to make a quick buck and then get out.Mercenary can also be used as an adjective.
- Larry’s motives in writing the screenplay for the trashy movie were strictly mercenary
—he needed the money.
ORTHODOX (OR thuh dahks) adj conventional; adhering to established principles or
doctrines, especially in religion; by the book
- The doctor’s treatment for Lou’s cold was entirely orthodox: plenty of liquids, aspirin, and
rest. - Austin’s views were orthodox; there was nothing shocking about any of them.
The body of what is orthodox is called orthodoxy.
- The teacher’s lectures were characterized by strict adherence to orthodoxy.
To be unconventional is to be unorthodox.
- “Swiss cheese” is an unorthodox explanation for the composition of the moon.
OSCILLATE (AHS uh layt) v to swing back and forth; to pulsate; to waver or vacillate
between beliefs or ideas
- We watched the hypnotist’s pendulum oscillate before our eyes, and soon we became
sleepy. - Mrs. Johnson can’t make up her mind how to raise her children; she oscillates between
strictness and laxity depending on what kind of mood she’s in.
PALLIATE (PAL ee ayt) v to relieve or alleviate something without getting rid of the problem;
to assuage; to mitigate
- You take aspirin in the hope that it will palliate your headache.
- Aspirin is a palliative (PAL yuh tiv).
PARTISAN (PAHR tuh zun) n one who supports a particular person, cause, or idea
- Henry’s plan to give himself the award had no partisan except himself.
- I am the partisan of any candidate who promises not to make promises.
- The mountain village was attacked by partisans of the rebel chieftain.
Partisan can also be used as an adjective meaning “biased,” as in partisan politics.
- An issue that everyone agrees on regardless of the party he or she belongs to is a
nonpartisan issue.
Bipartisan means supported by two (bi) parties.
- Both the Republican and Democratic senators voted to give themselves a raise. The
motion had bipartisan support.