The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  It was the gnomelike Mario, the last person Sergeant Denton would have termed a PLUCKY young cadet, who ended up winning a medal for risking his own life to save his comrades.

  poignant (POY-nyunt), adjective

  Appealing to the emotions. That which is acutely painful or affecting is poignant.

  The film’s final scene is meant to be POIGNANT, but I found it cloying.

  poise (poyze), noun

  Stability of outlook or emotional state, especially when facing trying circumstances. Also, as a verb: to set on a potentially hazardous surface, such as a narrow edge.

  Ruth-Anne’s POISE during the rigorous interview impressed us all.

  polarize (PO-luh-rize), verb

  To encourage elements or components to occupy opposite ends of a spectrum. Something that divides or sows discord is said to polarize.

  The scandal left the two wings of the party completely POLARIZED.

  posterity (pah-STAIR-ih-tee), noun

  Future generations, considered collectively.

  The president believes POSTERITY will judge his administration a successful one.

  postmortem (post-MORE-tuhm), noun

  Traditionally, “postmortem” has referred to the examination of a body after death, but pundits have picked up on the word and use it to describe a political, cultural, social, etc. event, after the event’s occurrence.

  Pundits spent weeks doing POSTMORTEMS of the lengthy primaries once the primaries finally ended.

  postpartum (post-PAR-tum), adjective

  Occurring after pregnancy and birth.

  In the weeks following the delivery, Janice felt quite low at times, but her obstetrician assured her that hers was a standard case of POSTPARTUM depression and would soon pass.

  potent (PO-tunt), adjective

  Strong; powerful.

  The poor review of Henry’s play served as a POTENT incentive for him to labor more carefully over the next one.

  potentate (POT-n-tate), noun

  A powerful person. An influential political or business figure could be considered a potentate.

  The First Lady was thoroughly at ease with foreign POTENTATES and diplomats from the administration’s first day.

  pragmatic (prag-MA-tik), adjective

  Practical. Something that is pragmatic is useful or apt.

  The governor, in this case, decided not to take the advice of the ideologues, opting instead for a PRAGMATIC approach.

  prattle (PRAT-ul), noun

  Meaningless babble; idle chatter.

  I had stopped at the diner to have breakfast and read the morning paper, but the endless PRATTLE of the waitress made it impossible for me to get beyond the front page.

  precedence (PRESS-uh-dunce), noun

  The act or right of preceding; an instance or claim of coming first in order or priority.

  To his credit, the president of the toy company agreed that the safety of children took PRECEDENCE over profits and promptly recalled the defective item from the stores.

  precedent (PRESS-i-dent), noun

  A previous parallel incident justifying a present action. A precedent is an example from the past that is either identical to a current situation or similar enough to it to use as a guide.

  There is no PRECEDENT for the action the defense is requesting, Your Honor.

  precipice (PRESS-ih-pis), noun

  A cliff. To be “on the precipice” can also be to be on the verge of a dangerous course of action.

  Though the view is spectacular here, I don’t advise walking near the PRECIPICE.

  precocious (pri-KO-shuss), adjective

  Prematurely advanced, especially with regard to mental ability. A child who vies for attention by displaying adult-like social or mental skills is also said to be precocious.

  Bill, a PRECOCIOUS nine-year-old, could already do algebra and geometry.

  predecessor (PRED-uh-sess-er), noun

  Something or someone succeeded or replaced by another.

  Jane knew it would be difficult to live up to the standards set by her PREDECESSOR.

  predestined (pre-DESS-tind), adjective

  Controlled by the fates; governed by higher powers and foreordained.

  After his meeting with the fortuneteller, Jim honestly believed he was PREDESTINED to meet and marry a woman from Argentina.

  preeminent (pre-EM-ih-nunt), adjective

  Superior to others.

  The young Stalin’s plan was to reach a PREEMINENT position in the party hierarchy by any means necessary.

  preemptive (pre-EMP-tive), adjective

  Possessing and acting on a prior right (for instance, as one who has the first claim to purchase a property). Similarly, to take a preemptive action is to act before others can.

  The old miner had a PREEMPTIVE claim to the property, and so our purchase of it was impossible.

  premise (PREM-iss), noun

  The idea or statement that stands as the base of a theory or argument; also, the conceit underlying the action of a work of fiction or drama.

  The story’s PREMISE—that all of us can win the lottery if we only play it enough times—is so farfetched as to be laughable, but the piece is not, alas, intended as a comedy.

  prenatal (pre-NAY-tull), adjective

  Occurring before childbirth.

  Dr. Ellis advised all her patients to follow a sound PRENATAL regimen that included a diet rich in protein, calcium, and iron.

  prerogative (puh-ROGG-uh-tive), noun

  A right or privilege limited to a particular person in a particular situation.

  The manager exercised his PREROGATIVE to stop the bickering during the staff meeting.

  pretense (PREE-tence), noun

  An instance of pretending. To make a pretense of surprise, for instance, is to falsely act or claim to be surprised.

  We will prove here that the lease was signed under false PRETENSES.

  prevail (prih-VAIL), verb

  To succeed and become dominant, or to be widespread.

  The challenger ultimately PREVAILED over the two-time heavyweight champion.

  principal (PRIN-sih-pul), adjective

  First in importance. Also, as a noun: the main performer in a dramatic production; also, the head of an elementary or high school. (See, for comparison, the entry for principle.)

  My PRINCIPAL objection to your plan is that it is completely unethical, but I might also add that it is not likely to yield any significant income for our company.

  principle (PRIN-sih-pul), noun

  A common truth or law; a standard of behavior. (See, for comparison, the entry for principal).

  Melanie’s assertion that our former Congressman is an overweight graft artist without a single moral PRINCIPLE was out of line; he’s lost a good deal of weight in recent months.

  pristine (PRISS-teen), adjective

  Unspoiled; primitive. Something that is pristine is original and uncorrupted by later influence.

  The PRISTINE wilderness had an invigorating effect on Charles, who had never gone camping before.

  prodigy (PRAW-dih-gee), noun

  A person possessing extraordinary skill or talent. A prodigy can also be a wonder or marvelous example.

  The young Mozart, a famous child PRODIGY, played the piano with the skill of a master.

  progressive (pruh-GRESS-iv), adjective

  Forward-moving, especially with regard to social or political issues. A progressive politician is one who is associated with reform movements or similar causes.

  Governor Dowling’s retirement is seen as a severe blow to the entire PROGRESSIVE movement.

  proliferate (pro-LIF-uh-rate), verb

  To multiply or come into being rapidly. To proliferate can also mean to spread or become more common at an accelerated pace.

  After the film’s success, a number of cheap imitations PROLIFERATED for a time.

  prolific (pruh-LIFF-ick), adjective

  Extremely fruitful and productive.


  Joyce Carol Oates is one of America’s most PROLIFIC writers, turning out three or four books a year.

  propriety (pruh-PRY-uh-tee), noun

  Conformity to standards appropriate to a given situation.

  My typically foul-mouthed boyfriend was a model of PROPRIETY the first time he met my folks.

  proselytize (PROSS-ih-li-tize), verb

  To convert (a person) from one religion to another.

  Thus it was that our main goal of PROSELYTIZING the natives was temporarily abandoned in favor of the more pressing and immediate object of surviving their raids on our settlement.

  prosthesis (pross-THEE-sis), noun

  An artificially constructed member meant to replace a damaged or missing part of the human body.

  Several months after the accident, Greg was fitted for a PROSTHESIS for his lower left leg that would allow him to walk again.

  prostrate (PROSS-trait), adjective or verb

  Lying face down on the ground due to being weary, overthrown, or helpless; or the act of putting someone in such a prone position.

  The quarterback lay PROSTRATE for several minutes after he was sacked.

  protege (PRO-tuh-zhay), noun

  Someone aided by another influential person. A protege is a person who is protected, encouraged, or helped (for instance, in career matters) by another of superior status or rank.

  Everyone expected Dean to name Bill (his PROTEGE) to the new post.

  protocol (PRO-tuh-call), noun

  Formal etiquette, especially as practiced in diplomatic circles. Protocol can also refer to established rankings followed in a social gathering.

  Her inability to adhere to official PROTOCOL led to her dismissal from the embassy staff.

  prototype (PRO-tuh-type), noun

  The original model of something. A prototype is the experimental or trial version of a system or invention.

  The PROTOTYPE underwent several modifications before Ben felt comfortable showing it to potential investors.

  providence (PROV-ih-dnce), noun

  Divine care. To trust in providence is to hold an assurance that God will provide for needs or guide one’s actions. (Providence can also mean “thrift.”)

  Despite Mother’s assurance that PROVIDENCE will see to our needs, I feel I should try to find a job.

  provocative (pruh-VOK-uh-tive), adjective

  Stimulating or combative. Someone who is provocative tends to focus on controversial issues.

  Despite Ed’s PROVOCATIVE attitude—or perhaps because of it—he won the respect of his supervisor on the creative team.

  proximity (prok-SIM-ih-tee), noun

  Close or near in time, location, or relation.

  The PROXIMITY of my desk to Irma’s meant that I would be subject to her endless, tedious stories about her crocheting classes.

  prudent (PROOD-nt), adjective

  Exercising due care with regard to one’s interests. Something that is prudent is judicious or carefully considered.

  I believe the merger was a PRUDENT course of action, one that will solidify our cash position immediately.

  psychosomatic (sy-ko-suh-MAH-tik), adjective

  Pertaining to disorders having emotional or mental (rather than evident physical) causes. Psychosomatic can also refer to that which involves both mind and body.

  Although the first doctor she consulted insisted that Jane’s symptoms were PSYCHOSOMATIC, the second found signs of physical illness.

  pundit (PUN-dit), noun

  An educated or authoritative person whose opinion is generally respected.

  The political PUNDITS had all decreed that Truman would be defeated in a head-to-head contest with Governor Dewey, but the voters had other ideas.

  puny (PYOO-nee), adjective

  Very little; being small in stature or strength.

  A brilliant but rather PUNY child, Jason often had to endure the taunts and abuse of the school bully.

  purge (purj), verb

  To free (someone or something) of all that is perceived as bad; to take steps to cleanse or purify.

  I tried to PURGE my system of the flu virus by drinking endless glasses of fruit juice, but I still ended up missing a week of work.

  qualm (kwalm), noun

  A misgiving or pang of conscience (at one’s course of action). To have qualms about a particular action is to wonder whether or not it is right.

  He had no QUALMS about leaving his job; he had given the company three very good years.

  quaver (KWAY-vur), verb

  To tremble, shake, or quiver.

  Eddie’s hand QUAVERED as he extended the box containing the diamond ring across the table toward Helene.

  quibble (KWIB-uhl), verb or noun

  As a noun, “quibble” means either an instance of using evasive language to avoid the subject at hand OR an example of petty criticism. The verb is the act of using evasive language or the act of offering petty criticism.

  “Do you love me?” Janice asked. Paul QUIBBLED for some time, pointing out how much she meant to him and how happy he was to be with her. Janice knew the answer to her question was “no.”

  quirk (kwurk), noun

  An idiosyncrasy; an odd behavioral or personality characteristic.

  I hope you can overlook Mr. Johnson’s QUIRK of using rough language with outside salespeople.

  quizzical (KWIZ-ih-kul), adjective

  Puzzled.

  Chris gave his boss a QUIZZICAL look upon being told he would not receive any pay for the next month.

  rampage (RAM-page), noun

  An instance reminiscent of frenzied violence; a destructive period of self-indulgent behavior.

  “The tiniest mistake sends my boss on a RAMPAGE,” the senior staffer moaned.

  rampant (RAM-punt), adjective

  Widespread; unrestrained.

  The obedience trainer told us that because we had allowed our RAMPANT dogs to run through our old apartment, we would have a hard time keeping them confined to one area of the new house.

  rankle (RANG-kul), verb

  To cause irritation or festering resentment. Someone who is peeved by a perceived slight or oversight is said to be rankled.

  The criticism he received for his plan RANKLED Paul for some time.

  rapport (rah-PORE), noun

  A trusting and peaceful mutual relationship.

  Although the Wilsons found their neighbors odd at first, the four soon developed a strong RAPPORT.

  raucous (RAW-kuss), adjective

  Rowdy; boisterous; disorderly and wild. Also: harsh or grating to the ear.

  My parents’ fears that we would use their vacation as an opportunity to stage RAUCOUS parties in the den were not entirely without foundation.

  ravage (RAV-ij), verb

  To wreak havoc or inflict ruinous damage upon.

  My online Mongol hordes RAVAGED the simulated village.

  ravenous (RAV-uh-nuss), adjective

  Powerfully hungry. Ravenous can also mean intensely eager to be satisfied.

  I am RAVENOUS, but fortunately dinner will be served soon.

  rebuff (re-BUFF), noun

  An instance of rejection or expressed disapproval. To receive a rebuff is to be sharply and summarily turned down.

  Tim suffered his employer’s REBUFF shortly after proposing the new project.

  rebuke (rih-BYOOK), noun or verb

  Sharp, stern disapproval or, as a verb, its expression.

  Al’s drunken behavior earned a sharp REBUKE from his wife.

  recede (rih-SEED), verb

  To move back or away.

  My brother is so sensitive about his RECEDING hairline that he’s started wearing a hat whenever he goes out in public.

  reciprocal (rih-SIP-ri-kul), adjective

  Given in return for something else; mutually negotiated.

  Many economists feel that the U.S. economy cannot truly improve until the United States is able to negotiate a RECIPROCAL trade agreement
with the Japanese.

  reciprocate (rih-SIP-ro-kate), verb

  To give or act in turn following the lead of another. Someone who reciprocates reproduces the courtesy, gift, or example of another.

  Mr. Powers has shown evidence that he wants to end the feud; the least you can do is RECIPROCATE.

  reclusive (ri-KLOO-siv), adjective

  Hermitlike. Someone who shuts himself off from the influences of the world could be considered reclusive.

  The RECLUSIVE millionaire lived the life of a hermit, never leaving his home.

  recompense (REK-um-pense), verb and noun

  To give compensation (for suffering or injury, for instance). As a noun, recompense means “that which is given in compensation.”

  There is no RECOMPENSE for the loss you have suffered, Mrs. Williams.

  reconcile (REK-un-sile), verb

  To settle or bring into agreement. One can reconcile conflicts, contradictory columns of figures, or even internal emotions that seem at odds with each other.

  How is the White House to RECONCILE these conflicting signals from the Kremlin?

  reconnaissance (ri-KON-uh-sunce), noun

  A search (of an area) made for the purpose of gaining information likely to yield military advantage. Reconnaissance is borrowed from the French.

  The pilot knew that a RECONNAISSANCE mission such as this one would be difficult and dangerous.

  reconnoiter (rek-uh-NOY-ter), verb

  To engage in reconnaissance. (See above.) Reconnoiter is from an old French verb meaning “to explore.”

  Your mission is to RECONNOITER the area and meet back here at 0800 hours.

  recoup (rih-KOOP), verb

  To regain or recover the equivalent of something lost.

  John robotically placed coins in the slot machine, trying desperately to RECOUP his losses.

  rectify (REK-tih-fie), verb

  To put right. Someone who rectifies a calculation corrects the mathematical errors it contains.

  Ellen RECTIFIED her previous mistakes and filed the report.

  redundant (rih-DUN-dunt), adjective

  Superfluous. That which fulfills the role of something already in place and functional is redundant.

  Many of the functions of the shuttle vehicle are deliberately designed to be REDUNDANT in order to provide backup systems in case primary systems fail.

  refurbish (re-FUR-bish), verb

  To renovate or repair. To refurbish is to restore to a state of attractive completion.

  The housing project’s volunteers REFURBISHED the abandoned apartments in record time.