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Word of the week PowerPoint.

1. GENESIS Definition: The origin or mode of formation of something Origin: Greek NOUN SYNONYMS : alpha, beginning, baseline, commencement ANTONYMS : omega, ending, close The genesis of the idea for the phone application derived from an unfortunate life event.

2. INNOCUOUS Definition: Not harmful or offensive; innocent Origin: Latin http://www.gotbrainy.com/flashcards/show/7897 ADJECTIVE SYNONYMS : harmless, safe, nontoxic ANTONYMS : harmful, toxic, offensive John told an innocuous lie when his girlfriend asked how she looked in her new dress.

3. FALLACY Definition: A mistaken belief, especially one based on an unsound argument. Origin: Latin NOUN Synonyms : misconception, misbelief , delusion Antonyms : truth, honesty, fact During the debate, the fallacy of Joe’s argument was apparent to all. bit.ly/1uDpW4b

4. OBSEQUIOUS Definition: obedient or attentive to a excessive or servile degree Origin: Latin polyv.re/Z9lj6l Synonyms : servile, sycophantic, fawning Antonyms : domineering Rory McIlroy is followed by obsequious assistants who are at his service all hours of the day. ADJECTIVE

5. AUXILIARY Definition: Providing supplemental or additional help and support Origin: Latin ADJECTIVE Synonyms : extra, spare, reserve, back-up Antonyms : chief, necessary, main, important The auxiliary gym was home to free weights, cardio machines, and a lot of sweaty and “scent-challenged” people vowing to get in shape. Vitamins function as an auxiliary to a well- balanced diet. http://bit.ly/1pCz9Ub

6. DOLOROUS Definition: Full of, expressing, or causing pain or sorrow Origin: Latin ADJECTIVE Synonyms : mournful, heartbroken Antonyms : cheerful, joyful Stephen’s dolorous attitude was to be expected after his girlfriend left him for his best friend.

7. PARAGON Definition: a person or thing regarded as the perfect example of a particular quality Origin: Middle French NOUN Synonyms : prefect, paradigm Antonyms : flawed, worst As a paragon of purity, a nurse would never dress inappropriately .

8. VITRIOL Definition: cruel and bitter criticism. Origin: Latin Synonyms : contempt, cattiness Antonyms : admiration, love, respect My experience is that people who spew that kind of vitriol and hostility towards other human beings are never joking. NOUN

9. AUGUST Definition: marked by majestic dignity or grandeur; respected and impressive Origin: French/Latin Synonyms : distinguished, prestigious, honorable Antonyms : undignified The family claims an august lineage. We visited their august mansion and the expansive grounds. ADJECTIVE

10. BELLIGERENT Definition: hostile and aggressive; feeling or showing readiness to fight Origin: Latin Synonyms : argumentative, combative Antonyms : peaceful The coach became quite belligerent and spit at the umpire after being thrown out of the game. ADJECTIVE

11. EPIPHANY Definition: an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking: an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure Origin: Greek Synonyms : insight, realization Antonyms : confusion Maria had an epiphany and realized that if she was serious about pursuing a job in journalism, she needed to move to New York City. NOUN

12. BEATIFIC Definition: blissfully happy Origin: Latin Synonyms : joyful, seraphic, ecstatic Antonyms : dark, devilish, sorrowful Upon opening the letter from her college of choice, Susie’s face split into a beatific smile as she spied the word “congratulations!” ADJECTIVE

13. EPHEMERAL Definition: lasting for a very short time Origin: Greek Synonyms : transitory, fleeting, brief Antonyms : permanent For some, the ephemeral joys of childhood are quickly replaced with the anxious feelings of adolescence. The mom was thankful for the ephemeral nature of the tattoos her eldest daughter applied all over the legs of her younger sister. ADJECTIVE

14. SANGUINE Definition: optimistic or positive, especially in a bad or difficult situation Origin: Latin Synonyms : bullish, buoyant, upbeat Antonyms : gloomy Kelly could not stand her mother’s sanguine enthusiasm while she was coping with losing the championship game and her senior season coming to a close. ADJECTIVE

15. PHLEGMATIC Definition: not easily excited to action ; indifferent display of emotion Origin: Greek Synonyms : mellow, apathetic, sluggish Antonyms : enthusiastic, exhilarated McKayla Maroney’s phlegmatic expression says it all in this picture. She obviously was not excited earning a silver medal in the vault finals at the 2012 Olympics. ADJECTIVE

16. BULWARK Definition: a person, institution, or principle that acts as a defense Origin: Middle English Synonyms : protector, defender, buttress Antonyms : assail, assault, attack After 9/11, some were willing to use any means necessary to bulwark the nation against a terrorist attack. NOUN

17. CATHARSIS Definition: the process of releasing, and providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. Origin: Greek Synonyms : relief, release Antonyms : dirtying, contaminating Even though the gym was smelly, loud, and bright, the environment was cathartic for Julie, as she always found comfort on the basketball court. NOUN

18. IMPUGN Definition: dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (statement or motive); call into question Origin: Latin Synonyms : challenge, question, dispute Antonyms : agree, assist, corroborate My daughters almost always impugn even my most simple demands. Brushing teeth, the holiday being over, no chocolate for dinner – these are things that have all been questioned in the past day. God help me when they are 16 and 12! NOUN

19. INEFFABLE Definition : too great or extreme to be discussed or described in words Origin: Latin Synonyms : indescribable, inexpressible Antonyms : describable, communicable After winning the bowl game, the football coach felt an ineffable sense of pride. ADJECTIVE

20. REPOSE Definition: state of rest, sleep, or tranquility Origin: Latin Synonyms : rest, relaxation, inactivity Antonyms : work, wakefulness, action NOUN Fish, reptiles, and insects all experience some kind of  repose  too. Ice and avalanches of snow were regularly joining the rocks on their one-way trips toward new angles of  repose .

21. ESCHEW Definition: deliberately avoid using; abstain from Origin : Middle English Synonyms : abstain from, give up, forgo, renounce (Near) Antonyms : accept, court, embrace True vegetarians eschew food items that come from living animals. Even though I love diet soda, I have chosen to eschew from drinking the beverage because of the damage it does to my body. VERB

22. PROFLIGATE Definition: recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources Origin: Latin Synonyms : wasteful, prodigal, spendthrift, extravagant Antonyms : thrifty, frugal During the mayor’s campaign, he swore to put an end to profligate government spending. Hurley made a lot of profligate purchases after winning the lottery. ADJECTIVE

23. TEMERITY Definition: excessive confidence or boldness; disregarding danger Origin: Latin Synonyms : audacity, impudence, gall Antonyms : careful, caution, humility NOUN Because they feel their doctors are more educated than they are, most patients do not have the temerity to challenge their medical diagnosis.

24. CLEMENCY Definition: disposition to show forbearance, compassion, or forgiveness in judging or punishing Origin: Latin Synonyms : mercifulness, gentleness Antonyms : harshness, severity Against multiple peoples’ wishes, the parole board recommended clemency to the man guilty of the atrocious crime. NOUN

25. ATAVISM Definition: recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usually due to genetic recombination Origin: Latin & French Synonyms : progress Antonyms : regression, throwback Instead of easing their hunger pangs, their first taste only intensified their  atavistic  urge to eat. NOUN

26. PUSILLANIMOUS Definition: showing a lack of courage or determination Origin: Latin Synonyms : timid, cowardly Antonyms : brave Being a first responder would be a challenging responsibility for pusillanimous individuals.  ADJECTIVE

27. POLTERGEIST Definition: a ghost or other supernatural being supposedly responsible for physical disturbances such as loud noises and objects thrown around Origin: German Synonyms : apparition, spirit, specter Antonyms : being, reality Although some  poltergeist  incidents can be explained away as wicked horseplay there are others which, disturbingly, defy explanation.   NOUN

28. PORTENT Definition : a sign that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen Origin : Latin Synonyms : omen, prophecy, auspice Antonyms : doom Unease among animals is usually a portent of an imminent earthquake.   NOUN