The Vocab Weekly_Issue 1

8/4/2019 The Vocab Weekly_Issue 1

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The Vocab Weekly

1 www.wordpandit.com June 1-7 | issue1

CABAL

In terms of application, the wordcabal

signifies a coming together of more than two

parties, usually for some vested interest of their

own. To achieve this interest, they generally

take the help of plots, schemes and intrigues.

Generally, this term has a negative connotation

and its usage does have the implications of

negative influence and insidiousplanning.

Dictionary Definitions for Cabal

According to the dictionary, the word cabal

carries the following meanings.

1. A small group of secret plotters, as against a

government or person in authority. (N)

2. The plots and schemes of such a group;

intrigue. (N)

3. To form a cabal; intrigue; conspire; plot.

Usage Examples for Cabal:

1. The long beleaguered citizens of Egypt have

triumphed, after thirty years of deployment of

arbitrary power by Mubarak and his military

cabal.

2. They live in a world of paranoid fantasies,

where some secretcabalis supposedly trying to

set up a world government to take away their

freedoms.

3. The conservative cabalis shrewd, unified andextremely well funded; they won't let something

as simple as e-mail messages get in the way of

their long range plans to permanently take

control of the US Government.
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The Vocab Weekly


GAFFE

If there was one word about making mistake,

and specifically making them in public, then

this is it. And it would be gaffe in itself if we

explain this word through text. It is better we

have a look at a few of them.

Dictionary definition for Gaffe

1. a social blunder; faux pas. (noun)

Masters Tip to remember Gaffe:

Well, we could do with a couple of videos here

to learn the words. The two videos on the right

give the perfect illustration for a Gaffe.
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z16iVri3Kzkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzWrDqPkjK4http://wordpandit.com/2011/gaffe/http://www.wordpandit.com/


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The Vocab Weekly


GAINSAY

The word gainsay can be quite confusing, for its

appearance gives no clue to its meaning.

Dictionary definition for gainsay:

1. To declare to be untrue or invalid

2. Contradict, oppose

Masters Tip to remember Gainsay:

In terms of learning the word for contexts, one

of the best ones for gainsay could be that of

lawyers. For examples: The defense lawyer

was continuously trying to gainsay the

evidence.

The job of lawyers is to deny, contradict and

oppose, all of these can be combined and we can

say:Job of a lawyer is to gainsay.

Origin of the word gainsay:

The word gainsay comes from Middle English

gainsaien, which means to say against. This is

further derived from: gain meaning against,

back and saien meaning to say.

There are some other words based on these

roots, but these words are no longer in

conventional usage and are more or less

obsolete.

Gainstrive: To strive or struggle against; to

withstand.

Gainstand: To withstand; to resist.
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://wordpandit.com/2011/gainsay/http://www.wordpandit.com/


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The Vocab Weekly


ALIMONY

Origin of the word Alimony

The story of origin behind the word alimony is actually very simple and logical. Alimony finds its roots in the

concept of nourishment. It is derived from the Latin root, alimonia, which further comes from the Latin word alere.

Alere is a verb meaning nourish. The suffix -mony is a form of the suffix ment, and if we add our pieces of

information, it basically translates the meaning of alimony into nourishment. But what kind of nourishment are

we talking about here?Alimony basically equates to eating money, meaning the money from which one receivesnourishment. In its original sense, the word was used to describe the pension of a widow but present day usage has

meant that the word is basically sexless and the instances of a husband receiving money from his former wife are

pretty common these days. Two words which are based on similar lines and should arise your curiosity are:

Palimony: money/support paid by one half of an unmarried partnership after the relationship endsDallymony: provision for somebody one has jilted.

Dictionary Definition

for alimony:

1. A court-ordered

support paid by one

spouse to the other after

they are separated.

2. Money paid regularlyby one marriage partner

to the other as ordered

by a court after a legal

separation or divorce, or

during proceedings for

divorce or separation.

3. A means of livelihood;

maintenance.

Masters Tip to

remember alimony:

The simple association toremember alimony with

is: DIVORCE.

Alimony is what the

court orders one of

spouses to pay to the

other at the time of the

divorce.
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://wordpandit.com/2011/alimony/http://wordpandit.com/2011/alimony/http://www.wordpandit.com/


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The Vocab Weekly


BIGWIG

Origin of the word Bigwig

As the word suggests, bigwig is all about being big and important. As far as the dictionary definition goes,

bigwig means an important person, esp. an official (for examples: senators and other political bigwigs). Well,

the big part fits in perfectly with the anatomy of this word but where does the wig part come from?

The wig part comes from wig, the peculiar piece used to cover the balding scalps of men and women. In

times gone, the wig was not only a piece used to cover ones embarrassing spots but also a symbol of ones

position in society. The trend of using wigs started in 17th century France, under the reign of Louis XIII. Well,

he went bald prematurely and decided to go in for a wig. And soon the device of utility was converted into one

that denoted prestige and status. Added to this was the fact wigs only could be afforded by the rich because

they expensive as well as difficult to maintain.

This invention was too good to be restrained to French shores only and it soon migrated to the English

mainland. And in England, wigs went a social transformation of their own. Men of rank and honour worebigger wigs in comparison to normal people. The site of judges wearing these wigs is in fact a common sight

that we have all seen.

And it is because of such a use that the word bigwig started to be used for people of importance.

Dictionary Definition for Bigwig:

1. An important person, especially an official. (noun)
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://wordpandit.com/2011/bigwig/http://www.wordpandit.com/


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The Vocab Weekly


PILLORY

Dictionary Definition for Pillory:

1. A wooden framework erected on a

post, with holes for securing the head

and hands, formerly used to expose an

offender to public derision. (noun)

2. To set in the pillory. (verb)

3. To expose to public derision, ridicule,

or abuse. (verb)

Origin of the word Pillory:

Pillory is a deceptive word, with its origin actually coming out of its physical existence. Actually, Pillory existed asdevice. And it was not just an ordinary device; it was one for humiliating and deriding people. The pillory was a device

made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for

punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse, sometimes lethal. Gradually the use for the word

pillory developed and it progressed from being used as a noun to being used a verb. The word pillory now used to

represent public humiliation or abuse. For example: The boss mercilessly pilloried his haggard employee.
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://wordpandit.com/2011/pillory/http://wordpandit.com/2011/pillory/http://www.wordpandit.com/


9/11

The Vocab Weekly


APE

(Click on the image to see the video)

Dictionary Definitions for Ape:

1. Any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all. (noun)

2. Someone who copies the words or behaviour of another. (noun)

3. Person who resembles a nonhuman primate. (noun)

4. Imitate uncritically and in every aspect. (verb)

5. Represent in or produce a caricature of. (verb)

This is the perfect video to show for the word Ape.

Well, ape does not only mean non-human primate.

It also means to imitate and copy, just like in this video the kids are aping their parents!

And this video has a wonderful undertone: it always reminds me of all the moments when I aped my parents!
http://www.wordpandit.com/http://wordpandit.com/2011/aping-your-parents/http://www.wordpandit.com/


10/11

The Vocab Weekly


Work Out Zone

Work out 1: Crossword

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

Work Out 2: Match the following words with their respective meanings or synonyms.

Word Meaning or Synonym

1 Cabal A Court-ordered support paid by one spouse to

another after they are separated

2 Gaffe B Heap scorn on someone

3 Gainsay C Big wheel or big shot

4 Pillory D Take exception to

5 Ape E A socially awkward act

6 Bigwig F Imitate or mimic

7 Alimony G Conspire

Work Out 3: Did you really understand the word?

1. A cabalis a group one where yes no

one would plot a hostile takeover.

2. Bill Gates, Barack Obama and Steve yes no

Jobs are some of the bigwigs around.

3. A gaffe is an intentional joke that leaves yes noeveryone in splits.

4. Alimonyis paid at the time of marriage as yes no

a form of security for the bride to be.

5. The public ridicule that exposed politicians yes no

receive is a form ofpillory.

6. Chimpanzees are the animals that come closest yes no

to ape human beings.

7. Go getters are in the general habit ofgainsaying yes no

every proposal.

Across:

1: top banana or kingpin

8: a group of conspirators

22: copycat

25: maintenance charge at

the

time of divorce.

Down

3: tactless act

6: dispute

15: ridicule
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The Vocab Weekly


Answers: Work Out Zone

Work Out 1

1B

2I

3G

4W

5I

6G

7A

8C

9A

10B

11A

12L

13F

14I

15P

16F

17N

18I

19E

20S

21L

22A

23P

24E

25A

26L

27I

28M

29O

30N

31Y

32O

33R

34Y

Work Out 2

1-G, 2-E, 3-D, 4-B, 5-F, 6-C, 7-A

Work Out 3

1-yes, 2-yes, 3-no, 4-no,5-yes,6-yes,7-no
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The Vocab Weekly_Issue 1

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