Amin Words 4

Question 1

Inveigh (against)

Answer 1

To give vent to angry disapproval; protest vehemently.
As early as 1837 Disraeli inveighed against the Poor Law Amendment Act in his election campaign: “I consider that this Act has disgraced the country more than any other upon record. Both a moral crime and a political blunder, it announces to the world that in England poverty is a crime.”

Question 2

Blunder

Answer 2

1. a gross, stupid, or careless mistake.
2. to move or act clumsily, stupidly, or seemingly without guidance; stumble: he blundered into a situation he knew nothing about. We blundered into the wrong room.

As early as 1837 Disraeli inveighed against the Poor Law Amendment Act in his election campaign: “I consider that this Act has disgraced the country more than any other upon record. Both a moral crime and a political blunder, it announces to the world that in England poverty is a crime.”

“None of contenders made noticeable blunders. But none of them could outshine Trump.”CNN

Question 3

Sear

Answer 3

v.tr.
1. To char, scorch, or burn the surface of.
2. To brown (meat) quickly using very high heat
3. To cause to dry up and wither.
4.
a. To cause emotional pain or trauma to: “The image of the burdened, solitary president … seared the American mind as never before” (James Carroll).
b. To cause to be felt or remembered because of emotional intensity: “Such increases in value have seared into people’s minds the idea that investments will almost always pay off” (David Leonhardt).
v.intr.
1. To become dried up or withered.
2. To be felt or remembered because of emotional intensity: The incident seared into the nation’s memory.

“The experience with the New Poor Law was so searing that the argument which had presided over its adoption_ essentially the perverse effect of social welfare assistance _ remained discredited for a long time.”(Hirschman)

Question 4

Attire

Answer 4

To dress or clothe, especially in fine or elaborate garments.
“It looks as though to be introduced into polite company the old-fashioned perverse effect needed some special, sophisticated attire.”(Hirschman)

Question 5

Ominous

Answer 5

1. Menacing; threatening; foreboding; inauspicious: ominous black clouds; ominous rumblings of discontent.
2. Of or being an omen, especially an evil one.

The article starts ominously, “There is a general sense that we face a crisis in social policy.”

Question 6

Nigh

Well-nigh

Answer 6

Nigh
adv. prop.
1. Near in time, place, or relationship: Evening draws nigh.
2. (often fol. by on or onto) Nearly; almost: It is nigh impossible to get tickets now.
adj. nigher, nighest
1. Being near in time, place, or relationship; close: sick and nigh to death.
2.
a. Being on the left side of an animal or vehicle: pulling hard on the nigh rein.
b. Being the animal or vehicle on the left: the nigh horse.

Well-nigh
nearly; almost: it’s well-nigh three o’clock.
“Here the failure of foresight of ordinary human actors is well-nigh total as their actions are shown to produce precisely the opposite of what was intended” (Hirschman).

Question 7

Revel

Answer 7

1. (foll by in) to take great pleasure or delight: She reveled in her unaccustomed leisure. to revel in success. to revel in luxury.
2. to take part in noisy festivities; make merry
   “Here the failure of foresight of ordinary human actors is well-nigh total as their actions are shown to produce precisely the opposite of what was intended; the social scientists analyzing the perverse effect, on the other hand, experience a great feeling of superiority and revel in it” (Hirschman).

Question 8

Gruesome

Answer 8

Causing horror and repugnance; frightful and shocking: a gruesome murder.
Maistre naively said as much in his gruesome chapter on the prevalence of war in human history: “It is sweet to fathom the design of the Godhead in the midst of general cataclysm.”

Question 9

Fathom

Answer 9

1. a unit of length equal to six feet (1.829 metres), used to measure depths of water.
2. to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand: to fathom someone’s motives.
   Maistre naively said as much in his gruesome chapter on the prevalence of war in human history: “It is sweet to fathom the design of the Godhead in the midst of general cataclysm.”

Question 10

Cataclysm

Answer 10

1. a violent upheaval, esp of a political, military, or social nature
   Maistre naively said as much in his gruesome chapter on the prevalence of war in human history: “It is sweet to fathom the design of the Godhead in the midst of general cataclysm.”
2. A violent and sudden change in the earth’s crust.
3. A devastating flood.

Question 11

Perspicacious

Answer 11

having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning.
“Are they not being unduly arrogant when they are portraying ordinary humans as groping in the dark, while in contrast they themselves are made to look so remarkably perspicacious?”(Hirschman)

Question 12

Purveyor

Answer 12

1. One that furnishes or sells something, especially food.
2. One that promulgates something: a purveyor of lies.

“The real difference between broadcast television and cable is not that the Federal Communications Commission restricts one from doing what the other can. It’s a matter of cosmology – the way they perceive the universe. Cable TV and broadcast TV purvey different worlds, and cable’s is darker, bleaker, more complicated and less forgiving.” Neal Gabler

“The concept of unintended consequences originally introduced uncertainty and open-endedness into social thought, but in an escape from their new freedom the purveyors of the perverse effect retreat to viewing the social universe as once again wholly predictable”(Hirschman).

Question 13

Intimate (v.)

Answer 13

to indicate or make known indirectly; hint; imply; suggest.
“By intimating that the (perverse) effect is likely to be invoked for reasons that have little to do with its intrinsic truth value, I intend to raise some doubts about its occurring with the frequency that is claimed”(Hirschman).

Question 14

Mutilate

Answer 14

1. to injure or disfigure by removing or irreparably damaging parts: to mutilate a painting/statue.
2. to deprive (a person or animal) of a limb or other essential part; maim; dismember
   “When industrial accident insurance was first introduced into the major industrial countries of Europe toward the end of the nineteenth century, there were many claims, on the part of employers and various “experts,” that workers were mutilating themselves on purpose, but in due course these reports were found to be highly exaggerated” (Hirschman).

Question 15

Irrigate

Answer 15

1. (Agriculture) to supply (land) with water by means of artificial canals, ditches, etc, esp to promote the growth of food crops
2. (Medicine) med to bathe or wash out a bodily part, cavity, or wound

“Irrigation projects designed to increase agricultural output in the tropics have many negative side effects, from greater exposure of the local population to schistosomiasis to eventual loss of irrigated acreage through waterlogging, not to speak of the conceivable increase in social tensions over access to water and distribution of the newly irrigated lands”(Hirschman).

Question 16

Affront

Answer 16

n
1. a deliberate insult: Such behavior is an affront to society.
vb (tr)
2. to insult, esp openly
3. to offend the pride or dignity of
4. to confront defiantly: affront danger.

The Security Council will formally approve the agreement Monday morning in an Iran resolution. But Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, called the move “highly problematic” and said it was “an affront to the American people” and to Congress.

Question 17

Serf
Serfdom
Serfhood

Answer 17

a person in a condition of feudal servitude, required to render services to a lord, commonly attached to the lord’s land and transferred with it from one owner to another.

Question 18

Felony

Answer 18

1. One of several serious crimes, such as murder, rape, or robbery, punishable by a more stringent sentence than that given for a misdemeanor.
2. Any of several crimes in early English law that were punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of land or goods. All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour were abolished in England and Wales in 1967.

Question 19

Jilt

Answer 19

to leave or reject (a lover), esp without previous warning: she was jilted at the altar.
Nader: ‘A jilted Donald Trump as a third party candidate can blow the presidential race wide open’

Question 20

Agility

Agile

Answer 20

1. the power of moving quickly and easily; nimbleness: exercises demanding agility. Agile as a fish —William Humphrey
2. the ability to think and draw conclusions quickly; intellectual acuity: mental agility.
   Excellence in execution, agility in negotiations.

Question 21

Menstruation

Answer 21

(Physiology) the approximately monthly discharge of blood and cellular debris from the uterus by nonpregnant women from puberty to the menopause. Also called: menses Nontechnical name: period

“Donald Trump says Megyn Kelly has “blood coming out of her – wherever.” And then he insists that “only a sick person” would think it was about menstruation.” CNN

Question 22

Cantankerous

Answer 22

1. Ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable: disliked her cantankerous landlord.
2. Difficult to handle: “had to use liquid helium, which is supercold, costly and cantankerous” (Brad Pokorny).

“The droves of people packing arenas from Maine to Washington state to hear from a cantankerous 73-year-old senator who identifies as a democratic socialist reflect Sanders’ unique ability to tap into the energy – and anxiety – of the left this election season.” Nia-Malika Henderson and Dan Merica, CNN

Question 23

Circumvent

Answer 23

1. to go around or bypass; evade: to circumvent the lake; to circumvent a problem. circumvented the city.
2. to avoid by artfulness; elude; outwit: to circumvent defeat. circumvented the bureaucratic red tape.
   “Diverse employees are more likely to be denied opportunities to gain experience. Further, judgments on their performance in their present roles can be clouded by unconscious biases that can be tough to circumvent.” Diversity Executive
3. (Military) to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture; enclose or entrap; to surround or encompass, as by stratagem.

Question 24

VUCA

Answer 24

Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity: Developing leadership agility to lead in a VUCA environment is top priority for many HR Directors.

Question 25

Acuity

Answer 25

Acuteness of vision or perception; keenness; sharpness: visual acuity; acuity of mind.

“The traditional definition of “smart” tends to be narrow, often focusing on an individual’s depth of knowledge in a particular subject area or his or her verbal acuity.” Point of View.

Question 26

commensurate

kəˈmɛnsərɪt/ kəˈmɛnʃərɪt

Answer 26

1. Of the same size, extent, or duration as another.
2. Corresponding in size or degree; proportionate: a salary commensurate with my performance. a sentence commensurate with the crime.
3. Measurable by a common standard; commensurable.

“Potential is not about what individuals have done or their current readiness for a promotion. It is about capacity and speed: to what extent and how fast they could develop senior executive competencies commensurate with leadership roles that are greater in both size and complexity.” Egon Zehnder.

Question 27

Promiscuous

Promiscuity

Answer 27

1. Having casual sexual relations frequently with different partners; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners.
   2.
   a. Lacking standards of selection; acting without careful judgment; indiscriminate: criticized him for being promiscuous in his friendships.
   b. Showing little forethought or critical judgment; casual: the promiscuous use of the word “populism.”
2. Consisting of diverse, unrelated parts or individuals; confused: “Throngs promiscuous strew the level green” (Alexander Pope).

“The rumors of my promiscuity have been greatly exaggerated.” Easy A (2010)

Question 28

Acumen

Answer 28

the ability to judge well; keen discernment; insight; shrewdness: strategic business acumen.
“A brilliant acumen in agricultural matters … had made the old man a legend in the district” (James Herriot).

Question 29

Predicate

Answer 29

1. to proclaim; declare; affirm; assert: The sermon predicated the perfectibility of humankind.
2. (Logic)
   a. to affirm or assert (something) of the subject of a proposition.
   b. to make (a term) the predicate of such a proposition.
3. to connote; imply: Their apology predicates a new attitude.
4. to found or derive (a statement, action, etc.); base (usu. fol. by on): to predicate one’s behavior on faith in humanity. I predicated my argument on the facts.
5. (Grammar) the part of a sentence in which something is asserted or denied of the subject of a sentence; one of the two major components of a sentence, the other being the subject.

“An interrelated set of factors which predicate the success of HR and talent leaders”

Question 30

Eccentric

Answer 30

1. deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd
2. (Mathematics) situated away from the centre or the axis
3. (Mathematics) not having a common centre; (Compare concentric): eccentric circles.
4. not precisely circular

“Organizations are infamous for tolerating “quirky” but high-producing sales representatives or “eccentric” but brilliant individuals in professional/ technical roles. But those roles depend almost entirely on individual performance.” Korn Ferry

Question 31

Forensic

Answer 31

1. Relating to, used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or argumentation: forensic science.
2. Relating to the use of science or technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law: a forensic laboratory.

“1. Work in collaborative team performing research and data analysis as directed for forensic enquiries and litigation support engagements

2. Perform due diligence under the direction of senior team members
3. Assist with the administration elements of forensic projects
4. Assist in the preparation of financial analyses and other documentary analysis including data entry and document review”

Question 32

Proctor

Answer 32

n.

1. a person appointed to keep watch over students at examinations.
2. a school official charged with any of various supervisory or disciplinary duties.
   v. t., v.i.
3. to supervise or monitor: Designed for both proctored and un-proctored test administration.

“Being a harsh proctor for yourself is the best thing you can do to improve your speed.”

Question 33

Precarious

Answer 33

1. Dangerously lacking in security or stability: a precarious posture; precarious footing on the ladder.
2. Subject to chance or unknown conditions: a precarious livelihood.
   “His kingdom was still precarious; the Danes far from subdued” (Christopher Brooke).
3. Based on uncertain, unwarranted, or unproved premises; based upon insufficient evidence: a precarious solution to a difficult problem.
4. Archaic Dependent on the will or favor of another.

“Those on precarious part-time contracts are particularly vulnerable to being fired while on maternity leave.” The Economist

“Last night’s parliamentary vote in the UK on the rules that should apply for the in/out EU referendum has highlighted the precariousness of David Cameron’s government. Having lost the vote, the government’s narrow majority of 12 in parliament means that further reverses are inevitable, particularly on EU-related questions.” The Economist Intelligence Unit

Question 34

Spay

Answer 34

(Veterinary Science) (tr) to remove the ovaries, and usually the uterus, from (a female animal):
If you don’t want your cat to be a mother at all, the bed thing to do is to have her spayed.

Question 35

Persona

Answer 35

1. (pl. personae) The characters in a dramatic or literary work.
2. (pl. personas) The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one’s public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self.
3. (in Jungian psychology) the mechanism that conceals a person’s true thoughts and feelings, esp in his adaptation to the outside world (contrasted with anima).

Trump said on CNN’s “New Day” Thursday morning that he was talking about Fiorina’s persona, not her physical traits.

Question 36

Excise

Answer 36

(Also called excise tax)
1. an internal tax or duty on certain commodities, as liquor or tobacco, levied on their manufacture, sale, or consumption within the country: excises on tobacco, liquor, and long-distance telephone calls.
2. a fee imposed for a license to pursue certain sports, occupations, etc.
“On average, between one third and one half of the total price of unleaded gasoline is excise tax.” Dullieux et al.

1. to delete (a passage, sentence, etc); expunge: excised two scenes from the film.
2. (Surgery) to remove (an organ, structure, or part) surgically: excised the tumor.

Question 37

alibi

/ˈælɪˌbaɪ/

Answer 37

1. (Law)
   a. a defence by an accused person that he was elsewhere at the time the crime in question was committed
   b. the evidence given to prove this
2. an excuse
3. a person used as one’s excuse: “Mr McKoon has twice sponsored a state bill to protect religious folk from coercion by the government which he says that is not meant to enable discrimination against gay people. But he has an unlikely alibi: Kim Davis, the clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky, who repeatedly refused to issue same-sex marriage licences and was briefly jailed for contempt of court.”

Question 38

Whiff

Answer 38

1.

a. A brief, passing odor carried in the air: a whiff of perfume. a whiff of onions.
b. A very small trace: a whiff of self-pity in her remarks. a whiff of scandal.
2. An inhalation, as of air or smoke: Take a whiff of this pipe.
3. A slight, gentle gust of air; a waft: A whiff of cool air blew into the room.
4. Baseball A strikeout.

“Some in Georgia detect a whiff of bigotry in the rhetoric accompanying the bill, if not in its boilerplate wording (which requires the authorities to demonstrate a “compelling government interest” if they are to “substantially burden” the exercise of religion).” The Economist

v.
To inhale through the nose; sniff: a dog whiffing the air.

Question 39

Bigotry

Answer 39

Bigot: One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.

Bigotry:

1. extreme intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one’s own.
2. the actions, prejudices, etc., of a bigot.

“Some in Georgia detect a whiff of bigotry in the rhetoric accompanying the bill, if not in its boilerplate wording (which requires the authorities to demonstrate a “compelling government interest” if they are to “substantially burden” the exercise of religion).” The Economist

Question 40

Boilerplate

Answer 40

standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories.

2. a copy made with the intention of making other copies from it
3. (Commerce) a draft contract that can easily be modified to cover various types of transaction

“Some in Georgia detect a whiff of bigotry in the rhetoric accompanying the bill, if not in its boilerplate wording (which requires the authorities to demonstrate a “compelling government interest” if they are to “substantially burden” the exercise of religion).” The Economist

Question 41

Lattice

Answer 41

ساختار مشبّک

Question 42

Divulge

Answer 42

To make known (something private, secret, or previously unknown); to disclose or reveal

“In advertised recruitment the client’s name may or may not be divulged.” N. G. Jenn

Question 43

Glimmer

Answer 43

1. a faint or unsteady light; gleam.
2. A faint manifestation or indication; a dim perception; faint glimpse or idea; trace; inkling: a glimmer of understanding.

Hope still glimmered in our minds. Hope glimmered in his face.
“The ocean glimmered on her left like an iridescent pewter bowl” (Elizabeth Adler).
“Starlight glimmered on rusty metal” (David Drake).

Question 44

Prevaricate

Answer 44

to speak falsely, misleadingly, or so as to avoid the truth; deliberately misstate; equivocate; lie.

“Some politicians dodge the question because a clear answer may put off some voters. But for others it is because they are not individuals, standing alone, but part of an organisation.
The leader may prevaricate on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme because the party has not approved a change of policy, the backbenchers have not been squared, key allies are still unpersuaded. When Mr Corbyn opens his mouth now, what comes out cannot be only his heartfelt beliefs but the agreed policy of his party.” Mark Mardell, BBC

Question 45

Genteel

/dʒɛnˈtiːl/

Answer 45

1. affectedly proper or refined; excessively polite: “Who better to domesticate him than the most genteel woman in the world? What better to housebreak him than … a delicate actress with beautiful diction for his wife?” (Philip Roth).
2. Typical or characteristic of the upper class; respectable; well-bred: a genteel old lady.
   “His family background was somewhat less genteel than his Brahmin name and Harvard pedigree might suggest” (Scot French).
3. Elegantly stylish or fashionable: genteel manners and appearance. Genteel behavior.

“Not that long ago, CFOs were smart accountants, general counsels were genteel attorneys, and HR (or personnel) directors were just nice. No longer. Today’s CXOs must not only have solid grounding in the specific function, they must also be strategic thinkers.” Matthew Wright

Question 46

Complacent

/kəmˈpleɪsənt/

Answer 46

Pleased or satisfied with the current situation and unconcerned with changing it, often to the point of smugness, esp. with oneself or one’s advantages or accomplishments: “a geologic cautionary tale for a complacent world accustomed to reliable infusions of cheap energy” (Paul Roberts).

“Companies that set rigid goals about the type or number of high potentials, instead of taking a dynamic approach, become complacent and don’t get much out of these programs.” Fernandez et al.

Question 47

Ardent

Answer 47

1. expressive of or characterized by intense desire or emotion; passionate: ardent love. an ardent vow.
2. Displaying or characterized by strong enthusiasm or devotion; fervent; eager; intensely devoted; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent longing.
   “an impassioned age, so ardent and serious in its pursuit of art” (Walter Pater).
   3.
   a. Burning; fiery; hot: the ardent core of a star. an ardent fever.
   b. Glowing; shining; fiercely bright: ardent eyes.

“The perverse effect has many appeals. It is perfectly suited for an ardent militant ready to do battle at high pitch against an ascendant or hitherto dominant movement of ideas and a praxis that have somehow become vulnerable.” Albert O. Hirschman.

Question 48

Hitherto

/ˈhɪð ərˌtu/

Answer 48

Until this time: The weather, which had hitherto been sunny and mild, suddenly turned cold. hitherto, there have been no problems. a hitherto unoccupied house. a fact hitherto unknown.

“The perverse effect has many appeals. It is perfectly suited for an ardent militant ready to do battle at high pitch against an ascendant or hitherto dominant movement of ideas and a praxis that have somehow become vulnerable.” Albert O. Hirschman.

Question 49

Praxis

Answer 49

1. Practical application or exercise of a profession or field of study; practice, as opposed to the theory.
2. Habitual or established practice; custom; convention.

“The perverse effect has many appeals. It is perfectly suited for an ardent militant ready to do battle at high pitch against an ascendant or hitherto dominant movement of ideas and a praxis that have somehow become vulnerable.” Albert O. Hirschman.

Question 50

Arsenal

Answer 50

1. a military establishment for producing and storing weapons and munitions.
2. a collection of weaponry.
3. a supply of any useful item: a critic’s arsenal of vivid phrases. an arsenal of destructive arguments. an arsenal of retorts.

“The second principal argument in the reactionary arsenal is very different.” Albert Hirschman.