Expertise
Definitions and Samples
1. curriculum n. The courses of study offered by an educational institution
The teachers met to design a new curriculum for the Intensive
English Program.
2. distinctly adv. Clearly
I distinctly remember saying that we would meet at noon.
Parts of speech distinction n, distinct adj
3. erudite adj. Highly educated
Even though Stella was only a freshman, she was considered erudite
by both her classmates and her professors.
4. fortify v. To strengthen
The high-priced drink had extra vitamins and minerals to fortify
the body.
Parts of speech fortification n
5. implicitly adv. Without being stated; unquestioningly
By joining the competition, she agreed implicitly to the rules.
Parts of speech implicit adj
6. parochial adj. Restricted in outlook; relating to the local parish
Marla moved from her rural community to get away from its
parochial thinking.
Sending your children to a parochial school can cost as much as
sending them to college.
7. rigor n. Strictness; difficult situations that come from following rules
strictly
The wrestler followed his diet with rigor.
The rigors of military life toughened the young men quickly.
Parts of speech rigorous adj
8. roster n. A list, especially of names
Two of the names on the roster were misspelled.
9. secular adj. Worldly rather than spiritual; not related to religion
Few private schools in the United States are secular.
10. suspend v. To cause to stop for a period; to hang as to allow free
movement
The trial was suspended when the judge learned that one of the jury
members knew the defense lawyer.
The circus acrobat was suspended in midair.
Parts of speech suspension n, suspension adj
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Military Operations
Definitions and Samples
1. allegiance n. Loyalty
My allegiance to my country is based on respect for its principles.
Usage tips Allegiance is commonly followed by a to phrase.
2. artillery n. Large guns that shoot powerful shells; army units that handle
such guns
An artillery barrage broke down the city’s thick walls within seconds.
The 47th Artillery fired on rebels camped in the city center.
Usage tips When it means a part of an army, artillery is sometimes
plural.
3. battle v. To fight against
The Viet Minh battled French forces at Dien Bien Phu for nearly
two months in 1954.
Parts of speech battle n
4. cease v. Stop
The lightning continued even after the thunder had ceased.
Usage tips Cease is found in official statements, not usually in
everyday speech.
Parts of speech cessation n, ceaseless adj
5. hierarchy n. A system of levels that places people high or low according
to their importance
Starting as a lowly private, Burt Jones gradually rose through the
hierarchy of the army.
Usage tips Hierarchy is often followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech hierarchical adj, hierarchically adv
6. in the trenches adv’l. In the middle of the hardest fighting or work
With their unrealistic view of this war, our generals don’t know
what things are like out in the trenches.
Usage tips Creates an image of soldiers fighting in a long, dug-out
place in the battlefield.
7. mobilize v. To put members of a group into motion
After a terrible storm, the governor mobilized the National Guard
to rescue victims.
Parts of speech mobilization n
8. rank v. To put into a many-leveled order, depending on importance or
achievement
The Marines ranked Jim Hurst highest among all their officer candidates.
Parts of speech rank n
9. ratio n. The relationship of one number or amount to another
Military analysts say that the ratio of attackers to defenders in a
battle should be about three to one for the attackers to win.
Usage tips Ratio is very often followed by an of . . . to structure.
10. strategic adj. Related to long-term plans for achieving a goal
The United States has formed strategic friendships with Tajikistan
and Mongolia to have Central Asian bases in the future.
Usage tips Strategic is often used with nouns for plans.
Parts of speech strategy n, strategize v, strategically adv
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War and Conquest
Definitions and Samples
1. annex v. To make something (usually land) part of another unit
Bardstown grew by annexing several farms at the north edge of
town.
Parts of speech annexation n, annex n
2. apex n. The highest point
Gregory knew that his running skills had to be at their apex during
the tournament.
Usage tips Apex is often used to describe the high point of someone’s
abilities.
3. collapse v. To fall down, usually because of weakness
Parts of speech collapse n, collapsible adj
4. conquest n. A takeover by force or continued effort
The first recorded conquest of Mt. Everest was by Tensing Norgay
and Sir Edmund Hilary.
Usage tips Conquest is usually followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech conquer v
5. devise v. To find an original way to make an object or a plan
The soldiers devised a way to cross the river into enemy territory
without being seen.
Parts of speech device n
6. invasive adj. Aggressively entering into someone else’s territory
Surgery with a laser is less invasive than surgery with a knife or
scalpel.
Parts of speech invade v, invasion n, invader n
7. prevailing adj. Strongest or most common
The prevailing attitude among our neighbors is to be friendly but
not too friendly.
Parts of speech prevail v, prevalence n
8. resist v. To refuse to give in to a strong force or desire
Although many native nations resisted, the U.S. government eventually
took over almost all Indian land.
Parts of speech resistance n, resistant adj
9. severely adv. Harshly; extremely
Commanders severely punished any soldier who criticized the battle
plan.
Parts of speech severity n, severe adj
10. violation n. An action that breaks a law or agreement; mistreatment
of something that deserves respect
The army’s testing of new weapons was a violation of the cease-fire
agreement.
The sculptures at Mt. Rushmore may be a violation of sacred Indian
land.
Usage tips Violation is often followed by an of phrase.
Parts of speech violate v, violator n