The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate (9 page)

climatic
(kl
I
-MAT-ik)
adjective
, also given as
climatical
(kl
I
-MAT-i-k
e
l) and
climatal
(KL
I
-mi-t
e
l)

pertaining to climate.

The confusion of the words
climatic
and
climactic
is usually a problem of pronunciation rather than usage. As you probably have noticed,
climatic
is frequently used mistakenly in substandard speech when
climatic
, a less commonly used adjective, conveys the intended meaning. Rarely, however, is
climactic
used when
climatic
is intended. While in published writing the confusion of
climatic
,
pertaining to climate
, and
climactic
,
per
taining to a climax
, is seldom seen, over time the confusion will probably begin to appear in books and newspapers and should be guarded against. What we say eventually influences what we write, as any teacher of writing knows.

Related words:
climatically
adverb
.

coeval
(koh-EE-v
e
l)
adjective

1. of the same age, date, or duration; equally old.

2. coincident.

Related words:
coevality
(
KOH
-i-VAL-i-tee)
noun
,
coevally
(koh-EE-v
e
-lee)
adverb
.

cognizable
(KOG-n
e
-z
e
-b
e
l)
adjective

1. perceptible.

2. recognizable.

Related word:
cognizably
(KOG-n
e
-z
e
-blee)
adverb
.

cognizant
(KOG-n
e
-z
e
nt)
adjective

aware.

collation
(k
e
-LAY-sh
e
n)
noun

a light meal.

colloquium
(k
e
-LOH-kwee-
e
m)
noun, plural
colloquiums
and
colloquia
(k
e
-LOH-kwee-
e
)

an academic seminar or conference.

colloquy
(KOL-
e
-kwee)
noun, plural
colloquies

a dialogue or conversation.

Related word:
colloquist
noun
.

colporteur
(KOL-
POR
-t
e
r)
noun

a door-to-door book peddler, especially of Bibles.

comedo
(KOM-i-
DOH
)
noun, plural
comedos
and
comedones
(
KOM
-i-DOH-neez)

a blackhead.

comestibles
(k
e
-MES-t
e
-b
e
lz)
plural noun

articles of food; edibles.

Related word:
comestible
adjective
.

commensurate
(k
e
-MEN-s
e
r-it)
adjective

corresponding in amount, extent, or magnitude; proportionate.

Related words:
commensurately
adverb
,
commensurateness
and
commensuration
(k
e
-
MEN
-s
e
-RAY-sh
e
n)
both nouns
.

commination
(
KOM
-
e
-NAY-sh
e
n)
adjective

a threat of vengeance, especially divine vengeance.

Related words:
comminate
(KOM-
e
-
NAYT
)
verb
,
comminator
noun
,
comminatory
(k
e
-MIN-
e
-
TOR
-ee) and
comminative
(KOM-mi-
NAY
-tiv)
both adjectives
.

complement
(KOM-pl
e
-m
e
nt)
noun

1. something that completes or makes perfect.

2. the amount or quantity required to complete something.

3. in grammar, a word or group of words added to a verb to complete the predicate.

4. (
verb
) complete; form a complement to.

Careless writers sometimes use the noun and verb
compliment
to express the meanings of the noun and verb
complement
, giving editors one more error to correct. We welcome
compliments
and are quick to
compliment
anyone who deserves such courtesies, but
compliments
and
compliment
have nothing to do with
complements
.
Complements
may be essential, but they have nothing to do with
complimenting
or paying
compliments
. Clear enough?

Related words:
complementarity
(
KOM
-pl
e
-men-TAR-i-tee)
noun
,
complementary
(
KOM
-pl
e
-MEN-t
e
-ree)
adjective
.

compliment
(KOM-pl
e
-m
e
nt)
noun

1. a polite expression of praise.

2. an act implying praise.

3. (
verb
) pay a compliment to.

See
complement
.

Related words:
complimentable
(
KOM
-pl
e
-MEN-t
e
-b
e
l)
adjective
,
complimenter
(KOM-pli-
MENT
-
e
r)
noun
.

comprise
(k
e
m-PR
I
Z)
verb

1. include, comprehend, consist of.

2. constitute, compose, make up.

The first definition of
comprise
given above,
include, consist of
, is considered by skilled writers and editors to be the only acceptable one. It follows the hallowed dictum “The whole
comprises
the parts.” In fact, the second definition, suggesting “The parts
comprise
the whole,” is widely used and has been accepted for a long time. Nevertheless, there is a strong inclination among trained editors to make the first definition the one that a careful writer should follow, and the second definition one that a careful writer should avoid. Thus, instead of writing “Players
comprise
a small army,” you ought to write “Players
constitute
a small army” or “Players
make up
a small army.” Following the same practice, instead of saying “A team
comprised of
dozens of specialists,” you ought to write “A team
composed of
dozens of specialists.”

Related words:
comprisable
adjective
,
comprisal
noun
.

compulsive
(k
e
m-PUL-siv)
adjective

1. acting as if from compulsion.

2. irresistible.

Do not confuse
compulsive
with
compulsory
, which see.

Related words:
compulsively
adverb
,
compulsiveness
and
compulsivity
(
KOM
-pul-SIV-i-tee)
both nouns
.

compulsory
(k
e
m-PUL-s
e
-ree)
adjective

1. that must be done, required by the rules etc.

2. enforced.

The adjective
compulsory
has long been understood to mean
enforced
, as in
compulsory
education. It was clearly distinct in meaning from the adjective
compulsive
, which in psychological parlance means
irresistible
. With the growing influence of popular psychology, however,
compulsive
has drifted into everyday language and become confused with
compulsory
. The distinction between the two words should be maintained. Thus,
compulsory
education is required by the laws of our country, while
compulsive
gambling stems from a compulsion, an irresistible urge, to gamble. You must continue to keep these adjectives separate in your own writing, remembering that
compulsive
behavior is not mandated by law, but results from an inner urge entirely personal in nature.

Related words:
compulsorily
(k
e
m-PUL-s
e
-ri-lee)
adverb
,
compulsoriness
noun
.

concatenate
(kon-KAT-
e
n-
AYT
)
verb

1. link together.