance. They had the same color hair, eyes and general stature.
4/11/2001
ANALOGOUS
Adjective: Similar or comparable in certain respects. Analogous does not imply
an exact match. The fact that it is usually paired with the word roughly emphasizes
this.
Example Sentence: Getting married is roughly analogous to jumping off a cliff.
4/10/2001
DISCORDANT
Adjective: Not in accord; disagreeing; conflicting.
Example Sentence: The group was becoming discordant as everyone's individual
opinions came to the fore.
4/9/2001
ESOTERIC
Adjective: Beyond the understanding or knowledge of most people. Esoteric
implies something that is unique, specialized, and not widely understood.
Example Sentence: His musical tastes were esoteric, running towards little-known
folk artist.
4/6/2001
INFRANGIBLE
Adjective: That cannot be broken or separated; that cannot be violated or
infringed. Infrangible suggests an indelicacy of structure that is not easily
broken and implies the connotation of liability if that thing were broken.
Example Sentence: The team members had been together so long that they were
virtually infrangible; no one knew what would happen if they were to be broken
up.
4/5/2001
INVETERATE
Adjective: Firmly established over a long period; of long standing; deep-rooted.
Inveterate implies dedication and permanence; something that persists or is
long-established is inveterate.
Example Sentence: Herbert was an inveterate liar; no one ever believed a word
he said.
4/4/2001
DILIGENT
Adjective: Persevering and careful in work. Diligent implies a careful, steady,
painstaking effort applied to some form of work.
Example Sentence: Curt was diligent in assembling the details necessary to
move forward with the project.
4/3/2001
ASSIDUOUS
Adjective: Done with constant and careful attention. Assiduous implies hardworking,
active, and alert and emphasizes an almost fastidious attention to details.
Example Sentence: A less assiduous secretary would not have noticed that the
wrong form had been submitted.
4/2/2001
EMPATHY
Noun: The projection of one's own personality into the personality of another
in order to understand the person better; ability to share in another's emotions,
thoughts or feelings. A person who is empathetic can feel the emotions of
another.
Example Sentence: Recently divorced herself, Paula felt empathy for June when
she separated from Ward.
3/30/2001
ENCUMBRANCE
Noun: Something that encumbers; obstruction; burden. In a very narrow and
specific sense, it can refer to a dependent, especially a child. Legally,
an encumbrance is a lien, charge, or claim attached to real property, such
as a mortgage.
Example Sentence: Philip was eager to relieve himself of all encumbrance and
begin again.
3/29/2001
INCORRIGIBLE
Adjective: That which cannot be corrected, improved or reformed, especially
because it is firmly established as a habit or because of bad habits set in
as a child. Incorrigible implies someone unlikely to change for the better
or resisting improvement.
Example Sentence: After his third arrest, the parole office was convinced
that Jimmy was incorrigible and should be put away for life.
3/28/2001
ABSCOND
Verb: To go away hastily and secretly; run away and hide, especially in order
to escape the law.
Example Sentence: Knowing the jig was up, Herman absconded with the company
funds while the others were at the convention.
3/27/2001
DILUTION
Noun: Regarding shares of ownership in a company, a decrease in the proportion
of income to which each shareholder is entitled or a decrease in the percentage
ownership of individual shareholders.
Example Sentence: Issuing more stock resulting in a dilution of the shares
held by current investors.
3/26/2001
VACILLATING
Adjective: Wavering or tending to waver in motion, opinion, and so on. Actively
debating between various options.
Example Sentence: The candidate's vacillating stance on affirmative action
issues alienated his entire constituency.
3/23/2001
SPECIOUS
Adjective: Seeming to be good, sound, correct, logical, and so on without
really being so; plausible but not genuine. Specious applies to that which
is superficially reasonable, valid, etc., but is actually not so, and it connotes
intention to deceive.
Example Sentence: Burt's logic about why he should get the raise was specious,
raising Mr. Wetherby's suspicions.
3/22/2001
DOGMATIC
Adjective: Doctrinal; asserted without proof; stating opinion in a positive
or arrogant manner. Dogmatic suggests the attitude of a religious teacher
in asserting certain doctrines as absolute truths not open to dispute.
Example Sentence: The professor was dogmatic in his assertions on the nature
of being; he brooked no argument.
3/21/2001
OBTUSE
Adjective: Slow to understand or perceive; dull or insensitive.
Example Sentence: Larry was convinced that his boss was obtuse; he didn't
seem to understand the simplest proposals.
3/20/2001
OBFUSCATE
Verb: To muddle; confuse; purposely make unclear or fuzzy. Obfuscate implies
a deliberate attempt to cloud the truth. Someone who obfuscates makes every
effort to muddle facts important to someone else's judgment or decision.
Example Sentence: Smithers attempted to obfuscate the situation to draw attention
away from his actions.
3/19/2001
SALIENT
Adjective: Easily noticeable, demanding attention.
Example Sentence: Among Doyle's most salient concerns was improving the firm's
cash flow.
3/16/2001
DISPARAGE
Verb: To speak slightingly of; show disrespect for. To disparage is to attempt
to lower in esteem; as by insinuation, invidious comparison, faint praise,
etc.
Example Sentence: Samuel's disparaging remarks damaged Sally's pride and reputation.
3/15/2001
IMPERTINENT
Adjective: Having no connection with a given matter; irrelevant. Impertinent
implies a forwardness of speech or action that is disrespectful and oversteps
the bounds of propriety or courtesy.
Example Sentence: The young reporter's impertinent questions took the Senator
aback.
3/14/2001
UNEQUIVOCAL
Adjective: Not ambiguous; plain; clear. Unequivocal implies an unwavering
stance on a given issue or in support of someone or something.
Example Sentence: Adam was unequivocal on the matter of employee raises; no
amount of discussion could cause him to change his mind.
3/13/2001
COLLABORATION
Noun: A working together, especially in some literary, artistic, or scientific
undertaking. An alliance is a formal association; a collaboration is typically
informal.
Example Sentence: Jordan and Alan worked on the project as a collaboration
between their two teams.
3/12/2001
PROLIFIC
Adjective: Turning out many products of the mind; fruitful; abounding. Prolific
implies an above-average volume.
Example Sentence: Lawrence was a prolific writer, turning out dozens of books
a year.
3/9/2001
FUTILE
Adjective: that which could not succeed; useless; vain. Futile is applied
to that which fails completely of the desired end or is incapable of producing
any result.
Example Sentence: In the end, all the internal efforts were futile; the competition
was so entrenched that no new product could succeed.
3/8/2001
INEFFECTUAL
Adjective: Not producing or not able to produce the desired effect. Something
or someone who is ineffectual can actually cause harm by not being able to
stop something bad from happening.
Example Sentence: Tony's entire team was ineffectual in stemming the flow
of red ink.
3/7/2001
ADAMANT
Adjective: Not giving in or relenting; unyielding. Adamant implies an internal
force that resists change or attack.
Example Sentence: Georgia was adamant about not using the color green on the
new packaging.
3/6/2001
IMPEL
Verb: To push, drive, or move forward; to force or urge. Impel implies an
active force resulting in forward progress.
Example Sentence: Terrance impelled his staff to get the project in gear by
threatening them with termination if they didn't.
3/1/2001
BANAL
Adjective: Dull or stale because of overuse; commonplace. Banality is defined
by commonality and overuse; which ultimately suggests insincerity.
Example Sentence: After weeks of the same banal compliments, Ralph was convinced
that his work was not truly appreciated.
2/28/2001
PRETENTIOUS
Adjective: Making claims, explicit or implicit, to some distinction, importance,
dignity, or excellence. Pretentious implies creating an appearance of often
undeserved importance or distinction; in other words, pretending to be something
one is not.
Example Sentence: It was pretentious of James to think he was calling the
shots on the Burns project; his boss was not amused.
2/27/2001
MANIFEST
Adjective: Apparent to the senses or to the mind. Manifest applies specifically
to that which can be perceived by the sense and implies something that is
obvious to the understanding, apparent to the mind, or easily apprehensible.
Example Sentence: John's situation was manifest to those around him; it was
only a matter of weeks before he would get the ax.
2/26/2001
PROSAIC
Adjective: Commonplace, dull, or ordinary; not particularly interesting. Often
used to refer to prose rather than poetry because prosaic implies heavy, flat,
and unimaginative.
Example Sentence: DeWitt's outlook of life was practical to the point of being
prosaic.
2/23/2001
TANGENTIAL
Adjective: Merely touching a subject, not dealing with it at length. A tangential
approach does not dwell on details.
Example Sentence: Robinson's decision making was tangential; he didn't realize
how it would eventually impact the new project.
2/22/2001
INTERPOLATE
Verb: To alter, enlarge or corrupt (a book or manuscript and so on) by putting
in new words, subject matter, etc. Interpolate implies inserting new material
in written communications.
Example Sentence: The editor sensed a need to interpolate an introduction
to make it more accessible to the masses.
2/21/2001
EXPURGATE
Verb: To expunge objectionable material from; delete. An expurgated version
of a thing has had parts removed to make it less objectionable.
Example Sentence: An expurgated version of the memo was sent to outside vendors
so as not to offend their sensibilities.
2/20/2001
DITHER
Verb: To be nervously excited or confused. One who dithers often vacillates
back and forth between two conflicting positions - often for a considerable
amount of time.
Example Sentence: Henry dithered over which course to take, the wrong decision
could prove disastrous in the marketplace.
2/19/2001
IMPROPRIETY
Noun: Improper action or behavior. An impropriety is wrong, whether or not
it was thought out in advance.
Example sentence: Mr. Jones knew that Steve was guilty of an impropriety,
no matter what the circumstances, and gave him a severe reprimand.
2/16/2001
PRECIPITATE
Adjective: Acting, happening, or done hastily or rashly; headstrong. Very
sudden, unexpected or abrupt.
Example Sentence: When she made an appointment to discuss his annual review,
David's precipitate response of quitting on the spot surprised her.
2/15/2001
ERGONOMICS
Noun: The science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to fit the
worker's body and make it safer and more comfortable.
Example Sentence: In an effort to reduce the stress on her wrists, Margot
invested in an ergonomic keyboard.
2/14/2001
OUTSOURCE
Verb: To acquire goods or services from nonstandard sources. Outsourced activities
supplement or replace activities normally performed by in-house departments
or units.
Example Sentence: The Kansas branch bypassed the central office and outsourced
its payroll functions to a local firm.
2/13/2001
AMBIGUOUS
Adjective: Having two or more possible meanings. Ambiguousness is a duality
possessed by a thing or person.
Example Sentence: The meaning of the directive was ambiguous; half the staff
read it one way, and half read it the exact opposite way.
2/9/2001
ENIGMA
Noun: A perplexing, baffling, or seeming inexplicable matter, person and so
on. Enigma is synonymous with riddle or puzzle and refers to a person or thing,
as opposed to a state or behavior.
Example Sentence: Roy was an enigma; no one knew where he came from or where
he went after work.
2/8/2001AMORTIZE
Verb: To write off expenditures by prorating over a fixed period. To amortize means to deduct capital expenses in small amounts over a period of time.
Example Sentence: The purchase was amortized over a three-year period.
2/7/2001
RECAPITULATE
Verb: To repeat briefly, as in an outline; to summarize.
Example Sentence: To ensure that everyone understood what he said, Greg recapitulated
his report by hitting the high points in plain, everyday English.
2/6/2001
INTERSPERSE
Verb: To scatter among other things; put here and there or at intervals.
Example Sentence: Laura interspersed cartoons amidst the text to break up
the monotony.
2/5/2001
PARADIGM
Noun: An overall concept accepted by most people because of its effectiveness
in explaining a complex process, idea, or set of data. A paradigm is the way
that things are in a particular area; a paradigm shift is a major change in
the way things are done and the way people think.
Example Sentence: The new technology was certain to introduce a paradigm shift
to the entire industry.
2/2/2001
OPINE
Verb: To hold or express an opinion; think; suppose. Opine does not necessarily
imply a lack of facts, simply the willingness to put forth an opinion. Now
usually humorous.
Example Sentence: Williamson opined that things weren't as good as they used
to be in the old days.
2/1/2001
MUNDANE
Adjective: Commonplace, everyday, ordinary, and so on. Although often used
as a close synonym of worldly, mundane especially stresses the commonplace
or practical aspects of life.
Example Sentence: Karen's life was too mundane to make an interesting autobiography.
1/31/2001
PALPABLE
Adjective: Easily perceived by the senses; audible, recognizable, perceptible,
noticeable, and so on. Palpable applies especially to that which can be perceived
through some sense other than that of sight.
Example Sentence: As he walked into the meeting with Mr. Jones, John's fear
was palpable.
1/30/2001
PRAGMATIC
Adjective: Concerned with actual practice, everyday affairs, and so on, not
with theory or speculation; practical.
Example Sentence: Being pragmatic, Julie was concerned about the ability to
hit that aggressive target.
1/29/2001
CLANDESTINE
Adjective: Kept secret or hidden, especially for some illicit purpose. Clandestine
implies a secret with an illicit motive.
Example Sentence: Ned set up a clandestine meeting with the recruiter to discuss
his jumping to the competition.
1/26/2001
UBIQUITOUS
Adjective: Present, or seeming to be present, everywhere at the same time.
Ubiquitous implies something so common it appears to be all places.
Example Sentence: The ubiquitous white mini vans filled up the parking lot;
each one contained a soccer mom and at least two tow-headed moppets.
1/25/2001
CAPRICIOUS
Adjective: Tending to change abruptly and without apparent reason. Capricious
behavior is determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than necessity
or reason; capricious behavior is sometimes seen as freakish.
Example Sentence: Paula thought it was capricious to fly to Rio for the weekend.
1/24/2001
AMBIVALENT
Adjective: Having simultaneous conflicting feelings towards a person or thing.
It implies being both attracted to and repulsed by something. If ambivalence
persists, you may find yourself in a quandary.
Example Sentence: Henry was ambivalent about the new benefits package; he
liked the dental plan but found the HMO lacking.
1/23/2001
INSIPID
Adjective: Not exciting or interesting; dull, lifeless. Insipid implies a
lack of taste or flavor and is, hence figuratively applied to anything that
is lifeless, dull and so on.
Example Sentence: Laura was bored to tears by the insipid small talk at the
party.
1/22/2001
INEXPLICABLE
Adjective: That which cannot be explained, understood or accounted for. Inexplicable
implies an element of surprise, as if one thought something could be explained
and then it couldn't.
Example Sentence: The background check revealed the inexplicable fact that
Roy seemed to have no official existence prior to his current job.
1/19/2001
ABRIDGED
Adjective: Shortening by using fewer words but keeping the main contents;
condensed. An edited version of a written work, usually to shorten an overly
long work, yet retaining the sense of the original.
Example Sentence: The magazine printed an abridged version of chapter four
of his book.
1/17/2001
FIGURATIVELY
Adverb: Representing one concept in terms of another that may be thought of
as analogous with it. In the phrase "screaming headlines," the word
"screaming" is used figuratively.
Example Sentence: Figuratively speaking, the new project was a black hole
in terms of funding.
1/16/2001
PRIMORDIAL
Adjective: First in time; existing at or from the beginning.
Example Sentence: The building blocks of life were present in the primordial
ooze.
1/15/2001
CONJECTURE
Noun: An inferring, theorizing, or predicting from incomplete or uncertain
evidence; guesswork. Conjecture is an educated guess based on available facts.
Example Sentence: The paper's editorial was full of conjecture based on an
incomplete set of facts.
1/12/2001
NETIZEN
Noun: A person who uses a computer to communicate in public forums on other
computers. Derived from the words network and citizen.
Example Sentence: Concerned netizens wrote their Congressman about the proposed
online censorship law.
1/11/2001
EXTEMPORANEOUS
Adjective: Made, done, or spoken without any formal preparation. Extemporaneous
is most often used to describe a speech or performance that has received a
small degree of preparation but has not been written out or memorized.
Example Sentence: Kristi gave an extemporaneous speech when she accepted the
award for best project.
1/10/2001
VERBOSE
Adjective: Using or containing too many words. Verbosity implies long-windedness.
Example Sentence: Mr. Roberts had a reputation for being verbose; it took
him three sentences to say what most people could say in one.
1/9/2001
MEDIOCRITY
Noun: The quality or state of being neither very good nor very bad; ordinary.
Although mediocrity is defined as average or ordinary, it often has a negative
connotation, especially when above-average performance is desired.
Example Sentence: Mr. Drake expected top-notch performance from his troops,
so George's mediocrity was especially disappointing.
1/8/2001
FORTUITOUS
Adjective: Happening by chance; bringing, or happening by, good luck. Fortuitous
has more in common with accidental than it does with lucky.
Example Sentence: It was fortuitous that Marty ran into Marvin at the Quickie
Mart, the two of them needed to share notes about an upcoming project.
1/5/2001
DOCILE
Adjective: Easy to manage or discipline. Docile implies flexibility only in
that being docile suggest a willingness to do anything to please.
Example Sentence: Barry was too docile; the other members of the department
walked all over him.
1/4/2001
IMPASSIVE
Adjective: Not feeling or showing emotion; calm. Although impassive means
not having or showing any pain or emotion, it does not necessarily connote
an incapability of being affected.
Example Sentence: Laura stood by impassively, as Ryan pointed out the ripped
out knee in his old jeans.
1/3/2001
ACUMEN
Noun: Keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a situation;
shrewdness.
Example Sentence: Robert spent years honing his business acumen so that he
could react quickly to any possible situation.
1/2/2001
UPTICK
Noun: An increase or upturn; rise.
Example Sentence: There was an uptick in sales during the second week; but
it didn't sustain.
12/28/2000
KUDOS
Noun: Credit or praise for an achievement; glory or fame. Note that kudos is both singular and plural; there is no such word as kudo.
Example Sentence: Marlon received kudos from the board for his outstanding presentation at the annual shareholder's meeting.
12/27/2000
KINDRED
Adjective: Of like nature; similar.
Example Sentence: Ginger and Jack were kindred spirits, both growing up in small towns and finding themselves transplanted to the big city.
12/26/2000
PROPENSITY
Noun: A natural inclination or tendency. Propensity implies an inherent inclination, as well as an almost uncontrollable attraction.
Example Sentence: Sue's propensity to say what was on her mind got her into hot water with her boss.
12/22/2000
RETICENT
Adjective: Habitually silent or uncommunicative; disinclined to speak readily. Reticent implies a pattern of uncommunicative behavior.
Example Sentence: Everyone noticed that Dennis was reticent in crowds.
12/21/2000
STALEMATE
Noun: Any unresolved situation in which further action is impossible or useless; draw.
Example Sentence: It was a stalemate between the company and the union; neither side would budge on its demands.
12/20/2000
TIMOROUS
Adjective: Full of or subject to fear; timid.
Example Sentence: Sally was timorous around Mr. Smith; she was afraid he'd fire her.
12/19/2000
TENACIOUS
Adjective: Holding firmly, stubborn.
Example Sentence: Jordan was tenacious in holding on to the belief that the government would back down from its case.
12/18/2000
WANTON
Adjective: Senseless, unprovoked, unjustifiable, or deliberately malicious. Wanton implies giving in to one's base desires.
Example Sentence: In spite of public appearances, Marvin was a wanton hedonist.
12/15/2000
E-COMMERCE
Noun: E-commerce (also known as electronic commerce) refers to online sales transacted over the Internet. Commerce in general refers to the buying and selling of goods, especially when done on a large scale between cities, states, or countries; trade.
Example Sentence: As a result of its new website, the consulting firm expected e-commerce to grow to $2 billion by the year 2001.
12/14/2000
FAUX
Adjective: False or artificial. A faux pas is a social blunder or error in etiquette that causes embarrassment.
Example Sentence: Marsha wore faux diamonds to the charity event, preferring to leave the real gems in their safe deposit box.
12/13/2000
FOMENT
Verb: To stir up trouble. Foment implies first eliciting and then bringing to full development and execution an action of serious consequence and suggests continued incitement over an extended period of time.
Example Sentence: George's personal grudge against ReallyBig Co. led him to foment revolution among the factory workers.
12/12/2000
EXEMPLAR
Noun: A person or thing regarded as worthy of imitation. Exemplar doesn't necessarily imply that a thing will be imitated, only that it is worthy of being imitated.
Example Sentence: Michael Jordan was an exemplar of success for all would-be basketball stars.
12/11/2000
QUANDARY
Noun: A state of uncertainty; perplexing situation or position. A quandary is a situation - especially an unpleasant or trying one - from which extrication is difficult.
Example Sentence: Martin was in a quandary. Should he stay at work and finish his project or attend his daughter's piano recital?
12/08/2000
SALUBRIOUS
Adjective: Promoting health or welfare. Something that is salubrious is healthful.
Example Sentence: The diet recommended by Dr. Benjamin had a salubrious effect on Wanda's well-being.
12/7/2000
INANE
Adjective: Lacking sense or meaning; silly. Inane implies being foolish and not worthwhile.
Example Sentence: Everyone in the group thought the project was an inane waste of time.
12/6/2000
PLAUSIBLE
Adjective: Seemingly true, acceptable, etc. Plausible often implies distrust and applies to that which at first glance appears to be true, reasonable, valid, and so on but which may or may not be so, although there is no connotation of deliberate deception.
Example Sentence: Beatrice made a plausible argument for why should couldn't have stolen the sugar cubes, although Stan wasn't sure he believed her.
12/5/2000
INNOCUOUS
Adjective: That does not injure or harm; not controversial, offensive, or stimulating; dull and uninspiring. Innocuous is sometimes used in a derogatory fashion to imply a person or thing that has no impact or is useless.
Example Sentence: Mr. Carter was so innocuous as to be unnoticed at the office party.
12/4/2000
ABROGATE
Verb: To cancel or repeal by authority. Abrogate implies an official cancellation.
Example Sentence: Hill abrogated Larry's authority to sign company checks.
12/1/2000
QUANDARY
Noun: A state of uncertainty; perplexing situation or position. A quandary is a situation - especially an unpleasant or trying one - from which extrication is difficult.
Example Sentence: Martin was in a quandary. Should he stay at work and finish his project or attend his daughter's piano recital?
11/30/2000
RIFE
Adjective: Frequently or commonly occurring; widespread; abundant; abounding.
Example Sentence: Greg's report was rife with error.
11/29/2000
VERITABLE
Adjective: Being such truly or in fact. Veritable implies correspondence with the truth and connotes absolute affirmation.
Example Sentence: Bobby's comic book collection was worth a veritable fortune, at least $100,000.
11/28/2000
CONVENTIONAL
Adjective: Of, sanctioned by, or growing out of custom or usage. Something that is customary depends on or conforms to formal or accepted standards or rules.
Example Sentence: The new office was still conventional in it's floor plan, despite the enhancements that made it appear more modern.
11/27/2000
SCRUTINIZE
Verb: To look at very carefully; examine closely; inspect minutely. Scrutinize implies a looking over carefully and searchingly to observe the minutest details.
Example Sentence: Joseph scrutinized the balance sheet for errors.
11/22/2000
AMALGAM
Noun: A combination or mixture; blend.
Example Sentence: The new product was an amalgam of the best of the old product with the key features from the competitor.
11/21/2000
STRATIFY
Verb: To form or arrange in layers or strata.
Example Sentence: Frank attempted to stratify the customer base in terms of income level.
11/20/2000
SUPERFICIAL
Adjective: Concerned with and understanding only the easily apparent and obvious. Superficial is typically used in a negative fashion, referring to something or someone that is shallow or not profound.
Example Sentence: Joe had only a superficial understanding of the compensation plan, so he had trouble explaining it to his downline.
11/17/2000
BLITHE
Adjective: Showing a gay, cheerful disposition. Blithe implies being carefree, happy and lighthearted, sometimes to the point of lacking or showing a lack of due concern for any given situation.
Example Sentence: Despite the potential downsizing, Martha remained a blithe spirit, unconcerned about how events might affect her future.
11/16/2000
SAVVY
Noun: Shrewdness or understanding; know-how. It refers to someone who is adept in a specific area due to a keen understanding or experience in that area.
Example Sentence: Barb's adept handling of the acquisition revealed her savvy in new business ventures.
11/15/2000
PESSIMIST
Noun: A person who expects misfortune or the worst outcome in any circumstance. Pessimists are known for seeing a "half-empty" glass.
Example Sentence: Despite the upward marketplace trends, David was a pessimist about achieving his quarterly revenue plan.
11/14/2000
PERSPECTIVE
Adjective: A specific point of view in understanding or judging things or events, especially one that shows them in their true relations to one another. Perspective implies a lack of bias or opinion.
Example Sentence: Taken in perspective, the loss of the Jones account had no long-term ill effects.
11/10/2000
PERSEVERE
Verb: To continue in some effort or course of action in spire of difficulty, opposition, and so on; be steadfast in purpose, persist. To persevere is to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement.
Example Sentence: In spite of the overwhelming odds, Chloe persevered in her pursuit of the world record.
11/9/2000
SANGUINE
Adjective: Cheerful and confident; optimistic; hopeful. Sanguine implies being positive despite obstacles or problems. A person who is sanguine possesses a positive attitude.
Example Sentence: Despire her many problems, Ruth remained sanguine about her prospects.
11/8/2000
CLOISTER
Verb: To confine in a place where one may lead a secluded life. Cloistering is a form of cocooning without the defensive nature but with an even higher degree of isolation.
Example Sentence: Wayne decided to cloister himself away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
11/7/2000
COHERENT
Adjective: Capable of logical, intelligible speech, thought, etc.
Example Sentence: Ted's arguments were coherent and persuasive.
11/6/2000
EXPUNGE
Verb: To erase or remove completely; blot out or strike out; delete or cancel. Expunge implies a complete wiping out of something that previously existed.
Example Sentence: Trying to cover his steps, Robinson sought to expunge all evidence of his existence from the computer files.
11/3/2000
OSTRACIZE
Verb: To banish, bar, or exclude by common consent, such as from a group or from acceptance by society. To ostracize someone is to deliberately exclude him or her from a social circle.
Example Sentence: After his outrageous behavior on the discussion board, Lewis was ostracized by the others who posted there.
11/2/2000
INSINUATE
Verb: To introduce or work into gradually, indirectly, and artfully. Insinuate implies a gradual, nonintrusive insertion.
Example Sentence: Larry gradually insinuated himself into Mr. Jones' favor.
11/1/2000
INGRATIATE
Verb: To make acceptable; especially, to bring oneself into another's favor or good graces by conscious effort. Often, however, ingratiate is used in the pejorative sense of brownnosing.
Example Sentence: Walter tried desperately to ingratiate himself with his fiancee's parents.
10/31/2000
PLETHORA
Noun: The state of being too full; overabundance. Plethora implies an overwhelming amount, too many of a given thing. Think of plethora as extreme excess or an embarassment of riches.
Example Sentence: Gordon was overwhelmed with the plethora of emails he had received from spammers.
10/30/2000
POSTULATE
Verb: To assume without proof to be true, real, or necessary, especially as a basis for argument. Postulate implies the assumption of something as an underlying factor, often one that is incapable of proof.
Example Sentence: Without any proof to the contrary, Jamie postulated that the drop in sales was due to seasonal factors.
10/27/2000
ARBITRATE
Verb: To decide a dispute. In collective bargaining negotiations, an arbitrator is named with the consent of both sides. An arbitrator is someone literally put in the middle of a dispute.
Example Sentence: A special judge was appointed to arbitrate the dispute between the company and the union.
10/26/2000
CREDULOUS
Adjective: Tending to believe too readily; easily convinced.
Example Sentence: Credulous co-workers are prime targets for all kinds of practical jokes.
10/25/2000
CHARISMATIC
Adjective: Of, having or resulting from a special charm that inspires fascination or devotion. Leaders often possess charisma that inspires their followers. A person with charisma is charming.
Example Sentence: Mr. Jones had proven himself a charismatic leader; he was able to charm his way through any situation.
10/24/2000
ANOMALY
Noun: Departure from the regular arrangement, general rule, or usual method; something not expected. An anomaly is not necessarily something bad, just something unusual.
Example Sentence: Sven's jet-black hair was an anomaly in a family of blond Swedes.
10/23/2000
IMPETUOUS
Adjective: Acting or done suddenly or without little thought. Impetuous is an obviously hasty and usually problematic decision or action and implies an action having negative or unflattering consequences.
Example Sentence: Madeline was an impetuous young girl, always running off on her own and getting into trouble.
10/20/2000
INGENUITY
Noun: Cleaverness, originality, skill and so on.
Example Sentence: Sandy showed great ingenuity in creating a program for his downline to generate more leads.
10/19/2000
STOIC
Adjective: Showing austere indifference to joy, grief, pleasure or pain; calm and unflinching under suffering, bad fortune, and so on. Stoic specifically suggests the ability to endure suffering without flinching.
Example Sentence: Joan accepted the news of being passed over for a promotion with stoic calm.
10/18/2000
LACKADAISICAL
Adjective: Showing lack of interest or spirit. Lackadaisical implies a casual, disinterested attitude, attributed to mental outlook.
Example Sentence: A lackadaisical attitude toward deadlines cemented Richard's fate at teh bottom of the secretarial pool.
10/17/2000
DUBIOUS
Adjective: Causing doubt. Dubious infersrousing suspicion or shady.
Example Sentence: He was a dubious character; no one knew exactly what his background was.
10/16/2000
EUPHEMISM
Noun: The use of a word or phrase that is less direct but considered less distasteful and less offensive than another. Euphemism literally means "good word"; when you think the chosen word might be offensive to some, choose a euphemism instead.
Example Sentence: Sensing a conservative audience, Randy substituted a euphemism for the word in question.
10/13/2000
GRANDIOSE
Adjective: Seeming or trying to seem very important; pompous and showy. Grandiose implies taking normal behaviour and making it larger.
Example Sentence: Kelly made a grandiose gesture and entered
the stage for her speech.
10/12/2000
FLAME
Verb: Posting an inflammatory electronic article or sending an inflammatory e-mail message. Flaming is a vitriolic personal attack on another individual.
Example Sentence: After George's spam to the newsgroup, the members flamed his email box with complaints.
10/11/2000
COMPEL
Verb: To get or bring about by force. Compel implies forcing a conclusion to some action by physical means or threats. One can be compelled by either physical or moral force.
Example Sentence: After being reprimanded by his superior, Jim was compelled to pay more attention to his work.
10/10/2000
FORMIDABLE
Adjective: Causing fear or dread; aw-inspiring in size, excellence, and so on. Formidable implies a force to be reckoned with; seriously challenging, able, and competent. A person or thing that is formidable will often excite fear or apprehension in others.
Example Sentence: With his past political experience, Lawrence was a formidable opponent for the Governor's race.
10/09/2000
SPAM
Noun: A mass posting of electronic messages, via the Internet, to bulletin boards, USENET newsgroups, or lists of e-mail addresses. Spam, which is the electronic equivalent of junk mail.
Example Sentence: Sending out spam is prohibited by SFI's policies and is immediate grounds for termination.
10/06/2000
HABITUAL
Adjective: Formed or acquired by continual use; customary.
Example Sentence: Jerry had been habitually late for work over the past few months.
10/05/2000
STAUNCH
Adjective: Firm; loyal; faithful. Staunch can also imply strong or solidly made. Staunch implies such strong allegiance to one's principles or purposes as not be turned aside by any cause.
Example Sentence: Larry was a staunch supporter of the bond to build a new school in his community.
10/04/2000
INCLINATION
Noun: A particular disposition or bent of mind; a liking or preference. Inclination refers toa more or less vague mental disposition toward some action, practice, or thing.
Example: Liz had an inclination toward tacos instead of hamburgers for lunch.
10/03/2000
CONFER
Verb: To bring together, compare. To give, grant or bestow. To compare. To have a conference or talk; meet for discussion.
Example Sentence: Bonnie needed to confer with me about some email we had received.
10/02/2000
PREDECESSOR
Noun: A person who comes before another, such as in office.
Example Sentence: If George W. Bush is elected President, Bill Clinton will be his predecessor.
9/29/2000
ENTHRALL
Verb: Literally means to make a slave of, enslave. Now of course, this is used figuratively to describe someone who is completely at something or someone's command.
Example Sentence: George was so enthralled in his day job, he could not wait until his home business allowed him to quit.
9/28/2000
LUCRATIVE
Adjective: Producing wealth or profit; profitable.
Example Sentence: Working closely with her downline proved quite lucrative for Joan, her commissions were almost doubled.
9/27/2000
EXTRANEOUS
Adjective: Not truly or properly belonging; not essential.
Example Sentence: To his teacher's dismay, Johnny added an extraneous summary at the end of his term paper.
9/26/2000
VAPID
Adjective: Uninteresting, lifeless, dull, boring.
Example Sentence: After James gave the speech repeatedly at the convention, it had become vapid.
9/25/2000
OSTENTATIOUS
Adjective: Putting on a showy display, as of wealth, knowledge, etc.
Example Sentence: Laura's ostentatious display of her new car, annoyed everyone.
9/22/2000
JOVIAL
Adjective: Full of hearty, playful good humor.
Example Sentence: Larry was his usual jovial self, entertaining everyone at the luncheon with his stories.
9/21/2000
UNILATERAL
Adjective: Done or undertaken by one side only; not reciprocal.
Example Sentence: The board made a unilateral decision to move ahead with the budget changes.
9/20/2000
INCUR
Verb: To become subject to through one's own action; bring upon oneself.
Example Sentence: If you make a late payment on your credit card, you are bound to incur a late fee.
9/19/2000
CAJOLE
Verb: To coax with flattery and insincere talk. Cajole implies the use of flattery to trick another into complying with a request. Cajole is somewhat synonymous with "sweet talk."
Example Sentence: The salesman tried to cajole Edward into buying the more expensive car.
9/18/2000
VIABLE
Adjective: Workable and likely to survive or to have real meaning, pertinence, et. In the business world, viability implies ongoing profitability.
Example Sentence: After two years of hard work, Roy had turned his home business into a viable source of income.
9/15/2000
COPACETIC
Adjective: Good, excellent, fine. Copacetic is a term of broad scope and can refer to health, procedures, plans, etc.
Example Sentence: After being out of town for a few days, George called the office to make sure everything was copacetic.
9/14/2000
PROGNOSTICATE
Verb: To foretell or predict, especially from signs or indications.
Example Sentence: The company could not prognosticate what Joe's earnings would be for the following months.
9/13/2000
REVOLUTIONARY
Adjective: 1. Of, characterized by, favoring or causing a revolution in a government or social system. 2. Bringing about or constituting a great or radical change. 3. Revolving or rotating.
Example Sentence: The Internet has brought a revolutionary change in communication.
9/12/2000
PRINCIPLE
1. A basic truth, law, or assumption.
2.a. A rule or standard, especially of good behavior. b. The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments.
3. A fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action.
Example Sentence: A good business principle is that the customer is always right.
9/11/2000
STRATEGY
Noun: A plan of action to acheive the goals of a business or organization. Strategies describe how to meet goals and objectives.
Example Sentence: Our strategy is to increase the membership in our business through internet marketing.
9/8/2000
MISSION
Noun: The overall purpose of a business or organization. A mission is more specific than a vision.
Example Sentence: The mission of the company is to build a successive network marketing business.
9/7/2000
PERPETUAL
Adjective: 1. Continuous, to strive, rush at, fall. 2. Lasting or enduring forever or for an indefinitely long time; eternal; permanent. 3. Continuing indefinitely without interruption; unceasing constant.
Example Sentence: The changing of season is perpetual.
9/6/2000
CONNOISSEUR
Noun: A person who had expert knowledge and keen discrimination in some field, especially in fine arts or in matters of taste. A connoisseur often has specific training or skills in his or her favored area.
Example Sentence: Felix was a connoisseur of fine wines, having studied in Italy for years.
9/5/2000
VISION
Noun. A mental image or imaginative contemplation. Organizations are often driven by an overriding vision. These goals or objectives are reached by implementing an overall strategy, which is executed via specific tactics.
Example Sentence: Full Circle Success's vision is to be a global internet company.
8/31/2000
ASSUMPTION
Noun: Anything taken for granted or supposed to be fact. Assumption implies taking something as the truth without actually checking to be true.
Example Sentence: The assumption was that the business could handle the changes without causing any major problems.
8/30/20000
NETWORKING
intransitive verb: The developing of contacts or exchanging of information with others to further a career. Many job hunters find positions by networking with their contacts.
Example Sentence: Felix stepped up his networking with his downline to build his business.
8/29/2000
OPTIMIST
Noun: One who has the tendency to take the most hopeful or cheerful view of matters or to expect the best outcomes, Optimists are known for seeing a "half-full" glass.
Example Sentence: After hearing the latest opinion polls, Felix remained an optimist regarding his candidate's ability to win the election.
8/28/2000
ACCRUE
intransitive verb: To accumulate periodically as an increase. Businesses often plan ahead by creating accruals as reserves
against future expenditures of a certain type.
Example Sentence: The longer you leave money in your savings account, the more interest it will accrue.
8/25/2000
BOLSTER
Transitive verb: To prop up, support, strengthen, Bolster implies an emotional encouragement.
Example Sentence: Seeing that Maynard was getting put down, Felix tried to bolster his self-confidence
8/24/2000
ZEALOUS
1. Full of, characterized by, or showing zeal
2. Ardently devoted to a purpose, fervent, enthusiastic
Example Sentence: John was overzealous when it came to eating chocolates.
8/23/2000
WREST
1. To obtain by or as if by pulling with violent twisting movements. 2. To usurp forcefully. 3. To extract by or as if by force, twisting, or persistent effort; wring. 4.a. To distort or twist the nature or meaning of. b. To divert to an improper use; misapply.
Example Sentence: Bill had to wrest the remote control away from me.
8/22/2000
ADHERE
1. To stick fast by or as if by suction or glue.
2. To be a devoted follower or supporter.
3. To carry out a plan, a scheme, or an operation without deviation.
Example: It is important that our members adhere to our policies on spamming.
8/21/2000
EMULATE
1. To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation.
2. To compete with successfully; approach or attain equality with.
Example Sentence: Many have tried to emulate the Six-Figure Income system with little success.
8/18/2000
INSPIRATION
1.a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. b. The condition of being so stimulated. 2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention. 3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired. 4. The quality of inspiring or exalting.
Example Sentence: The coach gave a pep talk to provide inspiration to his players before the big game.
8/17/2000
MAGNITUDE
1.a. Greatness of rank or position. b. Greatness in size or extent. c. Greatness in significance or influence.
Example Sentence: The magnitude of the presentation inspired the audience to put forth more effort in their recruiting.
8/16/2000
RESIDUAL
Adjective: 1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a residue.
2. Remaining as a residue.
Noun: 1. The quantity left over at the end of a process; a remainder. 2. Often residuals. A payment made to a performer, writer, or director for each repeat showing of a recorded television show or commercial.
Example Sentence: Six-Figure Income’s compensation plan provides a way to earn residual income.
8/15/2000
GENERATE
1.a. To bring into being; give rise to. b. To produce as a result of a chemical or physical process.
2. To engender (offspring); procreate.
Example Sentence: You can generate income through the Six-Figure Income program.
8/14/2000
SKILLFUL
1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert.
2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill
3. Being able to do something very well.
Example Sentence: The skillful pilot manuevered the plane through the thunderstorm.
8/11/2000
CONVOLUTED
1. Having numerous overlapping coils or folds.
2. Intricate; complicated.
3. Twisted or tangled
Example Sentence: The message was so convoluted that Bill couldn't understand it.
8/10/2000
ENUNCIATE
1. To pronounce; articulate.
2. To state or set forth precisely or systematically.
3. To announce; proclaim.
Example Sentence: The speaker enunciated clearly and loudly.
8/9/2000
TOPICAL
1. Of or belonging to a particular location or place; local.
2. Currently of interest; contemporary. 3. Medicine. Of or applied to an isolated or localized area of the body. 4. Of, arranged by, or relating to a particular topic or topical.
Example Sentence: This letter discusses topical political issues.
8/8/2000
GOAL
1. The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed; an objective.
2. Sports. a. The finish line of a race. b. A specified structure or zone into or over which players endeavor to advance a ball or puck. c. The score awarded for such an act.
Example Sentence: The winner broke through the tape that stretched across the goal.
8/7/2000
SELF-TAUGHT
1. Having taught oneself without formal instruction or the help of others. 2. Self-educated 3. Taught by studying and learning by oneself.
Example Sentence: The self-taught bakers opened their own business
8/4/2000
PITHY
1. Precisely meaningful; forceful and brief. 2. Consisting of or resembling pith. 3. Full or meaning but to use few words.
Example Sentence: Her speech was short and pithy.
8/3/2000
FOOLPROOF
1. Designed so as to be impervious to human incompetence, error, or misuse. 2. Effective; infallible. 3. Not capable of failing
Example Sentence: I had a foolproof plan to keep Mary away while we prepared for her surprise party.
8/2/2000
MOTIVATION
1. To provide with an incentive; move to action
2. incentive; encouragement to do something
Example Sentence: Jimmy needed motivation to learn this program.
8/1/2000
EARMARK
1. To reserve or set aside for a particular purpose.
2. To place an identifying or distinctive mark on.
3. To mark the ear of (a domestic animal) for identification.
Example Sentence: The committee earmarked some funds for advertising.
7/31/2000
STREAMLINE
1. To construct or design in a form that offers the least resistance to fluid flow. 2. To improve the appearance or efficiency of; modernize. 3.a. To organize. b. To simplify.
Example Sentence: The state has streamlined the process for renewing your drivers license.
7/28/2000
EXPONENTIAL
Adjective: Increasing in extraordinary proportions because of greatly increased population.
Example Sentence: Six-Figure Income has experienced exponential growth since the enhancements to our program.
7/27/2000
VAGUE
Adjective: 1. Not clearly expressed; inexplicit. 2. Not thinking or expressing oneself clearly.3. Lacking definite shape, form, or character; indistinct.4. Not clear in meaning or application. 5. Indistinctly felt, perceived, understood, or recalled; hazy.
Example Sentence: After the car accident, she had a vague recollection of what happened.
7/26/2000
ESSENTIAL
Adjective: 1. Constituting or being part of the essence of something; inherent. 2. Basic or indispensable; necessary.
Noun: 1. Something fundamental. 2. Something necessary or indispensable.
Example Sentence(s):
Food is an essential for survival.
Water is an essential element for survival.
7/25/2000
PROCRASTINATE
Interjection: 1. To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.tr. 2. To postpone or delay needlessly.
Example Sentence: The remodeling of my bathroom is still not completed because the carpenter procrastinates.
7/24/2000
IMPERATIVE
Adjective: 1. Expressing a command or plea; peremptory.2. Having the power or authority to command or control.3. Grammar. Of, relating to, or constituting the mood that expresses a command or request. 4. Impossible to deter or evade; pressing.
Noun: 1.a. A command; an order. b. An obligation; a duty.2. A rule, a principle, or an instinct that compels a certain behavior. 3. Grammar. a. The imperative mood. b. A verb form of the imperative mood.
Example Sentence(s): It is imperative that you sign the No-Spam Agreement before you can earn commissions from Six-Figure Income.
The General gave his troops an imperative to charge the hill.
7/21/2000
IMPLEMENT
Noun: 1. Any article or device used or needed in a given activity; tool, instrument, utensil, etc.; 2. Any thing or person used as a means to some end.
Verb: 1. To carry into effect; fulfill; accomplish; 2. To provide the means for the carrying out of; give practical effect to; 3. To provide with implements.
Example Sentence(s): Implements for farming are normally kept in the barn.
Task forces are often appointed to implement new policies.
7/20/2000
DEMOGRAPHICS
The demographic characteristics of a population, esp. as classified by age, sex, income, etc. for market research, sociological analysis, etc.
Example sentence: Advertisers should know the demographics of the magazine they intend to advertise in.
7/19/00
DELEGATE
Noun: 1. A person authorized or sent to speak and act for others; representative, as at a convention; 2. A representative of a U.S. Territory in the House of Representatives, with the right to speak but not to vote; 3. A member of a House of Delegates;
Verb: 1. To send from one place to another, appoint, assign; 2. To send or appoint as a representative or deputy; 3. To entrust (authority, power, etc) to a person acting as one's agent or representative
Example Sentence(s):
All good employers should delegate tasks to those he/she employs.
The president nominated Doug Bereuter as a delegate for the United Nations 42nd General Assembly in 1987.