The Big Book of Words You Should Know Read online

  Charlie’s BEATIFIC smile always makes me wonder what he’s thinking about.

  bedlam (BED-lum), noun

  The popular name for London’s Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem was “Bedlam.” Since the hospital catered to the insane, “bedlam” has come to denote any place or scene of uproar and confusion.

  I always do my best to stay focused on my work and to avoid the BEDLAM around the water cooler.

  behemoth (bih-HE-muth), adjective

  This Hebrew word appears in the Old Testament’s Book of Job and refers to a large animal most biblical scholars believe was a hippopotamus. At present, “behemoth” describes anything that has monstrous size or power.

  What the heck’s wrong with Joe? Why did he buy that BEHEMOTH gas-guzzler?

  belated (bee-LAY-ted), adjective

  Late or tardy; delayed. Belated refers to anything past due.

  Jane sent a BELATED birthday card, but still felt guilty about forgetting her mother’s birthday.

  belligerent (buh-LIJ-er-ent), adjective

  Aggresive or pugnacious; eager to instigate a fight. Belligerent is rooted in the Latin word for “war.”

  Don became overbearing and BELLIGERENT with his employees after his divorce, causing many of them to resign.

  bemused (bee-MYOOZD), adjective

  The quality of being bewildered, perplexed, or lost in reflection. A person who is preoccupied or confused by something is bemused.

  Victor stared BEMUSED at the photograph of his father in full military dress—a man he had never thought of in quite that way.

  benchmark (BENCH-mark), noun

  A standard by which to measure; the exemplary performance or criterion.

  Anne’s stunning oration on human rights was recognized in our debating society as the BENCHMARK for years afterward.

  benevolent (be-NEV-i-lent), adjective

  Marked by a tendency to do good toward others; kindly. A benevolent act is one in service to another. The word is derived from the Latin for “good wishes.”

  There is a BENEVOLENT side to Mark one would not expect to see in a man so apparently cold.

  bequeath (bee-QUEETH), verb

  Bestow by means of a will. Bequeath is often used metaphorically to describe something handed down to a group of people from those of a past era.

  More than anything else, it is the language we speak, BEQUEATHED to us by Byron and Shakespeare and Milton and a legion of others, that binds us to the English and them to us.

  bereaved (bih-REEVD), adjective or noun

  In a state of mourning; deeply sorrowful because of the loss of a loved one. As a noun, bereaved refers to the person in mourning (and is usually preceded by the).

  The most difficult part of Father Maurice’s job was providing solace for the BEREAVED in his parish.

  beseech (bih-SEECH), verb

  To entreat, implore, or request earnestly. Beseech is a formal verb used to request something. In contemporary use, it reflects either great (or even fawning) politeness or urgency of the highest order.

  We BESEECH you, Mr. Prime Minister: think twice before committing the lives of so many of our countrymen to this cause.

  bestial (BESS-chul), adjective

  Of, pertaining to, or reminiscent of beasts. Something is bestial if it exhibits savagery or brutality.

  The colonel’s BESTIAL treatment of the prisoners of war was in violation of the Geneva Convention.

  bestow (bih-STOW), verb

  To confer or give. One bestows an award, honor, or degree. The verb is usually followed by on or upon.

  Though he lacked formal education, several universities had BESTOWED honorary degrees on Mr. Goldfarb.

  betrothed (bih-TROTHED), verb

  Engaged to be married. Also, as a noun: the person to whom one is engaged.

  Marcia is BETROTHED to that handsome young captain she met in Miami.

  biopic (BI-opp-ick OR BI-oh-pick), noun

  People disagree how this word, short for “biographical motion picture,” should be pronounced. No matter how you say the word, a “biopic” is a film based on the lives of real, rather than fictional, people.

  I was really impressed with the latest BIOPIC until I found out that much of the film’s storyline was factually inaccurate.

  biopsy (BIE-op-see), noun

  An instance of taking samples of tissue, cells, or fluids from a living body and analyzing these samples.

  Dr. Smith thought the lump was probably a benign cyst, not a tumor, but he scheduled a BIOPSY just to be sure.

  bizarre (bih-ZAR), adjective

  Strange; incomprehensible; deviating from what is expected or in the rational order of things. (See, for comparison, the entry for bazaar.)

  As the drug began to take effect, Bill began to make BIZARRE remarks about large insects and dancing toasters.

  blithe (blithe), adjective

  Cheerful or merry in disposition; carefree or indifferent. A person who is blithe is unconcerned with petty cares or problems.

  Rod dismissed the accountant’s objections with a BLITHE wave of the hand.

  bloc (BLOK), noun

  A group of persons or nations with various political beliefs united for a common cause.

  Former Eastern BLOC countries include Poland and Hungary.

  bludgeon (BLUD-jun), verb and noun

  To beat. As a noun, a bludgeon is a short, heavy stick. To bludgeon someone is to beat or strike him with a similar instrument.

  The detectives concluded that the victim had been BLUDGEONED repeatedly with a metal pipe.

  bluster (BLUS-ter), verb

  To threaten swaggeringly or issue extravagant threats. Bluster is related to the same old word from which blow (as in “the wind blows”) is derived.

  He seems fierce at first, but you must remember that he depends largely on BLUSTERING to get his way.

  bogey (BOE-gie), verb and noun

  In golf, to post a score of one stroke over par on a hole; an instance of such a score.

  Jeff BOGEYED on the fourteenth hole.

  boisterous (BOY-struhss), adjective

  Characterized by being very noisy and out of control.

  The bar’s BOISTEROUS crowd made it difficult to carry on a conversation.

  bolster (BOWL-ster), verb

  To strengthen, support, or prop up.

  Since Rhonda is a news junkie, she’s always able to BOLSTER with facts her opinions about world events.

  bombarded (bom-BARD-ud), verb

  Under attack; also, peppered with queries, problems, accusations, etc.

  During the final class before the midterm exam, Professor Strang was BOMBARDED with questions from her panicky students.

  bombast (BOM-bast), noun

  Haughty, overblown, or pompous talk or writing. Someone who engages in bombast indulges a taste for an exaggerated rhetorical style.

  We expected a compelling argument from our attorney, but he came to court offering little more than BOMBAST.

  born (born), verb

  Carried to term in childbirth; given birth. (See, for comparison, the entry for borne.)

  My son David was BORN at about four in the afternoon.

  borne (born), verb

  Supported; carried; brought forth or produced. (See, for comparison, the entry for born.)

  “BORNE” is the past participle of the verb “to bear” in all senses that do not involve childbirth.

  bough (bow), noun

  A branch of a tree. (See, for comparison, the entry for bow.)

  The BOUGHS of the apple tree hung heavy with fruit.

  bout (BOWT), noun

  A contest or fight. Also, something that lasts a short time.

  I quickly got over that BOUT of fever I picked up during my cruise.

  bow (bow), verb

  To bend low; to yield. (See, for comparison, the entry for bough.)

  The Japanese ambassador BOWED in the direction of the prime minister.

  brake
(brake), verb

  To control or stop. (See, for comparison, the entry for break.)

  The car’s BRAKING ability was truly remarkable; it felt as though I could stop on a dime.

  brash (brash), adjective

  Impudent; hasty. Something done impetuously and quickly is brash. Brash can also refer to a certain zesty or irreverent quality that may be seen as refreshing.

  The action you have taken is BRASH; you will regret your recklessness.

  brazen (BRAY-zun), adjective

  Bold or shameless in display; unconcerned with the reactions of others.

  None of us understood how Julia and Ted, each of whom is married, could have been so BRAZEN about their romance.

  breadth (bredth), noun

  The side-to-side extent of something; width; expanse. (See, for comparison, the entry for breath.)

  The alley was so narrow that my car had a clearance of perhaps two inches beyond its BREADTH on either side.

  breath (breth), noun

  The process or act of breathing; an inhalation or exhalation. (See, for comparison, the entry for breadth.)

  Take a deep BREATH; I’m about to give you some bad news.

  brooch (broach or brooch), noun

  An ornamental pin, usually large.

  Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without Aunt Gertrude in her green-flowered dress and ruby BROOCH.

  brunt (brunt), noun

  The primary impact of a blow. The brunt of an attack is the point of its main force.

  If there is a war, rest assured that it is our country that will be asked to bear the BRUNT of it.

  buffalo (BUFF-uh-low), verb

  When used as a verb, this familiar animal means to baffle thoroughly.

  I was completely BUFFALOED by Karen’s angry response to my courteous greeting.

  bulbous (BULL-buss), adjective

  Shaped like a bulb, or bloated.

  One look at my BULBOUS shape in the three-way mirror convinced me to join a gym right away.

  bull (bull), noun and verb

  In addition to the animal, this word has a number of meanings. As a noun, a “bull” is someone who buys stocks expecting a price rise. It also denotes a formal proclamation by the Pope. As an adjective, “bull” means to act with force or to engage in idle, boastful talk.

  The bouncer BULLED his way through the crowd to remove the man who was causing a disturbance.

  burqa (BURR-kuh), noun

  A completely enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions.

  Even though she is becoming thoroughly Americanized, Ameena continues faithfully to wear her BURQA.

  burnish (BURR-nish), verb

  To make shiny or lustrous due to rubbing or polishing.

  Every day, Sam lovingly BURNISHES his Lexus’s custom purple paint job.

  butte (byoot), noun

  A solitary hill on a large plain.

  The mission was situated atop a lonely-looking BUTTE outside of town.

  cajole (kuh-JOLE), verb

  To coax; to persuade by using flattery; to wheedle.

  My brother’s efforts to CAJOLE me out of my allowance, by reminding me that I would be a rich superstar in big-league baseball someday, were in vain.

  callus (KAL-us), noun

  A hardened patch of skin. (See, for comparison, the entry for callous.)

  George had developed a CALLUS on his forefinger from his constant guitar playing.

  calzone (kal-ZONE), noun

  An Italian food roll resembling a turnover made by wrapping meat, cheese, or vegetables in dough.

  We asked Aunt Joan if she would bring her famous steak and cheese CALZONE to the party.

  canapé (KAN-uh-pay), noun

  An appetizer made by spreading meat, fish, or cheese on a small piece of toasted bread.

  While the guests waited for the bridal party, waiters strolled through the reception area with trays of champagne and CANAPÉS.

  candor (KAN-duhr), noun

  Openness or honesty. Someone who speaks directly or openly, without equivocation or doubletalk, can be said to speak with candor.

  Let me say with all CANDOR that I did not look forward to coming here today.

  cannon (KAH-nun), noun

  A weapon used to fire large metal projectiles. (See, for comparison, the entry for canon.)

  The thunderous sound of CANNONS being fired resonated across the valley.

  canvas (KAN-vus), noun

  A type of coarse cloth. (See, for comparison, the entry for canvass.)

  Many of Van Gogh’s works were destroyed and sold as scrap CANVAS.

  canvass (KAN-vus), verb

  To solicit (support, opinions, votes, etc.). (See, for comparison, the entry for canvas.)

  Virgil and I spent all Sunday walking around the city CANVASSING for our candidate.

  capital (KAP-ih-tul), noun

  A city designated as a seat of government. Also: economic resources. Also: excellent. (See, for comparison, the entry for capitol.)

  In Washington D.C., our nation’s CAPITAL, the three branches of government make their formal headquarters.

  capitalize (KAH-pih-tuh-lize), verb

  To draw an advantage from. Also, in business terms, “capitalize” can mean funding a business or converting a business’s value to personal income.

  By CAPITALIZING on the candidate’s mistake, her opponent managed to win the election.

  capitol (KAP-ih-tul), noun

  The building in which a legislature meets. (See, for comparison, the entry for capital.)

  One of the highlights of our trip to Washington was our visit to the CAPITOL building.

  capitulate (kuh-PIT-yoo-late), verb

  To accede to a demand for surrender. Someone who yields a point under dispute can be said to capitulate to the other party.

  The ambassador had been instructed to show flexibility on cultural exchanges, but not to CAPITULATE when it came to trade issues.

  cardiac (KAR-dee-ack), adjective

  Relating to the heart.

  When their son’s pediatrician detected a heart murmur, the Simpsons insisted on having him examined by the best CARDIAC team in the city.

  careen (kuh-REEN), verb

  To lurch while moving; to swerve.

  Suddenly we hit a patch of oil, and our car CAREENED into the guardrail.

  caricature (KARE-ihk-uh-choor), noun

  A grotesquely or absurdly exaggerated representation. Political cartoons are the most common examples of caricature, but many modes of expression make use of the form’s distortion and contrast.

  The paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec are often rooted in CARICATURE, but they are more than mere cartoons.

  carnivorous (kar-NIV-uh-russ), adjective

  Flesh-eating.

  Mel and his photographer set off for three months in the Serengeti in search of the CARNIVOROUS wildlife of the region.

  cataclysmic (kat-uh-KLIZZ-mick), adjective

  Very destructive and causing great upheaval.

  The assassination of the prime minister was a CATACLYSMIC event that led to a lengthy civil war.

  catacomb (KAT-uh-kome), noun

  A chamber below the ground with openings for graves.

  During times of religious persecution, early Christians often had to worship alongside the dead in the CATACOMBS.

  catapult (KAT-uh-pult), verb and noun

  To hurl or shoot (as from a sling); to provide or exhibit sudden upward movement. As a noun: an ancient military weapon designed to hurl arrows, stones, and other missiles.

  When he heard the approaching sirens, Michael CATAPULTED out of bed.

  catheter (KATH-uh-tur), noun

  A slim, flexible tube inserted in a bodily channel to maintain an opening to another internal opening.

  The endless months in my hospital room took their toll on my spirits; one morning I contemplated tearing the CATHETER from my arm, grabbing a bathrobe, and simply stalking out of the pl
ace.

  caustic (KOSS-tick), adjective

  Corrosive or capable of burning. Something is caustic if it can eat away at something else. A person is caustic if he speaks sharply and maliciously.

  The CAUSTIC nature of Jane’s speech caused all the members to reexamine their support of her candidacy.

  cavalry (CAV-ul-ree), noun

  A group of soldiers on horseback. Cavalry is frequently confused with calvary (see calvary within), but their meanings are entirely different.

  After three days of delay, the CAVALRY finally came to the rescue.

  censor (SEN-sur), noun

  One who reviews for offensive or objectionable material, deleting that which is found to fall into such categories. (See, for comparison, the entry for censer.)

  W.C. Fields was constantly at odds with Hays Commission CENSORS, who found fault with many of his references to alcohol and women.

  chafe (chayf), verb

  To rub or irritate. (See, for comparison, the entry for chaff.)

  The new shoes CHAFED my heels the first day and left me with two prize-winning blisters.

  chagrin (shuh-GRIN), noun

  The emotion of humiliation or embarrassment arising from disheartening experience. To show chagrin is to give evidence of disappointment and disquiet with oneself.

  Much to my CHAGRIN, my application was rejected instantly.

  chalet (sha-LAY), noun

  A small country house, named after a type of Swiss cottage with overhanging eaves.

  We rented a CHALET on the edge of the mountain, and had immediate access to the ski slopes.

  chameleon (kuh-MEE-lee-un), noun

  A lizard (chameleontidae and similar animals) with the ability to change the color of its skin for the purpose of camouflage; also, a person who shifts outlooks, opinions, or identities frequently or easily.

  I’m afraid we haven’t been able to get Ian to give us his final opinion on the merger plans; he’s been something of a CHAMELEON on the issue.

  charismatic (kare-ihz-MAT-ik), adjective

  Possessing a special quality associated with leadership, authority, confidence, and overall personal appeal. While we generally use charismatic in reference to a person, the word also refers to certain Christian sects and ideas that emphasize demonstrative or ecstatic worship.

  The CHARISMATIC salesman seemed to sell himself as much as his product.

  chasm (KAZ-um), noun

  A deep gorge; a deep hole in the earth’s surface.

  Dawn stood peering across the seemingly bottomless CHASM, meditating on the mysteries of nature.