10 ENGLISH WORDS FROM 'THE HINDU' & 'THE INDIAN EXPRESS': VOCABS WEEK 7

(EDITING IN PROCESS)

HI EVERYONE! This is RB. This is the seventh post of the series, 'Improve Your Vocabulary'. 

1. The first word we are going to learn today is ‘Blandishments’. It means ‘pleasant words or actions which are used to make someone do something’. 

For example,

She said a lot of nice things about her teacher in front of him in order to get good marks in the test. But, he is used to blandishments. So, it didn’t really influence him.

Here, you need to understand something. It does not matter whether the speaker uses truth or falsehood in his speech.  It is the intention of the speaker that matters.

2. Next up, ‘Impervious’.

It means ‘not able to get influenced, hurt, or damaged’.

Let us try to understand this with the help of the previous example.

The student said a lot of nice things about his teacher in front of him in order to get good marks in the test. But, he is one of those teachers who are used to blandishments. So, it didn’t really influence him.

LET’S REWRITE IT.

The student said a lot of nice things about his teacher in front of him in order to get good marks in the test. But, he is impervious to blandishments. 

One more example.

She had a minor accident. But, it appears she is impervious to pain. 

3. Next, Susceptible.

‘likely to get influenced or harmed easily’

He is not susceptible to flattery.

That means, he is not going to get fooled. 

Then,

Some plants are susceptible to hot weather.

That means, maybe, they don’t do well in summer.

It can also refer to a work of art, a statement, or maybe, an idea which can be interpreted in various ways.

For example,

The ending of the latest horror movie is susceptible to various interpretations.

4. Next, Loggerheads.

We are going to learn its use in the expression, to be at loggerheads with somebody’.

It means ‘to strongly disagree with somebody’.

For example,

The people are at loggerheads with the minister over the pay raise of MLAs.

It can be rephrased in the following manner.

The people and the minister are at loggerheads over the pay raise of MLAs.

5. Next, 'Underscore'.

to emphasize the importance of something

The minister underscored the importance of routine maintenance of bridges after the recent accident. 

6. Anyhow, next up, 'Steadfast'.

remaining the same for a long time in terms of friendship, loyalty, support or belief

Some people always remain steadfast in their support for their political parties, even if their leaders are corrupt. 

7. The seventh word for today, 'Sacrilege'.

treating something holy or important without respect

For example,

It is considered a sacrilege to wear shoes inside a temple.

Now, it may not be related to religion.

You can also say

It would be a sacrilege to wear this pink dress in the funeral.

8. Next, 'Ameliorate'.

to make an unpleasant situation better

 She has taken some money from her mother to ameliorate her financial condition. 

9.  Next, 'Precipitate'.

to make something happen suddenly or sooner than expected

Our careless attitude towards Mother Nature has precipitated drastic climate change across the globe.

 10. 'Vigorous'

very energetic

The news anchor had a vigorous debate with the guests.

'Vigorous' can also mean ‘healthy and strong’.

For example,

The new fertilizer has worked well. There is a vigorous growth in the plants. 

SO LONG!