Verbal Advantage 3.4

rescind, verbIt is unlikely that government

officials will ever rescind the ban on smoking cigarettes due to the health concerns.

rescind, verb

To revoke, make void, repeal

discernible, adj

After his drug rehabilitation concluded, there was a discernible positive change in Lance’s attitude towards his studies.

discernible, adj

capable of being perceived clearly

cataclysm, noun

The summer hurricane inflicted a cataclysm on the peninsula, drowning over 100,000 people.

cataclysm, noun

1. A violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about a fundamental change

2. A devastating flood

narcissism, nounLily’s narcissism made her

impossibly vain; it is a challenging friendship to maintain.

narcissism, noun

inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.

Narcissus, The Self-Admirer In a valley, lived a beautiful

nymph named Echo who loved to chatter. However, a sad “spell” fell on her. Echo could only repeat, very faintly, the last few words of the sentence. In the same valley lived a good-looking youth named Narcissus, who was so charming that every maiden who saw him fell in love with him in less than a second. Narcissus, however, was consumed with his own desires and loved no one else. He rejected all his admirers.

One day, Narcissus--while with his friends--was walking and saw a flower. After stopping to pluck it, he lost sight of his friends. In pursuing them, he walked past the tree where Echo was resting. In an instant, Echo fell in love with him. She could not bear to lose sight of him, so she followed him without letting him know. She wanted to speak to him, but because she was under the spell, she could not.

While Narcissus was parting some branches to find his friends he said, “Is anybody here?” “Here!” Echo answered faintly. Narcissus looked around not knowing who the voice belonged to, and said, “Where are you? Come here!” whereupon Echo responded, “Here!” Narcissus couldn’t see anyone, but he knew that there was someone close by, so he continued questioning and calling. Each time Echo answered with his last words. She didn’t dare show herself, but she just couldn’t help answering. After a while, she decided to take the chance. She showed up in front of Narcissus and attempted to embrace him. However, Narcissus rebuffed Echo and ran into the deepest part of the forest.

Narcissus had broken Echo’s heart by his rude and unkind actions. She was so hurt that she stopped eating and grew very pale and thin and wasted away. One of the maidens prayed to the gods and goddesses that he was to only love himself and no one else. Nemesis, who was a goddess of punishment, answered her prayer.

One day, when Narcissus became thirsty, he went to a pool to take a drink. Just before he was about to take a sip from the pool, he saw the reflection of his own face, but he didn’t know it was only a reflection. He couldn’t tear himself away from the appearance in the water. Like Echo, he stopped eating and became pale, thin and also wasted away.

After he died, his body “turned” into a flower that was named after him: Narcissus.

incriminate, verb

Lila’s eye-witness testimony will incriminate the defendant for sure.

incriminate, verb

to charge with involvement in a crime

OR

to suggest or show involvement of in a crime

stigma, noun

Joshua’s having been caught picking his nose in sixth grade is a stigma that has followed him through his middle school years; no one will let him live it down.

stigma, noun

mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation

brevity, nounThe brevity of the meeting was fortunate;

had it gone over the scheduled time, I probably would have missed my flight.

brevity, noun

1. shortness (time/duration)

2. expressing much in few words (terse)

perquisite, nounAmong the president's perquisites were

free use of a company car and paid membership at a country club.

perquisite, noun

an incidental payment, benefit, privilege, or advantage over and above regular income, salary, or wages

indigent, adjBy law, indigent

members of society are provided with a lawyer for free.

indigent,adj

lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished

clairvoyant, adjThe clairvoyant

woman who lives downstairs saw omens of the robot attack in her dreams before it happened.

clairvoyant, adj

Having the supposed power to see objects or events that cannot be perceived by the 5 senses.