Paradox Paradox n.: seemingly self contradictory n.: seemingly self contradictory

statement (possibly true), condition, statement (possibly true), condition, or personor person

Word History: as we can see, Word History: as we can see, ‘paradox’ is true to its Greek ‘paradox’ is true to its Greek elements elements parapara (“beside,” “beyond,” (“beside,” “beyond,” “contrary to” and “contrary to” and doxadoxa (opinion) (opinion) which formed the Greek which formed the Greek paradoxosparadoxos (“beyond belief”).(“beyond belief”).

Syn.: contradiction, inconsistency, Syn.: contradiction, inconsistency, Catch 22Catch 22

Admonish Admonish v.: warn, advise, or criticize to v.: warn, advise, or criticize to

correct a faultcorrect a fault Word History: “Admonish” clearly Word History: “Admonish” clearly

goes back to its Latin elements ad goes back to its Latin elements ad (“to”) + monere (“advise,” “warn”). (“to”) + monere (“advise,” “warn”).

Syn.: scold, caution, counsel, Syn.: scold, caution, counsel, rebuke rebuke

Relatd: reprimandRelatd: reprimand

Penitent Penitent adj.: feeling sorry and willing to adj.: feeling sorry and willing to

atone or make up for sin or atone or make up for sin or wrongdoingwrongdoing

Word History: In times past Word History: In times past churches provided a special room churches provided a special room called a “penitentiary” for those called a “penitentiary” for those wanting to atone or make up for wanting to atone or make up for some sin. The repentant sinners some sin. The repentant sinners were known as “penitents” form were known as “penitents” form “penitentiary.”“penitentiary.”

Syn. and related words: sorry, Syn. and related words: sorry, repentant, conscience-stricken, repentant, conscience-stricken, contrite, remorseful, atoningcontrite, remorseful, atoning

AccoladeAccolade n.: high praise, award, honorn.: high praise, award, honor Word History: Originally, “accolade” Word History: Originally, “accolade”

derives from Latin derives from Latin acac (variant of ad, (variant of ad, “to”) and “to”) and collumcollum (“neck”) , an (“neck”) , an embrace being a throwing of the embrace being a throwing of the arms around someone’s neck.arms around someone’s neck.

Syn.: acclaim, tribute, recognition, Syn.: acclaim, tribute, recognition, laurelslaurels

Relatd: kudosRelatd: kudos

Nonchalant Nonchalant adj.: casually unconcernedadj.: casually unconcerned Word History: Latin Word History: Latin nonnon

(“not”) + calore (“be (“not”) + calore (“be warm”)—he always warm”)—he always maintains his “cool.”maintains his “cool.”

Syn.: unconcerned, cool, Syn.: unconcerned, cool, easygoing, carefree, easygoing, carefree, insouciantinsouciant

BanalBanal adj.: ordinary, uninteresting, adj.: ordinary, uninteresting,

pointlesspointless Word History: A feudal lord in Word History: A feudal lord in

the Middle Ages compelled his the Middle Ages compelled his tenants to use his facilities. tenants to use his facilities. “banal” came to mean “ “banal” came to mean “ commonplace” since everyone commonplace” since everyone used the used the banalbanal facilities. facilities.

Syn.: commonplace, unoriginal, Syn.: commonplace, unoriginal, un imaginative, insipidun imaginative, insipid

IrridescentIrridescent adj.: showing rainbow-like adj.: showing rainbow-like

colors colors Word History: For the Word History: For the

Ancient Greeks, Iris was Ancient Greeks, Iris was the rainbow goddess.the rainbow goddess.

Syn.: glistening, glittering, Syn.: glistening, glittering, colorful, brilliant, lustrouscolorful, brilliant, lustrous

CajoleCajole v.: persuade by flattery, promises, v.: persuade by flattery, promises,

pleasant or misleading wordspleasant or misleading words Word History: Medieval Word History: Medieval

Frenchman often caged the Frenchman often caged the European jay, a cousin of the European jay, a cousin of the American blue jay, for a household American blue jay, for a household pet. The jay would beg, plead, and pet. The jay would beg, plead, and whine with its harsh shrill until fed whine with its harsh shrill until fed to its satisfaction-hence French to its satisfaction-hence French cajolercajoler (“ chatter like a caged (“ chatter like a caged jay”). jay”).

Syn.: persuade, flatter, coaxSyn.: persuade, flatter, coax Relatd: enticeRelatd: entice

UrbaneUrbane adj.: sophisticated, smooth, adj.: sophisticated, smooth,

polite, polished in mannerpolite, polished in manner Word History: City dwellers have Word History: City dwellers have

historically looked down upon historically looked down upon country folk. “Urbane” comes country folk. “Urbane” comes from Latin from Latin urbsurbs ( “city”. “Urban” ( “city”. “Urban” still retains the literal root still retains the literal root meaning of “city,” but “urbane” meaning of “city,” but “urbane” has been elevated to mean has been elevated to mean “refined,” “cultivated,” “ “refined,” “cultivated,” “ knowledgeably gracious.”knowledgeably gracious.”

Syn.: refined, cultivated, elegant, Syn.: refined, cultivated, elegant, suavesuave

StymieStymie v.: block, hinder, frustratev.: block, hinder, frustrate Word History: “Stymie” is a Word History: “Stymie” is a

golfing term for when an golfing term for when an opponent’s ball lies on a direct line opponent’s ball lies on a direct line between the putter’s ball and the between the putter’s ball and the hole. From a specific golfing term hole. From a specific golfing term for the blocking of the putter’s for the blocking of the putter’s ball, “stymie” acquired the general ball, “stymie” acquired the general meaning of “block,” “hinder,” meaning of “block,” “hinder,” “confuse.”“confuse.”

Syn.: block, hinder, frustrate, Syn.: block, hinder, frustrate, baffle, perplex, thwartbaffle, perplex, thwart

RecedeRecede v.: move backward; slope or v.: move backward; slope or

slant backwardslant backward

SecedeSecede v.: withdraw formally from v.: withdraw formally from

membership, especially from membership, especially from a political or religious a political or religious associationassociation

IntercedeIntercede v.: ask or plead for another; v.: ask or plead for another;

help settle a dispute or bring help settle a dispute or bring about an agreement between about an agreement between differing partiesdiffering parties

ConcedeConcede v.: grant or admit as true or v.: grant or admit as true or

right; yield, give up right; yield, give up

PrecedentPrecedent n.: something said or done n.: something said or done

earlier that serves as an earlier that serves as an example or justificationexample or justification