Paradox  n.: seemingly self contradictory statement (possibly true), condition, or person  Word History: as we can see, ‘paradox’ is true to its Greek elements para (“beside,” “beyond,” “contrary to” and doxa (opinion) which formed the Greek paradoxos (“beyond belief”).  Syn.: contradiction, inconsistency, Catch 22

Admonish  v.: warn, advise, or criticize to correct a fault  Word History: “Admonish” clearly goes back to its Latin elements ad (“to”) + monere (“advise,” “warn”).  Syn.: scold, caution, counsel, rebuke  Relatd: reprimand

Penitent  adj.: feeling sorry and willing to atone or make up for sin or wrongdoing  Word History: In times past churches provided a special room called a “penitentiary” for those wanting to atone or make up for some sin. The repentant sinners were known as “penitents” form “penitentiary.”  Syn. and related words: sorry, repentant, conscience-stricken, contrite, remorseful, atoning

Accolade  n.: high praise, award, honor  Word History: Originally, “accolade” derives from Latin ac (variant of ad, “to”) and collum (“neck”), an embrace being a throwing of the arms around someone’s neck.  Syn.: acclaim, tribute, recognition, laurels  Relatd: kudos

Nonchalant  adj.: casually unconcerned  Word History: Latin non (“not”) + calore (“be warm”)—he always maintains his “cool.”  Syn.: unconcerned, cool, easygoing, carefree, insouciant

Banal  adj.: ordinary, uninteresting, pointless  Word History: A feudal lord in the Middle Ages compelled his tenants to use his facilities. “banal” came to mean “ commonplace” since everyone used the banal facilities.  Syn.: commonplace, unoriginal, un imaginative, insipid

Irridescent  adj.: showing rainbow-like colors  Word History: For the Ancient Greeks, Iris was the rainbow goddess.  Syn.: glistening, glittering, colorful, brilliant, lustrous

Cajole  v.: persuade by flattery, promises, pleasant or misleading words  Word History: Medieval Frenchman often caged the European jay, a cousin of the American blue jay, for a household pet. The jay would beg, plead, and whine with its harsh shrill until fed to its satisfaction-hence French cajoler (“ chatter like a caged jay”).  Syn.: persuade, flatter, coax  Relatd: entice

Urbane  adj.: sophisticated, smooth, polite, polished in manner  Word History: City dwellers have historically looked down upon country folk. “Urbane” comes from Latin urbs ( “city”. “Urban” still retains the literal root meaning of “city,” but “urbane” has been elevated to mean “refined,” “cultivated,” “ knowledgeably gracious.”  Syn.: refined, cultivated, elegant, suave

Stymie  v.: block, hinder, frustrate  Word History: “Stymie” is a golfing term for when an opponent’s ball lies on a direct line between the putter’s ball and the hole. From a specific golfing term for the blocking of the putter’s ball, “stymie” acquired the general meaning of “block,” “hinder,” “confuse.”  Syn.: block, hinder, frustrate, baffle, perplex, thwart

Recede  v.: move backward; slope or slant backward

Secede  v.: withdraw formally from membership, especially from a political or religious association

Intercede  v.: ask or plead for another; help settle a dispute or bring about an agreement between differing parties

Concede  v.: grant or admit as true or right; yield, give up

Precedent  n.: something said or done earlier that serves as an example or justification