transitive verb to make unavoidable or necessary.Toxins in the air necessitated the wearing of masks at the excavation site.The change necessitated adjustments in our attitudes.The sudden snowstorm necessitated our checking into a…

transitive verb to cut off or cut down with, or as though with, an ax.The men are in the woods hewing branches. See the full entry

adjective of or pertaining to ornament or decoration; decorative.The walls were covered by an ornamental tapestry.The mosque has beautiful ornamental features. See the full entry

With the Wordsmyth Vocabulary Center activities, you can study the words of the week, play games with them, and assess your knowledge of their meanings with a quiz. Go to the Vocabulary…

intransitive verb to arrive at a climax or conclusion (usu. fol. by “in”).The celebration will culminate in fireworks.The long negotiations finally culminated in a treaty.The political demonstration culminated in mass arrests. See…