Author: Daniel C

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, indecipherable is defined as incapable of being deciphered. While I was reading “Brave We Are” by Tahira Naqvi the word appears on the first page in the fifth paragraph as stated, “He slides against the kitchen counter and hums, his fingers beating an indecipherable rhythm on the Formica”. At first glance I thought it meant knowledgeable. Now knowing what the word means, I can understand what the passage means in better detail. The hums and the fingers beating created this unrecognizable rhythm to the listener.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, invariably is defined as on every occasion. While I was reading “The Turbid Ebb and Flow of Misery” by Margaret Sanger, the word appears on the second page in the second paragraph as stated, “I tried to explain the only two methods I had ever heard of among the middle classes, both of which were invariably brushed aside as unacceptable”. At first glance, I thought the word meant simply. In this case, the methods presented were simply brushed aside. Now knowing what the word means, “the only two methods she had ever heard of among the middle classes” were occasionally ignored or deemed unacceptable.

Emulate (Verb): To equal or approach equality with.

According to merriam-webster dictionary, emulate means to equal or to approach equality with. During class when we were reading “Coming To An Awareness of Language Malcolm X” the word appears in the tenth paragraph as stated, “It had really began back in the Charleston Prison, When Bimbi first made me feel envy of his knowledge. Bimbi had always taken charge of any conversation he was in, and I had tried to emulate him”. At first glance, I thought the word meant to copy. In this case, he was trying to copy Bimbi’s actions. Now knowing what this word means, I’m able to understand the context of the text in more detail. What he was saying is that he tried to be more like Bimbi in the sense of being a leader and advocating for himself.