Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ATMOSPHERIC

DEFINITION:
Anything related to the atmosphere, which is the layer of gases surrounding a planet. An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor concentrated water vapor.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
A major atmospheric river storm — strong enough to potentially rival some of the extreme storms that have walloped Southern California in recent winters — is barreling toward the coast, raising the specter of damaging landslides and flooding across the region.
The Los Angeles Times, 02/10/2025

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Words in the News Quiz
5 High School Words

Click on the correct answer in the quiz below.
Then see if you can find the word in your newspaper -- the print edition, the website or the digital edition and copy the sentence for context. NOTE: High School words are much harder to find!


1. Notarize

A reproductive cell having the haploid number of chromosomes, especially a mature sperm or egg capable of fusing with a gamete of the opposite sex to produce the fertilized egg.

To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public.

The science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules.

A form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life,


2. Vacuous

Not interesting; dull:

Clear to the understanding.

Lacking serious purpose or occupation; idle.

The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides.


3. Irony

A plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the cone.

A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style; a vocabulary:

The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.


4. Recapitulate

Of or relating to a holding of something in trust for another.

To repeat in concise form. To make a summary.

An advocate of the extension of political voting rights, especially to women.

Shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane.


5. Parameter

A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary

Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.

Warlike in manner or temperament; pugnacious.

Feeling or showing haughty disdain.


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Common Core State Standard
LS.CCS.4/5/6 Grades 3-12: Students are asked to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words through multiple choice vocabulary quizzes. Quizzes are designed to help students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in words, acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words, and gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. Students are then asked to find the words within the newspaper and copy the sentence for context to its overall meaning or function in a sentence.