The Vocab Weekly

Allay

Allay Allay means to put to rest or make something less severe. It is a verb. Allay does not necessarily mean to eradicate or remove something but to make something less severe or decrease in intensity. In the current economic climate, the employers find it hard to allay fears of lay-offs among their employees. It has been known to be used even before 1000 and has been derived from Middle English word Aleyen. Pronunciation: uh-ley Meanings of Allay 1. To lessen or relieve 2. To reduce in intensity or severity 3. To put to rest Masters Tip to Learn Allay Allay can be related to the word Alleviate, which means to lessen something, for example to alleviate someones sorrow. Allay is commonly used with human feeling like fear, suspicion, doubt etc. as these cannot be totally removed, they can only be lessened or decreased in intensity. Sentence Examples for Allay 1. World Leaders have been trying to allay fears of an economic depression in their countries ever since the subprime crisis hit the U.S.A.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

The Vocab Weekly

Aloof

Aloof Aloof means to remain at a distance which may either be physically or emotionally. An aloof person generally comes across as indifferent or disinterested. It can be used as an adverb or an adjective. The first usage of Aloof has been traced back to 1608. Pronunciation: uh-loof Meanings of Aloof 1. To remain at a distance 2. Reserved or shy 3. Indifferent or disinterested 4. Not desiring to associate with others Masters Tip to Learn Aloof Aloof is pretty easy to learn as it can be related to the word Alone. Usually the shy kids in school and college remain indifferent from others and come across as aloof from the rest of their class. Sentence Examples for Aloof 1. Most of the people he meets think he is polite; however he sometimes comes across as being aloof to some of them. (Adjective) 2. Being the teachers pets, they always stood aloof from their class. (Adverb

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

The Vocab Weekly

Ameliorate

Ameliorate Ameliorate is a verb. It means to make something more satisfactory or to rise to a more desirable state than it was in before. Ameliorate is derived from the Latin melior, "better" which refers to making something better. The first known usage of this word dates back to 1656. Pronunciation: uh-meel-yuh-reyt Meanings of Ameliorate 1. To make or grow better or bearable. 2. to raise to a more desirable or more excellent condition than before. 3. To make more desirable or satisfactory than before. Masters Tip to Learn Ameliorate Ameliorate can be learnt very easily by connecting it to the movie Amlie, where the girl Amlie improves everyones life by helping them out in whatever way she can. Sentence Examples for Ameliorate 1. Try this medicine; it should help ameliorate the pain. 2. The Indian government has gone into damage control mode to try and ameliorate the free falling stock market. 3. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has ameliorated over the years.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

Anomaly

The Vocab Weekly

Anomaly We have all read about the anomalies and exceptions in the periodic table of elements. Anomaly means a departure from the normal or common order. It is a noun. The known origin of this word dates back to 1565-75 and has been derived from the Latin word anomalia. Pronunciation: uh-nom-uh-lee Meanings of Anomaly 1. An odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation etc. 2. An inconsistency. 3. A deviation from the common or normal rule. 4. In astronomy, the angle in a planet's orbit or the angle between a planet's position, the sun, and the point in the planet's orbit when it is closest to the sun; or the angular deviation, as observed from the sun, of a planet from its perihelion. Masters Tip to Learn Anomaly Anomaly becomes pretty easy to remember once you notice that it sounds like abnormally, which means not being normal or deviating from the common order. Sentence Examples for Anomaly 1. An anomaly in the DNA sequence of a person is responsible for any genetic defects that he may possess. 2. He is the accountant who had pointed out huge anomalies in the tax filing records of the company.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

Antiquated

The Vocab Weekly

Antiquated Antiquated is something belonging to or of ancient times or from the past. It usually represents something that is out of date or that has become obsolete; like antiquated traditions. It is an adjective. The first known use of this word has been traced back to 1615-25. Pronunciation: an-ti-kwey-tid Meanings of Antiquated 1. Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period. 2. Obsolete or out of date 3. Extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period. Masters Tip to Learn Antiquated Antiquated sounds pretty much like antique, so it is easy to remember as antique means an old item or something that is outdated. Sentence Examples for Antiquated 1. The Indian Air Force is becoming notorious for its antiquated equipments and gadgets. 2. The youngsters today have become rational and do not blindly follow all the antiquated beliefs thrown their way. 3. For most people Astrology is a pseudoscience science based on antiquated ideas.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

The Vocab Weekly

Appalled

Appalled Appall means to be struck or filled with fear, alarming amazement or horror. Like if you dont study the whole semester and open your books a night before the exam, then youll surely be appalled to look at the syllabus that was covered in the last six months. Its first usage dates back to 1275-1325. Appalled can be used as a verb or an adjective. Pronunciation: uh-pawl Meanings of Appalled 1. To be apprehensive or alarmed 2. Reason to be unpleasantly surprised 3. Strike with disgust or horror Masters Tip to Learn Appalled Appalled can be related to 'apple'. We all know that when an apple fell on Einstein's head, he was amazed and struck by the idea of gravity. And now, imagine this, if ever you fall off the top floor of your home, that will be your eureka moment to realize what gravity can do to you and you will be 'struck with horror' in short 'appalled'. Sentence Examples for Appalled 1. The teacher was appalled to know that her students had committed a murder. 2. The tourists from USA were appalled to see the living conditions in the slums.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

The Vocab Weekly

Austere

Austere These days there has been a lot of talk about austerity measures in the European countries to offset the bleak economic climate prevailing in those countries. Austere means severe in manner or appearance. It is used as an adjective and is synonymous with uncompromising and strict. Its origin dates back to 1300-50 when it was derived from the Latin word austrus. Pronunciation: aw-steer Meanings of Austere 1. Severely simple; without ornament; not extravagant or gaudy 2. Without excess, ease or luxury 3. Rigorously self-disciplined and strictly moral Masters Tip to Learn Austere The meaning of the word austere is pretty easy to recall as it rhymes with severe which is also the meaning of austere. Sentence Examples for Austere 1. His manner and swagger were both austere and organized. 2. The headmistress was an austere old woman. 3. They lived an austere life in the country.

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Nov 16-Nov 23| Issue 55

The Vocab Weekly

Work Out Zone

Work Out 1: Match the following words with their respective meanings or synonyms. Word 1 Allay 2 Aloof 3 Ameliorate 4 Anomaly 5 Antiquated 6 Appalled 7 Austere Meaning or Synonym A archaic B astounded C grave D secluded E decrease F upgrade G eccentricity

Work Out 2: Did you really understand the word? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Fighting always allays problems. In sadness everybody stays aloof. Experience helps ameliorate problems. Scientists work on anomalies. Museums maintain antiquated pieces. Natural disasters appalled nobody. Revolutionists follow austere agendas. yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no no no no no no no

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The Vocab Weekly

Answers: Work Out Zone

Work Out 1 1-E, 2-D, 3-F, 4-G, 5-A, 6-B, 7-C Work Out 2 1-no, 2-yes, 3-yes, 4-yes, 5-yes, 6-no, 7-yes

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