All WOTD Cycles updated to week 19

truncate

to make shorter, as if by cutting off

inauspicious

unpromising; unconducive to success

imprimatur

formal and explicit approval

logjam

an immovable mass of cut wood blocking a river

dismantle

to take off or remove; to take apart into multiple pieces; to tear down

cognizant

having or showing knowledge, understanding, realization, or perception of something

arboretum

a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated for exhibition

mollify

to cause to make more favorable inclined; to gain the good will of

obsolescence

the process of becoming outdated; falling into disuse

adulation

exaggerated or extreme praise or flattery

Pagoda

a Hindu or Buddhist temple or sacred place, usually with a pyramidal tower and an upward curving roof

tinny

thin and metallic in sound; of poor sound quality

envisage

to form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case; to imagine

retaliation

action taken in return for an injury or offense

Paradoxical

seemingly contradictory, but nonetheless possibly true

indolence

inactivity resulting from a dislike of work or effort; laziness

epitomize

embody the essential characteristics or be a typical example of

encumbered

loaded to excess; burdened

Complacent

content with one’s actions/self; comfortably satisfied

Gesticulate

to show, express, or direct through movement

Benign

-Kind in disposition or manner; pleasant; harmless

-not dangerous to health (especially of a tumor)

Ensemble

A group of musicians playing or singing together; an assemblage of parts or details considered as forming a whole

Imminent

close in time; about to occur (typically a negative event)

Bastion

Projecting part of a rampart or daily fortification; a stronghold for which people could shelter in a battle

Scalable

capable of being climbed; able to be expanded in size, scale, or capability

Volatile

liable to lead to sudden change or violence; erratic; tending to vary often (of the market)

consternation

fear or alarm resulting from the awareness of danger; dismay

Circumvent

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling expectations, answering questions, performing duties, or resolving issues

Impunity

an exemption from punishment or loss

Prescient

perceiving the significance of events before they occur

exorbitant

greatly exceeding bounds of reason or motivation; extravagant/outrageous

synthesize

to combine to form a complex product or whole

robust

sturdy and strong in form; strong enough to withstand challenges

concurrent

occurring or operating at the same time

disseminate

to cause to become widely known

exodus

a journey taken by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

holistic

emphasizing the organic or functional relation between parts and the whole

biodiversity

the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat (or in the world as a whole)

detract

to take away a part from; to diminish

logistical

of or relating to the management of an operation or event

debacle

a sudden and violent collapse

initiative

readiness to embark on bold new

longitudinal

occurring over an extended time

aphorism

a short, witty saying

unscathed

not injured

marginalized

put in a lower or outer position and treated as unimportant, as of a person, group, or idea

combustion

A process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to give heat and light

animatronics

The construction of robots to look like living beings

expediency

The quality of being suited to the goal or the end

faddish

Stylish or fashionable, often for a brief length of time

neologism

A newly invented word or phrase

centenary

a 100th anniversary of the celebration of it

febrile

Of, relating to, or characterized by fever

actuary

a professional who uses math, statistics, and financial theory to assess the likelihood of future events

boutonniere

a flower that is worn in a buttonhole

cacophony

loud, confusing, or disagreeable sounds; a loud, harsh strident noise

acerbic

harsh or corrosive in tone

castigate

to inflict severe punishment on

emporium

a large retail store organized into departments offering a variety of merchandise; commonly part of a retail chain

jeremiad

a long and mournful complaint

laxity

An absence of rigor or strictness or The condition of being loose or limp

nomenclature

a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline

ostentatiously

In a manner intended to attract notice and impress others

laconic

Brief and to the point; effectively cut short

obstinacy

Resolute adherence to one’s own ideas or desires or Trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

nonchalantly

In a composed and unconcerned manner; in a casual way

behest

An authoritative command or request

augment

To enlarge or increase

shenanigan

The use of tricks to deceive someone

desiccated

Thoroughly dried out; Preserved by removing natural moisture; Lifeless