What does it mean?
-used to express greeting or farewell
How do you use it?
"Aloha," said Jan warmly as she opened the door and led us inside.
Are you a word wiz?
"Aloha" comes from Hawaiian. What do you think "aloha" means in Hawaiian?
A. health
B. love
C. friend
D. joy
Answer:
"Aloha" means "love" and we would love to tell you about more words from Hawaiian. The word "hula" names a Polynesian dance featuring graceful hand movements and swaying hips. A hula dancer might wear a "lei" which is a necklace made of flowers. At feast called a "luau" you might eat "pupu" which is an appetizer made up of several different kinds of foods. A "muumuu" is a long, loose, colorful dress. A "ukulele" is a musical instrument like a small guitar. And a "lanai" is a porch or veranda.
apparent \uh-PAIR-unt\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : open to view : visible
2 : clear to the understanding : evident
3 : appearing to be true or real
How do you use it?
It seemed apparent that Nina had waded into the creek after being told not to, but his father assured her mother that he had sprayed his daughter with the hose and that was why her clothes were wet.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of the words below do you think has a meaning similar to "apparent"?
A. accessible
B. evoking
C. seeming
D. invisible
Answer:
Was it apparent that "apparent" and "seeming" are synonyms? You can use "apparent" to suggest an appearance that may or may not be borne out after further examination, as in "the apparent cause of the accident." Try "seeming" to imply that a character in the thing observed gives it the appearance of something else, for example, "the seeming simplicity of the story." "Illusory" is another word you can choose to mean not actually being what appearance indicates. Specifically, "illusory" implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, as in "an illusory sense of security."
solstice \SAHL-stuss\ noun
What does it mean?
1 the point in the apparent path of the sun at which the sun is farthest north or south of the equator
2 the time of the sun's passing a solstice which occurs on June 21st or 22nd and on December 21st or 22nd
How do you use it?
The June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is the shortest.
Are you a word wiz?
"Solstice" is related to "parasol," "solar," and "solarium" through the Latin word "sol" meaning "sun." Which other word do you think is related to "solstice"?
A. distant
B. adjacent
C. similar
D. proper
Answer:
"Solstice" and "distant" are distantly related, but not through "sol." Both words are relatives of the Latin root "stare," meaning "to stand" or "be stationary." "Solstice" is a combination of "sol," meaning "sun," and the forms "-stit" or "-stes," which come from "stare" and mean "standing." The idea of the sun standing still was suggested by the way the sun's path appears to stop moving north or south around the time of the solstices. "Distant," meaning "separated or far-off," traces to the Latin "distare" meaning "standing apart," which was formed by adding "dis-," "apart," to Latin "stare."
squad \SKWAHD\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : a small organized group of soldiers; especially : a small unit that can be easily directed in the field
2 : a small group engaged in a common effort or occupation
How do you use it?
The rescue squad found the hikers within a few hours of beginning their search.
Are you a word wiz?
"Squad" has quite a few cousins in English. Which one of the words below stems from the same root word as "squad"?
A. squid
B. square
C. quick
D. score
Answer:
"Squad" and "square" both stem ultimately from the Latin word "quadrum," meaning "square." The ancestor of "squad" was the Latin verb "exquadrare," which means "to make square" and stems from "ex-" and "quadrare," a verb based on "quadrum" that means "to square." "Exquadrare" was taken into Old Spanish and Old Italian, where it acquired the "group of soldiers" meaning it has today. "Square" also stems from "exquadrare." Its very first meaning was not for the abstract shape, but for an instrument with two straight sides and a right angle joining them that was used to make sure something being built was perfectly square.
isolate \EYE-suh-layt\ verb
What does it mean?
: to set or keep apart from others
How do you use it?
Jeremy had to isolate himself for a few hours so he could finish his project for the science fair.
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think is a relative of "isolate"?
A. delta
B. estuary
C. mountain
D. peninsula
Answer:
At the root of both "isolate" and "peninsula" is the Latin word "insula," meaning "island." The connection between "isolate" and "island" is not as obscure as it might seem, since someone who is isolated is separate from other people, just as an island is separate from other land. Latin "insula" traveled through Italian and French before English acquired it in the form of the adjective "isolated" and later the verb "isolate." Another English word formed from Latin "insula" is "peninsula." "Peninsula" comes from the Latin "paeninsula" which traces to the combination of the Latin word "paene," meaning "almost," plus "insula."
imposture \im-PAHSS-cher\ noun
What does it mean?
: the act or conduct of a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive
How do you use it?
In order to meet his favorite band, Jared claimed to be a famous guitarist, but his imposture was discovered before he could get backstage.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of these words do you think is a synonym of "imposture"?
A. admiration
B. influence
C. disgust
D. fraud
Answer:
It's D that doesn't need to pretend to be the real deal. "Imposture" applies to any situation where a false object or performance is passed off as genuine. ("Their claim of fairness is an imposture.") "Fraud" usually implies a deliberate twisting of the truth. ("The diary was exposed as a fraud.") "Sham" suggests an imitation of a real thing or action that is intended to deceive. ("The election was a sham.") And "fake" refers to a substitution for something genuine that does not include dishonesty. ("Her necklace contains inexpensive jewels that are fakes.")
What does it mean?
1 : to cause to lose courage or to feel concern : daunt
2 : upset, perturb
How do you use it?
The clubhouse had been under snow for much of the winter, and we were dismayed to find it in need of a lot of work.
Are you a word wiz?
There's more than one way to express what "dismay" expresses. Which of the following do you think is a synonym of the word?
A. distill
B. confuse
C. appall
D. excuse
Answer:
Don't be dismayed if you didn't pick C, but "appall" and "dismay" are synonyms. Both words have to do with causing someone to feel fear, apprehension, or aversion. "Dismay" usually implies that a person is overwhelmed and doesn't know how to deal with something, while "appall" is usually used when someone is reacting to something shocking. "Horrify" is another synonym of "dismay." It's a strong word that stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.
What does it mean?
: a situation in which one has to choose between two or more things, ways, or plans that are equally unsatisfactory : a difficult choice
How do you use it?
When Alexander found out that both algebra and Japanese were offered in the fall semester but at the same time, he had a dilemma on his hands.
Are you a word wiz?
People have undoubtedly found themselves in dilemmas for a lot longer than they have used the word. But about when do you think the word "dilemma" was first used in English?
A. in the mid-1300s
B. in the early 1500s
C. in the late 1600s
D. in the mid-1800s
Answer:
English speakers first started using "dilemma" in the early 1500s, originally as a term relating to rhetoric, which is the art of writing and speaking effectively, and to logic, which is the science of the formal principles of reasoning. In its earliest sense, "dilemma" referred to an argument presenting two or more equally conclusive alternatives against an opponent. The word came to be used more generally, however, to refer to a difficult choice. "Dilemma" comes from the Greeks, who were very interested in logic and the art of speaking. "Dilemma" is believed to trace back to Greek "di-," meaning "two" or "double," and "lemma," meaning "something assumed."
purloin \pur-LOYN\ verb
What does it mean?
: steal
How do you use it?
They searched high and low for the letter, but later determined it had been purloined.
Are you a word wiz?
"Purloin" comes from a combination of two words. What do you think these words mean?
A. "dead" and "meat"
B. "ahead of" and "face"
C. "forward" and "at a distance"
D. "tuck" and "away"
Answer:
Answer C steals the show. "Purloin" came to us from a kind of medieval French that was spoken in Britain around the year 1100 called "Anglo-French." The roots, "pur-" and "loing," mean "forward" and "at a distance." These roots combined to form the Anglo-French verb "purloin" that means "to set aside." This
Anglo-French verb was taken into medieval English and given the meaning "to set aside and use wrongly," which led to the modern meaning of "steal."
pasteurize \PASS-chuh-ryze\ verb
What does it mean?
: to expose to the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition
How do you use it?
Dairy products are pasteurized to kill microorganisms, which were determined by French chemist Louis Pasteur in the 1850s to be the cause of spoilage.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think entered the English language at about the same time as "pasteurize"?
A. microbe
B. thermostat
C. test tube
D. molecule
Answer:
Answer A is the cream of the crop. The early 1880s were fertile years for scientific terms. "Microbe," which is another word for "germ," showed up then, along with "pasteurize," the name of a process designed to kill germs. "Bacteria," the plural form of "bacterium," which is the word for a disease-causing microorganism, also appeared at the same time, as did "biochemistry," which deals with chemical compounds and processes occurring in living things. Another entry from the early 1880s was "enzyme," referring to various proteins that speed up reactions such as digestion.
devotee \deh-voh-TEE\ noun
What does it mean?
: a keen or earnest follower, supporter, or enthusiast
How do you use it?
After our class trip to the art museum, I became a devotee of Impressionism and tried to imitate the flecks and dabs of brilliant colors in my paintings.
Are you a word wiz?
"Devotee" was formed by adding "ee" to the verb "devote," giving us a noun for someone who is devoted. Of the following words, which do you think was NOT formed in the same way?
A. departee
B. matinee
C. examinee
D. relocatee
Answer:
You're a devotee of language if you chose B. "Matinee," a noun meaning "a theatrical performance held in the daytime and especially in the afternoon," came directly into English from French. The other three nouns, though, were formed by adding the suffix "ee" to an already existing verb. "Departee" -- from
"depart" -- means "someone who is departing or who has departed." "Examine" is at the root of examinee," which means "someone who is examined." And "relocate" helped to form "relocatee," referring to "someone who moves to a new location"or "someone that is relocated."
disperse \dih-SPERSS\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to cause to become spread widely : scatter
2 : to subject (as light) to dispersion
3 : to move in different directions
How do you use it?
The heavy rain clouds eventually dispersed, and the afternoon was bright and sunny.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of the following words do you think is a synonym of "disperse"?
A. dispel
B. compel
C. repel
D. propel
Answer:
Disperse all thoughts of the other answers because A, "dispel," is the right one today. Both "dispel" and "disperse" mean "to cause to separate or break up." "Disperse" is usually used when a mass or group is being broken up, as in "police dispersing the crowd," while "dispel" stresses something being driven away or gotten rid of, as in "proof that dispels all doubt." "Scatter" is the most common synonym of "disperse." It implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions, as in "bowling balls scattering pins."
conjecture \kun-JEK-cher\ noun
What does it mean?
: an opinion or judgment based on little or no evidence
How do you use it?
"You've never seen my dog in your yard," Katya told Neil, "so your idea that he's the one digging up your flowers is only a conjecture."
Are you a word wiz?
"Conjecture" can be traced back to the Latin root "jacere." In your opinion, which answer best expresses the meaning of "jacere"?
A. to fall
B. to kick
C. to throw
D. to carry
Answer:
The choice of C shows good judgment on your part. "Conjecture" comes from the Latin verb "conjectus," which is the result of joining the Latin prefix "con," meaning "with," and "jacere," which means "to throw." The original meaning of "conjecture" referred to the interpretation of signs in nature that were believed to predict the future, but had no real evidence of foreseeing the future. Since we no longer believe in the interpretation of omens, this sense is no longer used. But conjecture survives with the more general meaning of a conclusion based on little or no evidence or on guesswork.
chateau \sha-TOE\ noun
What does it mean?
: a castle or a large country house especially in France
How do you use it?
My favorite part of our family's trip to France was visiting an old chateau just outside an ancient walled town.
Are you a word wiz?
"Chateau" comes from the Latin word "castellum." Which of the following do you think is the meaning of "castellum"?
A. safety
B. dwelling
C. shelter
D. fortress
Answer:
You're home free if you picked D! "Castellum" is the Latin word for "fortress." (Those of you who looked at the word closely may have guessed that it's also the ancestor of the word "castle.") Latin has given the English language words for other kinds of dwellings too---especially fancy ones. "Mansion" is from "manere," meaning "to remain, dwell," while "palace" is from the word "Palatium," the name of a hill in Rome where the emperors' residences were built. "Domicile," meaning "a place to live, home," is from the Latin "domus," meaning "house."
serene \suh-REEN\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : showing complete calm
2 a : clear and free of storms b : shining bright and steady
How do you use it?
"Toward the end of the afternoon, Serena roused herself, looked at her surroundings, had a bite to eat, took a bath, then walked out of the water and stood for a long while preening her feathers.... And when her feathers were all smoothed out, she looked extremely beautiful--stately, serene, graceful, and very feminine." (E. B. White, _The Trumpet of the Swan_)
Are you a word wiz?
"Serene" derives from the Latin adjective "serenus." What do you think "serenus" means?
A. asleep
B. cloudless
C. slow
D. relaxing
There won't be any rain on your parade if you chose B. Latin "serenus" means "cloudless" as well as "clear" and "untroubled." "Serenus" entered Middle English with much the same meanings as its Latin ancestor. By the 15th century English-speakers were using it to refer things literally cloudless, such as "serene skies," and figuratively cloudless, as in "a serene state of mind." "Serenade," meaning "a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance," is the only other commonly used English word that descends from "serenus."
What does it mean?
: marked by bad temper : testy, grumpy
How do you use it?
Cole had his heart set on three months of sleeping in, friends, and video games, so the news that he was going to camp for the entire summer made him splenetic.
Are you a word wiz?
"Splenetic" is one of those words whose ancestor is a Latin word for a bodily organ. Which of the following organs do you think the Latin ancestor of "splenetic" refers to?
A. brain
B. spleen
C. gall bladder
D. lungs
Answer:
"Splenetic" traces back to the Latin "splen," meaning "spleen." The spleen, located near the stomach, is an organ with many blood vessels that essentially filters the blood. In the Middle Ages people believed that various organs produced "humors" or fluids within the human body. If the humors were unbalanced, then illness or certain temperaments would arise. The spleen was believed to be the source of black bile, which caused someone to be sad or gloomy. Thus "spleen" came to mean feelings of anger or ill will that are often not expressed, and the adjective "splenetic" was formed from that.
essential \ih-SEN-shul\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : important in the highest degree : necessary
2 : forming or belonging to the essence
How do you use it?
"'There is something I feel I should discuss with you very candidly and openly-something that concerns your future. We need not range over the whole spectrum of bird life but just confine our talk to one essential thing that is before us on this unusual occasion.'" (E. B. White, _The Trumpet of the Swan_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which of these words do you think has essentially the same meaning as "essential"?
A. pivotal
B. tolerable
C. fundamental
D. admirable
Answer:
"Essential" and "fundamental," as well as "vital," mean so important as to be indispensable. "Essential" implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character. ("Food is essential to life.") "Fundamental" applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse. ("To learn abstract algebra, you must understand the fundamental principles of elementary algebra.") "Vital" suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation. ("The heart and lungs are vital organs.")
What does it mean?
1 a : to say again : repeat b : to recount in order : enumerate
2 a : to practice (a play or scene) for public performance b :to train or instruct (as actors) by rehearsal
How do you use it?
Ben was relieved to learn that he would be able to rehearse his big scene one more time before the play opened.
Are you a word wiz?
Today, when you hear the word "rehearse," you probably think of performing arts, actors, and musicians. However, the roots of "rehearse" can be found in another field. Which one of these do you think it is?
A. medicine
B. mining
C. farming
D. painting
Answer:
Medieval French farmers used a tool called a "herce" to break up the soil so it would be smooth for planting. The verb "hercier" described the action of using a herce. The verb "rehercier" was used for repeatedly breaking up (or harrowing) soil. Eventually, "rehercier" came to be used in a more general way for anything that had to be gone over again and again. The word came into English as "rehersen," meaning "to say again" or "to repeat." Later, it was respelled "rehearse," and picked up new meanings, including the most familiar one, that of practicing for a performance.
repel \ri-PEL\ verb
What does it mean?
1 a : to drive back b : to fight against : resist
2 : to refuse to accept : reject
3 a : to be incapable of sticking to, mixing with, taking up, or holding b : to force away or apart or tend to do so by mutual action at a distance
4 : disgust
How do you use it?
Chives, an herb with purple flowers and leaves which are used as a seasoning, is known to repel aphids and it may even deter squirrels, so it's a good choice for planting in the garden.
Are you a word wiz?
"Repel" comes from a word family that traces back to the Latin verb "pellere." Which of these words do you think is another member of this word family?
A. lapel
B. gospel
C. propel
D. chapel
Answer:
We hope you were propelled to choose C! Today's Buzzword "repel" comes from "repellen," a Middle English verb that traces through Middle French back to the Latin "repeller." "Repeller" is made up of the prefix "re-" meaning "back," and "pellere" meaning "to drive." Something that repels drives you back or away. The connection is even clearer in "propel," which means "to push or drive usually forward or onward," from the combination of "pellere" with "pro-" meaning "forward." Another member of this family is "compel," which essentially means "to force," another way of saying to drive someone to do something.
advantage \ad-VAN-tij\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : the fact of being in a better position or condition
2 : benefit, gain
3 : something that helps the one it belongs to
How do you use it?
"She had heard of the river, of course, but had not known that it looked like a snake. She had never been there, since to reach it one had to cross the entire width of the forest. There are advantages to being a bird." (Robert C. O'Brien, _Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word to you think is related to "advantage"?
A. tusk
B. antler
C. muzzle
D. beak
Answer:
Today, B has the advantage of being correct. "Advantage" and "antler," as well as "ancestor," "anticipate," and "advance," are related through the Latin root "ante." "Ante" means "before" and words related to it have something to do with being before or ahead. The oldest meaning of "advantage" involves being in a position or condition in advance or ahead of someone else. An "ancestor" is a relative that came before you. If you "anticipate" something, you think about it ahead of time. If you "advance" you move forward or ahead. But how does "antler" fit in? It originally referred only to the lowest and forward-pointing branch of a stag's rack.
wallow \WAH-loh\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to devote oneself to something pleasurable
2 : to become or remain helpless
How do you use it?
He told me, "Quit wallowing in self-pity. Get up, dust yourself off, and keep going."
Are you a word wiz?
"Wallow" has another meaning. What was the original meaning of the verb "wallow"?
A. to roll around in something like mud lazily or clumsily
B. to yell with marshmallows stuffed in your mouth
C. to make candles out of fat or tallow
D. to throw someone out a window
Answer:
You don't need to wallow in regret if you chose A! "Wallow" is an old word that has been in English since the late 800s and first referred to rolling around lazily in a thick liquid, like mud. It was originally used of animals rolling in dirt or mud, but by the early 1200s, it had gained the connotation of indulging in something that is bad or unhealthy for you. This sense of being sucked in by something unhealthy gave rise to the latest and most common sense, "to be helpless." This later sense entered English in the 1300s and is the one used in our example sentence above.
tempo \TEM-poh\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : the rate of speed at which a musical piece or passage is to be played or sung
2 : rate of motion or activity
How do you use it?
'"You should excuse the suggestion, please, but I thought your tempo was off tonight in the 'Stars and Stripes Forever.' You couldn't afford to relax just because you're on top, you know."'
(George Selden, _The Cricket in Times Square_)
Are you a word wiz?
Take your time and see if you can find another music term below.
A. allege
B. allegory
C. allegro
D. allergen
Answer:
"Allegro" is used as a direction in music and means "in a brisk or lively manner." "Tempo," "allegro," and many other music terms were borrowed from Italian. In Italian, "tempo" literally means "time" and traces to the Latin "tempus," which also means "time." "Allegro" means "lively" in Italian and stems from the Latin word "alacer," meaning "lively, eager." Other music terms from Italian that have to do with tempo include "adagio" and "lento," which both mean "at a slow tempo," "largo" and "lentissimo," which both mean "at a very slow tempo," and "scherzando" which means "playfully."
austere \aw-STEER\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : stern and unfriendly in appearance or manner
2 : living a harsh life with few pleasures : harshly simple
3 : free from complications : unadorned
How do you use it?
As soon as she moved into her new bedroom, Anna began to change its austere decor by painting the white walls a bright shade of yellow.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "austere"?
A. severe
B. extensive
C. picturesque
D. mystifying
Answer:
Simply put, the answer is A. "Austere" and "severe" both mean marked by strict discipline and firm restraint. While "austere" stresses absence of warmth, color, or feeling (as in "living an austere life in the country"), "severe" implies standards that are enforced without flexibility and sometimes with harshness (such as "severe military discipline"). Another synonym, "ascetic," suggests staying away from pleasure and comfort as a means of spiritual discipline (as in "the ascetic life of the monks"), and "stern" describes inflexibility of temper or character (such as in "stern judges of public behavior").
coincide \koh-in-SYDE\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to occupy the same place in space or time
2 : to occupy the same positions on a scale
3 : to agree exactly
How do you use it?
When we saw our neighbors at the botanical gardens, we realized their plans had coincided with ours and we all went into the butterfly exhibit together.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of the following do you think means close to the same thing as "coincide"?
A. insure
B. dissent
C. concur
D. contact
Answer:
We think you'll agree that answer C is correct. "Agree," "concur," and "coincide" mean to come in into or be in harmony regarding a matter of opinion. "Agree" implies complete accord usually attained by discussion and adjustment of differences, as in "I know we can all agree." "Concur" tends to suggest cooperative thinking or acting toward an end. But sometimes it implies no more than approval (as of a decision reached by others), as for example, "My father concurs, so it's a deal." "Coincide," used more often of opinions, judgments, wishes, or interests than of people, implies an agreement amounting to identity, as in "Their wishes coincide exactly."
adoration \ad-uh-RAY-shun\ noun
What does it mean?
: the act of worshipping someone or something : the state of being loved or worshipped
How do you use it?
The basketball star was the object of Kyle's adoration, and he was overjoyed when he finally got to see the player in a game.
Are you a word wiz?
"Adoration" comes from our verb "adore"--but that's not its only relation. What other words share a root with "adoration"?
A. adonis, adorn
B. oracle, oratory
C. rations, rational
D. ion, ionic
Answer:
We speak the truth: the answer is B. "Adoration," "oracle," and "oratory" all share the Latin root word "orare," meaning "to speak" or "to pray." "Adore" and "adoration" come from "orare" and the prefix "ad-," and the resulting Latin verb "adorare" means "to speak out to" or "to pray to." "Oracle" comes from a Latin noun that means "a person through whom a god or goddess is thought to speak."
ethereal \ih-THIR-ee-ul\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : of or relating to the heavens : heavenly
2 : being light and airy : delicate
How do you use it?
A smiling cat replaced the traditional lacy hearts and ethereal cupids on the card that Bill sent Mandy for Valentine's Day.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these sentences do you think uses "ethereal" correctly?
A. The rotting vegetables gave off an odor that was both sickening and ethereal.
B. In J. R. R. Tolkien's _The Lord of the Rings_, the rough appearance of the dwarves contrasts with the ethereal beauty of the elves.
C. With her strong new binoculars, Donna was just able to see the eagle's mountaintop ethereal.
D. Justin's character appears at the beginning and end of the play, so the wait between acts seems ethereal.
Answer:
B is the answer that's made in heaven. The smell in A is neither delicate nor heavenly. In fact, it's the very opposite; you won't see the word "ethereal" next to "sickening" very often. In C, Donna might be looking toward the heavens, but what she sees is an eagle's mountaintop nest, or "aerie," which is a noun, not an adjective. Justin's long wait in D must seem "eternal," but not "ethereal," as he tries to remember the lines he'll speak at the end of the play. That leaves B, and the delicate beauty of Tolkien's elves.
fret \FRET\ verb
What does it mean?
: to make or become worried
How do you use it?
"There's no need to fret: we'll get to the airport in plenty of time," the taxi driver assured us.
Are you a word wiz?
"Fret" is most commonly used in the meaning of "to worry," but that's not its only meaning. What is another meaning for the verb "fret"?
A. one of a series of ridges fixed across the fingerboard of a string musical instrument
B. to move about smoothly or easily
C. to eat into or wear away
D. wildly excited
Answer:
If you chose C, congratulations! The verb "fret" also means "to eat into or wear away," as in, "The stone carvings were fretted away by years of wind and rain." Our Modern English verb "fret" comes from the Old English verb "frettan," meaning "to devour." It's not hard to see how we went from "wear away" to "to worry"--if you've ever been worried about something, you know that it "eats you up inside" or "gnaws at you." Wait, you may say, what about Answer A? Guitar players know that those bars on the fingerboard are "frets." True enough. But that meaning is for the noun "fret," not the verb, which is our focus for today.
ostentatious \ahss-tun-TAY-shus\ adjective
What does it mean?
: fond of or showing unnecessary display to attract attention, admiration, or envy
How do you use it?
When Nick's family moved into their new house, they replaced the ostentatious old wallpaper with a simple, modern design.
Are you a word wiz?
Which of these sentences do you think shows off "ostentatious" in the right way?
A. The huge diamond around the actress' neck could be considered awe-inspiring or ostentatious, depending on your point of view.
B. The early spring warmth caused the hyacinth, the ostentatious, and the daffodil to burst into flower.
C. Sarah got ostentatious billing in the school play, her name printed second to last on the program.
D. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" means that you shouldn't be too ostentatious about what you get for free.
Answer:
The real attention getter is A. Sentence B wilts under scrutiny, since "ostentatious" is an adjective, not a noun, so it cannot be the name of a flower. Being far down on the list of credits as in C is hardly "ostentatious" star billing, and Sarah must move up if she wants to attract real attention. In D, "choosy" or "picky" are words that would work well instead of "ostentatious" to explain the meaning of the old saying. The remaining (and correct) choice is A, in which "ostentatious" describes the eye-catching bauble that is both a wonder of nature and a status symbol.
cognition \kahg-NISH-un\ noun
What does it mean?
: the act or process of knowing
How do you use it?
At camp we learned some fun games that are supposed to help improve memory and cognition.
Are you a word wiz?
"Cognition" traces back to a word from a language that has made many contributions to English. Which one of the following do you think it is?
A. Norse
B. French
C. Latin
D. German
Answer:
You're in the know if you chose C! "Cognition" traces back to the Latin word "gnoscere," meaning "to come to know." Other words that are related to "cognition" and derive from "gnoscere" also have to do with knowing--or not knowing. Another member of this family is "ignore," which means "to refuse to take notice of," which is essentially the same thing as refusing to know. A more remote relative of "cognition" is "narrate." It derives from the Latin word "gnarus," which means "knowing" and which is akin to "gnoscere." In order to narrate, or tell a story in detail, you must be knowing about your subject.
notorious \noh-TOR-ee-us\ adjective
What does it mean?
: generally known and talked of; especially : widely and unfavorably known
How do you use it?
"He had had his passage out from Liverpool, and during the whole voyage had been quite a notorious character, as a teller of anecdotes and cracker of jokes." (Charles Dickens, "American Notes for General Circulation")
Are you a word wiz?
Are you in the know? Take our quiz and find out. "Notorious" comes from the Latin word "noscere," meaning "to know." Three of the words below also come from "noscere." Which word does NOT?
A. nose
B. notice
C. noble
D. notion
Answer:
You hit it right on the nose if you chose A! Word scholars nosed around and discovered that the root of "nose" is "nosu," an Old English word that means "nose." "Notion," "noble," "notice," and "notorious" however, all share the Latin "noscere" as their ancestor. "Noble," meaning "famous, notable," came into English in the 1200s, while "notice," meaning "warning or indication or something" or "announcement," arrived later, during the 1400s. "Notion," meaning "idea, conception," and "notorious" both came into English in the 1500s. Now you know!
undaunted \un-DAWN-tud\ adjective
What does it mean?
: not discouraged or frightened : fearless
How do you use it?
Our science experiment hadn't worked, but we remained undaunted and started again from the beginning.
Are you a word wiz?
Knowing that the prefix "un-" means "not," which of the following do you think is the meaning of the Latin word "undaunted" comes from?
A. to punish
B. to scold
C. to comfort
D. to tame
Answer:
Remain undaunted, even if you didn't pick D. "Undaunted" traces back to the Latin word "domare," meaning "to tame." Before the adjective "undaunted" was part of the English language, there was the verb "daunt," meaning "to lessen the courage of, make afraid." Like many verbs, the past tense form of the word can be used like an adjective; if you are daunted, you have less courage and are afraid. "Undaunted" comes from the prefix "un-" being combined with this form of "daunt."
What does it mean?
1 : top; especially : the highest point (as of a mountain)
2 : the topmost level that can be reached
3 : the highest level of officials; especially : the diplomatic level of heads of government
How do you use it?
"Here was heroism at its last and loftiest possibility, its utmost summit..." (Mark Twain, _A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think is a synonym of "summit"?
A. apex
B. sole
C. plateau
D. veneer
Answer:
"Summit" has a mountain of synonyms and "apex" is just the tip. "Summit" and "apex" along with "peak," "pinnacle," and "acme" all mean the highest possible level of achievement. "Apex" implies the point where things come together to result in the highest success, as in "the apex of his career." "Peak" suggests the highest among other high points, as in "an artist at the peak of her powers." "Pinnacle" suggests a dizzying and often insecure height, as in "the pinnacle of happiness." "Acme" implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing, as in "a statue once deemed the acme of beauty."
What does it mean?
1 a : the act or process of resolving b : the action of solving; also : solution
2 : determination
3 : a formal statement expressing the opinion, will, or intent of a person or body of persons
4 : a measure of the sharpness of an image or of the fineness with which a device can produce or record such an image
How do you use it?
As soon as we woke up this morning, we began making New Year's resolutions.
Are you a word wiz?
What sorts of things were first described as "resolutions"? (Hint: look at the definitions above, and remember they come in historical order.)
A. chemical reactions
B. promises you make at the beginning of the year
C. plasma TV screens
D. complex ideas
Answer:
Answer D may seem complex, but it's the right answer. When "resolution" first was used in English, it was used to refer to the act of making a complex idea into a simpler one. Shortly after that, "resolution" was used in scientific contexts to describe what happens during a chemical reaction. "Resolution" had a connotation at this point of making something complex simpler, or bringing something (such as the core of an idea).
What does it mean?
: the time of greatest strength, popularity, or vigor
How do you use it?
Many famous musicians played at the old theater in its heyday in the 1940s, but since then it has fallen into disrepair.
Are you a word wiz?
"Heyday" didn't always mean what it means today. Which of the following do you think is the original meaning of "heyday"?
A. great strength
B. political power
C. high spirits
D. scholarly effort
Answer:
When "heyday" first was used in the late 1500s, it referred to "high spirits," as in "The great game put us in a heyday." People also used "heyday" as an interjection to express great joy, surprise, or wonder. "Heyday" is no longer used in this way, but you'll sometimes come across it in the works of authors writing before the twentieth century. The current meaning of "heyday" first appeared in the mid-1700s.
jigsaw \JIG-saw\ noun
What does it mean?
: an electric saw with a narrow blade for cutting curved and irregular lines
How do you use it?
Dad used a jigsaw to cut the small curved pieces for the toy.
Are you a word wiz?
The word "jigsaw" comes from the word "saw" and the word "jig." One of the answers below correctly names the origin of "jig" in "jigsaw." Which one do you think it is?
A. a bad situation that requires lots of work to escape
B. a lively springy dance
C. Cornelius Jig, inventor of the jigsaw
D. puzzles with intricately cut pieces
Answer:
If you chose B, do a little jig! The "jig" of "jigsaw" comes from the spritely dance known as a jig. Because of the up-and-down motion of the dance, the word "jig" soon gained a number of extended meanings, including one referring to any up-or-down motion. This sense gave us "jigsaw," as many jigsaws work by
moving a very thin saw blade up and down rapidly. If you picked D, you were right in connecting jigsaws with the puzzle, but jigsaw puzzles got their name because they were originally made by jigsaws.
debunk \dee-BUNK\ verb
What does it mean?
: to expose the falseness in
How do you use it?
For one of our class projects, we researched how to debunk the untrue stories that start on the Internet.
Are you a word wiz?
People have been debunking rumors and stories for as long as they've been making up such things. The word "debunk" is not quite so old. Around when do you think speakers of English first used "debunk" in the way we've used it above?
A. 1923
B. 1853
C. 1776
D. 1602
Answer:
W. E. Woodward coined the word "debunk" in 1923. He did so by taking the word "bunk," which means "nonsense," and adding the prefix "de-" to it. "De-" can mean several things, but in this case, it means "to remove (a specified thing) from." In Mr. Woodward's own words, "De-bunking means simply taking the bunk out of things." Other "de-" words from the 1920s are "decaffeinated" and "dehumidify." "Decaffeinated" is an adjective that means "having the caffeine removed," and "dehumidify" is a verb meaning "to remove moisture from (as the air)."
gusto \GUSS-toh\ noun
What does it mean?
: keen enjoyment or appreciation
How do you use it?
The children sat around the campfire singing their camp songs with gusto.
Are you a word wiz?
We hope you'll answer today's question with gusto. We've listed a series of events below. Which is the best example of something being done with gusto?
A. Ruben measured out the ingredients for muffins and mixed them together.
B. Julia poured the muffin batter into the muffin tin and put it in the oven.
C. We savored the delicious muffins when they were still hot from the oven.
D. Everyone shared in the task of cleaning the kitchen.
Answer:
While it's certainly possible to prepare muffins and clean up with gusto, it's the act described in answer C, savoring fresh muffins, that shows an example of something most commonly (and easily) done with gusto. "Gusto" was borrowed into English directly from Italian about 400 years ago, but it comes originally from the Latin word "gustus," meaning "taste." There's another "gustus" word in English that looks somewhat similar but sure means something different. The word "disgust" comes from "gustus" too.
mature \muh-TOOR\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 fully thought out
2 fully grown or developed; having reached a final or desired state
3 of or relating to a condition of full development
4 due for payment
How do you use it?
Uncle Jared, with his joke telling and prank pulling, won't ever be accused of having a mature manner.
Are you a word wiz?
If you want to develop your vocabulary, then take today's quiz. Which of the following Latin roots is the ancestor of "mature"?
A. "maturus," meaning "ripe"
B. "maturnus," meaning "motherly"
C. "materia," meaning "matter"
D. "matutinus," meaning "of the morning"
Answer:
We hope A was your pick. "Mature" traces through Middle English to the Latin adjective "maturus," meaning "ripe." Relatives of "mature" include "premature," meaning "happening, coming, existing, or done before the proper or usual time," and "immature," meaning "not mature or fully developed" or "young, unripe." If you picked D, you weren't far off. "Matutinus," meaning "of the morning," is the Latin ancestor of "matinee" and a distant relative of "maturus."
vista \VISS-tuh\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : a distant view through an opening or along an avenue : prospect
2 : a mental view over a long period of time
How do you use it?
From the front of the town hall, a tree-lined vista provided a glimpse of the library five blocks away.
Are you a word wiz?
Take a look at the choices below and see if you can guess from which language English borrowed "vista."
A. Italian
B. Swedish
C. Chinese
D. French
Answer:
The way we see it, answer A is correct. English speakers borrowed "vista" from Italian about 350 years ago. That Italian word, in turn, traces back to the Latin verb "videre" meaning "to see." "Videre" is at the root of many English words that have something to do with seeing or looking, including "visible," "vision," and "visual." Another "videre" relative is "video" (that makes sense -- a video is something you see or watch). "Visit," the verb meaning "to go and see," also descends from that Latin root.
verge \VERJ\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : something that borders, limits, or bounds : edge
2 : brink, threshold
How do you use it?
I was on the verge of falling, but caught myself just in time.
Are you a word wiz?
From which of these Latin words do you think "verge" derives?
A. "bilis," meaning "anger."
B. "volvere," meaning "to turn."
C. "acer," meaning "sharp."
D. "virga," meaning "twig."
Answer:
If you chose D, you're right! "Verge" comes ultimately from theLatin word "virga," meaning "twig." In Latin, "virga" also eventually came to be used of a line or a rod. The Anglo-French took this last sense of the Latin "virga" to make their own word, "verge," which referred to a rod or staff, then a staff of
authority, and then by extension, the area under that authority. Later in the Middle Ages, the word "verge" expanded further to refer to the edge of that area, and then later to any edge or boundary line. We now use it in a more abstract way, speaking of "being on the verge" of acting or doing something.
exempt \ig-ZEMPT\ adjective
What does it mean?
free or released from some condition or requirement that others must meet or deal with
How do you use it?
Students who are exempt from AP testing can leave after the main tests are finished.
Are you a word wiz?
"Exempt" ultimately comes from the Latin word "eximere." What do you think "eximere" means?
A. to take out
B. to search over
C. to make an example out of
D. to throw away
Answer:
Your English is excellent if you chose A! "Exempt" came into English from the Latin word "eximere," which means "to take out." You can see a hint of this in the meaning of the modern English word, since someone who is exempt from something is "taken out," so to speak, of the group of people to whom the condition or requirement applies. "Exempt" is a cousin of the word "example," which also comes from "eximere." Eximere" itself comes from the Latin prefix "ex-," meaning "out," and the Latin verb "emere," meaning "to take."
disavow \dis-uh-VOW\ verb
What does it mean?
to deny having, knowing, or being responsible for
How do you use it?
I could swear I saw two of my cousins in the park today, but they disavow having ever been there.
Are you a word wiz?
"Disavow" came into English by way of French in the 14th century. Which of the following words do you think also came into English from French at that time?
A. dislocate
B. disengage
C. discolor
D. disinfect
Answer:
We can't disavow it: C is the right answer! Following the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066, a dialect of French known as Anglo-French became the language spoken by the English aristocracy and in English institutions such as parliament, courts, schools, churches, and later in trade. By the time the English language began its resurgence in the 14th century, lots of French words had been adopted, including many with the prefix "dis-," such as "disavow," "discolor," "disarm," "disclose," and "disfigure." We can trace "disavow" back to the Old French verb "desavouer," a combination of the French prefix "des-," meaning "apart," and the verb "avouer," meaning "to avow."
What does it mean?
: not easily understood : mysterious
How do you use it?
When Dermot plays cards, his inscrutable expression gives no hint as to whether he's winning or losing.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these sentences do you think uses "inscrutable" correctly?
A. Even one missing button on a crew member's uniform did not escape the careful inscrutable of the captain.
B. When the computers broke down and the long wait in line became inscrutable, Janis decided to return the next day.
C. Thanks to Alec's inscrutable comments, the secret of the surprise party is known to everyone, including the guest of honor.
D. For over 500 years, art lovers have tried to interpret the inscrutable smile of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa."
Answer:
It's no mystery that D is the answer you're looking for. Sentence A can be eliminated right away, since it uses "inscrutable" as a noun instead of an adjective. "Scrutiny," a noun that comes from the same root as our Buzzword, can be used in its place. There's nothing "inscrutable" about the wait in B, since we know the computers are broken, but it can be "intolerable" if you are impatient to leave. Alec's careless remarks and inability to keep a secret in C are the opposite of "inscrutable." That leaves D, and the world's most famous, most mysterious smile.
What does it mean?
1 : to continue to do something in spite of opposition, warnings, or pleas : persevere
2 : to last on and on : continue to exist
How do you use it?
"He was like a big bear raiding a bee-hive and, regardless of the stings, he obstinately persisted in pawing for the honey." (Jack London, _Burning Daylight_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think is a synonym of "persist"?
A. intend
B. endure
C. halt
D. suspend
Answer:
"Persist," "continue," "last," and "endure" all mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. "Persist" suggests continuing or pursuing something with determination or stubbornness, as in "she persisted in her efforts to change their minds." "Continue" suggests going on or remaining without stopping or ending, as in "construction on the new gymnasium will continue for several months." "Last" stresses existing beyond what is normal or expected, as in "these shoes should last a long time." "Endure" suggests continuing or remaining despite destructive forces, as in "their friendship has endured despite their differences."
satiate \SAY-shee-ayt\ verb
What does it mean?
: to satisfy (as a need or desire) fully or to excess
How do you use it?
The appetites of the banquet guests were satiated by the time the dessert course was served.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "satiate"?
A. awaken
B. gorge
C. supervise
D. deprive
Answer:
The truly satisfying answer is B. "Satiate" implies an excess of a good thing that has destroyed interest or desire. ("Years of globe-trotting satiated their urge to travel.") "Gorge" suggests feeding or supplying to the point of bursting or choking. ("They gorged themselves with chocolate.") "Cloy," another synonym, stresses disgust or boredom resulting from too much of something. ("Too many sentimental pictures were cloying to museum visitors.") There is also "pall," which emphasizes loss of the ability to arouse interest or appetite. ("His life of leisure began to pall after a while").
garrulous \GAIR-uh-luss\ adjective
What does it mean?
: overly talkative
How do you use it?
Scott was very quiet as a young child, but he has outgrown his reluctance to talk and has become downright garrulous.
Are you a word wiz?
Today, let's talk about synonyms. Which one of these words do you think is close in meaning to garrulous"?
A. voluble
B. considerate
C. saturnine
D. finicky
Answer:
Like "garrulous," "voluble" means "fond of talking." "Garrulous" suggests talking to the point of being foolish and boring. ("My garrulous cousin went on and on about the good old days once again.") "Voluble," meanwhile, implies a ready, rapid, and seemingly endless flow of speech. ("That voluble salesclerk is telling customers more than he should.") "Talkative" and "loquacious" are also part of this group. "Talkative" describes a regular willingness to talk or join in a conversation. ("The party could have used a few talkative guests.") And "loquacious" describes a person's ability to speak easily and smoothly. ("The loss of the cue cards was no problem for the loquacious talk show host.")
erratic \ih-RAT-ik\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : marked by lack of consistency or regularity
2 : not of the usual or normal kind : eccentric
How do you use it?
We had erratic temperatures last week, but this week the days have all been cool and breezy.
Are you a word wiz?
"Erratic" comes from the Latin word "errare," one meaning of which is "to wander." Which of the following words do you think also comes from "errare"?
A. terrier
B. error
C. berry
D. sheriff
Answer:
There's no error in choosing B. Both "erratic" and "error" come from the Latin word "errare." As we mentioned, "errare" means "to wander." It also means "to err," which means "to make a mistake" or "to do wrong" or "to sin." Another word descended from "errare" is "erroneous," which means "being wrong or
inaccurate" or "being or containing an error." "Aberrant," meaning "being different from the usual or natural type," also derives from "errare."
slipshod \SLIP-SHAHD\ adjective
What does it mean?
: very careless : slovenly
How do you use it?
Nate didn't want to do a slipshod job of painting his room, so he worked slowly and carefully, making sure to only get paint where he wanted it.
Are you a word wiz?
"Slipshod" has another, much older meaning than the one we're most familiar with today. Which of the following do you think it is?
A. causing something to become slippery
B. wearing loose shoes or slippers
C. having tousled or disheveled hair
D. having a sour or unpleasant disposition
Answer:
To be "shod" is to be wearing footwear, and when the word "slipshod" was first used in the late 1500s, it meant "wearing loose shoes or slippers." About 100 years later, the word described the footwear itself; slipshod shoes were loose shoes or shoes that were falling apart. By the early 1800s, "slipshod" was used more generally as a synonym for "shabby." For example, in 1818 Sir Walter Scott described some books as "the half-bound and slip-shod volumes of the circulating library." The idea of shabbiness carried over into other contexts as well, and the word came to be used, as it is commonly today, to mean "very careless, slovenly."
What does it mean?
1 : decided on as a result of careful thought : carefully considered
2 : done or said on purpose
3 : considering facts and arguments carefully : careful and slow in deciding
4 : slow in action : not hurried
How do you use it?
"She had grown to love Davy dearly. . .how dearly she had not known until this minute. . .and it hurt her unbearably to discover that he was guilty of deliberate falsehood." (Lucy Maud Montgomery)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think means about the same thing as "deliberate"?
A. independent
B. voluntary
C. required
D. external
Answer:
"Deliberate," "voluntary," "intentional," and "willing" mean done or brought about of a person's own will. "Deliberate" suggests that someone is fully aware of what he or she is doing and of the likely results of the action, as in "a deliberate decision." "Voluntary" suggests free choice or control by the will, as in "voluntary club membership" or "voluntary blinking of the eyes." "Intentional" suggests that something is done for a reason and only after some thought, as in "an intentional insult." "Willing" suggests a readiness and eagerness to go along with the wishes of another, as in "willing obedience."
What does it mean?
equal in value, meaning, or effect
How do you use it?
"On the other hand to be in possession of such a statement, and take no measures of further inquiry in reference to it, was tantamount to being a partner in the guilt it professed to disclose." (Charles Dickens)
Are you a word wiz?
What language do you think "tantamount" comes from?
A. Spanish
B. Anglo-French
C. Russian
D. Serbo-Croatian
Answer:
"Tantamount" traces to Anglo-French, which was the French language used in medieval England. It comes from the phrase "tant amunter," meaning "to amount to as much." This phrase was formed from the Old French "tant," meaning "so much" or "as much," and "amounter," meaning "to ascend" or "to add up to." When "tantamount" first entered English, it was used similarly to the Anglo-French phrase, as a verb meaning "to be equivalent." There was also a noun "tantamount" in the seventeenth century, but the adjective is the only commonly used form of the term nowadays.
gruesome \GROO-sum\ adjective
What does it mean?
: causing horror or disgust : horrible
How do you use it?
When Ray told the story of his bicycle accident, he always left out the most gruesome details about how his knee was split open.
Are you a word wiz?
"Gruesome" traces back to the Middle English verb "gruen," which means something you do when you see something horrible or disgusting. What do you think "gruen" means?
A. to shiver
B. to sob
C. to stiffen
D. to shriek
Answer:
The Middle English verb "gruen" means "to shiver," and it played a part in the history of "gruesome. Word scholars think that "gruesome" probably has its origins in "gruwen," a word meaning "to shiver" that comes from Middle Dutch (the Dutch language spoken from about 1100 to about 1500). Speakers of Middle English took "gruwen" to form "gruen," also using it to mean "to shiver." "Gruen" was altered in English dialect to "grow" and "grue," and the adjective form of it came into use as "growsome." Around 1700 our version of the word was formed and we've had "gruesome" ever since to describe things we find horrible -- and that might cause us to shiver.
What does it mean?
: a large snake (as a boa) that squeezes and suffocates its prey; especially : any of an Old World genus including the largest snakes living at the present time
How do you use it?
"Now a snake, especially a wary old python like Kaa, very seldom shows that he is angry...." (Rudyard Kipling, _The Jungle Book_)
Are you a word wiz?
Kipling wrote about the snake named Kaa in the mid-1890s. How long ago do you think we started using "python" to mean large snakes like Kaa?
A. nearly 900 years ago
B. just over 600 years ago
C. around 400 years ago
D. a little over 150 years ago
Answer:
English speakers began using "python" for certain very large snakes only about 170 years ago. But as part of Greek mythology, the word has been around for a very long time. In ancient Greek myth, "Python" was the name of a huge serpent. According to one myth, the god Apollo killed the serpent because it would not let him establish his oracle at Delphi. Another story has it that Python attacked Apollo's mother, spurring Apollo to hunt and kill the monstrous snake. To celebrate Apollo's victory, the Greeks held athletic and musical competitions, which were called the Pythian games after the legendary snake.
indispensable \in-dih-SPEN-suh-bul\ adjective
What does it mean?
: absolutely necessary : essential
How do you use it?
"Perrault was in a hurry, and he prided himself on his knowledge
of ice, which knowledge was indispensable, for the fall ice was very thin,
and where there was swift water, there was no ice at all." (Jack London,
_The Call of the Wild_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think comes from the same root as "indispensable"?
A. dispose
B. condensation
C. reliable
D. suspense
Answer:
We won't keep you in suspense-D is the right answer today. Both "indispensable" and "suspense" share
the Latin root word "pendere," meaning "to weigh." "Indispensable" and
its antonym"dispensable" (meaning "not necessary or not essential")
stem from the Latin "dispensare," meaning "to distribute or
dispense."Dispensare" was formed by combining the prefix "dis" with
a form of "pendere." "Suspense" was adopted from the Anglo-French"suspender," which
means "suspension," and was formed by
combining the prefix "sus" with "pendere."
What does it mean?
: to introduce something new : do something in a new way
How do you use it?
Our hockey coach urged us to innovate on the ice and be creative with what we do with the puck.
Are you a word wiz?
What do you think the Latin ancestor of "innovate" means?
A. inner
B. creative
C. new
D. established
Answer:
"Innovate" ultimately traces to the Latin root "novus," meaning "new." Let's renew our acquaintance with some members of the family of English words descending from "novus." One is "novel," meaning "new and different from what has been known before," as in "a novel idea." "Novice" is another relative. "Novice" first referred to someone new to a religious order who was preparing to take the vows of the religion. The word gained the sense of anyone with no previous experience with something, as in "a novice at chess." "Renovate" is also in this family. It means to make like new again, as in "renovating a basement."
adamant \AD-uh-munt\ adjective
What does it mean?
firmly fixed or decided especially against something; unyielding
How do you use it?
Julia is adamant in refusing to use money from her college fund to pay for a trip to Mexico during school vacation.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "adamant"?
A. inflexible
B. embarrassed
C. convincing
D. disgruntled
Answer:
If you stubbornly stuck to A as the right answer, congratulations! "Adamant," "inflexible," and "obdurate" all mean unwilling to change a course or purpose that has been previously decided upon. "Adamant" implies a complete refusal to be moved in spite of all temptation and pleading. ("They are adamant that the work will continue.") "Inflexible" suggests an unyielding loyalty or even slavish obedience to a principle. ("She was inflexible in making her demands.") And "obdurate" stresses hardness of heart and insensitivity to appeals for mercy. ("He was obdurate in his refusal to grant a pardon.")
attitude \AT-uh-tood\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : a position of the body or a figure : posture
2 : a particular feeling or way of thinking about something
3 : the position of something in relation to something else
How do you use it?
She curtsied and, from that attitude, murmured her thanks.
Are you a word wiz?
"Attitude" comes ultimately from Latin. What do you think the Latin ancestor of "attitude" means?
A. nasty
B. standing
C. fit
D. grounded
"Attitude" comes to us from the Latin word "aptus," meaning "fit." Not the temper-tantrum kind of "fit," but the "suitable" kind of "fit." "Aptus" was transformed into the Latin noun "aptitudo," meaning "fitness" (and also the root word of our English "aptitude"). From there, the root traveled into Italian, where people also began to apply it to the arrangement of figures in paintings and sculpture, and whether they were
well-formed. It was this second sense that we borrowed from the Italian to give us the first historical meaning of "attitude" listed above. This "posture" sense led to later senses of the English word.
sequester \sih-KWESS-ter\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to set apart : segregate
2 : to take custody of (as personal property) until a demand is satisfied
How do you use it?
"I sauntered along the shore until I came to a sequestered cove, where buttercups and wild peas were blooming close down to the limit reached by the waves." (John Muir, _Steep Trails_)
Are you a word wiz?
The history of "sequester" takes us back to the Roman legal system and the Latin word "sequester." Judging from what you know about today's buzzword, what do you think "sequester" meant in Roman law?
A. the part of a prison where inmates were held in solitary
B. a family member who took custody of an orphaned child
C. a person entrusted with property that was in dispute
D. property named separately in a will to go to one person
Answer:
Hear ye, hear ye! Answer C wins in this case. Roman law had enormous influence on legal systems and legal language throughout western civilization. "Sequester" traces back to the terminology of the Roman system of law. It was originally the Latin word for a third party entrusted to hold on to disputed property until the resolution of the dispute. From the name for this agent, the Romans created a corresponding verb, "sequestrare," meaning "to hand over to a trustee." The Latin word passed through Anglo-French (the French spoken in medieval England) and Middle English to become the modern word "sequester."
soporific \sah-puh-RIFF-ik\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 a : causing or tending to cause sleep b : tending to dull awareness or alertness
2 : of, relating to, or marked by sleepiness or lethargy
How do you use it?
The tea is made with an herb that has soporific properties, so it's good to drink at night before you go to bed.
Are you a word wiz?
Don't be dozing off now. We have a question to ask you. Which of the following you think is the best example of something that is soporific?
A. the final minutes of a close game
B. the music of a marching band
C. the heat of a summer afternoon
D. the climax of an exciting movie
Answer:
While some people fall asleep at the drop of a hat (or the climax of a movie), the heat of a summer afternoon is the most soporific of your choices here. Language scientists think that "soporific" traces back to the Latin word "sopor," meaning "deep sleep." "Sopor" is distantly related to the Latin word "somnus," meaning "sleep," and "somnus" gave us another sleep-related term, though one with a very different meaning. "Insomnia" is a word that means "prolonged inability to sleep, sleeplessness."
concise \kun-SYCE\ adjective
What does it mean?
: being brief and to the point
How do you use it?
"'Cut it short, old fellow,' interrupted Walker, who knew from former experience that he . . . was neither very concise nor intelligible in his narratives." (Charles Dickens, _Sketches by Boz_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which word do you think is a synonym of "concise"?
A. persuasive
B. terse
C. verbose
D. stern
Answer:
Today, answer B keeps it short and sweet. "Concise," "terse," "succinct," and "curt" are all about saying something with as few words as possible. "Concise" suggests the removal of anything extra or unnecessary, as in "a concise description." "Terse" implies being quick and direct, as in "a terse reply."
"Succinct" suggests saying something with no wasted words, as in "a succinct report." "Curt" suggests being abrupt and rude, as in "a curt refusal."
mosaic \moh-ZAY-ik\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : a surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces (as of colored glass or stone) to form figures or patterns; also : a design made in mosaic
2 : something resembling a mosaic
How do you use it?
". . . and then came the glory of a sunlit beechwood where the air was like transparent golden wine, and the leaves fresh and green, and the wood floor a mosaic of tremulous sunshine."
Mosaics have long been used to beautify buildings. Which of these words for an architectural structure do you think is related to "mosaic"?
A. mansion
B. museum
C. mosque
D. mezzanine
Answer:
You're building strong word skills if you chose B. "Mosaic" traces to the Latin "musaeum" or "museum," which is also an ancestor of the English "museum." The Latin word referred to a place of learning, and goes back to Greek and the Greek belief in the Muses, nine sister goddesses who were thought to preside
over song and poetry and the arts and sciences. Though use of mosaic as an art form and decorative technique has existed for thousands of years, the word "mosaic" didn't make its appearance in English until the fifteenth century.
ruminate \ROO-muh-nayt\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period
How do you use it?
After she finished the book, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Jori got a faraway look in her eyes as she ruminated about how the main character Karana survived all alone.
Are you a word wiz?
The habit of a certain animal helped to inspire the word "ruminate." Which of the following animals do you think exhibits a behavior that influenced the development of the word "ruminate"?
A. panda
B. chimpanzee
C. dolphin
D. cow
Answer:
We hope you didn't have to think too long to decide on D. "Ruminate" derives from the Latin verb "ruminari," which in turn derives from "rumen," the name for the first stomach compartment
of ruminant animals (that is, creatures like cows that chew their cud). The literal sense of "ruminate" refers to chewing food slightly, swallowing it, and bringing it back up into the mouth to chew some more. Since the late 1500s, "ruminate" has described the literal act of chewing something over in the mouth
as well as the figurative act of going over and over something in the mind.
parabola \puh-RAB-uh-luh\ noun
What does it mean?
1 : a curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane parallel to a straight line in its surface : a curve formed by a point moving so that its distance from a fixed point is equal to its distance from a fixed line
2 : something that is bowl-shaped
How do you use it?
Parabolas are often seen in the designs of bridges and arches.
Are you a word wiz?
"Parabola" comes from New Latin, a type of Latin used since the end of the medieval period especially in scientific description and classification. But the word ultimately traces back to the Greek word "parabole." What do you think "parabole" means?
A. intersection
B. bowl
C. comparison
D. curve
Answer:
If a comparison of all the answers led you to choose C, you chose correctly: the Greek word "parabole" means "comparison." English includes many New Latin words that have their origins in Greek, and many of them are names of flowers. "Azalea," for example, is a New Latin word that traces back to the Greek word "azein," meaning "to parch, dry"; "geranium" traces back to "geranos," meaning "crane"; and "hydrangea" traces back to the Greek "angeion," meaning "vessel."
contingent \kun-TIN-junt\ adjective
What does it mean?
: depending on something else
How do you use it?
Our plans for the weekend are contingent on the weather.
Are you a word wiz?
We trace "contingent" to the Latin root "contingere." What other word do you think stems from contingere"?
A. continue
B. contain
C. contact
D. contemplate
Answer:
The Latin word "contingere" means "to have contact with," and it has contact with several English words. Relatives of "contingere" tend to have something to do with touching. "Contact" itself stems from "contingere," as does "contiguous," which means "being in contact, touching." Another relative associated with touching is "contagious" which means "able to be passed on by contact between individuals." But the connection to "contingent" is harder to see. It helps if you know that in early use, "contingent" was used as a synonym for "touching."
condescend \kahn-dih-SEND\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to lower oneself to a level considered less dignified or humbler than one's own
2 : to act in a way that suggests that one considers oneself better than other people
How do you use it?
"It amused him that she pretended such contempt for him and yet condescended to show off her skill before him." (Esther Forbes, _Johnny Tremain_)
Are you a word wiz?
Who do you think might have been acting in a condescending manner around the time that "condescend" first appeared in English?
A. the first class passengers aboard the Titanic
B. members of the nobility in Paris just before the French Revolution
C. lords and ladies that were the models for Chaucer's _The Canterbury Tales_
D. Norman soldiers just after they had conquered Britain at the Battle of Hastings
Answer:
If you chose C, stand tall! The earliest evidence of the word "condescend" in English comes from the fourteenth century, around the time that Geoffrey Chaucer was writing _The Canterbury Tales_. Chaucer himself used the word, although not in the way we use it today. "Condescend" derives from Latin
"descendere," "to descend." Combining it with the prefix "com-," meaning "with" or "together," produced a word that meant "to descend (or go down) with." Early on "condescend" could mean a physical descent from a higher place, but that meaning died out, leaving only the figurative use.
docile \DAH-sil\ adjective
What does it mean?
: easily taught, led, or managed
How do you use it?
Dexter's grandparents are looking to adopt an older, docile dog that will
fit in with their quiet lifestyle.
Are you a word wiz?
Which one of these sentences do you think uses "docile" correctly?
A. Anne Frank's diary reveals her to have been lively and opinionated,
unlike her more docile sister, Margot.
B. The downtown bakery is famous for the docile quality of its cakes.
C. Emily Dickinson's docile in Amherst, Massachusetts, is visited frequently
by admirers of her poetry.
D. Docile, rebellious teenagers often mature into responsible adults.
Answer:
We hope that you were easily led to pick A. Sentence B doesn't work because "docile" can
only be used to refer to people or animals, and not to inanimate objects like
cakes. You can toss out C, too, since it uses the adjective "docile" in
place of "domicile," a noun that means "home" and looks pretty
similar to
our Buzzword. D pairs "docile" with "rebellious," which
is its opposite in meaning, so you can eliminate that choice, too. That leaves
A, and the girl whose less than docile spirit has helped to make her immortal.
indelible \in-DEL-uh-bul\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : impossible to erase, remove, or blot out
2 : making or leaving marks not easily removed
How do you use it?
Seeing the ocean for the first time left an indelible impression
on Jason's memory.
Are you a word wiz?
"Indelible" left a lasting impression on the writer
of only one of the sentences below. Which sentence correctly uses “indelible"?
A. Mike skis down the hill indelible fast.
B. Carolyn and Beth are indelible twins.
C. Timothy can indelible all the stories his grandfather told him.
D. Jackie's favorite teacher made an indelible impact on her life.
Answer:
If you chose D, "indelible" has left its mark on you. The writer
of sentence A tried to use "indelible" as an adverb. In that sentence,
either "incredibly" or "extremely" would work in place
of "indelible." The writer of B was correct in using "indelible" as
an adjective, but used it with the wrong meaning. That writer was probably
thinking of the word "identical." The writer of sentence C used "indelible" where
a verb is needed, so it cannot be correct. The word "remember" would
work there instead. Only the writer of sentence D used "indelible" correctly
as an adjective meaning "lasting or permanent."
fortitude \FOR-tuh-tood\ noun
What does it mean?
strength of mind that enables a person to meet danger or bear pain or hardship with courage
How do you use it?
"I am about to proceed on a long and difficult voyage, the emergencies of which will demand all my fortitude: I am required not only to raise the spirits of others, but sometimes to sustain my own, when theirs are failing." (Mary Shelley,_Frankenstein_)
Are you a word wiz?
Which of the following sentences do you think best depicts people displaying fortitude?
A. The students were excited as they started off on the class trip they'd waited all year for.
B. We finally found a perfect picnic spot and laid the foods we'd brought out on a big blanket.
C. As the river continued to rise, the townspeople worked all night long piling sandbags higher.
D. The fish just weren't biting that day, so we packed up our
fishing gear and went home.
Answer:
If you chose C, you know fortitude when you see it. The townspeople using all their abilities to save their town from a flood are the embodiment of fortitude, much more so than students waiting to go on a trip, picnickers searching for a lunch spot, or anglers having an unlucky day. "Fortitude" has been part of the English language for more than 800 years. It came to English from the Latin word "fortis," meaning "strong." "Fortis" also gave us the words "force," "fortify," "fort," "fortress," and "comfort."
gratuitous \gruh-TOO-uh-tus\ adjective
What does it mean?
1 : done or provided freely with nothing expected in return
2 : not called for by the circumstances : unwarranted
How do you use it?
The town's newspaper provides gratuitous support to local theater groups by advertising their productions free of charge.
Are you a word wiz?
From which of these roots do you think "gratuitous" is derived?
A. Latin "gratus," meaning "agreeable, pleasing"
B. Old High German "gratac," meaning "greedy"
C. Chinese "kam sia," meaning "grateful thanks"
D. Greek "eucharistos," meaning "thankful"
Answer:
We can only offer you congratulations on a job well done if you picked A. "Gratuitous" derives from Latin "gratus," meaning "pleasing" or "agreeable." "Gratus" developed into Latin "gratuitus," the immediate ancestor of the English word "gratuitous." "Gratuitous" first appeared in English in the mid-1600s in the sense of "freely given." The second sense,meaning "unwarranted," followed soon after. The "gratus" family of English words is a large one. Besides "gratuitous," it includes "agree," "congratulate," "grace," "grateful,""gratify," "gratitude," and "ingrate."
enamor \ih-NAMM-er\ verb
What does it mean?
1 : to cause to feel love
2 : to cause to feel a strong or excessive interest or
fascination -- usually used in the passive with of or with
How do you use it?
When his dad mentioned the possibility of the family traveling to Mexico, Cody became enamored with the idea and refused to entertain any of the other options for their summer vacation.
Are you a word wiz?
"Enamor" came into English by way of Anglo-French, the French
spoken in medieval England. What do you think the Anglo-French
ancestor of "enamor" means?
A. name
B. love
C. fascination
D. armor
Answer:
"Amour," the ancestor of "enamor," means "love." In Anglo-French, "amour" was combined with the prefix "en-" to form the verb "enamourer," meaning "to cause to feel love." In the 14th century, speakers of Middle English picked up the word, changing it to "enamouren" ("-en" being a Middle English verb ending) but keeping the meaning of the French word.
What does it mean?
1 : having or showing clear and forceful expression
2 : clearly showing some feeling or meaning
How do you use it?
Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the
leader of the Civil Rights Movement whose courageous and
eloquent speeches electrified the nation during the 1960s.
Are you a word wiz?
Like many English words, "eloquent" derives from Latin. Which of the Latin words below do you think is the root of "eloquent"?
A. "qui," meaning "who"
B. "locus," meaning "place"
C. "eligere," meaning "to select"
D. "loqui," meaning "to talk"
Answer:
Since "eloquent" has to do with speaking, it makes sense that it comes from the Latin verb "loqui," which means "to talk." You might remember our talkative Buzzword loquacious," a synonym of "talkative." It also arose from "loqui." Another "loqui"
relative is "circumlocution." That's a fancy way of saying that someone is talking around a subject to avoid making a direct statement ("circum" means "around"). And a ventriloquist" is someone who makes his or her voice sound like it's coming from
something that normally doesn't speak.
What does it mean?
: a gap in space or time; especially : a break where a part is missing
How do you use it?
Mr. King decided to take a short hiatus from teaching to do some traveling with his family.
Are you a word wiz?
We can trace the roots of "hiatus" back to the Latin verb "hiare." Which of the following also has "hiare" in its word history?
A. yawn
B. doze
C. snore
D. nap
Answer:
You're not sleeping on the job if you picked A. Both "yawn" and "hiatus" have in their histories the Latin verb "hiare," meaning "to yawn or to gape." "Yawn" comes from English roots that are akin to "hiare," while "hiatus" is an English borrowing of the Latin word "hiatus" -- an offspring of "hiare." "Hiatus" entered English in the mid-1500s. Originally, a "hiatus" was a gaping opening in something, such as the opening to a cave. It has also been used to mean a gap in a part of the body or an organ. Today, "hiatus" most commonly refers to a pause or interruption in time.
What does it mean?
1 : modest or meek in spirit or manner : not proud or bold
2 : low in rank or status
How do you use it?
After his sister got a better time in the 1,600 meter run than he did, Carlos was more humble and bragged a lot less about how fast he was.
Are you a word wiz?
The word "humble" can be traced back to Latin "humus." What do
you think "humus" means?
A. shame
B. earth
C. pride
D. speed
Answer:
You should feel proud if you chose B! "Humble" ultimately traces back to the Latin word "humus," which means "earth." "Humus" was the source for the Latin word "humilis," which means "low, humble." Latin speakers probably developed "humilis" to mean "humble" from "humus" because when someone does something wrong or embarrassing, he or she often feels low to the ground (or to the earth). Speakers of Anglo-French picked up the word as "humble," which was adopted by English speakers sometime in the 13th century.