Page 289 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

27_571656 ch22.qxd 11/10/04 12:43 PM Page 280
Essential Vocabulary
280
esoterica (ES oh TER ik uh) n. 1. things meant to be understood only by an
elite few; 2. confidential things
• The Native American medicine man was responsible for passing down the
esoterica of his calling to the next generation.
• Every religion has certain persons to whom are entrusted the esoterica of
the group.
eulogy (YOO li jee) n. a speech or writing in praise of a person who has recently
died, or a project that has been killed
• It is customary for a eulogy to be given by one or more persons at a funeral
service.
• Traditionally, any ill traits of the deceased are not mentioned during a eulogy.
[Syn. tribute]
euphemism (YOO fi MIZ im) n. 1. a word or phrase that is less expressive sub-
stituted for a more expressive one to lessen its impact (the remains rather than the
corpse); 2. the use of such a word
• The “dearly departed” is a euphemism for the “dead person.”
• Many people speak in euphemisms, requiring the listeners to interpret what
they are hearing.
[euphemistic adj., euphemistically adv.]
evolve (ee VOLV) vt., vi. 1. to develop by gradual change; unfold; 2. to change
by evolution
• A winning baseball team evolves as all the right players are assembled and
become comfortable playing together.
• Modern man is thought to have evolved from earlier species, such as
Cro-Magnon man.
[-d, evolving] [Syn. unfold]
excoriate (iks KAW ree ayt) vt. 1. to harshly denounce; 2. to rub off the skin of;
to abrade; to flay
• Mr. Brown excoriated his class for having misbehaved on the class trip.
• Jack excoriated his right elbow when he slid into second base.
[-d, excoriating, excoriation n.]