Knowledge base
Agency Dictionary
The vocabulary of the Agency editorials: definitions, origins and examples of use, linked to the editions where each word appears.
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All terms
- intuitionnoun
- The capacity to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning or detailed analysis.
- Inventorynoun
- A complete itemized catalog or aggregate stock of raw materials, parts, works in progress, and finished goods held in custody by a business enterprise for production or commercial sale.
- Ironynoun
- The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Also, a state of affairs that is contrary to what one expects.
- Iterationnoun
- The repetition of a process or procedure in order to generate an improved version or achieve a desired outcome.
- iustusadjective
- A classical Latin concept describing an individual or action that is upright, fair, lawful, and morally sound.
- Jagubenoun
- The woody liana Banisteriopsis caapi native to the Amazon rainforest, containing beta-carbolines that inhibit MAO enzymes.
- JPEGnoun
- A raster image file format that compresses photographs by discarding detail the eye barely notices. It produces small files, at the cost of some quality each time the image is saved.
- katananoun
- A Japanese single-edged sword with a curved blade, traditionally carried by samurai. In the article, the subject of the classified report carries an encased katana sword.
- Keyboardnoun
- An input peripheral device composed of an arrangement of lettered, numbered, and functional keys. It allows users to enter text, execute keyboard shortcuts, and control computer operations.
- Layoutnoun
- The spatial arrangement and structural distribution of text, images, and visual elements on a printed page or digital screen. It establishes visual order, reading flow, and aesthetic harmony within a composition.
- Legacynoun
- An enduring body of work, set of values, or material inheritance handed down from a predecessor to future generations.
- Legendaryadjective
- Remarkable enough to be famous, deeply admired, and spoken of like a legend. It characterizes milestone achievements or encounters that leave an enduring impression.
- letteringnoun
- The art of drawing custom typographic characters and decorative letters to create a unique illustrative composition.
- Lineagenoun
- Direct lineal descent from an ancestor, or an unbroken historical sequence of practitioners, ideas, or artistic traditions.
- Liquiditynoun
- The quality of flowing easily, adapting continuously, and lacking permanent shape. In modern sociology, it describes the transient, rapidly changing nature of contemporary social relationships.
- literary devicenoun
- A technique that a writer uses to produce a particular effect or to convey meaning, such as metaphor, irony, repetition, quotation or aphorism.
- Livelihoodnoun
- A means of securing the necessities of life through honest occupation, craft, or employment. It represents the material and vocational foundation supporting human dignity.
- Lobbynoun
- An organized group of individuals or corporate representatives seeking to influence legislators, government officials, or public policies in favor of specific commercial or special interests.
- Logisticsnoun
- The detailed organization, planning, and practical implementation of complex operations involving the movement, transport, and maintenance of materials, goods, and personnel across distribution channels.
- Ludicadjective
- Of, relating to, or characterized by play, games, and lighthearted recreation.
- Ludusnoun
- A playful, flirtatious, and lighthearted form of love free from long-term obligations or solemnity.
- Macerationnoun
- The softening or mechanical breaking down of plant tissues and fibers by pounding, soaking, or steeping.
- Machiningnoun
- A manufacturing process in which a raw material block is shaped into a final geometric part by controlled material removal. It employs cutting tools, lathes, and mills to achieve exact engineering tolerances.
- Maestronoun
- A distinguished conductor, composer, or master in any art or complex collaborative endeavor. Metaphorically, it describes leaders who coordinate diverse specialists into harmonic unity.
- Mahayananoun
- One of the two major traditions of Buddhism, characterized by the ideal of the bodhisattva who seeks enlightenment for all beings. In the article, Mahayana Buddhism is the tradition to which the Heart Sutra belongs.
- Malandronoun
- A cunning, charming rogue or hustler in Brazilian culture who navigates life with wit, agility, and improvisational ease.
- Maleficencenoun
- The practice or tendency of doing harm, evil, or mischief to others. In ethics, it represents the violation of moral duty toward human well-being.
- Malleableadjective
- Easily influenced, pliable, or capable of being reshaped without breaking. In social theory, it describes institutions and human relationships that alter continuously.
- Manifestonoun
- A public written declaration setting forth the intentions, motives, political convictions, or philosophical principles of an individual, artistic group, or corporate enterprise.
- Mannerismnoun
- A habitual gesture, distinctive personal style, or idiosyncratic behavioral trait.
- Manuscriptnoun
- A book, document, or piece of music written or typed by hand rather than mass printed.
- Marketingnoun
- The business activity and strategic discipline of promoting, selling, and distributing products or services to customers.
- Materialistnoun
- A person who adheres to materialism, believing that physical matter is the only reality.
- Matrixnoun
- An enclosing medium, grid, or systemic web of cultural and algorithmic conventions that shapes perceptions.
- Maximnoun
- A concise statement expressing a fundamental principle, general truth, or practical rule of conduct.
- Mazenoun
- A complex network of interconnected paths, passages, or obstacles designed to puzzle and challenge navigation.
- mediocritynoun
- The state or quality of being moderate, average, or unexceptional in ability, quality, or achievement.
- melatoninnoun
- A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle in response to darkness.
- Memorabilitynoun
- The quality of being easy to remember, noteworthy, or enduring in human recollection.
- Mentornoun
- An experienced, wise, and trusted adviser who guides and nurtures the personal or professional development of a less experienced person.
- Messiahnoun
- A leader or savior regarded as the liberator or redeemer of an oppressed group. In cultural commentary, it metaphorically denotes an artist upon whom followers project salvation.
- metamodernadjective
- Relating to a cultural paradigm that oscillates between modern sincerity and postmodern irony.
- Millisecondnoun
- A unit of time equal to one thousandth of a second.
- Mindsetnoun
- An established set of attitudes and habitual assumptions held by a person or organization. It shapes how information is processed and how challenges are approached.
- Mineralnoun
- A naturally occurring inorganic solid substance characterized by a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal atomic structure. It is extracted by industrial or manual methods for metallurgy and manufacturing.
- Miracaonoun
- A vivid visual, symbolic, or spiritual visionary experience occurring during the peak effects of an ayahuasca ceremony.
- Mischievousadjective
- Showing a playful desire to cause trouble, teasing, or lighthearted harmless rebellion.
- Misogynynoun
- Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women that enforces patriarchal inequality and discrimination.