The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Success ... - eLibrary

Words to Learn 15317. exorbitant (adjective) ˘g-zôrb˘-təntFrom Latin: ex- (out) orbita (path)expensive; unreasonable; exceeding proper limitsA $500 fine is exorbitant to pay for a parking ticket.We would not borrow money from a bank that charged exorbitantinterest rates. Related Wordexorbitance (noun) We were shocked by the exorbitance of theprices that the resellers wanted for football tickets.18. exploit (verb) ˘k-sploit; (noun) ĕksploitFrom Latin: ex- (out) plicāre (to fold), making explicāre (to unfold)(When we exploit something, we “fold it out” and make itwork for us.)a. to take advantage of; to use (verb) ˘k-sploitCompany owners exploited coal miners, who worked longhours in dangerous conditions for little pay. (Here exploithas a negative meaning.)Alaska exploits its rich oil and natural gas reserves whiletrying not to harm the environment.b. great adventure; great deed (noun) ĕksploitThe exploits of pirates seem romantic in movies, but inreality, they are brutal crimes. Related Wordexploitation (noun) (ĕksploi-tāshən) Consumers have protestedthe exploitation of child labor in clothing factories.Copyright © Cengage Learning. All Right Reserved.NOTES: (1) Exploit and exploitation often suggest taking unfair advantage(as in the exploitation of minorities). However, the words can meansimply “to take advantage of” or “to use wisely.” (2) Notice the differencein pronunciation stress between ex-ploit (verb) and exploit(noun).19. extricate (verb) ĕkstr˘-kātFrom Latin: ex- (out) tricae (difficulties), making extricāre (todisentangle, to free)to free or escape from difficulty; to disentangleFour sets of cutting tools were needed to extricate thepassenger from the overturned truck.Once you get involved in an argument, it can be hard toextricate yourself.