The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  nomad (NO-mad), noun

  One who roams from place to place, having no real roots or home.

  Ever since Grandma and Grandpa retired and sold their home, they’ve lived like NOMADS, traveling the country in a reconditioned Winnebago.

  nominal (NAHM-uh-null), adjective

  In name only; not in reality.

  Mr. Goldberg is only the NOMINAL head of the firm. Everyone knows his wife’s the real brains of the outfit.

  nonchalance (NON-shu-lonce), noun

  The quality of being unconcerned with worldly cares. A cool, carefree person can be said to be nonchalant.

  Astaire’s NONCHALANCE was appealing to the audience of the time, which was on the whole weighed down with the many cares of the Depression.

  nosh (nahsh), verb

  This Yiddish word for “nibble or gnaw” has come to mean just that: the process of nibbling or snacking on something.

  Before we go to the movie, let’s NOSH on some of these chips.

  notoriety (noe-tuh-RIE-uh-tee), noun

  Fame; wide publicity (particularly for sensational reasons); also, having an unfavorable reputation.

  The musical gained NOTORIETY as word spread that it featured bawdy songs and plenty of nudity.

  nougat (NOO-gut), noun

  A type of candy containing nuts and honey.

  The new candy bar contained an appealing mixture of NOUGAT, caramel, and milk chocolate.

  novice (NOV-iss), noun

  One who is new to a profession, trade, or sport; a beginner.

  You shouldn’t take too much pride in having checkmated me in twelve moves, Steve; I’m a NOVICE and you’re a nationally rated player.

  noxious (NOK-shuss), adjective

  Harmful; injurious. That which has a corrupting or debilitating influence is noxious.

  The NOXIOUS weed soon took over the entire crop, which eventually failed.

  nuance (NOO-ahnts), noun

  A subtle difference in expression, meaning, tone, etc.

  The NUANCES of Brenda’s expression alert me to her mood.

  obligatory (uh-BLIG-uh-tore-ee), adjective

  Required as an obligation. To say a duty is obligatory is to say that one is bound by morality, law, or tradition to perform it.

  The coaches, who hated each other bitterly, nevertheless exchanged the OBLIGATORY handshakes at the end of the game.

  oblivion (uh-BLIV-ee-un), noun

  The state of being beyond memory and utterly forgotten. To say something is in oblivion is to say it is lost to human recollection.

  To Tim, the fact that his book was being allowed to go out of print meant that he as an author had been consigned to OBLIVION.

  oblivous (uh-BLIV-ee-uss), adjective

  Not mindful. Someone who is oblivious displays little awareness of surroundings.

  We warned Jan about the consequences of her actions, but she was OBLIVIOUS to us.

  obstinate (OB-sti-nut), adjective

  Unyielding. Someone who holds firmly to an opinion, attitude, or approach despite obstacles could be said to be obstinate.

  Melvin, OBSTINATE to the end, refused to talk to Mr. Smith about settling the case out of court.

  obtain (ub-TANE), verb

  To get or acquire.

  With his green card set to expire in a few months, Olaf searched for an American woman who could marry him so that he could OBTAIN citizenship.

  odyssey (ODD-uh-see), noun

  A long journey that entails danger or adventure. Odyssey derives from Homer’s poem The Odyssey, which describes such a journey undertaken by the character Odysseus.

  The film Easy Rider recounts the ODYSSEY of two counterculture motorcyclists in search of America.

  off-the-record (off-the-REK-erd), adjective

  Not intended for publication.

  Senator Power’s frank admission that he had never read the United States Constitution was probably intended as an OFF-THE-RECORD comment.

  ogre (O-gur), verb

  A legendary man-eating monster; a brute or wicked person.

  As a child, Vern believed that a huge OGRE lived in his bedroom closet.

  ominous (OM-ih-nuss), adjective

  Foreboding or menacing. Something that is ominous foretells the possibility of future harm or evil.

  The day began with sunny weather, but by 2 p.m. an OMINOUS sky threatened to ruin our outing.

  omnipresent (ahm-nuh-PREZ-ent), adjective

  Occurring, or seeming to occur, everywhere at once.

  As the day awoke, the sound of early birds was OMNIPRESENT.

  omniscient (om-NISS-see-unt), adjective

  All-knowing. Omniscient refers to having absolute knowledge.

  Contrary to what you may have heard, Professor Powers is not OMNISCIENT; he still has a thing or two to learn about chairing the biology department.

  omnivorous (om-NIV-er-uss), adjective

  Accustomed to eating both animal and vegetable food items. Omnivorous (derived from the Latin for “eating everything”) can also mean “voracious,” in the sense of taking all that is offered.

  The Cantonese, I am told, are OMNIVOROUS, and it is said that the traveler is best advised not to inquire too closely into exactly what he is eating.

  opaque (oh-PAKE), adjective

  Impenetrable to light. That which does not allow light to pass through is opaque.

  Karl was unable to make out exactly what was happening behind the OPAQUE screen that had been set in front of him.

  optimal (OP-tih-mul), adjective

  Best; favored. The optimal time for something is the best possible time.

  As you know, we were not working in OPTIMAL conditions: it was snowing heavily and the wind was blowing at over 40 m.p.h.

  opulent (OP-yoo-lent), adjective

  Rich. Something characterized by wealth or affluence (an extravagant dinner party, for instance) could be considered opulent.

  Without the money from Powers, Hans knew he would be unable to maintain his OPULENT lifestyle.

  origami (or-ih-GAH-mee), noun

  The Japanese art of cutting and folding paper.

  After studying ORIGAMI in her craft class, Aunt Janice decided to decorate her entire Christmas tree with miniature paper figures.

  ornate (or-NATE), adjective

  Overwrought or decorated elaborately. That which is flashy or extravagantly ornamented is ornate.

  The furniture in the living room was as ORNATE as it was uncomfortable.

  overarching (oh-ver-ARCH-ing), adjective

  Central or principally important.

  I quickly ascertained that compassion was not the OVERARCHING reason for her line of questioning.

  pact (pakt), noun

  An agreement or promise.

  When they were each ten years old, Louise and Barbara made a solemn PACT to grow up together, attend the same college, work for the same company, and live in the same house.

  pagan (PAY-gun), adjective or noun

  Someone who is not aligned with the world’s major religions or a description of someone who does not belong to these major religions. Often, the word suggests someone who is hedonistic or irreligious.

  Jean is forever telling her friends that being a PAGAN does not mean that she worships Satan.

  palatial (puh-LAY-shul), adjective

  Having the grand, luxurious characteristics of a palace; resembling a palace.

  Mr. Laramie offered to hold the reception at his PALATIAL seaside mansion, but the social committee opted for a hotel ballroom in the city.

  palpable (PALP-uh-bull), adjective

  Touchable or able to be perceived. That which is palpable is tangible or undeniably present.

  A PALPABLE sense of excitement filled the air of the city before the big game.

  pandemonium (pan-duh-MOAN-ee-um), noun

  Chaos. Pandemonium refers to wild, uproarious, and noisy tumult.

  PANDEMONIUM broke out in the streets of the city after th
e local team won the pennant.

  panorama (pan-uh-RAM-uh), noun

  An extensive, unobstructed view of a wide area.

  Despite my lifelong aversion to flying, I couldn’t help admiring the breathtaking PANORAMA of San Francisco below me.

  pantomime (PAN-tuh-mime), verb

  The conveyance of ideas, words, emotions, or stories without the use of words.

  My attempt to describe the accident in PANTOMIME to the villagers I encountered was pathetic; I bitterly regretted my decision not to study French before our trip.

  paradox (PAIR-uh-doks), noun

  A seemingly self-contradictory statement that expresses a valid idea or potentially true statement. Paradox can also mean “a conclusion that, while reached by conventional logical methods, nevertheless cancels itself out.”

  Before announcing the test grades, Mrs. Miller reminded her students of the PARADOX that a teacher often must be cruel in order to be kind.

  paralysis (puh-RAL-ih-siss), noun

  Loss or damage of movement ability; the loss of feeling in a part of the body due to disease or injury. Paralysis is used figuratively to refer to the inability of a person or institution to take action in a given situation.

  Lacking firm direction from its founder, the company soon reached a state of PARALYSIS.

  paraphrase (PARE-uh-frase), verb

  To restate in different words. Also, as a noun: an instance of such restating.

  To call this work a new translation of the original Greek texts is an overstatement; it is a capable, but by no means groundbreaking, PARAPHRASE of existing English editions.

  parody (PARE-uh-dee), noun

  A satirically humorous imitation or mocking interpretation of a well-known work, person, or institution.

  “Life in Hell” is an irreverent PARODY of parents, school, and the working world.

  partisan (PAR-tih-zun), adjective

  Showing a marked inclination or bias. Also, as a noun: one who is partial to a particular side or view.

  As a Democrat, I realize that my PARTISAN role in opposing the governor’s policies may cause some of the Republicans in this body to doubt my truthfulness in this matter.

  patronize (PAY-truh-nize), verb

  This word CAN mean simply to give a business your patronage, but “patronize” usually has a negative meaning, suggesting that one is being condescending toward another.

  Just because I didn’t graduate from college doesn’t mean you can PATRONIZE me whenever we try to have an intellectual discussion!

  penal (PEE-nul), adjective

  Related to or pertaining to punishment or imprisonment; having to do with a prison system.

  President Clinton once remarked that the White House, in his view, represented the crown jewel of the federal PENAL system.

  percolate (PUR-kuh-layt), verb

  To pass or make pass through a porous body.

  I was dying for a cup of fresh brewed coffee, but as I didn’t have time to wait for it to PERCOLATE, I had to settle for instant.

  perennial (puh-REN-ee-ull), adjective

  Enduring. That which gives evidence of lasting indefinitely can be considered perennial. (Certain plants that have a long blooming cycle are called perennials.)

  The nation’s PERENNIAL budget crisis took an ugly new turn this week.

  perforated (PUR-fur-aye-tud), adjective

  Featuring holes or openings, especially at regular intervals.

  The magazine coupon was PERFORATED along the side for easy removal.

  perimeter (puh-RIM-ih-tur), noun

  The outer edge of an enclosed shape or area. Perimeter can also refer to the distance described by this edge.

  In the early morning hour, Jake would take a walk along the PERIMETER of the yard.

  periphery (puh-RIFF-uh-ree), noun

  The area at the extreme of a given boundary. The outskirts of a town, for instance, are on the periphery of the town.

  There among the homeless, at the furthest PERIPHERY of society, Maria found her calling.

  permeate (PURR-mee-ate), verb

  To penetrate. Something that permeates spreads throughout.

  Joan’s stories are PERMEATED with a sense of spiritual mystery.

  perpetuate (purr-PETCH-oo-ate), verb

  To make everlasting; to prolong memory or use (of a thing). To perpetuate someone’s memory is to cause that person’s life to be recalled after his death.

  The rumor that I am resigning has been PERPETUATED by a number of sources, all completely unreliable.

  perquisite (PURK-wuh-zit), noun

  An incidental privilege other than payment that accompanies a position of responsibility; also, an extra payment beyond what is owed. Often shortened to “perk.”

  Among the president’s PERQUISITES were two front-row seats to all the Celtics’ regular-season home games.

  pervasive (purr-VAY-siv), adjective

  Having infiltrated or penetrated. A pervasive rumor is one that has been circulated widely.

  The prejudice against handicapped persons is no longer as PERVASIVE as in years past.

  petulant (PET-yoo-lunt), adjective

  Impatiently peevish. Someone who shows great annoyance or irritation with minor problems could be said to be petulant.

  He dismissed their questions with a PETULANT wave of the hand and quickly changed the subject.

  philanthropy (fih-LAN-thruh-pee), noun

  Generosity or benevolence toward mankind. Someone who acts out of philanthropy is someone who commits resources to the betterment of his fellow man. (A philanthropist is one who bestows wealth on public institutions or people in need.)

  Toward the end of his life, Andrew Carnegie was a model of PHILANTHROPY.

  phonics (FON-iks), noun

  The study of the sounds and acoustics of language.

  David’s teacher’s insistence that studying PHONICS was not necessary to develop good reading skills struck us as odd.

  pictorial (pick-TOR-ee-ul), adjective

  Relating to or consisting of pictures.

  National Geographic offers a PICTORIAL introduction to people and cultures we may never have known about before.

  picturesque (PIK-chuh-resk), adjective

  Reminiscent of or suggesting a (painted) picture. A striking or unusually interesting scene can be considered picturesque.

  The film’s PICTURESQUE setting is not enough to make up for its scant plot.

  piety (PIE-uh-tee), noun

  Devotion; religious reverence. Someone who shows a marked inclination to worship God is said to show piety.

  Joseph Smith—a man not noted for his PIETY—suddenly started attending religious services.

  pigment (PIG-munt), noun

  A dry coloring substance meant to be mixed with fluid; any matter that produces color.

  The use of PIGMENTS developed only in the late nineteenth century is proof positive that this painting is not one of Vermeer’s.

  pilaf (PEEL-af), noun

  A flavored rice dish served alone or with meat, poultry, or vegetables.

  The restaurant is certainly trying to cater to the needs of the health-conscious, offering more chicken, fish, and vegetable entrées than before, and allowing diners a choice of rice PILAF or fries.

  pinnacle (PIN-uh-kul), noun

  The topmost point. To reach the apex or highest point of something is to reach its pinnacle.

  Fred reached the PINNACLE of his profession when he was named chairman of the history department.

  pious (PIE-uss), adjective

  Devout; dedicated to God and the practice of one’s faith or religion.

  Joseph had always seemed to be the most PIOUS of all of us, so no one in our class was surprised when he announced that he’ d found his calling in the ministry.

  pixie (PIK-see), noun

  An elf or fairy.

  The villages believed the mysterious theft to be the work of mischievous PIXIES and trolls.

 
placard (PLACK-urd), noun

  A notice or sign set out on stiff paper or board.

  The umpire asked us to remove our PLACARD from the bleacher wall, claiming that it obstructed the view of the hitters.

  placebo (pluh-SEE-bo), noun

  A medicine having no fixed medical purpose or healing property given either to pacify a patient or, as a control method, to test the effectiveness of another drug.

  A placebo is administered as though it were a medication or drug, yet is neutral from a medical standpoint.

  Scientists are still uncertain as to exactly what causes the PLACEBO effect, in which some patients taking a “ fake” drug actually improve.

  placid (PLAH-sid), adjective

  Undisturbed; smooth. That which appears calm or undisturbed on the surface can be said to be placid.

  The PLACID country surroundings were just the change Caitlyn needed after three months in noisy Manhattan.

  plague (playg), noun

  A broad-based affliction. A plague is a widespread calamity usually associated with a severe and sudden incidence of disease in a population. (Plague can refer to divine intervention or, figuratively, to any sudden and widespread reversal of fortune affecting a group: “a plague of bank closures.”)

  Fortunately, humans have not encountered a severe outbreak of the bubonic PLAGUE for centuries.

  plaited (PLAY-tud), adjective

  Braided.

  Julia usually wore her hair neatly PLAITED, but she drew more than a few looks when she let it fall to its full length—nearly to her waist—for the company party.

  plausible (PLAW-zuh-bull), adjective

  Having the ring of truth, though not a proven fact.

  Rhonda’s excuse for tardiness was PLAUSIBLE, but I still think she was just out drinking all night.

  pliant (PLY-unt), adjective

  Supple. Something that is modified or altered easily is pliant.

  You must mold papier mache quickly; it is not PLIANT for long.

  plight (plite), noun

  Predicament, especially one arising from a solemn obligation. A plight is an unfortunate or desperate situation.

  Out of sympathy for the public television station’s PLIGHT, Glenn made a large donation.

  plod (plod), verb

  To trudge along slowly, as if weighed down.

  The tour guide noticed Nelson PLODDING along behind the rest of the group and guessed that he was not a big fan of Monet.

  plucky (PLUK-ee), adjective

  Brave; courageous.