AUDITION (AUDITORY SYSTEM)
The function of the auditory system is the perception
of sound—-or, more accurately, the perception of objects
and events through the sounds that they make. Sounds
are vibrations of air moleclues that stimulate the auditory
system; humans hear only those molecular vibrations
between about 20 and 20,000 hertz (cycles per second).
Sounds are commonly recorded in the form of waves and
the relation between the physical dimensions of sound
vibrations and our perceptions of them. The amplitude,
frequency, adn complexity of the molecular vibrations are
perceived as loudness, pitch,, and timbre, respectively.
THE EAR
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par ex·cel·lence adj \ˈpär-ˌek-sə-ˈläⁿs\
Definition of PAR EXCELLENCE
: being the best of a kind : preeminent
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Examples of PAR EXCELLENCE
Origin of PAR EXCELLENCE
French, literally, by excellence
First Known Use: 1695
Related to PAR EXCELLENCE
Synonyms: A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], excellent, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
Antonyms: atrocious, awful, execrable, lousy, pathetic, poor, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched
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Rhymes with PAR EXCELLENCE
guerre à outrance, insouciance, mésalliance
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en masse adv \äⁿ(n)-ˈmas, -ˈmäs, en-\
Definition of EN MASSE
: in a body : as a whole
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Examples of EN MASSE
Her supporters arrived en masse for the rally.
Origin of EN MASSE
French
First Known Use: 1795
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1vis–à–vis prep
\ˈvēz-ə-ˈvē, ˌvēs- also -ä-ˈvē\
Definition of VIS-À-VIS
1
: face-to-face with
2
: in relation to
3
: as compared with
Origin of VIS-À-VIS
French, literally, face-to-face
First Known Use: 1755
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coup d’état noun
\ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌ, -də-\
plural coups d’état or coups d’etat
Definition of COUP D’ÉTAT
: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics; especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group
See coup d’état defined for English-language learners »
Variants of COUP D’ÉTAT
coup d’état or coup d’etat
Origin of COUP D’ÉTAT
French, literally, stroke of state
First Known Use: 1646
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terra fir·ma noun \-ˈfər-mə also -ˈfir-\
Definition of TERRA FIRMA
: dry land : solid ground
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Examples of TERRA FIRMA
Origin of TERRA FIRMA
New Latin, literally, solid land
First Known Use: 1638
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per·so·na non gra·ta adj
\pər-ˈsō-nə-ˌnän-ˈgra-tə, -ˈgrä-\
Definition of PERSONA NON GRATA
: personally unacceptable or unwelcome
Origin of PERSONA NON GRATA
New Latin, unacceptable person
First Known Use: 1904
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bo·na fide adj
\ˈbō-nə-ˌfīd, ˈbä-; ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-dē, -ˈfī-də\
Definition of BONA FIDE
1
: made in good faith without fraud or deceit
2
: made with earnest intent : sincere
3
: neither specious nor counterfeit : genuine
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Examples of BONA FIDE
She has established her position as a bona fide celebrity.
His latest record was a bona fide hit.
They have a bona fide claim for the loss.
Origin of BONA FIDE
Latin, literally, in good faith
First Known Use: 1632
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faux pas noun \ˈfō-ˌpä, fō-ˈ\
plural faux pas
Definition of FAUX PAS
: blunder; especially : a social blunder
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Examples of FAUX PAS
Arriving too early would be a serious faux pas.
Origin of FAUX PAS
French, literally, false step
First Known Use: 1676
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status quo noun \-ˈkwō\
Definition of STATUS QUO
: the existing state of affairs
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Examples of STATUS QUO
He is content with the status quo and does not like change.
Origin of STATUS QUO
Latin, state in which
First Known Use: 1807
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nom de plume noun \-ˈplüm\
plural noms de plume
Definition of NOM DE PLUME
: pseudonym, pen name
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Examples of NOM DE PLUME
He wrote under a nom de plume.
Origin of NOM DE PLUME
French, pen name; probably coined in English
First Known Use: 1823
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ex of·fi·cio adv or adj \ˌek-sə-ˈfi-shē-ˌō, -sē-\
Definition of EX OFFICIO
: by virtue or because of an office
See ex officio defined for English-language learners »
Origin of EX OFFICIO
Late Latin
First Known Use: 1533
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à la carte adv or adj \ˌä-lə-ˈkärt, ˌa-lə-\
Definition of À LA CARTE
: according to a menu or list that prices items separately
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Variants of À LA CARTE
à la carte also a la carte
Origin of À LA CARTE
French, by the bill of fare
First Known Use: 1816
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1per di·em adv \(ˌ)pər-ˈdē-əm, -ˈdī-\
Definition of PER DIEM
: by the day : for each day
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Examples of PER DIEM
Employees will be given $20 per diem for expenses.
Origin of PER DIEM
Medieval Latin
First Known Use: 1520
2per diem adj
Definition of PER DIEM
1
: based on use or service by the day : daily
2
: paid by the day
First Known Use of PER DIEM
1809
3per diem noun
plural per diems
Definition of PER DIEM
1
: a daily allowance
2
: a daily fee
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Examples of PER DIEM
He received a $30 per diem for food.
First Known Use of PER DIEM
1812
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carte blanche noun \ˈkärt-ˈbläⁿsh, -ˈblänch\
plural cartes blanches
Definition of CARTE BLANCHE
: full discretionary power
See carte blanche defined for English-language learners »
Examples of CARTE BLANCHE
We gave the decorator carte blanche to furnish the house.
Origin of CARTE BLANCHE
French, literally, blank document
First Known Use: 1751