Advanced — Set 71

Set 71 of Advanced covers 5 words: correlate, assert, overlap, terminate, reinforce. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. correlate · verb/ˈkɔrəˌleɪt/

   connect the trend or behavior of one factor with another

   The medical study correlated red meat consumption with the development of certain cancers.

   Synonyms: relate, connect, associate

   Origin: mid 17th century (as a noun): back-formation from correlation and correlative

2. assert · verb/əˈsərt/

   state or express firmly

   Government officials publicly asserted their commitment to clean energy, even as they were brokering deals with big oil companies.

   Synonyms: argue, declare, state, claim

   Origin: early 17th century: from Latin asserere ‘claim, affirm’, from ad- ‘to’ + serere ‘to join’

3. overlap · verb/ˌoʊvərˈlæp/

   when two or more topics have elements in common

   As most topics of the Academic Writing class overlapped with the Composition class, the department decided to offer only the former.

   Synonyms: be similar, coincide, replicate

4. terminate · verb/ˈtɛrməˌneɪt/

   stop something from operating or being viable

   The coach warned that he would terminate the player's contract should there be another case of misbehavior.

   Synonyms: end, put an end to, cease

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin terminat- ‘limited, ended’, from the verb terminare, from terminus ‘end, boundary’

5. reinforce · verb/ˌriənˈfɔrs/

   make an idea, belief or structure stronger

   At risk of another earthquake, people in the area were advised to have their houses structurally reinforced.

   Synonyms: boost, strengthen, fortify

   Origin: late Middle English: from French renforcer, influenced by inforce, an obsolete spelling of enforce; the sense of providing military support is probably from Italian rinforzare