correlate(KAW ril AYT) vt. to bring things into a mutual relation with each
other; to show the relationship between quantities —adj. closely related
- One’s salary should correlatewith the hours one works.
- Sometimes it is difficult to correlatethe amount of good someone does in
the world with his or her reward.
[-d, correlating]
cosmos(KAHZ mohs) n. 1. the universe seen as an orderly, harmonious whole;
- any complete and orderly system
- Earth was once thought to be the center of the cosmos.
- The periodic table contains the cosmosof chemical elements.
counterpoint(KOWN tir POYNT) n. 1. a melody played or sung against a
different melody; 2. something set up to contrast with or counteract something
else - Counterpointmelodies can be found in classical and popular musical
compositions. - Political-opinion news shows often offer both a point and counterpoint
format to put forth both sides of an argument.
covert(koh VIRT) adj. concealed; disguised; hidden; surrreptitious - A submarine is a covertweapon by design.
- Undercover organizations exist for covertoperations.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. secret]
covetous(KUH vit uhs) adj. longing with envy for something belonging to
another person - Mr. Jones was very covetousof Mr. Smith’s beautiful green lawn before he
discovered it was AstroTurf. - Ginger was covetousof Mary Anne’s wavy hair.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. envious, greedy]
cower(KOW ir) vt. 1. to huddle up as from fear or cold; 2. to shrink with fear as
if avoiding someone’s anger or blows - The Green family coweredin the cold, waiting for the furnace to be
repaired. - Lou Costello’s coweringawaiting Bud Abbott’s angry blows was quite a rou-
tine, in light of the fact that straight man Abbott was actually Costello’s
employee.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. cringe]
craven(KRAY vin) adj. deathly afraid of; very cowardly —n. a thorough coward - Lloyd had a cravenattitude toward bears.
- Some little children are cravenabout anything with four feet and fur.
- Minnie was cravenand would not leave her house.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. cowardly]
264 Essential Vocabulary