The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  David was perhaps a little too eager to cross over into Mr. Peterson’s yard to play ball, but this was a minor TRANSGRESSION.

  tranquility (tran-KWIL-ih-tee), noun

  Peacefulness; the state of being undisturbed.

  After all the insanity of the deadline week, I was looking forward to the TRANQUILITY of my annual vacation in Vienna.

  transcend (tran-SEND), verb

  To rise above common levels.

  The young violinist’s performance at the recital TRANSCENDED all of his teacher’s expectations.

  transgress (trans-GRESS), verb

  To violate a principle or moral law.

  After having TRANSGRESSED once, an agonized Henry knew he would never violate the club’s rules again.

  transient (TRAN-zee-unt), adjective

  Existing only temporarily; brief; fleeting; transitory.

  With seven children to care for, my wife and I knew that tranquility in the house was a TRANSIENT thing.

  transition (tran-ZISH-un), noun

  A change; a passage from one state or form to another.

  Mark made the TRANSITION from actor to director with relative ease.

  transpire (tran-SPIRE), verb

  To take place. That which happens transpires.

  Mrs. Potter, please tell the court exactly what TRANSPIRED that night as you remember it.

  transpose (trans-POZE), verb

  To reverse or change the position of. To transpose A and B is to put A in B’s place, and vice versa.

  The two frames of the film had been mysteriously TRANSPOSED, so that it now looked as though the man’s head moved forward suddenly instead of backward.

  traumatize (TRAW-muh-tize), verb

  To cause to undergo mental or physical distress.

  Many of the patients in the ward had been TRAUMATIZED over the years by abusive staff.

  trepidation (trep-ih-DAY-shun), noun

  A state of fear or agitation. To have an apprehension is to have a trepidation.

  At first, I approached the task of writing this book with some TREPIDATION.

  trimester (try-MESS-tur), noun

  A period spanning three months.

  For Beth, as for most women, the last few weeks of the final TRIMESTER of pregnancy was a challenging time.

  trooper (TROO-pur), noun

  A military or police officer. (See, for comparison, the entry for trouper.)

  I tried to talk my way out of the speeding ticket, but the TROOPER wouldn’t hear any of it.

  trouper (TROO-pur), noun

  An actor, especially a veteran performer who is able to come through no matter what; also, any person who is remarkably dependable. (See, for comparison, the entry for trooper.)

  Nancy drove through a snowstorm to man the desk on Saturday—what a TROUPER!

  tryst (trist), noun

  A prearranged meeting, especially one between lovers. Tryst derives from an old verb meaning “to make an arrangement with.”

  We’ve decided to celebrate our second honeymoon with a weekend TRYST at the Ambassador Hotel.

  tumultuous (too-MUL-choo-uss), adjective

  Chaotic, especially as a result of a popular outcry. That which is in a violent uproar is tumultuous.

  After the board of trustees rejected the students’ proposal, there were TUMULTUOUS protests on campus.

  tutorial (too-TORE-ee-ul), noun

  A software program offering step-by-step instruction and demonstration in the use of another program; a component of a software program that offers instruction in the main program’s use. Also: of or pertaining to tutors.

  The manual that came with the software was woefully inadequate, but, fortunately, the program featured an excellent TUTORIAL.

  ubiquitous (yoo-BIK-wi-tuss), adjective

  Seemingly everywhere at once. That which is ubiquitous is so common as to appear to be all places.

  By the early fifties, that UBIQUITOUS symbol of independence, the automobile, had influenced virtually every facet of American life.

  ulterior (ul-TEER-ee-ur), adjective

  Being beyond what is obvious or put forth; lying beyond a recognized boundary.

  I flatly reject the notion that my proposal to your daughter is occasioned by any ULTERIOR motive, sir.

  ultimatum (ul-tih-MAY-tum), noun

  One’s last set of demands. To issue an ultimatum is to outline a set of terms that cannot be compromised.

  Either pay the rent by midnight on the thirty-first, or be thrown out in the street: that was Simon’s ULTIMATUM.

  unanimity (yoo-nuh-NIM-ih-tee), noun

  Agreement without dissent.

  I was genuinely surprised at the UNANIMITY with which my proposal was accepted by the board.

  unbecoming (un-bee-KUM-ing), adjective

  Unseemly; likely to detract from one’s reputation or character.

  I think your use of street language during the confirmation hearing was most UNBECOMING, George.

  unblinking (un-BLINGK-ing), adjective

  Not displaying emotion or response. Also: unwavering in devotion.

  Victor’s UNBLINKING reaction to the judge’s sentence left observers with no further insights on the motives that led him to commit the crime.

  uncalled-for (un-KALD-for), adjectival phrase

  Improper or unjustified; also, superfluous.

  That reference to my father’s bankruptcy was UNCALLED-FOR, Senator.

  uncanny (un-CAN-ee), adjective

  Strange; mysterious or otherwordly.

  Greg’s shooting ability is UNCANNY; I’ve seen him sink twenty foul shots in a row.

  underdog (UN-dur-dog), noun

  A person or entity expected to fail or to fare poorly.

  San Diego, a decided UNDERDOG, somehow managed to pull out a win against the division-leading Miami team.

  underwhelm (un-dur-HWELM), verb

  To fail to impress or excite. (Informal.)

  After all the hype money could buy, the play opened to a wave of reviews written by unanimously UNDERWHELMED critics.

  unequaled (un-EE-kwuld), adjective

  Unmatched; without serious competition.

  The salesman bragged of the car’s “UNEQUALED level of trouble-free performance,” but it broke down within two weeks of the time we bought it.

  unfaltering (un-FALL-tur-ing), adjective

  Unwavering; steadfast.

  Frank’s UNFALTERING composure on the witness stand, even under intense cross-examination, impressed us all.

  ungrammatical (un-gruh-MAT-ih-kul), adjective

  In violation of grammatical rules.

  Fred’s use of such UNGRAMMATICAL sentences as “Him and me want to talk at you” didn’t score him any points with the college president.

  unilateral (yoo-ni-LAT-ur-el), adjective

  Undertaken independently, although likely to have implications for others (for instance, allies, associates, or family members). A unilateral decision is one made with no consultation of affected parties.

  The allies resolved that no member country would take any UNILATERAL act that might threaten mutual security.

  unique (yoo-NEEK), adjective

  Singular; alone in a particular class.

  Professor Watson would always scold me when I described something as “very UNIQUE” as something that is UNIQUE is by definition unparalleled, and therefore cannot be modified with a word like very.

  unkempt (un-KEMPT), adjective

  Disheveled or messy; lacking care in aspect or look.

  The witness’s story was believable, but the defendant’s lawyer worried about his UNKEMPT appearance.

  unmitigated (un-MIH-tih-gay-tud), adjective

  Complete and without exception; unalloyed; sheer or outright.

  Ron, who had worked on his article for six months, read the acceptance letter from the New Yorker with UNMITIGATED joy.

  unobtrusive (un-ub-TROO-siv), adjective

  Not easily seen or not
iced; not showy in nature.

  The guards dressed in civilian clothes, taking seriously the pop star’s request that his security detail be as UNOBTRUSIVE as possible.

  unorthodox (un-ORTH-uh-docks), adjective

  Characterized by breaking with custom and tradition due to independence of spirit.

  The teacher’s UNORTHODOX methods got many students to develop an appreciation for learning.

  unprecedented (un-PRESS-uh-dent-ud), adjective

  New; unparalleled; not having been done before.

  The studio granted Lewisohn UNPRECEDENTED access to the group’s session tapes and related recording materials.

  unremitting (un-ruh-MITT-ing), adjective

  Persistent; relentless.

  An UNREMITTING rain spoiled our plans for a picnic.

  untold (un-TOLD), adjective

  Not counted. Also: not revealed.

  Greg used UNTOLD pads of paper in constructing the first draft of his epic.

  unwarranted (un-WORE-un-tud), adjective

  Groundless; lacking factual basis.

  The defense will prove each and every one of these UNWARRANTED accusations to be false, Your Honor.

  unwitting (un-WIT-ting), adjective

  Unaware; unintentional. Also: unintended.

  Greg was shocked to learn that he had been the UNWITTING stooge of a foreign espionage organization.

  upheaval (up-HEE-vul), noun

  A sudden, violent change.

  Given the sense of UPHEAVAL in the department after the director’s resignation, it’s not too surprising that productivity has fallen.

  upside (UP-side), noun

  The positive aspect of a situation; particularly, the potential profit in a business proposal.

  The UPSIDE of investing in the Russian company was considerable, but there were considerable risks as well.

  upstage (up-STAYJ), verb

  To distract attention from (a person undertaking an act supposedly of primary interest). To upstage, in the theatrical sense, is to stand behind the main action of a scene and distract the audience.

  I am not accustomed to being UPSTAGED during a presentation, Peter.

  upthrust (UP-thrust), noun

  Quick, strong upward movement in the national economy or in the stock market.

  This financial writer feels that the current UPTHRUST in the market cannot be sustained.

  usury (YOO-sur-ee), noun

  Excessive interest on a loan. Someone who demands extravagant payment in exchange for money lent out practices usury.

  The rates you are charging for this loan you consider “ fair,” sir, border on USURY.

  utopia (yoo-TOE-pee-uh), noun

  A (theoretical) perfect society or paradise. Utopia was coined by using Greek forms to produce a word meaning “nowhere.”

  Any notion that granting eighteen-year-olds the right to vote would turn the country into a pastoral, strife-free UTOPIA was quickly disproven.

  vagabond (VAG-uh-bond), adjective

  Leading the life of a person who has no home; transient.

  Ivan’s VAGABOND existence was not easy, but he was inured to it.

  valiant (VAL-yunt), adjective

  Courageous, bold; brave.

  I made a VALIANT effort to complete the project by the deadline, but in the end I had to get an extension from my boss.

  validate (VAL-ih-date), verb

  To substantiate or confirm; to make valid.

  I won’t VALIDATE your accusations with a response.

  vamoose (vah-MOOSE), verb

  To depart in haste; to leave hurriedly.

  We’ve got a full day of travel ahead of us; let’s VAMOOSE.

  vanguard (VAN-gard), noun

  The most advanced groups (of a military force or social movement, for instance). That which is at the forefront is in the vanguard.

  Dali was the first to admit that he took full financial advantage of his position at the VANGUARD of the Surrealist movement.

  vanquish (VAN-kwish), verb

  To defeat, as in combat.

  Having VANQUISHED the enemy, the general returned victorious to his native land.

  vehement (VEE-uh-ment), adjective

  Strongly felt or marked by high emotion. That which is forceful and emphatic is vehement.

  Congress overrode the President’s veto after many members had openly expressed their VEHEMENT dissatisfaction with Administration policy.

  veneer (vuh-NEER), noun

  A thin surface layer; a coating; a superficial surface or deceptive appearance.

  Though it was not readily apparent to those who hadn’t seen the supervisor in action, his VENEER of calm and approachability masked the temper and tolerance of a three-year-old.

  vent (vent), verb

  To relieve pressure by giving expression to something, in the way a vent allows steam to escape.

  The boss made me so mad that I didn’t feel back to normal until I was able to VENT to my wife about the situation.

  verification (veh-rih-fih-KAY-shun), noun

  Something that confirms.

  I could find no VERIFICATION of the author’s claim that he had met with Hemingway in the early twenties.

  veritable (VER-ih-tuh-bull), adjective

  Authentic; true. That which is undeniably legitimate or actual is veritable.

  The cardboard boxes contained a VERITABLE treasure trove of Civil War artifacts, probably worth tens of thousands of dollars.

  vernacular (ver-NAK-yoo-lur), noun and adjective

  The mode of expression in language accepted in a given circle. As an adjective, vernacular describes the quality of being common to a particular group’s or region’s speech.

  I saw that Clement was once again intoxicated—or “blasted,” to use the VERNACULAR he seems to prefer.

  versatile (VER-suh-tl), adjective

  Capable of doing many tasks, or prone to frequent changes.

  Mike is a VERSATILE baseball player because he can play the infield or the outfield with equal aplomb.

  vertigo (VUR-tih-go), noun

  A sensation of dizziness and disorientation. Vertigo is a feeling of tilting or spinning.

  Jane was overcome with a sudden bout of VERTIGO as the ship left port.

  vestige (VESS-ti), noun

  A remaining sample of something no longer common. That which represents something now lost is a vestige.

  The last VESTIGE of truly nomadic Indian life was wiped out at Wounded Knee; from that point on, Native Americans would be forced either to assimilate with the settlers or to live on the reservation.

  vex (vex), verb

  To irritate or bother.

  Although his school friends constantly teased him about his ballet lessons, Ken never allowed their comments to VEX him.

  vial (VIE-ul), noun

  A small container (usually glass) used to hold liquids, medicines, and the like.

  The doctor gave me a small VIAL of the drug for use over the weekend, and a written prescription so I could get more from the pharmacy on Monday.

  vigilant (VIJ-uh-lunt), adjective

  Alert and watchful in order to detect danger.

  My VIGILANT watchdog barks at the slightest sound.

  vindicate (VIN-dih-kate), verb

  Proven correct or innocent despite previous indications to the contrary. To be vindicated is to have one’s name cleared after being falsely suspected of something.

  The test results VINDICATED the athlete: there was no trace of any illicit substance in his bloodstream.

  virile (VIR-ul), adjective

  Forcefully masculine. Someone who is virile is characterized by the drive and energy thought to be common among men.

  It was hard for me to picture my grandfather as the VIRILE young man beaming out from that old photograph.

  virtually (VUR-choo-uh-lee), adverb

  Existing in effect, although not in actual fact or form.

  Paul had been worried about his firs
t day at work for weeks, so it came as a surprise to him when he passed his first day in the office with VIRTUALLY no nervousness.

  viscosity (vis-KOSS-ih-tee), noun

  The thickness of a liquid.

  The mechanic working on my car recommended I switch to a brand of motor oil with a higher VISCOSITY.

  vivacious (vy-VAY-shuss), adjective

  Spirited. That which is full of life is vivacious.

  The novelist’s characters are saucy and VIVACIOUS, but the situations they face are, alas, deadly dull.

  vivid (VIV-id), adjective

  Brilliant; resplendent and gaily colored. Also: described or capable of describing with great precision and detail; related in such a way as to leave a distinct impression.

  Julius, a boy with a VIVID imagination, could amuse himself in his room for hours making up stories and adventures for his toy soldiers.

  volatile (VOL-uh-tull), adjective

  Potentially unstable. That which is likely to shift or change suddenly is volatile.

  We should have known that asking those two to work together after the divorce would lead to a VOLATILE work environment.

  voluptuous (vuh-LUP-shoo-uss), adjective

  Sensually enjoyable. Voluptuous can also refer to that which calls to mind sensual pleasure.

  The bestselling writer showed up fashionably late in a long black limousine, accompanied by a VOLUPTUOUS companion whose name we never learned.

  voracious (vo-RAY-shuss), adjective

  Greedily hungry. Someone who is gluttonous or ravenous is voracious.

  Tom is a VORACIOUS reader; I believe he has been through every volume in our public library.

  vortex (VOR-tex), noun

  A whirlpool or whirlwind; a spinning mass of liquid or flame capable of drawing objects into it; something regarded as capable of drawing other entities into its current with great strength.

  Even as the two nations slipped inexorably toward the VORTEX of war, the mainstream press focused on trivialities.

  waft (waft), verb

  To carry lightly, as if caught in a breeze.

  The scent of bread WAFTED from the corner bakery.

  wallow (WALL-lo), verb

  To immerse oneself in utterly. Literally, to wallow in something is to roll around in it.

  Joan’s reviews were certainly unflattering, but in my opinion, she WALLOWED in self-pity after opening night and did the cast and crew of the show a disservice.

  wan (wahn), adjective

  Without color; pallid; pale.

  Frankie looked thin and WAN after his long bout of mononucleosis.