Reading Exercise: The Art of Thinking Clearly (day 1)

3 min read 706 words

Today’s Vocabulary

• Latch:

  • Meaning: A fastening for a door or gate that consists of a bar that fits into a notch or slot, typically operated manually or by turning a knob.
  • Example: Please make sure to lift the latch when you enter the garden.

• Resembled:

  • Meaning: To have a similar appearance to someone or something else.
  • Example: The two sisters closely resembled each other, making it hard to tell them apart.

• Flock:

  • Meaning: A group of birds, sheep, or goats that live, feed, or move together.
  • Example: We watched a flock of birds flying south for the winter.

• Unison:

  • Meaning: The state of being in complete agreement or playing or singing the same musical notes at the same pitch.
  • Example: The students recited the pledge of allegiance in unison.

• Sect:

  • Meaning: A group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (often seen as outside of the mainstream).
  • Example: The small sect practiced unique rituals not commonly seen in the larger religious community.

• Dire:

  • Meaning: Extremely serious or urgent; causing fear or suffering.
  • Example: The town faced dire consequences if a solution to the water shortage was not found soon.

• Abominable:

  • Meaning: Very unpleasant, detestable, or causing moral revulsion.
  • Example: The conditions in the old building were abominable, and nobody wanted to stay there.

• Tantamount:

  • Meaning: Equivalent in value or significance.
  • Example: Losing the key to the safe was tantamount to losing all the important documents stored inside.

• Orbiter:

  • Meaning: A spacecraft designed to go around a celestial body, typically a planet.
  • Example: The orbiter sent back stunning images of the distant planet’s surface.

• Diffuse:

  • Meaning: To spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people.
  • Example: The scent of flowers began to diffuse throughout the room.

• Surveyor:

  • Meaning: A person who examines and records the details of an area of land for a map or plan.
  • Example: The surveyor carefully measured the dimensions of the property for the construction project.

• Crisp:

  • Meaning: (1) Firm, dry, and easily broken; (2) (of the weather) cold, fresh, and invigorating.
  • Example: She enjoyed the crisp texture of the freshly picked apples.

• Mystify:

  • Meaning: To utterly bewilder or puzzle someone.
  • Example: The magician’s tricks never failed to mystify the audience.

• Warp:

  • Meaning: To become twisted or distorted, typically as a result of heat or dampness.
  • Example: The wooden door had warped over time, making it difficult to close.

• Repentant:

  • Meaning: Expressing or feeling sincere regret and remorse.
  • Example: After realizing the mistake, he became truly repentant and sought forgiveness.

• Reciprocity:

  • Meaning: The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
  • Example: Successful relationships are often built on the principle of reciprocity and shared understanding.

• Scree:

  • Meaning: Loose rock debris covering a slope, often found on the sides of mountains.
  • Example: Climbing became challenging as the hikers encountered a steep slope covered in scree.

• Frothy:

  • Meaning: Full of or covered with a mass of small bubbles; foamy.
  • Example: The barista skillfully created a frothy layer on top of the cappuccino.

• Innocuous:

  • Meaning: Not harmful or offensive; unlikely to cause any negative effects.
  • Example: Despite its appearance, the insect was innocuous and didn’t pose a threat to humans.

• Churn:

  • Meaning: Agitate or turn (milk or cream) to produce butter; also used metaphorically for turbulent or agitated movement.
  • Example: The waves began to churn as the storm approached.

• Soloist:

  • Meaning: A musician, especially a singer, who performs alone as opposed to being part of a group or orchestra.
  • Example: The talented soloist captivated the audience with her beautiful singing.

• Fallacy:

  • Meaning: A mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argumentation.
  • Example: The idea that money can buy happiness is considered a fallacy by many philosophers.