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May 22 & 23, 2004 conceal (kon SEEL) The verb conceal means to cover or hide something carefully or to keep information from becoming known. Deputy Prime Minister Wan Muhammad Nor Matha was last night accused of concealing millions of baht in assets under the names of his relatives and aides. When national security is used as an excuse for concealing essential facts surrounding a disaster, it usually refers to the security of the men who allowed the disaster to occur. The cash was concealed by several layers of wrapping paper. A dirt-covered rug had been placed on top of the lid of the hole to conceal it. May 21, 2004 prolong (pro LONG) The verb prolong means to make something last longer. The adjective form is prolonged. Mr Suriya replied that it was the Democrats under Chuan Leekpai who launched an "open sky" policy, and asked BoI to prolong privileges for Air Asia. The defense presented to the court eight boxes of documents in an apparent effort to prolong the trial. Economists are warning that a prolonged strike in the industry could cripple the economy. The death rate may rise significantly during prolonged periods of high air pollution. May 20, 2004 stagger (STAG ur) The verb stagger means to arrange an activity so that the starting times (or positions) are different for different people or events. Stagger can also have a very different meaning, however, referring to walking or moving in an uncontrolled, unbalanced way as if you are about to fall. Petrol prices could rise by as much as three baht a litre at the pump, but the increases will be staggered to ease the impact, Energy Mnister Prommin Lertsuridej said. Racing in the 11 classes of boats has been staggered over two weeks to beat the changing weather conditions. In the fall of 1982, the new sport of triathalon experienced a defining moment when Julie Moss, dehydrated and exhausted, staggered across the finish line. He staggered through the door of a nearby classroom where he collapsed on the floor. May 19, 2004 reservation (res a VEY shun) The noun reservation refers to a situation where you are not sure something is good or right. Reservation can also refer to an arrangement to have something (a hotel room, a table in a restaurant) to be kept for you. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's efforts to buy a 30% stake in Liverpool football club were generally applauded by leading Thai soccer officials, although some expressed reservations. The senator said he had strong reservations about the cloning process. Many Thai experts see significant benefits from the use of ethanol despite reservations from abroad. For years, the carrier neglected the development of computerised reservation and ticketing systems. May 18, 2004 tailor (TAY lur) The verb tailor obviously to prepare a piece of clothing for a particular person or use, but tailor can also refer to making just about anything suitable for a particular use or need. The noun form is tailoring. The courses at the new university would be tailored to meet the needs of Muslim students graduating from Islamic boarding schools. The cycling suits are so precisely tailored that they wrinkle when cyclists are standing but not when they are crouched. The finance minister said that development programmes should be tailored to each country's culture and special conditions. Ergonomics is the science of tailoring a job to the worker. May 17, 2004 whitewash (WHITE wash) The noun whitewash refers to attempt to the unpleasant facts or truth about someone or something. The verb form is also whitewash. Burma kicks off constitution talks today hailed by the junta as a key step towards democracy, but dismissed by critics as a whitewash in the absence of democracy icon Aung-San Suu Kyi. The finance minister rejected allegations of a whitewash of problems at a prominent state-run bank. The Chinese ambassador condemned what he said was "a whitewash of the atrocity". Human rights groups dismissed the commission as an attempt to whitewash the generals' involvement and pin the blame on lower-ranking officers. 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: May 24, 2004