Insight Advanced "Vocabulary Insight 10"

Poly-

[ prefix ]

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used to refer to multiple or various aspects or instances of a particular thing

Example

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The word "polyglot" refers to a person who speaks multiple languages.

A polymath is someone who has knowledge in various subjects.

Polyclinic

[ noun ]

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a clinic or medical center that is not part of a hospital, where a wide variety of diseases and injuries are treated

Polygon

[ noun ]

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(geometry) a flat shape consisting of three or more straight sides

Polysyllabic

[ Adjective ]

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(of a word) having multiple syllables, or specifically, having more than two syllables

Polytheism

[ noun ]

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the belief in or worship of multiple gods or deities

monotheism

Polyglot

[ noun ]

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a person who can speak or understand multiple languages

Extra-

[ prefix ]

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used to indicate something additional or beyond the usual

Extraterrestrial

[ noun ]

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an entity or being originating from or existing outside Earth

Inter-

[ prefix ]

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used to indicate the relationship or interaction between two or more things or people

Micro-organism

[ noun ]

/mˈaɪkɹoʊˈɔːɹɡənˌɪzəm/

a tiny living thing, like bacteria or fungi, that can only be seen using a microscope

Macro-

[ prefix ]

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used to refer to something that is large-scale

Macroeconomic

[ Adjective ]

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relating to the study or analysis of the overall economy, including aspects such as national income, inflation, employment, and economic growth

Chrono-

[ prefix ]

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used to indicate a relation to time or its order

Chronological

[ Adjective ]

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organized according to the order that the events occurred in

Nanotechnology

[ noun ]

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the study of working with incredibly tiny materials and devices to create new technologies and applications

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

Pandemic

[ noun ]

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a disease that spreads across a large region or even across the world

What is a "pandemic"?

A pandemic is a global outbreak of a disease that affects a large number of people across multiple countries or continents. Unlike an epidemic, which is limited to a specific area, a pandemic has a much broader geographic impact and can lead to widespread illness and disruption. Examples include the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1918 influenza pandemic. Controlling a pandemic typically involves working together across countries, widespread public health measures, vaccination campaigns, and efforts to reduce the spread of the disease through quarantine and hygiene practices.

Bilateral

[ Adjective ]

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involving or relating to two sides or parties

Retro-

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used to describe styles, trends, or designs that are inspired by earlier decades or cultural periods

Retroactive

[ Adjective ]

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applied or taken effect from a past date or event

proactive

Psycholinguistic

[ Adjective ]

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relating to the study of how the mind processes language, combining psychology and linguistics

Biochemical

[ Adjective ]

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referring to processes or substances related to the chemical reactions that occur within living organisms

Sociocultural

[ Adjective ]

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related to the social and cultural aspects of a society, emphasizing the influence of social factors, norms, and cultural practices on individuals and communities

Geopolitical

[ Adjective ]

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related to the influence and interactions of geographical factors on political decisions, relationships, and strategies among nations

Microelectronic

[ Adjective ]

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pertaining to the design of small electronic components, circuits, and systems that enable the creation of compact and high-performing electronic devices

Sphere

[ noun ]

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(geometry) a round object that every point on its surface has the same distance from its center

Spiral

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(geometry) a curved shape or design that gradually winds around a center or axis

Cone

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(geometry) a three dimensional shape with a circular base that rises to a single point

Cube

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a figure, either hollow or solid, with six equal square sides

Crescent

[ noun ]

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a curved shape with narrow points at the ends that appears wider in the middle, like the shape of the moon in its first and last quarters

Radius

[ noun ]

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the length of a straight line drawn from the center of a circle to any point on its outer boundary

Arc

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(geometry) a part of a circle, which is curved

Tangent

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(mathematics) the ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a triangle that has one angle of 90°

Cylinder

[ noun ]

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(geometry) a solid or hollow shape with two circular bases at each end and straight parallel sides

Green light

[ noun ]

/ɡɹˈiːn lˈaɪt/

Idiom

approval to begin a project

What is the origin of the idiom "green light" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "green light" can be traced back to the early 20th century, specifically to the traffic signal system. The use of red, yellow, and green lights in traffic signals was introduced to regulate and control vehicular movement. The green light, being the third and final signal in the sequence, indicated that it was safe for drivers to proceed. This phrase is frequently used in business settings, project management, decision-making processes, and personal endeavors.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

Blue-collar

[ Adjective ]

/blˈuːkˈɑːlɚ/

relating to jobs or workers who engage in manual labor or skilled trades

white-collar

White-collar

[ Adjective ]

/wˈaɪtkˈɑːlɚ/

relating to jobs or workers who perform professional, managerial, or administrative tasks, typically in office settings

blue-collar

in the red

[ phrase ]

/ɪn ˌɪntʊ ðə ɹˈɛd/

Idiom

in debt due to spending more than one's earnings

in the black

What is the origin of the idiom "in the red" and when to use it?

The phrase "in the red" originates from the practice of using red ink to indicate negative amounts or deficits in financial records and accounting ledgers. This idiom is used to describe a financial situation where expenses exceed income, resulting in a negative balance or deficit.

Golden years

[ noun ]

/ɡˈoʊldən jˈɪɹz/

Idiom

a period of time in which someone no longer works due to old age

What is the origin of the idiom "golden years" and when to use it?

The phrase "golden years" was first used in Shakespeare's play "Henry V" in 1599, where it referred to the later years of someone's life. It is used to describe the later years of someone's life, typically from retirement age onwards.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

Gray area

[ noun ]

/ɡɹˈeɪ ˈɛɹiə/

Idiom

Informal

a situation that is hard to define or categorize and therefore unclear

What is the origin of the idiom "gray area" and when to use it?

The idiom "gray area" is derived from the color gray, which is often associated with ambiguity and uncertainty. It has been used in the English language for many years to describe situations or issues that are not clearly defined, making it challenging to establish precise boundaries or categorize them definitively.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

Out of the blue

[ phrase ]

/ˌaʊɾəv ðə blˈuː/

occurring without prior warning

Red tape

[ noun ]

/ɹˈɛd tˈeɪp/

Idiom

official procedures or rules that are unnecessary and time-consuming

What is the origin of the idiom "red tape" and when to use it?

The idiom "red tape" has its origins in 16th century England where legal documents were bound by red tape as a way of showing that they were official. This phrase is typically used to describe excessive bureaucracy or official procedures which can hinder or delay progress.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

White flag

[ noun ]

/wˈaɪt flˈæɡ/

a universal symbol of surrender or truce, used to indicate the intention to cease fighting or negotiate peace

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

Purple patch

[ noun ]

/pˈɜːpəl pˈætʃ/

a period marked by good luck or success

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

With flying colors

[ phrase ]

/flˈaɪɪŋ kˈʌlɚz/

Idiom

in a distinctive and very successful way

What is the origin of the idiom " with flying colors" and when to use it?

The idiom "with flying colors" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. At the time, flags were used to signal victory in battle. A flag that was flying high and undamaged was seen as a sign of victory, while a flag that was damaged or lowered was seen as a sign of defeat. The phrase "with flying colors" came to be used to describe a person or group who had achieved success or victory. It suggests that the person or group has performed exceptionally well and has surpassed expectations.

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