tendency (TEN din see) n. 1. an inclination, bent, or propensity to move in a
certain direction; 2. an apparent moving toward some particular purpose; drift;
- a purpose or point of view
- Things set in motion have a tendencyto remain in motion until interfered
with by an outside force. - An object at rest has a tendencyto remain at rest until acted upon by an
outside force. - Isaac Newton’s tendencywas to state things as laws, such as the two laws of
inertia stated above. - The tendencyof the American people during the 1980s and 1990s was to
move politically toward the right.
[Syn. drift, trend]
tentative(TEN tuh TIV lee) adj. 1. proposed, but not definite; uncertain;
- Things set in motion have a tendencyto remain in motion until interfered
- timid; hesitant
- The tentativetime for our next meeting is Tuesday at 7 P.M., but check back
before putting it on your calendar. - Joanne wanted to ask Arthur to the dance, but her approach to him was, at
best,tentative.
[-ly adv., -ness n.] [Syn. uncertain]
tenuous(TEN yoo is) adj. not substantial; flimsy; inconclusive
- The tentativetime for our next meeting is Tuesday at 7 P.M., but check back
- The challenger’s lead in the polls is, at best, tenuous.
- Nora had a tenuousgrip on her tennis racket, and it was at risk of flying
out of her hand with each swing.
[-ly adv.,-ness n.]
testimony (TES to MOH nee) n. 1. a declaration or statement made under oath,
sometimes in response to questioning, before a court of some sort; 2. a public affir-
mation; any kind of evidence; 3. any sworn statement- The arresting officer gave testimonyat the burglary trial.
- The general’s testimonybefore Congress was that the army was fully prepared.
- Lynn’s testimonywas given in a letter signed before a notary public.
tether(TE thir) n. a rope or cord fastened to something to prevent its escape
—vt.to tie up or confine something/someone using a tether - Tetherball is played using a ball attached to a stake by a tether.
- It is not unusual to find a dog tetheredto a lamppost while its owner is in
the grocery store. - Never tetheryour dog for any length of time in the presence of hot sun-
light with no recourse to shade and fresh water.
[-ed, -ing]
theoretical (THEE uh RET i kil) adj. 1. of or making up an idea or mental con-
cept; 2. limited to theory, but not practical or proven; 3. speculative - Einstein had a theoreticalview of the relationship between energy and mass.
- Air travel was purely theoreticaluntil the beginning of the twentieth century.
- The existence of life in other galaxies is purely theoretical.
[-ly adv.]
224 Essential Vocabulary