Descriptionary

stigma n. (STIG muh) that which brands one with a negative reputation; that which causes shame. The stigma of his criminal record stayed with the mur­derer long after he had been released from prison.

stigmatize vb. (STIG muh tyze) to brand one with a negative or shameful characterization. Society will continue to stigmatize criminals long after they've been released from prison.

stipulate vb. (STIP yuh layt) to specify formally, especially in a contract. Be sure to stipulate exactly what you require in the contract.

stoic adj. (STOH ik) indifferent or apparently indif­ferent to pain, grief, pleasure, etc. My brother once stepped on a nail, but he was surprisingly stoic about it and never even winced.

strident adj. (STRI dunt) shrill and harsh. The rock musician's guitar solo was blistering and strident.

stringent adj. (STRIN junt) strict; rigorous. This school maintains stringent rules prohibiting swearing and verbal abuse.

stymie vb. (STYE mee) to impede; to put up obsta­cles. Environmental regulations may stymie produc­tion at some companies, but the long-term benefits are worth the trade-off.

suave adj. (SWAHV) gracious, diplomatic; smooth in social settings. We need someone who is exception­ally suave to host this year's award ceremonies.

subjective adj. (sub JEK tiv) as seen or experienced through one individual; personal; not objective. My opinion of my own writing is subjective and is there­fore unreliable.

subjugate vb. (SUB juh GAYT) to dominate, con­trol, or make subservient. The dictator hatched a scheme that would allow him to subjugate millions of uneducated citizens.

sublime adj. (sub LYME) grand, exalted; majestic. I thought Carl Sagan's views of the universe were abso­lutely sublime.

subliminal adj. (sub LIM in ul) that which may be sensed unconsciously but not consciously. The company often employed subliminal advertising and would often imbed hundreds of barely perceptible dollar signs throughout its art work.

subordinate adj. (suh BORD in et) secondary; under or lesser than another. In a court setting, the bailiff is in an obviously subordinate position to that of the judge.

subpoena n. (suh PEE nuh) a written order to appear in court. The witness to the bank robbery will receive a subpoena today to appear in court.

subservient adj. (sub SERV ee unt) submissive and servile. My younger brother was subservient toward me until he was five years old, at which time he loudly asserted his independence.