Elliot Carruthers's Blog, page 18

Peruse

Peruse

<per-rooz>

study; examine; analyze;

To read something with great attention.

The woman will peruse the menu because she is a picky eater.

Memory trick:
ruse.
we read carefully when we want to avoid a ruse.
a ruse it a trick or a cheat.

At work:
I will peruse the report tonight. I will tell you what I think in the morning.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Profligate

Profligate

praf-lah-gayte>

corrupt; extravagant; reckless;

being wasteful of money or materials.

I had profligate spending habits until I read a book about saving money.

Memory trick:
our profit goes out the gate.

At work:
We are profitable now that we stopped the profligate spending on office supplies.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Plaudits

Plaudits

<ploor-ditz>

acclaim; applause; cheers;

to get praise for doing something well.

He could not hear himself because of the plaudits of the crowd.

Memory trick:
plaudits reminds of applaud.

At work:
The workers got plaudits and gifts from the CEO. Everyone was happy.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Philanthropy

Philanthropy

<fil-lant-trow-pee>

charity; donation; generosity;

giving away money for a good cause.

Her philanthropy meant the animals would have a warm bed and good food.

Memory trick:
philanthropy reminds of fill atrophy.
atrophy means to get smaller.
we fill the atrophy and make it bigger when we donate.

At work:
Philanthropy is big in our company. We give free computers to the schools.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Cumbersome

Cumbersome

<kom-bur-sum>

bulky; awkward; heavy;

something that is clumsy to carry.

The boy carried the cumbersome bricks. He stumbled and kept dropping them.

Memory trick:
cumbersome reminds of cucumber.
cucumbers are big.
imagine carrying too many cucumbers.

At work:
The projector is too cumbersome to take on sales calls. We need to buy a smaller one.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Potable

Potable

<poh-tah-bul>

edible; safe; clean;

something untainted that is suitable for drinking.

The lake was a source of potable clear water. We did not need plumbing.

Memory trick:
potable reminds of pot-able.
It's good enough to put in a pot.

At work:
The water cooler is potable and the snacks are healthy. It is a great break room.



(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Impertinent

Impertinent

<iym-pert-tan-nent>

rude; arrogant; offensive;

acting in a disrespectful and brash way.

The impertinent bird stole the donut out of my hand. Its boldness was shocking.

Memory trick:
impertinent reminds of imperfect.
imperfect people are rude.

At work:
Do not be impertinent when on a sales call. Be nice and show respect.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
  

Vim

Vim

<vym>

enthusiasm; strength; passion;

being alive with energy;

The child ran with vim and laughter. He eventually dropped and took a nap.

Memory trick:
vim reminds of vitality.

At work:
The CEO gave a speech with vim and vigor. Everyone cheered with excitement.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
  

Gambit

Gambit

<gahm-bit>

ploy; trick; plot;

giving away something to get something better later.

Putting out tuna was a good gambit. She made friends with the cat.

Memory trick:
gambit reminds of gamble.
we gamble someone will fall for our offer.

At work:
The bank gave away free tablets. It was a clever gambit because people opened accounts.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Abeyance

Abeyance

<ah-bay-yense>

inactivity; discontinuation; recess;

something that is suspended or discontinued.

Buggy whip sales fell into abeyance because of the invention of the automobile.

Memory trick:
abeyance reminds of obey.
we obey the circumstance and stop doing something.

At work:
The use of the bug tracking system fell into abeyance because the software was so good.


(c) 2015 E. Carruthers