You might have a particular reason for studying vocabulary – perhaps you’re learning a new terminology to advance your career or keep up with discoveries in your field, or focusing on a list of high-frequency SAT words in preparation for a test. You might also be picking up words that catch your eye because they seem interesting or beautiful, or weird enough that you wonder what they could possibly mean. There are so many words to choose from in English that you could be learning new vocabulary for the rest of your life, and still be surprised at each unique and descriptive word. Here are a few words that we’ve selected just for fun – because they’re fun to say, and fun to use in conversation. We hope you’ll have fun taking this quiz!

chimichurri

a) an herb sauce made of parsley or cilantro, garlic, and olive oil
b) a dance related to flamenco
c) a deep-fried pastry covered with powdered sugar
d) a small monkey found in Paraguay

cicatrice

a) a row of columns on an Egyptian temple
b) a scar
c) a mythological creature, half rooster and half lizard
d) a winged insect that tends to fly in large swarms

conflagration

a) getting caught in an act of adultery
b) a wild exaggeration
c) a large uncontrolled fire
d) taking part in a parade

cartouche

a) an oval or oblong carving decorated with scrollwork
b) an open-air marketplace
c) an infection of the sinuses
d) a Moroccan “bicycle taxi”

crepuscular

a) covered in a red rash
b) strong and powerful
c) slimy
d) dimly lit, like at twilight

coterie

a) a cage for doves or pigeons
b) a group of people of a similar social standing
c) altering or tailoring clothes
d) whitewash

clowder

a) a thick soup containing fish or seafood
b) a daisy-like perennial found in high mountain meadows
c) a group of cats
d) using lemon juice to curdle milk

Come back tomorrow for the answers.

If your first language is not English, focusing on learning new vocabulary words might be more work than you think you have time for. However, because you’ve been looking at English as a puzzle to solve, you’re already in the right frame of mind to add bigger and more elaborate pieces to that puzzle. In addition, your skill at looking closely and carefully at words to understand them will help you focus on the important word roots that will tie groups of words together and give you a jump-start on an even larger vocabulary.

If you’re using the Ultimate Vocabulary program as a tool in your vocabulary-building work, then you’re already familiar with the Word Discover™ feature that translates key vocabulary in into different languages. By cross-checking the translation with the definition of the word that you’ve looked up in the English dictionary, you’ll be sure to have an accurate definition and a better understanding of the meaning of the word and how to use it. If you don’t have the Ultimate Vocabulary program, you can check one of the many on-line multilingual dictionaries – WordReference.com is one of the top resources for the major European languages, and the Google Translate function covers most of the world’s other languages.

One of the best ways to learn new vocabulary is by reading as much as you can. By using translated texts along with those in your native language, you can compare words and phrases easily, and see how vocabulary words are used in context. Many used book stores have translations of non-English literature, especially those located near colleges and universities. Pick up a copy of a book in the language you grew up with, and a copy of a good English translation, and read the English version, using the original text to confirm your understanding of the words.

Even after you’ve developed a broad and comprehensive vocabulary, you’ll want to make sure that your professional documents – letters of application, scholarship proposals, business contracts, and the like – are completely accurate, both to maintain your status as an authority, and to ensure that there are no mistranslations by your readers that could end up costing you time or money. Look for a professional translator to proofread your work before you submit it or mail it out. You’ll have the confidence of knowing that you’re presenting your best work and will be able to look forward to a successful and profitable outcome.

As your vocabulary improves and expands, you’ll be able to speak with authority on many different topics. People will be impressed by your knowledge and insight, and will consider you to be quite perspicacious when you’re able to pick exactly the right words for every situation. Perspicacious means keen-witted and mentally sharp, able to see to the heart of a matter and discern the truth. The word comes from the Latin perspicax, meaning “able to see through,” which contains the Latin root specere, meaning “to look at.” Other words derived from this root word include specimen, introspection, and perspective – all words that have the connotation of “sight.” The noun perspicacity refers to perception or shrewdness. Some synonyms for perspicacious are discerning and insightful.

Example: The witness tried to hide the truth, but the attorney’s perspicacious questions forced him to admit to his role in the bank robbery.

A related but less common word, perspicuous, means “obvious or apparent.” While perspicacious has the meaning of “seeing what is hidden,” perspicuous has the meaning “not hidden at all.” Even though somewhat reversed, the underlying sense from the root specere of “sight” is still evident.

Learning root words is very useful, because it helps you quickly get a sense of the probable definition of a new word. You can look at the word root(s), as well as any prefix or suffix, and piece together a translation for the word as a whole. Now that you know that the Latin root word specere means “sight,” how would you define these words?

• circumspect
• speculation
• conspicuous

Circumspect has two Latin roots, circum- (“around”) and specere (“to look”). Someone who is circumspect acts carefully after looking at, or considering, the situation.

The original meaning of speculation is “to look at or consider,” with the sense that a person is thinking about a topic seriously. The word is also used now to mean less than serious consideration; the phrase “idle speculation” refers to more random thought, or even guessing, about something.

Something that is conspicuous is very visible; the Latin prefix con- (or com-) means “together with” and is used in this case to show intensity or emphasis. A modern translation might be “visible squared.”

As you can see, being familiar with root words helps you get right down to the fundamental blocks making up a vocabulary word to quickly get a clear idea of what that word actually means. You might even say that learning word roots will help you be more perspicacious.

A good dictionary is a valuable tool that will help you quickly learn almost everything about a word: how to pronounce it, where it comes from, how it’s used, and what other words are related to it. The Ultimate Vocabulary system’s Word Discover™ program contains a Definitions Database of over 140,000 useful and powerful vocabulary words, and all the information you need to successfully add those words to your own vocabulary and use them correctly.

Most good on-line and paper dictionaries share at least half a dozen separate features. We’ve taken an excerpt from the on-line dictionary at Dictionary.com for the entry “definition” to show you what to look for, and what some of the features mean.

As you can see from this example, the sample sentences are not shown (though there is a link to them) and the entry provides no synonyms or antonyms. If you’re using the Ultimate Vocabulary system, you’ll be able to click over to those features, and also use the “My Word Notes” feature to add your own comments, example sentences, and questions to research. If you’re using a paper or other on-line dictionary, add those things to your journal or word list notebook. You’ll be on the way to creating your own reference for future use.

Learning new words is of critical importance in developing a professional vocabulary and expanding your conversational abilities so that you can be comfortable speaking with people at every level, in every situation. In addition, the more words you know, the better able you’ll be to quickly comprehend the meaning of the documentation, articles, and proposals that you need to deal with in your work. You’ll also be able to fully appreciate the things you read for pleasure, without missing any of the writer’s intent or nuance.

However, no matter how many words you learn, you’ll always encounter others that are unfamiliar to you, or used in a way you don’t initially understand. If you are faced with a block of text – a paragraph, full page, or complete article – whose meaning you don’t quite get at first, there are certain things you can do to improve your understanding, even without knowing the exact definition of every word.

Read it through and write it down. Carefully read the passage from start to finish, and think about two things. First, what are the points, facts, and ideas that you’re sure of? Second, what questions do you have? These can be questions about concepts or about specific words. In your own words, write out what the main ideas are (the ones you’re confident you understand), and make a list of the questions you came up with.

Focus on what you don’t know. You have a list of questions, and these need to be answered. Start with the easy answers: the definitions of the words you didn’t know. Go to your favorite paper or on-line dictionary and look up the words. If there are multiple definitions for a word, identify the one that seems to most closely match the general meaning or theme of the passage. Once you’ve done that, you might find that some of your “concept” questions are easy to answer.

Use the knowledge you already have. Look at your remaining questions, and think about whether or not there is any information in the passage, or in your own knowledge and experience, that will help you deduce the answers. Our brains contain more data than we’re aware of, and the instinctive answer that first pops into your head may very well be correct. Using the answers you’ve come up with, rewrite the passage in your own words, trying to match the meaning and context of the original text. By comparing the two, you’ll get a sense of whether you’ve understood the passage well enough to replicate it.

Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to get help if you need it! From on-line forums to your co-worker in the next cubicle, resources are all around you. Asking questions about topics in which you’re not an expert is perfectly reasonable. The alternative – thinking you know something and being proven wrong – is usually much more unpleasant than any momentary embarrassment you might feel in asking for help.

Here at Ultimate Vocabulary, we’re usually focused on ways to help you increase your vocabulary and improve your conversational skills by using those new and interesting vocabulary words. Sometimes, though, we need to talk about just exactly how you use those words. Your expanded vocabulary and facility (facility means “skill, ability”) with words won’t impress people nearly as much as they should if you have problems communicating clearly, especially on a professional level.

When you’re preparing for a presentation – unless you’re an excellent extemporaneous speaker (extemporaneous means “impromptu, without prior planning or preparation”) with a rock-solid knowledge of your topic and the likely questions you’ll get from the audience – you’ll benefit from taking the time to write at least an outline of your presentation. You might even want to write out key phrases and detailed points you’ll be covering, then review what you’ve written to make sure that you’re stating things clearly and concisely.

Write down important points, along with a general outline of your presentation, on note cards that you can refer to discreetly (discreetly means “quietly, inconspiciously”) to keep on track, and to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Even if you have visual aids such as a Powerpoint slideshow, it looks better to the audience if you’re facing them, rather than constantly turning your back on them to look at the overhead projection.

Spend some time practicing your presentation so that you have much of what you want to say memorized. If you rely too much on your notes, the audience may suspect that you aren’t comfortable with your topic, or that you don’t have the knowledge they expect from the speaker.

Prepare for questions from your audience by reviewing your planned presentation and thinking about what you might ask, if you were in the audience. If you have time, practice your presentation in front of friends or co-workers, and ask them for feedback. If you can find a group of people who match your prospective audience (prospective means “expected, future”) then you’ll be getting the type of feedback and questions that you can anticipate on the day of your presentation. These practice sessions will also help you overcome any nervousness you might have about your upcoming speech.

Are you afraid of public speaking? What has helped you give better presentations? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

Yesterday we gave you an analogy that vocabulary-building was like constructing an office building, with a need for separate functions and outside connections and a solid foundation in the fundamentals of etymology (the history of words). One thing we didn’t mention yesterday is that it’s important to know the vocabulary of your field or profession – or the field or profession you want to join or advance in. Continuing in the theme of “building” today, here’s a list of words that will be useful to you if you’re interested in pursuing a career in architecture or construction, or if you just want to add some polish to your conversation in general. To see an image of what the word describes, click on the link.

balustrade: A row of short pillars with a railing along the top, used as a barricade across the edge of a balcony, ledge, or staircase.

cantilever: A horizontal projection that is supported at one end but not the other. This word can be either a noun or a verb.

escutcheon: A decorative flat plate or shield, often with a coat of arms, attached to a wall.

bollard: A short thick post that prevents vehicles from driving into a specific location.

girder: A long beam of metal or wood that is used as a horizontal support (for a roof or a floor, for example).

lintel: A horizontal flat or arched beam or block placed on top of two vertical columns such as door posts, which may be either load-bearing or decorative.

pilaster: A column that is not freestanding but rather embedded into a wall. While most often decorative, they can also support some of the structure.

batten: A thin strip of wood or metal used to hold objects together. The nautical phrase “batten down the hatches” means to secure the edges of a tarpaulin covering in this manner. Because this is something sailors would do before a storm, the expression is often used idiomatically to mean “look out for bad times ahead.” This word can be either a noun or a verb.

Building a large, impressive vocabulary suitable for professional use is something like constructing an office building for the same purpose. You need:

• a firm foundation to support the entire structure
• small and large rooms for a variety of purposes
• a way to connect the building internally and to the outside
• places for storage, parking, and trash/recycling bins

Dig deep to create a solid base for your studies. The most stable buildings are ones that have been built on a foundation and reinforced for strength. The results of your vocabulary study will be much more long-lasting if you support them with research into word origins; knowing the roots of words helps you identify new vocabulary with the same roots, and saves you time in the future. In addition, you’ll be better able to relate words to each other and use them correctly in context if you have a sense of the history of the word.

Break up your study lists and your study time. You might find it easier to study words if you break your word lists into smaller sections, or group your words into categories of nouns, or verbs, or words related to your profession or academic pursuit. Working on related words will keep your mind focused on the same general themes. And speaking of being focused, you might also benefit from taking your vocabulary study into a different setting, especially if you’re easily distracted. If you often study in a room with a television, and find yourself switching on the news instead of concentrating, move to another room, or go to a library or quiet park bench. If you can, set aside a corner of your desk or work area that is devoted to vocabulary study, where you can hang up your notes and file your word lists.

Stay connected to the wider world of vocabulary. These days, no office building is built without internet and telephone connection, and your vocabulary study should take advantage of this technology. Use the internet to look up words or play vocabulary games. Use the phone to call your study partners and set up an evening to work on your word lists and quiz each other. There’s always something new to learn about vocabulary, and the World Wide Web is a good place to start exploring.

Keep track of your studies – but don’t keep what you don’t need. If you’re studying vocabulary for a specific purpose (an upcoming GRE or SAT, or for a presentation or proposal) then organization is key to your success. Write down the words you’re reviewing, and set aside ones that you believe you already know. “Park” these words in a file somewhere so that you can do a last-minute review. After a few months, if you’re sure you’re completely familiar with the words, you can take them out of the file and make room for a new set. There’s always the dictionary, if you really do forget!

If we told you that vocabulary study is absolutely the bee’s knees, you might think we were ossified, but really everything’s copacetic – we’re just using expressions that were current in the United States in the 1920s (the bee’s knees = the best, tops; ossified = tipsy, drunk; copacetic = good, fine). This bit of linguistic time travel shows how words evolve, and how they become extinct. Many words that were commonly used fifty or five hundred years ago are no longer part of everyday speech, or if they are, their meanings may have changed significantly.

The word anachronism (ah-NACK-roh-nihzm) comes from the Greek roots ana- (against, apart from) and chronos (time). An anachronism is something that is out of place for the time it’s in, like a cell phone in Victorian England, or a dinosaur chasing a group of Neanderthals. Anachronism is a noun; its adjectival form is anachronistic. Some synonyms for anachronistic are obsolete and archaic.

You might be focused on new words in your vocabulary study, but it’s worthwhile to look at some of the older words as well. For one thing, it will help you if you’re required to read any English literature written before you were born – the authors will generally use the vocabulary that’s in use in their lifetime or earlier. In addition, not all words that are out of common use deserve to be forgotten. The phrase the bee’s knees is slang, and slang changes as quickly as societies evolve, having value often only for a year or two. However, many useful words are still part of the English language, and are worth remembering. Here are a few words that are not frequently heard in conversation that you might enjoy:

chalcedony (kal-SED-oh-nee): a class of silicate minerals that includes agate, onyx, and carnelian

exuviate (ex-OO-vee-ate): to shed or cast off (hair, skin, fur)

fubsy (FUB-zee): short, stout, and wide

griseous (GRIH-zee-us): mottled grey in color

Like an old cameo pendant of your grandmother’s, or the silver tie clip your grandfather wore every Sunday, old words can be polished and added to your new verbal wardrobe to add a bit of color and interest.

What words would you like to see used more often?

Breaking news – we are planning to release a new version of Ultimate Spelling Software before the year’s end. The software will be a major upgrade and will include many new features requested by customers.

We are dedicated to our users and therefore an upgrade will be available to existing users at a very low cost (to cover the cost of delivery and support).

Ultimate Spelling is already arguably the most advanced, effective, and comprehensive spelling software available. However, new version will be unprecedented and will usher in a new era of computer aided spelling improvement.