History
Definitions and Samples
1. chronologically adv. In order according to time
Allen’s book is arranged chronologically, from the First Crusade in
1095 to the fall of Granada in 1492.
Usage tips Chronologically is often used with arranged, organized,
listed, or some other word for order.
Parts of speech chronology n, chronological adj
2. coincide v. Happen or exist at the same time
The Viking attacks on western Europe coincided with an abnormally
warm period in the Earth’s climate.
Usage tips Coincide is often followed by a with phrase.
Parts of speech coincidence n, coincidental adj, coincidentally adv
3. consequence n. A result, often one much later in time than the cause
One consequence of global warming may be the flooding of lowlying
islands.
Usage tips Consequence usually implies something negative or
serious about the result.
Parts of speech consequent adj, consequently adv
4. core n. an area or object at the center
The core of India’s film industry is in Bombay, where all but a few
film studios are located.
Usage tips Core is often followed by another noun (e.g., core
principle) or by an of phrase.
5. deny v. Say that something is not true
Movie star Allen Butcher denied that he and the Princess of Denmark
were getting married.
Usage tips Deny is often followed by the -ing form of a verb or by a
that clause.
Parts of speech denial n, deniably adv
6. diminish v. Make something smaller or weaker; become smaller or
weaker
The Protestant Reformation diminished the power of the Roman
Catholic Pope.
Mr. Partridge’s influence in the company diminished after he relocated
to a branch office.
7. longitude n. A system of imaginary lines running from north to south
along the Earth’s surface, where each line is numbered from 0؛ to
180° west or east
The prime meridian, a line running through Greenwich, England, is
marked as 0° longitude.
Parts of speech longitudinal adj, longitudinally adv
8. milieu n. General environment or surroundings
Many Vietnam veterans did not feel comfortable in the antiwar social
milieu of the 1970s.
9. Orwellian adj. Frightening and overcontrolled by a government that
interferes in nearly every aspect of personal life
Biometric devices like eye-scanners allow an Orwellian level of government
knowledge about everyone’s location.
10. reconciliation n. Coming back together peacefully after having been
enemies
South Africa avoided a bloodbath after apartheid by setting up a
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Parts of speech reconcile v, reconciliatory adj