counterfeit (KOWN toer fit) adj.1. imitation of something real to deceive or
defraud; 2. not genuine; sham; feigned —n.a copy made to purposely deceive;
forgery; —vt.1. to make an imitation of (money, pictures, etc.) usually to deceive or
defraud; 2. to pretend; feign
- The counterfeit Van Gogh you bought yesterday for $40 is very well done
but definitely not rare. - Counterfeitmoney in circulation is a danger to everyone in the country—
including the counterfeiter. - That counterfeitwas made to deceive you into believing it was a Tiffany
lamp. (Just trying to throw some light on it.) - It is not a good idea to counterfeitU.S. currency.
- One counterfeitmost people are familiar with is alligator tears, produced
when someone pretends to cry.
[-ed, -ing, counterfeiter n.] [Syn. false, artificial]
courage(KUR ij) n.the attitude of confronting something acknowledged as dif-
ficult, painful, or dangerous, rather than running or hiding from it; the quality of
bravery; fearlessness; valor - Having the courageof one’s convictions means being brave enough to do
what one believes is the right thing. - When faced with a potential attack by the vicious cat, Willis the Pug
exhibited great courage.
[-ous adj., -ously adv., -ousness n.]
creation (kree AY shin) n.1. a coming into existence or a causing to come into
existence; 2. the whole universe; all the world; 3. anything created, especially some-
thing original created by the imagination; invention, design, etc. - Gino is the creationof his parents, Melissa and Gennaro.
- One’s creationcan be figured from the time of conception.
- You are the most important person in all creation.
- The creationsof DaVinci’s mind were ahead of their time.
creative(kree AY tiv) adj.1. able to invent or discover; 2. possessing or showing
artistic or intellectual inventiveness or imagination; 3. stimulating the imagination
and inventiveness; 4. imaginatively deceptive - The plan was the result of the general’s creativepowers.
- The architect made a very creativeuse of available space.
- The music of Mozart often helps to get one’s creativejuices flowing.
- The deception was accomplished through the firm’s use of creative
accounting.
creature (KREE chir) n.1. anything created, whether animate or inanimate; 2. a
living thing; a human being (often used in a patronizing, demeaning, or endearing
manner); 3. one totally dominated by or depending on another - Muppets are creaturesanimated by puppeteers.
•A creaturewidely admired for its beauty is the wild horse. - Danielle was predictable, being a creatureof habit.
- Henry is such a sweet creature,one can’t help but like him.
- Drug addicts are creaturesof their addictions.
68 Essential Vocabulary