Descriptionary

conjecture n. (kun JEK chur) speculation based on inference; guesswork. That aliens exist on other plan­ets is merely conjecture; nobody knows for sure.

connive vb. (kuh NIVE) to collude or plot. They were born thieves who could be counted on while in prison to connive and conspire.

connoisseur n. (KON uh SUR) an authority or expert. Our local wine connoisseur uses more than forty different words and terms to describe the taste of wines.

consecrate vb. (KON suh KRAYT) to make sacred or holy or set apart as such. The priest is scheduled to consecrate the shrine this afternoon.

consensus n. (kun SEN sus) an agreement by all. The assembly finally reached a consensus and voted to pass the resolution.

conservative adj. (kun SURV uh tiv) traditional in values. My father believed in a conservative brand of politics because he disliked progress or change of any kind.

conspicuous adj. (kun SPIK yoo us) glaringly obvi­ous; that which stands out. Wearing a Lone Ranger mask to the supermarket will make you rather con­spicuous.

conspiracy n. (kun SPEER uh see) a secret group effort to commit a wrongdoing. After the assassina­tion, the FBI worked to uncover those involved in the conspiracy.

consummate adj. (kon SUM it) accomplished; per­fect. It was no wonder all her albums sold millions of copies; she was the consummate vocalist.

contentious adj. (kun TEN shus) argumentative; quarrelsome. The contentious couple would likely solve their differences by going their separate ways.

contingent adj. (kun TIN junt) subject to. We'll go to the beach, contingent upon how hot it gets.

contrite adj. (kun TRITE) apologetic; sorry. It is easy to forgive someone when they're contrite.

contrived adj. (kun TRIVED) overly planned, resulting in a forced or unnatural effect. His play was replete with unbelievable coincidences; it was simply too contrived to be believed.

conundrum n. (kuh NUN drum) a puzzle; a baffling problem. Protecting the environment while keeping fac­tories humming has long been a political conundrum.

convivial adj. (kun VIV ee ul) social and fond of the party life. The convivial party-goers performed the conga around the guest of honor.

copious adj. (KOH pee us) plentiful; abounding.

The old dowser claimed to have found a copious water supply.

cornerstone n. (KORN ur stohn) a vital or most vital element. The right to vote is a cornerstone of every democracy.

corroborate vb. (kuh ROB uh RAYT) to substanti­ate; to offer supportive information. When putting forth a new scientific theory, it pays to have others corroborate your findings.