Words for Today:
1) ABATE
2) ABERRANT (OR ANOMALOUS)
3) ABSTAIN
4) ABSTEMIOUS
5) ACROPHOBIA, AGORAPHOBIA, CLAUSTROPHOBIA, NYCTOPHOBIA

 CONTEMPLATE (OR PONDER OR COGITATE OR CEREBRATE) (Verb)

Meaning- action of thinking or looking at something attentively.

Uses-

•          Mr. Roy is contemplating retirement next year as he has not been keeping well for a long time.
•          When Smith was contemplating a new business, he consulted competent finance, legal and tax advisors to ensure the viability of his venture.
•          Have you ever contemplated about something for a long time?
•          By the time he finishes contemplating what to do with his life, it will be almost over.

                              CONNOISSEUR (Noun)

Meaning- expert and critical judge of excellence in the arts, food, drink etc.

Mnemonic Trick- CONN in word CONNOISSEUR sounds similar to Hindi word “Kaan or Ear (in English)”. Person who has good ears has fine ability to judge and he is a connoisseur. Therefore, connoisseur means a person who is expert and critical judge of excellence in the arts, food, drink etc.

Synonym- COGNOSCENTE

Uses-

•          Connoisseurs of good food.
•          Bernard Berenson the connoisseur of Italian art was hired by wealthy art lovers to select painting for their collection.
•          There is a radical difference between the points of view of the Japanese and the western connoisseur in estimating the Japanese merits of sculpture in metal.

                                          CONGENIAL (Adj.)

First Meaning- Friendly

Synonym- AMIABLE, AMICABLE, GENIAL, CORDIAL, AFFABLE

Uses-

•          A congenial colleague.
•          My father loved to go out for a meal with congenial companions.
•          My mother’s congenial nature makes her well-loved in the community.

Second Meaning- Suitable and pleasant

Synonym- FELICITOUS

Uses-

•          A congenial working environment.
•          We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library.

COMPUNCTION (OR PENITENCE OR CONTRITION) (Noun)

Meaning-  A feeling of guilt or regret guided by inner conscience for doing something wrong.

Mnemonic trick- Compunction sounds similar to compulsion. If we don’ t do any compulsory work we show expressions of compunction. Therefore, compunction means feeling of uneasiness or regret for doing something wrong.

Synonym- REPENTANCE, REMORSE

Explanation- words compunction or penitence or contrition means sorrow or deep sadness for doing something wrong. Repentance means feeling of guilt or sadness for doing something wrong accompanied by desire to rectify the mistake.

Uses-

•          I would n’ t have any compunction about telling him to leave.
•          He had no compunction about telling how he killed his father.
•          Once again she heard her husband’s tearful expressions of compunction

                     COMMENSURATE (Adj.)

Meaning-  Equal in size or degree or extent.

Synonym- PROPORTIONATE

Uses-

•          Pay should be commensurate with the time worked.
•          Each investor will receive a proportionate share of the profits.

               COAGULATE (OR CONGEAL OR CLOT)

Meaning- To change from liquid to slightly solid state.

Uses-

•          The sauce coagulated as it cooled down.
•          The blood coagulates or clots to stop bleeding.
•          The gravy began to coagulate in the pan.

                          CLEMENCY (Noun)

Meaning- 1) mercy or kindness shown to somebody when they are being punished.

                       2) pleasant mildness of weather.

Mnemonic trick- mency in word clemency sounds like mercy. Clemency means mercy or kindness shown to somebody when they are being punished.

Synonym- MERCY, MILDNESS, LENIENCY

Uses-

•          A plea for clemency.
•          Prisoners are to be executed after their pleas for clemency were turned down.
•          The judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler.

CLANDESTINE (OR SURREPTITIOUS OR FURTIVE OR STEALTHY) (Adj.)

Meaning- Describes something that is done secretly. It especially describes something that is not officially allowed.

Mnemonic trick- Clande in word clandestine sounds like candle. We burn candle in dark to catch people doing work clandestinely. Therefore, clandestine means work done secretly.

Synonym- UNDERHANDED, COVERT

Antonym- OVERT, OPEN

Uses-

•          The group held clandestine meeting in the church.
•          He has taken part in number of clandestine military operations.
•          He has been having a clandestine affair with his secretary for three years.

                                          CLAIRVOYANT (Adj.)

Meaning- person who claims the ability to see things not visible to those with normal sight. He often makes prophecies about the future.

Mnemonic Trick- CLAIR in word clairvoyant sounds similar to word clever. Normally clever person is able to see beyond the range of ordinary perception and clever person earns money by claiming to be prophetic.

Uses-

•          Daniel had a clairvoyant ability to predict his sister’s future because he said that she would have three daughters and sure enough, she had three daughters.
•          I can’ t claim to be clairvoyant. But I think that I am intuitive.
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                                     CIRCUMSPECT (Adj.)

Meaning- thinking carefully before doing or saying something.

Synonym- PRUDENT, CAUTIOUS

Uses-

•          The banks should have been more circumspect in their dealings.
•          She has a reputation for being quiet and circumspect in investigating charges of child abuse.
•          These people are circumspect in all their business dealing.

                             CHIMERICAL (Adj.)

Meaning- highly unrealistic or existing only as a product of unchecked imagination.

Mnemonic trick- chimerical contains word chimeri. Chimeri sounds similar to camera. Company has created a camera in which people can see their future. This type of camera is highly unrealistic or existing only as a product of unchecked imagination. Therefore, chimerical means something highly unrealistic or existing only as a product of unchecked imagination.

Synonym- IMAGINARY, QUIXOTIC

Uses-

•          That is a chimerical and wholly unfounded fear.
•          Something chimerical is nothing but an absurd creation of imagination.
•          You may insist that everybody hates you and avoids you, but I assure you that’ s a chimera of your diseased imagination.
•          Lucy had a chimerical dream of becoming the prime minister of our country like Narendra Modi and to travel the world.
•          There are too many politicians in the world who have the chimerical strategies of increasing global GDP growth rate.

               CATACLYSM (OR CATASTROPHE) (Noun)

Meaning- a sudden disaster or a violent event that causes bad change, for example a flood or a war

Synonym- DELUGE, UPHEAVAL

Uses-

•          A cataclysm such as second world war affects all countries.
•          Developing countries can’t survive the cataclysm of war.
•          An earthquake can cause a great cataclysm; especially, in densely populated area.
•          The summer cataclysm of hail and heavy rain further caused a cataclysm of flooding in the river bottoms.

                                                         CANON (Noun)

Meaning- Generally accepted rule, standard or principle by which something is judged.

Mnemonic trick- cannon means a large gun. Follow the canon otherwise you will be killed using cannon. Therefore, canon means generally accepted rule.

Uses-

•          “One catastrophe, one locality, one day”. These are the Aristotle’s rules for tragedy and classic French plays strictly follow them. Shakespeare however disregards all these canons.
•          A born rebel Mangal pandey, was constitutionally incapable of abiding by the canons of polite society.

            CAMARADERIE (OR RAPPORT) (Noun)

Meaning- A trustworthy friendship and loyalty between people.

Mnemonic trick- camaraderie contains word ‘camara’ (or room) and derie sounds similar to dairy. ‘good friends pete hain ek hi camara (or room) pe darru and ek hi dairy pe doodh’. Therefore, camaraderie means a feeling of good friendship among the people in a group.

Synonym- FRIENDSHIP, AFFILIATION, AFFINITY

Uses-

•          A good camaraderie among the athletes on and off the field not only makes it fun to play sports, but is also likely to make their team win.
•           There should be good camaraderie among the teammates.
•          The loyalty and camaraderie of war time army.
•          When you have been climbing alone for hours, there is a tremendous sense of camaraderie when you meet another climber.

                                                  CALLOW (Adj.)

Meaning- immature, inexperienced. It describes someone especially a young person, who behaves in a way that shows a lack of experience, confidence or judgment.

Mnemonic trick- allow is part of callow. Most of the time, Callows are not allowed to participate in the recruitment process. Therefore callow means inexperienced.

Synonym- IMMATURE, INEXPERIENCED, PUERILE

Uses-

•          Mark was just a callow youth of sixteen when he arrived in Paris.
•           As a freshman, Jack was sure he was the man of the world, as a sophomore, he made fun of first-year students. Both cases showed just how callow he was.
•          I am writing a story about callow youth. Who learned the value of money and self-reliance when he started working.

                                         

                                   CALLOUS (Adj.)

Meaning- without sympathy or feeling about the problems or suffering of other people.

Synonym- COMPASSION LESS, COLD-HEARTED

Uses-

•          He had worked in hospital for so many years that he was callous to the suffering in wards.
•          It might sound callous, but I do not care if he is homeless, He is not living with me.
•         He made a callous remark about those who were injured in the accident.

                             CAJOLE (Verb)

Meaning-  To persuade someone to do something they might not want to do, by pleasant talks and sometimes false promises.

Mnemonic trick-KAJOL is such a good actress that she can cajole every good director.

Synonym- COAX, WHEEDLE

Uses-

•          He really knows how to cajole people into doing what he wants.
•          He cajoled Mr. Daniel to stand for the Governor.
•          She tried to cajole her father into letting her drive the family car.

   APPOSITE (OR PERTINENT OR GERMANE) (Adj.)

Meaning- very appropriate or suitable for the occasion or situation.

Mnemonic trick- The word apposite sounds similar to opposite. Apposite is the opposite of word opposite. Therefore, apposite does not mean something out of the point, it means something to the point.

Synonym- RELEVANT, TO THE POINT

Antonym- INAPPOSITE, IMPERTINENT

Uses-

•          Media attacked mayor with apposite questions related to scam.
•          facts apposite to the dispute.
•          If you have less time, then it is the apposite source to consult from.
•          If have also added an apposite quotation to the definition.

                    

                                 ACME (OR APEX OR APOGEE)

Meaning- The highest point of achievement or excellence.

Synonym- ZENITH, PINNACLE

Uses-

•          The acme of the Indian cricket team was its victory in the world cup.
•           Daniel is suffering from diabetes. Yesterday he ate chocolates. I think that his sugar level is at its acme.
•          Messi has reached the acme of his career. But he is still avid.

                          ACCOLADE (Noun)

Meaning- to make insane or to disturb the operations and functions of something.

Mnemonic trick- The word accolade contains word cola. Amir khan got accolades from his fans after doing advertisement of Coca-Cola. Therefore, accolade means an award or an expression of praise.

Synonym- ENCOMIUM, EULOGY, PANEGYRIC, PEAN, COMMENDATION, LAURELS

Uses-

•          The novel received accolades from various reviewers.
•          Mack was very pleased with the accolade which he received at the university when he received the honorary degree.

                      ABSTRUSE (OR OBSCURE) (Adj.)

Meaning- complex, difficult to understand.

Mnemonic trick- ABSTRUSE = ABS + TRUSE. It is an abstruse task to know the truth of the origin of ABC.

Synonym- PERPLEXING, PUZZLING, ESOTERIC, PROFOUND, RAREFIED, HIGHBROW, RECONDITE

Uses-

•          Some scientist may understand the Einstein’s theory of relativity, but for students, it is an abstruse collection of ideas.
•          It is an abstruse task to understand the enigma of Bermuda triangle.

                                          ZEAL (Noun)

Meaning- enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.

Mnemonic Trick- The word zeal contains word ‘zee’. Suppose a person watches Zee Cinema and Zee TV a lot. Hence, he has an enthusiastic devotion to movies and serials. Therefore, zeal means enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.    

Synonym- PASSION, FANATICISM, FERVOR, ARDOR, VEHEMENCE

Uses-

•          With great zeal, Imran ate his first meal after a long fast.
•          Geeta was a politician known for her zeal and passion for reform.
•          The local school principal enforced regulations with excessive zeal.
•          The novel captures the revolutionary zeal of the period.

                                WINSOME (Adj.)

Meaning- Charming and pleasant because of a naïve, innocent quality.

Explanation- The word winsome contains word ‘win’ and ‘some’. ‘some’ sounds similar to handsome. Especially handsome and naïve people becomes charm and pleasant after their win. Therefore, winsome means charming and pleasant because of a naïve, innocent quality.  

Synonym- CHEERFUL, LIGHTHEARTED

Uses-

•          The pale blue dress that Lorna’ s friend wore was appropriate for her winsome personality.
•          I had a winsome smile.
•          The students joined in a winsome pose for the photographer at their summer picnic.
•          By her winsome manner, she made herself liked by everyone who met her.

                                  WHIMSICAL (Adj.)

Meaning- 1) Characterized by whim or caprice.

                        2) Subject to erratic behavior and often amusing.

Mnemonic trick- The word whimsical comes from word ‘whim’. ‘whim’ means a sudden wish, desire, decision etc. Therefore, whimsical means a person characterized by a sudden wish, decision, desire etc.   

Synonym- CAPRICIOUS, FREAKISH, IMPULSIVE

Uses-

•          He has a wonderful whimsical sense of humor.
•          In this play, Protagonist is a playful, whimsical man who takes a notion of dressing up as a woman so that he can look after his children, who are in the custody of his ex-wife.
•          Last night, our coach got a little whimsical and changed up the infield a bit.
•           Victims of the whimsical monsoons and fickle market prices, these poor farmers have little control over their destiny.

                                      WAVER (Verb)

Meaning- 1) To go back and forth between choices or opinions, to be uncertain about what you think about something or someone.

2) To become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness etc. or to hesitate.

Mnemonic trick- The word waver comes from word ‘wave’. ‘wave’ means to move (something) back and forth usually in a repeated motion. Therefore, waver means to go back and forth between choices or to become unsteady because of weakness, tiredness etc.

Uses-

•          The organization members all declared that they will never waver in their support for their president.
•          During long sermons at the temple, Michael’ s attention would sometimes waver because he was thinking about other things.

·    My voice seemed to waver while I was telling my friends about an uncomfortable dream.

            VENERABLE (Adj.) and VULNERABLE (Adj.)

VENERABLE (Adj.)

Meaning- 1) Commanding respect by virtue of age, dignity, character or position.

                        2) Worthy of reverence especially by religious or historical association.

                        3) impressive by reason of age.

Mnemonic trick- The word venerable comes from word venerate. Venerate means to respect someone. Therefore, venerable means someone who is worthy of respect.

Synonym- HALLOWED, VENERATED, REVERED, SACRED

Uses-

•          The venerable old man was a source of advice and wisdom for villagers.
•          Murli Manohar Joshi is a venerable member of Bhartiya Janta Party.

VULNERABLE (Adj.)

Meaning- 1) A reference to being open to physical or emotional harm; easily hurt, easily wounded.

                        2) relating to being unable to resist attack, harm or damage.

Synonym- ENDANGERED, EXPOSED, SUSCEPTIBLE, SENSITIVE

Uses-

•          He was very vulnerable after his divorce.
•          The fort was undefended and vulnerable.
•          Homes near river Yamuna are always vulnerable to flood.
•          Jackie was quite vulnerable and broke out in tears when her friend would mention her late husband who died just a few weeks before.
•          Your sister has always been vulnerable to criticism