Elucidate:Part of Speech – verb

Definition – To make clear or lucid; to throw light on; explain.

Word Root – luc - light

Sample Sentence – Haley was able to eloquently elucidate the mysterious gravitational influx constant at the event horizons of black holes to the scientists from NASA, so that they were finally able to build a spaceship that can travel at speeds faster than light. Great job, Haley!

Macrocosm:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – the great world or universe

Word Root – macro – great/large

cosm – world/universe

Sample Sentence – Jasmine often sat at her desk during 8th period pondering the vastness of the macrocosm that could hold so many wonderful galaxies, stars, planets, UFOs, and herself. Let’s reel it back in, Jasmine.

Megalomaniac:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – a person suffering from mental illness marked by delusions of greatness, wealth, etc.

Word Root – mega – large

mania - madness

Sample Sentence – Claudia engaged in hand to hand combat with and defeated an evil dictator that was a megalomaniac intending to take over the world with an army of militarized ballpoint pen soldiers. We owe you one, Claudia!

Melancholy:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – a gloomy state of mind, especially when habitual or prolonged

Word Root – melan – black (…sad)

cholia – bile (yummy)

Sample Sentence - On Mondays, Shubhit always has a melancholy attitude that he demonstrates by crying at his desk, pouting, and a great deal of sighing. Sounds like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays! Cheer up, Shubhit!

Melodrama:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – a dramatic form that exaggerates emotion

Word Root – melo – black or ‘melos’ – song

drama – to act as in a play (save it for your mamma)

Sample Sentence – Ben pleaded, “If you do this, my life will be ruined, my future will be reduced to ashes and dust; the hardship will be unbearable. Please don’t!”

“It’s just a tardy, Ben. You are the king of melodrama.” responded Mr. Wheatley. “Nice try though, Ben.”

MicrocosmPart of Speech – noun

Definition – a little world; a world in miniature

Word Root – micro – smallcosm - world

Sample Sentence – Lindsey was introduced to the microcosm of the human cell when she was zapped by Colonel Sanderzorg’s Autoshrinkerometric laser. While inside the cell she had to fight off a nasty endoplasmic reticulum, deadly mitochondria, rogue RNA and one mean Golgi apparatus. Yikes! Keep up the good fight, Lindsey!

Immutable:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – not mutable; unchangeable; changeless

Word Root – im – not

mut - change

Sample Sentence – Although the warrior-king, Kartik the Great, faced the vast hordes of zombies; his courage was immutable. Although he was alone, he was brave and wiped out thousands in a single swing. His face was defiant, his gaze was steady, and his blade was ready. Way to destroy the flesh-eating undead, Kartik!

Metacognition:Part of Speech – nounDefinition – higher-order thinking that enables understanding, analysis, and control of one’s cognitive processes, especially when engaged in learning. Word Root – meta – after, along, beyond

cognito - thinkSample Sentence – “Consider the ways you learn vocabulary best. Is it by listening, seeing, physically participating?” asked Professor Kulsoom. “When you’ve figured out which works WAY best for you, you have participated in metacognition!”Thanks Professor Kulsoom! We totally understand what you just said.

Circumnavigate:Part of Speech – verb

Definition – to sail or fly around

Word Root – circum – around

nav - ship

Sample Sentence – The Dread Pirate Katie the Blonde circumnavigated the ancient seas in her deadly pirate ship The Stranger. Supposedly she retired from the pirate life to own and operate a string of successful Chuckie Cheese restaurants. Yo-ho, yo-ho, Chips Ahoy, Arrrrrrr, Katie!

Paternal:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – a characteristic of or befitting a father; fatherly

Word Root – pater - father

Sample Sentence – While visiting the local McDonalds, Matt found the silently strong figure of Ronald McDonald on the bench comforting. He finished his McNuggets in the secure embrace of the red-haired paternal figure. Those Golden Arches rock, Matt!

Pendulum:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – a body so suspended from a fixed point as to move to and from by the action of gravity and momentumWord Root – pend/pens – to hang

Sample Sentence – As she was chasing the dangerous art thieves, Angela’s shoelaces came undone and snagged on a nail causing her to fall off the side of the Louvre. Fortunately, her titanium alloy laces held strong and she only swung upside-down and back and forth like a pendulum of justice. Have a swinging time, Angela!

Impending:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – about to happen; imminent

Word Root – im – without pend - hanging

Sample Sentence – Tulsi aggressively revved her BMW’s engine while anticipating the impending green light that would begin her career as an illegal street racer. She left her competition in the dust. Go, Speed Racer Tulsi, Go!

Physiology: Part of Speech – noun

Definition – the organic processes or functions in an organism or any of its parts

Word Root – physi-nature/body ology – study of

Sample Sentence – Maya really enjoyed Professor Portobello’s lecture on the physiology of mushrooms as it relates to liquid distribution. She plans on taking his class next semester too. He’s a fun guy, Maya!

Cosmopolitan:Part of Speech – noun / adjective

Definition – belonging to all the world; not limited to just

one part of the world Word Root – cosm, world

polis, city

Sample Sentence – Allie is quite cosmopolitan because she spent the summer traveling to Red Hot Chili Pepper concerts in India, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, Spain, Italy, and Chicago. Desecration Smile, Allie!

Supercilious:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expressionWord Root – super – above

cilium - eyebrow Sample Sentence – The know-it-all teacher superciliously asked, “Which one of you mere students can give the correct answer?” Triumphantly, Brandon replied, “The answer is 42.” With that response, the teacher screamed, “Nooo! I’m melting,” and was reduced to a steaming clump of arrogance on the floor. You’re our hero, Brandon!

Subordinate:Part of Speech – adjectiveDefinition – placed in or belonging to a lower rank; of less importance

Word Root – sub – below ordin – rank/order

Sample Sentence – Joe was able to quickly prioritize his homework. The grammar was subordinate to his chemistry because the chemistry test was the next day. Chem it up, Joe!

Quintessential:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – the pure and essential essence of something

Word Root – quint – five essentia - essence

Sample Sentence – Audrey is the quintessential crime fighter. She’s courageous, smart, intimidating, inspiring, has tremendous physical strength, catches criminals during her sleep and rescues kidnapped sheep. No crook is going to pull the wool over your eyes, Audrey!

Posthumous:Part of Speech – adjectiveDefinition – arising, occurring, or continuing after one's deathWord Root – post – after

humare – to bury Sample Sentence – The famous author, Archibald Nectarhead, had several works published posthumously after he passed. His agent, Riana, was given all the profits to which she then gave to a cat orphanage. Awwwww! That’s nice, Riana.

FinitePart of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Having boundaries or limits, measurable.

Word Root: fin, end

Sample sentence: Many math geeks will study finite math. Humans have a finite time to live.

ForbearPart of Speech: Verb

Definition: To refrain or abstain from; to keep back; withhold

Word Root: fore, front/before

Sample Sentence: Students forbear taking notes, because they think they will remember everything.

ProgenyPart of Speech: noun

Definition: descendants, offspring

Word Root: gen, kind/origin

Sample Sentence: Children are the progeny of their parents, often carrying similar personalities whether they like it or not.

Ingrate:Part of Speech – noun

Definition – an unthankful person

Word Root – in, not grat, pleasing

Sample Sentence – Antony was a lousy ingrate who didn’t appreciate what Brutus did for him.

NeologismPart of Speech: Noun

Definition: A new word, meaning, usage or phrase

Word Root: neo, new

ism, condition

Sample Sentence: A neologism that adults wouldn’t understand that teenagers do is “swag.”

Circumspect:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent.

Word Root – circum, around spect, look

Sample Sentence – “Fearing potential danger, he entered the dark alley with very circumspect behavior.”

Antithesis

Part of Speech—nounDefinition—the direct opposite

Word Root—anti, against

(thesis)

Sample Sentence—The antithesis of right and wrong. She fled; her behavior was the antithesis of bravery.

Recapitulate:Part of Speech – verb

Definition – 1. To repeat in concise form; to make a summary (recap).

Word Root – re-, again

capit, head

ate, to make

Sample Sentence – “After the teacher gives her lecture, she always asks a student to recapitulate.”

VerdictPart of Speech—noun

Definition—a judgment or decision (usually pertaining to the judgment of a jury)

Word Root: dict, speak/say

Sentence Sample: The verdict was in; no one liked Bob’s shirt.

DogmaPart of Speech—noun

Definition—an official system of principles or tenets concerning faith, morals, behavior…often pertaining those of a church.

Word Root: dog, opinion/praise

Sentence Sample: Matthew Harrison Brady, asks Rachel, “Has Mr. Cates every tried to pollute your mind with his heathen dogma?”

EpitomePart of Speech—noun

Definition—a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class

Word Root: epi, upon/beside/among

Sample Sentence: He is the epitome of goodness.

Loquacious:Part of Speech – adjective

Definition – tending to talk much; talkative

Word Root – loqu, speak ous, full of

Sample Sentence – “A new teacher might have trouble dealing with a loquacious group of students.”

compulsion• Definition: to force or drive, especially to a

course of action• Part of speech: noun• Roots: com-together, uncommon

pul- urge• Sample Sentence: During the basketball

game, I had a sudden compulsion to scream and yell.

• Synonym: obsession

contravene

• Definition: To act contrary to an order, or fail to conform to a regulation. To deny the truth of something.

• Part of speech: verb• Roots: contra- opposite, against

ven-come• Sample Sentence: The overcrowded dance

club contravened safety regulations.• Synonym: violate

expurgate

• Definition: to amend by removing words or passages deemed offensive or objectionable

• Part of speech: verb• Sample Sentence: The Disney version of

fairy tales is an expurgated version of Grimms' fairy tales.

• Synonym: delete

insomnia• Definition: inability to obtain sufficient sleep,

especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep

• Part of speech: noun• Roots: in-in, into

somn- sleep• Sample Sentence: Mild insomnia may be

treated by improving sleeping conditions or through traditional remedies such as warm baths, milk, or relaxation.

• Synonym: sleeplessness

zoomorphic

• Definition: representing using animal forms

• Part of speech: adjective• Roots: zoo-animal life

morph-form• Sample Sentence: His art work is

highly stylized or zoomorphic.• Synonym: form of an animal