appropriate = adj. correct or good for the purpose

Unfortunately, clothing that is appropriate for certain occasions is not always comfortable.

She was dressed appropriately for the job interview
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
clarify = v. to make more easily understood or easier to see
syn. explain
n. clarification

Chapter 2 in the textbook clarifies the process of osmosis.

A clarification of the government's position on this matter is necessary.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
conceal = v. to prevent from being seen or discovered
syn. hide
n. concealment

The students concealed their feelings about the course.

The discovery of the defendant's concealment of a crucial portion of the evidence made his case more complicated for the his attorney.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
confirm = v. to make certain, give support
syn. corroborate, substantiate, admit
adj. confirmed
n. confirmation

The director confirmed that the meeting would be on the tenth.

We have just received confirmation of your reservation to Los Angeles.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

constantly = adv. in an unchanging manner, happening all the time
syn. continually, unceasingly
adj. constant

Philosophy constantly questions the nature of human existence.

Most physicists contend that the speed of light is constant at 186,000 miles a second, but a recent episode of Star Trek cast some doubt on that. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
convenient = adj. easy to get to, near; suitable to one's needs
syn. practical
adv. conveniently
n. convenience

Eating in the restaurant in the student union is convenient for people who live on campus.

For the convenience of the student body, the library is in a very central location.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
core = adj. the middle, the central or most important
syn. chief
n. core

The core curriculum consists of courses that are required of all students.

The scientists added more fuel rods to the core of the nuclear reactor.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
critical = adj. very serious or requiring careful judgment; extremely important; having the nature of a crisis; finding fault
syn. dangerous, essential, crucial, vital, judgmental
v. critique
v. criticize
n. criticism
n. critic
adv. critically

It is critical to follow the directions for the experiment exactly as the instructor indicates.

Although criticism can be either positive or negative, the word frequently implies a negative judgment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
distort = v. to change from the original shape or condition, usually in an unnatural way
syn. deform, alter
adj. distorted
n. distortion

It appears that time and space are distorted when traveling at the speed of light, which is one reason why I'm usually late for class. :-) 

Distortion of the image from a microscope can be caused by inadequate light.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
diverse = adj. various; distinct from others
syn. various, varying, different
adv. diversely
n. diversity
n. diversification
v. diversify

Some Arabic dialects are so diverse that they are barely mutually intelligible, even to native speakers.

The company has decided to diversify its product line.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prosperous = adj. successful, wealthy
syn. thriving
adv. prosperously
v. prosper
n. prosperity

Although the United States is generally considered the most prosperous country in the world, there are many pockets of poverty, and millions of people have absolutely no type of health insurance.

Though some wild animals that have been returned to their native habitat by scientists have prospered, the general prognosis for endangered species remains dismal.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
purposefully = adv. done for a special reason or with determination
syn. deliberately
adj. purposeful
adv. purposely
n. purpose

Although he was actually very nervous, he strode purposefully onto the stage and sang his renditions of Elvis's greatest hits in a way that reminded the audience of "the King" himself.

He said he didn't do it on purpose, but he had alluded to something similar earlier, and I think his intention in the matter was quite clear.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reveal = v. to uncover, to expose
syn. disclose
adv. revealingly
adj. revealing
n. revelation

The President had revealed some of his ideas to the press even before he gave his speech, so no one was surprised by how stupid his ideas were.

The report made some revelations about the nature and extent of corruption in the government.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
scarcely = adv. almost not
syn. hardly, barely
adj. scarce
n. scarcity

She was so satisfied about receiving an A on the exam, she could scarcely conceal her glee.

In Palm Springs, California,  a rationing plan was established due to the scarcity of water whereby golf courses received water six hours a day and farmers two.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
theoretically = adv. according to a reasoned - but not proven - point of view
syn. hypothetically
adj. theoretical
n.. theory
v. theorize

Theoretically, he was the brains of the company, but everyone knew his daughter was really making most of the decisions.

Because Leonardo da Vinci theorized that the Earth was not the center of the universe, the Church subjected him to severe criticism.