Relating to a revival or adaptation of the styles of ancient Greece and Roman, especially in music, art, or architecture.

In the arts and architecture, a style that has existed for a long time usually produces a reaction against it. So after the showy style of Europe's so-called baroque era (from about 1600 to the early 1700s), the reaction came in the form of the neoclassical movement, bringing order, restraint, and simpler and more conservative structures, whether in plays, sonatas, sculptures, or public buildings. Its inspiration was the art of ancient Greece and Rome—that is, of *classical* antiquity. Why *classical*? In Latin *classicus* meant “of the highest *class*,” so in English *classic* and *classical* originally described the best ancient Greek and Latin literature, but soon came to mean simply “of ancient Greek and Rome,” since these were already seen as the highest and best cultures. *Neoclassic* generally describes artworks from the 1700s or early 1800s (by the painter David, the composer Mozart, the sculptor Canova, etc.), but also works from the 20th century that seem to have been inspired by the ideals of Greece and Rome.

Of or relating to the latest period of the Stone Age, when polished stone tools were used.

Since *lithos* in Greek means “stone,” the Neolithic period is the “new” or “late” period of the Stone Age, in contrast to the Paleolithic period (“old” or “early” period—see PALEO) and the Mesolithic period (“middle” period) of the Stone Age. The use of polished stone tools came to different parts of the world at different times, but the Neolithic Age is usually said to begin around 9000 B.C. and to end around 3000 B.C., when the Bronze Age begins. The Neolithic is the era when the farming of plants and animals begins, and when, as a result, humans first begin to create permanent settlements.

A conservative who favors strongly encouraging democracy and the U.S. national interest in world affairs, including through military means.

In the 1960s several well-known socialist intellectuals, including Norman Podhoretz and Irving Kristol, alarmed by growing political extremism on the left, began to move in the other direction. Soon the term *neoconservative* (or *neocon* for short) was being attached to them. Rather than simply drifting toward the political center, Podhoretz and Kristol actually moved far to the right, especially on the issue of maintaining a strong military stance toward the rest of the world. The main magazine of *neoconservatism* became Podhoretz's *Commentary*; it was later joined by the *Weekly Standard*, edited by Kristol's son William. Not everyone agrees on how to define these terms; still, it's clear that today you don't have to be a former liberal in order to be a neoconservative.

Of or relating to babies in the first month after their birth.

Partly based on the Latin *natus*, “born,” *neonatal* means “newly born.” Neonatal babies themselves are called *neonates*. Most hospitals now offer neonatal screening, which is used to detect diseases that are treatable only if identified during the first days of life, and specialized neonatal nursing as well. But despite spending much money on neonatal care, the U.S. still ranks lower than some much less wealthy countries (such as the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Cuba) in infant mortality (infant deaths).

(1) One who has no previous training or experience in a specific field or activity; beginner. (2) A new member of a religious order who is preparing to become a nun or monk.

Among the ancient Romans, a novice *(novicius)* was usually a newly imported slave, who had to be trained in his or her duties. Among Catholics and Buddhists, if you desire to become a priest, monk, or nun, you must serve as a novice for a period of time, often a year (called your *novitiate*), before being ordained or fully professing your vows. No matter what kind of novice you are—at computers, at writing, at politics, etc.—you've got a lot to learn.

(1) New and not resembling something formerly known or used. (2) Original and striking, especially in conception or style.

If someone tells you that you've come up with a novel idea or a novel interpretation of something, it's probably a compliment: not everyone is capable of original thinking. But not everything new is terribly worthwhile; a *novelty,* for example, is often a cute (or maybe just silly) little object that you might put on a display shelf in your house. It may seem surprising that the familiar noun *novel* is related as well. In the 14th century, Italian writers began writing collections of short tales, each of which they called a *novella* because it represented a new literary form; from this word, three centuries later, the English coined the noun *novel*.

(1) A new idea, device, or method. (2) The introduction of new ideas, devices, or methods.

*Innovation* is a word that's almost always connected with business. In business today, it's almost a rule that a company that doesn't *innovate* is destined for failure. The most important and successful businesses were usually started by *innovators*. And company managers should always at least listen to the *innovative* ideas of their employees.

(1) The explosion of a star that causes it to become extremely bright. (2) Something that explodes into prominence or popularity.

A *nova*, despite its name, isn't actually a “new” star, but rather one that wasn't noticed until it exploded, when it may increase in brightness by a million times before returning to its previous state a few days later. A supernova is far larger; a star in its supernova state may emit a billion times as much light as previously. After a few weeks it begins to dim, until it eventually ceases to exist; it's often replaced by a black hole. (Though remains that were shot out into space may survive; those of a great supernova seen in A.D. 1054 are now known as the Crab Nebula.) All this may serve as a warning to those human stars whose fame explodes too rapidly; supernovas of this kind have sometimes vanished by the following year.