Daffodil International University
Faculty of Humanities and Social Science => English => Topic started by: Shampa Iftakhar on February 05, 2015, 12:04:29 PM
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Every day we encounter with some familiar words. Thousands words remain unused as we hardly know their meanings. So let's try to learn a word a everyday.
Whippersnapper:
A whippersnapper is someone who is younger than you are but also irritatingly overconfident and impertinent, like your little smart aleck cousin.
The word whippersnapper describes a specific kind of bratty, know-it-all kid, and it's only used by an older person who is talking about a younger person. It's a fairly old-fashioned word, having been around since the late-1600s, when it apparently arose out of "whip-snapper," which implied a general sense of lots of noise and very little importance. Around the same time, the word "whipperginnie" was a derogatory term for a woman.
Synonyms: a)Jacknapes: It means a colorful but very old fashioned way to describe a rascal or a whippersnapper. Your great-grandfather might shake his cane and yell, "Get off my lawn, you jackanapes!" when the neighbor kids lose their basketball in his yard, but they're unlikely to know what the word means. Jackanapes is from the fifteenth century, and it's thought to come from the phrase "Jack of Naples," or to have some connection to the word apes, but experts are uncertain.
b) Lightweight: Break lightweight apart — light + weight — and you see its definition right there in its root words. Someone who is called a lightweight is either a professional boxer who weighs under 135 pounds or he's someone with little importance or ability. When a company is looking to make layoffs, it's the lightweight employees, or those who just aren't important to the business that often get axed first.
Source:www.vocabulary.com
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Ex gratia: An ex gratia payment is not necessary, especially legally, but is made to show good intentions:
Example: Ex gratia payments were made to all those who had been affected by the spillage.
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Ass over teakettle: a) Frantically , in complete disarray.
Example: We've been scrambling ass over teakettle to get this thing done on time.
b) Head over heels. Used frequently by weird Canadian mother-in-laws.
Example: Damn, Tom got really wasted and fell out of his chair, ass over teakettle.
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Te Deum: a) an early Christian hymn of praise
b) A religious service in which the singing of the hymn forms a principal part; a public thanksgiving
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Very good, really liked it
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Babbitt metal: A soft white alloy of variable composition used in bearings to diminish friction
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Wicca: A neopagan religion first published in 1954 by British civil servant Gerald Gardner, involving the worship of God and Goddess,and the boservance of eight Sabbats.
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Good initiative.
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onerous: 1. laborious or oppressive
2. (Law) law (of a contract, lease, etc) having or involving burdens or obligations that counterbalance or outweigh the advantages.
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Educe
Develop or evolve from a latent or potential state
We educed some interesting linguistic data from the native informant"
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roach
A roll of hair brushed back from the forehead
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Onerous:
involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.
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So many new and interesting words indeed!!! :)
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Vie: to rival ; to struggle for superiority or to compete eagerly so as to gain something
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Brio (noun) Italian origin
vigor; vivacity
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Dear Tahsina Mam:
You showed the the first word. Can you remember? ;)
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learning many words from this post.
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Culturati (noun)
People deeply interested in cultural and artistic matters
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words! Words! words!
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I believe if we can apply the new encountered word physically after knowing its meaning then it becomes easier to remember always!! Thanks to all for sharing the words. :) :)
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer,Dept.of English
Daffodil International University
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Shampa, yes, I clearly remember! And it was also indicating. . . ;)
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Bafflegab (noun)
Slang - confusing or generally unintelligible jargon
I found this word interesting and I am planning to use this when I attend a conference or seminar talk and do not understand anything :P
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Huarache:
A Mexican Sandal
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Bibliomania [bib-lee-oh-MEY-nee-uh]
Noun
Excessive fondness for acquiring and possessing books.
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Oxbow:
1. a loop formed by a horseshoe bend in a river.
2. a U-shaped collar of an ox-yoke.
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gerontology [jer-uh n-tol-uh-jee]
noun
the branch of science that deals with aging and the problems of aged persons
This word came up as Masud Ibn Rahman at Daffodil is working on it and Daffodil wants to contribute to this branch.
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Dyde:
a. set of two different elements
b.(music)any set of two different pitch classes
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Bucolic [byoo-KOL-ik]
Adjective
of pertaining to or suggesting an idyllic rural life
of or pertaining orshepherd, pastoral
Noun
a pastoral poem
Remember we used this word in romantic poetry course? :D
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I would love to introduce some Spanish words sometime :D
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Please introduce Tina madam. :)
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The problem is, if we don't use the word in writing or conversation, we don't retain it. :(
I introduced a word which means the blessing of eating together few months ago but for the last few days I've been trying hard to remember in vain :'(
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Without implementing, we can't retain it. Please let's start it. I now you are a culturati, dear Tahsina madam. ;)
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Pootle = to spend time doing things that you enjoy but that are not important
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Geminate [JEM-uh-nit]
Adjective
twin
Verb
to make or become doubled or paired
Antar's word being used - I pootle with my daughter on weekends.
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Viable:
able to live on its own, able to be done
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really a very interesting post..
Happy to know
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wow!!!...so many new words...let's maintain the track :D ;)
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Let's start using..
I like to pootle with you. But don't germinate me with one whom I feel whippersnapper. Rather I prefer to be a viable and want to know more about gerontology.
Is this ok??????????
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That sounded a bit awkward....but to practice using the words, this is okay.
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ELOQUENT:- marked by forceful and fluent expression.
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I wish to share something from Spanish...someday ???
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Helpful. Thanks for initiative.
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Welcome sir. :)
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fumarole (noun) - a hole in or near a volcano, from which vapor rises
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Concomitant-means accompanying. If you run into someone that you have a crush on you might feel nervousness with a concomitant forgetfulness.
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prodigious-remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
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Exquisite-extremely beautiful and delicate.
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Shampa Madam, may I get a sentence using vie! :P
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Shampa apu,can we have some new French words you have recently learned?(after visiting France) ;) :-*
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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exoskeleton (noun): a robotic device which goes around the legs and part of the body of a person who cannot walk and allows them to move independently and in an upright position.
[Coll.]
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Haptics (noun): technology that involves the sensation of touching or feeling something.
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...'tec' words indeed... :P ???
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Green Care (noun): the therapeutic use of nature, especially for people with mental health issues.
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Blitzkrieg:-a swift intensive military attack, esp using tanks supported by aircraft, designed to defeat the opposition quickly.
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wow!!! a dynamic dictionary indeed !! :D
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Dear Sifat,
Here are some examples with vie:
George Sand, who was a firm believer in the doctrine of heredity, devotes a whole volume of her autobiography (Histoire de ma vie, 1857 seq.) to the elaboration of this strange pedigree.
He pronounced the Histoire de ma vie about the best biography he had ever read.
- The collected edition of George Sand's works was published in Paris (1862-1883) in 96 volumes, with supplement 109 volumes; the Histoire de ma vie appeared in 20 volumes in 1854-1855.
Source: www.yourdictionary.com › Dictionary Definitions
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Gybe: To change tack with the wind crossing behind the boat.
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Empressement: Enthusiasm, effusiveness; animated display of friendliness.
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waterproofed, adj.: impervious to water; (often) spec. made waterproof by the application of an agent or substance. Also: provided with, or wearing, waterproof clothing.
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thanks
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Locus-- A particular position or place where something occurs or is situated.
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Unthaw ---- Melt or thaw.
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Rota- A list showing when each of a number of people has to do a particular job.
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Jaffle -- A toasted sandwich.
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Preen - to try to look attractive.
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Detenu; a person held in custody
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WOW:
exclamation
expressing astonishment or admiration.
Example: "‘Wow!’ he cried enthusiastically"
noun: wow; plural noun: wows
1. a sensational success.
"your play's a wow"
verb: wow; 3rd person present: wows; past tense: wowed; past participle: wowed; gerund or present participle: wowing
1.
impress and excite (someone) greatly.
"they wowed audiences on their recent British tour"
Origin
natural exclamation: first recorded in Scots in the early 16th century.
noun: wow: slow pitch fluctuation in sound reproduction, perceptible in long notes.
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Negotiator: someone who tries to help two groups who disagree to reach an agreement with each other, usually as a job.
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Climate Justice, (noun): the holding to account of those responsible for climate change and reparation for those most affected by it.
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Nice ! thank you
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Dri---endure
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Lepak----spend one’s time aimlessly loitering or loafing around
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Valor :
- the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle).
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good initiative
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Mediate (v): to talk to two separate people or groups involved in a disagreement to try to help them to agree or find a solution to their problems.
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Prepone (V): Bring (something) forward to an earlier date or time.
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Puzzlewit (Adj.): That puzzles or would puzzle one's wit.
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Thwart (V): Prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.
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Endeavour (V): Try hard to do or achieve something.
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spawn:
verb: spawn; 3rd person present: spawns; past tense: spawned; past participle: spawned; gerund or present participle: spawning
1. (of a fish, frog, mollusc, crustacean, etc.) release or deposit eggs.
"the fish spawn among fine-leaved plants"
2. derogatory (of a person) produce (offspring). or produce or generate a large number of.
example: "why had she married a man who could spawn a boy like that?"
"the decade spawned a bewildering variety of books on the forces"
synonyms: give rise to, bring about, occasion, generate, engender, originate, lead to, result in, effect, induce, initiate, start, set off; More
breed, bear, give birth to;
provoke, precipitate, spark off, trigger;
contribute to, make for, be conducive to, foster, promote;
literarybeget
"he wrote in a dry style that spawned hundreds of imitations"
noun: spawn
3. the mycelium of a fungus, especially a cultivated mushroom.
"a supplier of spawn for shiitake mushrooms"
Origin
late Middle English: shortening of Anglo-Norman French espaundre ‘to shed roe’, variant of Old French espandre ‘pour out’, from Latin expandere ‘expand’.
Translate spawn to
Use over time for: spawn
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taphephobia (n)
an abnormal fear of being buried alive
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'panache'
an ornamental plume on a helmet.
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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crass : showing no intelligence or sensitivity
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Sirach:
Ecclesiasticus,a book of the Bible
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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the flat white economy -- (noun) the network of media, internet and creative businesses that are bolstering the UK economy.
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disaster capitalism - (noun) a policy of political officials to take advantage of a shock or disaster to push free-market economic policies and privatization in the management of recovery and reconstruction.
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shrinkflation - (noun) when the size of a product is reduced whilst the price is retained.
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Wizened:lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
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Chauvinism:
in its original meaning, is an exaggerated patriotism and a belligerent belief in national superiority and glory.
According to legend, French soldier Nicolas Chauvin was badly wounded in the Napoleonic wars.
:) :) :)
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'phaeton'
a light four-wheeled open carriage drawn by four horses
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Hyperbole - Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
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she shed - (noun) (informal) --- a garden shed owned by and equipped for a woman
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This one is interesting to know Shahriar Sir :)
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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arré : Used to express annoyance, surprise, or interest, or to attract someone’s attention.
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athame: A black-handled, double-edged ritual knife used in modern witchcraft.
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Belay: Fix (a running rope) round a cleat, rock, pin, or other object, to secure it.
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she shed! wow!Great to know such a wonderful word. ;)
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nerd power : heat generated by computers and used, for example to heat places.
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smart desk : a computerized desk that can be raised for use while standing and can monitor such things as the user’s movements, time spent at the desk sitting or standing, and calories burnt, and prompt the user to move about or stand up, etc.
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Sycophant: a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.
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Really, it's a good initiative :)
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Blook
A blend of 'book' and 'blog' : a book written by a blogger.
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Bling (n): Expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewelry.
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Chillax (v): Calm down and relax.
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Agritourism A form of tourism in which tourists stay on farms or in agricultural villages, and often participate in farm activities.
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Bigot
(n.) a person who stubbornly partial towards their own opinion or harbor prejudice regarding groups, politics, race or religion.
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phylactery:
Definition: (noun) Either of two small leather boxes, each containing strips of parchment inscribed with quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures, one of which is strapped to the forehead and the other to the left arm; traditionally worn by Jewish men during morning worship, except on the Sabbath and holidays.
Synonyms: tefillin
Usage: Just before his bar mitzvah, David got a brand new set of phylacteries.
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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recluse: a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people
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Mayhem: Violent or extreme disorder; chaos
Synonyms: confusion, havoc, bedlam, tumult,turmoil
Law:
The crime of maliciously injuring or maiming someone, originally so as to render them defenseless.
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Meandering: (Noun) An act of following a winding course
Example: "Ox-bow lagoons left by the river's meanderings"
Synonyms: Zigzag, serpentine, windy, twisty, tortuous
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Dench
Extremely attractive, fashionable, impressive, etc
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Frenemy
An enemy who pretends to be your friend.
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Antara, I loved the word 'frenemy'! Here's one entry from me:
Nocturne (noun)
a music piece appropriate to the night or evening
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Billheads:
A sheet of paper with a business name and address printed at the top, used for billing costs or charges.
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Ditch:To leave a person, place, or group of people suddenly and unexpectedly to hang out with someone else, somewhere else, or to go to another large gathering.
Example: Jen: "YOU DITCHED ME!!"
Matt: "huh? when?!"
Jen: "YOU LEFT ME YESTERDAY AND DIDNT SAY A WORD TO ME ALL DAY."
Mett: "ermm... uhh...."
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Squeamish : easily made to feel sick, faint, or disgusted, especially by unpleasant images, such as the sight of blood.
Example: At that age I was not squeamish about killing animals. ( 'Shooting an Elephant' by George Orwell)
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Cochineal: a scarlet dye used chiefly for coloring food.
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Good job,.
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Chanticleer:a name given to a rooster, especially in fairy tales
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I believe other than using in practical writing it's hard to remember all these new words!
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Yes, Tina mam. :(
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What about 'Sonorous'?
Having a pleasant full deep sound.
A ~ voice :)
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What about 'Sonorous'?
having a pleasant full deep sound.
a~ voice :)
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...interesting to learn about the word Irina Ma'am :)
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Well, now i will put an effort to share some words which are originated from HINDI, PERSIAN and SANSKRIT origin. They are very common words but we often get confused to them in our words.
1.Dacoit
from Dakait, meaning a member of a class of criminals who engage in organized robbery and murder. (banditry)
2.Dinghy
from Dinghi, small boat, wherry-boat
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hone:.
a) sharpen (a blade).
Example: He was carefully honing the curved blade.
b)
refine or perfect (something) over a period of time.
Example: She has taken numerous workshops to hone her skills over the years.
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ephemeral:lasting for a very short time
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The last word is one of my favorites Shampa Madam :)
Afroza Akhter Tina
Senior Lecturer
Department of English, DIU
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Nice to know that Tina Mam :)
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Cherub: a winged angelic being described in biblical tradition as attending on God. It is represented in ancient Middle Eastern art as a lion or bull with eagles' wings and a human face, and regarded in traditional Christian angelology as an angel of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
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Promenade: 1 : a place for strolling.
2 : a leisurely walk or ride especially in a public place for pleasure or display.
3 a : a ceremonious opening of a formal ball consisting of a grand march of all the guests b : a figure in a square dance in which couples move counterclockwise in a circle.
Example: They lounge on the promenade deck of the Ocean Liner.
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Really good initiative
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Somnambulism: An abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (as walking) are performed
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I would have liked this thread to continue.
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Efficacy: power to produce desired effect
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Appease
Appease means to make or preserve peace with a nation, group, or person by giving in to their demands, or to relieve a problem
"the cold drink appeased his thirst."
Appease often implies abandoning your moral principles to satisfy the demands of someone who is greedy for power: think of British Prime Minister Chamberlain's attempt to appease the Nazis at Munich. The verb appease comes from the Old French apaisier, "to pacify, make peace, or be reconciled," from the phrase "a paisier," which combines a-, or "to," and pais, "peace," from the Latin pax.
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wow madam