This Week's Word

2/6/12-2/16/12

Leadership (noun)

• The ability to lead other people. ("She showed good leadership")
• Guidance and direction. ("His leadership made the organization successful")
• The people who lead an organization. ("The leadership of the union")

Etymology: From Old English, lædere "one who leads" and Old English, -sciepe, "state, condition of being"

Previous words

• abbreviate
• abstract
• adapt
• adjacent
• analogy
• analyze
• annotation
• antagonist
• application
• apology
• argument
• assumption
• authority
• bias
• character
• characteristic
• citation
• communication
• composition
• comprehension
• compromise
• concise
• conclusion
• concrete
• confidence
• conflict
• conjecture
• conservative
• constant
• contemporary
• context
• correlate
• correspond
• courage
• courteous
• creativity
• culture
• decipher
• demonstrate
• dependability
• dependent
• essay
• etymology
• evidence
• exacerbate
• excerpt
• exposition
• factor
• fallacy
• figurative
• fragment
• frame
• frequency
• friendship
• function
• honesty
• honor
• hypothesis
• identity
• inference
• inflection
• initiative
• introduction
• inverse
• imply
• integral
• integrity
• justice
• justify
• leadership
• learning
• liberal
• literal
• logic
• loyalty
• metaphor
• model
• non sequitur
• opaque
• objective
• opinion
• paraphrase
• perseverance
• perspective
• plagiarism
• plausible
• pluralism
• primary
• reciprocal
• redundant
• reference
• regime
• relationship
• relevant
• respect
• rhetoric
• sarcasm
• satire
• sequential
• sharing
• significant
• static
• structure
• study
• subjective
• subtle
• succinct
• summary
• symmetry
• synthesis
• system
• teamwork
• theme
• theory
• thesis
• transition
• vacation
• valid
• variation
• word

Abbreviate (verb) :

To shorten. To abridge. To reduce something while still holding on to the important parts.

Etymology: From Latin brevis "short."

Abstract

(adjective): theoretical; something not in the physical world; an idea.
(noun): a summary of a text.
(verb): to take away, remove, or summarize.

Etymology: From Latin, abstractus "drawn away"

Adapt (verb)

1. To change something, in order to make it fit a different situation or task.
2. To adjust yourself to different conditions.

Etymology: from Latin, adaptare to fit, adjust

Adjacent (adjective)

1. Nearest in space or position. Next to something, without necessarily touching.
2. (Geometry) Joining at a vertex. Used to describe sides of a polygon.

Etymology: From Latin, from ad- "to" + jacere "to lie, rest," (literally, jacere means "to throw")

Analogy

1. Comparing two things to show how they are alike.
2. A method of reasoning based on comparisons.

Etymology: From Greek ana- "upon, according to" and logos "ratio, word."

 Analyze (verb)

To break a complex topic into smaller parts, in order to gain a better understanding of it.

Etymology: From Greekanalysis "a breaking up," from ana "up, throughout" + lysis "a loosening"

Annotation (noun):

1. A comment, extra information, explanation, or instructions added to a text, often after the text is written.
2. The act of annotating.

Etymology: From Latin, annotare "to add notes to," from ad- "to" + notare "to note, mark.

Antagonist (noun):

1. A person or group of persons who acts as an enemy or acts in opposition.
2. A drug that works against the effect of another drug.
3. a muscle that works against another muscle and returns it to its original position.

Etymology: from Greek from anti- "against" + agonizesthai "to compete for a prize"

Application (noun)

1. A use or purpose
2. The act of using something
3. A written request
4. A form for making a request
5. A computer program
6. An ointment or lotion
7. The act of spreading an ointment or lotion
8. Close attention; persistent effort

   Etymology: from Latin applicationem "a joining to, an attaching oneself to

Apology (noun)

1. An expression of regret for causing a problem.
2. A poor example of something; not a good illustration.

Etymology: from Greek apo- "from, off" and logos "speech."

Argument (noun)

1. A fact or statement used as evidence that something is true.

2. Controversy; dispute; disagreement; discussion

3. (Math) A variable in algebra whose value determines the dependent variable.

Etymology: Latin, arguere "to make clear, demonstrate."

Assumption (noun)

1. Something taken for granted. A statement or concept on which is treated as if it were true, for the purpose of argument.
2. An agreement to pay a debt, such as a mortgage, previously owned by another person.
3. Direct ascent into heaven.

Etymology: from L. assumere "to take up," from ad- "to, up" + sumere "to take

Authority (noun)

1. The power to give orders.
2. An expert whose statements are knowledgeable.
3. Official permission.
4. Persons who have control over others. (usually plural)
5. Assurance or confidence.
6. Government agency

Etymology: from L. auctoritatem "invention, advice, opinion, influence, command," from auctor "author"

Bias

1. (noun) A prejudice or unfair preference.
2. (verb) To influence in an unfair way
3. (noun) Diagonal, especially across the weave of a fabric

Etymology: From Middle French biasis "slant, oblique"

Character (noun)

1. The collection of traits that make someone an individual.
2. High moral or ethical quality.
3. An odd, eccentric or unusual person.
4. A person in a story or a play.

Etymology: From Latin character "mark, distinctive quality"

Characteristic

1. (noun) A distinct quality or feature of something. A trait that distinguishes one thing from another.
2. (adjective) Typical, distinctive.

Etymology: Made from the word "character" with the addition of the suffix "istic" in about 1660. Originally from Greek, kharakter "engraved mark"

Citation (noun): 

1.  The information needed to identify or find a particular text.  The elements describing an information resource.  A footnote or  reference. 
2.  A ticket given by a police officer for minor legal infractions such as traffic offenses or public misbehavior.
3.  An official award, usually announced in public.
4.  A horse, winner of the Triple Crown in 1948.

Etymology:  from Latin. citationem "a command," form of citare "to summon"

Communication (noun):

1. Giving or trading meaningful information or news.
2. Listening and speaking thoughtfully.
3. A letter or message with information or news.

Etymology: from Latin, communicare "to share, divide out; communicate, impart, inform; join, unite, participate in."

Composition (noun)

1. (Art) The plan, placement, or arrangement of the elements of a piece of art.
2. The bringing together of parts or elements to form a whole.
3. The material out of which something is made.
4. (English class) The act of creating a written work
5. (English class) A piece of writing.
6. (Music) A musical work.
7. (Publishing) the process of setting type and arranging it on a page.

Etymology: from Latin com, "with" and ponere "put, place."

Comprehension (noun)

1. Perception or understanding.
2. The ability to understand.

Etymology: from Latin com- "completely" + prehendere "to catch hold of, seize"

Compromise

1. (noun) An agreement to settle a disagreement in which both sides give up some ground.
2. (verb) To make something open to danger or suspicion.

Etymology: From Latin, com- "together" and promittere

Concise (adjective)

Brief. To the point. Terse. The opposite of wordy.

Etymology: from L. concisus "cut off, brief"

Conclusion (noun)

1. The end or finish of something.
2. The result of a process.
3. A decision reached after you have considered something.
4. A final arrangement.
5. Logic: A deduction from the premises.

Etymology: From Latin concludere, to end.

Concrete

• (verb) To cover with cement
• (adjective) Able to be seen, felt, heard, touched, or tasted. Not abstract.
• (noun) a strong hard building material composed of sand and gravel and cement and water

  Etymology: From Latin com- "together" + crescere "to grow"

Confidence (noun)

• Believing in oneself.
• Having the feeling that you can rely on someone or something.
• Being certain.

  Etymology: from Latin, com "with" and fidere "to trust"

Conflict

1. (noun) Argument, controversy, or dispute
2. (noun) Opposition in drama or fiction between characters or forces.
3. (noun) A battle or small war
4. (verb) To differ or disagree

Etymology: From Latin com- "together" and fligere "to strike"

Conjecture (noun)

• Speculation: a hypothesis
• Guess or opinion based on incomplete evidence

Etymology: from L. conjectura "conclusion, interpretation

Conservative (adjective)

1. Cautious
2. Politics:  favoring policies of caution and tradition; opposing liberalism and reform; often identified with "right-wing" politics
3. Resistant to change.
4. The largest political party in the United Kingdom, whose members are often known as "Tories" because the party grew out of the Tory Party.

Etymology:  from Latin conservare "to keep, preserve."

Constant (n.)

1. (noun) A number with a fixed value. 
2. (adjective) Changeless; without stopping
3. (adjective) Faithful or steadfast

Etymology:  from L. constantem "standing firm, stable, steadfast.

Contemporary

1. (adjective) Belonging to the present time
2. (noun) A person of the same age or living at the same time.
3. (adjective) Modern

Etymology: From Latin con- "with" + temporarius "of time"

Context (noun):

1. Surroundings, environment, setting, or location.
2. The facts, or events that surround a situation or event.

Etymology: From Latin: com- "together" and textere "to weave"

Correlate :

1. (verb) to be mutually related.
2. (verb) (math) to change together, as numbers. That is, if one number changes, the other number changes in a predictable way.

Etymology: From Middle French, from M.Fr. corrélation, from cor- "together" + relation.

Correspond (verb):

1. To match up, to be similar, to be consistent.
2. To exchange letters or e-mails.
3. (math) To be equivalent or parallel.

Etymology: From Latin cor- "with," re- "back" and spondere "to promise"

Courage (noun)

The ability to do something frightening. Strength in the face of pain, grief, fear, or struggle.

Etymology: From Latin cor, "heart".

Courteous (adjective)

Having or showing good manners; polite; gracious. 

Etymology: From Old French, curteis, "having courtly bearing or manners"

Creativity (noun):

• The ability to make new things.
• Original thinking or imagination
• A thing or task that uses the imagination, like a creative project.
• Bending the rules (this meaning is a little sarcastic)

Etymology: from Latin creare "to make, bring forth, produce, beget

Criterion (noun)

A rule, standard, or ideal by which something is judged.

Etymology: From Greek. kriterion "means for judging, standard"

Culture

1. (noun) The beliefs, values, and behavior of a society
2. (noun) Good taste in arts and manners.
3. (verb) To grow living organisms.

Etymology: from Latincultura, "tend, guard, cultivate, till".

Decipher (verb):

1. To translate code into regular speech or writing; to break a code.
2. To read complicated or difficult written text.

Etymology: prefix de- ("from," "down," or "away") and cipher (meaning "zero" or "code") from Arabic sifr "zero."

Demonstrate (verb)

1. To show clearly, to display.
2. To show by reason or logic that something is true.
3. To explain and present.
4. To show the use of something to a customer.
5. To march in protest.

Etymology: from L demonstrare, from de- "entirely" + monstrare "to point out, show," from monstrum "divine omen, wonder."

Dependability (noun):

Someone who has dependability is reliable, or worthy of trust. You can count on someone who is dependable.

Etymology: from Latin dependere "to hang from, hang down; be dependent on, be derived," from de- "from, down" + pendere "to hang, be suspended" (see "dependent")

Dependent

• (adjective) relying on someone or something else
• (adjective) (grammar) not able to stand by itself as an independent clause.
• (adjective) (math) having a value related to, or determined by, another value.
• (noun) a person supported by another person, for tax purposes.

  Etymology: from Latin de- "from, down" + pendere "to hang, be suspended"

Essay

• (noun) A short, well-structured written work expressing an opinion on a topic and supporting the opinion with evidence
• (verb) To try, make an effort, or attempt.

Etymology: From Latin, exigere "test"

Etymology (noun)

1. The study of the history of words and language, and of how words and language change over time.
2. The origin and development of a word over time.

Etymology: from Greek etymon "true sense" + logos "word."

Evidence (noun):

1. Information that supports a statement
2. Material used in court to prove or disprove a claim.

Etymology: from Latin ex- "out of" + videntem "to see"

Evolve (verb)

1. To acquire new traits as a result of natural selection.
2. To undergo development or evolution;
3. To work out, develop, figure out.

Etymology: from L. evolvere "to unroll"

Exacerbate (verb)

1. To make worse.
2. To cause a disease or its symptoms to become more severe.

Etymology: from Latin ex- "thoroughly" (see ex-) + acerbus "harsh, bitter,"

Excerpt (noun)

A short piece or passage taken from a larger work.

Etymology: from Latin excerptus, "pluck out"

Exposition (noun)

1. The part of writing that tells readers about the background, characters, setting, or plot.
2. A collection or exhibition of objects.
3. First section of a musical piece, that sets out the main theme.

Etymology: from L. expositionem (nom. expositio) "a setting or showing forth"

Factor

• (noun) Something that helps cause other events.
• (noun) A number that divides a quantity evenly. (math)
• (noun) One who acts for someone else; an agent.
• (noun) A person or company that buys or sells for someone else. (business)
• (verb) To find the numbers which will divide a quantity evenly (math).
• (verb) To figure in; to add to all the things that need to be considered.

  Etymology: from Latin factor, maker, from facere, to make.

Fallacy (noun)

• An argument which seems to be correct but which contains at least one error
• A mistake in reasoning.

  etymology: from L. fallacia "deception"

Figurative (adjective)

• Language that isn't literal. Talking about something as if it were something else. Examples of figurative language include metaphor and simile.
• In art, painting which includes animals or humans. The opposite of figurative painting is abstract painting.

  Etymology:  From Latin figura "a shape, form, figure"

Fragment

• (noun) A piece broken off or cut off of something else.
• (noun) An incomplete or partial thing.
• (noun) Part of a sentence that has been punctuated as if it were a complete sentence
• (verb) To break up: break or cause to break into pieces.

  Etymology: From Latin frangere "to break."

Frame

• (noun) A structure containing something or holding it up.
• (noun) A single still picture from a film or video.
• (noun) The part of a window that holds the glass.
• (noun) A border around a picture which protects it.
• (verb) To put something in a frame.
• (verb) To describe a situation in order to think about it.
• (verb) To trap someone and make him appear guilty.

Etymology: From Old English framian "to profit, be helpful, make progress"

Frequency (noun):

• The number of times something happens in a given time period.
• Something happening often; a frequent occurrence.
• (Physics) The number of times an oscillation repeats in a unit of time, usually one second.

  Etymology: from Latin frequentia "a crowding, crowd

Friendship (noun):

• The mutual trust and support between friends. A relationship in which two or more people are allied together.

  Etymology: From Old English freond "friend," and Anglian -scip "state, condition of being"

  Function:

  • (noun) What something is used for. Its purpose.
  • (noun) A social event, usually a formal one.
  • (noun) (Mathematics) A relationship between two sets of numbers so that each number in one set has a unique partner in the other set.
  • (verb) To work properly.

    Etymology: From L. functio "to perform."

  Honesty (noun)

  Truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness. Someone who has honesty is honest (adjective).

  Etymology: from Latin, honestus "honorable, respected, regarded with honor"

  Honor

  (noun) Virtue in action and thought. Respected for virtue. Well-known and publicly famous in a positive way.

  (verb) To pay respect to someone or something, often with a ceremony.

  Etymology: From Latin honorem "honor, dignity, office, reputation"

  Hypothesis:

  • (noun) A statement made as a possible explanation for something. In science, an experiment is designed to test the hypothesis you have made.
  • (noun) An assumption or guess.

  Etymology: From Greek hypo- "under" + thesis "a placing, proposition."

  Identity (noun)

  • The name of an individual person or thing.
  • The specific traits of an individual person or thing.
  • The distinct personality of someone or something. 
  • ( mathematics) An equation that is always true; two things that are equal.

    Etymology: From Latin idem, "the same" 

  Imply (verb):

  • To state something indirectly. To suggest or state something without saying it outright.
  • To suggest as a logically necessary result.

    Etymology: From Latin implicare, "involve"

  Inference (noun):
  • An assumption or guess, based on evidence or observation.

    Etymology: from Latin in- "in" + ferre "carry, bear."

  Inflection (noun):

  • A change in the form of a word to show a change in its job.
  • The rise or fall in the pitch of a voice.

    Etymology: From Latin inflectere "to bend in, change."

  Initative (noun):

  • Choosing to take the first action. Deciding to lead the way.
  • A program that is organized to take that first action.
  • Etymology: from Latin initiatus, from initiare "originate, initiate"

   

  Integral (adjective)

  • (adjective) Necessary to the whole thing. Essential.
  • (adjective) Whole or complete.
  • (noun - Math) The result of a mathematical integration

    Etymology: from Latin, integer, "whole"

• Integrity (noun):
  • Being honest and having strong morals.
  • Being whole and undivided

 

Etymology: From Latin, integer "whole"

Introduction (noun):

• The first part of a written or spoken text
• Beginning something new
• Presentation: formally making a person known to another or to the public
• A basic or elementary instructional text
• A new proposal
• Insertion: the act of putting one thing into another

Etymology:  From Latin, intro- "inward, to the inside" + ducere "to lead"

Inverse (noun)

• The opposite or backward version of something.
• (Math) the negative of a number. Also its reciprocal.

  Etymology: From Latin: invertere, to invert or "in-turn."

Justice (noun)

• Fairness or reasonableness. Treating people correctly according to law or morality. Punishing wrongdoers and rewarding those who do well.

Etymology: from Latin, iustitia "righteousness, equity," from iustus "upright, just."

Justify (verb):

• To show to be reasonable.
• To show to be right by providing evidence or proof.
• To set lines of text so that the left or right margins, or both, are aligned.
• To defend actions.

  Etymology: from L. justificare "act justly toward, make just," from justificus "dealing justly, righteous," from justus "just" (see just (adj.)) + root of facere "to do.

Leadership (noun)

• The ability to lead other people. ("She showed good leadership")
• Guidance and direction. ("His leadership made the organization successful")
• The people who lead an organization. ("The leadership of the union")

  Etymology: From Old English, lædere "one who leads" and Old English, -sciepe, "state, condition of being"

Learning (noun)

The process causing change in behavior as the result of practice or experience.

Liberal (adj.)

• generous in giving; abundant or lavish
• politics: favoring policies of reform and progress; opposing conservatism or reactionism; often identified with "left-wing" politics
• broad-minded
• not the literal meaning
• academic: the "humanites," that is, not technology, engineering, or science.

  Etymology: From Latin, liber, "free"

Literal (adj):

• obvious rather than secret or metaphorical. The ordinary meaning of a phrase. Explicit.
• simple, plain or direct.
• Do NOT use "literal" incorrectly. If you "literally" fly out of the window, you had better have wings or a jet engine.

  Etymology: Latin, litera ("letter")

Logic (noun):

• The science of reasoning.
• The basic principles of any type of knowledge.
• Good reasoning or arguments in general.

Etymology: From Greek, logos "reason, idea, word"

Loyalty (noun)

Being faithful to your country or to people such as friends, teammates, or family. Sticking to your commitments.

Etymology: Originally from Latin lex, meaning "law.

Metaphor (noun)

• A figure of speech in which one thing is described as if it were another, different thing. A comparison which does not use the words "like" or "as."

Etymology: Greek, from meta- "over, across" + pherein "to carry, bear"

Model:

• (noun) A person who acts as a human prop (for clothing, accessories, or products)
• (noun) A person who poses for artists or photographers
• (noun) A standard that should be imitated.
• (noun) A simplified description of a complicated process
• (noun) A replica of a real-life object, usually smaller than the real thing
• (noun) A type or version of a product.
• (verb) To make something in clay, wax, or similar materials.

  Etymology: From L. modulus "measure, standard," itself from L. modus "manner, measure"

Non sequitur: (noun)

• (Common) A statement that does not seem reasonably connected to what preceded it.
• (Logic) A conclusion that does not logically follow from another fact or facts.
• (Popular) A comic strip created by Wiley Miller in 1991 and syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate to over 700 newspapers.

  Etymology: Latin for "it does not follow.

Objective:

• (adjective) having actual existence; having reality; not affected by emotion or personal opinion. The opposite of subjective.
• (noun) aim or goal.
• (adjective) (Grammar) The case of a noun or pronoun when it is the object of a verb.
• (noun) The lens in a microscope or telescope that is the first to get light rays.

  Etymology: from Latin objectum "object"

Opaque (adjective)

• Not allowing light to pass through.
• Not clearly understood or expressed
• Hard to understand; obscure

  Etymology: From Latin opacus "shaded, shady, dark"

Opinion (noun):

• A personal belief, often strong, which is not necessarily supported by fact.
• A legal document written by a judge, giving explanation of a court’s decision.
• An editorial in a newspaper, giving the views of the writer rather than reporting on matters of fact.

  Etymology:  From Latin opinionem "opinion, conjecture, what one thinks"

Paraphrase (verb)

• To rewrite or restate the ideas, opinions, or arguments of another person in your own words.  It is important in written schoolwork to give credit to the other person when you paraphrase.  Otherwise, paraphrasing is plagiarism. 

Etymology:  from Greek, from para- "beside" + phrazein "to tell.

Perseverance (noun)

Continuing to work on something in spite of difficulty or delay. Hanging in there.

Etymology: from Latin perseverare "continue steadfastly, persist"

 

Perspective (noun)

• A way of looking at things or ideas.
• (Art) A technique used to give the illusion of 3-D on a flat surface.

Etymology: From Latin, per- "through" + specere "look at"

Plagiarism (noun):

• Presenting someone else's work as if it were your own, and not giving credit to the author. This includes exact copying and paraphrasing. Plagiarism is a form of cheating.

  Etymology: From Latin: plagiarius "kidnapper, seducer, plunderer," from plagium "kidnapping," from plaga "snare, net."

Plausible (adjective):

• Seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible.
• Giving a deceptive impression of truth or reliability.
• Insincerely smooth; fast-talking

  Etymology: From Latin plausibilis, "deserving applause," from plausus, past participle of plaudere, to applaud.

Pluralism (noun)

• Pluralism is a way of thinking about the world. A pluralist respects different ways of thinking, and understands that people will be different in their beliefs, opinions, and behavior.

Etymology: from Old French, plurel, "more than one"

Preparation (noun)

• Planning, setting up in advance, organization, or readiness.

Etymology: From Latin præ- "before" + parare "make ready"

Primary (adjective)

• (adjective) direct; immediate; first; not second-hand. 
• (adjective) chief; most important
• (adjective) relating to an elementary or lower school
• (adjective) one of the main flight feathers on the outer edge of a bird wing. 
• (noun) an election that chooses candidates

 

Etymology: From Latin primus, meaning "first."

Reciprocal (adjective)

• Showing mutual, matching, or equal relationship between two organizations or people.
• Given or felt in return.
• (Mathematics) A number's reciprocal is the number which, when the two are multiplied, gives the answer 1. For instance, the reciprocal of 4 is 1/4.

  Etymology: from L. reciprocus "returning the same way, alternating"

Redundant (adjective)

• repeated or duplicated unnecessarily
• repetition of the same sense in different words
• excess, more than is needed
• (computers) extra system element backup

  Etymology: From Latin, re- "again" + unda "a wave"

Reference

• (noun) a mention
• (noun) a written statement about a person's character.
• (noun) relation or connection.
• (noun) a citation or source, such as a book.
• (noun) a direction to look elsewhere
• (verb) to mention or refer to something.

  Etymology: from Latin, re- "back" + ferre "carry"

Regime (noun) :

• a ruling system of government.
• a government in power.
• the period during which a particular government or ruling system is in power.

Etymology: From Latin regimen, from regere, to rule

Relationship (noun):

• a connection, association, or involvement.
• connection between persons by blood or marriage.
• an emotional or other connection between people
• a romantic involvement; affair.
• (math) a function: the mathematical connection between two numbers or variables in ordered pairs.

   

  Etymology: from L. relationem "a bringing back, restoring"

Relevant (adj.)

• Having a connection to a subject; related to the topic.  Not off topic. 

Etymology: From L. relevare "to lessen, lighten"

Respect

• (noun) A polite and positive attitude toward someone or something that deserves it because of good character, position, or traits. Having a sense of the worth of something or someone.
• (verb) To show a polite and proper attitude to someone or something that deserves it.

 

Etymology: From Latin, respectus "regard," from re- "back" + specere "look at"

Rhetoric (noun):

• Language used to persuade
• High-sounding style of writing or speaking
• Empty, confusing words
• The study of persuasion

  Etymology: Greek, rhetor, "orator"

Satire (noun):

• use of ridicule or scorn, often funny, to point out flaws with the hope of making its subject improve.
• a literary example of such ridicule or scorn.

Etymology: Fom Latin satira, "satire, poetic medley."

Sarcasm (noun):

• Mocking, insulting or scornful language, often disguised as praise. A form of irony. Sarcasm is language used to mock or hurt another, often by saying the opposite of what is meant.

Etymology: From Greek sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer." The literal meaning of sarkazein is "to strip off the flesh"because the word it comes from sarx, means "piece of meat."

Sequential (adjective):

• Consecutive, in sequence, in order.

Etymology: from Latin sequi "to follow" (see non sequitur)

Sharing (noun)

• Dividing, giving, or using something together with another person or with other people. Taking part together in an activity. Telling one of your secrets to someone.

Etymology: From Old English, scearu "a cutting, shearing, division"

Significant (adj.):

important

fairly large

(statistics) too big a difference to be chance

meaningful

Etymology:  from Latin, from signum "sign" + facere "to make"

Static

(adjective) Lacking movement; unchanging

(noun) Friction-caused electricity, electricity in the air, or the interference caused by that electricity.

(noun) (informal) Trouble.  

Etymology: from Gk. statikos "causing to stand, skilled in weighing,"

Structure

(noun) The way in which the parts of a thing are put together to make a whole.
(noun) A building or other work of construction.
(verb) To organize parts into a whole.

Etymology:  from Latin, structus, pp. of struere "to pile, build, assemble"

Study (noun)

the use of the mind to gain knowledge.

the act or process of learning about something.

careful examination.

a branch of learning.

a room especially for reading and writing.

Study (verb)

to engage in study

to consider in detail, with attention.

Etymology: From Latin studere "to be diligent."

Subjective (adj)

1. influenced by personal viewpoint. The opposite of objective.
2. (grammar) used as the subject of a sentence. A synonym is "nominative"

Etymology: From Latin sub "under" and jacere "to throw"

Subtle (adj.) (pronounced "SUT-tel")

1. So slight that it is difficult to describe.
2. Difficult to understand; abstruse.
3. Able to make fine distinctions; clever, crafty, or sly.
4. Insidious or hidden.

Etymology: from L. subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven," from sub "under" + -tilis, from tela "web" and texere "to weave"

Succinct:

(adjective): expressed in few words; concise; terse.

Etymology: from L. succinctus "prepared, ready, contracted, short."

Summary:

1. (noun) A brief statement giving the main idea or main points of something.
2. (adjective) Done quickly and informally.

Etymology: From Latin, summa, "whole"

Symmetry (noun)

1. (Math) Exact reflection on both sides of a dividing line.
2. (Art) Balance in a work of art reached by having equal weight of objects, designs, or colors on either side of the center.
3. (Dog breeding) Pleasing balance between all parts of the dog.

Etymology: From Greek, syn- (together) and metron (measure).

Synthesis (noun):

1. Putting together ideas or things to make new ideas or things. Combining elements to make something new.
2. (Chemistry) putting smaller molecules together to make a larger one.

Etymology: From Greek, syn- "together" + tithenai "put, place"

System (noun):

1. Parts working together to make a whole.
2. A set of methods or rules for doing something.
3. Any organized approach.
4. The way things are run in the world.
5. A group of body organs working together to do a set of jobs.

Etymology: from Gk. systema "organized whole, body"

Teamwork (noun)

Work done with a team. The combined efforts of a group of people. It requires working together, supporting one another, and taking responsibility for the success of the team.

Etymology: From Old English, team "set of draft animals yoked together," and O.E. weorc, worc "something done, deed, action, proceeding, business, military fortification"

Theme: (noun)

1. A main subject or topic, as of a poem, novel, play, speech, etc.
2. A short essay, often written as an exercise.
3. In a musical composition, a melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic subject or phrase, usually developed with variations.

Etymology: From Greek, thema, "something set down."

Theory (noun):

1. (Science) An explanation of something in nature, supported by observation, experiments, and reasoning. A theory is a hypothesis which has been thoroughly tested, about which you can be confident. In science, a theory is never considered to be a fact. It is an attempt to explain facts.
2. (Math) A set of theorems that make up a branch of mathematics.
3. The general principles of an art or branch of study.
4. (Common use) a theory is speculation, an idea, a guess, or any belief which guides actions. In popular use, a theory does not have to be supported by the facts.

Etymology: From Greek theorein, "to look at".

Thesis (noun)

1. A sentence that gives the main point or argument of a paper.
2. A written paper reporting original research for a graduate degree.

Etymology: From Greek thesis, "a proposition."

Transition: (noun)

1. Passage from one place, condition, or stage to another; change.
2. Something, as a period of time or a situation, that leads from one stage or period to another.
3. Music: A passage connecting sections of a composition.

Etymology: Latin trans-, "across, over, beyond"

Vacation (noun)

1. free time or holiday away from work.
2. the act of making something legally void.

Etymology: from Latin vacare, "to be empty, at leisure.

Valid (adjective)

1. solid, strong, well-founded
2. effective
3. legally sound, effective, or binding; having legal force: a valid contract.
4. (Logic) describing an argument which must be true if its premises are true

Etymology: From Latin, validus, strong.

Variation (noun)

1. A change or alteration in something.
2. Repetitions (with change) of a musical theme.
3. A different version of something.
4. An object or process that is different from the standard type.

Etymology: From Latin, variare, to change.

Word (noun)

1. The smallest bit of language that can be said on its own and have meaning.
2. Brief statement ("he didn't say a word")
3. Command ("when I give the word")
4. Promise ("he gave his word")
5. Password
6. News ("what's the word from Washington?")
7. Sacred writings ("Word of God")

Word (verb)

1. To express ("he worded it differently")

Etymology: From Old English, word.