Dollar Words #1. Optimal

We started writing our logical essays this week - they went really well, I thought, the best first set of essays I've ever had. I introduced our scoring system yesterday, and taught it to everybody. So, we want to start maximizing our scores on this kinds of essays. One way to do that is to use sophisticated vocabulary to pick up the $1 reward for each Tier 2 word (that's the teacher-y term I use for "big words that all educated people know").

The first in this series, which I am calling "Dollar Words" is one that my students are already familiar with - "optimal." I use my favorite source for these definitions, which is the Dictionary that comes with the Apple OS - it's the most thorough and readable set of definitions I have seen on a computer - online or not.

So,

optimal - best or most favorable.

Usage Notes - "Optimal" should be used to describe solutions to problems or situations - the optimal choice, optional conditions, the optimal candidate - they all have to do with making choices, solving problems, or dealing with situations.

Examples:

The optimal decision here is to hire an extra person for the Christmas rush.
I don't know if the conditions are optimal right for camping - it looks like it might pour later.
The optimal choice here is to have four four-week vacations instead of one longer summer vacation.

Examples of Possible Misuse:
I chose the optimal French fries at lunch. ("Optimal" is off-key when used to mean "best" for specific things, you could say "I thought that the French fries were the optimal choice, because the baked beans looked gross."
My friend Martha is optimal. (Same reason - "optimal" might describe the best friend to help with a problem, but not the friend in general.)

Etymology:
"Optimal" is derived from the Latin word optimus, which means "best." It's actually a relatively young English word; it's only existed for a little more than a hundred years. In your regular life, you have probably seen Optimum Online (they want you to think that they're the best internet provider) and maybe seen a TV show or movie with the tractor-trailer/robot Optimus Prime (he's the best one on the show, the leader of the good guys).