1. Germinate (v): To germinate is to grow or to develop. When a tiny seedling cracks through a seed casing and sprouts, it has germinated. The term is used for other things too, like when an idea germinates into a film or book.
The beans will only germinate if the temperature is warm enough.
2. Craven (adj): A craven man is no Superman or Spiderman, not is a firefighter or a soldier. A craven man is the opposite of those guys: he has not an ounce of courage. Use craven as you would cowardly. A craven leader is scared to lead, while a craven gymnast stays on the mat and avoids the balance team. You can also use the word to describe other things, besides humans. Craven polices, for example, are probably weak and do not take bold measures.
3. Propitiate (v): If you forgot flowers on your mom’s birthday, you can still propitiate her by sending a bouquet the next day. Propitiate means to appease someone or make them happy by doing a particular thing.
One of the most common uses of propitiate historically was in the sense of appeasing the Gods, often with a gift in the form of an animal or human sacrifice. Fortunately, for most people today flowers and candy will do the trick. But then again, some Moms can be tough to appease.
4. Evict (v): Use the verb evict to say that a tenant is being forced to move out of his home, usually through legal action. If you don’t pay rent, eventually your landlord will evict you.
Before you evict someone, you have to complete official paperwork, through some landlords may succeed in evicting tenants without following the legal steps.
5. Conciliate (v): The verb conciliate means to placate, appease, or pacify. If you are eating at a restaurant and the waiter accidently spills a drink on you, the manager may try to conciliate you picking up the tab for your meal.
6. Antidote (n): An antidote is a remedy that relives. So if you get headaches from long bus rides, it’s best to travel equipped with the key pain alleviating antidotes.
You can find antidotes to poison, anxiety, sadness or even a bad day. People tend to think of medicinal curse when they hear the word antidote, but things like meditation, sleep, green tea, exercise or a good hug can all have positive, antidotal affects.
7. Overwhelming (adj): Something overwhelming is very intense and hard to deal with: overwhelming events make people worried and stressed out.
It’s hard to overcome overwhelming things. If you feel and overwhelming need to laugh, you’re probably cry. An overwhelming amount of homework is almost impossible to get done. Adults who work, have families, and struggle to pay the bills feel like their lives are overwhelming.
8. Sensuous (adj): Anything that is pleasing or delightful to the senses can be called sensuous. The feel of a luxurious cashmere sweater on your skin, the taste of a well-prepared meal, even the scent worn by your favourite person – all of these can be sensuous experiences.
Anything that feels, tastes, smells, looks or sounds good is sensuous. Eating delicious food or relaxing in a warm bath are sensuous activities.
9. Privilege (n): When you’re privileged, you enjoy some special right or advantage that most people don’t have. You could be privileged to live in a lighthouse and have a spectacular view of the bay. It’s my privilege (fortunate) to be a project member in your team.
10. Sentimental (adj): Call a person sentimental if he or she is led more by emotions than by reasons. If you have a sentimental attachment to a favourite stuffed animal, you’ll probably even bring it to college with you.
Sentimental describes a person who relies on emotions more than reason, or a novel or film that is overly emotional. If you do something for sentimental reasons, you are only doing it because of an emotional attachment.
11. Sensible (adj): Sensible means practical and reasonable. If you’re wearing sensible shoes, they are sturdy, comfortable, good for walking, and your feet don’t hurt. If you are a sensible person, you are level-headed and calm, and you make wise decisions.
12. Sensitive (adj): Sensitive describes something or someone who reacts quickly and strongly. It’s often something to protect – like baby skin, government documents, or a fragile ecosystem.
Anything sensitive should be treated with special care. It can mean “raw or hurting” when talking about a part of the body. Sensitive documents have big secrets that should not get out.
13. Vernacular (adj): Vernacular describes everyday language, including slang, that’s used by the people. The vernacular is different from literary or official language: it’s the way people really talk with each other, like how families talk at home.
14. Covert (adj): Think soldiers in masks secretly infiltrating an enemy stronghold, a covert operation is one that no one but the president and a few generals know is happening.
E.g: The government was accused of covert military operations against the regime.
15. Repudiate (v): To repudiate something is to reject it, or to refuse to accept or repudiate all organized religion as an adult, you might start spending holidays at the movies, or just going to work.
This verb usually refers to rejecting something that has an authority, such as a legal contract, doctrine, or claim. In connection with debts or other obligations, repudiate is used in specialized sense “to refuse to recognize or pay”. If referring to a child or a lover, repudiate is used in the sense “to disown, cast off”.
E.g: He repudiated the allegation/charge/claim that he had tried to deceive them.
Compiled By: Chaudhary Amit V.
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