Vocabulary Word Meanings: From Concise, Concede to Composure

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Concise

adj- short and to the point; terse

Also used as: Conciseness (noun) ; concisely (adv)

Phil read the concise note from his wife: Leave. Now ″

Concede

verb- admit reluctantly; yield Try to agree but not willingly

Note: A concession speech is one in which the loser of an election reluctantly admits that his or her opponent has won.

The boss had to concede that it was his assistant՚s idea.

Coerce

verb- to force someone by threatening or physically overpowering him with threats of physical harm, verbal abuse, isolation, double shifts in the mess hall, and court-martial.

Also used as: Coercion (noun) ; coercive (adj) ; coercively (adv)

Steve tried to coerce his younger brother into mowing the lawn.

Cordial

adj- friendly; welcoming; gracious

Also used as: Cordiality (noun) ; cordially (adv)

we՚d heard she was a grouch, so we were surprised by her cordial welcome.

Criteria

noun- requirements or standards used to make a decision

Also used as: Criterion (singular)

There must be many criteria for selecting astronauts, who will travel to Mars.

Consummate

verb- to complete or make whole

Also used as: Consummation (noun) ; consummate (adj)

Note: as an adjective, “consummate”

(kon- soo- met) means “perfect” or “highly-skilled” .

They consummated the successful meeting with lavish banquets.

Contend

verb- to argue a point or position; or to struggle for the fight

Also used as: Contention (noun) ; contentious (adj)

The drive tried to count end that the stop sign was hidden by the tree.

Corroborate

verb- support with evidence; tell the same story; confirm

Also used as: Corroboration (noun) ; corroborative (adj)

Note: this word is usually used to describe courtroom testimony or evidence. don՚t confuse it with collaborate, which means to work together (co-labor) .

Example: Scientists continue to find evidence that corroborates Einstein՚s theories.

Cryptic

adj- hidden; secret; mysterious

The direction on the map cryptic, which may be why nobody has found the treasure.

Cloister

alienated (noun) - secluded or isolated from the outside world; also; a place of seclusion

During the trial, the jury remained cloistered in a motel.

Composure

noun- calmness; equanimity

Also used as: Compose (verb)

The tried to maintain her composure as the wedding cake fell onto the dance floor.