industry
in-dus-try
(Noun) A constant devotion to any work or task; the aggregate of manufacturing
or technically productive enterprises; any general business field.
A cottage industry is a small business that one operates out of the home.
A successful family is one that encourages significant industry among its
members.
infamous
in-fa-mous
(Adj.) Having an extremely bad reputation; causing a bad reputation;
disreputable, notorious, scandalous, disgraceful.
The 'lady of the night' was an infamous woman.
Hitler is infamous for his numerous barbaric deeds.
inquiry
in-qui-ry
(Noun) A seeking for truth, information or knowledge; an investigation, such as
into an accident; a question or a query.
The Grand Jury first conducts an inquiry before considering indictment.
A private investigator is skilled at inquiries.
irreparable
ir-re-par-a-ble
(Adj.) Incapable of being repaired, rectified or made good.
The bankruptcy did irreparable damage to the family's reputation.
Insults can often do irreparable damage to relationships.
integral
in-te-gral
(Adj.) Belonging as an essential part of the whole; necessary to the completeness
of the whole; complete or whole.
Each member is an integral part of a team, valuable and necessary.
Every part of a car''s engine is integral to the efficient working of the whole
engine.
interest
in-terest
(Noun) One's feelings of concern or curiosity, as aroused by something or
someone; a legal share or right of ownership; a sum charged for borrowed money
or the rate for such a charge.
She could feel his interest in her.
Each of the heirs held an interest in the estate.
The prime interest rate is high at present.
lamentable
la-men-ta-ble
(Adj.) Deserving expressions of sorrow or deep regret.
Small mistakes maybe merely regrettable while large ones may be seriously
lamentable.
The loss of his career due to the accident was truly lamentable.
magnanimous
mag-nan-i-mous
(Adj.) Generous in forgiving an insult or injury; high-minded or noble.
Her giving generous Christmas gifts to the people who'd tried to harm her was a
magnanimous gesture.
She was always magnanimous toward high and lowly persons alike.
maintenance
main-te-nance
(Noun) The providing of the upkeep or support of something.
Did you purchase the 3-year maintenance agreement for your new refrigerator?
Who performs the maintenance on your cars?
mischievous
mis-chie-vous
(Adj.) Causing or tending to cause prankish mischief; harmful or injurious.
Adolescent boys and college-age girls tend to be mischievous.
Activities that are maliciously mischievous , like damaging property, are illegal.
obdurate
ob-dur-ate
(Adj.) Stubborn and unyielding; hard-hearted and without remorse.
The old man remained obdurate in his insistence on retribution from those who
had wronged him.
Women have a reputation for being flexible rather than obdurate in matters of
love.
omnipotent
om-ni-po-tent
(Adj.) Having unlimited authority or power.
God is said to be omnipotent, controlling all forces and phenomena of nature.
Man often behaves as though he is omnipotent; however, he is self-deceived.
perseverance
per-se-ver-ence
(Noun) Persistence in some thing undertaken in spite of difficulty or obstacles.
Perseverance is a highly valued quality among successful people.
Teach your children perseverance; and they will never fail because every
apparent failure yields learning that leads to success.
pianist
pi-an-ist
(Noun) A person who plays the piano, especially professionally.
I love to sing but it's hard to find a good pianist to accompany me.
Landoska was a great classical pianist; Glenn Gould is a great contemporary
pianist.
police
po-lice
(Noun) A force organized by a government to maintain order, prevent and detect
crime, and enforce the laws. (Verb) To regulate or keep in order usually by
means of persons appointed for the task.
The police in our town are helpful.
If you make rules, you must be willing to police and enforce them.
precedent
pre-ce-dent
(Noun) An act, decision, or case that may serve as a guide or justification in
subsequent ones.
The system of law in the U.S. is based on precedent.
When we want to take a certain action, it's good to seek a precedent for it.
preferable
pre-fer-a-ble
(Adj.) Worthy to be preferred; more desirable.
Is it preferable to be rich or to be happy? What do you think?
The woman feels it's preferable to have a rich husband than a handsome one.