Lehrer – Don’t!: The Secret of Self-Control

1. fortitude |ˈfôrtəˌto͞od|nouncourage in pain or adversity: she endured her illness with great fortitude.ORIGIN Middle English: via French from Latin fortitudo, from fortis ‘strong.’

2. poignant |ˈpoinyənt|adjectiveevoking a keen sense of sadness or regret: a poignant reminder of the passing of time.• archaic sharp or pungent in taste or smell.DERIVATIVESpoignantly |-yəntlē|adverbORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French, literally ‘pricking,’ present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere ‘to prick.’

3. neural |ˈn(y)o͝orəl|adjectiveof or relating to a nerve or the nervous system: patterns of neural activity.DERIVATIVESneurally adverb

4. bluster |ˈbləstər|verb [ no obj. ]talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect: you threaten and bluster, but won't carry it through | [ with direct speech ] : “I don't care what he says,” I blustered | (as adj. blustering) : a blustering bully.• (of a storm, wind, or rain) blow or beat fiercely and noisily: a winter gale blustered against the sides of the house | (as adj. blustering) : the blustering wind.

nounloud, aggressive, or indignant talk with little effect: their threats contained a measure of bluster.DERIVATIVESblusterer nounORIGIN late Middle English: ultimately imitative.

5. premise |ˈpremis|nounLogica previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion: if the premise is true, then the conclusion must be true.• an assertion or proposition which forms the basis for a work or theory: the fundamental premise of the report.verb |prɪˈmʌɪz| [ with obj. ] (premise something on/upon)base an argument, theory, or undertaking on: the reforms were premised on our findings.• state or presuppose (something) as a premise: [ with clause ] : one school of thought premised that the cosmos is indestructible.• archaic state by way of introduction: [ with clause ] : I will premise generally that I hate lecturing.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French premisse, from medieval Latin praemissa (propositio)‘(proposition) set in front,’ from Latin praemittere, from prae ‘before’ + mittere ‘send.’

6. tumult |ˈt(y)o͞oˌməlt|noun [ usu. in sing. ]a loud, confused noise, esp. one caused by a large mass of people: a tumult of shouting and screaming broke out.• confusion or disorder: the whole neighborhood was in a state of fear and tumult | figurative : his personal tumult ended when he began writing songs.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French tumulte or Latin tumultus .

7. rigorous |ˈrigərəs|adjectiveextremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate: the rigorous testing of consumer products.• (of a rule, system, etc.) strictly applied or adhered to: rigorous controls on mergers.• (of a person) adhering strictly or inflexibly to a belief, opinion, or way of doing something: a rigorous teetotaler.• harsh and demanding: my exercise regime is a little more rigorous than most | the rigorous climate in the regions of perpetual snow high in the Himalayas.DERIVATIVESrigorously adverb,rigorousness nounORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French rigorous or late Latin rigorosus, from rigor ‘stiffness’ (see rigor) .

8. metacognition |ˌmetəˌkägˈniSHən|nounPsychologyawareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.DERIVATIVESmetacognitive |-ˈkägnətiv|adjective

9. interrelate |ˌintərəˈlāt|verbrelate or connect to one another: [ no obj. ] : each component interrelates with all the others | [ with obj. ] : shared values and mechanisms that interrelate peoples in all corners of the world.

10. futile |ˈfyo͞otl, -ˌtil|adjectiveincapable of producing any useful result; pointless: a futile attempt to keep fans from mounting the stage.DERIVATIVESfutilely adverb

ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from Latin futilis ‘leaky, futile,’ apparently from fundere ‘pour.’

Swift – A Modest Proposal

11. melancholy |ˈmelənˌkälē|nouna feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause: an air of melancholy surrounded him. he had an ability to convey a sense of deep melancholy and yearning through much of his work. at the centre of his music lies a profound melancholy and nostalgia.• another term for melancholia (as a mental condition).• historical another term for black bile.adjectivehaving a feeling of melancholy; sad and pensive: she felt a little melancholy | the dog has a melancholy expression.• causing or expressing sadness; depressing: the study makes melancholy if instructive reading.DERIVATIVESmelancholic |ˌmelənˈkälik|adjective,melancholically |ˌmelənˈkälək(ə)lē|adverbORIGIN Middle English: from Old French melancolie, via late Latin from Greek melankholia, from melas, melan- ‘black’ + kholē ‘bile,’ an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.

12. importune |ˌimpôrˈt(y)o͞on, imˈpôrCHən|verb [ with obj. ]ask (someone) pressingly and persistently for or to do something: if he were alive now, I should importune him with my questions.• approach (someone) to offer one's services as a prostitute.ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from French importuner or medieval Latin importunari, from Latin importunus ‘inconvenient, unseasonable’ (see importunate) .

13. alms |ä(l)mz|

pluralnoun(in historical contexts) money or food given to poor people.ORIGIN Old English ælmysse, ælmesse, from Christian Latin eleemosyna, from Greek eleēmosunē ‘compassion,’ from eleēmōn ‘compassionate,’ from eleos ‘mercy.’

14. sustenance |ˈsəstənəns|nounfood and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment: poor rural economies turned to potatoes for sustenance.• the maintaining of someone or something in life or existence: he kept two or three cows for the sustenance of his family | the sustenance of democracy.ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir (see sustain) .

15. rudiment |ˈro͞odəmənt|noun1 (the rudiments of) the first principles of a subject: she taught the girls the rudiments of reading and writing.• an elementary or primitive form of something: the rudiments of a hot-water system.2 Biology an undeveloped or immature part or organ, esp. a structure in an embryo or larva that will develop into an organ, limb, etc.: the fetal lung rudiment.3 Music a basic pattern used by drummers, such as the roll, the flam, and the paradiddle.ORIGIN mid 16th cent.: from French, or from Latin rudimentum, from rudis ‘unwrought,’ on the pattern of elementum ‘element.’

16. prolific |prəˈlifik|adjective1 (of a plant, animal, or person) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring: in captivity, tigers are prolific breeders.

• (of an artist, author, or composer) producing many works: he was a prolific composer of operas.• (of a sports player) high-scoring: a prolific home-run hitter.2 present in large numbers or quantities; plentiful: mahogany was once prolific in the tropical forests.• (of a river, area, or season of the year) characterized by plentiful wildlife or produce: the prolific rivers and lakes of Franklin County.DERIVATIVESprolificacy |-ikəsē|noun,prolifically |-ik(ə)lē|adverb,prolificness nounORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin prolificus, from Latin proles ‘offspring’ (see proliferous) .

17. repine |riˈpīn|verb [ no obj. ] literaryfeel or express discontent; fret: you mustn't let yourself repine.ORIGIN early 16th cent.: from re-‘again’ + the verb pine2, on the pattern of repent .

18. scrupulous |ˈskro͞opyələs|adjective(of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details: the research has been carried out with scrupulous attention to detail.• very concerned to avoid doing wrong: she's too scrupulous to have an affair with a married man.DERIVATIVESscrupulosity |ˌskro͞opyəˈläsitē|noun,scrupulously adverb [ as submodifier ] : she was scrupulously polite,scrupulousness nounORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘troubled with doubts’): from French scrupuleux or Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus (see scruple) .

19. despond |diˈspänd|

verb [ no obj. ] archaicbecome dejected and lose confidence.nouna state of unhappiness and low spirits.ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from Latin despondere ‘give up, abandon,’ from de- ‘away’ + spondere ‘to promise.’ The word was originally used as a noun in Slough of Despond.

20. incumbent |inˈkəmbənt|adjective1 [ predic. ] (incumbent on/upon) necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility: it is incumbent on all decent people to concentrate on destroying this evil.2 [ attrib. ] (of an official or regime) currently holding office: the incumbent president had been defeated.nounthe holder of an office or post.• Christian Church the holder of an ecclesiastical benefice.ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun): from Anglo-Latin incumbens, incumbent-, from Latin incumbere ‘lie or lean on,’ from in- ‘upon’ + a verb related to cubare ‘lie.’

21. enumerate |iˈn(y)o͞oməˌrāt|verb [ with obj. ]mention (a number of things) one by one: there is not space to enumerate all his works.• formal establish the number of: the 2000 census enumerated 10,493 households in the county.DERIVATIVESenumeration |iˌn(y)o͞oməˈrāSHən|noun,enumerative |-rətiv, -ˌrātiv|adjectiveORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin enumerat- ‘counted out,’ from the verb enumerare, from e- (variant of ex-)‘out’ + numerus ‘number.’

Bloom – The Moral Life of Babies

22. diverge |diˈvərj, dī-|verb [ no obj. ]1 (of a road, route, or line) separate from another route, esp. a main one, and go in a different direction.• develop in a different direction: howler and spider monkeys diverged from a common ancestor.• (of an opinion, theory, approach, etc.) differ markedly: the coverage by the columnists diverged from that in the main news stories | (as adj. diverging) : studies from different viewpoints yield diverging conclusions.• deviate from a set course or standard: suddenly he diverged from his text.2 Mathematics (of a series) increase indefinitely as more terms are added.ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin divergere, from Latin dis- ‘in two ways’ + vergere ‘to turn or incline.’

23. propensity |prəˈpensətē|noun ( pl. propensities )an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way: a propensity for violence | [ with infinitive ] : their innate propensity to attack one another.ORIGIN late 16th cent.: from archaic propense (from Latin propensus ‘inclined,’ past participle of propendere, from pro- ‘forward, down’ + pendere ‘hang’) + -ity.

24. innate |iˈnāt|adjectiveinborn; natural: her innate capacity for organization.• Philosophy originating in the mind.DERIVATIVESinnately adverb,

innateness nounORIGIN late Middle English: from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci, from in- ‘into’ + nasci ‘be born.

25. amoral |āˈmôrəl|adjectivelacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness or wrongness of something: an amoral attitude to sex.DERIVATIVESamorality |ˌāməˈralitē|noun,amoralism |-ˌlizəm|noun,amoralist |-list|noun

26. underpinning |ˈəndərˌpiniNG|nouna solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building.• a set of ideas, motives, or devices that justify or form the basis for something: the theoretical underpinning for free-market economics.underpin |ˌəndərˈpin|verb ( underpins, underpinning, underpinned ) [ with obj. ]support (a building or other structure) from below by laying a solid foundation below ground level or by substituting stronger for weaker materials.• support, justify, or form the basis for: the theme of honor underpinning the two books.

27. impassive |imˈpasiv|adjectivenot feeling or showing emotion: impassive passersby ignore the performers.DERIVATIVESimpassively adverb,impassiveness noun,

impassivity |ˌimpəˈsivitē|noun

28. replete |riˈplēt|adjective [ predic. ]filled or well-supplied with something: sensational popular fiction, replete with adultery and sudden death.• very full of or sated by food: I went out into the sun-drenched streets again, replete and relaxed.DERIVATIVESrepletion |riˈplēSHən|nounORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French replet(e) or Latin repletus ‘filled up,’ past participle of replere, from re- ‘back, again’ + plere ‘fill.’

29. overarching |ˌōvərˈärCHiNG|adjective [ attrib. ]forming an arch over something: the overarching mangroves.• comprehensive; all-embracing: a single overarching principle.DERIVATIVESoverarchingly adverboverarch |ˌōvərˈärCH|verb [ with obj. ]form an arch over: an old dirt road, overarched by forest

PARKER-POPE – Is marriage good for your health?

30. conflate |kənˈflāt|verb [ with obj. ]combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one: the urban crisis conflates a number of different economic and social issues.DERIVATIVESconflation |-ˈflāSHən|nounORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘fuse or melt down metal’): from Latin conflat- ‘kindled, fused,’ from the verb conflare, from con- ‘together’ + flare ‘to blow.’

31. profound |prəˈfound, prō-|adjective ( profounder , profoundest )1 (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense: profound social changes | profound feelings of disquiet.• (of a disease or disability) very severe; deep-seated: a case of profound liver failure.2 (of a person or statement) having or showing great knowledge or insight: a profound philosopher.• (of a subject or thought) demanding deep study or thought: expressing profound truths in simple language.3 archaic at, from, or extending to a great depth; very deep: he opened the door with a profound bow.noun (the profound) literarythe vast depth of the ocean or of the mind.DERIVATIVESprofoundness nounORIGIN Middle English: from Old French profund, from Latin profundus ‘deep,’ from pro ‘before’ + fundus ‘bottom.’ The word was used earliest in the sense ‘showing deep insight.’

32. nuance |ˈn(y)o͞oˌäns|nouna subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound: the nuances of facial expression and body language.verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be nuanced)give nuances to: the effect of the music is nuanced by the social situation of listeners.ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from French, ‘shade, subtlety,’ from nuer ‘to shade,’ based on Latin nubes ‘cloud.’

33. ample |ˈampəl|adjective ( ampler , amplest )enough or more than enough; plentiful: there is ample time for discussion | an ample supply of consumer goods.

• large and accommodating: he leaned back in his ample chair.• used euphemistically to convey that someone is fat: she stood with her hands on her ample hips.DERIVATIVESampleness noun,amply |-p(ə)lē|adverbORIGIN late Middle English: via French from Latin amplus ‘large, capacious, abundant.’

34. volatile |ˈvälətl|adjective1 (of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures.2 liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, esp. for the worse: the political situation was becoming more volatile.• (of a person) liable to display rapid changes of emotion.• (of a computer's memory) retaining data only as long as there is a power supply connected.noun (usu. volatiles)a volatile substance.DERIVATIVESvolatility |ˌväləˈtilitē|nounORIGIN Middle English (in the sense ‘creature that flies,’ also, as a collective, ‘birds’): from Old French volatil or Latin volatilis, from volare ‘to fly.’

35. animosity |ˌanəˈmäsitē|noun ( pl. animosities )strong hostility: he no longer felt any animosity toward her | the animosity between the king and his brother | the five decided to put aside their animosities.ORIGIN late Middle English (originally in the sense ‘spirit, courage’): from Old French animosité or late Latin animositas, from animosus ‘spirited,’ from Latin animus ‘spirit, mind.’ The current sense dates from the early 17th cent.

36. susceptible |səˈseptəbəl|adjective1 likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing: patients with liver disease may be susceptible to infection.• (of a person) easily influenced by feelings or emotions; sensitive: they only do it to tease him—he's too susceptible.2 [ predic. ] (susceptible of) capable or admitting of: the problem is not susceptible of a simple solution.DERIVATIVESsusceptibly |-blē|adverbORIGIN early 17th cent.: from late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin suscipere ‘take up, sustain,’ from sub- ‘from below’ + capere ‘take.’

37. compelling |kəmˈpeliNG|adjectiveevoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way: his eyes were strangely compelling | a compelling film.• not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction: compelling evidence | a compelling argument.• not able to be resisted; overwhelming: the temptation to give up was compelling.DERIVATIVEScompellingly adverbcompel |kəmˈpel|verb ( compels, compelling , compelled ) [ with obj. ]force or oblige (someone) to do something: [ with obj. and infinitive ] : a sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions.• bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure: they may compel a witness's attendance at court by issue of a summons.• literary drive forcibly: by heav'n's high will compell'd from shore to shore.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Latin compellere, from com- ‘together’ + pellere ‘drive.’

38. derision |diˈriZHən|

nouncontemptuous ridicule or mockery: my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief.PHRASEShold (or have ) in derision archaic regard with mockery.DERIVATIVESderisible |-ˈrizəbəl|adjectiveORIGIN late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin derisio(n-), from deridere ‘scoff at.’

39. acrimony |ˈakrəˌmōnē|nounbitterness or ill feeling: a quagmire of lawsuits, acrimony, and finger-pointing.ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘bitter taste or smell’): from French acrimonie or Latin acrimonia, from acer, acri- ‘pungent, acrid.’

40. chronic |ˈkränik|adjective(of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring: chronic bronchitis. Often contrasted with acute.• (of a person) having such an illness: a chronic asthmatic.• (of a problem) long-lasting and difficult to eradicate: the school suffers from chronic overcrowding.• (of a person) having a particular bad habit: a chronic liar.DERIVATIVESchronically |-ik(ə)lē|adverb,chronicity |kräˈnisətē|nounORIGIN late Middle English: from French chronique, via Latin from Greek khronikos ‘of time,’ from khronos ‘time.’usage: Chronic is often used to mean ‘habitual, inveterate,’ e.g., a chronic liar. Some consider this use incorrect. The precise meaning of chronic is ‘persisting for a long time,’ and it is used chiefly of illnesses or other problems: more than one million people in the US have chronic bronchitis.

41. notable |ˈnōtəbəl|adjectiveworthy of attention or notice; remarkable: the gardens are notable for their collection of magnolias and camellias | the results, with one notable exception, have been superb.noun (usu. notables)a famous or important person: businessmen and local notables.ORIGIN Middle English: from Old French, from Latin notabilis ‘worthy of note,’ from the verb notare ‘to note, mark.’

42. salutary |ˈsalyəˌterē|adjective(esp. with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial: a salutary reminder of where we came from.• archaic health-giving: the salutary Atlantic air.ORIGIN late Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘remedy’): from French salutaire or Latin salutaris, from salus, salut- ‘health.’

43. subsequent |ˈsəbsəkwənt|adjectivecoming after something in time; following: the theory was developed subsequent to the earthquake of 1906.• Geology (of a stream or valley) having a direction or character determined by the resistance to erosion of the underlying rock, and typically following the strike of the strata.ORIGIN late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin subsequent- ‘following after’ (from the verb subsequi).