In many ways, your brain and a computer are very similar. In other words, a brain is “analogous” to a computer. They’re not the same, but for the purposes of this example – comparing how they store and process information – they’re enough alike to be able to make the comparison.

Example:  “The way a helicopter’s vanes can tilt in any direction is analogous to wing mobility in dragonflies and other insects.”

It’s important to make sure that witnesses are telling the truth in legal trials. If a lawyer suspects that one is lying, he may spend hours questioning that witness, putting pressure on them to change their story. In the end, the witness might just give up and tell the truth. To give up, or to stop resisting pressure, is to “capitulate”.

Example:  “I don’t believe in spoiling children, but my niece asked for a new skateboard so many times that I finally had to capitulate and buy her one.”

“Exonerate” comes from the Latin roots “ex-“ – meaning without – and “onus” – meaning burden, thus “exonerate”, or “without the burden”.

Example:  “After the new witness’ testimony was taken into consideration, the judge said he had no choice but to exonerate the defendant from the murder charge.”

“Corroborate” means to confirm or support, often using additional evidence or examples.

Example:  “The new witness for the defence was able to corroborate the defendant’s claim that he was out of the country when the murder was committed.”

“Delegate” means “to assign responsibility to someone else”. This responsibility could be to pick up sticks, or to represent a country at an international political meeting. Delegate is a verb, but can also be a noun that refers to the person to whom the responsibility is assigned.

Example:  “I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work left to do on the project, but once I was able to delegate the filing and copying to my assistant, I made more progress.”

“Facilitate”, means “to make simple or easy.” You’re probably most familiar with it in a business setting, where one person may facilitate a meeting or conference. By facilitating the meeting, this person will deal with any problems and solve them – this makes things simpler for the rest of the group.

Example:  “By sending the boys out to pick up all of the sticks and debris off of the grass, you will facilitate the process of mowing the lawn.”

Some people who’ve made a lot of money enjoy spending it on others, and give lavish gifts to their friends and family. These people are “munificent” – their gifts, of money or goods, are more than usually generous.

Example:  “I didn’t think I’d be able to pay for my university education, but a munificent benefactor set up a scholarship that funded all four years of school.”

For some people, the purpose of seeking a lucrative career is to accumulate a fortune – and then spend it buying the biggest and best houses, jewelry, and clothing they can find. These people have opulent lifestyles: “extravagant,” “fancy” and “luxurious” are synonyms for “opulent” and can describe what they wear as well as the parties they throw. Opulence is richness taken almost to excess, like a dressing gown made of cashmere, trimmed with fur, and embroidered with gold thread.

Example:  “The hotel’s ‘honeymoon suite’ is lavishly decorated with framed artwork and crystal chandeliers, and the bed is topped with an opulent cover of plush velvet and silk.”

“Proficient” means “skilled” or “practiced.” While it’s a positive word, it’s not the most positive – that is, “proficient” doesn’t necessarily mean “expert.” Being proficient in something means that you’re able to do it well enough to be successful, but there might be many other people who can do it better than you can.

Example:  “She was an excellent legal assistant, as proficient at transcription as she was at preparing documents for court and interviewing clients.”

When change leads to success, success can often bring financial rewards. When your activity brings in a significant amount of money, it’s described as “lucrative”. This word comes from the Latin lucrum, or “profit.”

Example:  “Anyone who has a computer and a digital camera can set up a shop on eBay, though not everyone can turn online resale into a lucrative career.”