conclusion(kuhn KLOO zhn) n.1. the end or final part; 2. the result of the
reasoning process; judgment; decision; an opinion reached after investigating; the
last in a chain of events
- The coda is the conclusionof many musical pieces and is used to reinforce
the main idea. - After thinking it through thoroughly, the conclusionthat the butler had
done it was unavoidable. - Scotland Yard’s investigator reached the same conclusion.
- The “Waltz of the Flowers” is the conclusionto Tchaikowsky’s The Nutcracker
Suite.
condemn(kuhn DEM) vt.1. to blame; strongly disapprove of; censure; 2. to
declare guilty of wrongdoing; to doom; pronounce penalty on; 3. to claim private
property for public use by using the power of eminent domain; expropriate; 4. to
declare unfit for service - We all condemnthe actions of the 9/11 hijackers.
- Let us condemnthe serial killer to a life in jail.
- The city condemnedfive private homes to make room for the football stadi-
um’s parking lot. - The run-down tenement will be condemnedand demolished.
[-ed, -ing, -er n.] [Syn. criticize]
condescend(KON dis END) vi.1. to lower oneself to the level of the person
one is dealing with; to graciously and willing do something regarded as beneath
one’s dignity; deign; 2. to deal with others in a proud or haughty way - The judge may condescendto explain his decision to the convicted felon,
even though the law does not require it. - Our cat condescendsto hang out with the dog from time to time, even
though she makes it abundantly clear that she occupies a much higher
social level than he does. - The elite castes in traditional India would not condescendto speak with an
untouchable.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. stoop]
condition(kuhn DISH uhn) n.1. anything that’s a requirement before perform-
ing or doing something else; 2. any prerequisite to the happening of another thing,
event, etc.; 3. something that modifies or restricts the nature, existence, or occur-
rence of something else; 4. state of being; health; 5. social position; rank; station
—vt. 1. to set as a requirement; to stipulate; 2. to impose rules on; 3. to affect, mod-
ify, or influence; 4. to bring to a desired state - Being paid in advance is a conditionof my not singing at charity concerts;
if you heard me sing, you’d know why. - Fertile soil is one conditionof good crop growth.
- Lack of sun is a conditionpreventing my having a nice lawn.
- Alex’s conditionhas improved since he saw the doctor.
- The vice president’s conditionkeeps him in close touch with the pulse of
the Senate.
58 Essential Vocabulary