the vocab weekly_issue 1
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The Vocab Weekly
1 www.wordpandit.com June 1-7 | issue1
CABAL
In terms of application, the wordcabal
signifies a coming together of more than two
parties, usually for some vested interest of their
own. To achieve this interest, they generally
take the help of plots, schemes and intrigues.
Generally, this term has a negative connotation
and its usage does have the implications of
negative influence and insidiousplanning.
Dictionary Definitions for Cabal
According to the dictionary, the word cabal
carries the following meanings.
1. A small group of secret plotters, as against a
government or person in authority. (N)
2. The plots and schemes of such a group;
intrigue. (N)
3. To form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.
Usage Examples for Cabal:
1. The long beleaguered citizens of Egypt have
triumphed, after thirty years of deployment of
arbitrary power by Mubarak and his military
cabal.
2. They live in a world of paranoid fantasies,
where some secretcabalis supposedly trying to
set up a world government to take away their
freedoms.
3. The conservative cabalis shrewd, unified andextremely well funded; they won't let something
as simple as e-mail messages get in the way of
their long range plans to permanently take
control of the US Government.
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GAFFE
If there was one word about making mistake,
and specifically making them in public, then
this is it. And it would be gaffe in itself if we
explain this word through text. It is better we
have a look at a few of them.
Dictionary definition for Gaffe
1. a social blunder; faux pas. (noun)
Masters Tip to remember Gaffe:
Well, we could do with a couple of videos here
to learn the words. The two videos on the right
give the perfect illustration for a Gaffe.
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z16iVri3Kzkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzWrDqPkjK4http://wordpandit.com/2011/gaffe/http://www.wordpandit.com/ -
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GAINSAY
The word gainsay can be quite confusing, for its
appearance gives no clue to its meaning.
Dictionary definition for gainsay:
1. To declare to be untrue or invalid
2. Contradict, oppose
Masters Tip to remember Gainsay:
In terms of learning the word for contexts, one
of the best ones for gainsay could be that of
lawyers. For examples: The defense lawyer
was continuously trying to gainsay the
evidence.
The job of lawyers is to deny, contradict and
oppose, all of these can be combined and we can
say:Job of a lawyer is to gainsay.
Origin of the word gainsay:
The word gainsay comes from Middle English
gainsaien, which means to say against. This is
further derived from: gain meaning against,
back and saien meaning to say.
There are some other words based on these
roots, but these words are no longer in
conventional usage and are more or less
obsolete.
Gainstrive: To strive or struggle against; to
withstand.
Gainstand: To withstand; to resist.
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ALIMONY
Origin of the word Alimony
The story of origin behind the word alimony is actually very simple and logical. Alimony finds its roots in the
concept of nourishment. It is derived from the Latin root, alimonia, which further comes from the Latin word alere.
Alere is a verb meaning nourish. The suffix -mony is a form of the suffix ment, and if we add our pieces of
information, it basically translates the meaning of alimony into nourishment. But what kind of nourishment are
we talking about here?Alimony basically equates to eating money, meaning the money from which one receivesnourishment. In its original sense, the word was used to describe the pension of a widow but present day usage has
meant that the word is basically sexless and the instances of a husband receiving money from his former wife are
pretty common these days. Two words which are based on similar lines and should arise your curiosity are:
Palimony: money/support paid by one half of an unmarried partnership after the relationship endsDallymony: provision for somebody one has jilted.
Dictionary Definition
for alimony:
1. A court-ordered
support paid by one
spouse to the other after
they are separated.
2. Money paid regularlyby one marriage partner
to the other as ordered
by a court after a legal
separation or divorce, or
during proceedings for
divorce or separation.
3. A means of livelihood;
maintenance.
Masters Tip to
remember alimony:
The simple association toremember alimony with
is: DIVORCE.
Alimony is what the
court orders one of
spouses to pay to the
other at the time of the
divorce.
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BIGWIG
Origin of the word Bigwig
As the word suggests, bigwig is all about being big and important. As far as the dictionary definition goes,
bigwig means an important person, esp. an official (for examples: senators and other political bigwigs). Well,
the big part fits in perfectly with the anatomy of this word but where does the wig part come from?
The wig part comes from wig, the peculiar piece used to cover the balding scalps of men and women. In
times gone, the wig was not only a piece used to cover ones embarrassing spots but also a symbol of ones
position in society. The trend of using wigs started in 17th century France, under the reign of Louis XIII. Well,
he went bald prematurely and decided to go in for a wig. And soon the device of utility was converted into one
that denoted prestige and status. Added to this was the fact wigs only could be afforded by the rich because
they expensive as well as difficult to maintain.
This invention was too good to be restrained to French shores only and it soon migrated to the English
mainland. And in England, wigs went a social transformation of their own. Men of rank and honour worebigger wigs in comparison to normal people. The site of judges wearing these wigs is in fact a common sight
that we have all seen.
And it is because of such a use that the word bigwig started to be used for people of importance.
Dictionary Definition for Bigwig:
1. An important person, especially an official. (noun)
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PILLORY
Dictionary Definition for Pillory:
1. A wooden framework erected on a
post, with holes for securing the head
and hands, formerly used to expose an
offender to public derision. (noun)
2. To set in the pillory. (verb)
3. To expose to public derision, ridicule,
or abuse. (verb)
Origin of the word Pillory:
Pillory is a deceptive word, with its origin actually coming out of its physical existence. Actually, Pillory existed asdevice. And it was not just an ordinary device; it was one for humiliating and deriding people. The pillory was a device
made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for
punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse, sometimes lethal. Gradually the use for the word
pillory developed and it progressed from being used as a noun to being used a verb. The word pillory now used to
represent public humiliation or abuse. For example: The boss mercilessly pilloried his haggard employee.
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APE
(Click on the image to see the video)
Dictionary Definitions for Ape:
1. Any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all. (noun)
2. Someone who copies the words or behaviour of another. (noun)
3. Person who resembles a nonhuman primate. (noun)
4. Imitate uncritically and in every aspect. (verb)
5. Represent in or produce a caricature of. (verb)
This is the perfect video to show for the word Ape.
Well, ape does not only mean non-human primate.
It also means to imitate and copy, just like in this video the kids are aping their parents!
And this video has a wonderful undertone: it always reminds me of all the moments when I aped my parents!
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Work Out Zone
Work out 1: Crossword
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Work Out 2: Match the following words with their respective meanings or synonyms.
Word Meaning or Synonym
1 Cabal A Court-ordered support paid by one spouse to
another after they are separated
2 Gaffe B Heap scorn on someone
3 Gainsay C Big wheel or big shot
4 Pillory D Take exception to
5 Ape E A socially awkward act
6 Bigwig F Imitate or mimic
7 Alimony G Conspire
Work Out 3: Did you really understand the word?
1. A cabalis a group one where yes no
one would plot a hostile takeover.
2. Bill Gates, Barack Obama and Steve yes no
Jobs are some of the bigwigs around.
3. A gaffe is an intentional joke that leaves yes noeveryone in splits.
4. Alimonyis paid at the time of marriage as yes no
a form of security for the bride to be.
5. The public ridicule that exposed politicians yes no
receive is a form ofpillory.
6. Chimpanzees are the animals that come closest yes no
to ape human beings.
7. Go getters are in the general habit ofgainsaying yes no
every proposal.
Across:
1: top banana or kingpin
8: a group of conspirators
22: copycat
25: maintenance charge at
the
time of divorce.
Down
3: tactless act
6: dispute
15: ridicule
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Answers: Work Out Zone
Work Out 1
1B
2I
3G
4W
5I
6G
7A
8C
9A
10B
11A
12L
13F
14I
15P
16F
17N
18I
19E
20S
21L
22A
23P
24E
25A
26L
27I
28M
29O
30N
31Y
32O
33R
34Y
Work Out 2
1-G, 2-E, 3-D, 4-B, 5-F, 6-C, 7-A
Work Out 3
1-yes, 2-yes, 3-no, 4-no,5-yes,6-yes,7-no
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