Dictionary Definitions of Relevant Words
CONFORMITY: Main Entry: con·for·mi·ty
Pronunciation: k&n-'for-m&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Date: 15th century
1 : correspondence in form, manner, or character : AGREEMENT (behaved in conformity with her beliefs)
2 : an act or instance of conforming
3 : action in accordance with some specified standard or authority (conformity to social custom)
CONFORM:
Main Entry: con·form
Pronunciation: k&n-'form
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French conformer, from Latin conformare, from com- + formare to form, from forma form
Date: 14th century
transitive senses : to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord (conform furrows to the slope of the land)
intransitive senses
1 : to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony -- used with to or with
2 a : to be obedient or compliant -- usually used with to b : to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs
synonym see ADAPT
- con·form·er noun
- con·form·ism /-'for-"mi-z&m/ noun
- con·form·ist /-mist/ noun or adjective
TRUTH: Main Entry: truth
Pronunciation: 'trüth
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural truths /'trü[th]z, 'trüths/
Etymology: Middle English trewthe, from Old English trEowth fidelity; akin to Old English trEowe faithful -- more at TRUE
Date: before 12th century
1 a archaic : FIDELITY, CONSTANCY b : sincerity in action, character, and utterance
2 a (1) : the state of being the case : FACT (2) : the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY 3) often capitalized : (a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality) b : a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true (truths of thermodynamics) c : the body of true statements and propositions
3 a : the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality b chiefly British : TRUE 2 c : fidelity to an original or to a standard
4 capitalized, Christian Science : GOD - in truth : in accordance with fact : ACTUALLY
MIND-SET:
Main Entry: mind-set
Pronunciation: 'mIn(d)-"set
Function: noun
Date: 1926
1 : a mental attitude or inclination
2 : a fixed state of mind
SUCCESS:
Main Entry: suc·cess
Pronunciation: s&k-'ses
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin successus, from succedere
Date: 1537
1 obsolete : Outcome, Result
2 a : degree or measure of succeeding b : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3 : one that succeeds
(Note that "the attainment of wealth, etc." is almost an afterthought.)
SUCCEED:
Main Entry: suc·ceed
Pronunciation: s&k-'sEd
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English succeden, from Latin succedere to go up, follow after, succeed, from sub- near + cedere to go -- more at SUB-
Date: 14th century
intransitive senses
1 a : to come next after another in office or position or in possession of an estate; especially : to inherit sovereignty, rank, or title b : to follow after another in order
2 a : to turn out well b : to attain a desired object or end
3 obsolete : to pass to a person by inheritance
transitive senses
1 : to follow in sequence and especially immediately
2 : to come after as heir or successor
synonym see FOLLOW
- suc·ceed·er noun
LATERAL:
(as in lateral thinking, as opposed to linear thinking *see next entry*)
Main Entry: 1lat·er·al
Pronunciation: 'la-t&-r&l also 'la-tr&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English laterale, from Latin lateralis, from later-, latus side
Date: 15th century
1 : of or relating to the side
2 : situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side
3 : extending from side to side (lateral axis of an airplane)
4 : produced with passage of breath around the side of a constriction formed with the tongue (\l\ is lateral)
- lat·er·al·ly adverb
LINEAR:
Main Entry: lin·e·ar
Pronunciation: 'li-nE-&r
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1656
1 a (1) : of, relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and especially a straight line : STRAIGHT (2) : involving a single dimension b (1) : of the first degree with respect to one or more variables (2) : of, relating to, based on, or being linear equations, linear differential equations, linear functions, linear transformations, or linear algebra c (1) : characterized by an emphasis on line (linear art) (2) : composed of simply drawn lines with little attempt at pictorial representation (linear script) d : consisting of a straight chain of atoms
2 : elongated with nearly parallel sides (linear leaf) -- see LEAF illustration
3 : having or being a response or output that is directly proportional to the input
4 : of, relating to, or based or depending on sequential development (linear thinking) (a linear narrative)
- lin·e·ar·i·ty /"li-nE-'ar-&-tE/ noun
- lin·e·ar·ly /'li-nE-&r-lE/ adverb
All definitions taken from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
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