ERWC VOCAB 13 CURSORY Adjective Done quickly and

ERWC VOCAB 13

CURSORY • Adjective • Done quickly and without any real care • He gave his notes a cursory glance before the test, but he didn’t really study.

EPITOME (OF) • Noun • A perfect example of something • (Verb: Epitomize) • Her story is the epitome of the value of determination and resilience.

UNEQUIVOCALLY • Adverb • To be extremely clear and firm about a point • He stated unequivocally that it wasn’t him.

EXPONENTIAL • Adjective • Describes a huge increase in something • Like math: Exponents multiply a number by itself There has been an exponential increase in the number of photos since smartphones were invented.

HOLISTIC • Adjective • Concerned with how all of the pieces of something contribute to the whole • We need to take a holistic approach to solving the obesity epidemic; no one thing will fix it.

HYPERBOLIC • Adjective • Exaggerated • To say that all teenagers are addicted to technology would be hyperbolic; however, many clearly are.

INCONGRUOUS • Adjective • Seemingly different/doesn’t fit together • Describes the juxtaposition of two different things • When I saw a photo of the couple, I was incredulous at how incongruous they were.

INDELIBLE • Adjective • Unable to be removed or forgotten • Dr. King made countless indelible contributions to the cause of freedom.

INSIPID • Adjective • “Dull, uninteresting” • I immediately put in my headphones when they showed up so that I wouldn’t have to listen to their insipid conversation.

MAGNANIMOUS • Adjective • Generous/Forgiving • Nelson Mandela was incredibly magnanimous after being wrongfully imprisoned for over 25 years.

NOMINAL • Adjective • A small price (usually refers to money) --or— • In name only (we call it that, but it isn’t really) • The school charged a nominal fee for Grad Nite tickets, but it was nowhere near what they were worth. • He was the nominal coach, but his assistant did most of the work.

OSTENTATIOUS • Adjective • Showy/Flashy • The rapper’s ostentatious jewelry made him look ridiculous.

WEDNESDAY • Today is a reading/catch up day • By tomorrow you need to have read up through chapter 18. • “up through” means “including” • For some of you that means you have some catching up to do.

PERUSE • Verb • To read/examine something carefully • Often misused to mean “glance at something” • You should peruse the articles prior to writing your essay; that will definitely help you write better.

PRETENTIOUS • Adjective • Trying to impress by acting like you are more/better than you really are (and better than everyone else). • Negative. Think “pretend”. You could also say “full of crap”. • Pretentious celebrities think they are experts on everything and act like people should care about their opinions.

DE FACTO • Latin • Means “unofficial, but the way it is” • Brian is the de facto leader of the group: He always makes the plans, and everyone listens to him.

NON SEQUITUR • Latin • Does not follow • Refers to a point that is seemingly unconnected to what came before it. • The fact that you have an A in biology is a non sequitur— we were talking about your F in English.