Vocabulary 4

"Magic and the Brain"

October 17, 2016

anecdote (n.)
a short, interesting story that is
often amusing
OF: anecdotal (adj.)
Ex. He opened his speech with an
anecdote about a drunken elephant.
Ex. You cannot say that something is
true based only on anecdotal evidence.

luminous (adj.)
bright or shining, especially in the dark
OF: luminously (adv.), luminosity (n.)
Ex. The luminous dial on the alarm clock filled the room
with green light.
Ex. The full moon glowed luminously over the lake.

stimulus (n.)
something that inspires activity
OF: stimulate (v.), stimulation (n.)
Ex. For many people, caffeine is a
stimulus that helps wake their
brains up.
Ex. In some children, red dye can
stimulate hyperactivity.

cognitive (adj.)
having to do with the mental action
of acquiring knowledge
OF: cognition (n.)
Ex. A teacher will try to stimulate her
students' cognitive abilities.
Ex. Tests often are designed to
measure your cognition.

scrutiny (n.)
extremely close
examination
OF: scrutinize (v.)
ex. A political candidate's personal life often
endures intense scrutiny when they run for office.
Ex. My mother scrutinizes her grocery receipt for
overcharges.

versatile (adj.)
able to adapt to many different
situations
OF: versatility (n.)

Ex: This versatile scarf can be tied twelve

different ways.
Ex. The conductor was impressed with the
musical versatility of the violinist.

diagnostic (adj.)
Describes using symptoms or
characteristics to define and solve
problems
ex.A mechanic uses unusual noises as a
diagnostic tool to figure out what is wrong with
a broken car.
Ex. A doctor asks diagnostic questions to
diagnose a patient's illness.

predisposition (n.)
A tendency to do something

Ex. I have a predisposition towards overeating.

Ex. Some ethnic groups have a predisposition
towards certain diseases.