Word of the Week

Vicarious

Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person

This catalogue brings vicarious pleasure in luxury living

Discriminate

1. Recognise a distinction

2. Make an unjust or prejudicial distinction in the treatment of different categories of people

1. Babies can discriminate between different facial expressions.

2. The company's existing employment policies discriminate against women.

Verbose

Using or expressed in more words than are needed

Much academic language is obscure and verbose

Ubiquitous

Present, appearing, or found everywhere

His ubiquitous influence was felt by all the family

Finite

Limited in size or extent

Every computer has a finite amount of memory

Plethora

A large or excessive amount of something

A plethora of committees and sub-committees

Fortuitous

Happening by chance rather than intention

The ball went into the goal because of a fortuitous ricochet

Industrious

Diligent and hard-working

Pupils and staff at this school are an industrious group of people

Tranquillity

the quality or state of being tranquil; calmness; peacefulness; quiet; serenity

I am going to enjoy the tranquillity of the summer holidays

Globalise

To put into effect or spread worldwide

A globalised strategy for dealing with poverty

Symbiotic

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence

Many people feel the relationship between humans and dogs is symbiotic

Demeanour

Outward behaviour or bearing

The teacher's demeanour was tough and mean

Volatile

Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse; easily evaporated at normal temperatures

He was behaving in a volatile manner

Misconception

A view or opinion that is incorrect because it is based on faulty thinking or understanding

Public misconceptions about the crime rate remain high

Emulate

To match or surpass, typically by imitation; to imitate; to reproduce the function or action of something or someone

Many people seek to emulate their favourite person

Strategy

A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim

A coherent economic strategy

Belligerent

Hostile, aggressive, eager to fight; engaged in warfare

Her manner was entirely belligerent and aggressive

Political

Of or relating to the government or public affairs of a country; relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics; done or acting in the interests of status or power

The decision was taken for purely political reasons

Significant

Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy

A significant moment in the history of the world

Coherent

Logical and consistent; forming a unified whole

They failed to develop a coherent plan to deal with the crisis

Implication

The conclusion that can be drawn from something even though it is not explicitly stated; the action or state of being involved in something

The implication is that no one person at the bank is responsible. We are implicated in this crime

Sustainable

Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; able to be upheld or defended

Sustainable economic growth

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal

His choice of language was too colloquial for a formal interview

Monotony

Wearisome routine; dullness; lack of variety in pitch or cadence

She detested the monotony of his voice

Fundamental

A central or primary rule or principle on which something is based; forming a necessary base or core; of central importance

Oxygen is fundamental to human existence

Effusive

Unrestrained or excessive emotional expression; overflowing; profuse

He was effusive in his praise for the quality of her homework