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

Words to Learn 341Our PedigreesThe word pedigree can be used to refer to noble or royal ancestry, or simply toall of a person’s ancestry. Recent genetic research has shown that people’s pedigreesinclude diverse ancestry, and we are more related than we think. DickCheney, Republican vice president under George W. Bush, shares ancestorswith Democratic political rival Barack Obama. Obama’s pedigree is quitediverse, as he had an African father and an American mother of Europeandescent. Although he was the first elected African-American president, one ofhis mother’s ancestors probably owned slaves!spec, spic10. auspicious (adjective) ô-spĭshßsFrom Latin: avis (bird) spic (look, watch)favorable; promising successRising employment is an auspicious sign for our economy.The beautiful, sunny day was an auspicious one for awedding.The AuspexThe ancient Romans believed that since the flight of birds was close to theheavens, it could easily be guided by the gods. Thus, birds were watched assigns or omens. A religious official trained to observe flight patterns was anauspex. When an important matter was being considered, the auspex decidedwhether the signs given by birds were auspicious.11. conspicuous (adjective) kßn-spĭkyoo-ßsCopyright © Cengage Learning. All Right Reserved.From Latin: con- (closely) spec (look)easy to notice; attracting attentionThe conspicuous presence of police helped lower the crimerate in the low-income neighborhood.To make his tattoos less conspicuous, Albert wore longsleevedshirts at work. Related Wordsconspicuousness (noun) The conspicuousness of Anna’s outfitmade her easy to spot in a crowd.inconspicuous (adjective) The banquet servers were trained tobe inconspicuous at events. (Inconspicuous is the opposite ofconspicuous.)