Page 180 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

16_571656 ch12.qxd 11/10/04 12:39 PM Page 171
O: SAT Words
171
originality (uh RIJ in AL i tee) n. 1. the quality or condition of never having
occurred before; 2. the ability to be creative or inventive
• The person who wrote “Roses are red, violets are blue, monkeys are hairy,
and so are you” can hardly lay claim to having any originality.
• When it comes to cooking contests, originality in use of seasonings usually
plays a large part in determining the winner.
ornate (awr NAYT) adj. 1. heavily adorned, often to excess; 2. showy or flowery,
as in some musical or literary styles
• Corinthian capitals (column tops) are known for their exceptionally ornate
decoration.
• Paganini was an exceptionally gifted violinist, and some of his composi-
tions are so ornate that nobody else can play them.
orthodox (AWR thuh DAHKS) n. 1. conforming to the established beliefs and
doctrines (as in religion, politics, etc.); 2. designating any of the churches of the
Eastern Orthodox Church
• The orthodox politician makes it a point not to offend any potential voters.
• Admiral Yamamoto’s unorthodox reliance on aircraft carriers was the main
reason for early Japanese successes in World War II.
• The Catholic Church celebrates Easter at a different time from the Orthodox
Church.
[-y* n.] [Ant. unorthodox]
ostensible (ahs TEN sib il) adj. apparent; seeming; professed
• There was an ostensible misunderstanding between the valet parking
attendant and his client.
• An ostensible difference of opinion exists between those voting for one
candidate and those supporting the other.
[ostensibly adv.]
ostentatious* (AHS tin TAY shuhs) adj. showy display of wealth or learning;
pretentious
• The lobby of the Ritz Carlton Hotel can only be described as slightly
ostentatious, as one would expect.
• As a Harvard graduate, Andrew felt it necessary to place his diploma in an
ostentatious frame in his law office.
[-ly adv., ostentation n.]
ostracism (AHS truh sizm) n. barring; banishment; excluding (from the ancient
Greek word ostra, for a shard of pottery)
• In ancient Athens, a man’s name might be written on a broken piece of
pottery, and if enough ostra had his name on it, an ostracism took place;
that is, he was banished.
• Ostracism is a rather cruel form of social punishment.
[ostracize v., ostracized, ostracizing] [Syn. banish]
outcast (OWT kast) n. one cast out; a person or thing rejected by society
• One who has been ostracized is an outcast.
• Persons serving jail time for having committed crimes can be considered
social outcasts.