[Word Powers] Daily Words - November

Esoteric (ee-so-ter-rik)(Adjective): understood by only a small number of people, esp. because they have special knowledge The temple is an esoteric spiritual hideaway where a select few monks go to seek enlightenment.

Eugenics (yew-jen-iks) (Noun): The study of methods of improving the human race, esp. by selective breeding 1883, coined by Eng. scientist Francis Galton (1822-1911) on analogy of ethics, physics, etc. from Gk. eugenes "well-born, of good stock," from eu- "good" + genos "birth"

Vindicate (vin-di-keyt) (verb): To clear, as from an accusation, suspicion, or the like: to vindicate someone's honor. To uphold or justify by argument or evidence: to vindicate a claim. The attorney had no chance of vindicating the defendant with all of the strong evidence presented by the state.

Vindictive (vin-dik-tiv ) (adjective): 1. Disposed or inclined to revenge; vengeful: a vindictive person. 2. Proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit: vindictive rumors. The vindictive madman seeks to exact vengeance for any insult that he perceives is directed at him, no matter how small.

Allegory (AL-uh-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee) (noun): The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form. A symbol. The blindfolded figure with scales is an allegory of justice.

Paregoric (par-i-GAWR-ik): 1. (noun) A soothing medicine. 2. (adj) assuaging pain; soothing. The medication had a paregoric effect on the painful wound.

Dally (dalee) (verb): 1. Waste time 2. Behave carelessly or indifferently During election rally, he did not dally, spending 30 minutes at each stop, with his argument boiled down to fit the frenzied moment.

Sally (salee) (noun): 1. An action of rushing or bursting forth ; especially : a sortie of troops from a defensive position to attack the enemy 2. Humorous remark A major sally by the defenders of Gloucester had only limited success.

Turpitude (tur-pi-tood) (noun): A corrupt or depraved or degenerate act/practice A visitor may be denied admittance to this country if she has been guilty of moral turpitude.

Titular (tich-uh-ler, tit-yuh-) (adjective): 1. Existing or being such in title only; nominal; having the title but none of the associated duties, powers, etc. 2. From whom or which a title or name is taken Media and the public have the impression that Manmohan Singh is merely the titular head, while the real decisions are taken by Sonia Gandhi.

Bull Market (bull market) (Noun): A market in which securities or commodities are persistently rising in value Usage. A bull market tends to be associated with increasing investor confidence, motivating investors to buy in anticipation of future price increases and future capital gains.
Bear Market (bear market) (Noun): A market in which securities or commodities are persistently declining in value usage A bear market is described as being accompanied by widespread pessimism. Investors anticipating further losses are often motivated to sell, with negative sentiment feeding on itself in a vicious circle
idee fixe (ee-day-FEEKS) (noun): An idea that dominates the mind; a fixed idea; an obsession. It became an idee fixe that he stubbornly adhered to in spite of the plain evidence . . . that obviously contradicts it.
prima facie (PRY-muh-FAY-shee)(Adverb): At first view; on the first appearance. (Adjective): 1. True, valid, or adequate at first sight; as it seems at first sight; 2. Self-evident; obvious. "Based on prima facie video evidence as seen and reviewed by the match adjudicator and referee Mr Farokh Engineer from the tapes provided by Sony & TWI, a decision has been reached to suspend with immediate effect Harbhajan Singh of the Mumbai Indians pending the inquiry into the incident on Monday, April 28, 2008," IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said in a statement.
Atheist (ey-thee-ist) (noun): A person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings. You claim that atheists can be moral - yet I happen to know that you abandoned your wife and children.
Agnostic (ag-nos-tik) (noun): 1. A person who doubts or questions the possibility of ultimate knowledge in some area of study. 2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something. Joey’s parents are very religious, but he is agnostic.
Manumission (man-yuh-MISH-uhn) (noun): The act of manumitting, or of liberating a slave from bondage. The legal term for the freeing of a slave, the word "manumission" is sometimes used interchangeably with "emancipation," although the latter implies a more universal and unconditional release of slaves. He believed in the manumission of the slaves
Strident (STRAHYD-nt) (adj): 1. Making or having a harsh sound or expression which has an irritating quality or character. People are put off by his strident voice. 2. Expressing in forceful language which does not try to avoid upsetting other people. They are becoming increasingly strident in their criticism of government economic policy.

Tautology (taw-tol-uh-jee) (noun): Needless repetition of an idea, esp. in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness The phrase “return back” is an example of tautology.

Blasé (BLAH-zey, blah-ZEY) (adj): 1. Uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence. She eats chocolate so often, she's become blasé about it. 2. Very sophisticated especially because of excess; versed in the ways of the world. The blasé traveler refers to the ocean he has crossed as 'the pond'.

Ambit (AM-bit) (noun): 1. boundary; limit. 2. a sphere of operation or influence; range; scope They believe that all the outstanding issues should fall within the ambit of the talks.

Ambidextrous (am-bi-dek-struhs) (Adjective): 1. Able to use both hands equally well. 2. Unusually skillful. Leonardo da Vinci was ambidextrous, and he wrote his notes backwards with his left hand.

Anthropology (an-thruh-pol-uh-jee) (Noun): 1. The science that deals with the origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs and beliefs of humankind. 2. The study of human beings' similarity to and divergence from other animals. Physical anthropology describes and interprets the evolutionary changes in man’s bodily structure and the classification of modern races.

Elixir (i'liksur) (noun): 1. A substance believed to cure all ills 2. A sweet flavored liquid used in compounding medicines to be taken by mouth in order to mask an unpleasant taste Of all the reasons to celebrate Obama's victory, it is this-how his extraordinary, audacious rise from anonymity to the highest office in the world can be an inspiration to billions of people, to believe that change is indeed possible. Hope is the ultimate elixir.

Unenviable (ún'enveeubul) (Adj): Hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment So undesirable as to be incapable of arousing envy England cricket captian Kevin Pietersen truly has an unenviable task in the ongoing ODI series against India, where England is already in back foot.

Book value (buk’valyoo) (noun):The value at which an asset is carried on a balance sheet; equals cost minus accumulated depreciation. * In some countries like the U.K., book value is known as "net asset value". * Example: X Corporation purchases a building for $1,000,000, and then Depreciates it by $100,000 on its financial statements. The book value was $1,000,000 and is now $900,000. [More Info] : http://www.answers.com/topic/book-value

Market value (‘maa(R)kit’valyoo) (noun): The price at which buyers and sellers trade the item (merchandise, securities, or commodities) in an open marketplace * For example, if you bought a house 10 years ago for $300,000, its book value for your entire period of ownership will remain $300,000. If you can sell the house today for $500,000, this would be the market value. * Book values are useful to help track profits and losses. If you have owned an investment for a long period of time, the difference between book and market values indicates the profit (or loss) incurred. [More Info] : http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/183.asp

Fungible (FUHN-juh-buhl) (adj): (especially of goods) Being of such nature or kind as to be freely exchangeable or replaceable, in whole or in part, for another of like nature or kind. "Are you acting funny? A new one rupee coin is fungible. I don't care which one of these you will give me, as long as you give me one to make this phone call!"

Autarky (AW-tahr-kee) (noun): 1. The condition of self-sufficiency, esp. economic, as applied to a nation. 2. A national policy of economic independence. India had a policy of near-autarky that began after its establishment as an independent state, around 1950, and ended in 1991. "India was emerging at that time from a long spell of economic autarky and stagnation, in which one had to reserve long-distance telephone calls as if they were tables at a posh restaurant, days in advance." - The New York Times, December 25, 2007

Barter (bahr-ter) (verb): To trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money. To bargain away unwisely or dishonorably (usually fol. by away): bartering away his pride for material gain. The worldwide organized barter exchange and trade industry has grown to an $8 billion a year industry and is used by thousands of businesses and individual.

Monopsony (muh-nop-suh-nee) (noun): A market situation in which the product or service of several sellers is sought by only one buyer. Not all monopsonies are as obvious or as overtly damaging to suppliers as that of Walmart, but Apple's iPhone and iTunes appstore looks like a benign monopsony.

Kiting (kIt-ing) (adj): Get credit or money by using a bad check (Cheque). The businessman kited millions of dollars

Deficit (defisit) (noun): An excess of liabilities over assets (usually over a certain period); shortage “One of the major problems facing the Indian economy is its large budget deficit and the resulting high level of national debt” – Martin Feldstein. Harvard University George F. Baker Professor of Economics