Week 1 Vocab

Question 1

Abstract (adj.)
ab - away
tractus - pulled

Answer 1

Definition: existing as an idea but not a tangible experience

Sentence: For over a thousand years, mathematicians regarded subtracting a large number for a small one as impossible because the concept of negative numbers was too abstract.

Question 2

Anthropology (n)
anthro - human
-ology - study

Answer 2

Definition: The study and comparison of human cultures

Sentence: The Amazon basin has long been a focus of anthropological research because of its many isolated indigenous tribes.

Question 3

Comprehensive (adj)
com - together
prehenede - to grasp

Answer 3

Definition: Thorough and complete; covering all relevant subjects

Sentence: My doctor gave me a comprehensive physical examination.

Synonym: exhaustive, encyclopedic

Question 4

Construe (v)
Con- together
struere- to build

Answer 4

Definition: to interpret in a particular way

Sentence; Some opinion polls are unreliable because their biased phrasing encourages people to construe issues to conform to the ideology of the pollster.

Question 5

Discerning (adj)
dis - apart
cernere - to separate

Answer 5

Definition: Showing a keen ability to distinguish subtle elements.

Sentence: Elena has a very discerning palate for olives and can even tell in what region of Italy they were grown.

Synonyms: Discriminating, judicious, astute, percipient, perspicacious

Question 6

discriminating (adj)
dis- apart
crimen- judicial decision

Answer 6

Definition: showing good taste or judgment.

Sentence: Our interior design has a discriminating eye for bold fabrics.

Synonyms: discerning, judicious, astute, percipient, perspicacious

Question 7

Disseminate (v)
dis - widely
semen - seed

Answer 7

Definition: to cast (something, usually information) widely, as seed is scattered

Sentences: The rumor was disseminated almost instantaneously over the Internet.

Synonyms: Promulgate Propagate, circulate