#weird verbs

[ skroo-puhl ]

noun

1. a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions

2. a very small portion or amount

3. (archaic) a unit of weight used by apothecaries, equal to 20 grains (1.295 grams) or 1/3 of a dram

4. (archaic) an ancient Roman unit of weight equivalent to 1/24 of an ounce or 1/288 of a pound

verb

5. to hesitate or be reluctant to do something due to a moral or ethical quandary

synonyms

(def. 1)

quandry

qualm

doubt

hesitation

(def. 5)

falter

doubt

fret

waver

vacillate

demur

origin

1350–1400; late Middle English: from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus from scrupus, meaning rough pebble; anxiety

example (def. 5)

He doesn't scruple to ask his parents for money.

related forms

[ es-choo ]

verb (used with object)

1. deliberately avoid using; abstain from

synonyms

avoid

forgo

shy away from

abjure

abandon

shun

origin

1300–50; Middle English eschewen < Old French eschiver, eschever < Old High German sciuhen, German scheuchen 'to shoo away'

example

Stress can incline people to eschew their responsibilities.

related forms

[awl-ter-keyt]

verb

1. to argue or quarrel with zeal, heat, or anger

synonyms

contend

disagree

dispute

quarrel

quibble

squabble

origin

1530-40; < Latin altercātus (past participle of altercārī to quarrel),equivalent to *alterc (us) a disputing ( alter other + -cus formative suffix)+ -ātus-ate

related forms

[wel-ter]

verb

1.to roll, toss, or heave, as waves or the sea.

2.to roll, writhe, or tumble about; wallow, as animals

3.to lie bathed in or be drenched in something, especially blood.

4.to become deeply or extensively involved, associated, entangled,etc.

noun

5.a confused mass; a jumble or muddle

6.a state of commotion, turmoil, or upheaval

7.a rolling, tossing, or tumbling about, as or as if by the sea, waves, or wind

synonyms (def 5)

confusion

commontion

tummult

origin

[cher-ee-pik]

verb

1.to select with great care

2.to buy only the sale items and ignore the other merchandise.

syonyms

no synonyms

origin

[jak-yuh-leyt]

verb

1.to throw or hurl (a dart, javelin, etc.)

synonyms

no synonyms

origin

1615-25; < Latin jaculātus (past participle of jaculāre to throw the javelin), equivalent to jacul (um) javelin (noun use of neuter of jaculus used for hurling, equivalent to jac- hurl + -ulus adj. suffix) + -ātus -ate

related forms

[kog-nahyz]

verb

1.to perceive

2.comprehend

3.become conscious of

4.to know

synonyms (def. 2)

appreciate

discern

envision

fathom

grasp

origin

1650-60; back formation from cognizance

related forms