cloister
verb|KLOY-ster
What It Means
To cloister someone or something is to shut the person or thing away from the world.
// The scientist cloistered himself in his laboratory all weekend to finish analyzing data.
Words and their Definitions
Re: Words and their Definitions
undulant
adjective|UN-juh-lunt
What It Means
Undulant describes things that rise and fall in waves, or things that have a wavy form, outline, or surface.
// The exhibit featured a painting with beautiful green strokes that resembled undulant hills.
adjective|UN-juh-lunt
What It Means
Undulant describes things that rise and fall in waves, or things that have a wavy form, outline, or surface.
// The exhibit featured a painting with beautiful green strokes that resembled undulant hills.
Re: Words and their Definitions
stymie
Sometimes sty·my
[stahy-mee]
verb (used with object)
stymied, stymieing
to hinder, block, or thwart.
Sometimes sty·my
[stahy-mee]
verb (used with object)
stymied, stymieing
to hinder, block, or thwart.
Re: Words and their Definitions
nebulous
adjective|NEB-yuh-lus
What It Means
Nebulous is a formal word used to describe something that is difficult to see, understand, or describe—in other words, something indistinct or vague.
// A lot of philosophical concepts can seem nebulous at first, but a good instructor can cut through the jargon and help students see how they apply to day-to-day life.
adjective|NEB-yuh-lus
What It Means
Nebulous is a formal word used to describe something that is difficult to see, understand, or describe—in other words, something indistinct or vague.
// A lot of philosophical concepts can seem nebulous at first, but a good instructor can cut through the jargon and help students see how they apply to day-to-day life.
Re: Words and their Definitions
incisive
adjective|in-SYE-siv
What It Means
Incisive means "impressively direct and decisive." It is generally applied to either something communicated in a way that is very clear and direct, or to a person who is able to explain difficult ideas clearly and confidently.
// The columnist is known for her incisive commentary on local politics.
adjective|in-SYE-siv
What It Means
Incisive means "impressively direct and decisive." It is generally applied to either something communicated in a way that is very clear and direct, or to a person who is able to explain difficult ideas clearly and confidently.
// The columnist is known for her incisive commentary on local politics.
Re: Words and their Definitions
cow college
1. A college or university whose education focuses on agriculture.
I always loved working on our farm growing up, so even though I could have gone to business or law school, I always knew I'd be heading to a cow college.
Don't pressure Matthew into going to a cow college when you know he would do well in a setting like Wall Street
In this small, rural town, we have one cow college. You gonna have to drive across the state for other options.
2. Any small, rural college or university, especially one that is relatively unknown or not well regarded.
I'm just getting my first two years out of the way at this cow college before applying to a proper university.
I wish I could have gone to an Ivy League school, but because I had to pay my way through college, a cow college was all I could afford.
A: "But she's such a bright girl. Why is she going to that cow college?" B: "I think she likes the small class sizes."
1. A college or university whose education focuses on agriculture.
I always loved working on our farm growing up, so even though I could have gone to business or law school, I always knew I'd be heading to a cow college.
Don't pressure Matthew into going to a cow college when you know he would do well in a setting like Wall Street
In this small, rural town, we have one cow college. You gonna have to drive across the state for other options.
2. Any small, rural college or university, especially one that is relatively unknown or not well regarded.
I'm just getting my first two years out of the way at this cow college before applying to a proper university.
I wish I could have gone to an Ivy League school, but because I had to pay my way through college, a cow college was all I could afford.
A: "But she's such a bright girl. Why is she going to that cow college?" B: "I think she likes the small class sizes."
Re: Words and their Definitions
simpatico
adjective|sim-PAH-tih-koh
What It Means
Simpatico typically describes two or more people or things with shared qualities, interests, etc. It can also describe someone who is agreeable or likeable.
// Even though they weren’t always simpatico with regard to the direction of their company, the pair managed to be successful partners for more than 35 years.
adjective|sim-PAH-tih-koh
What It Means
Simpatico typically describes two or more people or things with shared qualities, interests, etc. It can also describe someone who is agreeable or likeable.
// Even though they weren’t always simpatico with regard to the direction of their company, the pair managed to be successful partners for more than 35 years.
Re: Words and their Definitions
epitome
noun|ih-PIT-uh-mee
What It Means
Epitome means "a perfect example." It is usually used in the phrase "the epitome of," as in "the epitome of elegance."
// In his tailored suit and fashionable haircut, he was the very epitome of style.
noun|ih-PIT-uh-mee
What It Means
Epitome means "a perfect example." It is usually used in the phrase "the epitome of," as in "the epitome of elegance."
// In his tailored suit and fashionable haircut, he was the very epitome of style.
Re: Words and their Definitions
carp
verb|KAHRP
What It Means
To carp is to complain in an annoying way.
// They’re always carping about their boss.
verb|KAHRP
What It Means
To carp is to complain in an annoying way.
// They’re always carping about their boss.
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Laan Yaa Mo
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 9979
- Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
- Location: ขอนแก่น
Re: Their Defined
For the member who is confused by the word 'their'.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictio ... lish/their
Hope this helps,
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictio ... lish/their
Hope this helps,
We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depths of our answers - Carl Sagan
Re: Words and their Definitions
Not confused Read the sentence
By the way what position did you hold at the U of T
By the way what position did you hold at the U of T
Re: Words and their Definitions
abeyance
noun|uh-BAY-unss
What It Means
Abeyance is a formal word that is almost always used in the phrase “in abeyance” to describe something in a temporary state of inactivity—that is, something in a state of suspension.
// The legal case is now being held in abeyance while the parties attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution.
noun|uh-BAY-unss
What It Means
Abeyance is a formal word that is almost always used in the phrase “in abeyance” to describe something in a temporary state of inactivity—that is, something in a state of suspension.
// The legal case is now being held in abeyance while the parties attempt to find a mutually acceptable solution.
-
Laan Yaa Mo
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 9979
- Joined: February 7, 2007, 9:12 am
- Location: ขอนแก่น
Re: English grammar can be perplexing
Doodoo » September 4, 2025, 3:55 am
Their.
..................................................................................................................................................
What sentence, Khun Doodoo? Having a spot of bother with English grammar, are you?
Time to move on and bone up on your understanding of sentence structure.
Hope this helps,
We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depths of our answers - Carl Sagan
Re: Words and their Definitions
"Time to move on and bone up on your understanding of sentence structure."
Gave up on that, well, some 50 years ago
Done with this, later
Gave up on that, well, some 50 years ago
Done with this, later
Re: Words and their Definitions
histrionic
adjective|hiss-tree-AH-nik
What It Means
Histrionic is a word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something that is too emotional or dramatic.
// The head chef had a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper whenever a dish was sent back to the kitchen.
adjective|hiss-tree-AH-nik
What It Means
Histrionic is a word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something that is too emotional or dramatic.
// The head chef had a penchant for dish throwing, door slamming, and other histrionic displays of temper whenever a dish was sent back to the kitchen.
Re: Words and their Definitions
mollify
verb|MAH-luh-fye
What It Means
To mollify someone is to make them less angry. Mollify can also mean "to reduce in intensity."
// The celebrity's statement was intended to mollify critics.
// Time mollified her anger.
verb|MAH-luh-fye
What It Means
To mollify someone is to make them less angry. Mollify can also mean "to reduce in intensity."
// The celebrity's statement was intended to mollify critics.
// Time mollified her anger.
Re: Words and their Definitions
behest
noun|bih-HEST
What It Means
Behest can refer either to an authoritative order or an urgent prompting.
// The committee met again at the senator’s behest.
// At the behest of her friends, Marcie read the poem aloud.
noun|bih-HEST
What It Means
Behest can refer either to an authoritative order or an urgent prompting.
// The committee met again at the senator’s behest.
// At the behest of her friends, Marcie read the poem aloud.
Re: Words and their Definitions
sanguine
adjective|SANG-gwin
What It Means
Sanguine is a formal word that today almost always describes someone who is confident and hopeful, or something that shows confidence and hopefulness. Sanguine can also describe something that is bloodred in color, something involving or relating to bloodshed, or a person’s reddish complexion.
// The young group of entrepreneurs is sanguine about the future of their business.
adjective|SANG-gwin
What It Means
Sanguine is a formal word that today almost always describes someone who is confident and hopeful, or something that shows confidence and hopefulness. Sanguine can also describe something that is bloodred in color, something involving or relating to bloodshed, or a person’s reddish complexion.
// The young group of entrepreneurs is sanguine about the future of their business.
Re: Words and their Definitions
griot
noun|GREE-oh
What It Means
The term griot refers to any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies. The term is also used broadly to refer to a storyteller.
// Tracing her family lineage back to West African griots inspired the singer to focus on storytelling through her music.
noun|GREE-oh
What It Means
The term griot refers to any of a class of musician-entertainers of western Africa whose performances include tribal histories and genealogies. The term is also used broadly to refer to a storyteller.
// Tracing her family lineage back to West African griots inspired the singer to focus on storytelling through her music.
Re: Words and their Definitions
consummate
adjective|KAHN-suh-mut
What It Means
Someone or something described as consummate is very skilled or accomplished. Consummate can also mean “of the highest degree” and “complete in every detail.” The adjective is always used before the noun it describes.
// Ever the consummate professional, the planner ensured that no one attending the event was aware of all the elements that had not gone as planned.
adjective|KAHN-suh-mut
What It Means
Someone or something described as consummate is very skilled or accomplished. Consummate can also mean “of the highest degree” and “complete in every detail.” The adjective is always used before the noun it describes.
// Ever the consummate professional, the planner ensured that no one attending the event was aware of all the elements that had not gone as planned.