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May 31 & June 1, 2003 backlog (BACK log) The noun backlog refers to a number of things that have not yet been done but which need to be done. Prosecutors have been told to come up with measures for reducing the courts' backlog of criminal cases which has posed a major obstacle to reforming the justice system. The industry had a nine-month production backlog during the boom, up from the normal three to four months. The plant's capacity was 10,000 units a week which should be enough to clear any backlog. The Navy has a backlog of 170 old ships awaiting destruction. May 30, 2003 ultimatum (ul ta MAY tum) The noun ultimatum refers to a statement that orders someone to do something, threatening punishment if they do not. The government has given influential figures an ultimatum to quit their illegal activities. The Palestinian leader gave no indication he planned to comply with any ultimatum. The strikes came two weeks after President Bush had issued his ultimatum to the Taliban leaders to hand over bin Laden. The opposition, backed by the military, gave the disgraced leader a 12-hour ultimatum to vacate his post. May 29, 2003 patent (PAY tunt, US: PAT unt) The noun patent refers to an official document that gives an inventor the legal right to make or sell an invention for a particular period of time. The verb form is also patent. The government will present patents to His Majesty the King for his development of a new rainmaking technique and an engine lubricant made from pure palm oil. China agreed to strengthen its protection of patents and other intellectual property rights. The grain stripper is manufactured by Shelbourne Reynolds, but BTG is patenting and licensing the technology worldwide for the company. The raw DNA sequence information can't be patented, but individual genes and gene fragments can. May 28, 2003 antagonise (an TAG a naiz) The verb antagonise means to make someone feel angry or hostile. The noun form is antagonism and the adjective form is antagonistic (an tag a NIS tik). The party's secretary general, Pavena Hongsakula, said her colleagues had simply expressed their personal opinions and didn't mean to antagonise the prime minister. It is foolish to impose law and order by jailing innocent people and antagonising whole communities. He was a refreshing change in an era of strong antagonism between the media and politicians. The prime minister is known to be antagonistic to their demands. May 27, 2003 wrest The verb wrest means to take something away from someone, especially with difficultly — often by pulling or twisting it away or by using illegal means. The arrest warrants were issued after a complaint was lodged alleging that Mr Narong and his aides had threatened to wrest control of a group of taxi motorcyclists from Sompote. The Democrats needed to gain eight seats to wrest control of the House of Representatives. Many government officials viewed the rural protests as obvious attempts to wrest additional funds from the government. Not an inspiring speaker, he didn't appear to try very hard to wrest the microphone away from his opponent. May 26, 2003 disdain (dis DAIN) The noun disdain refers to a feeling of dislike for someone (or something) because you feel they are inferior or unimportant, i.e., they are not good enough to be worthy of your respect. The verb form is also disdain. Dr Mahathir made no secret of his disdain when he was asked to comment on Australia's anti-terror plan. The 76-year-old legislator did not bother to hide his disdain for Clinton. Throughout her unhappy days at the school she was treated with disdain by the other pupils. He disdains ties and normally wears colourful Hawaiian shirts and jeans. Click here to see our words in the news for the previous week. Return to our home page | Comments to Terry F. at terryfrd@ksc15.th.com | |© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2003 | Last modified: June 1, 2003