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.

Culmination

The Super Bowl is the culmination of the entire professional football season. All the rivalries, victories, and defeats lead up to this final contest.

Context Clues:
1. The entire season - a sum up?
2. Rivalries, victories, defeats - High point?

Culmination

noun
1.
the act or fact of culminating.
2.
that in which anything culminates; the culminating position or stage; highest point; acme.
3.
Astronomy. the position of a celestial body when it is on the meridian.

"The Fourth of July celebration has a culmination of impressive display of fireworks."

Forestall

The owners of the failing store hoped that the huge sale would bring in enough cash to forestall bankruptcy.

Context Clues:
1. Failing store is bad
2. Having a sale raises money
3. could mean stop

Forestall

verb (used with object)
1.
to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance: to forestall a riot by deploying police.
2.
to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.
3.
to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.
4.
to prevent sales at (a fair, market, etc.) by buying up or diverting goods.


"Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action."

Belligerent

Angie was suspended for her belligerent behavior during an argument with one of her teachers. She actually shook her fist at him and threatened to hit him.

Context Clues:
1. could mean violent
2. something that can kick you out of school for
3. could mean angry

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

adjective
1.
warlike; given to waging war.
2.
of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose: a belligerent tone.
3.
waging war; engaged in war: a peace treaty between belligerent powers.
4.
pertaining to war or to those engaged in war: belligerent rights.


"Stephen got kicked out of the party last night. He got too drunk and started acting belligerent and got into a fight."

Exacerbate

"Instead of soothing the baby, the sound of the music box seemed to only exacerbate his crying."

Context Clues:
1) Music usually soothes a baby so could mean opposite

verb (used with object),-bat·ed, -bat·ing.
1.
to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate.
2.
to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate.

Watching a pot of water boil does not exacerbate the water to boil faster.

Atrophy

"Since unused muscles atrophy, an arm or leg that remains in a cast for some time becomes thinner."

Context Clues:
1. An arm or leg in a cast is unused
2. Becoming thinner = becoming weaker?


noun
1.
Also, a·tro·phi·a  /əˈtroʊfiə/ Show Spelled[uh-troh-fee-uh] Show IPA. Pathology. a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage.
2.
degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse: He argued that there was a progressive atrophy of freedom and independence of thought.

People's minds atrophy if they only watch television all the time.

Adroit

"Doris is adroit in any kind of discussion or debate. She's very skillful at getting others to see things her way."

Context Clues:
1) Discussion/debate could mean verbal
2) skillful in following sentence so could mean good at

Adroit
–adjective
1.
expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body.
2.
cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious: an adroit debater.


Tony is very adroit when it comes to cars. He can fix anything that is wrong with one.

-That One Kid