Inconceivable

"Wallace Shawn on 'Gossip Girl'? It's not inconceivable."

I saw this sentence just a few minute ago on the arts section in the new york times.

in·con·ceiv·a·ble (ĭn'kən-sē'və-bəl) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Impossible to comprehend or grasp fully: inconceivable folly; an inconceivable disaster.

2. So unlikely or surprising as to have been thought impossible; unbelievable: an inconceivable victory against all odds.

EX) My country's currency rate is rapidly going up, it's inconceivable.
Sometimes, I feel inconceivable because before few years ago I could not imagine that I could come to U.S.

Despair

I found this word, when I read the essay which was "What is Poverty?".

"I have come out of my despair to tell you this."
In fact, I hate this word "Despair" People should have hope!

–noun
1. loss of hope; hopelessness.
2. someone or something that causes hopelessness: He is the despair of his mother.
–verb (used without object)
3. to lose, give up, or be without hope (often fol. by of): to despair of humanity.
–verb (used with object)
4. Obsolete. to give up hope of.

Ex) 1. He despaired of his job because his company declared finally bankrupt.
2. He is full of despair, so no one likes him.

Endowments

I found this in NY times and section was a Giving part.

Therefore, the subtitle was just like below. 

With endowments and donations in decline, some institutions and charities are worried.

Endowments

n.  

1. The act of endowing.

2. Funds or property donated to an institution, individual, or group as a source of income.

3. A natural gift, ability, or quality.

These days, many people are not generous to spend money for endowments.

Why parents may assent to donate their endowments for charities? 

Grim

I chose this word because this word could find easily in newspaper.

"Automakers Report Grim October Sales"

Grim

adj., grim·mer, grim·mest.

1. Unrelenting; rigid.
2. Uninviting or unnerving in aspect; forbidding: “undoubtedly the grimmest part of him was his iron claw” (J.M. Barrie).
3. Ghastly; sinister: “He made a grim jest at the horrifying nature of his wound” (Reginald Pound). See synonyms at ghastly.
4. Dismal; gloomy: a grim, rainy day.
5. Ferocious; savage: the grim advance of the pillaging army.

Ex) The news about cancer is not entirely grim.

       It's not just a grim business.

Scramble

I found this word when I read the article of election in the NY times. 

"Outspent and under siege in a hostile political climate, Congressional Republicans scrambled this weekend to save embattled incumbents in an effort to hold down expected Democratic gains in the House and Senate on Tuesday."

Scramble

v., -bled, -bling, -bles.

v.intr.

1. To move or climb hurriedly, especially on the hands and knees.
2. To struggle or contend frantically in order to get something: scrambled for the best seats.
3. To take off with all possible haste, as to intercept enemy aircraft.
4. Football.
   1. To run around with the ball behind the line of scrimmage in order to avoid being tackled while searching for an open receiver.
   2. To run forward with the ball when unable to complete an intended pass play. Used of a quarterback.

v.tr.

1. To mix or throw together haphazardly.
2. To gather together in a hurried or disorderly fashion.
3. To cook (beaten eggs) until firm but with a soft consistency.
4. Electronics. To distort or garble (a signal) so as to render it unintelligible without a special receiver.
5. To cause (aircraft) to take off as fast as possible, as to intercept enemy aircraft.

n.

1. The act or an instance of scrambling.
2. An arduous hike or climb over rough terrain.
3. An unceremonious scuffle or struggle.
4. Sports. See motocross.
5. A swift takeoff of military aircraft in response to an alert or attack.