ethnography (th-ngr-f) n. The branch of anthropology that deals with the scientific description of specifi c human cultures.

anthropology (nthr-pl-j) n. 1. The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, a nd cultural development of humans. 2. That part of Christian theology concerning the genesis, nature, and future of humans, especially as contrasted with the nature of God: "changing the church's anthropology to include more pos itive images of women" (Priscilla Hart). eclectic (-klktk) adj. 1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems , or styles: an eclectic taste in music; an eclectic approach to managing the economy. contemporary (kn-tmp-rr) adj. 1. Belonging to the same period of time milieu (ml-y, m-ly) n. pl. milieus or milieux (-ly) An environment or a setting conspicuous (kn-spky-s) adj. 1. Easy to notice; obvious. 2. Attracting attention, as by being unusual or remarkable; noticeable epoch (pk, pk) n. 1. a. A particular period of history, especially one considered remarkable or notew orthy. b. A notable event that marks the beginning of such a period. See Synonyms at pe riod. theological (th-lj-kl) also theologic (-ljk) adj. Of or relating to theology or to specialized religious study. inundate (nn-dt, nn-) tr.v. inundated, inundating, inundates 1. To cover with water, especially floodwaters. 2. To overwhelm as if with a flood; swamp: The theater was inundated with reques ts for tickets. exclude (k-skld) tr.v. excluded, excluding, excludes 1. To prevent from entering; keep out; bar: a jar sealed to exclude outside air; an immigration policy that excludes undesirables. 2. To prevent from being included, considered, or accepted; reject: The court ex cluded the improperly obtained evidence. 3. To put out; expel.

myriad (mr-d) adj. 1. Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable: the myriad fish in the ocean. 2. Composed of numerous diverse elements or facets: the myriad life of the metro polis. n. 1. A vast number: the myriads of bees in the hive. . axiomatic - evident without proof or argument; "an axiomatic truth"; "we hold th ese truths to be self-evident" assuage [?'swe?d?] vb (tr) 1. to soothe, moderate, or relieve (grief, pain, etc.) altruism ['ltru???z?m] n 1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others counterintuitive - contrary to what common sense would suggest contingency (kn-tnjn-s) n. pl. contingencies 1. a. An event that may occur but that is not likely or intended anecdotal: Based on casual observations inimitable /i'nimit?b?l/ Adjective So good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique. Synonyms unique - incomparable - matchless remnant /'remn?nt/ Noun A small remaining quantity of something. Adjective Remaining. Synonyms remainder - residue - rest - leftover - vestige dwindling present participle of dwindle Verb Diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength: "dwindling resources". annotation ( n -t sh n). n. 1. The act or process of furnishing critical commentary or explanatory notes. 2 prostrate (prstrt) tr.v. prostrated, prostrating, prostrates 1. To put or throw flat with the face down, as in submission or adoration: "He d id not simply sit and meditate, he also knelt down, sometimes even prostrated hi

mself" (Iris Murdoch). 2. To cause to lie flat: The wind prostrated the young trees. 3. To reduce to extreme weakness or incapacitation; overcome: an illness that pr ostrated an entire family; a nation that was prostrated by years of civil war. obstinate (bst-nt) adj. 1. Stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action; obdurate. 2. Difficult to manage, control, or subdue; refractory. 3. Difficult to alleviate or cure: an obstinate headache. queer (kwr) adj. queerer, queerest 1. Deviating from the expected or normal; strange: a queer situation. 2. Odd or unconventional, as in behavior; eccentric. See Synonyms at strange. 3. Of a questionable nature or character; suspicious. 4. Slang Fake; counterfeit. 5. Feeling slightly ill; queasy. 6. Offensive Slang Homosexual. 7. Usage Problem Of or relating to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, or transgendere d people. n. 1. Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a homosexual person. 2. Usage Problem A lesbian, gay male, bisexual, or transgendered person. tr.v. queered, queering, queers Slang 1. To ruin or thwart: "might try to queer the Games with anything from troop mov ements . . . to a bomb attack" (Newsweek). 2. To put (someone) in a bad position. abominable (-bm-n-bl) adj. 1. Unequivocally detestable; loathsome: abominable treatment of prisoners. 2. Thoroughly unpleasant or disagreeable: abominable weather. scrupulous /'skro?opy?l?s/ Adjective (of a person or process) Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. Very concerned to avoid doing wrong. Synonyms meticulous - conscientious - precise - nice - punctilious deceitful /di'setf?l/ Adjective (of a person) Deceiving or misleading others, typically on a habitual basis. Intended to deceive or mislead. Synonyms deceptive - false - fraudulent - delusive - lying admonish (d-mnsh) tr.v. admonished, admonishing, admonishes 1. To reprove gently but earnestly. 2. To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution. 3. To remind of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a respon sibility. inordinate (n-rdn-t) adj. 1. Exceeding reasonable limits; immoderate. See Synonyms at excessive.

2. Not regulated; disorderly. impediment (m-pd-mnt) n. 1. Something that impedes; a hindrance or obstruction. See Synonyms at obstacle. 2. An organic defect preventing clear articulation: a speech impediment. 3. Law Something that obstructs the making of a legal contract. vehement (v-mnt) adj. 1. Characterized by forcefulness of expression or intensity of emotion or convic tion; fervid: a vehement denial. See Synonyms at intense. 2. Marked by or full of vigor or energy; strong: a vehement storm. irreconcilable (-rkn-sl-bl, -rkn-s-) adj. Impossible to reconcile: irreconcilable differences. n. 1. A person, especially a member of a group, who will not compromise, adjust, or submit. 2. One of two or more conflicting ideas or beliefs that cannot be brought into h armony. scrupulous /'skro?opy?l?s/ Adjective (of a person or process) Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. Very concerned to avoid doing wrong. vexing present participle of vex (Verb) Verb Make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, esp. with trivial matters. Cause distress to: "thou shalt not vex a stranger". caprice (k-prs) n. 1. a. An impulsive change of mind. b. An inclination to change one's mind impulsively. c. A sudden, unpredictable action, change, or series of actions or changes: A ha ilstorm in July is a caprice of nature. solace (sls) n. 1. Comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or distress; consolation. 2. A source of comfort or consolation. tr.v. solaced, solacing, solaces 1. To comfort, cheer, or console, as in trouble or sorrow. See Synonyms at comfo rt. 2. To allay or assuage: "They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets afte r supper" (Jane Austen). hypocrisy (h-pkr-s) n. pl. hypocrisies 1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not ho ld or possess; falseness. 2. An act or instance of such falseness. deign (dn) v. deigned, deigning, deigns

v.intr. To think it appropriate to one's dignity; condescend: wouldn't deign to greet th e servant who opened the door. See Synonyms a discretion (d-skrshn) n. 1. The quality of being discreet; circumspection. See Synonyms at prudence. 2. Ability or power to decide responsibly. 3. Freedom to act or judge on one's own: All the decisions were left to our disc retion tumult (tmlt, ty-) n. 1. The din and commotion of a great crowd. 2. a. A disorderly commotion or disturbance. b. A tempestuous uprising; a riot. rapture (rpchr) n. 1. The state of being transported by a lofty emotion; ecstasy. 2. An expression of ecstatic feeling. Often used in the plural. 3. The transporting of a person from one place to another, especially to heaven. conjecture (kn-jkchr) n. 1. Inference or judgment based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence; guesswork . 2. A statement, opinion, or conclusion based on guesswork: The commentators made various conjectures about the outcome of the 3. Agitation of the mind or emotions: "I spend much time in a tumult of anger an d disbelief" (Scott Turow). surmises 3rd person singular present, plural of surmise Verb Suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it: "he surmis ed that something must be wrong". Noun A supposition that something may be true, even though there is no evidence to co nfirm it: "all these observations remain surmise". countenance /'kountn-?ns/ Noun A person's face or facial expression. fastidious (f-std-s, f-) adj. 1. Possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail. 2. Difficult to please; exacting. 3. Excessively scrupulous or sensitive, especially in matters of taste or propri ety. See Synonyms at meticulous. 4. Microbiology Having complicated nutritional requirements. disposition (dsp-zshn) n. 1. One's usual mood; temperament: a sweet disposition. 2. a. A habitual inclination; a tendency: a disposition to disagree. b. A physical property or tendency: a swelling with a disposition to rupture.

3. nd 4. 5. 6. a. b.

Arrangement, positioning, or distribution: a cheerful disposition of colors a textures; a convoy oriented into a north-south disposition. A final settlement: disposition of the deceased's property. An act of disposing; a bestowal or transfer to another. The power or liberty to control, direct, or dispose. Management; control.

gallantry (gln-tr) n. pl. gallantries 1. Nobility of spirit or action; courage. 2. Chivalrous attention toward women; courtliness: "the air of faintly mocking g allantry with which he habitually treated mother" (Louis Auchincloss). 3. The act or an instance of gallant speech or behavior. affectation (fk-tshn) n. 1. A show, pretense, or display. 2. a. Behavior that is assumed rather than natural; artificiality. b. A particular habit, as of speech or dress, adopted to give a false impression .

candour US, candor ['knd?] n 1. the quality of being open and honest; frankness 2. fairness; impartiality 3. Obsolete purity or brightness candid (kndd) adj. 1. Free from prejudice; impartial. 2. Characterized by openness and sincerity of expression; unreservedly straightf orward: In private, I gave them my candid opinion. ostentation (stn-tshn, -tn-) n. 1. Pretentious display meant to impress others; boastful showiness. 2. Archaic The act or an instance of showing; an exhibition. pliant (plnt) adj. 1. Easily bent or flexed; pliable. See Synonyms at malleable. 2. Easily altered or modified to fit conditions; adaptable. 3. Yielding readily to influence or domination; compliant. conceited (kn-std) adj. Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of oneself; vain. fastidious (f-std-s, f-) adj. 1. Possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail. 2. Difficult to please; exacting. 3. Excessively scrupulous or sensitive, especially in matters of taste or propri ety. See Synonyms at meticulous. 4. Microbiology Having complicated nutritional requirements.