October 15, 2009 (Thu)

Today, we will explore a special format. : )

Confusing Words

abrogate vs. arrogate

abrogate: (v.) to abolish or do away with, especially by authority
arrogate: (v.) to take or claim for oneself without right
  • note that arrogate is usually used in the form of "arrogated to ~self",

Sentences:
abrogate: The government abrogated the restriction in stem cell research that had formerly banned any use of embryonic stem cells for scientific (more specifically biological) research.
arrogate: The monarch arrogated to himself the rights of making matrimonial decisions for all of his subjects.

Prefixes

voc/voke/vow = to call

1. vocation
(n.) a regular occupation, especially one for which a person is particularly suited or qualified
(maybe it's something God "calls" you to do;; 천직)
ex: Most resolutions addressing orphans and vulnerable children in South African nations include a clause about providing the children with vocational training.

2. avocation (you can think of this as a sort of opposite of vocation!)
(n.) an activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, for enjoyment; hobby!
ex: Cooking is one of Joanna's main avocations.

3. invoke
(v.) to call on a deity
to call to an authority
ex: The citizens invoked the governor for a betterment of the taxation systems.

4. convoke
(v.) to call a meeting/convention
ex: The friar convoked an emergency meeting with his friends to discuss how to help Juliet be happy with Romeo.



draconian
(adj.) excessively harsh and severe
sentence: Because of our new draconian policy, which is to only wear suit to school, all students are uncomfortable in school.

jitter
(n.) feelings of extreme nervousness
(v.) act nervously
sentence: A bout of the jitters passed and I was ready to take my exam.

Deft
(adj.) neatly skillful and quick in one's movements
demonstrating skill and cleverness
sentence: "The Children's Hours" was a play with a script that was both deft and literate.

Noisome
(adj.) having an extremely offensive smell;disagreeable; unpleasant
sentence: G-Dragon was involved in many noisome and alarmist scandals, which were mainly focused on his musical talents.

Hiatus
(n.) a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process
sentence: All plays have at least 15 minute hiatus, to make sure that their audiences are comfortable.