simplistic(sim PLIS tik) adj. taking a complicated situation and making it unre-
alistically simple; oversimplified
- It is simplisticto believe that a calculus problem can be solved while stand-
ing on one foot. - Trying to fix an overheating car engine by adding cold water is taking a
simplisticapproach—and is also likely to get you burned.
[-ally adv.]
simply(SIM plee) adv. 1. in a simple way; with simplicity; 2. merely; only; just;
- absolutely; totally
- The dress was made simply,in a short time.
- Faith was simplytrying to be nice by offering her help.
- Will was simplyfurious with the way he had been treated.
sinuate(SIN yoo it for adj., SIN yoo ayt for v.) adj. 1. s-shaped, like a sine curve;
sinuous; 2. having an indented, wavy edge, like some leaves —vi. to bend or wind
in and out - Some grand-prix automobile race tracks sport sinuatesections, unlike
American ovals where cars only turn left. - Some slicing knives have sinuateedges for thinly slicing cold cuts and hard
cheeses. - Some of the most dangerous drivers are ones who sinuatethrough traffic.
[-d, sinuating, -ly, adv.]
skeptical*(SKEP ti kl) adj. 1. not easily persuaded or convinced; inclined to
doubt; questioning; 2. doubting religious doctrine - In Columbus’s day, learned people were not as skepticalabout the earth’s
being round as elementary history books would have us believe. - People from Missouri have a reputation for being skeptical;they have to be
shown. - Agnostics are generally skepticalabout many religious teachings.
[-ly adv.]
skepticism(SKEP ti si zm) n. 1. a philosophy that neither truth nor knowledge
is attainable by human beings; 2. a doubting attitude, especially pertaining to reli-
gious doctrine - Skepticismas a philosophy began in ancient Greece, where its advocates
claimed that man did not have the tools to determine what is and what is
not true. - A healthy skepticismis a good thing for those who would prefer not to be
flimflammed by pie-in-the-sky advertising claims.
[Syn. uncertainty]
slumber(SLUM bir) vi. 1. to sleep; 2. to be inactive or dormant —n. 1. sleep;
- a state of inactivity
- Night watchmen have a reputation—some would say undeserved—for
slumberingwhile on the job. - A volcano that has been inactive for recorded history is more safely regard-
ed as in slumberrather than dead. - A pair of pajamas is usually required for a slumberparty.
212 Essential Vocabulary