Term
Iota
As far as science is concerned, there is not one iota of evidence to prove that life exists on other planets. |
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Definition
A very small quantity or amount.
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Term
Temerity
If you have the temerity to jump off the bridge even after hearing about the risk of instant death, you truley are a fool. |
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Definition
The quality of being unafraid of danger of punishment in a foolish way.
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Term
Elucidate
She read everything she could get her hands on that would elucidate and expand uppon her study of the human brain. |
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Definition
To make understood, to clarify, to shed light upon something.
(elucidated, elucidating, elucidates) |
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Term
Expunge
The judge directed the court stenographer to expunge the last three paragraphs of the witness' testimony because she was hysterical.
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Definition
To strike or block something out, erase; obliterate.
(expunged, expunging, expunges) |
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Term
Gait
We had slowed to a cautious gait and were feeling our way forward so as not to bump into any trees.
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Definition
A person's individual way of walking.
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Term
Purloin
Jeremy must have purloined a copy of the school's master key because that is the only way he could have gotten into the cafeteria without breaking a window. |
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Definition
To steal something.
(purloined, purloins, purloining) |
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Term
Capacious
That mini-van has a capacious storage area which makes it an ideal choice for large families. |
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Definition
Containing or capeable of containing a large amount of something.
(capicity, capaciously, capaciousness) |
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Term
Trepidation
After listening to the teacher describe how important the NYS ELA test was and all the preperation needed to do well on the test, Pam began to feel her trepidation grow about failing the assesment. |
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Definition
A feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasent is going to happen.
(trepid, trepidly, trepidity, trepidant, intrepid) |
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Term
Irascible
Unlike his twin brother who never seems to get upset, Colin is irascible and gets angry very easily. |
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Definition
Becoming angry very easily; having a bad temper.
(irascibility, irascibly, irascibleness) |
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Term
Pithy
William Shakespear was so skilled at using few words in clever and new ways that he is considered one of the most pithy writers ever. |
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Definition
Using few words in a clever and effective way.
(pithier, pithiest) |
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