premise, n; a pervious statement or assertion that serves as the basis for an argument. Premise implies the setting forth of a proposition on which a conclusion can be based.
The entire proposal was based on the premise that men spent more time online than women.
postulate, v; to assume without proof to be true, real, or necessary, espicially as a basis for argument. Postulate implies the assumption of sth as an underlying factor, often one that is incapable of proof.
Without any proof to the contray, Jamie postulated that the drop in sales was due to seasonal factors.
sacrilegious, adj; guilty of violating what is consercrated to God or religion. Sacrilege can also be the desecration or disrepectful tratment of any person, place, thing, or idea held sacred.
To Brendo, taking the Lord`s name in vain was sacrileious.
sanctimonious, adj; pretending to be very holy or pious; affecting righteousness. Sanctimonious implies insincerity.
William`s sanctimonious posturing oozed of false sincerity.
atheist, n; a person who believes that there`s no God. Whereas an agnostic questions religious beliefs, an atheist rejects all religious belifs & denies the existence of God.
The atheist coalition objected to the nativity scene in front of the school.
ostentatious, adj; showy.
In an ostentatious display of histronics the star refused to perform.
fractious, adj; quarrelsome.
Roger`s fractious behavior compounded the bad relationship he had already had with his partner.
jaunty, adj; sprightly; gay; cheerful & confident.
With his cap at a jaunty angle, the amicable sailor strutted down the steet.
با کلاه یک وری!
truncated, adj; cut short.
It is frustating to have one`s lenghty remarks printed in truncated form.
schism, n; split.
A pernicious schism developed between the two sisters.
anathema, n; sth greatly detested.
The traitor`s name was anathema in his father`s domicile.
flamboyant, adj; showy; colorful.
Our theatrical pages were inundated with press releases from the flamboyant producer.
expunge, v; to erase; to remove from a list.
After having made the rash statements, the senator wished that he could expunge them from the record.
timorous, adj; full of fear; afraid; timid.
I admit I was timorouos when I began my speech, but as I went along, I felt less & less afraid.
stroll, n; idle & leisurely walk.
It was a warm spring afternoon, & many people were out for a stroll on the boulevard.
spine, n; chain of small bones down the middle of the back; backbone.
The ribs are curved bones extending from the spine & enclosing the upper part of the body.
retract, v; to draw back; to withdraw; to take back.
You can depend on Frank. Once he has given promise, he`ll not retract it.
restrain, v; to hold back; to check; to curb; to repress.
Mildred could not restrain her desire to open the package immediately, even though it read, "Do not open before Christmas!"
reserved, adj; restrained in speech or action; uncommunicative.
Mark was reserved at fist but became much more communicative when he got to know us better.
portal, n; door, entrance, especially a grand or impressive one.
The original doors at the main entrance to our school have been replaced by bronze portals.
agnostic, n; a person who believes that the human mind cannot know whether there is a God or an ultimate cause or anything beyond material phenomena. An agnostic questions the existence of God, heaven, and so on in the absence of material proof and in unwillingness to accept supernatural revelation.
Kevin was an agnostic; he simply saw no proof of the existence of a God.
non- secular, adj; of or relating to church and religion; sacred; religious. Do not cofuse seculare (relating to wordly things- not relating to religion) with non- secular. Public schools are seular schools; hymns are non- secular music.
The church choir put on a concert of non- secular Christmas music.
compromise, v; to settle or adjust by concessions on both sides. Compromise is often the only way to break an impass in negotiation.
After long hours of negotiations, the company agreed to compromise with a four percent pay increase.
impass, n; a situation offering no escape, a difficulty without solution, an argument where no agreement is possible, and so on; deadlock. An impass often results when one party issued an ultimatum.
When the comapny stood fast against a pay increase, the situation was at an impass.
mediate, v; to bring about by conciliation. Arbitration lets a neutral third party make an impartial decision; mediation requires both sides to make concessions.
Judge Randolph mediated an agreement that called for compromises from both the company and the union.
nominal, adj; slight.
For allowing his ferocious mastiff to appear on acommercial, the trainer was paid a nominl sum.
remuneration, n; pay; reward.
Derek Jeter`s remuneration from the New York Yankees made him a millionairs many times over.
integral, adj. essential.
She seemed to be an unimportant member of the presideny`s entourage, but actually she played an integral role in White House affairs.
illustrious, adj; prestigous.
A salient feature of the illustrious company`s success was its fair treatment of employees.