Vocabulary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, you will be able to understand the following:
" Confusing words. " Word association.
" Differences in British and American vocabulary. " Introduction tophonetics.
" Word expansion. " Word stress.
" Prefixes/suffixes. " Functional and lexical words.
" Synonyms/antonyms. " Lexical items.
" Spelling basics. Punctuations.
" Differences in British and American spellings. " Definitions.

1.1 Introduction 1.2.1 | Confusing Words

There are a number of words in English language which
The phrase "the world is flat" again comes into existence sounds alike, but with entirely ifferent meanings. These
by the way of globalization. In this technological era, kinds of words can create confusion. If used the wrong one
the Queen's language plays a crucial role in the arena of even a word processor can help you detect such kinds of
business and technology, pushing the growth of develop errors in writing. Some of the commonly confusing words
ing economies upwards. In today's multi-cultural, compe are tabulated in Table 1.
tent and diverse economy, our capability to find a job is
largely affected by language skills and word knowledge. TABLE 1
Developing vocabulary is the basic means of learning any
language. Reading and listening contribute to learn new Commonly Confusing Words
words, while writing and speaking help to use the learned advice - recommendations about what to do
words and the usage of such vocabulary results in master
advise - to recommend something
ing the language.
aid- help given
aide - a person who helps
1.2 Technical Vocabulary 3
aisle - a passage between rows of seats
isle - an island
Agood understanding of technical vocabulary is a neces
sity in many academic fields. Frequently, in the domains all together - all in one place, all at once
of science, engineering and medicine, amongst all others, altogether - completely; on the whole
there will be a need topresume technical language with no allusion - a subtle reference or hint
dificulty and more fluency. In arts, humanities and social illusion - deception/wild idea
science field, there will also be a necessity to use what is 6 altar - a sacred table in a church
termed as technical vocabulary, though this is not usually
believed to be technological. alter -to change
The day-to-day usage of technical vocabulary is a very 7 alternately - taking turns
intricate task.Most often, the English teacher is incapable alternatively - as an option
of helping students for the reason that he/she may not be 8 amoral - not concerned with right or wrong
an expert in that particular subject area either. It is believed immoral - not following accepted moral standards
widely that it is not possible for even a native speaker to
know all the words in his/her own language. The follow appraise - to assess
ing sub-sections will help you develop a good vocabulary: apprise - to inform someone
general as well as technical. (Continued)
 2 Chapter 1 Vocabulary
(Continued)
31 congenial-describes somethinglikeable.
assent - agreement, approval
ascent - the action of rising or climbing up
.suitable
to taste
congenital - refers to a condition present at birth
because of heredity
balmy - pleasantly warm 32 corps - an organization of people dedicated tto a
barmy - foolish. crazy
in great
goal single
2 bated - in phrase 'with bated breath, i.e. corpse - a dead body
suspense 33 council -agroup of people who manage or advise
baited - with bait attached or inserted counsel- advice: to advise
beside - next to 34 creak - asqueak or groan
besides - also, additionally creek -a smallstream
biannual - twice in one year currant- a dried grape
35
biennial- every two years current - happening now: a fiow of water. air. or
bore - a boring or tiresome person electricity
boar - a male pig 36 defuse - to make a situation less tense
16 born - having started life diffuse - to spread over a wide area
borne - carried
37 desert - a waterless, empty area: to abandon someone
17 breach - to break through, or break a rule; a gap dessert - the sweet course of a meal
breech - the back part of a gun barrel 38 desperate - extreme or very bad
broach - to raise a subject for discussion disparate - different in every way
brooch - apiece of jewellery 39 discreet - careful not to attractattention
19 cannon -a very, very large gun discrete - separate and distinct
canon - an ecclesiastical code of laws or an official list of divers - several
40
acceptable writings for a field or organization. diverse - different or varied
20 canvas - atype of strong cloth 4 dual having two parts
canvass - to seek people's votes
duel - a fight or contest between two people
21 capital - where the seat of government is (place) 42 elicit - to draw out a reply or reaction
Capitol (usually capitalized) - the actual building in
illicit not allowed by law or rules
which the government and legislature meets
43 eminent - prominent, famous
caret - a proof-reader's symbol that indicates where is
imminent - threatening
tobe inserted in a line (^)
44 envelop - to cover or surround
carat (or karat) a unit of measure of the purity of gold
envelope - a paper container for a letter
or the weight of a gem
carrot - an orange root vegetable 45 fawn - a young deer; light brown
censor - to prohibit free expression faun - a mythical being. part man, part goat
sensor - something that interprets stimulation 46 flaunt - to display ostentatiously
24 chord - a group of musical notes flout - to disregard a rule
cord - a length of string; a cord-like body part 47 forbear - to refrain
25 cite - to quote or mention forebear - an ancestor
48 foreword - an introduction to a book
site - a place
26 climactic - forming a climax forward - onwards, ahead
climatic - relating to climate 49 freeze - to turn to ice
27 coarse - rough frieze - a decoration along a wall
course - adirection; a school subject; part of a meal 50 hoard a store
28 complacent - smug and self-satisfied horde - a large crowd of people
complaisant - willing to please 51 ingenious - clever, original or inventive
24 complement - to addto so as to improve; an addition ingenuous - means innocent and unsuspecting, in a
that improves something childlike way
compliment - topraise or express approval; an admiring 52 irrelevant - something which is not significant.
remark unimportant
whicn
30 conform - to be similar to irreverent - a person who doesn't respect things,
confirm- to make sure or double check are generally taken seriously
(Contnued)
 1.2 | Technical Vocabulary 3
(Continued)
53 loath - reluctant, unwilling 62 preseribe - to authorize use of medicine:to order
loathe - to hate
54 loose - to unfasten; to set free
authoritatively
proscribe - to officially forbid something
lose - to be deprived of; to be unable to find
63 principal- most important: the head of a school
55 manner - a way of doing or behaving principle - a fundamental rule or belief
manor ahouse on an estate 64 Sceptic -a person inclined to doubt
56 marital-refers to marriage septic - infected with bacteria
martial refers to war or warriors 65 sight the ability to see
57 palate the roof of the mouth site - a location
palette - a board for mixing colours stationary - not moving
S8 pedal - a foot-operated lever
stationery - writing materials
peddle - to sell goods
67 storey - a level of a building
59 pole - a long, slender piece of wood story a tale or account
poll - voting in an election 68 titillate - to arouse interest
60 pour to flow or cause to flow titivate- to make more attractive
pore - atiny opening; tostudy something closely 69 tortuous full of twists; complex
61 practice - the use of an idea or method; the work or
torturous full of pain or suffering
business of a doctor, dentist, etc.
70 wreath a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers etc.
practise - to dosomething repeatedly to gain skill; to do
something regularly wreathe-to surround or encircle