FCMS VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE LIST FIRST SEMESTER 2012-2013 – 8th Grade
WEEK OF August 15 – PRETEST OVER 30 WORDS
WEEK OF August 20
Phenomenon, plural - phenomena
1. n- facts, occurrences, or circumstances observed or observable: to study the phenomena of nature
2. n- something that is impressive or extraordinary
Synonyms:
1. event, incident 2. marvel, miracle
Related forms: phenomenal
Word origin: Latin phainein = show forth
Tension1. n- the act of stretching or the state of being stretched
2. n- a situation or condition of hostility, suspense, or uneasiness
Synonyms:
1. tautness, tightness 2. stress
Antonyms:
1. looseness 2. calmness, security
Related forms: tensive adj.; tensional adj. ; overtension noun
Word origin; Latin tendere = to stretch
Resistance
1. n - the act or instance of opposing
2. n- the capacity to withstand something, esp. the body’s natural capacity to withstand disease
Synonyms:
1. Defiance 2. Protection, shield
Antonyms:
1. compliance, cooperation 2. weakness
Related forms: resist verb; resistant, adj.
Word origin: Latin re = back + sistere = take a stand
WEEK OF AUGUST 27
Potential
1. adj.- possible, but not yet actual: the potential uses of nuclear energy
2. n- an ability that may or may not be developed
Synonyms:
1. inherent, latent, likely 2. promise
Antonyms:
1. impossible, unpromising
Related forms: potentially adjective
Word origin: Latin potential potency
Resolution
1. n- a formal decision, judgment, verdict
2. n. firmness of purpose; determination
Synonyms:
1. outcome, ending 2. strong will
Antonyms:
2. compliance, indecision, weakness
Related forms: resolve verb; resolute adj.
Word origin: Latin resolvere = re = back + solver= loosen
Week of August 27 (continued)
Proportion
1. comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio.
2. n- dimensions or size: a problem of huge proportions
Synonyms:
1. relationship, similarity 2. dimension
Antonyms:
1. disproportion 2. insufficiency, inadequacy
Related forms: proportionate adj. proportional adj.
Word origin: Latin pro + portione = in relation to the part
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10
Principal
1. adj. - first, highest, or foremost in importance, rank, worth, or degree; chief
2. n. - a main participant in a situation
Synonyms:
1. primary, main 2. chief, leader
Antonyms:
1. unimportant, secondary 2. subordinate
Related forms: principally adv.; principality noun
Word origin: Latin principalis = first
Symmetry
1. n- proper or due proportion of the parts of a body or whole to one another with regard to size and form
2. n. exact correspondence in position or form about a given point, line, or plane
Synonyms:
1. equality, regularity, conformity, balance
Antonyms:
1. asymmetry, irregularity, imbalance, unevenness
Related forms: symmetrical adjective, symmetrically adv.
Word origin: Latin symmetria = together
Inquiry
1. n- a search or request for truth, information, or knowledge
2. n- an investigation, as into an incident: a Congressional inquiry into the bribery charges
Synonyms:
1. question, request, interrogation 2. probe, analysis, hearing
Antonyms:
1. answer, reply
Related forms: inquire verb, inquisition noun inquiring adj.
Word origin: Latin in = into; quaerere = ask
Possible confusion: enquiry
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17
Initial
1. adj. - of, pertaining to, or occurring at the beginning; first: the initial step in a process
2. v. -to mark or sign with a beginning letter or the beginning letters of one's name
Synonyms:
1. first, fundamental, primary, opening
Antonyms:
1. subsequent, final
Related forms: initially adverb, initialize verb
Word origin: Latin initialis, initium = a beginning
Week of September 27 (continued)
Subsequent
1. adj.- occurring or coming later or after: subsequent events; Subsequent to their arrival in Chicago, they bought a new
car.
Synonyms:
1. following, succeeding, consequent
2.
Antonyms:
1. preceding, initial
Related forms: subsequently adverb
Word origin: Latin sub from under + sequi = follow
Conjecture
1. n. - a conclusion reached by guessing
Synonym:
1. guess, surmise, speculation
Antonym:
1. fact, truth, reality
Related forms: conjectured, conjecturing verb
Word origin: Latin conjicere = discuss, throw together
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24
Figurative
1. adj. - of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor; metaphorical; not literal: a figurative expression
Synonyms:
1. Nonliteral, metaphorical, allegorical
Antonyms:
1. literal, exact
Related forms: figuratively adverb; nonfigurative adjective
Word origin:
Function
1. n.-a specific occupation or role
2. n.-an official ceremony or formal occasion
Synonyms:
1. employment, capacity purpose, duty, job; 2. act, behave, operate
Related forms: functional adjective, functionalism noun
Word origin: Latin function, - onis, fungi = perform
Legend
1.n. – an explanation accompanying a table, map, chart, etc.
2.n. - a popular story handed down from earlier times whose truth has not been confirmed (Legend of Sleepy Hollow)
Synonyms:
1. key, caption 2. fable, narrative, saga, tale, tradition, myth
Antonyms:
truth, nonfiction
Related forms: legendary adjective, legendry noun
Word origin: Medieval Latin, legenda = (things) to be read
Week of OCTOBER 1
Primary
1. adj. -first or highest in rank or importance; chief; principal: his primary goals in life
2. adj. –original; fundamental; basic
Related Forms: prime, primarily
Origin: Latin prīmārius = of the first rank
Synonyms:. chief, leading, principal
Antonyms: secondary, subordinate
Cite
1. v. -to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority: He cited the Constitution in his defense.
2. v. - to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example: He cited many instances of abuse of power.
Related Forms: cited, citation
Origin: Latin citare = to cause to move, arouse, summon, urge, call
Synonyms: 1. allude to, refer to,
2. exemplify
Possible Problems: site and sight
Reference
1. n. -a mention; an allusion
2. n. -material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark
Related Forms: refer, referenced, referencing
Origin: Latin referre = to bring back
Synonyms: 1. note, allusion
2. resource
Week of OCTOBER 8
Plot
1. n. -a small piece or area of ground: a garden plot; burial plot.
2. n. -a secret plan or scheme to accomplish some purpose, especially a hostile, unlawful, or evil purpose; or
3. v. meaning to make this plan or scheme
Related Forms: plotted, plotting
Word origin: Old.English. plot "small piece of ground," of unknown origin. Sense of "ground plan," and thus "map, chart"
is 1551; that of "plan, scheme" is 1587, probably by accidental similarity to complot, from Old French complot "combined
plan," of unknown origin, perhaps a back-formation from compeloter "to roll into a ball."
Synonyms: 1. parcel (of land), area
2. device, maneuver, plan
Objective
1. n- purpose; goal; target
2. adj. - not influenced by personal feelings or prejudice; based on facts
Related Forms: objectively, objectiveness
Origin: Middle English - something perceived, purpose, objection < Medieval Latin objectum = something thrown down
or presented (to the mind)
Synonyms: 1. aim, ambition,
2. impartial, unbiased
Antonyms: 1.
2. subjective, biased
Subjective
1. adj. - emotional; based on inner experience rather than fact, not objective: subjective views
2. adj. - pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual: a subjective evaluation.
Related Forms: nonsubjective, adjective, subjec·tiv·ly, adverb, subjectiveness, noun
Origin: Latin subjectus = placed beneath, inferior, open to inspection
Synonyms: 1. prejudiced, biased
2. individual
Antonyms: 1. objective, fair, unbiased
Week of OCTOBER 22
Term
1. n. -a limited period of time, such as a term of office, a school term
2. n. -a word or group of words having a particular meaning
Related forms: terms, termed
Origin: Latin terminus - boundary, limit, end; akin to Greek térmōn = limit
Synonyms: 1. period
2. word, label, designation
Plausible
1. adj. having an appearance of truth or reason; seemingly worthy of approval or acceptance; credible;
2. believable: a plausible excuse; a plausible plot
Related Forms: plausibility, plausibleness, noun; plausibly, adverb
Origin: Latin plausibilis = deserving applause
Synonyms: reasonable, believable
Antonyms: improbable, unlikely
Structure
1. n- the arrangement and interrelationship of parts in a construction, such as a building
2. v- to give organization or arrangement to
Related forms: destructure, verb (used with object), interstructure, noun; nonstructure, noun
prestructure, verb (used with object),
Origin: Latin. structura = a fitting together, adjustment, building
Synonyms: 1. anatomy, arrangement, makeup
2. build, construct
Week of OCTOBER 29
Interpret
1. v. -to explain the meaning of
2. v. - to convey the meaning of a poem, song, etc. in performance
Related Forms: interpretation (n)/interpreter/(n)
Origin: Latin interpretari = "explain, expound, understand,"
Synonyms: 1. clarify
2. depict, portray
Justify
1. v.-to demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid
2. v-In printing, to adjust the spacing with the lines of a document so that the lines end evenly at a
straight margin
Related Forms: justified, justifying, justification
Origin: Lain. justificare = "act justly toward, make just, from justificus - dealing justly, righteous,
Note: Meaning "to make exact" (now largely restricted to typesetting) is from 1551.
Synonyms: 1. validate, verify
Relevant
1. bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.
Related Forms: relevance (n)
Origin: Medieval Latin relevant- (stem of relevāns), special use of Latin, present participle of relevāre = to raise, lift up
Synonyms: pertinent, applicable, related
Antonyms: unsuitable, inappropriate, irrelevant
Week of NOVEMBER 5
Valid
1. adj.-sound; just; well-founded: a valid reason
2. adj.-having legal force; effective or binding ex: a valid title
Related Forms: validly adv.; validity, validation, validness, noun; validate, verb
Origin: Latin validus = strong
Synonyms: 1. sound, proven
2. binding
Antonyms: invalid, unsound, wrong
Coherent
1. adj. -logically connected; consistent: a coherent argument.
2. adj. -: a coherent design.
Related Forms: coherently, adverb; noncoherent, incoherent, adjective
Origin: Latin - . from com- "together" + hærere = "to stick"
Synonyms: 1. logical, rational, understandable
2. harmonious, like, matching
Antonyms: 1. irrational, disorganized
2. incompatible, inconsistent
Differentiate
1. v. - to perceive or the difference in or between; discriminate
2. v. - to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish
Related Forms: differentiated, undifferentiated, adj.; differentiation, n.
Origin: Middle English differren - to distinguish < Middle French differer - to put off, distinguish, Latin differre - to
bear apart, put off, delay
Synonyms: 1. contrast, distinguish (between)
2. individualize
Antonyms: associate, confuse, connect
November 12 - Post-test TBA