Word of the Day is used to expand students' vocabulary both as part of their studied curriculum and wider vocabulary knowledge. At ACHS Word of the Day is discussed in form time each morning and students are encouraged to use each day's word appropriately in lessons. Here's a selection of words from recent weeks.
nugatory
[ noo-guh-tawr-ee ]
adjective
of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.
circadian
[ sur-key-dee-uhn ]
adjective
noting or pertaining to rhythmic biological cycles recurring at approximately 24-hour intervals.
ostracise
[ os-truh-sahyz ]
verb (used with object)
to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.
desolate
[ adjective des-uh-lit ]
adjective
deprived or destitute of inhabitants; deserted; uninhabited.
trepidation
[ trep-i-dey-shuhn ]
noun
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation.
trembling or quivering movement; tremor.
calibrate
[ kal-uh-breyt ]
verb (used with object), cal·i·brat·ed, cal·i·brat·ing.
to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).
to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.
to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.
to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc.:
efficacy
[ ef-i-kuh-see ]
noun, plural ef·fi·ca·cies.
capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness:a remedy of great efficacy.
exponential
[ ek-spoh-nen-shuhl, -spuh- ]
adjective
of or relating to an exponent or exponents.
Mathematics.
-
of or relating to the constant e.
-
(of an equation) having one or more unknown variables in one or more exponents.
rising or expanding at a steady, rapid rate:a city experiencing exponential growth.
ambiguity
[ am-bi-gyoo-i-tee ]
noun, plural am·bi·gu·i·ties.
doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention:to speak with ambiguity; an ambiguity of manner.
an unclear, indefinite, or equivocal word, expression, meaning, etc.:a contract free of ambiguities; the ambiguities of modern poetry.
rambunctious
[ ram-buhngk-shuhs ]
adjective
difficult to control or handle; wildly boisterous:a rambunctious child.
turbulently active and noisy:a social gathering that became rambunctious and out of hand.
insidious
[ in-sid-ee-uhs ]
adjective
intended to entrap or beguile:an insidious plan.
stealthily treacherous or deceitful:an insidious enemy.
operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect:an insidious disease.
kinesthetic
[ kin-uhs-thet-ik ]
adjective
needing to move.
lagoon
[ luh-goon ]
noun
an area of shallow water separated from the sea by low sandy dunes.Compare laguna.
Also la·gune . any small, pondlike body of water, especially one connected with a larger body of water.
an artificial pool for storage and treatment of polluted or excessively hot sewage, industrial waste, etc.
ghetto
[ get-oh ]
noun, plural ghet·tos, ghet·toes.
1. a section of a city, especially a thickly populated slum area, inhabited predominantly by members of an ethnic or other minority group, often as a result of social pressures or economic hardships.
2. (formerly, in most European countries) a section of a city in which all Jews were required to live.
3. any mode of living, working, etc., that results from stereotyping or biased treatment:job ghettos for women; ghettos for the elderly.