Page 233 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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Essential Vocabulary
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tendency (TEN din see) n. 1. an inclination, bent, or propensity to move in a
certain direction; 2. an apparent moving toward some particular purpose; drift;
3. a purpose or point of view
• Things set in motion have a tendency to remain in motion until interfered
with by an outside force.
• An object at rest has a tendency to remain at rest until acted upon by an
outside force.
• Isaac Newton’s tendency was to state things as laws, such as the two laws of
inertia stated above.
• The tendency of the American people during the 1980s and 1990s was to
move politically toward the right.
[Syn. drift, trend]
tentative (TEN tuh TIV lee) adj. 1. proposed, but not definite; uncertain;
2. timid; hesitant
• The tentative time for our next meeting is Tuesday at 7 P.M., but check back
before putting it on your calendar.
• Joanne wanted to ask Arthur to the dance, but her approach to him was, at
best, tentative.
[-ly adv., -ness n.] [Syn. uncertain]
tenuous (TEN yoo is) adj. not substantial; flimsy; inconclusive
• The challenger’s lead in the polls is, at best, tenuous.
• Nora had a tenuous grip on her tennis racket, and it was at risk of flying
out of her hand with each swing.
[-ly adv., -ness n.]
testimony (TES to MOH nee) n. 1. a declaration or statement made under oath,
sometimes in response to questioning, before a court of some sort; 2. a public affir-
mation; any kind of evidence; 3. any sworn statement
• The arresting officer gave testimony at the burglary trial.
• The general’s testimony before Congress was that the army was fully prepared.
• Lynn’s testimony was given in a letter signed before a notary public.
tether (TE thir) n. a rope or cord fastened to something to prevent its escape
—vt. to tie up or confine something/someone using a tether
• Tetherball is played using a ball attached to a stake by a tether.
• It is not unusual to find a dog tethered to a lamppost while its owner is in
the grocery store.
• Never tether your dog for any length of time in the presence of hot sun-
light with no recourse to shade and fresh water.
[-ed, -ing]
theoretical (THEE uh RET i kil) adj. 1. of or making up an idea or mental con-
cept; 2. limited to theory, but not practical or proven; 3. speculative
• Einstein had a theoretical view of the relationship between energy and mass.
• Air travel was purely theoretical until the beginning of the twentieth century.
• The existence of life in other galaxies is purely theoretical.
[-ly adv.]