saunter [ SAWN-ter, SAHN- ]
[transitive verb]
MEANING:
- (tr.v.) to walk or stroll in a relaxed manner or with a gentle gait
- (n.) a relaxed, gentle gait
- (n.) a stroll or unhurried, relaxed walk
USAGE EXAMPLE 1:
He sauntered around the park to gain her attention.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2:
So far, their new peace process is sauntering along at a casual pace.
incubus [ IN-kyuh’-buh’ s, ING- ]
[noun]
MEANING:
- (medieval times) a fabled demon who was believed to descend upon women and have sexual intercourse with them while they slept
- a nightmare
- a worry or burden that is oppressive
USAGE EXAMPLE 1:
Incubus and Succubus are just two of the many demons in mythology.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2:
The only justification for the removal of Margaret Thatcher by her colleagues was that, wedded to the incubus of the poll tax, it seemed inevitable that she would lose the forthcoming general election.
vigilant [ VIJ-uh’-luh’nt ]
[adjective]
MEANING:
- watchful or alert very keenly
- wary
USAGE EXAMPLE 1:
The vigilant citizen managed to catch a sneaky thief who was trying to enter his neighbour’s house.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2:
People in Oxford shire have been urged to be vigilant after an increase in rural crime including killing wildlife and destroying crops.
introspection [ in-truh’-SPEK-shuh’n ]
[noun]
MEANING:
- (n) the act of examining one’s conscience
USAGE EXAMPLE 1:
This is a book that invites introspection from established groups, possibly even navel gazing
USAGE EXAMPLE 2:
There was a strong mood of support for the Prime Minister in the Parliamentary Labour Party and of an overwhelming desire to end the period of introspection.
scad [ skad ]
[noun]
MEANING:
- any fish of the family Carangidae, which inhabit tropical and subtropical shore waters and belonging to the genus Decapterus
- in great quantity or number
USAGE EXAMPLE 1:
The bank robbers scattered scads of money behind them as they escaped in their getaway car.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2:
Scads of small businesses have come up with clever ways to move ahead and add jobs wherever they can.