Challenging Words In The Article The Hindu | 11 April 2018

1) Perceptible (adjective) (ध्यान देने योग्य): per-sep-tible
Meaning– Able to be seen or noticed.
Synonyms- noticeable, perceivable, detectable, discernible
Antonyms- Imperceptible, inconspicuous
Example-The perceptible tremor in the old man’s hands caught the doctor’s attention.

2) Sermonize (verb) (राय व्यक्त करना): ser-mo-nize
Meaning– Deliver an opinionated and dogmatic talk to someone, express moral judgements.
Synonyms- admonish, edify, evangelize, lecture, pontificate, preach
Antonyms – praise
Example-My grandmother is all right until she starts sermonizing and then she is unbearable.

3) Devoid of (adjective) (विहीन): de-void of
Meaning– To lack or be without something that is necessary or usual/entirely lacking or free from.
Synonyms- lacking, without, free from/of, empty of, vacant of, void of
Antonyms-Filled, provided, supplied full, replete, rife
Example – We need rainfall or the lake will bedevoid of water.

4) Re-calibration (noun) (पुन: परिवर्तन करना): re-cali-bra-shun
Meaning – to change the way you do or think about something/to make small changes to an instrument so that it measures accurately/calibrate (something) again or differently.
Synonyms- Readjustment
Antonyms -Maintain, remain, stay
Example – The administration appears to haverecalibrated its strategy.

5) Credence (noun) (विश्वसनीयता): cre-dens
Meaning– The likelihood of something being true, belief in or acceptance of something as true.
Synonyms- acceptance, belief, faith, trust

Antonyms- Distrust, scepticism
Example- The jury found it hard to give credenceto the testimony provided by the convicted felon.

6) Overdue (adjective) (अतिदेय): ov-er-dew

Meaning – Not having arrived, happened, or been done by the expected time.
Synonyms-: late, not on time, behind schedule, delayed, belated, tardy, unpunctual
Antonyms -Early, punctual, on time
Example – The rent of the family was nearly three months overdue.

7) Meddling (verb) (हस्तक्षेप, दखल): med-ling
Meaning – Interfere with something that is not one’s concern.
Synonyms- interfere, intrude, intervene, interlope, pry, poke, nose
Antonyms -Mind one’s own business, leave alone
Example – My sister is always meddling in other people’s affairs.

8) Contentious (adjective) (विवादास्पद): con-ten-shi-yas
Meaning – Causing or likely to cause an argument
Synonyms- controversial, disputable, debatable
Antonyms -Uncontroversial, anodyne
Example – The author wrote a contentious novel which caused a great deal of unrest.

Idioms/Phrases/Phrasal Verbs in the article

8) Put aside (phrasal verb) (उपेक्षा करना, अनदेखा करना)
Meaning–To temporarily stop focusing on or paying attention to something/To reserve or save something for someone or for a later use.
Synonyms- Disregard, neglect, ignore, forget, set aside, ignore
Antonyms- Heed, attention
Example- Put the financial aspects aside for a moment and focus on what kind of work would make you the happiest.

9) Steer clear of (phrase) (दूर रहना)
Meaning– To avoid someone or something that seems unpleasant, dangerous, or likely to cause problems.
Synonyms- Keep away from, keep one’s distance from, keep at arm’s length, eschew
Antonyms- Seek out, confront
Example- The 8:00 train is always late, so steer clear of it if you want to be on time.