impose

This verb carries within it varying degrees of expectation of compliance and enforcement.

For example, if new formats or systems are introduced at work and if these must be followed, then it can be said that these changes are imposed upon the people who are working with those formats or systems.

In this context the expectation of necessary compliance may outweigh the sense of enforcement that is implied in the word.

When something is imposed that is unwanted, disliked or feared, then the expectations of enforcement and compliance are increased and negative connotations of the word are enlarged. In these contexts there may be punitive outcomes attached to non compliance.

For example, when imposed traffic speeds are exceeded, individual drivers will be fined, or lose their licences.

pool

This is one of many words that are associated with 'a body of water'.

In this case, 'pool' is likely to be small, holding fresh water (as opposed to salt water or stagnant water) and possibly temporary as is the case where 'water collects in pools after rain'.

In some instances it is shallow, but can be deep, particularly in natural environments where water gathers between rocks.

Be aware that specific types of pools will be qualified. For example, swimming pool, rock pool, diving pool. In these examples each type of pool gains unique attributes and expands our understanding of them.

If you are stretching your use of English, test your creativity and clarity by writing a 4-sentence piece about any of the various pools mentioned in this post.

bungalow

With its origins in India, 'bungalow' applies to a single storey house that is surrounded by a veranda and possibly having a pitched roof with an attic space within it.

It is a relatively new word, arising from the Hindi 'bungla' during the 17 century.

How is it used where you come from?

For some of us living in Australia, it captures a simple, homely dwelling that is found in a rural or seaside setting.

burlap

A noun, this word carries the picture of thickly woven, rough fabric within it.

Most likely arising from leaves or stems of fibrous plants, the woven fabric is back in favour and used in the production of ecologically friendly sacks and carry-bags.

In previous times, well before plastic packaging, burlap served similarly as sacks and containers for dry goods like sugar, rice and even flour.

There remains a rustic, earthy flavour attached to the word which is sometimes used as an adjective as in 'burlap bag'.

carnage

From 16 Century French via Italian and Latin, 'carnage' captures the idea of wide-spread slaughter.

Originally limited to invasions, war and the wholesale destruction of human life, the word now includes devastating acts of nature and major industrial, road and rail accidents.

In current contexts it can be applied literally and figuratively to situations where destruction and mayhem prevail.

The word is an excellent example of how usage develops and expands.

mundane

What a glorious word!

It sounds very grand and sits eloquently on the ear as it captures what is regular, every day, ordinary happenings.

While it serves you best as an adjective, you can turn it into an adverb by adding ly - so you have mundanely. 

When you change it into a noun it becomes mundaneness.