Mr. Obama at Hiroshima – The Hindu (May 28, 2016)
As expected, U.S. President Barack Obama did not utter any apology on behalf of his country for dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945. But such is the power of personal presence that by the simple act of laying a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on Friday, he sent out an uncommonly gripping message: you cannot truly commit yourself to preventing a repeat of an atrocity if you do not admit in the most candid manner that it in fact occurred. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”.
Today’s Words:
- Utter (verb) – say, speak, deliver, pronounce.
- Wreath (noun) – garland, circlet, circular decoration with flowers and leaves.
- Uncommonly (adverb) – unusually, particularly, extremely.
- Gripping (adjective) – exciting, fascinating, interesting.
- Atrocity (noun) – cruelty, brutality, savagery, barbarity.
- Candid (adjective) – frank, outspoken, straightforward.
- Gesture (noun) – action, move, deed.
- Rid of (verb) – make free, clear, purge.
- Embrace (verb) – hug, hold, cuddle.
- Political Minefield (noun) – politically difficult / complex situation.
- Devastation (noun) – destruction, ruin, demolition.
- Demit (verb) – resign, give up, leave.
- Sober (adjective) – serious, thoughtful, solemn.
- Provocation (noun) – agitation, harassment, torment.
- Lay bare (phrasal verb) – reveal, expose, disclose.
- Disarmament (noun) – limitation, control, reduction of military weapons.
- Deploy (verb) – make use of, utilise, use.
- Plaudits (noun) – praise, acclaim, kudos, commendation.
- Hawk (noun) – An aggressive man who prefers violence over peace in external affairs.
- Pragmatist (noun) – realist, practical person.
- Not mince words (idiom) – talk / speak straight. Call a spade a spade.
- Deterrent (noun) – nuclear weapon.
- Arsenal (noun) – weapons, arms.
- Lurk (verb) – hide, conceal, sneak.
- Hard-nosed (adjective) – tough-minded, realistic, pragmatic, practical.
- Statesman (noun) – political leader who is experienced and respected.
- Arduous (adjective) – difficult, hard, tough, challenging.
Note:
- Click each one of the words above for their definition, more synonyms, pronunciation, example sentences, phrases, derivatives, origin and etc from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/ .
- Synonyms provided for the words above are my personal work and not that of Oxford University Press.
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