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ep • och n., period of time. The Renaissance was an epoch that saw remarkable achievements in art and the sciences.

ar • du • ous adj., extremely difficult. Few people have completed the arduous ascent of Mt. Everest.

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em • i • nent adj., noteworthy. The orchestra was honored when the eminent violinist sat in with them for the evening.

et • y • mol • o • gy n., origin and development of a word. The etymologies of many English words show Greek and Latin influences.

pro • di • gious adj., amazing, huge. The prodigious task of planning and building the skyscraper took four years.

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im • plic • it • ly adv., doubtlessly. The mother believed her child’s side of the story implicitly.

in • sin • u • ate vt., work into gradually. Lobbyists try to insinuate themselves into relationships with politicians.

con • cil • i • ate vt., win over. With the strike in its third month, a negotiator has been brought in to conciliate the union members.

so • lic • it vt., ask or seek pleadingly. No one is allowed to solicit money on the subway.

pos • ter • i • ty n., succeeding generations. The advent of photography allowed people to record family histories for posterity.

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cyn • i • cal adj., believing that people are insincere or selfish; sarcastic or sneering. Are you so cynical that you believe that all politicians are corrupt?

as • per • i • ty n., harshness. The old man’s asperity frightened the neighborhood children.