conspicuous• Adjective: obvious, noticeable• Latin root: spicere or specere meaning to behold

– Related words: inspect, introspection, auspicious

• Sample sentences:– The Eiffel Tower is conspicuous among the

older buildings in Paris.– He was awarded a medal for conspicuous

bravery.– Her constant preening made her conspicuous.

(Hint: Take a picture of a – conspicuous landmark.)46

efface

• Verb: to obliterate, wipe out

• Related phrase: self-effacing

• Sample sentences:– It took hours to efface the graffiti that had

defaced the building.– He was modest and self-effacing; he never

spoke of his accomplishments and awards.

(Hint: Erase rhymes with efface.)

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ethereal• Adjective: light and airy, insubstantial,

heavenly– Adverb: ethereally

• Related words: ether

• Sample sentences:– Her gossamer gown created an ethereal

effect.– The ethereal music transported us.

(Hint: Ether makes people feel light.)

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banal• Adjective: trite, dull, ordinary, boring

– Noun: banality

• Sample sentences:– Excellent acting could not rescue this film

from its banal story line and hackneyed dialog.

– The banality of the story would have relegated it to the back pages of the newspaper, if not for the celebrity of the victim.

(Hint: Ban all dull people from the party.)

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garish

• Adjective: gaudy, tastelessly showy

• Sample sentences:– The garish lights of the carnival drew a crowd.– Her vivid, garish make-up lacked subtlety.

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incongruous

• Adjective: out of place, odd– Noun: incongruity

• Sample sentences:– A marshmallow on a hamburger would be

incongruous.– Much humor is derived from incongruity

between intention and effect.

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gullible

• Adjective: easily fooled– Verb: to gull

• Sample sentences:– They told me I was gullible, and I believed

them.– A con man may attempt to gull you with false

statistics; be skeptical.

(Hint: A girl able to be fooled.)

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servile

• Adjective: submissive, subservient– Noun: servility

• Related words: servant, serve, service, serviceable, servitude, subservient

• Sample sentences:– His servile manner suggested that he was

intimidated by his boss.– With cringing servility he did whatever he was

told.

(Hint: think of a servant.)53

resolute

• Adjective: firm in purpose, determined– Noun: resolve, resolution– Verb: resolve– Adverb: resolutely

• Sample sentences:– She was resolute despite setbacks that might

have daunted a less tenacious person.– Nothing weakened her resolve.

(Hint: Keep your New Year's resolutions!)54

abridge

• Verb: to make shorter by removing words– Adjective: abridged, unabridged

• Sample sentence:– The unabridged dictionary is huge.– I wonder how many words are missing in the

abridged version.

(Hint: A bridge can shorten the time it takes to get somewhere.)

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amity

• Noun: friendship

• Related words: amicable, amiable, enamored, paramour

• Sample sentences:– Helena and Hermia were like sisters until

competition over a man destroyed their amity.– In the end, they came to an amicable

agreement.

(Hint: Or, think of the town in “Jaws.”)56

capricious

• Adjective: moved by whim rather than reason– Noun: caprice

• Sample sentences:– The capricious child asked for lunch but didn't

eat it.– The weather was capricious – one minute it

was sunny and the next it started to rain.

(Hint: Car prices are unpredictable these days.)

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coalesce

• Verb: to come together as one, unite, blend, combine

• Sample sentences:– After weeks of practice, the team coalesced

into an efficient unit.– The two paints coalesced into a single color.

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(Hint: Wood and coal coalesce to make charcoal.)

congeal

• Verb: to solidify or freeze

• Sample sentences:– The food congealed on the unwashed dishes.– In the refrigerator, the fat congealed on top of

the broth.

(Hint: Jello congeals.)

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debilitate

• Verb: to weaken or cripple– Noun: debility

• Sample sentences:– His illness debilitated him to the point that he

could hardly walk.– Her debility did not prevent her from earning a

living.

(Hint: De + ability = without ability)

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