This week we’re looking at some difficult but useful words that often appear on GRE exams. Learn these words well, and you’ll be that much closer to success.
The competition can be fierce to get into a good graduate school. If you started your vocabulary study program because you’re hoping to advance in your career, you might also be facing competition from your co-workers. It’s important to behave in a circumspect manner during this time, so that you don’t get any marks against you from your supervisors and managers. To be circumspect means to be careful and cautious, especially regarding the situation or environment around you. Someone who is behaving circumspectly is always aware of the effect their words and actions will have, and thinks carefully before speaking.
Example: The manager at that company has strong political views, and Helen is careful to be very circumspect when discussing the latest news about the government when they’re attending the monthly planning sessions together.
Someone who acts circumspectly will be better able to avoid accidentally violating a rule or tradition, because they will be more aware of the reactions of the people around them. Unfortunately, many people – especially tourists in other countries – often inadvertently desecrate a shrine or other important local site by breaking rules they aren’t aware of. The word desecrate means to defile, or to violate the sanctity of a holy place. For example, some cultures require you to remove your shoes before you enter areas that have spiritual or religious significance, and failure to do so may require the priest or official to reconsecrate the place to remove any intangible stain left by your shoes. In addition, your actions may be considered a very grave offense to the local population. It’s important to know the rules of a culture before visiting to avoid such difficulties.
Example 1: The Native American tribal leaders are protesting against oil drilling in that area, saying that it is desecrating their traditional burial grounds.
Example 2: The chapel’s security alarm did not go off, and the vandals had time to desecrate the altar with spray paint and graffiti before the police arrived.
Use your daily vocabulary study to increase your knowledge of cultures and traditions around the world by reading international news reports and on-line journals. You’ll learn useful words while becoming more involved in the global community we all share.