cerebrum

Pronunciation: \sə-ˈrē-brəm, Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ce·re·brums or ce·re·bra \-brə\

Etymology: Latin Date: 1615

1. Of or relating to the brain or cerebrum.

2. Appealing to or requiring the use of the intellect; intellectual rather than emotional: "His approach is cerebral, analytical, cautious" (Helen Dewar).

cerebral - of or relating to the cerebrum or brain; "cerebral hemisphere"; "cerebral activity"

chasm

Pronunciation: \ˈka-zəm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin chasma, from Greek; akin to Latin hiare to yawn — more at yawn Date: 1596

1 : a deep cleft in the surface of a planet (as the earth) : gorge

2 : a marked division, separation, or difference

coagulate

Pronunciation: \-lət, -ˌlāt\ Function: adjective Date: 14th century archaic : being clotted or congealed

rigorPronunciation: \ˈri-gər\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff Date: 14th century (1): harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity (2): the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness

• rigor

• Pronunciation: \ˈri-gər\ • Function: noun • Etymology: Middle English rigour, from Anglo-

French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff Date: 14th century

• 1 a (1): harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity (2): the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness (3): severity of life : austerity b: an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty2: a tremor caused by a chill3: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable; especially : extremity of cold

litmus

Pronunciation: \ˈlit-məs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English litmose, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse litmosi herbs used in dyeing, from litr color (akin to Old English wlite brightness, appearance) Date: 14th century

• 1. A test for chemical acidity or basicity using litmus paper.

• 2. A test that uses a single indicator to prompt a decision.

• 3. A critical indication of future success or failure.

"The word 'hopefully' has become the litmus test to

determine whether one is a language snob or a language slob" William Safire.

"when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions"

• Litmus Paper Tigers: The benefits of declaring absolutes whether we believe them or not

• What do you get when you cross a litmus test and a paper tiger?

• A litmus test is a test that relies on a single indicator. The term originates with litmus paper which turns red in acid and blue in alkaline solutions.

• A paper tiger is a person or institution that seems powerful but is in fact weak and ineffectual..

• A litmus paper tiger therefore is someone who claims to make decisions based on a single overarching principle but doesn’t.

precursor

Pronunciation: \pri-ˈkər-sər, ˈprē-ˌ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English precursoure, from Latin praecursor, from praecurrere to run before, from prae- pre- + currere to run — more at current Date: 15th century

1 a: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another b: predecessor

2: a substance, cell, or cellular component from which another substance, cell, or cellular component is formed…synonyms see forerunner

Precursor of life molecules

found around star.

Precursor to soul

regurgitatePronunciation: \(ˌ)rē-ˈgər-jə-ˌtāt\ Function: verb Etymology: Medieval Latin regurgitatus, past participle of regurgitare,

from Latin re- + Late Latin gurgitare to engulf, from Latin gurgit-, gurges whirlpool — more at voracious

Date: 1653 • 1 : to become thrown or poured back 2: to throw or pour back or out

from or as if from a cavity <regurgitate food> <memorized facts to regurgitate on the exam>

rotunda

Pronunciation: \rō-ˈtən-də\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian rotonda, from Latin rotunda, feminine of rotundus

Date: 1645

1: a round building; especially : one covered by a dome

2 a: a large round room b: a large central area (as in a hotel)

shilling

Pronunciation: \ˈshi-liŋ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scilling; akin to Old High German skilling, a gold coin Date: before 12th century

1 a: a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or pound b: a former monetary unit equal to pound of any of various countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations 2: a coin representing one shilling3: any of several early American coins4— see money table

derogatory

Pronunciation: \di-ˈrä-gə-ˌtor-ē\

Function: adjective

Date: circa 1503

1 : detracting from the character or standing of something —often used with to, towards, or of 2 : expressive of a low opinion : disparaging <derogatory remarks>

Derogatory labelling:

The discriminatory nature of derogatory labels used to describe members of minority groups is often obvious. However, derogatory labels are still commonly used, and must be avoided.

hamlet

Pronunciation: \ˈham-lət\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French hamelet, diminutive of ham village, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hām village, home Date: before 12th century

1: a small village

• Answer Key• 1. cerebrum• 2. precursor• 3. chasm• 4. derogatory• 5. rotunda• 6. shilling• 7. litmus• 8. coagulate• 9. hamlet• 10. regurgitate• 11. regurgitate• 12. derogatory• 13. shilling• 14. rotunda• 15. hamlet• 16. chasm• 17. coagulate• 18. precursor• 19. cerebrum• 20. litmus