WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS

1. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 2009

2. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 2, 2009 analogy Meaning:a partial or limited similarity to another person, idea, or thing (in biology) correspondence of body parts or organs with equivalent functions Sentence:The essay required us to discuss the analogy between music and poetry. uh-nal-uh-jee : noun Variants:analogous, adj. Sentence:For athletes in sports such as water polo or gymnastics, winning an Olympic god medal is analogous to winning the Super Bowl or the World Series. The heart is analogous to a pump.

3. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 3, 2009 epitome Meaning: a condensed account; summary; abridgement; abstract ; a person or thing that is typical or representative of something; embodiment Sentence:It was purported to be a translation from a French original although it is in fact but a meager epitome of it. Solomon is often spoken of as the epitome of wisdom. i-pit-uh-mee : noun Variants:epitomize, verb Sentence:Helen Keller epitomizes the human ability to overcome handicaps.

4. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 4, 2009 demagogue Meaning:a leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace Sentence:Oversimplification and single-minded pursuit of an inflammatory issue are characteristics of the modern demagogue. dem-uh-gog noun

5. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 5, 2009 maudlin Meaning:sentimental in a weak, silly way; tearfully silly because of drunkenness or excitement Sentence:We saw a maudlin movie about a boy who lost his dog. mawd-lin : adj

6. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 6, 2009 requisite Meaning:required by circumstances; needed; necessary. Sentence:The candidate possesses the qualities requisite for a leader. rek-wuh-zit : noun

7. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 9, 2009 pique Meaning:to cause a bad mood, anger, or resentment; to inspire intense interest, curiosity, or excitement; to pride yourself on something, especially in personal attributes or abilities Sentence:Marcia was piqued at not having been invited to the party. The teaser on the back of the book piquedmy curiosity enough for me to want to buy it. peek : verb

8. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 10, 2009 insurgent Meaning:a person who rises in revolt; rebel Sentence:The government admitted that some parts of the country were under the control of insurgents. in-sur-juhnt: noun in-sur-juhnt: adj • Meaning:rising in revolt • Sentence:There was an insurgent uprising among the citizens of the embattled nation. Variants:insurgence, noun Sentence:The newly-formed nation faced insurgence from many native tribes who were against the government’s move for independence.

9. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 12, 2009 clandestine Meaning:hidden; secret; concealed from general view or, if illegal, from authorities. Sentence:The clandestine activities of spies may seem glamorous in books and movies, but to those who really work in intelligence gathering, life can be dull as well as dangerous. klan-des-tin : adj

10. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 13, 2009 posthumous Meaning:occurring or published after death Sentence:In a touching scene on the steps of the Capitol, the President awarded posthumous Medals of Honor to soldiers who had recently fallen in defense of the country. pos-chuh-muh s: adj Variants:posthumously, adv. Sentence:Because the award was given posthumously, his widow spoke on his behalf.

11. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 16, 2009 lackadaisical Meaning: lacking interest or enthusiasm; devoid of energy or purpose; listless Sentence:It’s ironic that lackadaisicalstudents expect to be rewarded with high grades. lak-uh-dey-zi-kuh l : adj.

12. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 17, 2009 circumvent Meaning:to avoid rules or laws without actually breaking them; to evade by means of a gray area or loophole; to maneuver around authority Sentence:To circumventthe no-short-skirt rule, many of the girls took to wearing Daisy-Duke shorts. Many drivers try to circumvent the auto liability law by cancelling their insurance after they have registered their vehicles. sur-kuh m-vent: verb.

13. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 18, 2009 flippant Meaning: showing a lack of appropriate seriousness; a disrespectful disregard for decorum, often expressed by tactless chatter and jabber. Sentence:His flippant actions and words earned a few laughs from his peers, but they also got him several days of detention and a bad reputation. flip-uhnt: adj

14. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 19, 2009 gaunt Meaning:very thin an bony; with hollow eyes and a starved look ; looking bare and gloomy; desolate Sentences:Hunger and suffering had made him gaunt. gawnt: adj.

15. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 20, 2009 vociferous Meaning: loud and noisy; shouting; clamoring Sentence:We could hardly hear the end of her speech due to the vociferous cheers from the crowd. voh-sif-er-uh s,: adj. Variants:vociferously, adv. ; vociferate, verb Sentence:The audience cheered vociferously at the end of her speech. T he grieving widow vociferated her husband’s name as they lowered his casket into the ground.

16. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 23, 2009 preposterous Meaning: ridiculous; senseless Sentences:The idea that an incoming President can miraculously solve all of the nation’s problems is simply preposterous. pri-pos-ter-uh s: adj.

17. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 24, 2009 propensity Meaning: a natural inclination or bent Sentences:Anthony displays a propensityfor athletics. pruh-pen-si-tee : noun

18. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 25, 2009 connive Meaning: give aid to wrongdoing by not telling of it or by helping it secretly; cooperate secretly Sentences:Some city officials connived at gambling. The spy connivedwith the enemy kuh-nahyv: verb

19. WORD OF THE DAY @ IEKHS November 30, 2009 assiduous Meaning: careful and constant in terms of the attention paid to something; diligent and persistent Sentence:The author was assiduous in his efforts to complete the manuscript by the deadline. uh-sij-oo-uh s : adj.