Page 67 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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conclusion (kuhn KLOO zhn) n. 1. the end or final part; 2. the result of the
reasoning process; judgment; decision; an opinion reached after investigating; the
last in a chain of events
• The coda is the conclusion of many musical pieces and is used to reinforce
the main idea.
• After thinking it through thoroughly, the conclusion that the butler had
done it was unavoidable.
• Scotland Yard’s investigator reached the same conclusion.
• The “Waltz of the Flowers” is the conclusion to Tchaikowsky’s The Nutcracker
Suite.
condemn (kuhn DEM) vt. 1. to blame; strongly disapprove of; censure; 2. to
declare guilty of wrongdoing; to doom; pronounce penalty on; 3. to claim private
property for public use by using the power of eminent domain; expropriate; 4. to
declare unfit for service
• We all condemn the actions of the 9/11 hijackers.
• Let us condemn the serial killer to a life in jail.
• The city condemned five private homes to make room for the football stadi-
um’s parking lot.
• The run-down tenement will be condemned and demolished.
[-ed, -ing, -er n.] [Syn. criticize]
condescend (KON dis END) vi. 1. to lower oneself to the level of the person
one is dealing with; to graciously and willing do something regarded as beneath
one’s dignity; deign; 2. to deal with others in a proud or haughty way
• The judge may condescend to explain his decision to the convicted felon,
even though the law does not require it.
• Our cat condescends to hang out with the dog from time to time, even
though she makes it abundantly clear that she occupies a much higher
social level than he does.
• The elite castes in traditional India would not condescend to speak with an
untouchable.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. stoop]
condition (kuhn DISH uhn) n. 1. anything that’s a requirement before perform-
ing or doing something else; 2. any prerequisite to the happening of another thing,
event, etc.; 3. something that modifies or restricts the nature, existence, or occur-
rence of something else; 4. state of being; health; 5. social position; rank; station
—vt. 1. to set as a requirement; to stipulate; 2. to impose rules on; 3. to affect, mod-
ify, or influence; 4. to bring to a desired state
• Being paid in advance is a condition of my not singing at charity concerts;
if you heard me sing, you’d know why.
• Fertile soil is one condition of good crop growth.
• Lack of sun is a condition preventing my having a nice lawn.
• Alex’s condition has improved since he saw the doctor.
• The vice president’s condition keeps him in close touch with the pulse of
the Senate.