Words of the Week
November 2006
Words that are both Nouns and Verbs
November 1 (Wednesday)
acclaim
(uh-KLAYM)
Definition: To praise loudly (verb) or loud and public praise (noun)
Sentences: The critical acclaim for her work made her hopeful for an award
nomination.
Even other scientists acclaimed his work as the breakthrough that
would change the way doctors treated illnesses.
November 3 (Friday)
attribute
(uh-TRI-byoot), verb or (AA-tri-byoot), noun
Definition: To credit a particular source or cause; to cite the source (verb) or a
specific characteristic or trait (noun)
Sentences: The young man preferred to take credit himself rather than correctly
attribute his jokes to his grandfather.
A sense of humor is sometimes the best attribute one can have in a
stressful situation.
November 6 (Monday)
compromise
(KAHM-pro-miz)
Definition: A settlement in which the parties all give up some of their demands
(noun) or to settle a situation by having all parties give up some of
their demands (verb)
Sentences: The compromise they reached was that she could stay out until one in
the morning but she had to call at midnight.
Since she wanted a quiet beach vacation but he wanted nightlife, they
decided to compromise and take a cruise.
November 8 (Wednesday)
feint
(FAYNT)
Definition: A false, misleading move intended to draw attention away from the real
action or activity, usually used in sporting events (noun)
to make a misleading move with the intention of drawing away from the
real action (verb)
Sentences: The goalie had expected a feint on the penalty kick so was able to block
the ball when it indeed came to her weak side instead.
The boxer had studied his opponent so he was ready when the other man
tried to feint with his left and attack with his right.
November 13 (Monday)
forfeit
(FOR-fit)
Definition: To surrender or give up (verb) or something that is surrendered or
given up, usually in payment (noun)
Sentences: When the opposing team had to forfeit, our school felt cheated out of
a good game.
The court ruled that the forfeit of the farmer’s land would be due the
first day of the next month.
November 15 (Wednesday)
implement
(IHM-pleh-ment)
Definition: A tool used for work; a way to achieve a goal (noun) or to put into
practice or action, generally plans or ideas (verb)
Sentences: A prepared worker always has the right implement for each job.
The boss of the organization decided to implement new ideas in order to
keep the company state of the art.
November 17 (Friday)
lament
(luh-ment)
Definition: To grieve or mourn, openly and often loudly; or to deeply regret; to feel
great remorse (verb) or the feeling or expression of deep, heart-
wrenching grief; or a work, such as a song or poem, expressing deep
sadness, grief (noun)
Sentences: Flowers and notes were left at the memorial by numerous fans lamenting
the singer for years after his murder.
As she grew older, she often lamented the poor choices she had made as
a teenager and young adult.
The lament that spread through the town the first few days after the
hurricane was soon replaced by a desire to rebuild and move on with life.
The composer was known for his laments, so few people knew he could
also write cheerful airs and waltzes.
November 21 (Tuesday)
manifest (adjective, verb, and noun)
(MAN-ih-fehst)
Definition: Plainly and clearly obvious; easily seen or understood (adjective) or to
express, show, or reveal; to personify by one’s actions; to demonstrate
(verb) or the list of cargo and/or passengers on a ship or plane (noun)
Sentences: The glaring error in the headline was so manifest to everyone, the
editor knew someone would be fired for missing it before the paper
went to print.
Although emotions may manifest differently in different people, even
the most subdued or private person has feelings.
The captain checked off the manifest several times to ensure
everything was on board before sailing on the long ocean voyage.
November 27 (Monday)
mar
(MAHR)
Definition: To damage or disfigure; to spoil or cause harm to something (verb) or a
mark or spot that spoils the overall look, situation, or experience
(noun)
Sentences: The bride refused to let a few clouds and light sprinkles mar the overall
beauty of her wedding day.
Due to a mar on the back of the cabinet, she was able to buy it at well under the normal retail price.
November 29 (Wednesday)
pique
(PEEK)
Definition: To make someone feel irritated or put out; to wound someone’s pride; or
to create or stir up; or to pride oneself on (verb) or a feeling of
irritation or being put out, caused by a perceived slight or insult (noun)
Sentences: She unintentionally piqued her neighbors when she did not invite them
to her annual Thanksgiving dinner.
The staff’s interest was piqued by the arrival of a dozen roses for the
young woman who worked in the mailroom.
He piqued himself on his ability to get along with anyone and fit into
any crowd.
Her pique at not being elected homecoming queen was quickly dissolved
when the young man she was interested in asked her to the dance.
Words of the Week
November 2006
Words that are both Nouns and Verbs
November 1 (Wednesday)
acclaim
(uh-KLAYM)
Definition: To praise loudly (verb) or loud and public praise (noun)
Sentences: The critical acclaim for her work made her hopeful for an award
nomination.
Even other scientists acclaimed his work as the breakthrough that
would change the way doctors treated illnesses.
November 3 (Friday)
attribute
(uh-TRI-byoot), verb or (AA-tri-byoot), noun
Definition: To credit a particular source or cause; to cite the source (verb) or a
specific characteristic or trait (noun)
Sentences: The young man preferred to take credit himself rather than correctly
attribute his jokes to his grandfather.
A sense of humor is sometimes the best attribute one can have in a
stressful situation.
November 6 (Monday)
compromise
(KAHM-pro-miz)
Definition: A settlement in which the parties all give up some of their demands
(noun) or to settle a situation by having all parties give up some of
their demands (verb)
Sentences: The compromise they reached was that she could stay out until one in
the morning but she had to call at midnight.
Since she wanted a quiet beach vacation but he wanted nightlife, they
decided to compromise and take a cruise.
November 8 (Wednesday)
feint
(FAYNT)
Definition: A false, misleading move intended to draw attention away from the real
action or activity, usually used in sporting events (noun)
to make a misleading move with the intention of drawing away from the
real action (verb)
Sentences: The goalie had expected a feint on the penalty kick so was able to block
the ball when it indeed came to her weak side instead.
The boxer had studied his opponent so he was ready when the other man
tried to feint with his left and attack with his right.
November 13 (Monday)
forfeit
(FOR-fit)
Definition: To surrender or give up (verb) or something that is surrendered or
given up, usually in payment (noun)
Sentences: When the opposing team had to forfeit, our school felt cheated out of
a good game.
The court ruled that the forfeit of the farmer’s land would be due the
first day of the next month.
November 15 (Wednesday)
implement
(IHM-pleh-ment)
Definition: A tool used for work; a way to achieve a goal (noun) or to put into
practice or action, generally plans or ideas (verb)
Sentences: A prepared worker always has the right implement for each job.
The boss of the organization decided to implement new ideas in order to
keep the company state of the art.
November 17 (Friday)
lament
(luh-ment)
Definition: To grieve or mourn, openly and often loudly; or to deeply regret; to feel
great remorse (verb) or the feeling or expression of deep, heart-
wrenching grief; or a work, such as a song or poem, expressing deep
sadness, grief (noun)
Sentences: Flowers and notes were left at the memorial by numerous fans lamenting
the singer for years after his murder.
As she grew older, she often lamented the poor choices she had made as
a teenager and young adult.
The lament that spread through the town the first few days after the
hurricane was soon replaced by a desire to rebuild and move on with life.
The composer was known for his laments, so few people knew he could
also write cheerful airs and waltzes.
November 21 (Tuesday)
manifest (adjective, verb, and noun)
(MAN-ih-fehst)
Definition: Plainly and clearly obvious; easily seen or understood (adjective) or to
express, show, or reveal; to personify by one’s actions; to demonstrate
(verb) or the list of cargo and/or passengers on a ship or plane (noun)
Sentences: The glaring error in the headline was so manifest to everyone, the
editor knew someone would be fired for missing it before the paper
went to print.
Although emotions may manifest differently in different people, even
the most subdued or private person has feelings.
The captain checked off the manifest several times to ensure
everything was on board before sailing on the long ocean voyage.
November 27 (Monday)
mar
(MAHR)
Definition: To damage or disfigure; to spoil or cause harm to something (verb) or a
mark or spot that spoils the overall look, situation, or experience
(noun)
Sentences: The bride refused to let a few clouds and light sprinkles mar the overall
beauty of her wedding day.
Due to a mar on the back of the cabinet, she was able to buy it at well under the normal retail price.
November 29 (Wednesday)
pique
(PEEK)
Definition: To make someone feel irritated or put out; to wound someone’s pride; or
to create or stir up; or to pride oneself on (verb) or a feeling of
irritation or being put out, caused by a perceived slight or insult (noun)
Sentences: She unintentionally piqued her neighbors when she did not invite them
to her annual Thanksgiving dinner.
The staff’s interest was piqued by the arrival of a dozen roses for the
young woman who worked in the mailroom.
He piqued himself on his ability to get along with anyone and fit into
any crowd.
Her pique at not being elected homecoming queen was quickly dissolved
when the young man she was interested in asked her to the dance.
