Proficient

"Wayne is a proficient woodworker. He is able to make professional-quality desks, bookshelves, and cabinets."

Context Clues:
He can make all those things at a pro level. Could mean good at or expert?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/proficient

–adjective
1.
well-advanced or competent in any art, science, or subject; skilled: a proficient swimmer.
–noun
2.
an expert.

He was a proficient writer with an interest in human nature.

Placebo

"The doctor lost his license when it was found that the pills for depression he had been giving to his patients were actually a placebo- just a sugar pill."

Context Clues:
He gave his patients just sugar pills instead of the correct medication. Probably means fake.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Placebo

–noun,plural-bos, -boes.
1.
Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.
a.
a substance having no pharmacological effect but given merely to satisfy a patient who supposes it to be a medicine.
b.
a substance having no pharmacological effect but administered as a control in testing experimentally or clinically the efficacy of a biologically active preparation.

The study is a randomized, placebo -controlled trial with 108 patients over 12 sites.

Holistic

"Eastern cultures tend to take a more holistic view of learning than Western societies, focusing on the whole rather than analyzing parts."

Context Clues:

The Western societies analyze things and the Eastern don't. Probably means whole.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/holistic

–adjective
1.
incorporating the concept of holism in theory or practice: holistic psychology.
2.
identifying with principles of holism in a system of therapeutics, esp. one considered outside the mainstream of scientific medicine, as naturopathy or chiropractic, and usually involving nutritional measures.

It comprises both computational and holistic, relational approaches towards understanding complex adaptive systems.

Emanate

"As the cinnamon bread bakes, a wonderful smell emanated from the kitchen."

Context Clues:
A good smell from the kitchen. Could mean came from.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emanate

–verb (used without object)
1.
to flow out, issue, or proceed, as from a source or origin; come forth; originate.

X-rays, gamma rays and radio waves emanate mainly from the outer regions, and vary enormously with solar activity

Criterion

"One criterion by which writing teachers judge a paper is clear organization."

Context Clues:
They judge by it so could be a standard?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Criterion

–noun,plural-te·ri·a  /-ˈtɪəriə/ Show Spelled[-teer-ee-uh] Show IPA, -te·ri·ons.
a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.

In order to satisfy those criteria, a vessel must be assessed by means of an incline test.

Unilateral

Tanya's unilateral decisions are hurting her marriage. For instance, she recently bought nonrefundable tickets to Florida without consulting her husband."

Context Clues:
Well Uni means one and lateral is like a direction or way. Could mean one way.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unilateral

–adjective
1.
relating to, occurring on, or involving one side only: unilateral development; a unilateral approach.
2.
undertaken or done by or on behalf of one side, party, or faction only; not mutual: a unilateral decision; unilateral disarmament.
3.
having only one side or surface; without a reverse side or inside, as a Möbius strip.

Examples of unilateral neglect from adult patients who have suffered a stroke.

Unassuming

"As unassuming as ever, Alice accepted the award in a quiet, modest way."

Context Clues:
She accepted it in a modest way, could mean not knowing.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Unassuming

–adjective
modest; unpretentious.

His unassuming manner gave no hint of his vast knowledge of music.

Nonchalant

"My friend was very nonchalant about giving her oral report in class, but i was a nervous wreck about giving mine."

Context Clues:
Probably mean the opposite of nervous. So calm, relaxed.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nonchalant

–adjective
coolly unconcerned, indifferent, or unexcited; casual

He is far too nonchalant about such a serious matter.

Inherent

"An inherent danger of life in San Francisco is possibly earthquakes."

Context Clues:
Earthquakes are bad and cause damage. Could mean unavoidable?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Inherent

–adjective
1.
existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute: an inherent distrust of strangers.
2.
Grammar. standing before a noun.
3.
inhering; infixed.

The inherent unfairness in this archaic system holds the potential for greater instability.

Indolent

"My indolent sister says that the most work she ever wants to so is clicking the remote control to switch TV channels."

Context Clues:
If all the sister wants to do is click a button and lay on the couch it could mean lazy.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Indolent

–adjective
1.
having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful: an indolent person.
2.
Pathology. causing little or no pain; inactive or relatively benign: an indolent ulcer that is not painful and is slow to heal.

The indolent girl resisted doing her homework.

Dissipate

"After twenty minutes of meditation, i find that the stresses of my day have dissipated, and I'm relaxed enough to enjoy the evening."

Context Clues:
Meditation usually relieves whatever stress you have and relaxes you so it probably mean relieve or get rid of.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Dissipate

–verb
1.
to scatter in various directions; disperse; dispel.
2.
to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly; squander; deplete: to dissipate one's talents; to dissipate a fortune on high living.


The sun finally came out and dissipated the haze

Denunciation

"In an unusual denunciation of parents, the community leader said, "Parents have not been taking enough responsibility for their children."

Context Clues:
Well if it is unusual thing coming for a parent to say that they are not taking enough responsibility for their kids it could mean criticism.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Denunciation

–noun
1.
an act or instance of denouncing; public censure or condemnation.
2.
an accusation of crime before a public prosecutor or tribunal.
3.
notice of the termination or the renouncement of an international agreement or part thereof.
4.
Archaic. warning of impending evil; threat.


The principal's denunciation of the teacher angered many of the faculty; the parents, however, applauded the principal's actions.

Demeanor

"Troy's demeanor was quiet and controlled, but inside he was boiling with anger."

Context Clues:
Could mean persona? On the outside he is quit and controlled but on the inside he isnt?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Demeanor

–noun
1.
conduct; behavior; deportment.
2.
facial appearance; mien.

A good demeanor is crucial for success.

Assimilate

"To assimilate into the culture of a new county, it's essential to learn the language."

Context Clues:
Well coming into a new culture you need to adapt to their way of living and their main language so it could mean learn/adapt?

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/assimilate

verb
1.
to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb
2.
to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust

Karl's grandfather thought the best way to be successful was to assimilate.

Reflection Week 8

So I took those two brain test things. The results I got were very accurate to my personality. The first one said I was a right brained person. I answered fourteen out of the eighteen questions right brained and four of them left brained. It says I am holistic, random, concrete, intuitive, nonverbal, and fantasy-oriented. Those all seem pretty close to my own personality. I am very random at times. I also follow my gut a lot when I have hunches on things I am not sure about. I do nto talk a lot unless it is with people I am comfortable with and I do not like to follow rules. The second test said I was a very spatial, nature oriented, and social person. That is very close to how I am too. I remember things by how it looks and not what it is called. I like to take photographs of nature and other things like cars and people. It also said I was not a very musical and linguistic person. I am not so sure about the musical part. I like music a lot and I is a part of my life and personality every day. From these results I can mold the ways I study and help maximize my learning. I can adapt my study habits to my traits. Hopefully I can use this new information to help better myself and my study skills in the future so I can do better in school and life.