week 11: 2014/05/19 ~ 2014/05/23

week 11: 2014/05/19 ~ 2014/05/23

part 1:  note - etymology

lev : lift, right, rise

ex: elevator(n.), relieve(v.), alleviate(v.)

agri(agro) : field, land

ex: agriculture(n.), agricultural(a.), agronomy(n.)

leg(lig, lect) : law, choose, read

ex: legislation(n.), legible(a.), illegal(a.)

trans : across

ex: transcript(n.), transfer(v.), transform(v.)

cub(cumb) : lie

ex: accumulate(n..), cubicle(n.), incumbent(n.)

part 2: vocabulary

day 1     5/19

Miss the boat     

sentence(in the article): We climbed a hill up through some trees and Delia asked me to keep an eye on the time, so we wouldn't miss the boat back.
meaning 1: to miss out (on something); to be ignorant (of something)
meaning 2: to have made an error; to be wrong
simple sentence: If you continue irresolute, you will miss the boat.

Mediocre     adj. 

sentence(in the article): Arizona’s recovery has moved from mediocre to okay.
meaning 1: of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance
meaning 2: not very good
simple sentence: Even qualification is mediocre, so long as you study hard, can be admitted to the good university.

Contemporary    

sentence(in the article): Now, thanks to the Internet, time-strapped contemporary lovers who feel trapped in the staid and traditional homes of the DMV can outfit their homes without ever leaving their couches.
n.
meaning 1: a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another
meaning 2: a person of roughly the same age as another
a.
meaning 1: living or occurring at the same time
meaning 2: belonging to or occurring in the present
meaning 3: following modern ideas or fashion in style or design

simple sentence: She is fascinated in contemporary art, and she wants to be an artist in the future.

Motivate     v.  

sentence(in the article): You can use that motivation, although I don’t think any of the players should need to be motivated.
meaning 1: provide (someone) with a motive for doing something
meaning 2: stimulate (someone's) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something

simple sentence:The coach motivates his players to constantly improve their own skills.

Significant     a.

sentence(in the article):At least a dozen U.S. National Security Agency employees have abused secret surveillance programs in the past decade, most often to spy on their significant others, according to the latest findings of the agency's internal watchdog.
meaning 1: sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention
meaning 2: noteworthy
meaning 3: having a particular meaning
meaning 4: indicative of something
meaning 5: suggesting a meaning or message that is not explicitly stated
simple sentence: Smiles are significant of pleasure.

day 2     5/20

Privilege      n. 

sentence(in the article): We could live in a country where success is based on ability not privilege.

meaning 1: a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others

meaning 2: a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud

meaning 3: the advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people 

in a society

simple sentence: It is a great privilege to know you.  

costume

sentence(in the article): England does more period shows and in some costume houses you can probably go back to 1850 but you can't go much further back. 

n.
meaning 1: the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to 
look like a different person or thing
meaning 2: the clothes worn by a group of people especially during a particular time 
in the past
v.  
meaning 1: dress (someone) in a particular set of clothes.

simple sentence: She costumed a historical play for the drama.

colleague     n.

sentence(in the article): Believing that she was protesting about the smoking bit, my colleague innocently inquired whether one was not allowed to smoke in the open areas of the hotel or not.

meaning: a person with whom one works, esp. in a profession or business.  
simple sentence: A colleague of mine will be speaking at the conference.

Intellectual

sentence(in the article): People with intellectual disabilities have below-average mental function, which could be due to a range of causes, and a lack of necessary skills for daily living, according to the National Institutes of Health.

n.
meaning: a person possessing a highly developed intellect
a.
meaning 1: of or relating to the ability to think in a logical way
meaning 2: involving serious study and thought
meaning 3: of a person : smart and enjoying serious study and thought

simple sentence: Chess is a highly intellectual game.

excerpt

sentence(in the article): The excerpt below comes from our recent full-length interview with Brian Pereira, CEO of Visterra Inc.

n.
meaning: a short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing
v.
meaning: take (a short extract) from a text

simple sentence: Several newspapers published excerpts from the book.

day 3     5/21

Stamina     n.

sentence(in the article): Power and stamina helped Iceland win all four of their Group 10 games, though coach Eyjólfur Sverrisson "did not expect" to go into a meeting with France top of the qualifying section.

meaning: the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort
simple sentence: The stamina helped me to finish the difficult mission.

deprivation     n.

sentence(in the article): They identified the genes which are most susceptible to sleep deprivation and examined whether these genes are involved in the regulation of the immune system.

meaning 1: the state of being deprived of something
meaning 2: act of depriving someone of food or money or rights
meaning 3: the disadvantage that results from losing something
simple sentence: The deprivation of freedom made John commit suicide.

edge

sentence(in the article): Invesco Ltd.’s Robert Mikalachki invests in companies with an enduring edge on competitors.

n.
meaning 1: the outside limit of an object, area, or surface; a place or part farthest 
away from the center of something
meaning 2: the sharpened side of the blade of a cutting implements or weapon
meaning 3: a quality or factor that gives superiority over close rivals or competitors
v.
meaning 1: defeat by a small margin
meaning 2: (often be edged) provide with a border or edge [vi.]
meaning 3: move gradually, carefully, or furtively in a particular direction

simple sentence:Jolin brings a superior edge to the music.

glance

sentence(in the article): A cursory glance at the St. Louis Rams' injury report would lead one to think that the team has enjoyed great fortune in terms of health as the halfway point of the season nears.

n.
meaning 1: a brief or hurried look
meaning 2: a flash or gleam of light
v.
meaning 1: to take a quick look at
meaning 2: to give an oblique path of direction to throw or shoot so that the object 
glances from a surface

simple sentence: At first glance the problem seemed easy to solve.

benificial     a.

sentence(in the article): Bitcoin trading can be a beneficial profession for traders; however, for that traders need to buy Bitcoin and sell them to the people and earn in the exchange.

meaning 1: producing good or helpful results or effects
meaning 2: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefit (a beneficial legacy)
simple sentence:It would be beneficial to keep advocate the gender equality.

day 4     5/22

accumulate    v.

sentence(in the article): The decision by the Central Bank of China to no longer accumulate foreign exchange reserves in dollar has infuriated the United States, an analyst says.

meaning 1: to increase gradually in amount as time passes
meaning 2: to increase gradually in amount as time passes
simple sentence: The toxins accumulate in the brain.

Claustrophobia     n.

sentence(in the article): And as I suffer from claustrophobia – and was unable to lie down for pain – it was out of the question.

meaning 1: a fear of being in closed or small spaces
meaning 2: an unhappy or uncomfortable feeling caused by being in a situation that 
limits or restricts you
simple sentence: She is afraid of going in elevators, because she has claustrophobia.

disturced     a.

sentence(in the article): Finally, Assam has now been declared Maoist affected and the tag of 'disturbed area' has been extended.

meaning 1: having or showing evidence of a mental or emotional illness
meaning 2: worried and unhappy
simple sentence: I am disturbed about my final report.

slack

sentence(in the article): Urad and moong also ruled flat on slack demand, with urad (bold) at Rs 4,400-4,500, while urad (medium) ruled at Rs 3,800-4,000.

n. 
meaning 1: the part of a rope or line that is not held taut; the loose or unused part 
meaning 2: (slacks) casual trousers 
meaning 3: inf. a spell of inactivity or laziness 
v. 
meaning: loosen (something, esp. a rope) 
(a) reduce the intensity or speed of (something); slacken
(b) [intr.] (slack off) decrease in quantity or intensity 
(c) [intr.] (slack up) slow down
a.
meaning 1: not taut or held tightly in position; loose
meaning 2: (of business) characterized by a lack of work or activity; quiet 
meaning 3: (of a tide) neither ebbing nor flowing 
ad.
meaning: loosely

simple sentence: Business was rather slack.

slogan     n.

sentence(in the article): Manges said she does not necessarily favor keeping the current slogan, but it’s better than the alternative.

meaning: a word or phrase that is easy to remember and is used by a group or 
business to attract attention
simple sentence: "Safety first" is our slogan. 

day 5     5/23

formidable     a.     \ˈfȯr-mə-də-bəl; fȯr-ˈmi-, fər-ˈmi-\

sentence(in the article): The formidable hunter was just 15 feet away, silently watching them. 

meaning:  very powerful or strong : deserving serious attention and respect : very difficult to deal with : large or impressive in size or amount
simple sentence: The mountains were a formidable barrier.
part of speech: 

• formidability     n.
• formidableness      n.
• formidably      ad.

grunt     \ˈgrənt\

sentence(in the article): The cat made a quiet grunt and started to approach. 

n.
meaning 1: a short, low sound from the throat
meaning 2: a U.S. soldier especially in the Vietnam War
meaning 3: a person who does ordinary and boring work
v.
meaning 1: to make a short, low sound : to make a grunt
meaning 2: to say (something) with a grunt

simple sentence: She grunted a few words in reply, then turned and walked away.

snarl    \ˈsnär(-ə)l\

sentence(in the article): Jessie then snarled like a dog, looking directly at the mountain lion. 

n.
meaning 1: a tangle especially of hairs or thread :  knot
meaning 2:  a tangled situation <traffic snarls>
v.
meaning: to cause to become knotted and intertwined :tangle :  to make excessively complicated
simple sentence:  I described the tangled problem thread as "snarled."
part of speech: 

• snarler     n.
• snarly     a.

charge     \ˈchärj\

sentence(in the article): The big cat did not charge at the girls.

n.
meaning 1: an amount of electricity
meaning 2: the amount of an explosive material (such as dynamite) that is used in a single blast
meaning 3: the responsibility of managing or watching over something
v.
meaning 1: to give an amount of electricity to (something) : to put electricity into a battery so that a machine or device will run
meaning 2: to give a job or responsibility to (a person or group) : to make (a person or group) responsible for something
meaning 3: to formally accuse (someone) of a crime

simple sentence: He set off a charge that destroyed the mountain.

directly     ad.     \də-ˈrek(t)-lē, dī-, in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē or ˈdrek-lē\

sentence(in the article): Jessie then snarled like a dog, looking directly at the mountain lion. 

meaning 1: in a direct way
meaning 2: in a straight or direct line from a particular position
meaning 3: without delay
simple sentence: He refused to answer the question directly.
part of speech: 

• direct    a.

week 10: 2014/05/12 ~ 2014/05/16

week 10: 2014/05/12 ~ 2014/05/16

part 1:  unit 8 note - etymology

con(co, col, cor) : togrther

ex: consciousness(n.), conversation(n.), co-worker(n.)

sci : know

ex: science(n.), conscience(n.), prescient(a.)

ject : throw

ex: subject(a.), eject(v.), inject(v.)

fac(fec, fic, fy) : do, make

ex: infect(v.), perfect(a.), manufacture(v.)

ob(o, oc, of, op) : against, toward

ex: offensive(a.), object(n.), oppress(v.)

part 2: vocabulary

day 1     5/12

Prior     \ˈprī(-ə)r\

sentence(in the article): Prior to Katrina we specialized in restoring beautiful historic homes.

n.
meaning: a monk who is the head of a religious house or order : a priest whose rank is just below that of an abbot : a previous time of being arrested for or found guilty of a crime
a.
meaning: existing earlier in time : more important than something else because it came first

simple sentence: Do you have a prior history of back problems?
part of speech: 

• prioreate     n.
• priorship     n.
• priorly     ad.

specialized in

sentence(in the article): Prior to Katrina we specialized in restoring beautiful historic homes.

meaning: to limit oneself to or be specially trained to practice one particular thing.
simple sentence: I specialize in tropical medicine. What do you specialize in?

restore     v.     \ri-ˈstȯr\

sentence(in the article): Prior to Katrina we specialized in restoring beautiful historic homes.

meaning 1: to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something)
meaning 2: to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
meaning 3: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.
simple sentence: The police restored law and order.
part of speech: 

• restorable     n.
• restorableness     n.
• restorer     n.

maintenance     n.     \ˈmānt-nən(t)s, ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s\

sentence(in the article): The small homes also require little maintenance, allowing their owners more free time to do the things they truly love.

meaning 1: the act of maintaining :  the state of being maintained :  support
meaning 2: something that maintains
meaning 3: the upkeep of property or equipment
meaning 4: an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on
simple sentence: The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance.

domestic     \də-ˈmes-tik\

sentence(in the article): However, a growing number of people, including artists, architects, city planners, and environmentalists, have started to question the need for such large domestic space.

n.
meaning: a servant who is hired to work in someone's home : a domestic servant : a fight between members of a family or household
a.
meaning 1:of, relating to, or made in your own country
meaning 2: relating to or involving someone's home or family
meaning 3: relating to the work (such as cooking and cleaning) that is done in a person's home

simple sentence: She got in a domestic with her husband.
part of speech: 

• domestically     ad.

day 2     5/13

displace     v.     \(ˌ)dis-ˈplās, di-ˈsplās\

sentence(in the article): After Hurricane Katrina flooded much of the city of New Orleans in 2005, thousands of displaced residents found themselves with no place to live.

meaning: to take the job or position of (someone or something) : to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live : to remove (someone) from a job or position
simple sentence: The war has displaced thousands of people.

part of speech: 

displaceable     a.

hurricane     \ˈhər-ə-ˌkān, -i-kən, ˈhə-rə-, ˈhə-ri-\

sentence(in the article): After Hurricane Katrina flooded much of the city of New Orleans in 2005, thousands of displaced residents found themselves with no place to live.

n.

meaning: an extremely large, powerful, and destructive storm with very strong winds that occurs especially in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean

a.

meaning: having or being a glass chimney providing protection from wind <a hurricane lamp>

simple sentence: Economic news that unleashed a hurricane on the trading floor.

architect     n.      \ˈär-kə-ˌtekt\

sentence(in the article): Shafer is one of the original members of the Small House Movement, a collection of artists and architects who promote small living spaces. 

meaning: a person who designs buildings : a person who designs and guides a plan, project, etc.
simple sentence: The architect of the economic plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II.

movement     n.     \ˈmüv-mənt\

sentence(in the article): Shafer is one of the original members of the Small House Movement, a collection of artists and architects who promote small living spaces. 

meaning: the act or process of moving people or things from one place or position to another : the act of moving from one place or position to another : the act of moving your body or a part of your body
simple sentence: He developed an efficient system for movement of raw materials to the factory.

loft     \ˈlȯft\

sentence(in the article): Upstairs is a tiny loft with a bed and storage for clothing.

n.
meaning: a room or space that is just below the roof of a building and that is often used to store things : a high section of seats in a church or hall : an upper floor of a warehouse or business building especially when it is not divided by walls
v.
meaning: to hit or throw (something, such as a ball) so that it rises high in the air

simple sentence: The kids' bedroom has a loft.
part of speech: 

• loftless     a.

day 3     5/14

storage      n.      \ˈstȯr-ij\

sentence(in the article): Upstairs is a tiny loft with a bed and storage for clothing.

meaning 1: space where you put things when they are not being used

meaning 2: the state of being kept in a place when not being used : the state of being stored somewhere

meaning 3: the act of putting something that is not being used in a place where it is available, where it can be kept safely, etc. : the act of storing something
simple sentence: Her new house is much smaller, so she had to rent additional storage.

partition     \pär-ˈti-shən, pər-\

sentence(in the article): This allows for an open plan with large rooms that can work as spaces for artists, or which can be partitioned into smaller enclosed spaces to fit the needs of multiple residents.

n.

meaning: a wall or screen that separates one area from another : the division of a country into separate political units

v,

meaning:  to divide (something) into parts or shares : to divide (a country) into two or more parts having separate political status

simple sentence: A thin partition separates the two rooms in the cabin.

part of speech: 

• partitionable     a.
• partitionary     n.
• partitioner     n.
• partitionment    n.

layout     n.     \ˈlā-ˌau̇t\

sentence(in the article): The Los Angeles-based company’s one-story homes have a simple layout with a kitchen and bath.

meaning: the design or arrangement of something : the way something is laid out
simple sentence: The layout of the apartment was good, but the kitchen was too small.

practically     ad.     \ˈprak-ti-k(ə-)lē\

sentence(in the article): Something that can be achieved, Shafer says, by living simply and practically.

meaning 1: almost or nearly

meaning 2: in a way that is reasonable or logical : in a practical way

simple sentence: The room's ceiling was so low that we practically had to crawl.

ongoing     a.     \ˈȯn-ˌgō-iŋ, ˈän-, -ˌgȯ(-)iŋ\

sentence(in the article): I see my place as an ongoing experiment.

meaning: continuing to exist, happen, or progress : continuing without reaching an end
simple sentence: There is an ongoing debate over the issue.

day 4     5/15

suspend     v.     \sə-ˈspend\

sentence(in the article): The wall units, which are suspended from…the ceiling, seem to float an inch above the…floor.

meaning 1: to force (someone) to leave a job, position, or place for a usually short period of time as a form of punishment

meaning 2: to stop (something) for a usually short period of time

meaning 3: to make (something) happen later : to delay (something)

simple sentence: He was suspended from the team for missing too many practices.

part of speech: 

• suspendible     a.
• suspendibility     n.

float     \ˈflōt\

sentence(in the article): The wall units, which are suspended from…the ceiling, seem to float an inch above the…floor.

n.

meaning: an act or instance of floating : a tool or apparatus for smoothing a surface (as of wet concrete) : something that floats in or on the surface of a fluid : a government grant of a fixed amount of land not yet located by survey out of a larger specific tract

v.

meaning: to rest on top of a liquid : to be carried along by moving water or air : to cause (something) to rest on top of a liquid : to cause (something) to float

simple sentence: She was floating on her back.

shortage     n.      \ˈshȯr-tij\

sentence(in the article): There has been an increase in reports of domestic problems, at least partly caused by the city’s shortage of space.

meaning: a state in which there is not enough of something that is needed ( chiefly Brit )
simple sentence: There was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year.

replicate     \ˈre-plə-ˌkāt\

sentence(in the article): Mr. Chang hopes that some of his home’s innovations might be replicated to help improve domestic life in Hong Kong, which has been troubled in recent years.

n.

meaning: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

v.

meaning: to repeat or copy (something) exactly

a.

meaning: manifold, repeated

simple sentence: They are working on computer-generated speech that replicates the human voice.

tear down

sentence(in the article): Instead he bought it, for about $45000. He had been wanting to tear down the walls since his teenage years.

meaning 1: to pull down; destroy; demolish.

meaning 2: to disparage or discredit

simple sentence: To tear down one's friends behind their backs.

day 5     5/16

transformation     n.     \ˌtran(t)s-fər-ˈmā-shən, -fȯr-\

sentence(in the article): Now, it’s all about transformation, flexibility, and maximizing space.

meaning: a complete or major change in someone's or something's appearance, form, etc.
simple sentence: The building underwent various transformations over the years.
part of speech: 

• transformational     a.

impose on

sentence(in the article): Mr. Chang, an architect, can impose on his 344-squre-foot apartment.

meaning 1: to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
meaning 2: to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
meaning 3: to defraud; cheat; deceive:
simple sentence: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.

mount     \ˈmau̇nt\

sentence(in the article): He grabbed a handle near the wall-mounted television, pulling a section of the wall itself toward the center of the room. 

meaning 1: (a high hill)  mountain —used especially before an identifying name <Mount Everest>
meaning 2: (archaic) earthwork
v.
meaning 1: to go or climb up (something) : to climb up onto (something)
meaning 2: to increase in amount
meaning 3: to seat yourself on a horse, bicycle, etc.

simple sentence: Their troubles have continued to mount.
part of speech: 

• mountable     a.
• mountless     a.

radiance     n.     \ˈrā-dē-ən(t)s\

sentence(in the article): He used a remote control to raise the screen, revealing a large yellow-tinted window behind it, filling the room with radiance.

meaning: a quality of brightness and happiness that can be seen on a person's face : a warm, soft light that shines from something
simple sentence: She had a youthful radiance about her.

shift     \ˈshift\

sentence(in the article): He stepped on the balance board of his Nintendo Will game system for a second run of downhill skiing and began to shift from side to side, moving in time with a computer-generated figure across the room from him.

n.
meaning 1: a change in position or direction

meaning 2: a change in how something is done or how people think about something

meaning 3: a group of people who work together during a scheduled period of time
v.
meaning 1: to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc.

meaning 2: to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc.

meaning 3: to go or to cause (something) to go from one person or thing to another

simple sentence: She shifted in her seat.
part of speech: 

• shiftingly     ad.
• shiftingness     n.

week 9: 2014/05/05 ~ 2014/05/09

week 9: 2014/05/05 ~ 2014/05/09

part 1: unit 7 note - etymology

• What a nuisance.= I resent you.

• tutor 英(大學中)的老師；師徒制

• governess 陪讀老師

• metafiction 後設認知小說  

• swap=switch 交換

• Frailty, the name is woman. 弱者是女人 

         fra- : break
         ex: fragile(a. easily broken), fragment(n. a small part broken or separated off something)

• 贊成、同意

1. propose (v.):  put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others.  
2. proposal (n.): the action of putting forward such a plan or suggestion.  
3. approve (v.): officially agree to or accept as satisfactory
4. approval (n.): the action of officially agreeing to something or accepting something as satisfactory

part 2: vocabulary

day 1     5/5

mainstream     \ˈmān-ˌstrēm\

sentence(in the article): The mainstream belief was that humans would need to travel long distances to find out whether there were planets outsides our own solar system.

n.
meaning: a prevailing current or direction of activity or influence
v.
meaning: to place (a child with special educational needs) in regular school classes

simple sentence: The poor should be mainstreamed into the private health-insurance system.

orbit     \ˈȯr-bət\

sentence(in the article): Planets are big, and their weight affects the star orbit.

n.
meaning 1: the bony socket of the eye
meaning 2: a path described by one body in its revolution about another (as by the earth about the sun or by an electron about an atomic nucleus); also :  one complete revolution of a body describing such a path
v.
meaning: to travel around (something, such as a planet or moon) in a curved path : to make an orbit around (something)

simple sentence: The Moon orbits the Earth.
part of speech: 

• orbital     a.

wobble      \ˈwä-bəl\

sentence(in the article): The pull causes the stars they orbit to wobble.

v.
meaning: to move with an unsteady side-to-side motion: to be or become unsteady or unsure
n.
meaning: a hobbling or rocking unequal motion (as of a wheel unevenly mounted) : an uncertainly directed movement

simple sentence: The vase wobbled but didn't fall over.
part of speech: 

• wobbler     n.

launch     \ˈlȯnch, ˈlänch\

sentence(in the article): Another method of identifying planets is being used by NASA's Kepler mission, which was launched in March 2009.

n.
meaning 1: a large boat that operates from a ship : a small motorboat that is open or that has the forepart of the hull covered
meaning 2: an act or instance of launching
v.
meaning 1: to send or shoot (something, such as a rocket) into the air or water or into outer space
meaning 2: to put (a boat or ship) on the water
meaning 3: to throw (something) forward in a forceful way

simple sentence: The company is expected to launch several new products next year.
part of speech: 

• launchable     a.
• unlaunched     a.

essential      \i-ˈsen(t)-shəl\

sentence(in the article): Astronomers believe that the planet has the perfect conditions for water, which is essential for life as we know it.

n.
meaning: something that is basic or necessary : something essential
a.
meaning 1: extremely important and necessary
meaning 2: very basic

simple sentence: As a fighter pilot, he knows that good vision is essential.
part of speech: 

• essentially     ad.
• essen·ialness     n.

day 2     5/6

criteria     n.     \krī-ˈtir-ē-ən also krə-\

sentence(in the article): Along with Earth, these planets meet the main criteria for supporting life.

meaning: something that is used as a reason for making a judgment or decision
simple sentence: What were the criteria used to choose the winner?

part of speech: 

• criterial     a.

galaxy     n.     \ˈga-lək-sē\

sentence(in the article): There are over 100 billion stars  in our galaxy, known as the Milky Way.

meaning 1: (astronomy) any one of the very large groups of stars that make up the universe

meaning 2: the Galaxy : the galaxy in which we live

meaning 3: a large group of important or well-known people or things

simple sentence: The event was attended by a galaxy of artists.

dismiss     v.     \dis-ˈmis\

sentence(in the article): The probability that one of these planets is actually sustaining life seems too high to dismiss. 

meaning 1: to decide not to think about or consider (something or someone)

meaning 2: to send (someone) away : to cause or allow (someone) to leave

meaning 3: to officially make (someone) leave a job : to end the employment or service of (someone)

simple sentence: I don't think we should dismiss the matter lightly.

part of speech: 

• dismission     n.
• dismissive     a.
• dismissively     ad.

credible     a.     \ˈkre-də-bəl\

sentence(in the article): I find it credible that every star with a planetary system has at least one Earth-like planets.

meaning 1: able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe
meaning 2: good enough to be effective
simple sentence: We've received credible information about the group's location.
part of speech: 

• credibility    n.
• credibly     ad.

extraterrestrial     \-tə-ˈres-trē-əl, -ˈres(h)-chəl\

sentence(in the article): The universe is most likely filled with extraterrestrial life, just waiting to be discovered.

n.
meaning: an extraterrestrial being
a.
meaning: coming from or existing outside the planet Earth

simple sentence: For those who hanker after extraterrestrial life that is a pity.
part of speech: 

• extraterrestrially     ad.

day 3     5/7

envy     \ˈen-vē\

sentence(in the article): I envy Kaveh and the world he is growing up in.

n.

meaning: the feeling of wanting to have what someone else has : someone or something that causes envy

v.

meaning: to feel a desire to have what someone else has : to feel envy because of (someone or something)

simple sentence: Their exotic vacations inspired envy in their friends.

part of speech: 

• envyingly    ad.

being     \ˈbē(-i)ŋ\

sentence(in the article): ...,or make contact with another being.

n.

meaning: a living thing : the state of existing : the most important or basic part of a person's mind or self

a.

meaning: present —used in the phrase for the time being

simple sentence: I knew it was true in the core of my being.

skepticism     n.     \ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm\

sentence(in the article): I began this project with a healthy dose skepticism and as open  a mind as possible.

meaning: an attitude of doubting the truth of something (such as a claim or statement)
simple sentence: She regarded the researcher's claims with skepticism.

account     \ə-ˈkau̇nt\

sentence(in the article): There have been countless accounts of alien visitations around the world, but one of the things that prompts skepticism is how they would get here in the first place.

n.

meaning 1: a record of money that has been paid and money that has been received

meaning 2: accounts : records of income and expenses

meaning 3: an arrangement in which a bank keeps a record of the money that a person puts in and takes out of the bank

v.

meaning: to think of (someone or something) in a specified way

simple sentence: We always keep very good accounts.

part of speech: 

prompt     \ˈpräm(p)t\

sentence(in the article): There have been countless accounts of alien visitations around the world, but one of the things that prompts skepticism is how they would get here in the first place.

n.

meaning: the lines of a play that are said to an actor who has forgotten them
meaning: (computers) a message that appears on a computer screen asking the user to do something or to provide information
v.
meaning: to cause (someone) to do something : to be the cause of (something) : to say (something that encourages a person to talk)
a.
meaning 1: of or relating to prompting actors
meaning 2: performed readily or immediately <prompt assistance>
simple sentence: Curiosity prompted her to ask a few questions.

part of speech: 

• promptly     ad.
• promptness     n.

day 4     5/8

overestimate

sentence(in the article): It is hard ti [overestimate] the difficulty of going from star to star.

n.

meaning: an estimate that is too high.

v.
meaning: to estimate at too high a value, amount, rate, or the like
meaning: to hold in too great esteem or to expect too much from

simple sentence: Don't overestimate the car's trade-in value.

part of speech: 

• overestimation     n.

probe     \ˈprōb\

sentence(in the article): The faster object made by man, the scientific probe Helios 2, traveled at 2500 miles per second.

n.

meaning 1: a careful examination or investigation of something

meaning 2: a thin, long instrument that is used especially for examining parts of the body

v.

meaning 1: to ask a lot of questions in order to find secret or hidden information about someone or something

meaning 2: to touch or reach into (something) by using your finger, a long tool, etc., in order to see or find something

meaning 3: to look into or examine (something) carefully

simple sentence: The FBI probe did not produce any new evidence.

part of speech: 

• probeable     a.
• prober     n.

vast     \ˈvast\

sentence(in the article): The distances are so vast, the energy requirements are so extreme, it would be very, very difficulty to travel between the stars.

n.

meaning: a boundless space <the vast of heaven — John Milton>

a.

meaning: very great in size, amount, or extent

simple sentence: She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject.

part of speech: 

• vastly     ad.
• vastness     n.

planetarium     n.     \ˌpla-nə-ˈter-ē-əm\

sentence(in the article): ...,director of the Rose Center's Hayden Planetarium at the American  Museum of Natural History in New York. 

meaning: a building or room in which images of stars, planets, etc., are shown on a high, curved ceiling
simple sentence: Reach for the stars with this double-threat tabletop planetarium. 

fabric     n.     \ˈfa-brik\

sentence(in the article): In Einstein's theory, space and time is a fabric.

meaning: woven or knitted material : the basic structure of something
simple sentence: The curtains are made of expensive fabric.

day 5     5/9

wormhole     n.     \ˈwərm-ˌhōl\

sentence(in the article): You see, if you fold the sheet of paper and punch a hole through it, you begin to realize that a wormhole is the shortest distance between two points.

meaning 1: a hole or passage made by a worm
meaning 2: a hole or tunnel in outer space that some people believe connects two very distant places
simple sentence: We found tiny wormholes in the potatoes.

shortcut     \ˈshȯrt-ˌkət also -ˈkət\

sentence(in the article): A civilization that could harness the power of stars might be able to use that shortcut through space and time, and perhaps bridge the vast distances of space to reach Earth, he said.

n.
meaning: a method or means of doing something more directly and quickly than and often not so thoroughly as by ordinary procedure <a shortcut to success>
v.
meaning: to shorten (as a route or procedure) by use of a shortcut; also :  circumvent

simple sentence: Wait, I know a shortcut. Turn left here.

fundamental     \ˌfən-də-ˈmen-təl\

sentence(in the article): The fundamental mistake people make when thinking about extraterrestrial intelligence is to assume that they're just like us except a few hundred years more advanced.

n.
meaning: one of the basic and important parts of something : a fundamental part
a.
meaning 1: forming or relating to the most important part of something
meaning 2: of or relating to the basic structure or function of something

simple sentence: We need to address these problems on a more fundamental level.
part of speech: 

• fundamentality     n.
• fundamentally     ad.

worthy     \ˈwər-thē\

sentence(in the article): This is worthy of scientific investigation.

n.
meaning: an important or respected person
a.
meaning 1: good and deserving respect, praise, or attention
meaning 2: having enough good qualities to be considered important, useful, etc.

simple sentence: Your donations will be going to a worthy cause.
part of speech: 

• worthily     a.
• worthiness     ad.

literally     ad.     \ˈli-tə-rə-lē, ˈli-trə-lē, ˈli-tər-lē\

sentence(in the article): That can  literally change the course of human history.

meaning 1: in a literal sense or manner :  actually <took the remark literally> <was literally insane>
meaning 2: in effect :  virtually <will literally turn the world upside down to combat cruelty or injustice — Norman Cousins>
simple sentence: Many words can be used both literally and figuratively.