Words of the Week
January 2007
“One” and “Many” Words

January 10 (Wednesday)
monograph noun
Definition: learned treatise on a particular subject; scholarly article
Sentence: In 1905, Albert Einstein published his first monograph on the theory of relativity.

January 12 (Friday)
monotonous adjective
Definition: tiresome because of lack of variety
Sentence: The same menu was followed each day; the meals became monotonous.

January 16 (Tuesday)
multifaceted adjective
Definition: having many facets or aspects
Sentence: Labor disputes are usually multifaceted; they involve wages, health benefits, working conditions, and many related conditions.

January 18 (Thursday)
multilateral adjective
Definition: having many sides; participated in by more than two participants
(antonym: unilateral - one sided)
Sentence: In 1911, a multilateral agreement was signed by Great Britain, Japan, Russia, and the U. S. on the hunting of seals.

January 22 (Monday)
polygamist noun
Definition: person married to two or more individuals at the same time (antonym: monogamist - person with only one spouse at a time)
Sentence: It was his third marriage, and not having been divorced from his first two wives, he was in fact a polygamist.

January 24 (Wednesday)
polyglot noun
Definition: person who speaks or writes several languages
Sentence: Our guide was a polyglot who spoke English, Spanish, Creole, and Chinese.

January 26 (Friday)
polytechnic adjective
Definition: providing instruction in many technical arts and applied sciences
Sentence: Degrees in engineering, applied physics, and industrial technology can be earned at polytechnic institutes.

January 30 (Tuesday)
polytheistic adjective
Definition: believing in more than one god (antonym: monotheistic - believing in only one god)
Sentence: When the Hebrews first adopted the concept of one God, most of the other religions were polytheistic.