paradigm
• Def: an example serving as a model; pattern
The committee’s mission was to establish paradigms of good writing that could be shared with students as examples to be modeled.
munificent
• Def: extremely liberal in giving; very generous
Munificent contributions from some corporations make it possible for excellent programs to appear on public television.
inure
• Def: to accustom to hardship, difficulty, pain, etc.; toughen or harden; habituate
After basic training, recruits are inured to long hours and inclement weather—the harsh demands of army life.
impecunious
• Def: having little or no money; penniless; poor
While it is common for novice writers and actors to live impecunious lives, none appreciate it very much.
fulsome• Def: excessively or insincerely lavish
The professional golfer was embarrassed to read the newspaper’s fulsome praise for his achievements on the tour.
discursive• Def: passing aimlessly from one subject to
another; digressive; rambling
Miss Wilson’s presentation was discursive, yet highly interesting, and we enjoyed her digressions into humor.
deference• Def: respectful submission or yielding to the
judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another
I wish you would show deference to older people and to those in positions of authority.
commensurate• Def: proportionate; adequate
The big hen gave Marvin a rapid peck commensurate with the size of its large beak at the instant Marvin reached under her to take the egg.
cajole• Def: to persuade by flattery or promises;
wheedle; coax
I practiced first in front of my mirror and then went downstairs to cajole my parents into letting me have a Halloween party.
aplomb• Def: imperturbable self-possession, poise, or
assurance
Jenny’s aplomb as she sang and danced in our school musical was envied by the rest of us in the cast.