Usefully Useless - All Words

Lou Van Loon (Australia)
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. 19th
    coming next after the eighteenth in position
    The buildings of the 19th century were often decorated
    with useless ornaments.
  2. 20th
    coming next after the nineteenth in position
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  3. about
    (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  4. across
    to the opposite side
    The function of a bridge is to support a weight
    across a wide span.
  5. anchor
    a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  6. ancient
    belonging to times long past
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  7. applied
    concerned with concrete problems or data
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  8. apply
    employ for a particular purpose
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  9. architect
    someone who creates plans to be used in making something
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  10. architectural
    of or pertaining to the art and science of architecture
    Nevertheless, useless architectural features will never disappear because, in a strange way, they can be useful.
  11. art
    the creation of beautiful or significant things
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  12. art gallery
    a room or series of rooms where works of art are exhibited
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  13. attach
    be in contact with
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  14. attach to
    be part of
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  15. attache
    a specialist assigned to the staff of a diplomatic mission
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  16. attempt
    make an effort
    No attempt is made
    to cover them up.
  17. balance
    harmonious arrangement or relation of parts within a whole
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  18. balanced
    being in a state of proper equilibrium
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  19. beautiful
    pleasing to the senses
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  20. become
    come into existence
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  21. branch
    a division of a stem arising from the main stem of a plant
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  22. bridge
    structure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  23. build
    make by combining materials and parts
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  24. building
    the act of constructing something
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  25. bulky
    of large size for its weight
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  26. Centre
    a low-lying region in central France
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  27. century
    a period of 100 years
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  28. clearly
    without doubt or question
    Instead, they
    work hard to make the function of the bridge clearly visible.
  29. column
    a line of units following one after another
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  30. contain
    hold or have within
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  31. cover
    provide with a covering or cause to be covered
    No attempt is made
    to cover them up.
  32. critical
    of a serious examination and judgment of something
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  33. decorated
    decorated or dressed up to be more beautiful or distinct
    The buildings of the 19th century were often decorated
    with useless ornaments.
  34. design
    the act of working out the form of something
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  35. different
    unlike in nature, quality, form, or degree
    These pylons obey a
    different design principle, one that says “form should reveal function”.
  36. disappear
    become invisible or unnoticeable
    Nevertheless, useless architectural features will never disappear because, in a strange way, they can be useful.
  37. dishonest
    deceptive or fraudulent
    The Centre’s architects
    thought that hiding something is a dishonest
    way to make it beautiful.
  38. do by
    interact in a certain way
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by     a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  39. done
    having finished or arrived at completion
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  40. each
    separately for every person or thing
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  41. end
    either extremity of something that has length
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  42. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  43. expect
    regard something as probable or likely
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  44. exterior
    situated in the outdoors or outside of a building
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  45. facade
    the front of a building
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  46. fact
    a piece of information about events that have occurred
    In fact, they do not hold up anything but themselves!
  47. factory
    a plant with facilities for manufacturing
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  48. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  49. fib
    a trivial lie
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  50. follow
    travel behind, go after, or come after
    Or should they just make them useful and
    let good looks follow?
  51. for example
    as an example
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  52. form
    a perceptual structure
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  53. front
    the side that is forward or prominent
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  54. function
    what something is used for
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  55. gallery
    a porch along the outside of a building
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  56. good
    having desirable or positive qualities
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  57. good looks
    the quality of having regular well-defined features
    Or should they just make them useful and
    let good looks follow?
  58. good-looking
    pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  59. granite
    a type of igneous rock with a visibly crystalline texture
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  60. Greece
    ancient Greece
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  61. harbour
    a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  62. hard
    resisting weight or pressure
    Instead, they
    work hard to make the function of the bridge clearly visible.
  63. hide
    prevent from being seen or discovered
    The Centre’s architects
    thought that hiding something is a dishonest
    way to make it beautiful.
  64. hiding
    the activity of keeping something secret
    The Centre’s architects
    thought that hiding something is a dishonest
    way to make it beautiful.
  65. hold
    have in one's hands or grip
    In fact, they do not hold up anything but themselves!
  66. hold up
    be the physical support of; carry the weight of
    In fact, they do not hold up anything but themselves!
  67. idea
    the content of cognition
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  68. imitation
    copying the actions of someone else
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  69. in fact
    in reality or actuality
    In fact, they do not hold up anything but themselves!
  70. instead
    in place of, or as an alternative to
    Instead, they
    work hard to make the function of the bridge clearly visible.
  71. just
    and nothing more
    Or should they just make them useful and
    let good looks follow?
  72. lead
    take somebody somewhere
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  73. lift
    raise from a lower to a higher position
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  74. look
    perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  75. looking
    appearing to be as specified
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  76. make
    perform or carry out
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  77. make it
    succeed in a big way; get to the top
    The Centre’s architects
    thought that hiding something is a dishonest
    way to make it beautiful.
  78. modern
    ahead of the times
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  79. mount
    go up, advance, or increase
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  80. mounted
    assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  81. natural
    relating to or concerning the physical world
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  82. natural object
    an object occurring naturally; not made by man
    The shapes of natural
    objects     lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  83. nevertheless
    despite anything to the contrary
    Nevertheless, useless architectural features will never disappear because, in a strange way, they can be useful.
  84. obey
    comply with; do what one is told
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  85. object
    a tangible and visible entity
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  86. often
    many times at short intervals
    The buildings of the 19th century were often decorated
    with useless ornaments.
  87. ornament
    something used to beautify
    The buildings of the 19th century were often decorated
    with useless ornaments.
  88. ornamentation
    the act of adding extraneous decorations to something
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  89. Paris
    (Greek mythology) the prince of Troy who abducted Helen from her husband Menelaus and provoked the Trojan War
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  90. pipe
    a hollow cylindrical shape
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  91. point
    a distinguishing or individuating characteristic
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  92. principle
    a basic generalization that is accepted as true
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  93. purpose
    what something is used for
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  94. pylon
    a large steel tower supporting high-tension power lines
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  95. react
    show a response to something
    Reacting against this ornamentation, modern
    architects obeyed the principle that “form should
    follow function”.
  96. reveal
    make visible
    These pylons obey a
    different design principle, one that says “form should reveal function”.
  97. seem
    give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  98. shape
    a perceptual structure
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  99. shaped
    having the shape of
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  100. show
    make visible or noticeable
    Their facades (fronts) were
    imitations of those from ancient Greece, but with columns
    and other features that were just for show.
  101. source
    the place where something begins
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  102. span
    the distance or interval between two points
    The function of a bridge is to support a weight
    across a wide span.
  103. spectacularly
    in a spectacular manner
    This principle was applied, spectacularly, to the
    design of the art gallery in Paris, the Pompidou
    Centre.
  104. stability
    the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  105. stable
    resistant to change of position or condition
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  106. strange
    unusual or out of the ordinary
    Nevertheless, useless architectural features will never disappear because, in a strange way, they can be useful.
  107. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
    The shapes of natural
    objects lead us to expect this to be done
    by a structure with a bulky anchoring
    point.
  108. suit
    a set of garments for outerwear of the same fabric and color
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  109. support
    the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  110. Sydney
    the largest Australian city located in southeastern Australia on the Tasman Sea; state capital of New South Wales; Australia's chief port
    Take, for example, the granite pylons that seem to support each end of the Sydney
    Harbour Bridge.
  111. therefore
    as a result; from that fact or reason
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  112. think
    judge or regard; look upon; judge
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  113. though
    (postpositive) however
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  114. thought
    the content of cognition
    A building looks good, they
    thought, when it is shaped to suit its purpose.
  115. traditional
    consisting of or derived from a practice of long standing
    In the 20th century, many architects became critical of
    traditional ideas about what makes buildings beautiful.
  116. tree
    a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  117. tree branch
    any of the main branches arising from the trunk or a bough of a tree
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  118. trunk
    the main stem of a tree
    Just think how a long tree branch
    is thicker where it attaches to the
    trunk.
  119. truth
    a factual statement
    The balanced look of the pylons
    of the Sydney Harbour Bridge,
    therefore, reveals the truth about how
    stable the bridge is, even though it
    tells a fib about the source of that
    stability.
  120. try
    make an effort or attempt
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  121. tube
    a hollow cylindrical shape
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  122. useful
    having a helpful function
    Or should they just make them useful and
    let good looks follow?
  123. usefully
    in a useful manner
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  124. useless
    having no beneficial utility
    Usefully useless
    Should architects try to make their buildings
    good-looking?
  125. utility
    the quality of being of practical use
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
  126. visible
    capable of being seen or open to easy view
    Instead, they
    work hard to make the function of the bridge clearly visible.
  127. way
    how something is done or how it happens
    The Centre’s architects
    thought that hiding something is a dishonest
    way to make it beautiful.
  128. weight
    the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
    The function of a bridge is to support a weight
    across a wide span.
  129. wide
    having great extent from one side to the other
    The function of a bridge is to support a weight
    across a wide span.
  130. wire
    ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
    The factory-like tubes that contain the
    building’s utilities — its lifts, pipes and wires —
    are mounted on its exterior.
Created on Tue Nov 09 23:59:24 EST 2010 (updated Wed Nov 10 07:09:03 EST 2010)

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