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.