Words Flashcards
Altruism
Altruism-(noun)
• Definition
1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
2. behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species
• Sentence(s)
o Besides his successful career, Bill Gates is also known for his altruism; he donates most of his fortune to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve the quality of life of others around the world by providing education and healthcare.
Qualm(s)
Qualm(s)-(noun)
• Definition
1. a feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety
2. a sudden feeling of usually disturbing emotion (such as doubt or fear)
3. a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or nausea
• Sentence(s)
o Julia talks without a filter; she certainly does not have any qualms about what others think or feel.
Pragmatic
Pragmatic-(adjective)
• Definition
1. relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters: practical as opposed to idealistic
2. relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism
• Sentence(s)
o The president of a country has to be pragmatic, rather than being unrealistic and
emotional, when handling difficult situations.
Paradigm
Paradigm-(noun)
• Definition
1. EXAMPLE, PATTERN
especially: an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype
2. an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms
3. a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in
support of them are formulated. broadly: a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind.
• Sentence(s)
o There has been a paradigm shift in public health approach from health prevention
to health promotion in the 21st century.
Circumspect
Circumspect-(adjective)
• Definition
1. careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences: PRUDENT
• Sentence
o The family doctor did a circumspect assessment of the patient’s health before
referring him to the right specialist.
Dogma(s
Dogma(s)-(noun)
• Definition
1. A. something held as an established opinion
Especially: a definite authoritative tenet
B. a code of such tenets
C. a point of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds
2. a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and
authoritatively proclaimed by a church
• Sentence
o The dogma for a healthy life is composed of good nutrition and regular physical
activity.
Precocious
Precocious-(adjective)
• Definition
1. exceptionally early in development or occurrence
2. exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age
• Sentence(s)
o He was a studious and precocious boy, more interested in religious matters, history, and foreign politics than in boyish things.
Capricious
Capricious-(adjective)
• Definition
1. governed or characterized by caprice: IMPULSIVE, UNPREDICTABLE
• Sentence(s)
o Mike was very capricious as a child; he was creating drama for not getting the gift
he wanted for Christmas.
Potemkin
Potemkin-(adjective)
• Definition
1. Having a false or deceptive appearance, especially one presented for the purpose of propaganda.
• Sentence
o Potemkin nutritional labels display low calories per serving by decreasing the serving size.
Voracious
Voracious-(adjective)
• Definition
1. having a huge appetite: RAVENOUS
2. excessively eager: INSATIABLE
• Sentence
o After his tennis practices, my 15-year-old brother becomes very voracious; he eats almost everything that he finds in the fridge, but still doesn’t feel satisfied.
Promulgate
Promulgate-(verb)
• Definition
1. to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by an open declaration: PROCLAIM
2. a. to make known or public the terms of (a proposed law)
b. to put (a law or rule) into action or force
• Sentence
o On the road to becoming a smoke-free university, McGill promulgated new policies that prohibit smoking outside of the designated areas on both campuses.
Efficacious
Efficacious-(adjective)
• Definition
1. having the power to produce the desired effect
• Sentence
o Chamomile tea is highly efficacious in allowing me to fall asleep faster at night.
Euphemism
Euphemism-(noun)
• Definition
1. the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant
• Sentence
o In order to be politically correct, we use a euphemism to describe “diabetic people” by saying “people with diabetes”.
o Passed away instead of died
Dearth
Dearth-(noun)
• Definition
1. scarcity that makes dear: FAMINE
2. an inadequate supply: LACK
• Sentence
o The lack of rain last summer led to a dearth of water in the city.
Caveat
Caveat-(noun)
• Definition
1. A. a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices
B. an explanation to prevent misinterpretation
C. a modifying or cautionary detail to be considered when evaluating, interpreting, or doing something
2. a legal warning to a judicial officer to suspend a proceeding until the opposition has a hearing
• Sentence
o The caveat on the furniture assembly instruction booklet says that the furniture must be permanently fixed to the wall to prevent injuries caused by tipping over.
o The only caveat to keep in mind is that keeping colors on the light/bright side works well with this style.
Specious
Specious-(adjective) • Definition 1. having a false look of truth or genuineness: SOPHISTIC 2. having deceptive attraction or allure 3. obsolete: SHOWY
• Sentence
o Don’t give us specious promises; we will only be disappointed in the end.
