Define:
circumscribe
(sir-come-skrahyb)
v. to draw or contain in a circle
v. to limit or restrain
I believe our government’s actions are circumscribed by financial interests as well as moral imperatives.
Prefix: circum- (from Latin, meaning “around”); Root: scribe (from Latin scribere, meaning “to write”)
Define:
circumspect
(sir-come-spekt)
adj. prudent; cautious
Though her mother’s boyfriend attempted to win affection with toys and treats, Elise remained circumspect around him.
Prefix: circum- (from Latin, meaning “around”); Root: spect (from Latin specere, meaning “to look”)
Define:
circumvent
(sir-kum-vent)
v. to get around an obstacle
She managed to circumvent security and approached her favorite actor backstage.
Prefix: circum- (from Latin, meaning “around”); Root: vent (from Latin venire, meaning “to come”)
Define:
cleave
(kleev)
v. to cut off with force
v. to be loyal to
v. to develop an emotional bond with
She vowed that even when tempted she would cleave to her principles.
Root: cleofan (from Old English, meaning “to split” or “to adhere”)
Define:
cloister
(cloy-stur)
v. to isolate
n. a place for religious isolation
The boy’s parents tended to cloister him from the harsher realities of the world.
Root: cloist (from Latin claustrum, meaning “enclosure”)
Define:
coagulate
(koh-ag-yuh-late)
v. to clot or solidify
The poorly-made syrup began to coagulate on the pancakes after a few minutes.
Prefix: co- (from Latin, meaning “together”); Root: ag (from Latin agere, meaning “to drive”)
Define:
coalesce
(koh-ih-less)
v. to come together to form a single unit
Our county’s many poverty initiatives are too different to coalesce into an effective whole.
Prefix: co- (from Latin, meaning “together”); Root: alesc (from Latin alescere, meaning “to grow”)
Define:
cogent
(koh-djunt)
adj. clear and convincing
adj. relevant
We won the debate because the other team was unable to mount a cogent counter argument.
Root: cog (from Latin cogere, meaning “to drive together”)
Define:
cohere
(koh-heer)
v. to be logically connected to
v. to stick to each other
These short stories are quite charming when taken separately, but they will not cohere if published together as a collection.
Prefix: co- (from Latin, meaning “together”); Root: here (from Latin haerere, meaning “to stick”)
Define:
intransigent
(in-tran-suh-junt)
adj. unwilling to compromise
The government remained intransigent despite the people’s protest.
Prefix: in- (from Latin, meaning “not”); Root: transig (from Latin transigere, meaning “to come to an agreement”); Suffix: -ent (forming adjectives, meaning “performing or causing an action”)
Name the vocab term:
v. to draw or contain in a circle
v. to limit or restrain
Hint: starts with “c”
circumscribe
synonyms: mark off, bound, confine, limit, restrict, delineate
The artist circumscribed the design with a fine, precise border.
The new rules circumscribe the amount of time employees can spend on personal tasks during work hours.
Fill in the blank:
He was ________ in his dealings, always thinking through the consequences before making a move.
Hint: Starts with “c” and means “cautious and unwilling to take risks”.
circumspect
circumspect (sir-come-spekt)
adj. prudent; cautious
Name the vocab term:
v. to get around an obstacle
Hint: starts with “c”
circumvent
synonyms: avoid, bypass, dodge, evade, elude
He found a clever way to circumvent the security system and access the restricted area.
Fill in the blank:
The lumberjack ________ the log in two with a single swing of his axe.
Hint: Starts with “c” and means “split apart or clung to”.
cleaved
cleave (kleev)
v. to split or sever (e.g., with force)
v. to cling loyally or emotionally
Name the vocab term:
v. to isolate
n. a place for religious isolation
Hint: starts with “c”
cloister
synonyms: secluded, monastery, convent, retreat
She chose to cloister herself in her room to focus on writing.
The monks lived in a quiet cloister, far removed from the bustle of the city.
Fill in the blank:
The blood began to ________ shortly after the injury.
Hint: Starts with “c” and means “to thicken or clot”.
coagulate
coagulate (koh-ag-yuh-late)
v. to clot or solidify (for liquids)
Name the vocab term:
v. to come together to form a single unit
Hint: starts with “c”
coalesce
synonyms: adhere, cling, merge, unite, combine
The small towns coalesced into a single city over time.
Fill in the blank:
Her ________ argument persuaded everyone in the room.
Hint: Starts with “c” and means “clear, logical, and convincing”.
cogent
cogent (koh-djunt)
adj. clear and convincing
adj. relevant
Name the vocab term:
v. to be logically connected to
v. to stick to each other
Hint: starts with “c”
cohere
synonyms: adhere, conform, stick, bond, unite
The ideas in the paper cohere well, making the argument easy to follow.
After cooling, the molecules in the solution began to cohere and form a solid.
Fill in the blank:
The negotiators grew frustrated with the company’s ________ stance on the contract terms.
Hint: Starts with “i” and means “unwilling to compromise”.
intransigent
intransigent (in-tran-suh-junt)
adj. unwilling to compromise
