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February 21&22, 2003 sadistic (sa DIS tik) The adjective sadistic means to gain pleasure from hurting other people or to cause them to suffer physically or mentally. The police raid interrupted a sadistic show, in which caged women were inviting guests to whip them or pour melted candle wax over their bodies. It was a case of police brutality so sadistic as to be almost inconceivable. They rehearsed a scene of sadistic interrogation from his latest play. Given the terrible circumstances, her demand for an apology seemed almost sadistic. February 20, 2003 persistent (per SIS tunt) The adjective persistent means to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult or to continue to exist or happen for a long time. The government will bring in a balanced budget for fiscal 2005, after running persistent budget deficits since the 1997 economic crisis. We refused their persistent demands to increase our offer. The problem of violence remains as persistent as ever. We will be persistent and we will prevail! February 19, 2003 accolade (AEK a leyd) The noun accolade refers to something which is said or done to show how much someone is admired. During her past 14 years in show business, Mariah has gained many accolades, including two Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award and the World Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium". Thailand unquestionably deserves its accolade as one of the world's premier destinations. The International Olympic Committee president said he expected Sydney to receive the accolade of the best-ever Olympic Games. With a modest wave, the quiet coach acknowledged the accolades. February 18, 2003 capsize (KAP saiz) The verb capsize means to cause a boat or ship to turn upside down accidentally while on water. At least three cargo ships have capsized in the past several months, the chairman said. The coast guard conducted a search for a 25-foot sailboat feared capsized in the storm, but the boat's captain later radioed that he was safe. Eighteen crewmen, mostly Filipinos, were feared dead yesterday after a recently-built cargo ship used in the offshore oil industry capsized in the icy waters off the southwest coast of Norway. The fate of 24 fishermen, including four Thais, reported missing after their boats capsized in heavy seas off Surat Thani and Satun on Tuesday remained unknown yesterday. February 17, 2003 unfounded (un FOWN did) The adjective unfounded refers to a piece of news or a claim that is not based on fact. Archbishop Tutu said the justification for the war in Iraq was totally unfounded. He said he was baffled how such an unfounded report had made its way into the media. Mr Backerman said Mr Jackson and his attorneys had "made arrangements with the district attorney to return to Santa Barbara to immediately confront and prove these charges unfounded". Amnesty International says Sok Yoeun should not be extradited, arguing that the charges against him are unfounded and politically motivated. February 16, 2004 notch The noun notch refers to an imaginary point or level which is used to make comparisons. Three people were killed and two police were injured in four separate shootings in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, as violence in the South stepped up another notch. Both the players and their coach wanted to win convincingly enough to lift their confidence and raise their game another notch before the playoffs begin. The treasury secretary indicated he wanted to tighten monetary policy another notch. A rate increase would help cool the economy a notch. Click here to see our words in the news for the previous week. Return to our home page |© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2004 | Last modified: February 23, 2004