Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Theauthorandpublisherhaveprovidedthise-booktoyouforyourpersonaluseonly.Youmaynotmake thise-bookpubliclyavailableinanyway.Copyrightinfringementisagainstthelaw.Ifyoubelievethe copyofthise-bookyouarereadinginfringesontheauthor’scopyright,pleasenotifythepublisher at:us.macmillanusa.com/piracy. CONTENTS TitlePage CopyrightNotice Introduction KeytoPronunciation ListofKeywords Level1 Level2 Level3 Level4 Level5 Level6 Level7 Level8 Level9 Level10 Notes WordWorkoutSelectedBibliography AlsobyCharlesHarringtonElster AbouttheAuthor Copyright INTRODUCTION IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD, a large and precise vocabulary is a tremendous asset. It is the basis of knowledgeandthefoundationofeloquence.Ifyouaspiretospeakandwritewell—andthinkwell—you oweittoyourselftobuildyourknowledgeofwords. Thenotionofbuildingyourvocabularymaycalltomindthedulldrillsofgradeschool.Butlearning newwords,andlearningmoreaboutwords,doesn’thavetobetedious.Unlikewithphysicalexercise, you can gain without pain. Unlike with dieting, the rewards are permanent. Best of all, you can start buildingyourvocabularyatanyageand,withaminimumofeffort,keepitgrowingfortherestofyour life. In fact, like physical exercise, which can enhance your quality of life no matter what your age, vocabularybuildingcanhelpkeepyourbrainandmemoryvital—evenintoyournineties.1“Olderadults can remember bigger vocabularies than younger people,” says Christie Chung, associate professor of psychologyatMillsCollege,inOakland,California,anddirectoroftheMillsCognitionLaboratory.“Our semanticmemoryincreasesaswegrowolder.” Buildingaversatilevocabularyisaformofexercise—oneessentialtoyourprofessional,social,and evenmentalhealth.Ifyoubelieveinthebenefitsofexerciseforyourbody,whynotdothesameforyour mind?Likeyourmuscles,yourbrainneedsregularstretching.Andaworkoutwithwordsisnowherenear as taxing as twenty minutes on a StairMaster. In fact, flexing your word muscles can be downright rejuvenating.(Torejuvenate,fromre-,again,andtheLatinjuvĕnis,young,meanstomakeyoungagain.) Ofcourse,wordswon’tjustcometoyou;youmustseekthemout.Andthat’sonereasonI’vewritten WordWorkout:tomakeiteasierforyoutofind,learn,andusenewwords.Considermeyourpersonal trainerinallthingsverbal,andconsiderthisbookyourpersonalizedcourseinthewaysandwondersof words. Word Workout is not a set of flashcards masquerading as a book. Nor is it a monotonous march throughaswampofwords.Itdoesn’trelyongimmicksorwarmed-overpoppsychology.Itdoesn’tmake youlearnbyroteorbyhit-and-runmemorization.Anditdoesn’ttakeshortcuts,meaningthattherearen’t anysuperficiallessonswithonlyadefinitionandasamplesentence.WordWorkoutistherealMcCoy:a comprehensive,accessiblevocabulary-buildingprogram,writtenbyanationallyrecognizedexpertonthe English language, that will teach you hundreds of relevant, vigorous words used by our most eloquent writersandspeakers. Ifyou’vealreadycompletedmyfirstvocabulary-buildingprogramforadults,VerbalAdvantage, you knowthiswell.Youknowthatresearchhasshownthatwelearnwordsinorderoftheirdifficulty,from easier words to harder ones, and that the best way to build your word power is to study words in ascendingorderofdifficulty.That’swhyWordWorkout,likeVerbalAdvantage,isagraduatedprogram thatbeginswithwordsknownbymostcollegegraduatesandendswithwordsknownbyonlythemost educated, intelligent, and well-read adults. And, even more than Verbal Advantage, Word Workout is chock-full of information about synonyms, antonyms, and word origins. You’ll also get plenty of good adviceonusageandpronunciation,andtherearereviewtestsallalongthewaytohelpreinforcewhat you’velearned. If you haven’t yet read Verbal Advantage, don’t worry. Word Workout is modeled on Verbal Advantage,butit’snotasequeloraprequel.It’sacompanionvolumethatteachesanentirelynewsetof words.Inshort,you’lllearnalotifyoureadthisbook,andawholelotmoreifyoureadboth. Wordsarethekeytoknowledge,andknowledgeisthekeytosuccess.Everywordyouaddtoyour vocabulary broadens your understanding of the world, improves your comprehension of what you hear andread,andsharpensyourabilitytoexpressyourideas.Thatisthepremise,andthepromise,ofWord Workout—to help you become a more knowledgeable and confident user of the English language in the mosteffectiveandentertainingwaypossible. SograbyourverbalgymsuitandabottleofEvian(didyouknowthat’snaivespelledbackward?)and letmepumpyouupwithaprofessionalwordworkout! HowBesttoUseThisBook Like Verbal Advantage, Word Workout is arranged in ten increasingly challenging levels consisting of fifty keywords each, and each level is divided into five sets of ten keyword discussions. After each of thesesetsthereisareviewtest.Ifyougeteightanswersormorerightonthereviewtestyoumayproceed tothenextsetoftenkeyworddiscussions.Butifyouscorefewerthaneightcorrectyoushouldreview thatsetofkeywords,oratleasttheonesyougotwrong,beforecontinuingwiththeprogram. When it comes to building your vocabulary there is no substitute for discipline. Try to read Word Workoutforasetamountoftimeeachday,preferablythirtyminutes.Youwillalsobenefitifyougoover thematerialasecondandevenathirdtimebeforetakingeachreviewquizandbeforebeginningeachnew level. Also, don’t rush. You will make better progress if you take your time than if you try to ingest everythinginafewbigbites.Andpleaseresistthetemptationtojumpahead.It’sallrighttofollowmy cross-references, but you will gain the most from Word Workout if you proceed through the lessons in orderwithoutskippingaround. KEYTOPRONUNCIATION a—at a—final,woman ah—spa ahr—car air—fair ay—hay aw—saw ch—chip e—let e—item,novel ee—see eer—deer i—sit i—charity,April,nation kh—asinGermanach,Scottishloch(agutturalsound) ’l—apple,cattle ’m—spasm ’n—hidden (n)—asinFrenchbon,vin,blanc(anasalizedsound) ng—sing o—carrot,summon oh—go oo—soon or—for oor—poor ow—cow oy—toy sh—she th—thin th—this u—focus,column uh—up,but ur—turn uu—pull,took yoreye—by,I zh—measure (y)—indicatesthatsomespeakersemploytheysoundofyouandothersdonot:forexample,N(Y)OO,new Syllablesprintedincapitalsarestressed.Inwordswithprimaryandsecondarystress,thesyllablewith primarystressisprintedinboldfacecapitalsandthesyllablewithsecondarystressisprintedinroman capitals:forexample,pruh-NUHN-see-AY-shin(pronunciation). LISTOFKEYWORDS LEVEL1 1.DEPRAVITY 2.PRESUMPTUOUS 3.GRANDIOSE 4.DISSEMINATE 5.ECLECTIC 6.SERVILE 7.VORACIOUS 8.CONVOLUTED 9.RANT 10.STRATAGEM 11.EMACIATED 12.MISGIVING 13.ADULATION 14.DEVOTEE 15.VIVACIOUS 16.ANACHRONISTIC 17.GARISH 18.QUALM 19.CONSUMMATE 20.IMPERTINENT 21.RAMIFICATION 22.ELUCIDATE 23.ADAGE 24.BESOTTED 25.RUEFUL 26.SPASMODIC 27.DETRITUS 28.AWRY 29.ENCUMBER 30.BLEMISH 31.IMPEDIMENT 32.MODICUM 33.DOSSIER 34.ALLITERATION 35.RECTITUDE 36.VEXATIOUS 37.EPITHET 38.TRAVESTY 39.WANE 40.HUBRIS 41.VICARIOUS 42.STIPULATE 43.DESPOTIC 44.UNSAVORY 45.INTIMATE 46.PREDISPOSE 47.APACE 48.VERDANT 49.CAJOLE 50.BANE LEVEL2 1.DIATRIBE 2.EVOCATION 3.IMBUE 4.REPUGNANT 5.INSOLENT 6.IMPUNITY 7.STAGNATE 8.EMBLEMATIC 9.PLAINTIVE 10.RAPACIOUS 11.PEON 12.INTUIT 13.OPINE 14.LANGUISH 15.VESTIGIAL 16.SOMNOLENT 17.SUPPLANT 18.EUPHEMISM 19.VISCERAL 20.DISPASSIONATE 21.INDEFATIGABLE 22.ARCHETYPE 23.VERACITY 24.MINION 25.INVETERATE 26.EXTOL 27.GAFFE 28.INDOCTRINATE 29.NUANCE 30.PLACATE 31.DEIFY 32.RECAPITULATE 33.LUMINARY 34.CONFOUND 35.SOJOURN 36.ASKEW 37.HISTRIONIC 38.COALESCE 39.LISTLESS 40.ABATE 41.PONDEROUS 42.CONSECRATE 43.FLORID 44.INCORRIGIBLE 45.ASSAIL 46.ELIXIR 47.IMPRESARIO 48.SENTIENT 49.LACKLUSTER 50.BENEFICENT LEVEL3 1.TRIBULATION 2.DERIDE 3.NEFARIOUS 4.IDEOLOGUE 5.DALLIANCE 6.FATUOUS 7.MEANDER 8.CULPABLE 9.SEDATE 10.IMPROPRIETY 11.MEGALOMANIA 12.VOCIFEROUS 13.CONTRIVE 14.NONPLUS 15.IMPERIOUS 16.PRIVATION 17.SUFFUSE 18.DISCONSOLATE 19.CONUNDRUM 20.DOTAGE 21.VACUOUS 22.INTEMPERATE 23.STYMIE 24.AMBROSIA 25.VIVIFY 26.PURLOIN 27.BULWARK 28.MAGISTERIAL 29.TALISMAN 30.STUPEFY 31.RANCOROUS 32.ENNUI 33.CENSORIOUS 34.MARGINALIZE 35.REPROVE 36.RELEGATE 37.BEHEMOTH 38.INCENDIARY 39.STALWART 40.ENMITY 41.MALIGN 42.LIBATION 43.GESTICULATE 44.CIRCUMLOCUTION 45.BESMIRCH 46.IMMUTABLE 47.DECLAIM 48.THRALL 49.SATE 50.GADFLY LEVEL4 1.HACKNEYED 2.INIQUITY 3.WHIMSICAL 4.ENSCONCE 5.PLUTOCRAT 6.BEATIFIC 7.UNFETTERED 8.ESTRANGE 9.SIBILANT 10.PUNDIT 11.REDOLENT 12.DEMAGOGUE 13.MAUDLIN 14.BEGRUDGE 15.AVOWAL 16.PROSELYTIZE 17.GUILELESS 18.UNCONSCIONABLE 19.CONFLATE 20.ANIMUS 21.SWATH 22.CONFLAGRATION 23.RAREFIED 24.MENDICANT 25.RECOMPENSE 26.INUNDATE 27.AGGRANDIZE 28.OUTRÉ 29.QUINTESSENTIAL 30.PANDER 31.SACROSANCT 32.INDOMITABLE 33.METTLE 34.ELLIPSIS 35.PETULANT 36.DEIGN 37.BERATE 38.HARBINGER 39.CORPULENT 40.AGGRIEVED 41.POLYGLOT 42.COMPORT 43.REVILE 44.PERSPICACIOUS 45.TRIUMVIRATE 46.AUGURY 47.PALLID 48.INDOLENT 49.UTILITARIAN 50.SALACIOUS LEVEL5 1.BEREFT 2.NEMESIS 3.EQUIVOCATE 4.PHILISTINE 5.BACCHANALIAN 6.SCHISM 7.LINGUAFRANCA 8.WINSOME 9.PATRICIAN 10.REDACT 11.PRÉCIS 12.TAXONOMY 13.SUBLIMINAL 14.MISANTHROPY 15.IMPRIMATUR 16.CANARD 17.PERFIDIOUS 18.EPIPHANY 19.PRATTLE 20.PLEBEIAN 21.GULL 22.COMPENDIOUS 23.RHAPSODIZE 24.OXYMORON 25.PROVENANCE 26.LAISSEZ-FAIRE 27.PRETERNATURAL 28.DISABUSE 29.COURTESAN 30.DEBAUCH 31.BRAGGADOCIO 32.FLAGELLATE 33.INSURGENT 34.PANACHE 35.OMNIBUS 36.MILITATE 37.NIHILISTIC 38.TORPID 39.SEMINAL 40.CRAVEN 41.MALADROIT 42.GORMANDIZE 43.POLEMICAL 44.EPOCHAL 45.COGNOSCENTI 46.IMMOLATE 47.HIDEBOUND 48.MOLDER 49.FRATRICIDE 50.SPLENETIC LEVEL6 1.INELUCTABLE 2.MORIBUND 3.BELLWETHER 4.PERMUTATION 5.INTERLOPE 6.HECTOR 7.DISSOLUTE 8.LINEAMENTS 9.CHURLISH 10.PREPOSSESSING 11.ELEGIAC 12.UKASE 13.ASPERITY 14.DELECTATION 15.BOOTLESS 16.EXPLICATE 17.PEJORATIVE 18.LABYRINTHINE 19.LEONINE 20.DOCTRINAIRE 21.PRESCIENCE 22.LOCUTION 23.OLFACTORY 24.LOGOPHILE 25.PERTURB 26.DISSIMULATE 27.BAUBLE 28.CONTRARIAN 29.LUMMOX 30.FECUND 31.HOIPOLLOI 32.FELICITOUS 33.PAEAN 34.SERENDIPITY 35.EPISTOLARY 36.GUSTATORY 37.COSSET 38.RIPOSTE 39.PATOIS 40.ANIMADVERSION 41.EXEGESIS 42.DOYENNE 43.ACIDULOUS 44.GELD 45.BATHOS 46.OVERWEENING 47.FEBRILE 48.BENIGHTED 49.TURPITUDE 50.IMPRECATION LEVEL7 1.SIMPER 2.DENUDE 3.SUIGENERIS 4.JEREMIAD 5.SOBRIQUET 6.REGNANT 7.HAUTEUR 8.PATERFAMILIAS 9.APOGEE 10.MIEN 11.DYSPEPTIC 12.ANAPHORA 13.PHILANDER 14.MISSIVE 15.PENULTIMATE 16.ZEITGEIST 17.SENTENTIOUS 18.INTERDICT 19.MALAISE 20.PROGENY 21.BELIE 22.FACTOTUM 23.JINGOISM 24.GAINSAY 25.NEOLOGY 26.EXCRESCENCE 27.CORBEL 28.SEDULOUS 29.MAUNDER 30.SALTATION 31.ANODYNE 32.AUTODIDACTIC 33.JOCUND 34.SIMULACRUM 35.LAMBENT 36.SUPERVENE 37.VAINGLORIOUS 38.PETRIFACTION 39.FECULENT 40.SOLOMONIC 41.LEITMOTIF 42.SCARAMOUCH 43.EFFLORESCE 44.SKEIN 45.INTERSTICE 46.COMMENTARIAT 47.PEREGRINATION 48.FILIGREE 49.GIMCRACK 50.IMMITIGABLE LEVEL8 1.PANOPLY 2.RECHERCHÉ 3.VERTIGINOUS 4.KISMET 5.TEMPORIZE 6.PLEONASM 7.VERISIMILITUDE 8.CABAL 9.POSTPRANDIAL 10.ONOMATOPOEIA 11.DUDGEON 12.HEGEMONY 13.PREMONITORY 14.RETRONYM 15.RECUSE 16.PENURY 17.ROUÉ 18.LUDDITE 19.SCHADENFREUDE 20.COSTIVE 21.GALLIMAUFRY 22.ANALECTS 23.PARTURITION 24.ATRABILIOUS 25.TRANSMOGRIFY 26.SCREED 27.MATUTINAL 28.CRAPULENT 29.IPSOFACTO 30.DEBOUCH 31.IMMURE 32.CORRIGENDUM 33.LATITUDINARIAN 34.STENTORIAN 35.ABECEDARIAN 36.JUVENILIA 37.HIDALGO 38.ELEEMOSYNARY 39.PLANGENT 40.LAGNIAPPE 41.ACOLYTE 42.CHATOYANT 43.DOPPELGÄNGER 44.SUPERNUMERARY 45.REBARBATIVE 46.LOUCHE 47.INTERREGNUM 48.ALEMBIC 49.OLEAGINOUS 50.WASTREL LEVEL9 1.SANGFROID 2.DESUETUDE 3.SHIBBOLETH 4.CRIDECOEUR 5.INCUNABULA 6.CHEF-D’OEUVRE 7.IAMB 8.FRISSON 9.PRELAPSARIAN 10.MÉTIER 11.ABLUTION 12.APOSTASY 13.SUMPTUARY 14.TATTERDEMALION 15.ABJURE 16.NOBLESSEOBLIGE 17.PRIMOGENITURE 18.XERIC 19.UXORIOUS 20.OPPUGN 21.AGNOSIA 22.CASUISTRY 23.PARAPRAXIS 24.POLYMATH 25.ENCOMIUM 26.CHARRETTE 27.DEBRIDE 28.LAPIDARY 29.OVIPAROUS 30.MARMOREAL 31.NUGATORY 32.PRESBYCUSIS 33.CICERONE 34.PANSOPHIC 35.RUBICUND 36.PICARESQUE 37.ENDOGENOUS 38.PERORATE 39.ONYCHOPHAGY 40.DÉJÀLU 41.VERBIGERATE 42.TENEBROUS 43.AGNATE 44.ULULATE 45.ZUCCHETTO 46.PSEUDANDRY 47.CAESURA 48.PHILODOX 49.VALETUDINARIAN 50.APOTHEOSIS LEVEL10 1.CHIAROSCURO 2.CONTEMN 3.APOLOGIA 4.GORGONIZE 5.SCHOLIA 6.CATHECT 7.SORTILEGE 8.TERPSICHOREAN 9.ESPRITDEL’ESCALIER 10.POPINJAY 11.CATACHRESIS 12.ETIOLOGY 13.DEMIMONDE 14.NUMINOUS 15.LEXIPHANIC 16.BRACHIATE 17.QUIDNUNC 18.CATECHUMEN 19.SYBARITE 20.QUISLING 21.CATHOLICON 22.DISCALCED 23.INCONDITE 24.AFFLATUS 25.FLANEUR 26.QUOMODOCUNQUIZE 27.PASQUINADE 28.XANTHIPPE 29.POCOCURANTE 30.HOMUNCULUS 31.MORGANATIC 32.PARALEIPSIS 33.MUMPSIMUS 34.BIBLIOPHAGIC 35.CORYBANTIC 36.AUBADE 37.LYCANTHROPY 38.NULLIPARA 39.WELTSCHMERZ 40.NOETIC 41.QUIDDITY 42.RESISTENTIALISM 43.NULLIBIQUITOUS 44.FLOCCULENT 45.BOUSTROPHEDON 46.CLINQUANT 47.CASTELLATED 48.ULTRACREPIDARIAN 49.THERSITICAL 50.PERENDINATE LEVEL1 Word1:DEPRAVITY(di-PRAV-i-tee) Wickedness,moralperversion,corruptorevilcharacterorbehavior. Synonymsofdepravityincludedeviancy,degeneracy,baseness,vileness,iniquity(word2ofLevel4), debauchery(di-BAWCH-uh-ree,seedebauch,word30ofLevel5),andturpitude(word49ofLevel6). Antonyms include virtue, integrity, uprightness, rectitude (word 35 of Level 1), scrupulousness, impeccability,andprobity. Depravity began as the shorter word pravity, which came to English in the 16th century through Middle French pravité from the Latin prāvitās, crookedness, irregularity, deformity. The prefix de-, whichhasseveralmeanings,wasaddedbythemid-17thcenturyandinthisinstancemeanscompletely, thoroughly,tothebottomorcore,asindenude(di-N[Y]OOD),tostripcompletely,makebare;despoil (di-SPOYL),totakeallthespoils,andthustorob,plunder,pillage;anddeliquesce(DEL-i-KWES), to meltawaycompletely,dissolve. In modern usage depravity always applies to morals and, because of that intensifying prefix de-, suggeststhoroughcorruptionorwickedness:thesexualpredator’sdepravity.Theadjectiveisdepraved, corrupt,wicked,perverted,asdepravedfantasies,adepravedlifestyle,adepravedappetitefordrugs. Word2:PRES UMPTUOUS (pri-ZUHMP-choo-us) Overlyforward,takingundueliberties,actingorspeakingtooboldly,venturingbeyondthelimitsofproperbehaviororgoodsense. Synonyms of presumptuous include arrogant, impertinent (word 20 of Level 1), impudent, insolent (word5ofLevel2),shameless,overweening(word46ofLevel6),andbrazen. Oneofthemeaningsoftheverbtopresumeistotakeundueliberties,or,totakeupononeselfwithout permissionorauthority.Forexample,youcanpresumetoknowwhat’sgoodforsomeoneelse,presume youcandosomethingbetterthansomeoneelse,orpresumetospeakwhenyououghttobesilent. Fromthissenseofpresumecomestheadjectivepresumptuous,overlyforward,undulyconfidentor bold.Whenyouarepresumptuousyougobeyondwhatisconsideredappropriateorproper,oryoutakeit uponyourselftodoorsaysomethingwithoutpermissionorauthority.Apresumptuouspersontakesundue libertieswithothers,suchasbossingthemaroundormakingunwantedamorousadvances.Presumptuous speechisoverlyboldorarrogant.Presumptuouslogicisoverlyconfidentinitsrightnessandarrogantly ignorestheflawsinitsreasoning. Initsmorecommonsense,presumemeanstosuppose,believe,takeforgranted,infer—aswhenSir HenryMortonStanley,uponfindingtheexplorerDavidLivingstoneinUjiji,Tanzania,in1871,famously asked,“Dr.Livingstone,Ipresume?”Inthissenseitisofteninterchangeablewithassume.Butsometimes afinedistinctioncanbedrawnbetweenthesetwowords. Whenyouassume,yousupposesomethingthatisrealisticorprobable,thatislikelytohappenorbe true: teachers assume that their students will do their homework; employees assume they will be paid. When you presume, you suppose more boldly and confidently, believing or asserting the likelihood or truthofsomethingthatmaybedoubtfulorwrong:optimistspresumethingswillalwaysworkoutforthe better;studentsoftenpresumetoknowtheanswertoateacher’squestion. The distinction between the nouns assumption and presumption, however, is slightly different. An assumptioncanbeanythingsupposedortakenforgranted,oftenwithoutanyprobableevidence:“Before CopernicusandGalileo,thecommonassumptionwasthattheearthwasflat.”Apresumptionisanything supposed or believed that is based on probable, though not conclusive, evidence: “The $3.8 trillion budgetreleasedbytheWhiteHouseonMondayincludes$150billionindeficitreductionover10years onthepresumptionthatahealthcarebillwillbeadopted”(TheNewYorkTimes). Inlaw,thenotionthatadefendantisinnocentuntilprovedguiltyiscalled“presumptionofinnocence,” whichBlack’sLawDictionarydefinesas“thefundamentalprinciplethatapersonmaynotbeconvicted ofacrimeunlessthegovernmentprovesguiltbeyondareasonabledoubt,withoutanyburdenplacedon theaccusedtoproveinnocence.” Word3:GRANDIOS E(GRAN-dee-ohs,rhymeswithhandydose) Showyandgrandinanexaggerated,artificialway;affected,inflated,pompous. Synonyms of grandiose include pretentious, highflown, ostentatious (AH-sten-TAY-shus), bombastic (bahm-BAS-tik),grandiloquent(gran-DIL-uh-kwint),andturgid(TUR-jid). Althoughgrandiosehasbeenusedofthingsthatareimpressivewithoutbeingobjectionable—aswhen Ralph Waldo Emerson, in 1843, wrote, “This grandiose character pervades his wit and his imagination”—thewordisusuallyusedinadisparagingwayofsomethingthattriessohardtoimpressor appeargrandthatitseemsshowyandpompous.Aperson’swayofdressing,behaving,orspeakingcanbe describedasgrandioseifitissoaffectedorexaggeratedastoborderontheabsurd. Grandiose may also mean unnecessarily complicated or elaborate, extravagant, overblown. In this senseweoftenhearorreadofgrandioseplans,ideas,ordreams,andgrandiosearchitecture,music,or terminology. Thenounisgrandiosity(GRAN-dee-AH-si-tee). Word4:DIS S EMINATE(di-SEM-i-nayt) Tospreadwidely,scatterasifsowingseed. The verb to disseminate comes from the Latin dissēmināre, to sow, spread abroad, from dis-, apart, away, and sēmen, sēmĭnis, seed, that which is sown or planted, the direct source of the English semen (SEE-min), which dictionaries typically define as “a viscid, whitish fluid produced in the male reproductiveorgansandcarryingspermatozoa.”Viscid(VIS-id),bytheway,meansthickandsticky. TheLatinsēmen,sēmĭnis,seed,isalsothesourceofthewordsseminary and seminal. A seminary may be a place where something originates and is nurtured and developed (a seminary of provocative ideasfortacklingsocialproblems),oraschoolwherepeoplestudytheologyandaretrainedtobecome ministers,priests,orrabbis.Theadjectiveseminal(word39ofLevel5)literallymeanslikeaseed,and therefore so original and important as to influence later development or future events (a seminal scientificstudythatchartedthecourseofallsubsequentresearch). Synonyms of disseminate include broadcast, disperse, and promulgate. Of these, to broadcast, to spreadabroad,makewidelyknown,isclosestinmeaningtodisseminate.Todispersemaymeantomove orscatterindifferentdirections,asthecrowddispersed;tosendordriveoffindifferentdirections,as thepolicedispersedthecrowd;or,likedisseminate,tospreadabroadorabout,distribute,astodisperse heat or a disease dispersed throughout the city. To promulgate (pro-MUHL-gayt or PRAHM-ul-gayt) means to make known formally or officially, publish, proclaim, as to promulgate a new policy of amnesty,ortoteachpublicly,advocateopenly,astopromulgatethedoctrineofnonviolence. Word5:ECLECTIC(i-KLEK-tik) Variedordiverseinaninterestingway;selecting,orconsistingofselections,fromavarietyofsources,especiallythebestofthosesources. “Notconfinedtoanyonemodelorsystem,”saysTheCenturyDictionary,“butselectingandappropriatingwhateverisconsideredbestin all.” Although the adjectives eclectic and diverse are close in meaning, they are not synonymous. Diverse meanshavingvariety,consistingofdifferentkinds.Youcanhavediverseopinions,adiversesociety,ora diversewardrobe.Incarefulusage,eclecticdoesnotmeanmerelyvariedbutratherselectedthoughtfully, with the goal of achieving an interesting variety. Thus, although an eclectic collection of music may include many kinds of music, and in this sense be diverse, eclectic also implies that this variety was achievedbycarefulselectionratherthanbychance. Unfortunately,eclecticisoftenusedasashowysubstitutefordiversebywriterswhoarenotsensitive tothesubtledistinctionbetweenthesewords.Forexample,thephraseChina’seclecticcuisine is poor usagebecausetheChineseinventedtheirowndiversecuisine;theydidnotselectitwithcarefromother greatcuisinesoftheworld.Andthephraseaneclecticmixofpeoplemilledinfrontofthebuilding is alsopoorusagebecausethemixisrandom,notintentionallyarranged.Onlyifpeoplehavebeenchosento createanespeciallyinterestingmixcanagroupbecalledeclectic. Haphazardmeansselectedorassembledatrandomorbychance,withoutanythoughtforarrangement. Diverse and miscellaneous both mean of mixed character, composed of different kinds of things, and usuallydonotimplyjudgmentortasteinselection.Eclecticshouldalwaysimplyjudgmentandtastein selection,especiallychoosingthebestfromavarietyofsources.Aneclecticapproachtophilosophyor religion selects from them those ideas that seem best, while an eclectic diner will go to various restaurants,samplingabithereandabitthere,lookingforthebestfaretobehad. Word6:S ERVILE(SUR-vil,rhymeswithchervil) Likeaslave,slavish,submissive,obedient,subservient,yielding. Servile is the adjective. The noun is servility (sur-VIL-i-tee), submissive behavior, unquestioning obedience,ortheconditionofbeingaslaveorservant. Synonymsofservileincludegroveling,fawning,truckling,toadying,sycophantic(SIK-uh-FAN-tik), and obsequious (uhb-SEE-kwee-us). All these words suggest submissive behavior, but in slightly differentways. Togrovel(GRAH-vulorGRUH-vul),fromMiddleEnglishandOldNorsewordsmeaningfacedown, prone,istolieorcrawlwithone’sfacedown.Because,indaysofyore,thispositionwasassumedto show humility and obedience before a noble person or one’s superiors, grovel came to be used figurativelytomeantohumbleoneselfoutofloyalty,remorse,orfear. Tofawn,whichdatesbackto1225,originallyappliedtoanimals,especiallydogs,andmeanttoshow delight,affection,oradesireforattentioninthemannerofadog—inotherwords,towagthetail,whine, crouch,rollsubmissively,andsoon.Bytheearly14thcenturyfawnhadcometobeusedfigurativelyof submissivebehaviorintendedtogainnoticeorfavor,andtodaythiswordappliestoanyonewhocurries favor by apple-polishing or kissing up: the pop star’s fawning admirers; she fawned on her boss in hopesofapromotion. Whatwenowcallatrundlebed,akindoflowbedthatmovesoncastersandcanslideunderalarger bedwhennotinuse,wasoriginallycalledatrucklebed.Theverbtotruckleatfirstmeanttosleepina trucklebed,butbecausethepersonwhosleptinthetrucklebedwasinvariablytheservantorpupilofthe master,whosleptinthemorecomfortablehighbed,trucklesooncametomeantoactlikeaservantora fawningpupil,tosubmitoryieldmeekly.Youcantruckleto,asinthis1789quotationfromSamuelParr’s Tracts Warburton: “He was … too proud to truckle to a Superior.” Or you can truckle for, as in this quotationfrom1885:“Doubtfulpeopleofallsortsandconditionsbeggingandtrucklingforyournotice.” InhisDictionaryofWordOrigins,JosephT.Shipleytellshow“medievaltravelingmedicine-men” usedtohaveanassistantwhowouldswallowalivetoad,orseemto,“sothatthemastercoulddisplay his healing powers.” The assistant came to be called a toadeater, which was eventually shortened to toadyandusedofanyflatteringfollower,apersonwhotrucklestotherichorpowerful.Totoadyistobe likeatoady,tobeayes-manorapplepolisher. Asycophant(SIK-uh-funt,with-phantasinelephant)isanespeciallyself-servingkindoftoady.The wordgoesbacktoancientGreekandinEnglishoriginallymeantaninformerormaliciousaccuser.Today the word refers to those who attempt to gain influence or advancement through fawning flattery and slavishsubservience.Andwhilethetoadyismerelyafaithfulfollowerorservant,underneathhisguiseof servilitythesycophantisusuallyaschemingbackstabber. The adjective obsequious comes from the Latin obsĕqui, to comply with, yield to, obey. The obsequiouspersonfollowsthewishesorbowstothewillofanother,andisalwaysreadyandwillingto serve,please,orobey.“Iseeyouareobsequiousinyourlove,”wroteShakespeareinTheMerryWives ofWindsor. Ourkeyword,servile,comesfromtheLatinadjectiveservīlis,slavish,ofaslave,fromservire,tobe a servant or slave. Because of this derivation, servile has always been used of those who accept an inferiorpositionandwhatevermenialdutiesandundignifiedconcessionscomewithit.Aservileperson isabootlicker,akowtower,onewhobehavesinthebowing,cringingmannerofaservantorslave. Antonyms of servile include unruly, defiant, intractable (in-TRAK-tuh-bul), refractory (ri-FRAKtur-ee),recalcitrant(ri-KAL-si-trant),andintransigent(in-TRAN-si-jent). Word7:VORACIOUS (vor-AY-shus) Extremelyhungry,havingalargeappetiteorcravingsthataredifficulttosatisfy. Voraciousmaybeusedeitherliterally,ofgreatphysicalhunger,orfiguratively,eitherofagreatappetite for intellectual or emotional nourishment or of an excessive eagerness or greed for something. A voraciousreaderisanextremelyavidreader;avoraciousloverisonewhoseappetiteforeroticpleasure cannotbesatisfied;avoraciouslookisahungry,desirous,andperhapspredatorylook. Synonymsofvoraciousinitsliteralsenseincludefamishedandgluttonous.Synonymsofvoracious in both its literal and figurative senses include insatiable (in-SAY-shuh-bul or in-SAY-shee-uh-bul), ravenous,rapacious(word10ofLevel2),andedacious(ee-DAY-shus). Word8:CONVOLUTED(KAHN-vuh-LOO-tid) Intricate,complicated,veryinvolved,hardtounravel. ConvolutedcomesfromtheLatinconvolūtus,thepastparticipleoftheverbconvolvĕre,torolltogether, rollround,intertwine,thesourcealsooftheunusualverbtoconvolve,torollup,coil,twist,andthemore familiarnounconvolution,awinding,coil,twistorfold,asofsomethingrolleduponitself:“Ithathmany convolutions, as worms lying together have,” says the earliest citation for this word, from 1545, in the OxfordEnglishDictionary(hereaftertheOED). Themorninggloryisacommonplantknownforitsabilitytosupportitselfbytwiningaroundanything itsvigoroustendrilscangrasp.Likethemorningglory,whichtwistsandcoilsitselfaroundthings,that whichisconvolutedissointricateandcomplex,sofoldedinuponitself,thatitisdifficultandsometimes impossibletounravel.Along,complexargument—orevenacomplicatedsentence—isoftendescribedas convoluted.Mathematicalequationsandphilosophicalreasoningcanbeconvoluted,andtheregulations ofthefederaltaxcodearenotoriouslyconvoluted.Thehumanbodyalsohasitswell-knownconvolutions: thebrainisaconvolutedmassofgrayandwhitematter,andifyouweretounraveltheconvolutionsofthe smallintestineitwouldstretchtomorethantwentyfeet. Word9:RANT(rhymeswithslantandcan’t) Tospeakinanexcited,vehement,orviolentmanner;speakferventlyorfuriously. Synonyms of the verb to rant include to storm, rage, rail, denounce, fulminate (FUHL- or FUUL-minayt),andinveigh(in-VAY). To rant comes from an obsolete Dutch word meaning to talk foolishly, rave. In the early 1600s ShakespeareandBenJonsonusedranttomeantospeakordeclaiminanextravagantormelodramatic manner,andthewordhassinceoftenbeenappliedtoactorsororatorswhodeliveredgrandiosespeeches. Though this sense is still in good standing, by the mid-1600s the now-familiar expression to rant and ravehadappearedinprint,andrantbyitselfwasmoreoftenusedtomeantotalkinawild,furious,or deliriousmanner.Bytheearly20thcenturyranthadalsocometobeusedtomeantoengageinalong, vehement, and often furious speech. The noun rant is a lengthy and intemperate expression of outrage, dissatisfaction,ordisgust.(Intemperateisword22ofLevel3.) Word10:S TRATAGEM(STRAT-uh-jem) Atrick,deception,ruse,artifice;specifically,acleverschemeorartfulmaneuverusedtodeceive,outwit,orgainanadvantageoveranenemy, adversary,orrival. StratagemcomesfromtheGreekstratēgein,tobeincommand,fromstratēgos, a military commander, general, and is related to the more common word strategy. A stratagem, a deceptive and sometimes underhandedmaneuver,isoneelementofastrategy,whichisamorefar-reachingplantoachieveagoal orattainvictory.Forexample,theD-dayinvasionofEuropeatNormandywasthestratagemtheAllies employedintheirfinalpushtodefeatHitler.Andaruthlessbusinessstrategytooutstripthecompetition mightinvolvevariousethicallyquestionablestratagems. Although stratagem comes ultimately from ancient Greek, English acquired the word in the 15th centuryfromtheOldFrenchstratageme,whichiswhywespellitwithanainthesecondsyllableandnot withane,asinstrategy.Takecaretospellitstratagem,notstrategem. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Let’sreviewthetenkeywordsyou’vejustlearned.Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhether thecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answersappearhere. 1.Wouldstealingaloafofbreadtofeedyourstarvingfamilybeasignofdepravity? 2.Isitpresumptuoustoaskfordirectionswhenyou’relost? 3.Cansomeone’sspeechbegrandiose? 4.Doesthesanitationdepartmentdisseminategarbage? 5.Canaperson’slibrarybeeclectic? 6.Isadisobedientchildbeingservile? 7.Ifyoucan’tgetenoughofsomething,areyouvoracious? 8.Canwritingbeconvoluted? 9.Doradiotalkshowhostssometimesrantaboutpolitics? 10.Wouldanunsuccessfulstratagemhelpyougainanadvantage? *** Nowlet’sturntothefirstofthefeaturesthatwillappearthroughoutWordWorkoutaftereachsetoften keyworddiscussions. DifficultDistinctions:MayandMight Some people think the words may and might are interchangeable, but they are not. There is a subtle differenceinthedegreeofprobabilitytheyexpress. “May poses a possibility; might adds a greater degree of uncertainty to the possibility,” writes Theodore M. Bernstein in The Careful Writer. “This shade of difference appears in the following sentence:‘Anybroadcastingstationthatairsmorecommercialsthanthecodeallowsmaybefined,andin extremecasesitslicensemightbetakenaway.’” Toputthatanotherway,mayindicatesgreaterpossibilitythanmight.Ifaweatherreportsaysitmay rain,youshouldtakeanumbrella.Ifitsaysitmightrain,youcantaketheumbrellaortakeyourchances. DifficultDistinctions:AorAn? “Inelementaryschool,Iwastaughttouseanbeforevowelsandabeforeconsonants,”writesafaithful readernamedJames.“ButrecentlyI’veheardmoreandmorepeoplesayanbeforewordsbeginningwith h,inphrasessuchasanhistoricevent.Isthiscorrect?” Yourteacherstaughtyouright.Ifawordbeginswithavowelorvowelsound,usean (an idea, an egg).Ifitbeginswithaconsonant,usea(a friend, a story). The general rule, say nearly all the usage guidespublishedsincethe19thcentury,isthatifthehissounded,usea.Ifitissilent,usean. Thus, a history,ahappening,ahumbleman,butanhour,anhonor,anherb. The problem with certain words beginning with h, such as historic, is that the first syllable is not stressedandthehmayseemtobesuppressed,sothespeakeristemptedtousean.TheBrits,whohavea history of dropping their h’s, tend to use an—except with herb, because they pronounce the h. But in AmericanEnglishthehissoundedinhistoric,historical,hysterical,hypnosis,humble,andheroic,and, asMarkTwainnotedbackin1882,“CorrectwritersoftheAmericanlanguagedonotputanbeforethose words.” *** Nowlet’smoveontothenexttenkeywordsinLevel1: Word11:EMACIATED(i-MAY-shee-ay-tid) Ofapersonoranimal,abnormallythin,wastedawayfromdiseaseorstarvation.Theverbistoemaciate(i-MAY-shee-ayt),towasteaway, becomeabnormallyleanorthin. Emaciated applies only to people and animals; it is not used of plants or inanimate objects. Thus, you coulduseemaciatedofastarvingpersonoranabnormallythinmodel,butyouwouldsayawithered or shriveledflowerandadeterioratedordilapidatedhouse. Synonyms of emaciated include scrawny, gaunt, shrunken, skeletal, haggard, malnourished, rawboned, and wizened (WIZ-und). Antonyms include obese, portly, rotund, corpulent (word 39 of Level4),andpursy(PUR-see),whichmeansshort-windedfrombeingoverweight;hence,fat. Word12:MIS GIVING(mis-GIV-ing) Afeelingofdoubt,hesitation,uneasiness,suspicion,ordread. Theprefixmis-beginsmanyEnglishwordsandoftenmeansbad,badly,wrong,orwrongly.Forexample, a misadventure is a bad, unfortunate adventure; misbegotten means badly begotten, poorly or illegally conceived;tomisrepresentistorepresentwronglyorfalsely;andtomisuseistouseinthewrongway.A misgivingisbyderivationthegivingofabadfeeling. The noun misgiving was formed in the late 16th century from the now unusual and literary verb to misgive,toarousesuspicion,doubt,orfearinthemindorheart,aswhenJohnMiltonwritesinParadise Lost(1667),“Yetofthisheart,divineofsomethingill,misgavehim.”Misgivingisprobablymoreoften used in the plural, misgivings, of feelings that shake one’s confidence, belief, or trust: “They began to havemisgivingsabouttheprojectafterresidentsexpressedtheirstrongoppositionatthetownmeeting”; “Itwasanamorousadventure,yethedidnotenterintoitwithoutcertainmisgivings,forhedidnotknow whethershewassincereormerelyplayingwithhisfeelings.” Thenounqualm,keyword18ofthislevel,isaclosesynonymofmisgiving. Word13:ADULATION(AJ-uh-LAY-shin) Excessiveadmiration,praise,orflattery;overzealousdevotion;heroworship. Synonyms of adulation include fawning, servility, blandishment, obsequiousness (uhb-SEE-kwee-usnis), and sycophancy (SIK-uh-fun-see). All these words—especially servility, obsequiousness, and sycophancy—imply submissive, deferential, or slavish behavior that is designed to gain favorable attention. AdulationcomesfromtheLatinverbadūlāri,tofawnuponlikeadog,cringebefore,andsincethe poetGeoffreyChaucerusedit,in1380,thewordhashadthepejorativeconnotationofdoglikeservility. (Canyoudiscern—todetectwiththeeyesorthemind—fromthecontextwhatpejorativemeans?You’ll meet pejorative again, as word 17 of Level 6.) While adoration is pure, denoting reverent homage (HAHM-ij), love, or worship, adulation is exaggerated and sometimes hypocritical, suggesting not respect or veneration but a servile devotion or false flattery that seeks to gain favor. “Adulation ever followstheambitious,forsuchalonereceivepleasurefromflattery,”wroteOliverGoldsmithin1766. The words compliment, flattery, and adulation all suggest admiration, but in different ways. A complimentiscourteouspraise;itmaybepersonalandheartfeltordignifiedandformal,butitisnever exaggerated or insincere. Flattery is artful and sometimes hypocritical praise designed to appeal to someone’s vanity. Adulation is excessive praise, flattery taken to an undignified or shamelessly servile extreme. Adulationisthenoun.Toadulate(AJ-uh-layt),toflatter,praise,oradmireexcessively,istheverb.A person who adulates is an adulator (AJ-uh-LAY-tur), and the adjective is adulatory (AJ-uh-luh-TORee),markedbyservileflatteryorexcessivepraise.JamesBoswellwastheadulatorybiographerofthe 18th-centuryEnglishessayistandlexicographerSamuelJohnson.(Alexicographer[LEKS-i-KAHG-ruhfur]isamakeroreditorofdictionaries.) Word14:DEVOTEE(dev-uh-TEE) Apersondevotedtosomething;anenthusiasticorardentfollower,admirer,orpractitioner. Synonyms of devotee include fan, buff, enthusiast (en-THOO-zee-ast, not -ist), and aficionado (uhFISH-yuh-NAH-doh), which comes directly from the Spanish aficionado, from the verb aficionar, to becomefondof.Aficionado,whichfirstappearedinEnglishinthe1840s,originallymeantadevoteeof thesportofbullfighting,butbythe1880sitsmeaningwasextendedtoincludeanyardentfan,follower,or practitionerofsomething,asinthissentencefromJohnSteinbeck’sRussianJournal,publishedin1949: “AlittleswingbandwasledbyEdGilmore,whoisaswingaficionado.” Devotee,asyoumightimagine,isrelatedtotheverbtodevoteandthenoundevotion.Allthreewords comefromtheLatindēvōtus,devoted,attached,avowed.Devoteecombinesdevote with the suffix -ee, whichcomesfromFrenchanddenotestheobject,beneficiary,orperformerofwhateveractoractionthe verb it is attached to specifies. For example, an appointee is a person you appoint; an employee is a personyouemploy;andanescapeeisapersonwhoescapes.Devotees,therefore,arepeoplewhodevote themselvespassionatelytosomething.Youcanbeadevoteeofalmostanythingthatcanbefollowedor practicedenthusiastically,fromsports,yoga,andcookingtomusic,history,andreligion. Word15:VIVACIOUS (vi-VAY-shusor,lessoften,vy-VAY-shus) Filledwithlivelyspirit,vigorous,high-spirited,energetic. Thenounisvivacity(vi-VAS-i-tee),liveliness,vigorousness,highspirits. Synonyms of vivacious include frisky, sprightly, animated, vibrant, frolicsome, and effervescent (EF-ur-VES-int). Effervescent comes from the Latin effervescĕre, to boil or foam up, and may mean eitherliterallybubblingorfullofbubbles,likesoftdrinksorchampagne,orfigurativelybubblingwith energyordelight,aseffervescentconversationoreffervescentmusic. Antonymsofvivaciousincludelethargic,somnolent(SAHM-nuh-lint, word 16 of Level 2), listless (word39ofLevel2),languid,enervated,apathetic,indolent(word48ofLevel4),phlegmatic (flegMAT-ik),andtorpid(word38ofLevel5). Vivacious comes from the Latin adjective vīvax, vīvācis, which meant either long-lived or brisk, lively,vigorous.ThisLatinadjectivecomesinturnfromtheverbvīvĕre, to live, the source of various Englishwords,amongthemtorevive,tobringbacktolife;vivid,fulloflife,hencebrightorintense;and vital,necessarytoorpertainingtolife,orhavinggreatenergyorforce.SincevivaciousenteredEnglish in the mid-17th century, writers have used it to describe a person’s appearance, mood, behavior, character, or intellect, as a vivacious countenance, a vivacious temperament, a vivacious greeting, vivacious students, and a vivacious mind. They have even used it of speech and writing, as in loud, vivacioustalkandabookfilledwithvivaciousnonsense. The words lively and vivacious both mean vigorous, full of life, but lively suggests brisk energy, alertness,orquickness,whilevivacioussuggestshighspirits,cheerfulness,ormirth. Word16:ANACHRONIS TIC(uh-NAK-ruh-NIS-tik) Misplacedintime,notinproperchronologicalplaceororder;hence,byextension,out-of-date,outmoded,obsolete. Ananachronism(uh-NAK-ruh-niz’m),thenoun,isapersonorthingoutofitsproperhistoricalplace,in thewrongtime,orsimplyout-of-date. AnachronismandanachronisticbothgobacktotheGreekanachronismós, a wrong time reference. They are formed from the prefix ana-, which means against or back, and chron(o)-, a combining form from the Greek chrónos, time, that appears in many other English words, such as chronic, lasting over time; chronological, arranged in order of time; and chronicle, an account of events in order of time, a history.Thus,byderivationanachronismandanachronisticpertaintothingsthatgoagainsttime,donot belongintheirtime,orthatgobackintime,thatseemtobelongtoaprevioustime. Somethinganachronisticmaybeoutofkeepingwiththepresenttime,asananachronisticsuitfromthe 1940s, or foreign to, not belonging to, any particular time—whether past, present, or future. In modern medicine, leeching is an anachronistic treatment, but a thousand years from now our most advanced treatments for cancer, such as radiation and chemotherapy, may be considered sadly anachronistic, belonging to a previous time, outmoded. And the author of a historical novel, set in the past, must take caretoavoidwordsandexpressionsthatareobviouslyanachronistic,outofkeepingwiththetimeperiod ofthestorybecausetheywerecoinedatsomelaterdate. Word17:GARIS H(GAIR-ish) Excessivelyshowyorbright;harshlyorcrudelycolorful;attractingattentioninaloudandtastelessway. Synonyms of garish include flashy, gaudy, tawdry, and meretricious (MER-uh-TRISH-us). All these wordsareusedofthatwhichisshowyandvulgar. Flashy suggests sparkling or brilliant showiness that is momentary or superficial: flashy piano playing;flashytraveldestinationslikeLasVegas. Gaudy suggests showiness that is especially tasteless: gaudy costume jewelry; the bowlers’ gaudy shirts. Tawdry means showy and cheap, of inferior quality, and may be used literally or figuratively: the knockoffstore’stawdryclothing;atawdryreputation. MeretriciouscomesfromaLatinwordmeaningpertainingtoprostitutes,andisusedofsomeoneor something superficially or deceptively attractive: meretricious eyes; meretricious decorations; a meretriciousargument. Garish suggests excessive showiness or unpleasant brightness, and is used of that which tries to attractattentioninaloudandtastelessway:garishneonlights;NewYorkCity’sgarishTimesSquare; garishmodernarchitecturethatconfusesornamentationwithstyle. Word18:QUALM(KWAHM,rhymeswithbomb;thelissilent) Asuddenuneasy,disturbing,orsickeningfeeling,especiallywhenaccompaniedbyatwingeofconscienceorapangofguilt. Since the mid-1500s qualm has been applied either to a sudden, sickening emotional feeling or to a sudden,sickeningphysicalfeeling,andboththesesensesarestandardtoday.Youmayhaveaqualm—a suddenuneasyorfearfulfeeling—aboutanyimportanteventordecisioninlife,suchashavingsurgery, gettingmarried,orchangingcareers.Oryoumayhaveaqualm—asuddenfeelingoffaintnessornausea— ifyouexperiencemotionsicknessoreatfoodthatdisagreeswithyou. Sincetheearly17thcenturyqualmhasalsobeenusedspecificallyofasudden,disturbingfeelingof guiltordoubtconcerningtherightnessofone’sbehavior.Tohaveaqualmaboutsomethingistofeela twingeofconscienceorapangofguiltaboutit.Inthissensethewordisnowusuallyusedintheplural,to havequalms,andofteninnegativeconstructions,astohavenoqualmsaboutspendingmoremoney or shehadnoqualmsaboutwhatshehadsaid. Thewordsmisgiving(word12ofthislevel),compunction,scruple,andqualmarecloselyrelated. Allpertaintouneasy,disturbing,ordoubtfulfeelings. Misgiving refers to feelings that shake one’s confidence, belief, or trust: we had misgivings about hiringthenewemployee. A compunction, from the Latin verb compungĕre, to prick severely, is a pricking or stinging of conscience, either from anxiousness about the possibility of doing wrong or causing harm, or from remorse for having done wrong or caused harm: “In therapy she was finally able to admit her compunction about the mistakes she had made in her marriage. Her husband, on the other hand, felt no compunctionforhisoffenses.” Ascruplemaybeamoralorethicalprinciplethatmotivatesonetodotherightthing:“Myscruples prevent me from supporting that ignoble cause.” Or a scruple may be something that causes doubt or hesitationaboutthepropercourseofaction,oftensomethingoverrefinedthatotherswoulddisregard:a vainscruplethatspringsfromaflightoftheimaginationratherthanfromsoundreason. Aqualmisasuddenmisgivingthatofteninvolvescompunction,adisturbingorsickeningfeelingoften accompaniedbyapangofguiltorremorse:“Theschoolboardmembersexpressedqualmsaboutslashing thebudgetfortheperformingarts.” Word19:CONS UMMATE(kun-SUHM-itorKAHN-suh-mit) Ofthehighestorgreatestdegree,complete,utmost,utter. Boththeadjectiveconsummateandtheverbtoconsummate(KAHN-suh-mayt),tocomplete,fulfill,come from the Latin consummāre, to complete, form a whole, bring to perfection. You can consummate a businessdeal,completeit,orconsummateavisionorgoal,fulfillit.Youcanalsoconsummateamarriage byhavingsexualintercourse,whichsymbolicallycompletesorfulfillstheunion. Theadjectiveconsummateisneutralandmayimplyperfectcompletion,asconsummate happiness, oruttercompletion,totheutmostdegree,asconsummatewisdomorconsummatestupidity.Consummate maybeappliedtothosewhoareaccomplishedorskilledtothehighestdegree,asaconsummateactoror aconsummatepolitician.Orconsummatemayapplytothosewhopossessaqualityorcharacteristicin the greatest degree, as a consummate fool or a consummate bore. In like manner we can speak of consummatevirtueorconsummateevil,consummatehonestyorconsummatehypocrisy. Word20:IMPERTINENT(im-PUR-ti-nent) Overlyforwardorbold;rude,meddlesome,orinappropriateinspeechorbehavior. The noun is impertinence (im-PUR-ti-nints), unmannerly speech or behavior, rudeness, arrogance, incivility:ateacherwhowouldnottolerateimpertinence. Synonyms of the adjective impertinent include disrespectful, presumptuous (word 2 of this level), arrogant, uncivil, saucy, impudent, insolent (word 5 of Level 2), brazen, officious, and malapert (MAL-uh-purt). Antonyms of impertinent include respectful, courteous, civil, mannerly, gracious, and deferential. Impertinentcombinestheprefixim-,whichheremeansnot,andpertinent,relatingdirectly,relevant. WhenimpertinententeredEnglishinthe14thcenturyitmeantnottothepoint,notpertinent,irrelevant,a meaningthatsurvivestoday,butchieflyinlegalusage.Bytheearly17thcenturyimpertinenthadcometo be applied to speech or behavior that was not pertinent or proper to the occasion, specifically “rude, unbecoming, or uncivil words or actions” (Webster’s New International Dictionary, second edition, hereafterWebster2).Animpertinentremarkisoverlybold,rude,orintrusive.Animpertinentpersongoes beyondwhatisconsideredproperorpolitebybeingpresumptuous,disrespectful,ormeddlesome. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Let’sreviewthetenkeywordsyou’vejustlearned.Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhether eachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Somesumowrestlersareemaciated. 2.“Buyer’sremorse,”regretforhavingboughtsomething,isamisgiving. 3.Adulationcanbesubtle. 4.Youcanbeadevoteeofcountrymusic. 5.Youcanbevivaciouswhenyou’reexhausted. 6.Amanualtypewriterisanachronistictoday. 7.Somethingdullandordinaryisgarish. 8.Youareuncomfortableifyouhavequalms. 9.Aconsummateliarisalousyliar. 10.Aservilepersonisimpertinent. SynonymDiscriminations:Amiable,Affable;Blatant,Flagrant;Catastrophe,Calamity The adjectives amiable and affable both mean friendly and likable. Amiable suggests someone with a pleasantpersonality:“EveryonewantedtohangoutwithAshantibecauseshewassoamiable.”Affable suggestssomeonewhoiseasytoapproachandtalkto:“Carmenwasrelievedtofindthatherprofessors weren’thighandmighty,butquiteaffable.” The adjectives blatant and flagrant both refer to what is extremely obvious, especially when it’s offensive.Withblatantthereisnoattempttodisguiseorconcealtheobvious;somethingblatantstandsout inaglaringorrepugnant(word4ofLevel2)way:blatant lies. Flagrant implies serious wrongdoing. Somethingflagrantstandsoutinashockingway;itisdeplorable(di-PLOR-uh-bul),worthyofoutrage:a flagrantbreachoftrust.Avoidthephraseblatantlyobvious,whichisredundant. Finally,acatastropheandacalamityarebothdisasters.Catastropheputstheemphasisonthetragedy oftheevent:the catastrophe of 9/11. Calamity puts the emphasis on the toll of the event, on the grief, suffering,andmiseryitcauses:“ThecalamityofHurricaneSandymaylingerforyears.” Word21:RAMIFICATION(RAM-i-fi-KAY-shin) Afar-reachingeffect,relateddevelopment,orconsequenceofsomething. Implication,extension,outgrowth,andoffshootaresynonymsoframification. TheLatinrāmusmeansabranch,andtheverbrāmificāremeanstobranchout.TheunusualEnglish wordramiform(RAM-i-form)meansshapedlikeabranch,branchlike,andtheverbtoramify (RAM-ify) means to spread out or extend like branches, divide into branchlike parts. Ramify may be used literally,asin“Therailroadtracksramifyinalldirectionsfromthehub.”Oritmaybeusedfiguratively, asinthis1861quotationfromThomasErskineMay’sConstitutionalHistoryofEngland: “Dissent had grownandspreadandramifiedthroughouttheland.” Ramification, from the same Latin rāmus, a branch, may also be used literally or figuratively. Literally,ramificationmeansabranchoroffshoot,orabranchingout.Forexample,bloodvesselsand nerveshaveramifications;theybranchoutinvariousdirections.Andscholarsoftentrytomasterallthe ramificationsoftheirsubject.Figuratively,ramification,asWebster2putsit,is“thatwhichspringsfrom another in the manner of a branch or offshoot.” It is an outgrowth, consequence, or far-reaching effect, oftenanunforseenorunwelcomeone.Anearthquakemayhaveenvironmentalramifications;adecisionby theSupremeCourtcanhavelong-lastingsocialramifications;andseeminglyeverywordthatcomesoutof themouthofthechairoftheFederalReservehasramificationsfortheeconomy. Word22:ELUCIDATE(i-LOO-si-dayt) Tomakeclear,explain,castlightupon. Synonyms of elucidate include clarify, illuminate, interpret, and expound. Antonyms of elucidate includeconfuse,obscure,confound(word34ofLevel2),muddle,mystify,andbewilder. TheadjectivelucidcomesfromtheLatinlūcidus,clear,fulloflight.Somethinglucidiscleartothe mind, easily understood, comprehensible, as a lucid explanation or lucid conversation. The verb to elucidatecomesfromthesameLatinlūcidus,clear,andbeginswiththeprefixe-,shortforex-,whichin thisinstancemeansthoroughly,completely.Thusbyderivationelucidatemeanstomakecompletelyclear. The verbs to explain, to expound, and to elucidate all mean to make clear, but in different ways. Explainisthegeneralwordformakingsomethingclearthatisnotknownorunderstood.Toexpoundisto makesomethingclearbygivingalearned,detailed,andoftenelaborateexplanation.Toelucidate is to castlightuponsomethingobscureorhardtounderstandbymeansofvividexplanationandillustration. Ifyouexplainsomethingyoumakeiteasiertounderstand.Ifyouexpoundsomething,orexpoundonit, you explain it in great detail. And if you elucidate something, you shine a bright light on it so that its meaningisplaintoall. Word23:ADAGE(AD-ij) Anexpressionofpopularwisdom,anoldsaying,proverb. Englishhasmanywordsfortraditional,popular,andcleversayings. A saw—often redundantly called an old saw—is a saying so old and shopworn that it has become tiresomeandhackneyed(word1ofLevel4). Anaxiom(AKS-ee-um)isagenerallyacceptedtruthorprinciple,especiallyonethatisself-evident andrequiresnoproof,astheaxiomsofgeometry.Thefundamentalaxiomofdemocracy,enshrinedinthe DeclarationofIndependence,is“Allmenarecreatedequal.” Amaxim(MAKS-im)isaguidingprincipleorruleofconductthatexpressesageneraltruthdrawn fromexperience.Thegoldenrule—“Dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou”—isamaxim. AndPolonius’sadvicetohissonLaertes(lay-UR-teezorlay-AIR-teez)inShakespeare’sHamlet(ActI, sceneiii)isfullofmaximssuchas“Neitheraborrowernoralenderbe”and“Giveeverymanthineear, butfewthyvoice.” Anaphorism(AF-ur-iz’m)isageneraltruthorshrewdobservationexpressedinaforceful,thoughtprovokingway.Aphorismsareterse—briefandtothepoint—andtheirtoneisusuallyphilosophical.A famousexamplecomesfromthe19th-centuryEnglishhistorianLordActon:“Powertendstocorrupt,and absolutepowercorruptsabsolutely.” An epigram (EP-i-gram) is a brief and pointed saying that is notable for its wit or ingenuity. For example,inhisplayLadyWindermere’sFan(1892),theIrishpoetandplaywrightOscarWildewrote,“I can resist everything except temptation.” (By the way, take care not to confuse epigram with epigraph [EP-i-graf],whichmeansaquotationatthebeginningofaliteraryworkoranengravedinscription.) Finally, we have the proverb and the adage (AD-ij), which are close in meaning. Both are wellknown,oft-repeatedsayingsthatexpresssomethinguniversallyacceptedaswiseortrue.Aproverbisa short,popularsayingcouchedinsimple,vivid,andoftenmetaphoricallanguage,as“Abirdinthehandis worthtwointhebush,”“Goodthingscomeinsmallpackages,”and“Youcanleadahorsetowaterbut youcannotmakehimdrink.”Anadageisanexpressionofpopularwisdomthathasbeenpasseddown throughthegenerations;itisusuallysooldthatitsoriginhasbeenforgotten.“Timewaitsfornoman,” “Wherethere’sawill,there’saway,”and“Nothingventured,nothinggained”areadages. Word24:BES OTTED(bi-SAHT-id) Verydrunk,extremelyintoxicated;also,infatuated,obsessed. Theprefixbe-hasseveralmeanings.Itmaymeantodepriveof,asinbehead.Itmaymeanallaround,on allsides,asinbesetandbesiege.Itmaymeanallover,asinbesmear,besprinkle,andbeslobber.Andit maymeancompletely,thoroughly,asinbesotted,completelydrunk.Otherwordsinwhichtheprefixbemeanscompletely,thoroughly,includebecalm,tocalmcompletely,andbenumb,tonumbthoroughly. Thenounsotwasfirstused,morethanathousandyearsago,tomeanastupidperson,afool.Latersot cametomeanapersonwhohabituallydrinkstoexcess,adrunkard,whichishowthewordisusedtoday. Theadjectivebesotted,whichenteredEnglishinthe16thcentury,meansrenderedstupidorfoolisheither from drinking or by infatuation. Drunken sailors are besotted sailors, and in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra,MarcAntonybecomesbesottedwiththeexoticEgyptianqueen. Synonyms of besotted in the sense of very drunk include befuddled, groggy, addled (AD’ld), inebriated,andstupefied.(Theverbtostupefyisword30ofLevel3.)Antonymsofbesottedinthesense ofverydrunkincludesober,temperate,andabstemious(ab-STEE-mee-us).Synonymsofbesottedinthe sense of infatuated, obsessed include captivated, smitten, enamored, enraptured, enthralled, and beguiled.Antonymsofbesottedinthesenseofinfatuated,obsessedincludedispassionate (word 20 of Level2),unruffled,andimperturbable(IM-pur-TUR-buh-bul). Word25:RUEFUL(ROO-ful) Sorrowful,mournful;showingorfeelingsorrow,pity,orregret. Synonymsofruefulincludemelancholy,woeful,doleful,pitiable,lamentable(traditionallyLAM-in-tuhbuul,butnowusuallyluh-MEN-tuh-buul),andlugubrious(luu-GOO-bree-us).Antonymsofrueful—and let’sbegladthattherearemany—includemerry,cheerful,joyful,gleeful,blithe(BLYTH, rhymes with writhe),buoyant(BOY-int),mirthful,jovial,jubilant,andsanguine(SANG-gwin). TheverbtorueisoneoftheoldestwordsintheEnglishlanguage,datingbacktothe9thcentury.Inits mostcommonandenduringsense,toruemeanstolookuponwithsorroworregret,towishthatsomething hadneverbeendoneorhadneverhappened.Youcanruethedayyoufirstlaideyesonsomeone,ruethe dayyouwereborn,orruethetimethatsomethingterriblehappened,aswhenShakespearewritesinhis playKingJohn,“France,thoushaltruethishourwithinthishour.” Thenounrueisasoldastheverbandmeanssorrow,regret,ordeepdistress,asinthefamous1896 poembyA.E.Housman:“Withruemyheartisladen/ForgoldenfriendsIhad,/Formanyarose-lipt maiden/Andmanyalightfootlad./Bybrookstoobroadforleaping/Thelightfootboysarelaid;/The rose-liptgirlsaresleeping/Infieldswhererosesfade.” Tackthesuffix-fulontothenounrueandyouhavetheadjectiverueful,filledwithorexpressiveof sorrow,pity,orregret.Apersoncanberueful,andaperson’seyes,face,heart,manner,orappearance canalsoberueful.One’splightcanberueful,acrycanberueful,andwordsareoftenrueful.Thenounis ruefulness. Word26:S PAS MODIC(spaz-MAH-dik) Likeaspasm:sudden,violent,andbrief;also,happeninginfitsandstarts,notregularorsustained,fitful,intermittent. In pathology (puh-THAHL-uh-jee), which is the medical term for the study of diseases and abnormal conditions, a spasm (SPAZ’m) is a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction. Spasm is also used figurativelyofanythingthatislikeaspasminitssuddennessandviolence.Thereareemotionalspasms, asofanxiety,grief,orjoy.Therearepoliticalspasms,asofrebellionorwar.Andtherearespasmsof nature,suchashurricanes,earthquakes,andvolcanoes. The adjective spasmodic may mean sudden, violent, and brief like a spasm, and in this sense it is closeinmeaningtotheadjectiveconvulsive.Orspasmodicmaymeanoccurringlikeaspasm,atirregular and unpredictable intervals, and in this sense it is close both in meaning and in sound to the word sporadic(spor-AD-ik).Butthatwhichisspasmodichappensatintervals,periodically,whilethatwhich issporadicisscatteredordispersed,occurringonlyinisolatedinstances.Theoppositeofspasmodic is constantorcontinuous,whiletheoppositeofsporadiciswidespreadorepidemic. Word27:DETRITUS (di-TRYT-is,rhymeswitharthritis) Debris,disintegratedmaterial;specifically,rockfragmentsthathavewornawayfromamass,orsand,clay,orsomeothermaterialthathas beenwashedaway. Detritus comes from the Latin dētrītus, a rubbing away, and at first it was used in English to mean a wearingaway,disintegration.Butsoonitcametobeusedofwhatevermaterialhasbeenwornorwashed away,andthenitwasusedofanykindofdisintegratedmaterialordebris.Thesearethemeaningsofthe wordthathaveendured. Some well-educated people mispronounce detritus with the accent on the first syllable: DE-tri-tus. Properly,detritusrhymeswitharthritis. Word28:AWRY(uh-RY,rhymeswiththepie) Offcourse,amiss,inanunintendeddirection,inawrongorunfortunateway. Awry,whichgoesbacktoMiddleEnglish,isusuallyusedwithsomeformoftheverbtogo:aplanthat goesawry;amissionthatwentawry;arelationshipthathasgoneawry.Thewordalwaysimpliesliteral orfigurativemovementinanunexpectedorimproperdirection:“Inagroomingsessionthatwentawry, DesperateHousewivesstarTeriHatcheraccidentallyslicedoffhereyelashes”(DNAindia.com). Headlinewritersarefondofusingawry,perhapsbecauseit’smorevividthanamissandshorterthan wrong.HerearetwoshockingheadlinesthatIgleanedfromGoogleNews:“Momparalyzedafterpole dancestuntgoesawry,”and“Plantoburnhusband’sgenitalswentawry,courttold.” Word29:ENCUMBER(en-KUHM-bur) Toburden,weighdown,placeaheavyloadupon;also,tofrustrateorobstructtheactionormotionof. Synonymsoftheverbtoencumberincludetoimpede,hinder,hamper,handicap,andretard.Antonymsof encumberincludetoease,alleviate,facilitate,andexpedite (EKS-puh-dyt), which means to speed up, hasten. Thenounisencumbrance(en-KUHM-brints),somethingthatfrustratesorobstructsaction,aburden, hindrance,impediment(word31ofthislevel). EncumbercomesfromanOldFrenchwordmeaningtoobstruct,blockup,whichcomesinturnfrom the Late Latin combrus, an obstacle, barricade. In modern usage encumber always implies weighing something down or placing an obstacle in the way. You can use it literally to mean to burden with somethingheavy,placeaheavyloadupon:“Theywereencumberedwithbulkysuitcases.”Youcanuseit figuratively to mean to burden with a heavy load of obligations or responsibilities: “They were encumbered by their young dependent children and by their elderly dependent parents.” You can use encumbertomeantoburdenwithaheavyloadofdebt,astofinanciallyencumberfuturegenerations. Andfinally,youcanuseittomeantoloadorfillwithsomethinguselessorsuperfluous,tocomplicate unnecessarily:amindencumberedwithtrivia;anamendmentthatencumbersthelegislation. Word30:BLEMIS H(BLEM-ish) Todamageordiminishthebeautyorsoundconditionofsomething. Synonyms of the verb to blemish include to injure, impair, mar, deface, tarnish, taint, sully, and besmirch(word45ofLevel3). Thenounblemishisusedofanythingthatdamagesordetractsfromtheappearanceofsomething,orof a flaw or defect that renders something imperfect. The word may be literal or figurative. A stain on a piece of clothing or a dent in a piece of furniture is a literal blemish. A black mark on someone’s reputationisafigurativeblemish. The verb to blemish suggests making something imperfect or less attractive. It is also used both literallyandfiguratively.Pimplesblemishyourcomplexion.Errorsofgrammarandusageblemishyour writing.Drinkingcoffeeandredwinecanblemishyourteeth.Andifyoudon’tpayyourbillsontime,you willblemishyourcreditrating. Theadjectiveblemishedmeanshavingadamagedorunattractiveappearance:ablemishedpieceof fruit,ablemishedrecordinoffice. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Let’sreviewthetenkeywordsyou’vejustlearned.Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsor antonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Implicationandramificationare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Elucidateandmuddleare… 3.Adageandproverbare… 4.Besottedandtemperateare… 5.Ruefulandbuoyantare… 6.Intermittentandspasmodicare… 7.Debrisanddetritusare… 8.Awryandamissare… 9.Toexpediteandtoencumberare… 10.Toblemishandtosullyare… TheStyleFile:TheEndResultIsYourFinalDestination Findtheerrorinthissentence:“Theendresulthasbeenrunawayspending,taxincreases,andreductions incoreservices.”Nowfindtheerrorinthissentence:“BoardmemberMarciCordaropredictedthefinal outcomeofthegrowingdebate.”Ifyouguessedthatthetroublelieswiththephrasesendresultandfinal outcome,you’reright. Redundancyistheuseofmorewordsthanarenecessarytoexpressanidea,andifyouwanttobea moresensitiveandcarefuluserofthelanguage,youmustlearntorootoutredundancyfromyourwriting andspeech.End result is redundant because a result is what happens at the end. And final outcome is redundant because an outcome is how things come out in the end. In these phrases, the words end and finalareunnecessarybecauseresultandoutcomespeakforthemselves.Anddon’tthinkyoucangetaway withusingthecommonvariantfinalresult;that’salsoredundantforthesamereason. AsthegameshowWhoWantstoBeaMillionaire?taughttheworld,it’sallrighttogiveyourfinal answer.That’sbecauseinthatgameacontestantmaygiveseveralanswersbeforesettlingonafinalone, andanswerbyitselfdoesn’timplyfinality.Butitisredundanttomakeafinaldecisionorreachafinal conclusionbecausethewordsdecision(fromtheLatindēcīdere,tocutdownorcutoff)andconclusion (fromtheLatinconclūsiōnis,ashuttingorclosing)meanajudgmentordeterminationthatisfinal. Andwhilewe’reonthesubjectoffinalityandredundancy,haveyounoticedhowflightattendantslike usingthephrasefinaldestination?Theysay,“We’llbelandinginHartfordinaboutfiveminutes.Ifthisis yourfinaldestination,thankyouforflyingwithusandhaveaniceday.” Yes,Iknowthatflightattendantsusethisredundantphrasebecauseanairplaneoftenmakesseveral stopsbeforereachingthatday’sfinalstop.Butadestinationisnotastopalongthewayoralayover;it’s whereyouwindup,wherethetravelingends,thelocationattheendofthejourney.Solet’sjettisonfinal destinationandproceedtothenextstoponthewaytotheendofWord Workout, which is your proper destination. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel1: Word31:IMPEDIMENT(im-PED-i-mint) Anobstacle,hindrance,somethingthatslowsdownmovementorstandsinthewayofprogress. Animpedimentmayalsobeaspeechdisorder,orwhatthedictionariescall“anorganicobstructionto distinctspeech,”suchasalisporastutter. TheverbtoimpedecomesfromtheLatinimpedire,whichmeantliterallytosnareorshacklethefeet, andsotoentangle.Whenyouimpedesomething,youslowdownitsmovementorprogress,standinits way.Synonymsofimpedeincludehinder,retard,thwart,andencumber(word29ofthislevel). The noun impediment comes from the Latin noun impedimentum, a hindrance; the plural is impedimenta, baggage, traveling equipment, especially the supplies carried by an army. For more than fourhundredyearsthispluralimpedimentahasbeenusedinEnglishinpreciselythisway,ofbaggage, supplies,orequipmentthatencumberatravelinggroup,suchasanarmyorcaravan. ThemoreusualEnglishplural,impediments,appliestothingsofanykindthatgetinthewayorslow youdown.Astrainedmuscleisanimpedimenttoanathlete.Athunderstormisanimpedimenttoapicnic. Andtoanarchitect,theredtapeofthebuildingdepartmentcanbeanannoyingimpediment. Word32:MODICUM(MAH-di-kum) Asmallamount,modestportion,littlebit. ModicumcomesdirectlyfromtheLatinnounmodicum,asmallormodestamount,especiallyofmoney. ThisLatinmodicumcomesfromtheadjectivemodicus,moderate,limited,withinbounds,whichinturn comes from the noun modus, a measure or a standard of measurement. Other English words that come fromthisLatinmodusincludemodest,moderate,andmodulate. Thewordsmodicum,iota,minim,soupçon,smidgen,andskoshallrefertosmallamounts. Iota(eye-OH-tuh)andminim(MIN-im)denotethetiniestamounts.Iotaistheninthandsmallestletter of the Greek alphabet, a diminutive vertical squiggle [ι], hence a minute or microscopic amount. (Diminutive,pronounceddi-MIN-yuh-tiv,meansexceedinglyorstrikinglysmall.)Minim,fromtheLatin minimus, smallest, least, may specify the smallest liquid measure, about one drop, or it may mean the smallest or least possible amount of anything, a jot or whit, as in this 1884 quotation from Public Opinion: “He has not the smallest intention of … yielding one minim of the rights and interests of Germany.” Thewordsoupçon(soop-SAW[N],withaFrenchnasalizedn)meanseitheraverysmallportion,tiny bit,asasoupçonofbrandy,orthemerestsuggestionofsomething,suchasaflavor,smell,orfeeling:a soupçonofresentment;asoupçonofnutmeg. Asmidgen(SMIJ-in,rhymeswithpigeon),awordofuncertainorigin,isalsoaverysmallportion, butperhapsabitlargerthanasoupçon.Andaskosh(pronouncedwiththelongoofkosher)isperhapsa bitlargerthanasmidgen.SkoshenteredEnglishinthe1950s,duringtheKoreanWar.Itcomesthrough KoreanpidginfromtheJapanesesukoshi(pronounced“skoshy”)andmeansasmallamountorportion,a littlebit. Ofallthesewords,modicumsuggeststhemostgenerousportionoramount,smallbutoftenadequate for one’s needs or purpose. A modicum of money is neither a paltry1 sum nor a fortune; it is a modest amountthatisusuallysufficient.Ifyoudon’thaveaniota,aminim,orasmidgenofcommonsense,you’re a blundering fool. But if you have a modicum of common sense, a modest portion of it, you have just enoughtogetby. Word33:DOS S IER(DAH-see-ay) Acomprehensivefile;abundleorcollectionofpapersordocumentscontainingdetailedinformationaboutaparticularpersonortopic. TheLatindorsummeanstheback.FromitcometheEnglishscientificwordsdorsum,theback(asofan animal),anddorsal,pertainingtoorsituatedatorontheback.FromthisLatindorsum also comes the Frenchworddos,whichmeansback,andfromdoscomestheFrenchworddossier,whichmeanttheback of a chair and also a bundle of papers or documents. In the late 19th century, English borrowed this French dossier in the latter sense. Here’s an 1884 citation from The Pall Mall Gazette: “In neatlydocketedcabinetsroundhisofficestoodthedossiers[DAH-see-ayz]ofallthecriminalswithwhomhe hashadanythingtodoforthepasteightyears.” Whatdoesabundleofpapershavetodowiththeback?MostdictionariesnotethatinFrenchdossier referredtoabundleorfileofpaperswithalabelattachedtothebackorspine,andtheOEDsuggestsit wasthebulgingofthebundlethatresembledaback. A file and a dossier are both collections of papers about a person or a topic, but a file may be incomplete,lackingsomeimportantinformation,whiletheinformationinadossierisalwaysdetailedand comprehensive. Word34:ALLITERATION(uh-LIT-uh-RAY-shun) Therepetitionofthesameletterorsoundatthebeginningoftwoormoreneighboringwordsorstressedsyllables:Andstillthewindwailed andtheincessantsnowswirledandfell.Theadjectiveisalliterative(uh-LIT-ur-uh-tiv). Alliteration is one of the writer’s most powerful tools. The careful and considered use of alliteration (carefulandconsideredisalliterative)cangiveyourwritingagracefulandpleasingmusicality.Butyou mustbecarefulandconsideredaboutit,foralliterationcangrateontheearandannoythereader. Shakespeare’splaysandpoemsarefullofalliteration;forexample,healliterateswiththeletterf in Ariel’ssonginTheTempest:“Fullfathomfivethyfatherlies.”Andlistentothehypnoticalliterationof theselinesfromEdgarAllanPoe’sfamouspoem“TheRaven”:“Thesilkensaduncertainrustlingofeach purple curtain / Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before.” In the first line, the sibilant (word 9 of Level 4) sound of s creates the alliteration in four successive words—silken, sad, uncertain,rustling—whileinthesecondlinethealliterationcomesfromtherepeatedsoundoff—filled, fantastic,felt. TheopeninglinesofVladimirNabokov’s1955novelLolitaprovideastrikingexampleofsustained alliteration: LOLITA,lightofmylife,fireofmyloins.Mysin,mysoul.Lo-lee-ta:thetipofthetonguetakinga tripofthreestepsdownthepalatetotap,atthree,ontheteeth.Lo.Lee.Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was alwaysLolita. Alliterationcanbeeffectiveintitles.AmongthemanyalliterativelytitledbooksinmylibraryareSin andSyntaxbyConstanceHale;TheTreasureofOurTonguebyLincolnBarnett;DeviousDerivationsby HughRawson;TheGlamourofGrammarbyRoyPeterClark,andofcoursemyownWhatintheWord? andTheBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations. Alliteration is sometimes used to achieve a humorous or sarcastic effect. But when the writer’s intention is serious and the alliteration occurs repeatedly, it can be disagreeable. In his usage manual Right, Wrong, and Risky, another alliteratively titled book, Mark Davidson offers this advice: “Sometimes alliteration combines memory enhancement with poetic grace, as when … the Rev. Martin LutherKingJr.spokeofhisdreamofaworldinwhichallpeoplewouldbejudgednot‘bythecolorof theirskinbutbythecontentoftheircharacter.’Butbewareofthetemptationtooverdoit.” Word35:RECTITUDE(REK-ti-t[y]ood) Virtue,righteousness,moralintegrity;correctnessinprinciplesorbehavior,orconformitytoacceptedstandardsofproperconductorthinking. Synonyms of rectitude include uprightness, which implies straightforwardness and sincerity; veracity (vuh-RAS-i-tee), which implies truthfulness and trustworthiness; and probity (PROH-bi-tee), which implieshonestyandintegrity. Antonyms of rectitude include deceitfulness, speech or behavior intended to mislead another or conceal the truth; duplicity, double-dealing, giving two impressions, one or both of which is false; and perfidy (PUR-fi-dee), a breach of faith, disloyalty, treachery. Depravity, the first word of this level, is alsoanantonym. RectitudecomesthroughFrenchfromtheLatinrectitudo,straightness,righteousness,ultimatelyfrom theLatinrectus, straight, upright, proper, correct. This Latin rectus has influenced a number of English words,includingcorrect,direct,rector,amemberoftheclergywhodirects;rectify,tomakeorsetright; and,believeitornot,theanatomicaltermrectum,whichdenotestherelativelystraightterminalpartof thecolon,orlargeintestine,endingintheanus. Sincethe15thcenturyrectitudehasalsobeenusedtomeanstraightness,astherectitudeofthespine. Though this use is still in good standing, rectitude more commonly means correctness or conformity in behavior or thinking, as the rectitude of his judgment, or moral integrity, righteousness, virtue, as a womanoffidelity,rectitude,andcourage. Word36:VEXATIOUS (vek-SAY-shus) Troubling,disturbing,annoying,irritating. The verb to vex means to irritate, annoy, provoke, or to bother deeply, trouble, torment. The adjective vexed means annoyed, irritated, troubled: “His road rage vexed her.” The noun vexation may mean the stateofbeingvexed:“Shedreadedwhenhedrovebecauseshehadtoputupwithhisconstantvexation.” Or vexation may mean something that vexes: “His angry outbursts while driving were her greatest vexation.” All these words come from the Latin vexāre, to shake, disturb, agitate, or by extension, to annoy, harass, disquiet. The adjective vexatious, formed from the noun vexation, may be used of people or things,asavexatioustoddlerorvexatiousflies.Andformorethanthreehundredyearsithasalsobeen usedinlawofmaliciouslawsuits,onesthatareinstituted,astheOEDputsit,“withoutsufficientgrounds forthepurposeofcausingtroubleorannoyancetothedefendant.” Word37:EPITHET(EP-i-thet) Awordorphraseappliedtoapersonorthingthatdescribessomequalityorcharacteristicofthatpersonorthing. Syonymsofepithetincludenickname,designation,appellation(AP-uh-LAY-shin),andsobriquet(SOHbri-kay,word5ofLevel7). EpithetcomesfromanancientGreekwordthatmeantadded,attributed,placedupon.Byderivation, anepithetisanattributedqualityorcharacteristic,anespeciallydescriptivewordorphraseappliedtoa personorthing.Anepithetmaybeanadjectivethatcharacterizesanoun,suchasgreen-eyed in greeneyedjealousy,andtheterribleinIvantheTerrible.Anepithetmayalsobeadescriptiveormeaningful wordorphrasecloselyassociatedwithapersonorthingandusedasasubstitutefortheactualnameof thepersonorthing,suchasman’sbestfriendforadogandTheGreatEmancipatorforAbrahamLincoln. Epithetisperhapsmostoftenusedtodayinathirdsense,whereitmeansatermofabuse,aslur,an insultingorcontemptuouswordorphrase,asaracialepithet.Thewordhasbeenusedinthiswaysince at least 1712, when the Scottish physician and satirist John Arbuthnot (ahr-BUHTH-nut or AHR-buthnaht)pennedthisline:“Blockhead,Dunce,Ass,Coxcomb,2werethebestEpithetshegavepoorJohn.” StudentsatYalehavelongusedtheepithetweenieforapersonwhostudiestoomuchandneverhasfun, andtheynicknamedthestudycubiclesinYale’sCrossCampusLibraryweeniebins. Word38:TRAVES TY(TRAV-i-stee) Anabsurdorludicrousimitation;agrotesqueorgrosslyinferiorlikenessorresemblance. In its original sense, which dates back to the 17th century, the noun travesty referred to an absurd or ludicrousliteraryorartisticimitationofaseriouswork,asinthis1846citationfromtheessaysofthe EnglishhistorianThomasWright:“Thoseromanceswerebutbarbaroustravestiesoftheoriginalstories.” From this definition, which is still in good standing, the word broadened to refer to any grotesque or grosslyinferiorimitation,andtodayitoftenappearsinphraseslikeatravestyofdemocracyoratravesty ofjustice,whereitimpliesthatsomethingseriousanddignifiedhasbeenunfairlymockedortrivialized. Thewordscaricature,burlesque,parody,andtravestyallrefertoartorliteraturethatmakesuseof exaggeration,imitation,andabsurditytoachieveacomicorludicrouseffect.“Acaricature…absurdly exaggeratesthatwhichischaracteristic…bypictureorbylanguage,”saysTheCenturyDictionary.“A burlesque renders its subject ludicrous by an incongruous3 manner of treating it, as by treating a grave subject lightly, or a light subject gravely.… A parody intentionally burlesques a literary composition, generallyapoem,byimitatingitsform,style,orlanguage.” Travesty and parody should be carefully distinguished, says the Century. In a parody “the language and style of the original are humorously imitated,” while in a travesty “the characters and the subjectmatterremainsubstantiallythesame,thelanguagebecomingabsurdorgrotesque.” Travestyisfrequentlymisusedfortragedy.Here’sanexampleoftherampantmisuse:“Itwouldbea travestyiftheethicsandcampaignfinancereformsfizzlebecauseofpartisanwrangling.”Remember:a tragedy is a disastrous event, terrible misfortune—or, in loose usage, an unfortunate occurrence or unhappy situation. A travesty is an absurd or ludicrous imitation, or a grotesque or grossly inferior likenessorresemblance. Theverbtotravestymeanstoimitateinanabsurd,grotesque,andludicrousway,soastoridicule. Word39:WANE(rhymeswithplane) Todecreaseordiminishgradually,fadeaway. Synonymsoftheverbtowaneincludetodwindle,decline,ebb,abate (uh-BAYT), wither, shrivel, and subside. To wane and its antonym to wax come from Old English and are among the oldest words in the language. Both are commonly applied to the phases of the moon. When the moon waxes, the visible portionofitgraduallyincreasesuntilthewholeorbisilluminated.Thenthemoonbeginstowane,andthe illuminatedportiongraduallyshrinksuntilonlyasickle-shapedsliverisvisible. Theunusualwordsfalcate(FAL-kayt)andgibbous(GIB-us)applytooppositestagesinthiswaxing andwaningofthemoon.Theyareroughlyequivalenttothewordsconcave,hollowedorroundedinward, and convex, curved or rounded outward. Falcate refers to the crescent shape of the moon when it is waning.ThewordcomesfromtheLatinfalx,asickle,andmeanshavingaslendercurvelikeasickleora scythe.Gibbousreferstothewaxingmoon,whentheilluminatedportionismorethanhalfbutnotyeta fullcircle.ThewordcomesfromtheLatingibbus,ahump,andmeansshapedlikeorhavingahump. Inadditiontothemoon,wanemaybeusedofcolororlight:theflushwanedfromhercheek.Itmay beusedofqualities,conditions,orfeelings:waningyouth;waningenthusiasm.Anditmaybeusedof people or things to mean to decrease gradually in power, intensity, or importance: the waning of the RomanEmpire.Finally,towanemaymeantodrawtoaclose,approachanend,asinthissentencefrom EdgarAllanPoe’sclassichorrorstory“TheTell-TaleHeart”:“Thenightwaned,andIworkedhastily, but in silence.” The expression on the wane means decreasing in frequency, importance, or power, diminishing,declining,as“Onedayasocialnetworkingsiteisarisingstarandthenextit’sonthewane.” Word40:HUBRIS (HYOO-bris) Excessiveprideorself-confidence. Synonyms of hubris include arrogance, insolence (IN-suh-lints), presumption, and hauteur (hoh-TUR, word7ofLevel7).Modestyandhumilityareantonymsofhubris. The noun hubris and the adjective hubristic (hyoo-BRIS-tik), which means insolent, arrogant, contemptuous,comefromtheGreekhybris,insolence,arrogance.TheOxfordCompaniontotheEnglish LanguagenotesthatinancientGreektragicdrama,hubriswas“theoverweening[word46ofLevel6] self-confidenceandambitionthatleads…totheruinofitspossessor.”Hubrisissometimesalsocalled thefatalflaw,theweaknessordefectincharacterthatbringsaboutthedownfallofatragicfigure.Inthis technical, theatrical sense hubris is opposed to the word nemesis (NEM-uh-sis, word 2 of Level 5), divine punishment. In Greek tragedy, a character’s hubris, arrogance, was depicted as an affront to the gods or to the divine order of nature, and would inevitably lead to an appropriate nemesis, divine punishment. Hubrisisalsousedgenerallytodescribeapersonwhoexhibitsexcessivepride,self-confidence,or ambition,asinthissentencefromaTimemagazinereviewofthefilmTheCompanyMen:“[Ben]Affleck alwayshastroublesimulatinghighemotion…buthenailsBobby’splungefromhubristohumiliation.” Hubris may also be used of an institution or a nation: Wall Street’s unchecked greed and hubris; the hubrisofAmericanforeignpolicy. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 Let’sreviewthetenkeywordsyou’vejustlearned. Thistimewe’regoingtoplayaversionoftheoldSesameStreetgameOneofTheseThingsIsNot Like the Others. It’s called One of These Definitions Doesn’t Fit the Word. In each statement below, a keyword(initalics)isfollowedbythreeone-wordorphrasaldefinitions.Twoofthethreearecorrect; oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Animpedimentisanobligation,hindrance,encumbrance. 2.Amodicumisamodestportion,littlebit,morethanenough. 3.Adossierisabundleofpapers,secretdocument,comprehensivefile. 4.Alliterationissimilarsounds,repeatedsounds,familiarsounds. 5.Rectitudemeansopenness,integrity,virtue. 6.Vexatiousmeansdisturbing,annoying,frivolous. 7.Anepithetisanickname,designation,cleverremark. 8.Atravestyisanabsurdimitation,grotesquelikeness,gravemisfortune. 9.Towaneistodecrease,disappear,diminish. 10.Hubrismeansexcessivegreed,excessiveself-confidence,excessivepride. TheStyleFile:SomeCommentsontheSerialComma “When preparing a PowerPoint slide show, our company often shows a direct quote from a Federal Manual,”writesJohninDenver,Colorado,whereseveraltimesayearIamaguestlanguagemavenon theMikeRosenShowonKOA-AM.“Sometimesthepunctuationinthemanualisincorrect.Forexample: ‘workers,bicyclists,motorists,andpedestrians.’Iknowthepreferredformistonotuseacommaafterthe word motorists. If we show this sentence on a slide, should we eliminate the comma but still use quotationmarks?” Actually,thecommaaftermotoristsisthetraditionalwayofpunctuatingaseries,andit’scalledthe serialcomma(orsometimestheOxfordcomma).ItisendorsedbytheChicagoManualofStyle,favored by many other authorities, and preferred by most book publishers. The practice of omitting the comma afterthepenultimate(word15ofLevel7)iteminaseries,beforethewordand,comesfromjournalism; newspaperstylecallsforred,whiteandbluewithonecommaratherthanred,white,andbluewithtwo. Bothstylesareacceptableandyoumaychoosewhichoneyouprefer.Butifyouarequotingyoumay notchangeanything;youmustreproducewhatyouarequotingpreciselyasitwasprinted.Ifyoubelieve there’sanerrorofgrammarorstyleintheoriginal,youmayinsertsicinbrackets—[sic]—to show that it’snotyourmistake. Incidentally,Ifavortheserialcommabecause,tome,itgivestheseriesproperbalanceandavoids anypotentialambiguities,asinthishilariousdedication:“Tomyparents,AynRandandGod.” *** HerearethelasttenkeywordsinLevel1: Word41:VICARIOUS (vy-KAIR-ee-us) Sharingthefeelingsorexperienceofothersinone’sownimagination. VicariouscomesfromtheLatinvīcārius,takingtheplaceofapersonorthing,substituted,thesourcealso ofvicar(VIK-ur),awordthatoriginallymeantanearthlyagentorrepresentativeofGodorChristandis nowappliedtovariousmembersoftheEpiscopalandRomanCatholicclergy. TheoriginalmeaningofvicariouswasliketheLatinvīcārius,takingtheplaceofanother,substituted fortheproperpersonorthing.Itlatercametobeusedinlawandtheologytomeanperformedorendured byonepersoninplaceofanother,asvicariousliabilityorvicariouspunishment.Andithasbeenusedof apersonorgroupthatactsfororrepresentsanother,asavicariousrulerwhowieldsvicariouspower. You will find all these meanings of vicarious listed in modern dictionaries, but since the 1920s vicarious has also been used to mean sharing the feelings or experience of others in one’s own imagination.Thisisthesenseinwhichthewordisbestknownandmostoftenusedtoday.Avicarious experience is one in which you imagine yourself going through what someone else is going through. A vicarious thrill or vicarious pain comes from participating sympathetically in another person’s experience. And when you live vicariously, you derive satisfaction or pleasure from someone else’s experiencesoraccomplishments.Parentsareoftensaidtolivevicariouslythroughtheirchildren. Word42:S TIPULATE(STIP-yuh-layt) Inmakinganagreement:torequireasanessentialcondition,demandasarequirement. Thenounisstipulation,anessentialconditionordemandinanagreement. The verb to stipulate comes from the Latin stipulari, to demand a formal agreement, bargain. In Romanlawthewordstipulatio(STIP-yuh-LAY-shee-oh)designatedanoralcontractinwhichoneparty to the contract stipulated, made a formal requirement or demand of the other party in the form of a question. When stipulate entered English in the 17th century, it did not stray far from this legal usage. Sincethenwehaveusedthewordchieflytomeantospecifyasarequirementinanagreement,requireas anessentialcondition. Laws,rules,standards,andregulationsalltypicallystipulate,meaningthattheyestablishrequirements orspecifycertainconditionsthatmustbemet.Atreatybetweennationsstipulatesthetermsofthetreaty.A paroleboardcanstipulatearecordofgoodbehaviorasaconditionforaninmate’sreleasefromprison. Andaperson’slastwillandtestamentcanstipulatehowtheassetsofanestatewillbedividedamong inheritors. Word43:DES POTIC(di-SPAHT-ik) Rulingwithabsolutepower,orpertainingtosomeonewhohasunlimitedauthority. Synonymsofdespoticincludedictatorial,tyrannical(ti-RAN-i-kul),authoritarian(uh-THOR-i-TAIRee-in),andautocratic(AW-tuh-KRAT-ik). A despot (DES-put) is a person who has absolute or unlimited power, a tyrant or oppressor. The absolutepowerthatthedespotexercisesiscalleddespotism(DES-puh-tiz’m).Likethewordtyrant,the noun despot can be used of anyone who wields absolute power or authority, especially in a cruel and oppressiveway.Acountrymayberuledbyadespot,acruelmonarchordictator.Butotheroppressive authority figures, such as hard-nosed military officers or insensitive employers, can also be despots, leaderswhooppressthosebeneaththem. BothdespotandtheadjectivedespoticcomefromtheGreekdespótēs,master,lord,awordakinto theGreekdómos,house,andpósis,husband.Soitcouldbesaidthatbyderivationadespotisthemaster ofthehouse,acruelhusbandwholordsitovertherestofthefamily. Despoticmeansrulingwithabsolutepower,orpertainingtosomeonewhohasunlimitedauthority.In early2011theworldwatched,holdingitsbreath,asthecitizensofEgyptandTunisiatriedtopeacefully overthrowtheirdespoticgovernmentsandestablishdemocracy. Word44:UNS AVORY(uhn-SAY-vuh-ree) Literally,disagreeableorunpleasanttotasteorsmell;figuratively,undesirable,offensive. Thenounsavor(rhymeswithflavor)meansaparticulartasteorsmell,usuallyapleasantone.Asaverb savormeanstoenjoythetasteorsmellofsomething,astosavoreverydropofsoup,ortogiveoneself overtoenjoyment,astosavoreverymoment. Unsavory combines the prefix un-, not, with the adjective savory, agreeable in taste or smell, as a banquet of savory dishes. Something unsavory is not agreeable either to the physical sense of taste or smellortothemoralsenseofwhatisproperorgood.Unsavoryfoodisunpleasantorunwholesometo eat.Anunsavorypersonisunpleasantorunwholesometobearound. Synonyms of unsavory in its literal sense of disagreeable to taste or smell include unappetizing, unpalatable (uhn-PAL-uh-tuh-bul), and, when extremely disagreeable, disgusting and nauseating. The closestsynonymofunsavory in its figurative sense of undesirable is objectionable; stronger synonyms includebeastly,repugnant(word4ofLevel2),detestable,loathsome(LOHTH-sum),odious(OH-deeus),andabhorrent(ab-HOR-int). Word45:INTIMATE(IN-ti-mayt,rhymeswithmotivate) Toimply,hint,suggestorindicateindirectly,communicateobscurelyorremotely. Thenounisintimation(IN-ti-MAY-shin),ahint,indirectsuggestion:“Shegavethemonlyintimationsof hertruefeelings.” Theverbtointimateandthefamiliaradjectiveintimate(IN-ti-mit)bothcomethroughtheLateLatin intimāre,toannounce,makeknown,fromtheLatinintimus,innermost,deepest,mostsecret.Theoriginal butnowarchaic4meaningoftheverbtointimateistoannouncepublicly,makeknownformally,asinthis sentencefrom1759:“Thisresolutionsheintimatedtotheleadersofbothfactions.”Today,however,the verbtointimatepertainsnottothatwhichisannouncedpubliclybuttothatwhichismadeknownina carefullyindirectorprivateway,asinthisquotationfromSirWalterScott’snovelWaverley,publishedin 1814:“theopenavowal[word15ofLevel4]ofwhattheothersonlyventuredtointimate.” To insinuate (in-SIN-yoo-ayt) and to intimate both mean to hint, suggest, but they connote different waysofdoingso.Toinsinuateistosuggestinasly,subtle,andoftendeviousmanner;itmayalsomean to bring oneself into a situation by artful or stealthy means. Radio talk show hosts routinely insinuate derogatory (duh-RAH-guh-tor-ee, insulting, offensive) things about their ideological opponents; undercover police officers insinuate themselves into criminal organizations to gather evidence. To intimate is also to suggest subtly and indirectly, but it does not imply devious or stealthy motives or behavior.Whenyoudon’twanttosaysomethingoutright,youcanintimate.Politicianswhodon’tyetwant to announce their candidacy often intimate that they may run. And a good actor knows how to intimate unspokenthoughtsandemotionsthroughfacialexpressionsandgestures. Takecarenottowriteintimatedwhenyoumeanintimidated,amistakethatissurprisinglycommon even in the edited prose of reputable publications. To intimidate—pronounced in four syllables—is to frighten,makefearful.Tointimate—pronouncedinthreesyllables—istosuggestindirectly,hint,imply. Word46:PREDIS POS E(pree-di-SPOHZ) Toinclineortendtowardbeforehand,makesusceptibleorsubjectto. Predispositionisthecorrespondingnoun. To dispose is to give a natural tendency to, incline. It may be used either of positive or negative inclinations, as a man disposed to spontaneous acts of charity, or a dog disposed to bark wildly at strangers. To predispose is to dispose beforehand, usually well in advance of any opportunity for the tendencyorinclinationtomanifestitself.Yourgeneticmakeupmaypredisposeyoutodiseaseortoliving along,healthylife.PeoplewhogrowupinNewEnglandarepredisposedtobecomefansoftheBoston RedSox.Andsociologicalstudieshaveshownthatmenwhogrowupinfamiliesplaguedbydomestic violenceoftendevelopapredispositionfordomesticviolencethemselves. Word47:APACE(uh-PAYS,rhymeswithaface) Swiftly,quickly,withspeed. Apace,whichdatesbacktothe14thcentury,meansataquickpace.Awell-knownuseofthewordoccurs intheopeninglinesofShakespeare’sMidsummerNight’sDream,whenTheseussaystohiswife-to-be, “Now,fairHippolyta,ournuptialhour/Drawsonapace.Fourhappydaysbringin/Anothermoon;but, O,methinks,howslow/Thisoldmoonwanes!”(Waneisword39ofthislevel.Theadjectivenuptial, properly pronounced NUHP-shul—nup- rhyming with cup and -tial as in partial—means pertaining to marriageortothemarriageceremony.) The New Oxford American Dictionary labels apace poetic or literary, which it is, but that doesn’t meanapacewouldbeinappropriateinanordinarysentencetoday.Infact,theverbstocontinue,proceed, andgrowareoftenpairedwithapace,asinthissentence:“Iransaysitsnuclearprogramisproceeding apace”(TheWallStreetJournal). Althoughsomedictionariesrecognizeabreastasasecondarymeaningofapace,mostdonot,andthe twowordsshouldnotbeusedinterchangeably.Abreast,whichischieflyusedinthephraseto keep (or stay)abreast,meanstokeepupwith,maintainaparticularlevelofunderstandingorrateofprogress,as tokeepabreastofthelatestnews.Youmaykeepabreastofdevelopmentsintechnology,orkeep pace withthosedevelopments,butyoudonotkeepapacewiththem.That’ssimplynotgoodEnglish.Reserve apaceforwhenyoumeanswiftly,quickly,withallduespeed:“Effortstorebuildthecommunityafterthe earthquakecontinueapace.” Word48:VERDANT(VUR-dint) Greenincolor,orgreenwithvegetation:verdanthillsides. Theadjectiveverdant,whichenteredEnglishinthe16thcentury,comesfromtheLatinviridis,green.It hastwoolderEnglishcousinsthathailfromthesameLatinsource:thenounsverdure(VUR-jur)andvert (VURT).Verdure,whichdatesbacktothe13thcentury,denotesthegreennessofflourishingvegetation,or the vegetation itself. Vert, which dates from the 15th century, was used in English forest law to mean anythinginaforestthatbearsagreenleaf,especiallyvegetationthatprovidescoverorfoodfordeer. Averdantlawnisgreenandfresh,andverdantfieldsarecoveredwithgrowingplantsorgrass. Word49:CAJOLE(kuh-JOHL) Topersuadewithrepeatedurging,flattery,orfalsepromises. Thenouniscajolery(kuh-JOH-luh-ree),theactoraninstanceofcajoling. Cajole,whichenteredEnglishinthemid-17thcentury,comesfromtheFrenchwordcajoler,tochatter orsinglikeajayoramagpieinabirdcage.Jaysandmagpiesarenotoriouslynoisyandgarrulous5birds, so it’s easy to see the connection between the French verb and the English one. When you cajole, you figuratively chirp and chatter and sing insistently in an effort to persuade a reluctant or unresponsive persontodoorgiveyouwhatyouwant.Inshort,cajoleryisakindofartfulnagging.Itsobjectisusually human,asinthisquotationfromtheEnglishpoetJohnMiltonin1649:“Thatthepeoplemightnolonger beabusedandcajoled…byfalsities.”Butsometimestheobjectofcajoleryisanentity:apresidentwho cajoledthenationintowar. Synonyms of the verb to cajole include to coax, wheedle, blandish, beguile, and inveigle (in-VAYgul). All these words mean to persuade, win over, or lure, but they imply the use of more flattery and enticementthancajole,whichimpliesrepeatedurging. Word50:BANE(BAYN,rhymeswithsaneandmain) Acauseorsourceofruin,harm,ormisery;acurse. Thenounbaneisoneoftheoldestwordsinthelanguage,datingbacktothe9thcentury.Itfirstmeanta murdererorslayerofanother,thenthatwhichcausesdeath,thenmurderordestruction,andthenpoison— which is why a number of poisonous plants incorporate bane in their names: for example, dog’s-bane, wolfsbane,ratsbane,andhenbane. By the 16th century bane had come to be used figuratively of something that causes ruin, harm, or misery, or that is like a curse, and this is the word’s ordinary sense today. Bane is often paired with existence, as in “He was the bane of her existence.” This well-worn construction is best avoided. But bane can be artfully paired with many other words, as in “Corruption is not the bane of Nigeria’s development” and “Snowed-in hydrants are the bane of firefighters.” And bane is often juxtaposed (placedsidebyside)withtheantonymsblessingandboon,asin“Timewilltellifit’sabaneoraboon fortheeconomy.”Theadjectiveisbaneful,ruinous,destructive,pernicious,malign(word41ofLevel3). The words baneful and baleful are close in spelling, and they share the notion of evil, but their connotationsshouldbedistinguished.Balefulmeansmenacing,ominous,threateningevil:abalefulstare; baleful clouds. Baneful means causing harm or evil, ruinous: a baneful influence; baneful consequences. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Let’sreviewthetenkeywordsyou’vejustlearned.Thistimethereviewwordwillbefollowedbythree wordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomesnearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answers appearhere. 1.Doesvicariousmeansilentlyunderstood,experiencedsympathetically,orundertakeninsecret? 2.Whenyoustipulate,doyoudemandasarequirement,agreeonspecificterms,orrefusetonegotiate? 3.Doesadespoticpersonmakeunreasonablerequests,actfoolishly,orrulewithabsolutepower? 4.Issomethingunsavoryunpleasant,flavorless,orbeyondredemption? 5.Whenyouintimate,doyouspeakhonestly,speakindirectly,orspeakprivately? 6.Ifsomethingispredisposed,isitdiscardedfirst,inclinedbeforehand,oralreadycommitted? 7.Ifsomethinghappensapace,doesithappenfirst,unexpectedly,orswiftly? 8.Issomethingverdantgreen,gold,orgleaming? 9.Doescajolemeantoridicule,tocomfort,ortopersuade? 10.Isabaneacurse,anherbalremedy,oranordertostop? TheStyleFile:Theatervs.Theatre Nodoubtyouhavemanytimesseentheaterspelledtheatre,withthefinal-erflippedaroundto-re.Many reputabletheaters,infact,usethevariantspellingwith-re,and,asMarkDavidsonobservesinhisstyle guideRight,Wrong,andRisky,eventhestoriedNewYorkermagazinehasalwaysspelledittheatre. So which is correct: -er or -re? Usage experts unanimously agree that theater is the preferred Americanspelling,whiletheatreisBritish.(ThesamedistinctionbetweenAmericanandBritishusage applies with center/centre, caliber/calibre, and meter/metre.) So why is American usage so divided? Davidsonoffersthisexplanation:“America’stheatricalworldwasunderconsiderableBritishinfluence whentheBroadwaystagewasfounded,andAmericantheaterownerstodayseemtothinkthattheBritish theatreaddsatouchofclass.”That’swhy,intheUnitedStates,yousooftenseemallswithpretentious names like Ye Olde Towne Centre that have twelve-screen movie theatres instead of plain old movie theaters. Nevertheless, you should use the -er spelling unless you are citing the name of a theater that callsitselfatheatreorquotingTheNewYorker. Finally,theaterisoftenmispronouncedthee-AY-turorTHEE-ay-tur.TheRandomHouseDictionary callsthesevariants“characteristicchieflyofuneducatedspeech.”Theproperpronunciationoftheateris THEE-uh-tur. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel1 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Stealingbreadbecauseyouarestarvingisaforgivableoffense.Depravitymeanswickedness,moralperversion,corruptorevil characterorbehavior. 2.No.Askingfordirectionswhenyou’relostisnormal.Presumptuousmeansoverlyforward,takingundueliberties,actingorspeakingtoo boldly. 3.Yes.Grandiosemeansshowyandgrandinanexaggerated,artificialway;also,elaborate,extravagant,overblown. 4.No.Thatwouldbeunsanitary.Todisseminateistospreadwidely,scatterasifsowingseed. 5.Yes.Eclecticmeansvariedordiverseinaninterestingway. 6.No.Servilemeanslikeaslave,submissive,obedient. 7.Yes.Voraciousmeansextremelyhungry,havingalargeappetiteorintensecravings. 8.Yes.Convolutedmeansintricate,complicated,veryinvolved,hardtounravel. 9.Yes,often.Torantistospeakinanexcitedmanner,tospeakferventlyorfuriously. 10.No.Ifitisunsuccessfulyouwouldbeatadisadvantagebecauseastratagemisacleverschemeorartfulmaneuverusedtodeceive, outwit,orgainanadvantageoveranenemy,adversary,orrival. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Sumowrestlersareabnormallyfat.Emaciatedmeansabnormallythin,wastedawayfromdiseaseorstarvation. 2.True.Amisgivingisafeelingofdoubt,hesitation,uneasiness,suspicion,ordread. 3.False.Adulationisneversubtle.Itmeansexcessiveadmiration,praise,orflattery. 4.True.Adevoteeisapersondevotedtosomething;anenthusiasticorardentfollower,admirer,orpractitioner. 5.False.Anexhaustedpersonisenervated,worn-out.Vivaciousmeanstheopposite:vigorous,high-spirited,energetic. 6.True.Anachronisticmeansmisplacedintime,notinproperchronologicalplaceororder;hence,byextension,out-of-date,outmoded, obsolete. 7.False.Garishmeansexcessivelyshowyorbright;attractingattentioninaloudandtastelessway. 8.True.Aqualmisasuddenuneasy,disturbing,orsickeningfeeling,especiallywhenaccompaniedbyatwingeofconscienceorapangof guilt. 9.False.Consummatemeansofthehighestorgreatestdegree,complete,utmost,utter,andmayapplytothosewhopossessaqualitytothe greatestdegreeorwhoareskilledtothehighestdegree:aconsummateprofessional,aconsummateliar. 10.False.Aservilepersonissubmissive,subservient.Impertinentmeansoverlyforwardorbold;rude,meddlesome,orinappropriatein speechorbehavior. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Aramificationisafar-reachingeffect,relateddevelopment,orconsequenceofsomething;hence,animplication. 2.Antonyms.Tomuddleistoconfuseormakeamessof.Toelucidateistomakeclear,explain. 3.Synonyms.Anadageandaproverbarebotholdsayings,expressionsofpopularwisdom. 4.Antonyms.Temperatemeansmoderate,notexcessiveorindulgent.Besottedmeanseitherverydrunkorinfatuated,obsessed. 5.Antonyms.Buoyant(BOY-int)meanscheerful.Ruefulmeanssorrowful,mournful. 6.Synonyms.Spasmodicmeanssudden,violent,andbrief,orhappeninginfitsandstarts.Intermittentmeanshappeningatintervals. 7.Synonyms.Detritusisdebris,disintegratedmaterial. 8.Synonyms.Awrymeansoffcourse,amiss,inanunintendeddirection,inawrongorunfortunateway. 9.Antonyms.Toencumberistoburden,weighdown,placeaheavyloadupon;also,tofrustrateorobstructtheactionormotionof.To expediteistospeedup,hasten. 10.Synonyms.Toblemishistodamageordiminishthebeautyorsoundconditionofsomething.Tosullyistostainortarnish. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Obligationdoesn’tfit.Animpedimentisanobstacle,hindrance,somethingthatslowsdownmovementorstandsinthewayofprogress. 2.Morethanenoughdoesn’tfit.Amodicumistheopposite:alittlebit,modestportion. 3.Secretdocumentdoesn’tfit.Althoughadossier—acollectionofpaperscontainingdetailedinformation,acomprehensivefile—is sometimeskeptsecretbecausetheinformationinitisconfidential,thereisnothingaboutthewordthatimpliessecrecy. 4.Familiarsoundsdoesn’tfit.Alliterationistherepetitionofthesameletterorsoundatthebeginningoftwoormoreneighboringwordsor stressedsyllables. 5.Opennessdoesn’tfit.Rectitudeisvirtue,righteousness,moralintegrity. 6.Frivolousdoesn’tfit.Frivolousmeanslackingseriousnessorimportance.Vexatiousmeanstroubling,disturbing,annoying,irritating. 7.Cleverremarkdoesn’tfit.Anepithetisanicknameordesignation,awordorphrasethatdescribessomequalityorcharacteristicofa personorthing. 8.Gravemisfortunedoesn’tfit.Atravestyisanabsurdimitationorgrotesquelikeness. 9.Disappeardoesn’tfit.Towaneisnottopassoutofview,notice,orexistence,buttodecreaseordiminish. 10.Excessivegreeddoesn’tfit.Hubrismeansexcessiveprideorself-confidence. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Vicariousmeansexperiencedsympathetically,sharingthefeelingsorexperienceofothersinone’sownimagination. 2.Stipulatemeanstorequireasanessentialcondition,demandasarequirement. 3.Despoticmeansrulingwithabsolutepower,orpertainingtosomeonewithunlimitedauthority. 4.It’sunpleasant.Literally,unsavorymeansdisagreeableorunpleasanttotasteorsmell;figuratively,itmeansundesirable,offensive. 5.Youspeakindirectly.Tointimatemeanstohint,imply,communicateindirectly. 6.It’sinclinedbeforehand.Topredisposeistoinclineortendtowardbeforehand,makesusceptibleorsubjectto. 7.Ithappensswiftly.Apacemeansswiftly,quickly,withspeed. 8.It’sgreen.Verdantmeansgreenincolor,orgreenwithvegetation. 9.Cajolemeanstopersuadewithrepeatedurging,flattery,orfalsepromises. 10.Abaneisacauseorsourceofruin,harm,ormisery;acurse. LEVEL2 Word1:DIATRIBE(DY-uh-tryb,likedieatribe) Bitter,abusivespeechorwriting;violentcriticismordenunciation. Diatribe comes from the Greek diatribé, which meant employment, study, or discourse, literally a wearingawayoftime.ThisGreeknouncomesinturnfromtheverbdiatríbein,torubthroughoraway. When diatribe entered English in the late 16th century it was used to mean a discourse, dissertation, criticaltreatise,asadiatribeonthesubjectofdescriptivepoetryoradiatribeonthenoisesofinsects. Around1800,peoplealsobeganusingdiatribeinanunfavorablewayofabitter,abusivediscourseor dissertationdirectedagainstapersonorthing.Bytheearly20thcenturytheoriginal,neutralmeaninghad becomearchaicandtheunfavorablesensebecamethemodernmeaningoftheword.Todaydiatribe,when properlyused,alwaysimpliesrageorbitternessexpressedinabusive,violentlycriticallanguage. Synonymsofdiatribeincludeinvective(in-VEK-tiv),harangue(huh-RANG),tirade(liketie raid), andphilippic(fi-LIP-ik).Let’stakeamomenttodiscusstheseinterestingwords. Invective, from the Latin verb invehere, to attack with words, is vehement or abusive language involving bitter accusations or denunciations. An invective is an abusive and denunciatory attack in speechorwriting. Harangue, from an Old Italian word meaning to speak in public, may mean a pompous, tedious, sermonizingspeechorlecture;avehementandpassionatespeech,especiallyonedeliveredinpublic;or, initssenseclosesttodiatribe,ascoldingorrantingverbalattack.Theverbtoharanguemeanstodeliver aharangue—tolecturetediously,tospeakpassionatelyatlength,ortoattackverbally. A tirade, from the Italian tirare, to draw, pull, hurl, shoot, is a prolonged speech, especially a vehement and abusive one. A tirade is longer and more intense than a harangue. Generally speaking, harangueandtiradeareusedofvehementspeeches,whileinvectiveanddiatribeapplytodenunciatory speechorwriting. Finally,aphilippicisanespeciallyscathingtirade,usuallyavehementformalspeech,forhistorically philippic refers to the speeches made by the ancient Greek orator Demosthenes (di-MAHS-thuh-neez) attackingPhilipIIofMacedon(MAS-i-dahn). Antonyms of diatribe include eulogy (YOO-luh-jee), an oration honoring a deceased person or any offeringofhighpraise,andencomium(word25ofLevel9). Word2:EVOCATION(EV-uh-KAY-shin) Theactofsummoningorcallingforth. Thenounevocationandtheverbtoevoke,tocallforth,elicit,comefromtheLatinēvocātiōnem,acalling forth,whichinturncomesfromēvocāre,tocallordrawout.TheEnglishverbtoevokecomesfromthis sameLatinēvocāreandmeanstocallforth,drawout,elicit,asonline ads that evoke only frustration andannoyance.Theadjectiveisevocative(i-VAHK-uh-tiv),callingforth.Inmodernusageevocativeis usedofmemories,emotions,images,sensations,andtheliketomeantendingtocallforthorevoke,asa bookfilledwithlushandevocativedescription. Inoneofitsearliestsenses,evocationwasusedofthesummoningorcallingupofaspirit,andthe rareverbtoevocate(EV-uh-kayt)meanstocallupspiritsfromthedead.Todayevocationstillmeansa calling up, but it refers to the summoning of thoughts and feelings from the imagination. The historical noveliststrivestocreateaconvincingevocationofatimeandplaceinthepast.PabloPicasso’sfamous painting Guernica—which depicts the bombing of the town of Guernica in northern Spain by German warplanesin1937,duringtheSpanishCivilWar—isadisturbingevocationofthehorrorandtragedyof war. Word3:IMBUE(im-BYOO) Tosaturateorspreadthrough,soakorpenetratedeeply.Also,toinfluenceorinspiredeeply,asifbysoaking. Synonymsofimbueinthesenseofsaturateorspreadthroughincludeinfuse,suffuse(word17ofLevel 3),pervade,permeate,andimpregnate.Synonymsofimbue in the sense of influence or inspire deeply includeinstill,ingrain,endow,implant,indoctrinate(word28ofthislevel),inculcate,andinoculate. ImbuecomesfromtheLatinimbuĕre,towet,steep,saturate,averbakintotheLatinbibere,todrink, from which we inherit the English word imbibe, to drink, especially to drink alcoholic beverages. Figurativelyimbibemeanstodrinkin,absorb,soakup,astoimbibethecultureofaforeigncountry. Imbue may be used literally of anything that is saturated with moisture, color, or perfume. But it is perhaps most often used figuratively of something that has been influenced or inspired deeply, as if by soaking.Aperson’smindcanbeimbuedwithalmostanythingitcansoakup:literature,fineart,music, opinions,orcoldhardfacts.Andaperson’sheartcanbeimbued,saturated,withemotion. Thewordsimbueandimbrue(im-BROO)differinspellingbyoneletterandarecloseinmeaning. Imbrue,whichcomesultimatelyfromtheaforementionedLatinbibere,todrink,meanstowet,stain,or drench, especially with blood: “These hands in murder are imbrued,” wrote the English poet Matthew Prior in 1704. Imbue has no such gory implication, and is used of anything that soaks, penetrates, or influences deeply. You can be imbued with ambition, imbued with power and grace, or imbued with geekiness. Althoughimbueandinstillaresynonyms,theyareusedindifferentways.Somethingisinstilledinor intosomethingelse,whilesomethingisimbuedwithsomethingelse. Word4:REPUGNANT(ri-PUHG-nint) Disgusting,offensive. Because there are so many things that can be described as disgusting or offensive, repugnant has no shortage of synonyms. Among the better-known are objectionable, disagreeable, repulsive, detestable, loathsome,contemptible,andrepellent.Amongthelesser-knownareodious,abhorrent,heinous(HAYnis),opprobrious(uh-PROH-bree-us),flagitious(fluh-JISH-us),andexecrable(EK-si-kruh-buul),which comesfromaLatinwordmeaningaccursedandisusedtodayofthatwhichissohorribleordetestableas tobecursedordamned. Repugnant comes from the Latin repugnans, opposed, contrary, and for several centuries opposed, contrary, hostile, antagonistic was the core meaning of the word, as in repugnant laws or actions repugnant to God’s word. But this sense is now rare and today repugnant is used of anything that provokesdistaste,aversion,orloathing. Repugnant may be used with or without the preposition to. Something may be repugnant to you or someoneelse,oritmaysimplyberepugnant,disgusting,offensive,disagreeable. Word5:INS OLENT(IN-suh-lint) Boldlyinsultinganddisrespectful;rudelypresumptuous(word2ofLevel1). The words impertinent, impudent, and insolent are close in meaning. All refer to rude, disrespectful behavior. Impertinent,whoseliteralmeaningisnotpertinent,inappropriate,istheleastinsultingofthethree. Impertinentreferstobehaviorthatisuncalledforbecauseitistooforwardorintrusive.Peoplewhosay ordosomethingthattheyknow,oroughttoknow,isrudeoroutofplaceareimpertinent.Someonewho failstoshowproperrespecttoasuperiorisimpertinent,andaninappropriatelypersonalquestioncanbe impertinent. ImpudentcomesfromtheLatinimpudens,shameless,andreferstobehaviorthatisshamelesslybold or rude. An impudent reply is rude or insulting, and an impudent person is boldly disrespectful. Incidentally, impudens, the Latin source of impudent, comes in turn from the verb pudēre, to make ashamedortobeashamed,thesourceoftheunusualEnglishwordspudency(PYOO-din-see), modesty, bashfulness, and pudendum (pyoo-DEN-dum), which means literally “that of which one ought to be ashamed”anddenotestheexternalgenitalorgans,especiallyofawoman. Whileimpertinentisusedofinappropriatelyforwardbehavior,andimpudentisusedofshamelessly boldbehavior,ourkeyword,insolent,isstrongerstill.ItcomesfromaLatinadjectivethatmeantproud, haughty, arrogant, and it applies to behavior that is arrogantly and contemptuously disrespectful and insulting. An insolent soldier invites disciplinary action. Parents often punish an insolent child. And an insolentcoworkerorcolleagueisonewhorevels,takespleasure,ininsultingyouorgivingyougrief. The corresponding nouns are impertinence, impudence, and insolence, boldly insulting and disrespectfulbehavior. Word6:IMPUNITY(im-PYOO-ni-tee) Freedomfrompenaltyorpunishment,exemptionfromharmorloss. ImpunitycomesfromtheLatinimpūnitās,exemptionfrompunishment,whichcomesinturnfrompoena,a punishment,fine,thesourceoftheEnglishwordspenal,penalty,andpain. The prefix im- is really the prefix in- in disguise. Why the alteration in spelling? It’s difficult to articulate in- before words that begin with the letters b, m, or p, so we use im- instead for ease of pronunciation.Ratherthansayinginbalance,inmoral,andinpossible,wesayimbalance, immoral, and impossible. The Random House Dictionary explains that the words exemption, immunity, and impunity all “imply special privilege or freedom from imposed requirements.” Exemption refers to freedom from a dutyorburden:“Becauseofhisdisabilityhewasgrantedexemptionfrommilitaryservice.”Immunity(in itslegalsense)referstofreedomfromliabilityorresponsibility,especiallyforwrongdoing:wespeakof diplomatic immunity or immunity from prosecution. Our keyword, impunity, implies freedom from penaltyorpunishment:“WarandanatmosphereofimpunitymakeAfghanistanoneofthemostdangerous placesintheworldtobeajournalist”(Reuters).Impunityisoftenprecededbywith:“Whenthereisno authoritytoenforcetherules,thosewhobreakthemwilldosowithimpunity.” Word7:S TAGNATE(STAG-nayt) Tostoprunningorflowing;becomestaleorfoul;ceasetogrow,develop,oradvance. Theadjectiveisstagnant(STAG-nint),inactive,still,notflowingorrunning,asstagnant water, or not advancing,growing,ordeveloping,asastagnanteconomyorastagnantrelationship. Theverbtostagnate,theadjectivestagnant,andthenounstagnation—astagnantconditionorstate— all come through the Latin stagnāre, to form a pool, from the noun stagnum, a pool of standing water, marsh,swamp.Andallthesewordsimplythestillnessandstalenessofwaterthathaspooledanddoes notflow.Ifyouneverstimulateyourmindwithinterestingthingstothinkandtalkabout,yourbrainwill stagnate,becomestale;yoursociallifewillbecomestagnant,ceasetogrowordevelop;andeventuallyit willbecomehardertoextricateyourselffromyourstagnation,anunhealthyabsenceofenergyoractivity. (Toextricate,pronouncedEKS-tri-kayt,meanstoreleaseorfreefromanentanglement.) Word8:EMBLEMATIC(EM-bluh-MAT-ik) Symbolic,servingasasymbol,representative,typical. An emblem is a symbol or sign that represents or stands for something: “The dove is an emblem of peace.” Emblematic is the adjective, and means serving as an emblem or symbol. Generally speaking, wherever you can use the words symbolic, representative, and typical you can also use emblematic, whichisusuallyfollowedbytheprepositionof: the rampant greed so emblematic of Wall Street; the emblematicchaosofNewYorkCity. Word9:PLAINTIVE(PLAYN-tiv) Mournful,melancholy,expressingsadnessorsorrow. The adjective plaintive and the noun plaintiff (PLAYN-tif) look and sound similar because they are closely related etymologically. Both entered English in the late 14th century from the Middle French plaintif,thefeminineformofwhichwasplaintive.ThisMiddleFrenchplaintifreferredtothepersonor party that brings a civil suit to court, the complainant—the same meaning that plaintiff has today. But plaintifwasalsousedtomeanhavingthecharacterofalament,mournful,sad—themodernmeaningof plaintive. ThesesametwocoexistingsensescanbeseenintherelatedbutunusualEnglishnounplaint, which maymeanacomplaint;agrievancesubmittedtoacourtoflaw;alament;orthesoundoflamentation—a wailingormoaning,asinthissentencefromT.C.Boyle’s1987novelWorld’sEnd:“Theplaintofbass andguitarwasamplifiedbytheadditionofamuddyquaveringvocaltrack.” Although it is not uncommon in journalism, plaintive is what is often called a “literary word,” one usuallyfoundinliterature,poetry,andsophisticatednonfiction,suchascriticismofthefinearts.Music, voices,andvarioussounds—thewindoranechoorthecallofabird—areoftendescribedasplaintive, expressingsadnessorsorrow.Theearly20th-centuryEnglishnovelistVirginiaWoolfevenuseditofa facialexpression:“Theworryofnursingherhusbandhadfixedaplaintivefrownuponherforehead.” Word10:RAPACIOUS (ruh-PAY-shus) Excessivelygreedyorpredatory;inclinedtoseizewhatonewants. Synonyms of rapacious include plundering, grasping, acquisitive, covetous, ravenous, and voracious (word7ofLevel1). Rapacious comes through the Latin rapāx, greedy, predatory, from rapere, to seize. Also from this Latinverbrapere,toseize,cometheEnglishnounrape;theadjectiveraptorial,adaptedforseizingprey, predatory;andtheadjectiverapt,whichmeanseitherseizedwithpowerfulemotion,asraptwithjoy,or deeplyabsorbed,engrossed,asraptwithattention. Thewordsravenous,voracious,andrapaciousarecloseinmeaning.Ravenous “implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite,” says Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. You can be ravenous at the dinner table or ravenousformoney.Voraciousmayalsobeusedofgreatphysicalhunger,asavoraciouseater,oritmay be used figuratively to mean having a great appetite or greed for something: a voracious reader; a voracious, gas-guzzling engine. Our keyword, rapacious, suggests greedy desire and a selfish, aggressiveimpulsetoseizewhatonewants.Wespeakofrapaciouspiratesonthehighseas,therapacious destructionoftheAmazonrainforest,orbanksthatoffercreditcardswithrapaciousinterestrates. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Isadiatribeevercomplimentary? 2.Canapoembeanevocationofapoet’semotions? 3.Ifyouareimbuedwithsomething,areyouobsessedwithit? 4.Issomethingrepugnanteverpleasing? 5.Cananinsolentremarkbeflattering? 6.Ifyoudosomethingwithimpunity,willyoubepunished? 7.Whensomethingstagnates,doesitstarttomove? 8.Cansomethingsymbolicbeemblematic? 9.Canthecallofabirdbeplaintive? 10.Israpaciousbehavioraggressive? DifficultDistinctions:RecurorReoccur? When something happens more than once, should we say that it recurs or that it reoccurs? Both words meantohappenagain,butinslightlydifferentways. Toreoccuristohappenagainonlyonce;areoccurrenceisaonetimerepetition.Torecuristohappen morethanonceorrepeatedly,oftenatfixedintervalsoronaschedule;recurrenceisregularrepetitionor apatternofoccurrence. A traffic accident that reoccurs at a particular intersection might go ignored by city officials. But recurringaccidentsatthatlocationwouldprobablymakethecityinstallastoplight.Andaheadachethat reoccursisnotnecessarilycauseforalarm,butonethatrecursmayindicateaseriousproblem. DifficultDistinctions:AlludeandRefer;AllusionandReference In their literary senses, the verbs to refer and to allude are often confused—so much so that some dictionaries give refer as a synonym of allude. But the words should be carefully distinguished. Both implydirectingtheattention,butindifferentways. Torefer is to mention or introduce specifically, to direct to a source that is named: “The professor referredtheclasstothebibliographyformoreinformation.”Toalludeistotouchonsomethingindirectly orbysuggestion,withoutspecificallymentioningthesource:“Whentheprofessorsaid,‘Wehavemilesto gobeforewesleep,’MarjorieknewitwasanallusiontoRobertFrost’spoem‘StoppingbyWoodsona SnowyEvening.’” Inshort,toreferistoindicateorpointtodirectly,whiletoalludeistohint,suggestindirectly. Likewise with the nouns reference and allusion. Both imply directing the attention to a source, especially something literary or cultural. But in a reference the source is identified, mentioned specifically,whileinanallusionthesourceisnotstateddirectly.AsMarkTwainobserved,“Itisbetter to support schools than jails” is a reference. “Ay, there’s the rub,” she said is an allusion to Shakespeare’sHamlet. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforanothertenkeyworddiscussions. Word11:PEON(PEE-ahn) Anunskilledlaborer;apersonoflowsocialstatuswhodoesphysicallydemandingandsometimesdegradingwork. Synonymsofthenounpeonincludemenial,drudge,andlackey. Thewordspeonandpawnarerelatedetymologically,forbothgobacktotheMedievalLatinpedo,a walker, pedestrian, hence a foot soldier, member of the infantry. Peon came into English in the early 1600sthroughPortugueseandFrenchwordsmeaningfootsoldier.Andinthegameofchessapawnisa footsoldier,theleastvaluedandmostexpendablepieceontheboard. Over the centuries peon has denoted various types of workers, all of them lowly. A peon was originallyafootsoldierorlow-rankingpoliceofficerinIndia,SriLanka,andMalaysia;latertheword wasappliedtoanyservant,attendant,orderly,ormessenger.InLatinAmericaintheearly19thcenturya peonwasalowlymemberofsocietywhowasforcedtodohardlabortopayoffadebttoacreditoror satisfyotherobligationstoamaster.Peonwasthenusedofanyunskilledlaborer,suchasafarmworker oradomesticworker,andbytheearly20thcenturythewordcametobeappliedaswelltoanylowlyor unimportantpersonwhoservesothers. Thenounpeonage(PEE-uh-nij)meansthestateofbeingapeonortheuseofpeonsforservice.Inthe fairy tale “Cinderella,” the title character lives in peonage to her malevolent1 stepmother—until, of course,shemarriestheprince. Word12:INTUIT(in-T[Y]OO-it) Toknoworunderstandinstinctively,withoutdeductionorreasoning. Intuitistheverbcorrespondingtothefamiliarnounintuition,instinctiveknowledgeorinsight,andthe adjective intuitive, perceived by or involving intuition. All three words come from the past participle intuitus of the Latin verb intuēri, to gaze at, look at attentively, contemplate. To intuit is to know by intuition, instinctive knowledge, and to have an intuitive understanding of something is to know it immediately,“withouttheinterventionofanyreasoningprocess”(OED). Anything that you know immediately or instinctively, without thinking logically about it, is intuited. Forexample,weoftenintuitthroughoursenses,aswhenweknowit’sgoingtorainbysmellingtheair andlookingatthesky,orwhenwemakesnapjudgmentsaboutpeoplebasedonourfirstimpressionof howtheylookorspeak. Theantonymofintuitiveiscounterintuitive,ausefulwordthatwasinventedinthe1950s.Thatwhich iscounterintuitiveiscontrarytowhatintuitionwouldleadyoutoexpect,asintheexpressionyouhaveto spendmoneytomakemoney. Word13:OPINE(oh-PYN,likeohpine) Tohaveorexpressanopinion;especially,toexpressaformalopinion. TheverbtoopinecomesfromtheLatinopīnāri,tohaveanopinion,believe,suppose,thesourcealsoof the noun opinion and the adjective opinionated, having strong opinions, stubbornly believing in the superiorityofone’spointofview.Aclosesynonymofopinionatedistheworddogmatic,whichmeans expressing an opinion, usually in an arrogant manner, as if it were fact. “When people are least sure,” wrotetheeconomistJohnKennethGalbraith(GAL-brayth)in1955,“theyareoftenmostdogmatic.” Ourkeyword,opine,hasbeenusedsincethe15thcenturytomeantohaveorexpressanopinion,asin this1881quotationfromTheAcademy:“Youmayopineuponeverythingunderthesun.”Buttoday,says Garner’s Modern American Usage, the word “often connotes the forming of a judgment on insufficient grounds,” and “it can suggest the giving of an idle or facetious (fuh-SEE-shus) opinion.” (Facetious meansnotmeanttobetakenseriously,intendedasajoke.)Nevertheless,themostcommonandenduring sense of opine in American English is to express a formal or authoritative opinion. It is used this way frequently in the law, where an expert witness opines in testimony and a judge or a court opines in a ruling. Youcanopineonorupon:“In1929,thereadersofTheManchesterGuardianwereaskedtoopine onthe‘novelistswhomaybereadin2029’”(NewYorker). You can opine that: “Legal scholars opine that Microsoft faces deep trouble” (CNN). You can opine about: “Pundits [word 10 of Level 4] and politicianswhoopineabouttheso-calledwaronwomen…”(TheWashingtonPost).Oryoucansimply opine, without a preposition: “The pressroom has closed-circuit video footage of the proceedings, allowingtheTwitterpeanutgallerytoopineinwhateverfashionitdesires”(NewYorkDailyNews). Word14:LANGUIS H(LANG-gwish) Tobeorbecomeweakorfeeble,losestrengthorvitality. Synonymsoflanguishincludedecline,droop,wither,andflag. The adjectives languid (LANG-gwid), languor (LANG-gur, rhymes with anger), and languish all implyweaknessorinactivity. The adjective languid comes from the Latin languidus, faint, weak, feeble, and has a number of meanings: lacking energy, exhausted, listless (word 39 of this level), as a recent illness had left him languid;orslow,leisurely,unhurried,asmovingforwardatalanguidpace;orlackingspiritorconcern, indifferent, as a languid look or a languid gesture; or characterized by inactivity, idle, relaxed, as a long,hot,languidsummer;orfinally,lifeless,lackingforceorinterest,asadisappointingthrillerwith alanguidplot. ThenounlanguorcomesfromtheLatinlanguor,languoris,faintness,weariness,feebleness.Itmay mean a lack of energy, physical or mental fatigue, as in this quotation from Jack London’s 1907 story “LoveofLife”:“…thisdeadlylanguor,thatroseandroseanddrownedhisconsciousnessbitbybit”;or itmaymeanapleasurablestateofdrowsinessoridleness,asthedeliciouslanguoroflyingonatropical beach. The corresponding adjective is languorous (LANG-gur-us), characterized by or producing languor:“Theatmospherewas…languorousandheavywiththerichscentofflowers”(AnneElliot,An OldMan’sFavour,1887). Our keyword, the verb to languish, comes from the Latin languēre, to be faint or weak, or to be inactive, sluggish, languid. The primary meaning of languish is to be or become weak or feeble, lose strengthorvitality,weaken,wither,fade,astofallillandlanguishinbed,orflowerslanguishinginthe midday heat. But languish also has several other useful meanings. It may mean to be ignored or neglected,asforweekshisreportlanguishedunreadontheboss’sdesk.Itmaymeantosufferhardship orliveindistressingconditions,astolanguishinprisonorlanguishinginpoverty.Anditmaymeanto yearnfor,pine,sufferwithlonging.Inhisfamouspoem“TheRaven,”EdgarAllanPoelanguishesforhis “lostLenore.” Word15:VES TIGIAL(ve-STIJ-ee-ul) Being,orpertainingto,aremnantortraceofsomethingthathasdisappeared,beenlostordestroyed,orthatnolongersurvives. Theadjectivevestigialandthenounvestige (VES-tij) both come from the Latin vestīgium, a footprint, trace, mark. A vestige is a mark or trace of something that has disappeared, that has been lost or destroyed,orthatnolongerexists.Vestigemaybeusedofsomethingactual,aremnantofsomethingpast andgone,asvestigesofanancientcivilization.Oritmayreferfigurativelytosomethinglostorgone,as avestigeofwarmth,ortothesmallesttraceoramount,aparticleorscrap:avestigeofanaccent. Vestigialmeansofthenatureofavestige,beingorpertainingtoatraceorremnantofsomethingthat nolongerexists.Forexample,intheageofscienceandreason,superstitionssuchasabeliefinfairiesor afearofthenumberthirteen2arevestigial,reminiscentofsomethingthatispastorthathasdisappeared. Inbiology,avestigialbodypart,suchasanorganoratail,isonethatissmallandimperfectlydeveloped butthat,inanearlierstageofevolution,wasoncefullyformedanduseful. Word16:S OMNOLENT(SAHM-nuh-lint) Tendingtocausesleeporinclinedtosleep.Also,drowsy,sleepy,heavywithsleep. SomnolentcomesfromtheLatinsomnus,sleep,slumber,awordakintotheLatinsopor,deepsleep,the sourceoftheEnglishwordsoporific(SAH-puh-RIF-ik),anexactsynonymofsomnolent. TheLatinsomnusisalsothesourceofsomeinterestingandunusualEnglishwords.Somnambulate (sahm-NAM-byuh-layt), a combination of somnus and ambulate, to walk, means to sleepwalk, and somnambulism (sahm-NAM-byuh-liz’m) is the act of walking in one’s sleep. Somniloquist (sahm-NILuh-kwist) combines the Latin somnus, sleep, and loqui, to speak, and means a person who talks while asleep.Theadjectivesomniloquent(sahm-NIL-uh-kwint)meanstalkinginone’ssleep. Anythingthatissleepyorthattendstocausesleepcanbedescribedassomnolent.Adullbookora boring lecture can be somnolent. Soft, relaxing music, or any sleep-inducing sound, can be somnolent. Andasmalltownorvillagethatisquiet,withlittleactivity,maybecalledsleepyorsomnolent. Synonyms of somnolent include weary, fatigued, lethargic (le-THAHR-jik), languid, torpid, and oscitant (AHS-i-tint), a fancy word from the Latin ōscitāre, to yawn, gape, and ōs, mouth, that means drowsy,inattentive,yawningfromsleepiness. Antonyms of somnolent include stimulating, invigorating, bracing, animating, exhilarating, revitalizing,andrevivifying(ree-VIV-i-fy-ing). Word17:S UPPLANT(suh-PLANT) Totaketheplaceof,replace;especially,totaketheplaceofanotherbydishonestmeans,suchasbyforce,scheming,ortreachery. Synonymsofsupplantincludeoverthrow,dispossess,undermine,subvert,andsupersede,whichcomes fromtheLatinsuper,above,andsedēre,tosit,thesourcealsoofsedentary(SED-in-TER-ee), given to sitting;sediment(SED-i-mint),thatwhichsitsonthebottom;andsedate(suh-DAYT,word9ofLevel3), calm,composed,serious.Thatwhichsupersedesbyderivationsits,sedēre,above,super,andsotakesthe placeof. SupplantcomesfromtheLatinverbsupplantāre,totripup,causetostumbleorfall,whichcomesin turnfromsub-,under,beneath,andplanta,thesoleofthefoot.Supplantoncemeantliterallytotripup, causetofall,anditalsooncemeanttouproot,aswhenShakespearewroteinTheTempest,“Trinculo,if youtroublehimanymore…Iwillsupplantsomeofyourteeth.”Butthesesensesareobsolete,andsince the 14th century the chief meaning of supplant has been to supersede, take the place of, especially by dishonest or treacherous means—as when Shakespeare, also in The Tempest, wrote, “You three from MilandidsupplantgoodProspero.” Word18:EUPHEMIS M(YOO-fuh-miz’m) Thesubstitutionofamilder,nicer,moreagreeablewordorexpressionforoneconsideredunpleasant,blunt,oroffensive;also,amorepoliteor pleasantwordorphraseusedinplaceofanotherfelttobeimpoliteorunpleasant. Euphemistic(YOO-fuh-MIS-tik)istheadjective.Toeuphemize(YOO-fuh-myz)istheverb. Euphemisms are what we use when we want to avoid a word or phrase that seems impolite or too direct, or that is socially unacceptable. When we feel uncomfortable expressing something outright, in straightforward or earthy language, we resort to euphemism. In How Not to Say What You Mean: A DictionaryofEuphemisms,R.W.Holderobservesthat“weuseeuphemismwhendealingwithtabooor sensitivesubjects.” Euphemismshavebeenwithusforaslongaswehavebeenabletospeak.Whenpeoplesaydarnfor damnandbygollyorbygoshforbyGod,that’seuphemism.Whenpeoplesaythatsomeonehaspassed awayorgonethewayofallfleshinsteadofdied,orthatawomaniswithchildorexpectinginsteadof pregnant, that’s euphemism. And when we call the place where we urinate and defecate a bathroom, restroom,orlavatory,that’seuphemism. TheVictorianera—VictoriawasqueenofGreatBritainfrom1837to1901—isrememberedinlarge partforitsprudery,3andthereforealsoforitsfondnessforeuphemisms.Forexample,properVictorians nevercalledthelegofapieceoffurniturealeg;theycalleditalimb.Andthewordunderwearwastoo indecent to be uttered in public, so those intimate articles of clothing were referred to as nether garments.4 My grandmother, who was born in 1883, was a fiercely progressive woman for her times, but her proper New England upbringing had taught her to use the euphemism second joint for a chicken thigh becausethighwasanindelicateword.Shepassedthisbitofdaintinessalongtomymother,whousedit everytimesheservedusroastchickenwhenIwasgrowingup,soitcameasabitofasurprisetome whenIeventuallydiscoveredthateveryoneelsecalledthemchickenthighsandnooneoutsidemyfamily, exceptJuliaChild,hadeverheardofasecondjoint. Euphemism comes from the Greek euphēmismós, the use of words of good omen, from eu-, well, good,andphémē,speaking.InEnglish,thesameGreekeu-,good,well,isacombiningformthatappears inanumberofinterestingwords.Thenouneuphony(YOO-fuh-nee),thequalityofhavingapleasantor sweet sound, and the adjective euphonious (yoo-FOH-nee-us), having a pleasant or sweet sound, both combineeu-andtheGreekphōné,voice,sound.Euthanasia(pronouncedlikeyouthinAsia) combines eu-withthánatos,death,tomeanliterallyagooddeath;specificallyitdenotestheactofputtingtodeath orallowingtodiewithaslittlepainaspossible.AndtheEucharist(YOO-kuh-rist),whichcombineseu-, well, good, and the Greek charisma, favor, gift—the direct source of the English word charisma, a specialpersonalappealorcharm—isthesacramentofHolyCommunionintheChristianchurch. Theantonymofeuphemismisdysphemism(DIS-fuh-miz’m),“thesubstitutionofadisagreeableword or phrase for a neutral or even positive one; or a word or phrase so substituted” (Garner’s Modern AmericanUsage).Examplesofdysphemismsincludebean-counter for accountant; grease monkey for mechanic; gumshoe for detective; sawbones for surgeon; egghead for intellectual; and shrink for psychiatrist. Word19:VIS CERAL(VIS-uh-rul) Oforpertainingtothegutorbelly;hence,guidedbyinstinctorintuitionratherthanbythemindorreason. TheEnglishnounviscera(VIS-ur-uh)comesdirectlyfromLatinand,inanatomyandzoology,isusedof theinternalorgansofthetrunkofthebody,especiallythoseintheabdominalcavity,alsoknownasthe entrails(EN-traylz).Theverbtoeviscerate(i-VIS-ur-ayt)meanstoremovetheentrails,disembowel,or figuratively, to empty of essential or vital parts: “Critics said the proposed cost-cutting plan would evisceratefundingforpubliceducation.”Innontechnicalusageviscerareferstothebowelsorintestines, forwhichthesimplerwordisguts.Theadjectivevisceralmeansaffectingorpertainingtotheviscera, theguts. Becauseaperson’sgutorbellyisconsideredthesourceofbasicinstinctandemotion,visceralcame to mean instinctive or intuitive rather than intellectual or rational. Thus, a gut feeling and a visceral feeling are the same: a strong emotion that seems to come more from your bowels than your brain. A visceralreactionisagutreaction,onethatproceedsfrominstinct.Andifyoufeelsomethingonavisceral level,ittouchesyouemotionallyinafundamentalway. Anactororsingercanhavevisceralappeal.Loverscanfeelavisceralconnectionwitheachother. Andparentsoftenhaveavisceralbondwiththeirchildren. Word20:DIS PAS S IONATE(dis-PASH-uh-nit) Notaffectedbypassion,emotion,orprejudice;havingnostrongemotionorbias;notpersonallyoremotionallyinvolved. Synonyms of dispassionate include disinterested, unbiased, indifferent, and impartial. The impartial person remains neutral and does not take sides: an impartial review of the evidence; an impartial mediatorofadispute.Theindifferentpersonshowsnointerestorconcernandoftendoesnotcareto:an indifferentshrug;indifferenttotheopinionsofothers.Abiasisapreferenceorinclination—eithera reasonable preference or an unfair one, a prejudice—so an unbiased opinion is free of bias, without prejudice,andanunbiasedpersondoesnothavehismindalreadymadeup.Thedisinterestedpersonis notselfishlymotivatedandhasnopersonalinterestorstakeintheoutcomeofanevent:a disinterested observer.Theuninterestedperson,bycontrast,simplyhasnointerestanddoesn’tcare. To remember the distinction between disinterested, having no personal interest, and uninterested, lacking interest, just ask yourself whether, if you were on trial for your life, you’d rather have a disinterestedjuryoranuninterestedone. Our keyword, dispassionate, which combines the privative5 prefix dis-, not, with passionate, may apply to people, actions, qualities, or opinions. A dispassionate mind is a calm, composed mind, unmoved by strong emotion. Dispassionate views are fair-minded, neutral, unbiased views. And a dispassionatejudgmentisonethathasnotbeeninfluencedinanywaybyemotion,personalinterest,or prejudice. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Apeonisahigh-ranking,powerfulperson. 2.Whenyouintuitsomething,youanalyzeitandfigureoutwhatitmeans. 3.Toopineistogivealengthyandoftenboringspeech. 4.Somethingthatlanguishesbecomesweaker,isignored,orsuffershardship. 5.Therotarytelephoneisnowavestigialcommunicationdevice. 6.Lyinginahammockonawarmdaycanmakeyousomnolent. 7.Whenonethingsupplantsanother,itsupportsit. 8.Euphemismisdirect,blunt,andsometimesimpolite. 9.Avisceralreactionisthesameasagutreaction. 10.Peoplewhoputtheiremotionsondisplayaredispassionate. OnceUponaWord:DecadeWords Oneofthepleasuresofbeingalanguageloverandtheauthorofvariousbooksaboutwordsisthatpeople askmelotsofinterestingquestions.AndthemostinterestingkindofquestionIgetisfromsomeonewho iswondering,“Isthereawordforthis?” One correspondent, who had heard me opine (word 13 of this level) on his local radio station, emailedmetosaythatheknewthewordoctogenarian (AHK-toh-juh-NAIR-ee-in), which begins with thecombiningformocto-,eight,meantapersoneightytoeighty-nineyearsold,andhewaswonderingif therewereother“decadewords”forpeople’sages.Thereareindeed,butapparentlynotforfolksintheir twentiesandthirties.Itseemsthat’stooyoungtowarrantahighfalutinword. Allthesedecadewordsbeginwithacombiningformthatdenotesacardinalnumberandendwiththe suffix-arian,whichdesignatesapersonwhoisordoessomething—suchasalibrarian, someone who worksinalibrary. The combining form quadr(i)- means four, so when you’re forty or in your forties, you’re a quadragenarian(KWAH-druh-juh-NAIR-ee-in).Quinqu(e)meansfive,sowhenyouhitfiftyyoubecome a quinquagenarian (KWIN-kwuh-juh-NAIR-ee-in). When you hit sixty, you’re a sexagenarian (SEKsuh-juh-NAIR-ee-in)becausethecombiningformsex-meanssix.Sept(i)-meansseven,sowhenyou’re in your seventies you’re a septuagenarian (SEP-t[y]oo-uh-juh-NAIR-ee-in). You already know about aboutoctogenarian,solet’stalkaboutnona-,nine,whichgivesusnonagenarian(NAHN-uh-juh-NAIRee-in), a person who’s made it to ninety. And if you make it to one hundred, congratulations. The combiningformcent(i)-meanshundredorhundredth,soyou’reacentenarian(SEN-tuh-NAIR-ee-in). *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforLevel2. Word21:INDEFATIGABLE(IN-di-FAT-i-guh-buul,stressonfat) Tireless,neverlackingenergy,notcapableofbeingfatigued. Thefamiliarwordfatigue,whichasanounmeanswearinessandasaverbmeanstotireout,comesfrom theLatinfatīgāre,totire,whileindefatigablecomesfromasimilarLatinverb,dēfatīgāre,withthesame meaning,toweary,tire,wearout. TheunusualEnglishworddefatigable(di-FAT-i-guh-bul),whichyou’llfindonlyinafewunabridged dictionaries,meanscapableofbeingwearied,apttogettired,as“TheolderIget,themoredefatigableI become.”Grafttheprivativeprefixin-,not,ontodefatigableandyouhaveindefatigable,notapttoget tired,incapableofbeingwearied. Indefatigableimpliesperseverance,strongcommitment,orunwaveringeffort—whatyoumightcall, informally,stick-to-it-iveness.Thewordmaybeusedofpeople,asanindefatigableseekerofjustice;of qualities,asherindefatigablepassionforhelpingothers;orofactions,astheirindefatigableeffortsto rescuethetrappedminers. Word22:ARCHETYPE(AHR-kuh-typ) Anoriginalmodel,form,orpatternafterwhichallthingsofthesamekindarecopied,oronwhichtheyarebased. ArchetypecomesthroughtheLatinarchetypum,anoriginal,fromtheGreekarchetypon,amodel,pattern, fromarche-,first,original,andtypos,astamp,mold,pattern.Inmodernusage,archetypeusuallyimplies notonlyanoriginalmodelorpatternthatcanbecopiedbutalsoaperfectexampleofsomething,anideal form: “Although most critics agree that Edgar Allan Poe invented the detective story, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is generally considered the archetype of the private detective in fiction.” Archetypal(AHR-kuh-TYP-ulorAHR-kuh-typ-ul)istheadjective:“ThemoviestarsGaryCooperand JohnWayneoftenplayedarchetypalheroesoftheAmericanWest.” The words archetype and prototype are close in meaning. Although both denote original types, archetype usually refers to qualities, characteristics, or concepts based on mythical examples or ideal forms,whileprototype“mostoftenreferstoaphysicalmodelofamechanicalinvention,”saysGarner’s ModernAmericanUsage.Michelangelo’sstatueofDavidisanarchetypeofmalephysicalstrengthand beauty. Thomas Edison’s prototypes for the lightbulb and the phonograph have been preserved in a museum. In psychology, archetype has a specialized meaning popularized by the Swiss psychologist Carl GustavJung(1875–1961),whoselastnameispronouncedYUUNG,withtheuofputorfull.“ForJung, there were several layers to the unconscious mind, among which are the personal unconscious and the collective unconscious,” explains Herbert Kohl in From Archetype to Zeitgeist (word 16 of Level 7). “The personal unconscious contains … material derived from one’s experience,” while the collective unconscious contains “archetypes of the unconscious” that “are part of an individual’s inheritance from thehistoryofthehumanrace”and“expressdeepandofteninaccessiblelevelsofhumanexperience.” Word23:VERACITY(vuh-RAS-i-tee) Truthfulness,correctness,accuracy,conformitywithtruthorfact. The noun veracity, truthfulness, and the adjective veracious (vuh-RAY-shus) both come from the Latin vērāx, vērācis, speaking the truth, truthful. A veracious statement or story is true, accurate, or honest becauseitischaracterizedbyveracity,truthfulness. FromthisLatinvērāx and the related Latin words vērus, true, and vēritās, truth, come a number of usefulEnglishwords. Theverbtoverifycombinesvērus,true,withfacere,todo,make,andmeanstoestablishorprovethe truth of something, confirm, substantiate, as to verify that the painting was genuine. The unusual noun verity(VER-i-tee)isafancysynonymoftruth,ashistoricalverity.Itmayalsomeananestablishedfact orfundamentaltruth,asphilosophyisthesearchfortheveritiesofexistence.Theadjectiveisveritable (VER-i-tuh-bul),genuine,actual,beingtrulyorcorrectlyso,asaveritablewhizatmathorthisbookisa veritablegoldmineofwords. The common word very is also from the Latin vērāx, truthful, as are its old-fashioned cousins, the words verily, truly, really, indeed, as in the biblical phrase verily I say unto you, and veriest, utmost, greatest,asinthislinefromNathanielHawthorne’snovelTheScarletLetter(1850):“Hehadspokenthe verytruth,andtransformeditintotheveriestfalsehood.” Finally, we have the noun verisimilitude (VER-i-suh-MIL-i-t[y]ood), which comes from the Latin vērus,true,andsimilis,like,resembling,andinEnglishmeanstheappearanceoftruth,asadramawith ampleverisimilitude(appearanceoftruth)butlittleverity(actualtruth). Our keyword, veracity, traditionally means a habitual observance of or devotion to truth, as a research scientist must have a passion for veracity. And in its least common sense veracity may also meanatruth,somethingthatistrue,asinthis1867quotationfromthehistorylecturesofWilliamStubbs, bishopofOxford:“Aworldwhosefalsehoodsandveracitiesareseparatedbysothinabarrier.”Butmost commonly today veracity is used to mean truthfulness, correctness, accuracy, as the prosecution questionedtheveracityofhertestimony. Theantonymofveracity is mendacity (men-DAS-i-tee), lying, untruthfulness, deceit, from the Latin mendāx,mendācis,giventolying. Word24:MINION(MIN-yun) Aservilefollowerorassistant.(Servileisword6ofLevel1.) Synonymsofminionincludeunderling,subordinate,hanger-on,andhenchman. MinioncomesfromtheFrenchandMiddleFrenchwordmignon,delicate,dainty,familiartoEnglish speakersinthenameofthesmallandtendercutofbeeffiletmignon.ButthisFrenchmignonisalsoan Englishadjective,pronouncedmin-YAHN,thatmeansdelicatelyformed,smallandpretty;itisperhaps moreoftenusedinitsfeminineform,mignonne(alsomin-YAHN),asinhergraceful,mignonnefigure. WhenthenounminionenteredEnglishinthe16thcenturyitwasusedtomeananumberofthings:an effeminate man; a person kept for sexual favors; a specially favored person, a darling; and a person, usually male, who is favored by and dependent on someone powerful, usually another male. This last meaningevolvedintothemodernsenseoftheword—aslavishfollower,subservientattendant—whilethe othersenses,withtheirconnotationsofdaintinessandsexualintimacy,becameobsoleteorrare. Todayminionisusedchieflyofanysubordinatepersonwhounquestioninglyfollows,assists,ortakes orders from someone more powerful, as the movie star with her fawning minions. The word is also sometimesusedtodenoteaminororlow-rankingofficial,asintheidiomminions of the law, meaning policeofficers. Word25:INVETERATE(in-VET-ur-it) Fixedinahabitorcustom,firmlyestablishedbyhabitorpractice. Synonyms of inveterate include confirmed, deep-rooted, long-standing, chronic, dyed-in-the-wool, ingrained,habituated(huh-BICH-oo-ay-tid),inured (i-N[Y]UURD), and incorrigible (word 44 of this level). Inveterate comes from the Latin inveterātus, of long standing, firmly rooted, established, the past participle of inveterāre, to age, become old, and is related to the noun veteran. In modern usage, inveterateapplieschieflytoanunpleasant,offensive,orevenevilhabit,custom,attitude,orfeelingthat has been fixed or settled for so long that it cannot be changed, improved, or eradicated. We speak of inveteratedruguse,aninveterateliar,inveteratechildabuse,orinveteratehostilitybetweenfamilies. Word26:EXTOL(ek-STOHL) Topraisehighly. ExtolcomesfromtheLatinextollĕre,toraise,liftup,andextoloncehadthisliteralmeaninginEnglish, asinthislinefromabookofpsalmspublishedin1549:“UntotheeLordIextoll,Andliftmysouleand minde.”Butsincetheearly16thcenturyextolhasalsomeant“toraisehighwithpraise”(OED),andthat istheonlymodernmeaningoftheword. Synonyms of extol, to praise highly, include glorify, magnify, exalt, laud (rhymes with Maude), eulogize (YOO-luh-jyz), and panegyrize (PAN-i-juh-ryz). You may extol or laud a person or thing in private or in public, in writing or in speech, and in formal or informal language. But eulogize and panegyrizeapplychieflytoformal,lofty,publicexpressionsofpraise,usuallyonsomesolemnoccasion suchasafuneralorinauguration. Antonyms of extol include discredit, disparage, denounce, denigrate, and stigmatize (STIG-muhtyz),tobrandasshameful,setamarkofdisgraceupon.In1712,JosephAddisonwroteinTheSpectator, “TofindVirtueextolled,andVicestigmatized.” Word27:GAFFE(GAF,rhymeswithlaugh) Aconspicuousmistake,obviousblunder;“aninstanceofclumsystupidity”(OED). Gaffe is an early 20th-century borrowing of the modern French gaffe, a blunder, especially the kind of blunderwhereyouputyourfootinyourmouth.Beyondthattheoriginofthewordisuncertain.InEnglish gaffe may apply to any kind of obvious mistake, but it is most often applied to a conspicuous social blunder, and in this sense it is virtually interchangeable with another borrowing from French, faux pas (foh-PAH), which means literally a false step. Both gaffe and faux pas may apply either to saying the wrongthing(suchasbeingrudeortactless)ortodoingthewrongthing(suchasviolatingacustomora ruleofetiquette). Word28:INDOCTRINATE(in-DAHK-tri-nayt) Toinstructinaparticulardoctrine,setofprinciples,orbelief. A doctrine, from the Latin doctrīna, knowledge, learning, that which is imparted by teaching, is somethingthatistaught,specificallyasystemofbelieflaiddownastrueorasetofprinciplestofollow. Toindoctrinateistoinstructinadoctrine,teachaspecificwayofthinkingorbelieving. To instill, to imbue (word 3 of this level), to implant, to inculcate (in-KUHL-kayt), and to indoctrinate all mean to teach or introduce into the mind. To instill and to imbue suggest gradual and usually gentle instruction: to instill good values; imbued with a love of reading. To implant may be gradual or swift, and suggests firmly fixing something (such as a principle, opinion, or desire) in the mind:thefirstplayheeversawimplantedinhimadeepambitiontobecomeanactor. To inculcate, fromtheLatincalcāre,totreadon,trample,andcalx,theheel,isliterallytostampwiththeheel,andso figurativelytoimpressorurgeonthemindwithpersistentandoftenemphaticinstruction,asa training programknownforinculcatingdisciplineinitsgraduates. Ourkeyword,toindoctrinate,maymeantoteachthebasicsorfundamentalprinciplesofsomething, butmoreoftentodayitisusedtomeantoinstructinaparticularwayofthinking,oftenabiasedpointof view. For example, a person can be indoctrinated with political ideology or religious dogma.6 In this sense indoctrinate is close in meaning to brainwash, except that brainwashing involves coercion and sometimesforce,whileindoctrinationusuallydoesnot. Word29:NUANCE(N[Y]OO-ahnts) Aslightdifferenceorsubtlevariation,asinmeaning,expression,feeling,tone,etc.;asubtleshadingordistinction. In one of its many senses, the word nicety (NY-suh-tee), a fine point, subtle or minute distinction, is a closesynonymofnuance. The English noun nuance is a direct borrowing from French, in which nuance means a shade or gradation of color, a hue. This modern French nuance goes back through the Middle French nuer, to shade, cloud, to the Latin nūbēs, a cloud. From the same source comes the unusual English adjective nubilous(N[Y]OO-bi-lus),cloudy,foggy,orvague,obscure,indefinite,asadense,elaborate,nubilous styleofwriting. A nuance can be literal, as in French, and denote a slight variation in color, a shade or hue: “The roomwasunhappilydecoratedwitheverypossiblenuanceofbrown.”Moreoften,though,nuanceisused figurativelyofanyslightdifferenceorfinedistinction.Ifyoucandiscernasubtleshadeofmeaning,tone, expression,orfeeling,that’sanuance.Wespeakofthenuances,orslightdifferencesinmeaning,between words,orthenuancesofexpressioninapoem,apainting,oradramaticormusicalperformance.Facial expressionsandgesturescanalsohavenuances.Inhis1956novelAnglo-SaxonAttitudes,AngusWilson aptly uses nuance of social interaction: “She knew that every relationship had a hundred overtones, a thousandnuancesthatmadeituniqueandutterlyfascinating.” Theadjectiveisnuanced,havingdelicateandsubtlegradationsofexpression,tone,ormeaning,asa nuancedinterpretationoranuancedapproach. Word30:PLACATE(PLAY-kayt) Tosoothethefeelingsof,makelessupsetorangry. Synonymsofplacateincludepacify,appease,mollify,assuage(uh-SWAYJ),propitiate (pruh-PISH-eeayt),andconciliate(kun-SIL-ee-ayt).Antonymsofplacateincludealienate,offend,antagonize,estrange (word8ofLevel4),anddisaffect. Placate comes from the Latin plācātus, soothed, appeased, pacified, the past participle of the verb plācāre, to soothe, calm, quiet. In Latin, plācāre was akin to another verb, placēre, to please, be agreeable to, which is the source of the English word placid (PLAS-id), calm, free of disturbance, peaceful,tranquil,serene,asinthissentencefromPhilipLarkin’s1947novelGirlinWinter: “The sea wassoplacidthatonlyanoccasionalheave…showedshewasnotonland.” ThemeaningsoftheseLatinverbsplācāre,tosoothe,andplacēre,toplease,combineintheEnglish verbplacate, which implies soothing hurt or angry feelings by attempting to please. When you placate, you calm someone down by being agreeable or making concessions. The ancients placated their angry godsbyofferingthemasacrifice.Amediatorofadisputetriestoplacatebothsidessotheywillcometo anagreement. Thepreferredadjectiveisplacatory(PLAY-kuh-TOR-ee),servingorintendedtoplacate,soothethe feelingsof,makelessupset,asaplacatorysmile. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Indefatigableanddebilitatedare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Archetypeandprototypeare… 3.Veracityandmendacityare… 4.Minionandunderlingare… 5.Inveterateandhabituatedare… 6.Extolandstigmatizeare… 7.Gaffeandfauxpasare… 8.Inculcateandindoctrinateare… 9.Gradationandnuanceare… 10.Irritateandplacateare… TheStyleFile:NoneIsorNoneAre? “What’sproperwiththewordnone?”asksacorrespondentonmywebsite.“ShouldIsay‘Noneofmy friendsisgoing’or‘Noneofmyfriendsaregoing’?Ibelievethatnoneisanoldcontractionofnotone.If that’struethennoneisseemscorrect.Butareseemsmoreidiomatic.I’mconfused.” What’sconfusinghere,Iresponded,isthatwecontinuetodeludeourselvesthatbecausenonecomes fromanOldEnglishcontractionthatmeantnotoneitmusttakeasingularverbinmodernEnglish.Butit ispointlessandmisguidedtoinsistthatnonealwaysmeansnotoneandthereforetakesasingularverb, asin“Noneoftheseatswasempty.”Insuchacontext,nonemoreoftenmeansnot any, and idiom and customaryusagecallforapluralverb:“Noneoftheseatswereempty”;“Noneoftheweaponshavebeen found”;“Noneofthepicturesweresubjecttothearchitect’sapproval”(TheNewYorkTimesMagazine); and“Noneofmyfriendsaregoing.”Theonlytimenonemusttakeasingularverbiswhenitmeansno part,asin“Noneofthedebthasbeenpaid.” *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinWordWorkout: Word31:DEIFY(properlyDEE-i-fy,notDAY-) Tomakeagodof,ortoadoreorworshipasagod. Thenounisdeity(DEE-i-tee,notDAY-),agodorgoddess,orsupremebeing. TheverbtodeifycomesfromtheLateLatindeificāre,tomakeadeity,whichinturncomesfromthe Latindeus,god,andthesuffix-ficāre,thesourceoftheEnglishsuffix-fy,whichmeanseithertomake(as insimplify,tomakesimple,orbeautify,tomakebeautiful)ortobecome(asinsolidify,tobecomesolid). Todeifyfirstmeanttomakeagodof,rendergodlikeordivine,butlatercametomeantotreatasa god, regard as godlike, and that is the more common meaning of the word today. We typically deify celebritiesandsuperstars.Dictatorsofteninsist,withforcetobackitupifnecessary,thattheirpeople deifythem,treatthemasiftheywereagodordivinelyinspired.Andwhenmyyoungerdaughter,Judith, was fourteen she deified the pop singer Justin Bieber by dubbing herself a “Belieber” and turning her bedroomintoaposter-filledshrine. Synonymsofdeify include exalt, immortalize, consecrate (word 42 of this level), and apotheosize (uh-PAH-thee-uh-syz,discussedunderapotheosis,word50ofLevel9). Word32:RECAPITULATE(REE-kuh-PICH-uh-layt) Torepeatorrestatebriefly;summarize. Recapitulate comes from the Late Latin recapitulāre, to sum up, from re-, again, and capitulum, a division of a book, chapter. The English chapter also comes from capitulum, which in classical Latin meantalittlehead,fromtheLatincaput,thehead,thesourcealsooftheEnglishwordscapital,aplace thatistheheadofgovernment;decapitate,tocutoffthehead;andcapitulate,tolistthetermsofsurrender undervariousheadingsinadocument.TheLatinphrasepercapita(pur-KAP-i-tuh)meansbyorforeach person,literallybyheads,asthestatewiththelowestpercapitaincome. Byderivation,torecapitulateistogobackagaintotheheadortop;inmodernusageitmeanstogo over the theme or principal points in a concise manner. The noun recapitulation may be a brief restatement,concisesummary,orspecificallyinmusic,thethirdsectionofacompositioninsonataform, aftertheexpositionanddevelopment,inwhichanearlierthemeisrepeatedinsomewhatdifferentform. Toreiterate(ree-IT-ur-ayt)andtorecapitulatebothmeantorepeatorrestate.Butreiterate,fromthe Latin reiterāre, to repeat, means to say or do something again or repeatedly, often insistently or in a tiresomemanner.Torecapitulateisneverinsistentortiresomeandalwaysimpliesbrieflyrepeatingor reviewingsoastosummarize.Poorspeakersreiteratetheirmessage,sayitagaininanunoriginalway. Goodspeakersrecapitulatetheirmainpoints,summarizeorbrieflyrestatethem,attheendofaspeech. The word recap (REE-kap) is an informal, shortened form of both the verb to recapitulate and the noun recapitulation. A TV news program can recap the day’s events or provide a recap of the day’s events. Word33:LUMINARY(LOO-mi-ner-ee) Animportantpersonwhoisasourceoflightorinspirationtoothers. LuminarycomesfromtheLatinlūmen,lūmĭnis,light,thesourcealsooftheEnglishwordsluminous,full oflight,shining,brilliant;luminosity,thequalityorstateofbeingbrightorluminous;andlumen,aunitof lightortherateoftransmissionofluminousenergy.Thereisalsoarareadjectiveluminary,pertainingto light. ThenounluminarybeganlifeinEnglishmeaningsomethingthatgivesofflight,especiallyacelestial bodysuchasthesunormoon,andforcenturiesthephrase“theluminaries”hasmeantthesunandmoon. Butforjustaslongthewordhasbeenusedinafigurativesenseofanimportantorprominentpersonwho forothersis“asourceofintellectual,moral,orspirituallight”(OED). What’s the difference between a leader and a luminary? A leader is a person who shows or tells otherswhattodoorwheretogo.Aleadermayplayahelpingrole,asaguideorconductor,oraleader mayhavepowerandcontrol,asamanagerorcommander.Bycontrast,aluminarydoesnotactivelylead butsetsanexampleforothersthroughbrilliantachievement.Aluminaryisasourceoflightintheworld and an inspiration to others. Rosa Parks was a luminary of the civil rights movement; the Colombian writerandNobellaureateGabrielGarcíaMárquezisaluminaryofLatinAmericanliterature;andJames D.WatsonandFrancisCrick,whodiscoveredthestructureofDNA,aretwoofmodernscience’sgreatest luminaries. Word34:CONFOUND(kun-FOWND) Toconfuse,perplex,bewilder,throwintoconfusionordisorder. Synonyms of the verb to confound include to astound, mystify, baffle, rattle, dumbfound, flabbergast, nonplus(nahn-PLUHS,word14ofLevel3),anddisconcert(dis-kun-SURT). ConfoundcomesfromtheLatinconfundĕre,topourtogether,mixup,andsotoconfuse,throwinto disorder.Inmodernusageconfoundstillhewscloselytothisderivation,forthewordisusedchieflyto meantomixuporconfuse.Forexample,confoundmaymeantomixupinthemindsoastobeunableto discernthedifferencebetween,astoconfoundfantasywithreality.Itmaymeantomixupormingleso thattheelementscannotbedistinguished,asaturbulentcrowdofprotestersconfoundedinallwaysbut intheircollectiveoutrage.Perhapsmostoften,itmaymeantothrowthemindorfeelingsintoconfusion ordisorder,renderunabletospeakoract,asherreplycaughthimoffguardandconfoundedhim. Confoundisalsousedasamildcurseorimprecation(IM-pruh-KAY-shin,word50ofLevel6)inthe old-fashioned and now chiefly British expression confound it (or confound him, her, them, etc.), in whichconfoundmeanstodamnorsendtohell. Word35:S OJOURN(SOH-jurn) Toremainorliveinaplaceforawhile,staytemporarily. YoucanseepartofthewordjourneyinsojournbecausebothwordsincorporatetheFrenchjour,aday, whichcomesfromtheLatindiurnus,belongingtoorlastingforaday,thesourceoftheEnglishadjective diurnal, daily, happening each day, as diurnal kitchen chores or the diurnal rotation of the earth. By derivationajourneyisaday’stravel,whiletosojournistospendanumberofdays—afewormany—in aplace:“TheysojournedinItalyforthesummer.” Asojournisavisit,temporarystay:asojourninastrangeland.Andasojourner(SOH-jur-nur)isa personwhostopsorstaysforawhileinaplaceandthenmoveson. Word36:AS KEW(uh-SKYOO) Crooked,slanted,distorted,outoflineorproperposition. Straight,even,anddirectareantonymsofaskew. Theverbtoskewmeanseithertoturnaside,swerve,ortodistort,slant,representunfairlysoasto give a false impression, as to skew the data in their favor. Askew combines the verb to skew with the prefixa-,whichwasoftenusedtoformanadverboradjectivefromanounorverb,asinasleep,ashore, aside,afoot,aglow,andablaze. Thethreewordsaskew,awry(likearye),andaskance(rhymeswiththe pants) all imply a lack of straightness,evenness,ordirectness.Askancemaymeanindirectly,obliquely,withasidewaysglance,but more often it is used with verbs such as look, view, and eye to mean with disapproval, suspicion, or mistrust: “She looked askance at her son’s dubious financial transactions.” Awry suggests a twisting or turningtooneside:“Thewindhadblownherhatawry”;figuratively,itsuggestsaturningawayfromthe right course, position, or order: “When the dastardly Parlabane crashed the wedding, everything went awry.” Askew suggests a lack of alignment and may be used of anything that is slanted, uneven, or distortedinsomeway,asinthislinefromCharlesDickens’s1856novelLittleDorrit:“lattice-blindsall hangingaskew.” Word37:HIS TRIONIC(HIS-tree-AH-nik) Overlydramatic;excessivelyaffectedoremotional. HistrioniccomesfromtheLatinhistrionicus,oforpertainingtothetheater,fromhistrio(n),anactor,and thewordhasalsolongbeenusedtomeanoforrelatingtoactorsoracting,asthehistrionicart or the histrionic tradition. But histrionic has come to be used more often of any behavior that is overly dramaticoremotional.Ahistrionicperformance,whetheronstageornot,isexaggerated,fullofshowy, feignedemotion.Thesameistrueforthepluralhistrionics,whichoncemeantsimplyactingbutnowis almostexclusivelyusedofexaggeratedemotionalbehaviordesignedtoattractattention,asaquarrelsome citycouncilpronetohistrionicsandhissyfits. Thewordsdramatic,theatrical,melodramatic,andhistrionicallrefertoactingortobehaviorthat resemblesacting. Dramatic is the most general and least negative word, and applies to “that which is emotionally strikingandexciting,”saysCrabb’sEnglishSynonymes,“inwhichthenormaleffectofactionandfeeling isheightenedandemphasizedwithouttranscendingtheboundsofreality.”Unliketheotherthreewords, dramaticdoesnotsuggestexaggerationorartificiality.Anythingthatstirstheemotionsortheimagination can be dramatic: a movie, a novel, a daring rescue at sea, or even a family dinner can be dramatic, characterizedbyheightenedorintensefeelingandaction. Theatricalmaybeusedneutrallytomeanoforpertainingtothetheater,butthewordoften“implies something falsely dramatic,” says Crabb’s, in which “the effect does not arise naturally, but is created simplybyamethodofpresentation,”usuallyonecharacterizedbyelements—suchasmannerofspeaking, gestures,andfacialexpressions—thataresuggestiveofthestageandplainlyartificial.Inthe1939film The Wizard of Oz, the actor Frank Morgan plays several characters—including the Wizard—with charmingtheatricalbrio.(Brio,pronouncedBREE-oh,comesfromtheItalianbrio,fire,life,andmeans vigor,liveliness,enthusiasm.) Melodramatictakestheatricaltothenextlevelofexaggerationandpretense.FormedfromtheGreek melós, song, melody, and dramatic, melodramatic means like a melodrama, a dramatic form characterized by exaggerated emotions and an emphasis on plot and action rather than on character development.Ifastoryisportrayedinanoverlyemotionalway,withasensationalplotandcharacters whooverstatetheirfeelings,it’smelodramatic. Our keyword, histrionic, suggests excessive theatricality. It applies to any behavior that is deliberately affected so as to have an overly dramatic effect, and especially to an extravagant or flamboyantdisplayofemotion:thehistrionicwailingofthewidowatherhusband’sgrave. Word38:COALES CE(koh-uh-LES) Togroworcometogether,unite,blend,merge,combineintoonemassorbody. Synonymsoftheverbtocoalesceincludefuse, amalgamate (uh-MAL-guh-mayt), and commingle (kuhMING-gul,kuh-asincommenceandcommit). TheverbtocoalescecomesfromtheLatincoalescere,togrowtogether,becomeone,thesourcealso oftheEnglishwordcoalition,aunion,alliance. Coalescemaybeusedofpeopleorgroupsofpeopletomeantounite,cometogetherasone,forma whole,ashostiletribesthatputasidetheirdifferencesandcoalescedintoanation.Oritmaybeused ofthings,eitherliving,asmalignantcellscancoalesceintoatumor,orabstract,asthewriter’srandom thoughtseventuallycoalescedintoanovel. Coalescenceisthenoun.Theadjectiveiscoalescent. Word39:LIS TLES S (LIST-lis) Showingnointerestoreffort,lackingenergyordesire. ListlesscomesfromMiddleEnglishandcombinesthearchaicwordlist,whichmeantpleasure,joy,or desire,appetite,withthesuffix-less,without,devoidof.Byderivation,thatwhichislistlessiswithout pleasure,devoidofdesire,andsolackingenergyorinterest. Since the 17th century—when the British physician Nathaniel Fairfax, in his Philosophical Transactions,wrote,“Hewaseveralistless,dull,andmelancholyfellow”—listlesshasbeenusedboth ofpeopleandofthingstomeanlackingenergyordesire.Todosomethinginalistlessmanneristodoit withaslittleeffortandaslittleconcernaspossible.Wespeakoflistlessstudents,listlessreaders,ora listlessaudience,meaningthattheyshownointerestoreffort.Apersoninalistlessmoodhasnodesireto act,apersonwithalistlesshandshakeoffersyoualimpandlifelesshand,andapersonwithalistless mindhasnointellectualenergyorcuriosity. Synonymsoflistlessincludesluggish,spiritless,indolent(word48ofLevel4),lethargic, languid, phlegmatic (fleg-MAT-ik), apathetic, impassive, and indifferent. All of these words suggest a lack of energyordesire,oralackofinterestorconcern,orboth. Word40:ABATE(uh-BAYT) Tolessen,diminish,reduceinamount,force,degree,orintensity. Synonymsoftheverbtoabateincludetodecrease,weaken,subside,wane,andebb.Antonymsofabate include increase, intensify, swell, amplify, magnify, and redouble, as “They redoubled their efforts to findthelostchild.” AbatecomesfromMiddleEnglish,OldFrench,andLatinwordsmeaningtobeatorknockdown,and intheapproximatelyeighthundredyearssincethewordenteredEnglish,thisforcefuloriginhasgradually abated,beenreducedorlessened,sothatabatenowmeanstodiminishinvariousways.Youcanabatea tax by lessening or suspending it. You can abate a nuisance, make it less troublesome, by reducing or removingit.Youcanabatethecostofsomethingbyreducingorsubtractingfromit.Youcanabateyour appetite,curbordecreaseit,orabateyourpain,reduceitsamountorintensity.Andusedintransitively (meaning that the verb does not perform its action directly on something), abate can mean to weaken, diminish, subside, lose force or intensity, as eventually the storm abated or his drunken fury will not soonabate. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Todeifyistoexalt,exhume,glorify. 2.Torecapitulateistosumup,spellout,reviewbriefly. 3.Aluminaryisaprominentperson,respectedperson,unusualperson. 4.Toconfoundistobelittle,perplex,confuse. 5.Tosojournistostaytemporarily,vacation,liveinexile. 6.Somethingaskewisdistorted,crooked,untrustworthy. 7.Histrionicmeansextremelysloppy,extremelyemotional,extremelydramatic. 8.Tocoalesceistocometogether,worktogether,unite. 9.Listlessmeanssluggish,vivacious,languid. 10.Toabateistodiminish,decrease,discontinue. ALittleLatinIsaLovelyThing Andnowforafewwordsaboutadeadlanguage:Latin. Goodoldveni,vidi,vici(WAY-nee,WEE-dee,WEE-kee).Icame,Isaw,Iconquered.Thatfamous LatinsentencewaspennedbyJuliusCaesarafterhisvictoryoverPharnaces(FAHR-nuh-seez),kingof Pontus,in47 B.C.It’stheonlysentenceIcanrememberfrommytwoyearsofhighschoolLatin,during whichIcame,Isaw,andIstumbled.HowIstruggledwiththattwistedsyntaxandrigidgrammartowarda miserable C− and, the next year, a slightly less miserable C+. I never made it over the pons asinorum (PAHNZAS-i-NOR-um),theasses’bridge,whichWebster2definesas“acriticaltestofabilityimposed upontheinexperiencedorignorant.” Butlookingback,Idon’tregretaminuteofit.Why?BecauselearningsomeLatinisoneofthebest waystobuildyourknowledgeofEnglish.Latinmaybeadeadlanguage,butitssoullivesoninthousands of English words—not a few of which you have already come across in Word Workout. In medicine, literature,philosophy,theology,science,andlaw,Latinwordsandphrasesabound.ButdozensofLatin phraseshavealsomadetheirwayintoeverydayEnglish. Forexample,caveatemptor(KAY-vee-at,KAV-ee-at,orKAV-ee-ahtEMP-tororEMP-tur)meanslet thebuyerbeware.Inbusiness,caveatemptoristheprinciplethatthesellerofaproductcannotbeheld responsiblefordefectsinqualityorworkmanshipunlesstheproductcarriesawarranty.Probono,short forprobonopublico(prohBOH-nohPOO-bli-koh),meansforthepublicgood.Quid pro quo (KWID prohKWOH)meansliterallysomethingforsomething;aquidproquo is something given in return for somethingelse,anequalexchange,atitfortat. Protempore (proh-TEM-puh-ree) means temporarily, for the time being; it is often abbreviated pro tem,asinanofficialtitle:chairmanoftheboardprotem.Sine qua non (SIN-ay kwah NOHN) means literallywithoutwhichnot;itreferstosomethingnecessaryorindispensable:“Theircooperationwasthe sinequanoninthesuccessofthisproject.”Andthenthere’sthefamiliarviceversa (VY-suh-VUR-suh), whichhasnothingtodowithvice,corruption,depravity(word1ofLevel1).Thisvicecomesfromthe Latinvicis,achange,turn,alternation,andthephrasemeansconversely,withtheorderflipped. TherearealsomanyEnglishabbreviationsderivedfromLatin:i.e.standsforidest,whichmeansthat isornamely;e.g.standsforexempligratia,whichmeansforexample;q.v.standsforquodvide,meaning whichsee;andcf.standsforconfer,meaningcompare.Thenthere’sthecommonetc.,whichstandsforet cetera and should always be pronounced et-SET-uh-ruh, never ek-SET-uh-ruh. And don’t say or write andetc.,whichisredundant. IcouldgoonwiththeseLatinphrasesadinfinitum(ad-in-fi-NY-tum), forever, or ad nauseam (adNAW-zee-um), until it makes you nauseated, but instead I’ll close by saying verbum sat sapienti est (WAIR-buumsahtSAH-pee-EN-teeEST),whichmeansawordtothewiseisenough. *** And now, because tempus fugit (TEM-pus FYOO-jit), time flies, it’s time to get back to the Word Workoutvocabularyforanothertenkeyworddiscussions. Word41:PONDEROUS (PAHN-dur-us) Largeandheavy,weighty,orhardtohandlebecauseofgreatsizeandweight. Synonymsofponderousincludemassive,bulky,cumbersome,andunwieldy. Ponderous comes from the Latin pondĕrōsus, heavy, weighty, which comes in turn from the noun pondus,aweight,mass,burden,literallyaweightusedinapairofscales.FrompondusEnglishhasalso inheritedtheverbtoponder,toweighinthemind,contemplate,meditate,considerdeeply,andthenoun pound,aunitofweight,alsoamonetaryunitusedintheUnitedKingdom,so-calledbecausebeforewe used paper money people would weigh precious metals such as gold and silver to determine their monetaryvalue.That’swhywehaveexpressionslikeheisworthhisweightingold. Ponderousmaybeusedinanumberofways,allofwhichsuggestweightorheaviness.Itmaybeused to mean heavy with meaning or importance, serious, profound, as ponderous thoughts or ponderous words.Itmaybeusedofmovementtomeanheavyandslow,deliberate,astheirponderoustrekupthe mountain. And it may be used of style or expression to mean heavy and dull, boring, labored, as the ponderouslectureputhertosleep.Butperhapsmostoftenponderousisusedtomeanlargeandheavy, weighty,asaponderousgiantofaman,orhardtohandlebecauseofgreatsizeandweight,asponderous suitcases or a ponderous tome. (A tome—rhymes with home—is a large and heavy book, especially a scholarlyorlearnedone.) Word42:CONS ECRATE(KAHN-suh-krayt) Tomakeordeclaresacred,ortoregardasworthyofgreatrespectorreverence. ToconsecratecomesfromtheLatinconsecrare,todedicatetotheserviceofagod,whichcomesinturn from sacrare, to make holy, and sacer, holy, the source of the English words sacred, sacrifice, and sacerdotal (SAS-ur-DOH-tul), priestly or pertaining to the priesthood, as sacerdotal functions or sacerdotalgarments. The verb to hallow, to make holy or sacred, comes from Old English and is a close synonym of consecrate.AbrahamLincolnusedbothconsecrateandhallowforrhetoricalemphasisintheGettysburg Address, delivered during the Civil War on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the national cemeteryatGettysburg,Pennsylvania:“But,inalargersense,wecannotdedicate—wecannotconsecrate —wecannothallow—thisground.Thebravemen,livinganddead,whostruggledherehaveconsecrated itfaraboveourpoorpowertoaddordetract.” Word43:FLORID(FLOR-idorFLAH-rid) Elaboratelyoroverlydecorated,flowery,showy. Synonyms of florid include flamboyant, ornate, and ostentatious (AHS-ten-TAY-shus). Antonyms includesimple,plain,natural,homely,andunaffected. TheadjectivefloridcomesfromtheLatinflōrĭdus,flowery,blooming,whichcomesinturnfromthe verb flōrēre, to bloom, flower. The southeasternmost state in the United States, Florida, is literally the flowerystate. WhenfloridenteredEnglishinthemid-1600s,itwasusedinseveralways.Itcouldmeanconsisting offlowers,floral,asthefloridgloriesofspring.Itcouldmeancoveredwithoraboundinginflowers:a floridbackyard.Itcouldmeanflushedwithred,rosy,ruddy,asafloridcomplexion.Anditcouldmean elaborately decorated as if with flowers, full of flowery ornaments, as a florid speech. Of these four sensesonlythelattertwohavesurvived,andthelastisthemorecommonofthetwo. Today you will often see florid used of style, composition, or expression to mean flowery, showy, overly adorned. Florid writing is excessively elaborate, overly rhetorical, “full of fine words and phrases” (OED). Florid architecture is highly embellished, full of showy decoration and elaborate details. And in music, florid is used of any highly decorated passage, especially one that elaborates a themestatedearlierinasimplerform. Word44:INCORRIGIBLE(in-KOR-ij-uh-bulorin-KAHR-) Notcapableofbeingcorrectedorimproved;especially,ofaperson,badbeyondcorrectionorreform. Incorrigiblecombinestheprivativeprefixin-,not,withtheunusualEnglishwordcorrigible,capableof being corrected or reformed, which comes from the Latin corrigĕre, to correct, reform, make straight. Thatwhichisincorrigibleiseithersobadthatitcannotbemadebetterorsofirmlyfixedthatitcannotbe changed or controlled. We speak of incorrigible children whose behavior is so unruly that it is beyond correctionorcontrol,incorrigiblecriminalswhoaresodepravedthattheyarebeyondhopeofreform, andincorrigiblehabitsthataresoingrainedtheycannotbealteredorbroken. Synonyms of incorrigible include irreformable, unmanageable, inveterate (word 25 of this level), willful,delinquent,anddepraved. Word45:AS S AIL(uh-SAYL) Toattackviolently,eitherphysicallyorverbally. TheverbtoassailcomesfromtheLateLatinadsalīre,whichcombinesad,to,andsalīre,toleap,spring, jump.Sincethe13thcentury,whenitenteredEnglish,assailhasmeanttoleaporjumpon,“especially withhostileintent”(OED).Apersonmaybeassailedeitherphysically,astheyassailedhimwithvicious blows,orverbally,asthecriticsmercilesslyassailedhernewnovel.Whetherphysicalorverbal,assail always implies a vigorous or vehement attack with a forceful effect: thunderous music assailed their ears;theprosecutorassailedthedefendantwithpointedquestions. Thewordsattack,assault,accost,andassailarecloseinmeaning. Attack is the most general and implies initiating hostilities or conflict of any kind. You can attack physicallyorverbally,withweaponsorwithwords.Toassaultistoattackphysicallyandsuddenlyinan attempt to overpower, and it almost always implies unlawful, hand-to-hand violence. Thus, an army attacksbutarobberorarapistassaults. To accost means to approach and speak to, often in an aggressive manner: accosted by a stranger. The word is sometimes used to imply force or violence, but this is merely a confusion with assault; a panhandlerorapoliceofficercanaccostyouonthestreetwithoutlayingahandonyou.Sotakecareto useaccostonlytomeantoapproachabruptlyandchallengeinsomeway. Ourkeyword,assail,implieswearingdownanopponent’sresistancebyattackingrepeatedly,either with physical violence or with vehement words. A boxer can assail an opponent with repeated jarring blows,andthereputationsofcelebritiesareoftenslanderouslyassailedinthetabloidpress.Thenounis assailant(uh-SAYL-int),anattacker,apersonwhoassails. Word46:ELIXIR(i-LIK-sur) Amedicinaldrinkorpotion;specifically,asweetenedliquidcontainingalcoholthatisusedasavehicletoadministeramedicinalsubstance, suchasatinctureofherbs. Elixirisaveryoldword,datingbacktothe14thcenturyandthepoetryofGeoffreyChaucer,whowrote The Canterbury Tales. At the time it entered English—coming through medieval Latin and Arabic ultimately from a Greek word meaning a drying preparation for wounds—elixir was used in the pseudoscience of alchemy of a substance or preparation capable of turning base metals into gold. The word was soon applied to any drug, preparation, or liquid supposed to be able to indefinitely prolong life. In the 17th century elixir came to mean a cure-all, a remedy for all diseases and difficulties, a synonym of panacea (PAN-uh-SEE-uh), from the Greek pan-, all, and akos, cure. In this sense elixir became associated with the quack medicines or nostrums commonly sold by the proverbial snake oil salesman or mountebank. (A nostrum [NAHS-trum] is a remedy of dubious effectiveness, and a mountebank[MOWN-tuh-bangk]isapersonwhomountsabenchorplatformanddeliversaflamboyant salespitchtoattractcustomersandhawkwaresofdubiousvalue.) Todayyoumayuseelixirtomeananymedicinaldrinkorconcoction,especiallyonesupposedtodo wondrous things—such as change ordinary metal into gold, prolong life or youth, or miraculously cure ailmentsanddiseases. Word47:IMPRES ARIO (IM-pruh-SAHR-ee-oh) Aproducerorsponsorofpublicentertainment,especiallytheorganizerormanagerofanopera,ballet,orconcert. ImpresariocomesdirectlyfromtheItalianimpresario,onewhoundertakesabusiness,acontractor.The word originally referred to someone who manages an opera, ballet, or symphony orchestra, and this meaningisstillcurrent.Butincreasinglyimpresarioisbeingusedofaproducer,organizer,orsponsorof any kind of public entertainment, as a literary impresario, a Broadway impresario, a pop music impresario,oraTVimpresario. Word48:S ENTIENT(SEN-shint,notSEN-tee-int) Aware,conscious,capableoffeelingorperceivingwiththesenses. Thenounissentience(SEN-shints),feeling,sensation,awareness. SentientandsentiencecomefromthepresentparticipleoftheLatinverbsentire, to feel, perceive, experience. The antonym of sentient is insentient (in-SEN-shint), lacking perception, incapable of feeling, unconscious. Two related words from the same Latin source are sensate (SEN-sayt), having physicalsensationorperceivedbythesenses,andinsensate(in-SEN-sayt),lackingsensation,feeling,or consciousness:insensatestone. Sentient often appears in the phrase sentient being, as “We must learn to live in harmony with all sentientbeings.”Asentientbeingisaconsciousbeing,acreaturecapableoffeelingthroughthesenses, whetherhumanoranimal. Word49:LACKLUS TER(LAK-lus-tur) Lackingbrillianceorenergy,dull,boring,lifeless. Synonymsoftheadjectivelacklusterincludemediocre,uninspired,colorless,drab,andmonotonous. ThenounlustercomesfromtheLatinlustrāre,tomakebright,andhasthreecommonsenses.Itmay meansheen,gloss,polish,ashinefromreflectedlight,asthelusterofpreciousstonesorthe luster of polishedwood.Itmaymeanradiance,brilliance,brightness,asinthislinefromCharlesDickens’snovel BarnabyRudge(1841):“Thesunwasshiningwithuncommonluster.”Anditmaybeusedfigurativelyto meanbrilliantdistinctionormerit,glory,excellence,asanawardthataddedlustertoherreputation. Lackluster combines the verb to lack, to be without, be in need of, and the noun luster, polish, excellence, brilliance. That which is lackluster is without excellence, in need of polish, lacking brillianceorenergy,andthereforemediocre,uninspiring,lifeless.Youcanuselacklusterofanythingthat fails to shine or stand out, either literally, as lackluster eyes or her lackluster evening gown, or figuratively,asalacklusterperformanceoralacklusteressay. Word50:BENEFICENT(buh-NEF-i-sint,notbuh-NIF-) Markedbygoodwillandcharity,servingakindandworthypurpose. Thefamiliaradjectivebeneficial,thelessfamiliarnounbeneficence(buh-NEF-i-sints),andtheadjective beneficentallcomefromtheLatinbene,well,andfacere,todo.Beneficialmeanshelpful,havingagood purpose,conferringbenefits:beneficialinsects;beneficialadvice.Beneficenceistheactorpracticeof doing good, kindness, charity, and beneficent means doing good, charitable, serving a kind and worthy purpose,asabeneficentinfluenceorthenonprofitorganization’sbeneficentgoals. The combining forms bene- and male- (MAL-uh-) are antonyms, and both come from Latin—benefromtheaforementionedbene,well,whichisakintobonus,good;andmale-frommale,badly,ill,which is akin to malus, evil, bad. Whenever you see a word beginning with bene- or male- you can safely assumeitdenotessomequalityorthingthatisgoodorevil.Thus,abenediction,frombene-, well, and dicere,tospeak,isaspeakingwellof,anexpressionofgoodwishes,ablessing,whileamalediction, frommale-,badly,anddicere,tospeak,isaspeakingevilof,acurse.Likewise,abenefactor,frombene-, well, and facere, to do, is a person who does good, especially through charitable giving, while a malefactor,frommale-,badly,andfacere,todo,isapersonwhodoesharmorevil,acriminal.Andthat which is beneficent, marked by goodwill and charity, is the opposite of that which is maleficent (muhLEF-i-sint,notmuh-LIF-),harmful,evil,malicious. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Ifsomethingisponderous,isitlargeandheavy,hardtoexplain,orlively? 2.Whenyouconsecratesomething,doyoumakeitpermanent,makeitsacred,ormakeanexceptionforit? 3.Issomethingfloridcolorful,warm,oroverlydecorated? 4.Ifyouareincorrigible,areyouunhappy,unmotivated,orunmanageable? 5.Whenyouassail,doyouattack,plead,orquestion? 6.Isanelixiraprophecy,apotion,oramystery? 7.Isanimpresarioaproducer,asalesperson,oraperformer? 8.Aresentientbeingsharmless,unresponsive,orconscious? 9.Issomethinglacklusterold,imperfect,ormediocre? 10.Issomethingbeneficentbeautiful,kind,orperfect? DifficultDistinctions:FamousandInfamous Inabookbyawell-knownwriterIoncesawthephrase“Mom’sinfamousrecipeforpumpkinsoup,”in whichonemischosenwordturnedthemeaningofthephrasearound.Somethingfamousiswellknownfor itsgoodordesirablequalities;afamouspersonisoutstandingordistinguishedinsomeway,andtherefore admired.Butsomethinginfamous(IN-fuh-mus)isremarkableforitsbadqualitiesandbadreputation;itis notorious,scandalous,disgraceful,orevil.Thus,afamilywithafamousrecipeforsoupwouldcherish that recipe for generations, while a family with an infamous recipe for soup would have a hard time fillingthechairsatthedinnertable. DifficultDistinctions:ShinedandShone Consider this sentence from a contemporary novel: “When the sun shined directly on the bricks, they seemedtojumpfromthebuildingandhangtogetherintheair,likearedsheet,hovering.”What’swrong withit? Theverbtoshine,meaningtopolishortoaimabeamoflight,istransitive,whichmeansitactson something. You shine your shoes or shine a flashlight. But the verb to shine, meaning to emit light, be radiant,ortostandout,excel,isintransitive,whichmeansitperformsitsactiononitsown,withoutan object:thesunshines,adiamondnecklaceshines,andavirtuosomusiciancangiveaperformancethat shines. Butwhatdoyoudowhenyouwanttosaythatsomethingwasshininginthepast?Doyouwritethe sunshinedorthesunshone?Thepasttenseandpastparticipleofthetransitiveshineisshined,soyou shinedyourshoesyesterday.Butthepasttenseandpastparticipleoftheintransitiveshineisshone, so the sun, that necklace, and that virtuoso musician shone. This sentence, from Mark Davidson’s Right, Wrong,andRisky,illustratestheproperuseofshined and shone: “While Jonathan shined his shoes in preparationforproposingtoRosie,henoticedthatthemoonshonebrightly.” AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel2 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Adiatribeisspeechorwritingthatisbitterandabusive. 2.Yes.Anevocationistheactofsummoningorcallingforth,andpoemsareoftenevocationsofapoet’semotions. 3.No.Tobeobsessedistobeexcessivelypreoccupiedwithsomething.Imbuemeanstosaturate,soakdeeply,ortoinfluenceorinspire deeply,asifbysoaking. 4.No.Somethingrepugnantisdisgusting,offensive,andneverpleasing. 5.No.Flatterymaybeinsincere,butitisalwayscomplimentary.Insolentmeansboldlyinsultinganddisrespectful. 6.No.Impunitymeansfreedomfrompenaltyorpunishment. 7.No.Whensomethingstagnates,itstopsmovingandeitherbecomesstaleorfoulorceasestogrowordevelop. 8.Yes.Emblematicmeanssymbolic,representative. 9.Yes.Tohumanearsmanybirdcallssoundplaintive,mournful,melancholy,expressiveofsadnessorsorrow. 10.Yes.Rapaciousmeansgreedy,predatory,aggressivelyseizingwhatonewants. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Apeonisanunskilledlaborer,apersonoflowsocialstatus. 2.False.Tointuitistoknoworunderstandinstinctively,withoutdeductionorreasoning. 3.False.Toopineistohaveorexpressanopinion,especiallyaformalopinion. 4.True.Tolanguishmeanstobeorbecomeweakorfeeble,tobeneglectedorignored,tosufferhardshiporliveinoppressiveconditions,or tolongfor. 5.True.Vestigialmeansbeing,orpertainingto,aremnantortraceofsomethingthathasdisappeared,beenlostordestroyed,orthatno longersurvives. 6.True.Somnolentmeanstendingtocausesleeporinclinedtosleep,ordrowsy,sleepy,heavywithsleep. 7.False.Tosupplantistotaketheplaceof,replace,overthrow. 8.False.Euphemismisthesubstitutionofamilder,moreagreeablewordorexpressionforoneconsideredunpleasant,blunt,oroffensive. 9.True.Visceralmeansoforpertainingtothegutorbelly;hence,guidedbyinstinctorintuitionratherthanbythemindorreason. 10.False.Dispassionatemeanshavingnostrongemotionorbias;notpersonallyoremotionallyinvolved. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Antonyms.Debilitatedmeansweak,exhausted,wornout.Indefatigablemeanstireless,neverlackingenergy,notcapableofbeing fatigued. 2.Synonyms.Anarchetypeisanoriginalmodel,form,orpatternafterwhichallthingsofthesamekindarecopied,oronwhichtheyare based.Aprototypeisusuallyanoriginalmodelofamechanicalinvention. 3.Antonyms.Mendacityisuntruthfulness,lying.Veracityistruthfulness,accuracy. 4.Synonyms.Aminionisaservilefollowerorassistant,anunderling. 5.Synonyms.Inveteratemeansfixedorfirmlyestablishedinahabitorcustom. 6.Antonyms.Tostigmatizeistosetamarkofdisgraceupon.Toextolistopraisehighly. 7.Synonyms.Agaffeisaconspicuousmistake,obviousblunder,fauxpas. 8.Synonyms.Toindoctrinatemeanstoinstructinaparticulardoctrine,setofprinciples,orbelief;toinculcate. 9.Synonyms.Anuanceisaslightdifference,asubtlevariation,gradation,ordistinction. 10.Antonyms.Toplacateistosoothethefeelingsof,makelessupsetorangry. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Exhume,todigup,doesn’tfit.Todeifyistomakeintoortreatasagod,exalt,glorify. 2.Spellout,toexplainindetail,doesn’tfit.Torecapitulateistorevieworrestatebriefly,sumup. 3.Unusualpersondoesn’tfitbecauseit’stoovague.Aluminaryisanimportant,prominent,respectedpersonwhoisasourceoflightor inspirationtoothers. 4.Belittle,tomakelessof,doesn’tfit.Toconfoundistoconfuse,perplex,bewilder. 5.Liveinexiledoesn’tfit.Tosojournistoremainorliveinaplaceforawhile. 6.Untrustworthydoesn’tfit.Askewmeanscrooked,slanted,distorted. 7.Extremelysloppydoesn’tfit.Histrionicmeansoverlydramaticoremotional. 8.Toworktogetherdoesn’tfit.Tocoalesceistounite,blend,merge,cometogether. 9.Vivacious,high-spirited,energetic,doesn’tfit.Listlessmeansshowingnointerestoreffort,lackingenergyordesire. 10.Discontinuedoesn’tfit.Toabateistolessen,diminish,decrease. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Somethingponderousislargeandheavy,orhardtohandlebecauseofitssizeandweight. 2.Toconsecrateistomakeordeclaresacred,ortoregardasworthyofgreatrespectorreverence. 3.Somethingfloridisflowery,showy,overlydecoratedorelaborate. 4.Incorrigiblemeansirreformableorunmanageable. 5.Toassailistoattackviolently,eitherphysicallyorverbally. 6.Anelixirisamedicinaldrinkorpotion. 7.Animpresarioisaproducerorsponsorofsomepublicentertainment. 8.Sentientmeansaware,conscious,capableofsensationorfeeling. 9.Somethinglacklusterhasnoenergyorbrilliance,andisthereforemediocreanddull. 10.Beneficentmeansservingakindandworthypurpose,charitable. LEVEL3 Word1:TRIBULATION(TRIB-yuh-LAY-shin) Greatdistress,trouble,orsuffering,oracauseofgreatdistressortrouble,atrial. Synonyms of tribulation include misery, anguish, adversity, affliction, oppression, persecution, calamity,andwoe. TribulationcomesfromtheLatintrībulāre,topress,squeeze,alsotooppress,afflict.ThisLatinverb comes in turn from the noun trībulum, a sledge—a strong, heavy sled—used for threshing grain. The trībulum,saysTheCenturyDictionary,consistedof“awoodenblockstuddedwithsharppiecesofflint orwithironteeth.”Imaginewhatitwouldbeliketobethreshedbyatrībulumandyouprobablywon’t forgetthattribulationmeansgreatdistressortroubleoracauseofgreatdistressortrouble. Incidentally,Englishhassomehomegrownexpressionsthatevokethetribulationofbeingthreshedby a trībulum. To put through the mill, or to go through the mill, comes from the days when grain was groundbymillstones.Todayweusethisexpressiontomeantosubjectorbesubjectedtoseverehardship ordistress,asifweourselvescouldbegroundupinamill.Weusetheexpressiontoput(orgo)through the wringer in the same way—the wringer in this case being a machine with rollers used to squeeze liquidoutofwetclothing. Tribulationdatesbacktothe14thcenturyandthepoetGeoffreyChaucer,whowroteinTroilus and Criseyde, a love poem, “Myn herte is now in tribulacion.” Life certainly has its pleasures and its momentsofjoy,butitalsohasplentyoftribulation,andtheBible,notsurprisingly,isfilledwithit:“In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer” (John 16:33); “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation”(Romans12:12);“Whocomfortethusinallourtribulation,thatwemaybeabletocomfort themwhichareinanytrouble”(2Corinthians1:4). Tribulationmaymeangreatdistressortrouble,oritmaymeanacauseorinstanceofgreatdistressor trouble,apainfultrial,asheenduredthehumiliatingtribulationofafraternityhazing.Thewordalso often appears in the expression trials and tribulations, as the trials and tribulations of motherhood. This common pairing is both a cliché and redundant, and careful writers avoid it. Other common and redundant pairings that careful writers avoid include if and when, unless and until, compare and contrast,firstandforemost,variousandsundry,andeachandevery. Word2:DERIDE(di-RYD) Toridicule,makefunof,laughatscornfullyorcontemptuously. Synonymsoftheverbtoderideincludemock,jeer,flout,scoff,taunt,gibe,heckle,andlampoon (lamPOON).Apersonwhoderides,ridicules,makesfunof,isaderider;thenounderision(duh-RIZH-in)is the act of deriding, ridicule, mockery; and the adjective derisive (di-RY-siv, not di-RIS-iv) means expressingderision,mocking,scornful,contemptuous. DeridecomesfromtheLatinverbdērīdēre,tolaughat,mock,scorn,makefunof.Dērīdērecombines theLatinprefixde-,whichinthiscaseservestointensifythemeaning,andrīdēre,tolaugh,thesourceof theEnglishwordsridicule,ridiculous,and,fromtheLatinpastparticiplerīsus,thewordrisible(RIZ-ibuul),provokingorcapableofprovokinglaughter,asarisiblefaceorrisibleremarks. Theverbtoridicule“impliesadeliberate[and]oftenmaliciousbelittling,”saysMerriam-Webster’s CollegiateDictionary.Inotherwords,someonewhoridiculesyounotonlywantsalaughatyourexpense but also wants to put you down, make you look bad in front of others. The verb to deride “suggests contemptuousandoftenbitterridicule,”saystheCollegiate.Thus,whenyouridiculeyoumakefunofina deliberatelymeanway,butwhenyouderideyoutakeridiculetoanastierlevel,makingfunofsomeoneor somethinginasneering,condescendingway. Word3:NEFARIOUS (ne-FAIR-ee-us) Extremelywicked,infamouslyevil. NefariouscomesfromtheLatinnefārius,wicked,vile,abominable,whichcomesinturnfromthenoun nĕfas, a sin, crime, abomination, offense against divine law. By derivation, that which is nefarious is horribleorevilbecauseitviolatesourmoralcode. Nefarious has been used in English for more than four hundred years to describe people, things, or deeds that are extremely or unspeakably wicked. We speak of a nefarious plot, a nefarious crime, nefariousactivities,anefariouscult,oranefarioustyrant.Thewordmayalsobeusedwithoutmodifying afollowingnoun,asinsomethingnefariousisafoot. Synonymsofnefarious—andtherearemanybecausehumanbeingshavesuchalongandregrettable historyofbeingwicked—includevillainous,sinful,vicious,heinous(HAY-nis),abominable,atrocious, diabolical, depraved, egregious (i-GREE-jus), flagitious (fluh-JISH-us), odious, execrable, and iniquitous(i-NIK-wi-tus;iniquityisword2ofLevel4). Word4:IDEOLOGUE(EYE-dee-uh-lahgor-lawg) Azealous,uncompromisingadvocateorfollowerofanideology. Ideologueisbuiltfromtwocombiningforms,orword-formingelements:ideo-,idea,and-logue, which comesfromtheGreeklógos,word,anddesignateseitheratypeofspeaking—asindialogue(aspeaking, dia-,across)andprologue(aspeaking,pro-,before)—or,muchlessoftenandinthiscase,aperson.By derivation,then,anideologueisan“ideaperson,”butspecificallyapersonwhoispassionatelyoreven fanaticallydevotedtoanideology. While the word ideology can be neutral, denoting “a set of beliefs governing conduct” (OED), the word ideologue usually has a pejorative, or negative, connotation, suggesting an overly opinionated personwhoadherestoandpromotesasetofbeliefsinafervent,uncompromisingway.Ifyouareolder than about ten, no doubt you have encountered ideologues of all stripes: political, social, economic, religious, racial, artistic, scientific, and so on. And because the world is full of people who hold passionatelyandrigidlytoasetofbeliefs,ortoatheoryordoctrine,wewillprobablyforeverlookupon thosewhodonotagreewithus,orwhorefusetocompromisewithus,asideologues,neverrealizingthat wemaybeideologuesourselves. Word5:DALLIANCE(DAL-ee-ints) Frivolousplay,especiallyamoroustoyingorflirtation. InmodernEnglish,todallymaymeantodelay,wastetime,dawdle,oritmaymeantoactplayfullyina flirtatiousorfrivolousway.Adallianceisanactofdallyinginthislattersense,aflirtationorplayful, trifling involvement. The word is traditionally applied to love affairs, especially brief affairs in which oneorbothparticipantshavenointerestinaseriousrelationship.Forexample,thetabloidpresstakes great interest in the dalliances of celebrities, and the dalliance between President Bill Clinton and MonicaLewinskywasperhapsthemostscandalousinAmericanhistory.Butdalliancemayalsobeused of any frivolous involvement with or trifling interest in something. For example, a person can have a dalliancewithfameorpoliticsordrugs,oraforeignlanguage;theworldoffashionoftenhasdalliances with styles from bygone eras; and a brutal dictator, under pressure from the free world, may have a dalliancewithdemocraticreform. Word6:FATUOUS (FACH-oo-us) Silly,foolish,idiotic. FatuousenteredEnglishinthemid-1600sdirectlyfromtheLatinfatŭus,whichhadthesamemeaning— silly,foolish,idiotic.LikeitsLatinsource,fatuousmaybeusedeitherofpeopleorofthings.Someone canhaveafatuoussmileorsimplybefatuous.Anidea,anargument,oraquestioncanbefatuous.And thereisnoshortageoffatuoustelevisionshowsthesedays.Butperhapsthearenainwhichfatuity (fuhT[Y]OO-i-tee,thenoun)flourishesthemostistheonlineworld,wherefatuouscommentsandpostsand tweetsabound. The words witless, inane, asinine, sophomoric, and fatuous all suggest foolishness, silliness, and stupidity. Witisoftenusedtomeanasenseofhumor,andapersonwhoisaclevertalkerwithaquicksenseof humorisoftencalledawit.Butinitsmostbasicsense,wit denotes intelligence, understanding, mental capability.Thustobeahalfwitordim-wittedistobefoolish,stupid,animbecile.Andtobewitlessisto bewithoutwitaltogether,completelylackingintelligenceorunderstanding,asawitlessboreorwitless smalltalk. Inane(i-NAYN,rhymeswithinsane)comesfromtheLatininānis,empty,void,andismostoftenused in English to mean empty of sense or substance, devoid of meaning or intelligence, and therefore silly, frivolous,pointless:aninaneconversation. Asinine(AS-i-nyn)comesfromtheLatinwordforanass,asĭnus,andmeans“havingthequalitiesby whichtheassischaracterized:obstinate,stupid,doltish”(OED).Asininebehaviororspeechisnotonly stupidbutstubbornly,idioticallystupid;TheRandomHouseDictionarysaysthewordalsosuggests“a lackofsocialgraceorperception.” Sophomoric(SAHF-uh-MOR-ik)maymeanoforpertainingtoasophomore,astudentinthesecond year of high school or college, but more often it is used disparagingly to mean characteristic of the traditional sophomore: intellectually pretentious, conceited, and immature: “John was nauseated every timeMartyopenedhismouthinclasstoofferyetanothersophomoriccomment.” Our keyword, fatuous, is distinguished from the more general words silly, foolish, and stupid by suggesting not only dim-witted pointlessness but also smug self-satisfaction. The fatuous person is unconsciouslysilly,foolishlyconceited,orself-importantlystupid.“Here’ssomethingthatdidendtoday,” writes Richard Valeriani in The Huffington Post. “Donald Trump’s fatuous, laughable flirtation with runningforpresident.” Word7:MEANDER(mee-AN-dur) Toproceedbywindingandturning,takeanindirectorintricatecourse.Also,towanderaimlesslyoridly,ramble. The verb to meander comes from the ancient name of a river in Asia Minor (now called Büyük Menderes)thatfollowsawindingandwanderingcourseasitflowswestthroughoneoftheworld’smost fertilevalleysandemptiesintotheAegeanSea. Meandercanbeusedofpeopleorthingsthatwind,turn,ortakeanindirectorintricatecourse.For instance,atraincanmeanderthroughmountains,andacrackcanmeanderacrossaceiling.Visitorstoa museumcanmeanderthroughitsgalleries,andtravelerswithtimeontheirhandscanmeanderalongthe streets of an unfamiliar city. Meander can also be used figuratively of any sort of idle wandering or rambling.Yourthoughtscanmeander,aspeakercanmeanderfromonetopictoanother,andyoungpeople oftenmeanderforawhilebeforediscoveringwhattheywanttodoinlife. Whenyouwanderyougofromplacetoplaceoftenwithoutaplanorpurpose:“Shewasalarmedby allthecreepypeoplewanderingthestreetsatnight.”Whenyouroamyoutravelorwanderfreely,often out of restlessness or curiosity: “The bird-watchers roamed the countryside, on the lookout for rare specimens.”Whenyourambleyouwanderforpleasurewithoutcaringwhereyougo:“Aschildren,they lovedtoramblethroughthefieldsonsummerdays.”Whenyouroveyougofromplacetoplaceusually for a specific reason: “The frigate roved the seas in search of enemy warships.” When you range you wander over a large area, like cattle on the prairie, or you cover a lot of ground: “A fascinating discussionthatrangedovermanytopics.”Whenyoutraipse(rhymeswithdrapes)yougofromplaceto placewithoutfindingwhatyouseekorreachingyourgoal:“TheytraipsedalloverAmericalookingfora bagel like the ones they loved back in New York.” And finally, when you meander you wander idly, taking a winding, indirect course: “Footpaths that meander through verdant woods and beside bubbling brooks.”(Verdantisword48ofLevel1.) Word8:CULPABLE(KUHL-puh-bul) Guilty,blameworthy,responsible;deservingblame,reprimand,orpunishment. Synonyms of culpable include reprehensible, censurable (SEN-shur-uh-bul), and peccable (PEK-uhbul),liabletosinordowrong,theoppositeofthemorecommonimpeccable,incapableofsin,unableto dowrong. CulpablecomesfromtheLatinculpābilis,guilty,blameworthy,fromculpāre,toblame,accuse,and culpa, fault, blame. The Latin phrase mea culpa (MAY-uh KUHL-puh or -KUUL-puh), which means literally “my fault, I am to blame,” has been used in English for centuries to acknowledge guilt or responsibilityforanerror.Meaculpamayalsobeanacknowledgmentofguilt:“Hisspeechwasapublic meaculpa.” Anyactforwhichyoucanbeblamed,punished,orfoundresponsibleissomethingforwhichyoucan beculpable.Haveyouevermadeanillegalleftturnbecauseyoudidn’tseetheroadsignprohibitingit? Thatkindofmistake,ablameworthyactthatcouldhavebeenavoidedhadyouknownsomethingthatyou didn’tknow,iscalled“culpableignorance.”Althoughguiltyandculpableareingeneralinterchangeable, guiltyisthestrongerwordandusuallyappliestoseriouscrimes,whileculpableusuallyappliestolesser offensesinvolvingmisconductornegligence. Word9:S EDATE(si-DAYT) Calm,quiet,composed,unexcited,undisturbedbypassion. Synonyms of sedate include unruffled, placid, serene, sober, unperturbed, and staid (pronounced like stayed).Antonymsofsedateincludeexcited,frantic,high-strung,frenzied,disconcerted,perturbed(to perturbisword25ofLevel6),ruffled,andoverwrought. Theadjectivesedate,calm,quiet,comesfromtheLatinsēdāre,tocalm,soothe,settle,averbakinto the Latin sedēre, to sit, the source of the English words sedentary, sediment, supersede, and sedulous (word28ofLevel7).Sedateisalsoaverbusedinmedicinetomeantocalmorquietbyadministeringa sedative, a drug designed to soothe nervousness or excitement, a tranquilizer. Sedation is the state of beingcalmedorsettleddownbyasedative.AllthesewordsalsocomefromthesameLatinsēdāre, to calm,soothe,settle. The adjective sedate may refer to something that is untroubled or undisturbed, as a safe, sedate neighborhood.Thewordisalsooftenappliedtothatwhichissolemnordignifiedbynatureordesign,as sedatearchitecture,sedatemusic,orasedate,soft-spokenoldlady. Word10:IMPROPRIETY(IM-pruh-PRY-i-tee) Thestateorqualityofbeingimproper,incorrectnessorinappropriateness. Impropriety,whichcomesfromtheLatinimproprius,unsuitable,combinestheprivativeprefixim-, not, and propriety, appropriateness, suitability, conformity with a rule or custom: “Elsie questioned the proprietyofthegruffandsometimeshostilewayinwhichherhusband,Max,spoketothesolicitorswho knocked on their door.” Thus, impropriety is a lack of propriety, and refers to something improper, incorrect,orinappropriate. Improprietymaybeusedofsomethingunsuitable,astheimproprietyofwearinginformalclothingtoa funeral. It may also be used of unsuitable or incorrect behavior: “Harold tried to teach his two young sons, to no avail, that licking their soup bowls was an inexcusable impropriety.” But impropriety is perhaps most often used of unseemly, indecent, or illegal behavior: “After a lengthy investigation, the company was sued for financial impropriety”; “We must at all costs avoid the appearance of impropriety.” Improprietyisalsooftenusedofanimproperorunacceptableuseoflanguage.Forexample,itisan improprietytopronouncemischievous in four syllables (mis-CHEE-vee-us) instead of the proper three (MIS-chi-vus),ortosay“Ifeelbadly”—whichmeansyoudon’tdoagoodjoboffeeling—insteadofthe correct“Ifeelbad.” ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Wouldatribulationbehardtoendure? 2.Whenyouderidesomeone,doyoumakefunofthatperson? 3.Wouldanefariouspersonbeinclinedtohelpothers? 4.Wouldanideologuebewillingtocompromise? 5.Iftwopeoplehavealong,unhappyaffair,isthatadalliance? 6.Isafatuousspeakerlikelytobeboring? 7.Doesameanderingspeakersticktothemainpoint? 8.Ifyouareculpable,areyoublameless? 9.Isanideologuelikelytobesedate? 10.Wouldtheappearanceofimproprietybeagoodthingforyourreputation? TheStyleFile:Me,Myself,andI Considerthefollowingphrasesanddecidewhichonesusemyselfcorrectlyandwhichdonot:“someone likemyself”;“formywifeandmyself”;“neitherJoshuanormyself”;“myselfandafewotherfolks”;“Mr. Smith,Ms.Jones,andmyself.” Ifyouguessedthatallofthemarewrong,you’reright.Myself is continually misused for me and I. Some attribute this mistake to a desire to sound sophisticated; others claim the misuser is affecting modesty.Whateverthemotivation,thesourceoftheproblemisBritishEnglish. In The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, a style guide geared toward British English, R. W. BurchfieldsaysusingmyselftomeanIis“beyondreproach,”aslongasmyselfisplacedaftertheother elementsinthesentence.Heevenoffersoneofhisownpublishedsentencestoillustratethepoint:“This booklet … [was] undertaken by Professor Denis Donoghue, Mr Andrew Timothy and myself.” To Burchfield, “the rift between myself and Lord Hailsham” is bad British English, but “his nervousness communicateditselftoIsaacandmyself”isgoodBritishEnglish.Hefailstonote,however,thatbothare objectionable in American English. For years American usage experts have railed against using myself forIandme,and88percentoftheAmericanHeritageDictionary’susagepanelfindsitunacceptablein thesentence“ThebossaskedJohnandmyselftogiveabriefpresentation.” InAmericanEnglishthereareonlytwoproperwaystousemyself:intensively,foremphasis,asinI did it myself or I myself have been there; or reflexively, to turn the action back on the grammatical subject,asinIdressedmyselforIwillexcludemyself. SowhentheactorHarrisonFord,ofIndianaJonesfame,saysthat“StevenSpielberg,GeorgeLucas, and myself are agreed on what the fifth adventure will concern,” he’s wrong; it should be “Spielberg, Lucas,andIareagreed…”AndwhenatrusteeoftheUniversityofCaliforniawrites,inalettertothe editor,“Iassureyouthatnoone,including…myself,wasanythingotherthancandidandfrank,”he’salso wrong;itshouldbe“noone,including…me.” *** Areyoureadyforanothertenkeyworddiscussions?Heretheyare: Word11:MEGALOMANIA(MEG-uh-loh-MAY-nee-uh) Amentaldisordercharacterizedbyexaggeratedfeelingsofgreatnessorpower;inageneralsense,anobsessionwithdoinggrand,extravagant things. Megalomaniaisthemedicaltermforwhatinlayterms1isoftencalleddelusionsofgrandeur (GRANjur).Amegalomaniacisapersonafflictedwithmegalomania,anexaggeratedandoftendelusionalbelief in one’s own importance, or an obsession with grandiose ideas or plans. Adolf Hitler was a megalomaniacwhothoughthecouldruletheworld,andinliterature,CaptainAhab,inHermanMelville’s 1851novelMoby-Dick,wasamegalomaniacobsessedwithhuntingdownthewhitewhale. MegalomaniaisacombinationoftwoGreek-derivedcombiningforms:megalo-,large,great,grand; and-mania,unreasonableorexcessiveenthusiasm.Megalo-appearsintheEnglishmegalopolis (MEGuh-LAHP-uh-lis),alarge,denselypopulatedareaconsistingofseveraladjoiningcitiesandsuburbs;in megalocardia(MEG-uh-luh-KAHR-dee-uh), enlargement of the heart; and in the rare word megalopod (MEG-uh-luh-pahd), which incorporates the combining form -pod, foot, and means a person with very large feet. The combining form -mania appears in many words for delusions and obsessions, including bibliomania,apassionforbooks(thecombiningformbiblio- means book); Anglomania, a passion for England and all things English; trichotillomania (TRIK-uh-TIL-uh-MAY-nee-uh), a compulsion to pull outone’shair;andbruxomania(BRUHKS-uh-MAY-nee-uh),compulsivegrindingoftheteeth. Word12:VOCIFEROUS (voh-SIF-ur-us) Cryingoutnoisily;makingaloudandvehementoutcry;uproarious. Vociferous comes from the Latin vōcĭfĕrāri, to cry aloud, shout, the source also of the English verb to vociferate(voh-SIF-ur-ayt),tocryoutloudly,shout,clamor,utterinaloudvoice,asinthissentencefrom Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel Wuthering Heights: “He entered, vociferating oaths dreadful to hear.” The Latinvōcĭfĕrāricomesinturnfromvocāre,tocall,andvox, vōcis, a voice, cry, call, the source of the Englishwordsvocal,pertainingtoorproducedwiththevoice,andvocation,acalling,anoccupationthat one feels called upon to pursue. The phrase vox populi (vahks PAHP-yuh-ly), borrowed directly from Latin,meansthevoiceofthepeople,popularopinion. Boisterous, clamorous, strident, obstreperous (uhb-STREP-ur-us), raucous (RAW-kus), and vociferousallmeanstrikingly,insistently,orunpleasantlyloud. Boisterous suggests the noise that comes from being rowdy or having fun: a boisterous party. Clamoroussuggestsnoisethatisloudandcontinuous:clamorousmusiccomingfromnextdoor.Strident appliestonoisethatisdisagreeablyloud,harsh,andshrill;apiercingscream,screechingbrakes,andthe whining of a power tool are all strident. Obstreperous suggests noisiness accompanied by unruly behavior: an obstreperous child; the obstreperous mob. Raucous may suggest the noisy unruliness of obstreperous(raucouslaughter,araucouscrowd)ortheharshnessandroughnessofstrident(araucous voice). Vociferous applies to any noisy outcry, especially a prolonged and vehement one: “Republican Congressman Todd Akin’s ill-advised comments about ‘legitimate rape’ sparked an immediate and vociferousresponsefromliberalsandconservativesalike.” Word13:CONTRIVE(kun-TRYV) Toinventordevisewithingenuity;todesign,plan;also,tomanage,bringaboutbyaplan,especiallybysomeschemeorstratagem(word10of Level1). Theverbtocontrivesuggestsinventing,designing,planning,ormanaginginaningeniousorcleverway. The word may be neutral, implying ingenuity of design or management, as to contrive solutions for a difficult problem; the generals contrived a strategy for war; or a campaign contrived to win over people’s hearts. Or contrive may have a negative connotation, implying trickiness or deviousness in inventing something or making something happen, as they contrived to defraud innocent people; the lovers contrived to meet secretly once a week; or a campaign contrived to strike terror in citizens’ hearts. Theparticipialadjective2contrivedalwayshasanegativeconnotationandmeansdevisedorplanned inanobvious,artificial,forcedway.Acontrivedanswerisabogus,insincereanswer;acontrivedplotis laboredorstrained;contrivedinterestisforcedorfakeinterest;contrivedoutrageisshamoutrage;anda contrivedrelationshipisartificialandunconvincing. Theadjectiveill-contrivedmeansbadlydesignedorplanned,asill-contrivedapproachestosocial reformoranill-contrivedprojectthatwassoonabandoned. Word14:NONPLUS (nahn-PLUHS) Topuzzleorperplexcompletely;bringtoastandstill;renderutterlyconfusedsoastobeatalossforwhattosayordo. TheverbtononpluscomesfromtheLatinphrasenōnplūs,notmore,nofurther.ThisLatinphrasewas firstusedinEnglishinthelate16thcenturyasanoun,stressedonthefirstsyllable,tomean“astatein whichnomorecanbesaidordone…astandstill”(OED).Inmodernusage,tobeinoratanonplus,or tobringorreducetoanonplus,meanstorenderutterlyconfusedsoastobeatalossforwhattosayor do,asinthisquotationfromJ.M.Dillard’s1989novelTheLostYears:“Reducedtoaperfectnonplus, McCoyhalf-rosefromhischair.” The participial adjective nonplussed—which is the preferred spelling over nonplused, with one s, because the stress falls on the second syllable—has in recent years been used to mean unimpressed, undisturbed, undaunted, as in “[Bill] Gates seemed nonplussed by the Net until late 1995.” This usage, whichisperhapsaconfusionofnonplussedwithunfazed,isaslipshodextensionofthewordthatshould beavoided.Nonplussedisproperlyused,asTheNewYorkTimesManualofStyleandUsagetellsus,to mean“bewilderedtothepointofspeechlessness,”asinthiscitationfromtheSanFranciscoChronicle: “Atfirst,[Clint]Eastwoodseemedtosuckmostoftheexcitementoutoftheconventioncenter,leavingthe crowdabitnonplussed.” You may use nonplus whenever you mean to puzzle or perplex completely, confound (word 34 of Level2),renderspeechless,bringtoastandstill,asinthissentencefromLouisaMayAlcott’s1875novel EightCousins:“Rosewasoneofthechildrenwhoobserveandmeditatemuch,andnowandthennonplus theirfriendsbyawiseorcuriousremark.” Therarewordnonplussationmeansthestateofbeingnonplussed,atalossforwhattosayordo. Word15:IMPERIOUS (im-PEER-ee-us) Domineering,overbearing,dictatorial,commanding. Synonymsofimperiousincludetyrannical, despotic (word 43 of Level 1), high-handed, supercilious, magisterial (word 28 of this level), and overweening (word 46 of Level 6). Antonyms include submissive, meek, passive, deferential, tractable (TRAK-tuh-bul), which means willing to be led, and acquiescent(AK-wee-ES-int),whichmeanswillingtoagree. TheadjectiveimperiouscomesfromtheLatinimperiōsus,commanding,possessingpower,whichin turn comes from impĕrium, command, power, mastery, the direct source of the unusual English word imperium(im-PEER-ee-um),whichmeanseitherabsolutepoweroranareaofdominion,anempire.The better-known adjective imperial, pertaining to an empire or befitting the commanding aspect of an emperororempress,andthefamiliarnounempirealsocomefromtheLatinimpĕrium. Imperiousismostcommonlyusedtodaytomeancommandinginanarrogant,arbitrary,overbearing way,asinthissentencefromTheNewYorkTimes:“AboutadozenmembersofWikiLeaksleftthatmonth, accusingMr.Assangeofimperiousbehaviorandofjeopardizingtheproject…”Atyrantwhoruleswith an iron fist, a domineering boss who rides roughshod over the employees, a dictatorial teacher who is condescendingandoverlydemanding,adespoticparentwhoimposesunreasonablerulesandmetesout unfairpunishment—allareimperious. Imperiousnessisthecorrespondingnoun. Word16:PRIVATION(pry-VAY-shin) Astateofextremehardship;specifically,alackoffoodorothernecessitiesforsurvival. PrivationcomesfromtheclassicalLatinprīvātĭo,prīvātiōnis,afreeingfrom,takingaway.Throughthe Latinverbprīvāre,whichinagoodsensemeanstofreefromandinabadsensemeanstotakeaway,strip of,privationisrelatedtotheEnglishwordsdeprive,totakeaway,remove;private,whichbyderivation means set apart from the state, and therefore individual; and privative, which means taking away, depriving.3 The words privation and deprivation (DEP-ri-VAY-shun) have often been used interchangeably to meantheactofdeprivingorthestateofbeingdeprived.Butinmodernusagedeprivationistheordinary wordeitherforthetakingawayofsomethingenjoyed(suchasapossession,aposition,oraprivilege)or foradeprivedcondition(suchassleepdeprivationoroxygendeprivation),whileprivation,theliterary word,appliesspecificallytothestateofbeingdeprivedofwhatisnecessaryforsurvival. Tosufferprivationistoliveinastateofextremehardship,whereitiscontinuallydifficulttoprocure adequate food, clothing, and shelter. Privation is a heartrending consequence of poverty and political oppression,anditisoftenatragicby-productofwar.ThesciencefictionwriterRayBradbury(1920– 2012)oncewrote,“Whileourartcannot,aswewishitcould,saveusfromwars,privation,envy,greed, oldage,ordeath,itcanrevitalizeusamidstitall.” Word17:S UFFUS E(suh-FYOOZ) Tooverspread;tofillorcoveraswithlight,aliquid,orcolor. Synonymsofsuffuseincludeimbue(word3ofLevel2),infuse,permeate,andpervade. Suffuse comes from the Latin suffūsus, the past participle of suffŭndere, to spread through, steep, stain,cover,fromsub-,under,andfŭndere,topour. Suffusemayapplytoanythingthatisoverspreadorimbuedwith,orasifwith,color,liquid,orlight. Forexample,facesareoftendescribedasbeingsuffused.Afacesuffusedwithrageisanangry,redface, andafacesuffusedwithbeautyisalovelyface.Elementsinthenaturalworldarealsooftendescribedas being suffused. The Century Dictionary quotes the English poet Alexander Pope (1688–1744), who wrote, “When purple light shall next suffuse the skies”; and the English poet Matthew Arnold (1822– 1888),whowroteof“Alpinemeadowssoft-suffused/Withrain.” Word18:DIS CONS OLATE(dis-KAHN-suh-lit) Extremelysadorunhappy,completelymiserable,utterlydiscouragedordistressed. Because unhappiness, misery, and distress are regrettably common emotional states, synonyms for disconsolate abound. If it is your heart that is disconsolate, deeply unhappy, you can be downhearted, heartbroken,brokenhearted,orheavyhearted.Andifit’syourmindthat’sdisconsolate,utterlymiserable ordiscouraged,youcanbesorrowful,melancholy,downcast,dejected,desolate,dispirited,despondent, inconsolable (IN-kun-SOH-luh-bul), forlorn, doleful, or lachrymose (LAK-ri-mohs), a literary word thatmeanstearful,mournful. The verb to console (kun-SOHL) means to comfort, lessen someone’s sorrow or trouble. It comes fromtheLatinconsōlāri,tocomfort,alleviate,thesourcealsooftheEnglishnounconsolation,something thatcomfortsortheactofcomforting:“ThefruitcakesandcasserolestheneighborsleftforNancyafter herhusband’sfuneralwerelittleconsolationforhergrief.”Disconsolate combines the privative prefix dis-, which takes away or negates the meaning of the word that follows, with consolation to mean literallywithoutcomfort,andthereforemiserable. Whatevermakesyoufeelextremelysadorhopelessmakesyoudisconsolate.Losingapokergameor a tennis match may make you feel discouraged or distressed, but losing something important that you depend on, such as a job or a place to live, or losing a loved one, can make you disconsolate. Not surprisingly, unrequited lovers (because their love is un-, not, requited, returned in kind, reciprocated) areoftendisconsolate. Word19:CONUNDRUM(kuh-NUHN-drum) Ariddleorpuzzle,theanswertowhichinvolvesapunoraplayonwords;also,anyperplexingquestionorproblem. The origin of conundrum has been lost. Most authorities agree that it is pseudo-Latin, like the word hocus-pocus,whichwasoriginallyusedbyjugglersandmagicians.Conundrummayhavebeenaslang termusedinthe16thcenturybystudentsatthegreatEnglishuniversities,OxfordandCambridge,andthe OEDsuggeststhatitmayhaveoriginatedinajokeoraparodyofLatin. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of the English Language defines conundrum as “a riddle foundedonsomeoddresemblancebetweenunlikethingsortheirnames,orsomeodddifferenceoflike things or their names, often depending on a pun; as ‘What kind of fruit does the electric plant bear?’ ‘Currents.’” One of my favorite books as a child was Bennett Cerf ’s Book of Riddles, a collection of conundrumspresentedinlanguagesuitableforyoungreaders.Theanswertoeachriddle,orconundrum, alwaysinvolvesanamusingand—atleastforachild—unpredictableplayonwords.Forexample:“What goes up when the rain comes down?” “An umbrella.” “What dog keeps the best time?” “A watchdog.” “Whatgetslosteverytimeyoustandup?”“Yourlap.” Althoughconundrumisstillusedtomeanariddlewhoseanswerinvolveswordplay,currentusage favorsthemoregeneralsenseoftheword:anyquestionorproblemthatpuzzlesorperplexes.Thereare all sorts of conundrums, from mathematical, technological, and metaphysical conundrums to ethical, financial, and legal conundrums. Sometimes just figuring out the right thing to do or say can be a conundrum,aperplexingquestionorproblem. You may come across conundrum used in the phrase in a conundrum, as in this sentence from the OshkoshNorthwestern:“WithaNo-Tippinglaw,customerswouldneveragainfeelembarrassedorina conundrumabouttipping.”Strictlyspeaking,thisisamisuse,aconfusionofconundrumwiththewords dilemma,predicament,andquandary(KWAHN-duh-ree).Thosethreewordsallrefertoacomplicated, perplexingsituationfromwhichitishardtodisentangleoneself,whileconundrumproperlyreferstoa complicated,perplexingquestionorproblem.“Onecorpse.Ninenames,butnoidentity,”beginsastoryin theIndependentOnline.“ThisistheconundrumNorthWestpolicearedealingwithwhentheytriedto identifyadeadmanbyrunninghisfingerprintsthroughthesystem—andcameupwithninedifferentnames andagesforhim.” Inadditiontoriddle,puzzle,andmystery,thenounenigma(i-NIG-muh)—somethingorsomeonehard tounderstandorexplain—isaclosesynonymofconundrum. Word20:DOTAGE(DOH-tij) Senility;thementaldeclineassociatedwitholdage,sometimescalledsecondchildhood. DotagecomesfromtheMiddleEnglishdoten,tobehavefoolishly,becomefeebleminded,andisrelated totheverbtodote(rhymeswithcoat),whichmaymeantoexhibitthefeeblemindednessofoldageorto befoolishlyfondof,bestowexcessiveattentionon,asamotherwhodotesonheronlychild. Dotagecanalsomeanexcessivefondnessorfoolishaffection,theactofdotingonsomeone,butmore oftentodayitisusedofthedeclineinmentalabilityassociatedwitholdage,orsometimes,loosely,of old age itself: “It seems a handsome male lead can be a handsome male lead well into his dotage, but therearefewerchancesforbeautifulfemaleleadactressestofollowsuit”(bbcamerica.com). Theexpressioninone’sdotagemeansinoldage,especiallyinthetimeofoldagewhenthemental faculties decline, and the noun dotard (DOH-turd) is a person in his or her dotage, a feebleminded or foolisholdperson. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.InHermanMelville’snovelMoby-Dick,CaptainAhabsuffersfrommegalomania;heisobsessedwithhuntingdownthewhitewhale. 2.Thesofthumofadishwasherorwashingmachineisvociferous. 3.Whenyoucontrivetodosomething,youtrybutdon’tsucceed. 4.Apersonwhohasbeennonplussedislikelytoobjectvociferously. 5.Itwouldn’tbeunusualforamegalomaniactomakeanimperiousremark. 6.Privationistheactofsavingforarainyday,frugality. 7.Tosuffuseistouseupcompletely,consumeordevour. 8.Beingunemployedforalongtimecouldmakeapersondisconsolate. 9.Aconundrumisacomplicated,perplexingsituation. 10.Peopleintheirdotageoftenhaveexceptionalmentalpowers. SynonymDiscrimination Thewordspredicament,dilemma,andquandary—mentionedinthediscussionofconundrum, word 19 ofthislevel—allapplytosituationsorconditionsthataredifficultandperplexing.Apredicament is a difficultsituationthatisespeciallyunpleasantorunfortunate:“LosinghisjobleftPeteinapredicament.” Dilemmaisoftenusedlooselyofanydifficultproblemortroublesomesituation,butinthebestusageitis used only of situations in which one faces a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. When you’re“damnedifyoudoanddamnedifyoudon’t,”that’sadilemma.Aquandaryisastateofuncertainty orconfusionthatrendersoneunabletoact.Tobeinaquandarymeanstobepuzzled,fullofdoubts,and notsurewhattodo. *** Let’sreturnagaintotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word21:VACUOUS (VAK-yoo-us) Empty,withoutcontentorsubstance;hencefiguratively,emptyofideasorintelligence. Synonyms of vacuous meaning without content or substance include blank, void, vacant, hollow, insubstantial, and depleted. Synonyms of vacuous meaning lacking ideas or intelligence include thoughtless,pointless,purposeless,expressionless,inane,andfatuous(word6ofthislevel). The noun is vacuity (va-KYOO-i-tee), emptiness, absence, vacancy of matter or of mind, as in this quotationfromMarionHarland’s1854novelAlone:“Sheheardandsawallthatpassed;butinplaceof heartandsensewasadeadvacuity.” The adjective vacuous comes from the Latin vacuus, empty, void, vacant, the source also of the Englishnounvacuum,aspacedevoidofmatter,andtheverbevacuate,tovacate,leaveemptyorvoid. Althoughvacuousmaybeusedliterallyofsomethingthatisempty,ashestoodinthevacuous,echoing corridorofthevacantstadium,todaythewordisfarmoreoftenusedfigurativelytomeanemptyofideas orintelligence,devoidofsubstance,sense,orinterest.Wespeakofvacuousfools,avacuousspeech,a vacuouslookorstare,vacuousrealityTVshows,vacuouscelebrities,vacuousnovels,and—perhapsthe most vacuous thing on earth—that horrible, ubiquitous, vacuous Muzak. (Ubiquitous, pronounced yooBIK-wi-tus,meansexistingorseemingtoexisteverywhereatthesametime.) When you think of the adjective vacuous, think of a vacuum cleaner sucking all the substance or intelligenceoutofsomething. Word22:INTEMPERATE(in-TEM-pur-it) Withoutmoderation,extremeorexcessive,goingbeyondreasonablebounds. TheadjectivetemperatecomesfromtheLatintemperāre,toexerciserestraint,andmeansmoderate,not excessive,keepingwithinreasonablelimits,asatemperateclimate,onewithmoderatetemperatures,or temperatecriticism,meaningcriticismthatismildormoderateratherthanextremeorviolent.Tackthe privative prefix in- onto temperate and you get its antonym, intemperate, lacking moderation, immoderate,excessive:“Hewascautiousinhiswritingbutintemperateinhisspeech.” Intemperate may be used of anything that is extreme or goes beyond reasonable bounds, as intemperateremarksorintemperatelust.Butitisalsooftenusedtomeanexcessivelyindulgent,going beyondreasonablelimitstosatisfyanappetiteordesire,especiallyadesireforalcoholordrugs,asin this1793quotationfromJamesBeattie’sElementsofMoralScience:“Menhabituallyintemperatejustly forfeittheesteemoftheirfellow-citizens.” Thenountemperancemaymeanmoderation,restraint,orabstinencefromalcoholanddrugs,whileits antonym, the noun intemperance, may mean a lack of moderation or habitual indulgence in alcohol or drugs. Synonymsofintemperatemeaningwithoutmoderation,excessive,includeextravagant,uncontrolled, unbridled, and inordinate (in-OR-di-nit). Synonyms of intemperate meaning overly indulgent include besotted(word24ofLevel1),dissolute(word7ofLevel6),dissipated,wanton,profligate (PRAHFli-git),anddebauched(theverbtodebauchisword30ofLevel5). Word23:S TYMIE(STY-mee,rhymeswithtryme) Toobstruct,block,thwart,standinthewayof,presentanobstacleto. The precise etymology of the verb to stymie is uncertain, but we do know that its origin is probably Scottish and it is probably related to the ancient Scottish game of golf. Consult any dictionary and you willseethatingolfthenounstymiedenotesasituationinwhichaballontheputtinggreenobstructsthe line of play of another ball on the green. From this notion of one player’s golf ball blocking another player’sputtitiseasytoseehow,sinceabout1900,wecametousestymieasaverbtomeantoblockor obstruct. You can use stymie of almost anything that gets in the way, blocks progress, or thwarts success. In politics,afactionmaytrytostymiediscussionofanissuesoastopreventavote.Inbusiness,acompany cantrytostymiethecompetition,standinitsway,andadeepdipinthestockmarketcanstymie,present anobstacleto,economicgrowth.Bureaucracy,informallycalledredtape,canstymieanattempttogain approvalforaconstructionproject,andiftheprojectisapproved,amonthofheavyraincanstymiework onit.Sportswriterscommonlyusestymietomeantodefeat,thwarttheeffortsof:“TheBeaversuseda suffocatingdefensetostymieWisconsin10–7.” Synonyms of stymie include frustrate, hinder, hobble, impede, inhibit, and encumber (word 29 of Level1).Antonymsofstymieincludeaid,promote,encourage,accelerate,facilitate,disencumber,and expedite(EKS-puh-dyt),fromtheLatinexpedire,tofreefromasnare,disentangle,hencetospeedupor performpromptly. Word24:AMBROS IA(am-BROH-zhuh) InancientGreekandRomanmythology,thefoodofthegods,whichmadethemimmortal.Hence,somethingdivinelysweetandpleasingto tasteorsmell. Ambrosia comes directly from an ancient Greek word that meant both immortality and the food of the gods. It was “a celestial substance, capable of imparting immortality,” says The Century Dictionary, “commonly represented as the food of the gods, but sometimes as their drink, and also as a richly perfumedunguent[anointmentoroil].”Becauseitwasunclearwhetherambrosiawasonlyafoodoralso adrink,ambrosiaissometimesalsocallednectar,orthenectarofthegods. When it is not used historically of the food of the gods, ambrosia is commonly used of something sweetanddelicioustotasteorsmell.Thisusemaybeliteral—thereisasweetdessertcalledambrosia that is made with oranges, shredded coconut, and sometimes pineapple, nuts, and whipped cream or yogurtfordressing—orfigurative,assheinhaledthebouquet’sintoxicatingambrosiaorhetastedthe ambrosiaofherlips. Theadjectiveisambrosial(am-BROH-zhee-ul),whichmaymeaneitherimmortal,divine,worthyof thegods,orexceptionallysweet,delicious,orfragrant. Word25:VIVIFY(VIV-i-fy) Togivelifeorrenewedlifeto,animate,stimulate.Also,tomakemorevividorstriking. Synonymsofvivifyincludeenergize,quicken,enliven,andvitalize.Antonymsofvivifyincludeweaken, exhaust,debilitate,enfeeble,andenervate. VivifycomesfromtheLatinvīvus,alive,living,andfacere,tomake,andbyderivationmeanstomake more alive. From the same Latin vīvus, alive, and the verb vīvĕre, to live, be alive, come the English wordsrevive;vivid;vivacious(word15ofLevel1);andthelegaltermintervivos(IN-turVEE-vohsor VY-vohs),whichmeansliterally“betweentheliving”andisusedofgiftsortruststhattakeeffectduring thelifetimesofthepartiesinvolved. Vivifycanbeusedwherevertheintendedmeaningistogivelifeto,stimulate,ortomakemorevivid, striking,orbright.Paintersvivifywithbrilliantcolorsandboldbrushstrokes.Biographerstrytovivify the people whose lives they chronicle, making their words and experiences come alive again. The economy can be vivified, stimulated, given renewed life, by an increase in production and consumer spending.Andbrightsunlightcanvivifyalandscape,makingitmoreclearandstriking. Word26:PURLOIN(pur-LOYN) Tosteal,makeawaywith,takedishonestly,oftenbyabreachoftrust. Theverbstosteal,rob,plunder,andlootareusuallyusedofseriouscrimesinwhichsomethingvaluable isseizedortakenunlawfully,oftenwithforceorviolence.Bycontrast,theverbstoswipe,filch,pilfer, poach,andpurloinusuallyapplytopettytheftinwhichsomethingistakensecretlyandofteninacunning ordeceptiveway. Toswipeandtofilchbothimplysnatchingsomethingquicklywhilenooneislooking:“Sheswiped some makeup from the drugstore”; “Every day the boy filched an extra cookie from the jar.” To pilfer impliestakingsomethingrepeatedly,usuallyinsmallamounts:“Acleverfoxwaspilferingchickensfrom thehenhouse.”Topoachistotrespassforthepurposeofstealinggameorfish:“Theypoachedelephants for their ivory tusks.” Our keyword, to purloin, often suggests breaching another’s trust by taking somethingdishonestlyforone’sownpurposes.InhisHistoryoftheEnglish-SpeakingPeoples (1956), WinstonChurchillwrote,“Thisson,byanactofbadfaithwhichaftermanystormyyearswastocosthim hislife,purloinedanotewhichhisfatherhadpreserved.” Topurloinmayalsomeantoplagiarize,tostealsomeoneelse’swordsorideasandtrytopassthem off as your own. In Roughing It (1872), Mark Twain wrote, “It has been purloined by fifty different scribblerswhoweretoopoortoinventafancybutnotashamedtostealone.” Word27:BULWARK(BUUL-wurk,likebullwork) Apowerfuldefenseorprotection,strongsupportorsafeguard. WhenbulwarkcameintoMiddleEnglishinthefirsthalfofthe15thcenturyitwasusedtomeanawallor moundofearth,stones,orothermaterialusedfordefense,arampart,fortification.“Withbulwarksstrong their city he enclosed,” wrote the English poet William Cowper (KOO-pur) in his 1791 translation of Homer’sOdyssey. In the 16th century bulwark took on another meaning: a breakwater or seawall, as in this 1865 quotationfromSirArchibaldGeikie’sSceneryofScotland:“Tocheckthefurtherravagesofthewavesa stonebulwarkwaserected.”Andinthe19thcenturybulwarkalsocametobeusedofthelowwooden wallrunningalongthesidesofashipabovethelevelofthedeck.InhisclassicnavalmemoirTwoYears BeforetheMast(1840),RichardHenryDanawrote,“Ourshiphaduncommonlyhighbulwarksandrail.” The figurative sense of bulwark, a powerful defense, strong support, came along in the late 16th century.Itisinthissensethatthewordiscommonlyusedtoday—todenoteanyimportantsafeguard:a thing, idea, or person that protects or gives support in time of need. Here are some examples of this figurativeusefromnewsreports:“TheBombayHighCourt…hasbeenaspectacularbulwarkoffreedom inindependentIndia”;“TheU.S.FifthFleetisbasedinBahrainasabulwarkagainstIran”;“TheAmazon Basin,traditionallyconsideredabulwarkagainstglobalwarming,maybebecominganetcontributorof carbondioxide.” Bulwark may also be used as a verb to mean to safeguard, fortify, provide strong support or protection:“Weofferstrategiesthatcanbulwarkinvestmentsagainstuncertaintyandincreasechancesof makingaprofit.” Word28:MAGIS TERIAL(MAJ-i-STEER-ee-ul) Likeorbefittingamasterorsomeonewhospeakswithauthority;hence,authoritative,masterly,weighty,commanding. Thenounmagister(MAJ-i-stur)isanoldandformalwordforamaster;itcomesdirectlyfromtheLatin magister, a master. The adjective magisterial comes from the Latin magisterialis, of a magister or master. Magisterialmaybeusedinaneutralwaytomeanhavingorexhibitingtheauthorityofamaster,or displaying the skill of a master: a magisterial work of scholarship; a magisterial speech; her magisterialdebutontheconcertstage.Or,likeimperious,word15ofthislevel,magisterial may be useddisparaginglyofapersontomeandomineeringordogmatic,forcingotherstoacceptyouropinions orfollowyourorders.TheEnglishphilosopherJohnLockeusedmagisterialthiswayin1690:“Itwould becomeustobe…lessmagisterial…andimperious,inimposingourownsenseandinterpretations.” Magisterialhasoneothermeaningthatshouldbenoted.Amagistrate(MAJ-i-strayt)isajusticeof the peace, a minor judicial officer with limited jurisdiction. Magisterial is sometimes used to mean pertainingtoorbefittingamagistrate,asamagisterialinquiryoramagisterialcourt. Word29:TALIS MAN(TAL-is-munorTAL-iz-mun) Acharm,amulet;anobjectbelievedtohavethemagicalpowertowardoffevil,bringgoodfortune,orinfluencehowpeopleactorfeel. Talisman,whichcameintoEnglishfirstthroughFrench,Spanish,andItalian,andbeforethatArabic,hails ultimately from the Greek télesma, a religious rite, consecration, which in turn comes from telein, to complete,fulfill,orperformareligiousrite. Historicallyatalismanisastone,aring,orsomeothersmallobjectthathasbeencutorengravedwith supposedly magical letters, figures, or celestial images. “The talisman is supposed to exercise extraordinaryinfluencesoverthebearer,especiallyinavertingevils,asdiseaseorsuddendeath,”says The Century Dictionary. Since the 18th century talisman has also been used figuratively of anything believedcapableofproducingmagicalormiraculousresults,orthatexercisesanextraordinaryinfluence onhumanactionsoremotions—inshort,agood-luckcharm. Webster’sNewInternationalDictionary,secondedition,saysthatthewordstalisman, amulet, and charmareofteninterchangeable,butamulet“appliesespeciallytoanobjectworntoavertevil,”while charmcanalsobeusedof“amagicalcombinationofwords.”Talisman,bycontrast,“denoteswiderand more positive powers,” as suggested by this quotation from the 19th-century novelist and short story writerNathanielHawthorne:“Thelittlecircletoftheschoolboy’scoppercoin…hadprovedatalisman, fragrantwithgood,anddeservingtobesetingoldandwornnext[to]herheart.” Wouldyouliketolearnanunusualsynonymoftalisman,amulet,andcharm?Aperiapt(PER-ee-apt), fromperi-,around,about,andtheGreekhaptein,tofasten,issomethingworntopreventorcureillness, toavoidbadluck,ortowardoffspells. Word30:S TUPEFY(STOO-puh-fyorSTYOO-puh-fy) Todullthesensesof,makestupidorgroggy,putintoadaze,deaden. Thenounisstupefaction(ST(Y)OO-puh-FAK-shin),thestateofbeingstupefied,groggyordazed,orthe actofstupefying,renderinginsensible. Synonyms of the verb to stupefy include daze, bemuse, benumb, and stun, all of which, says the American Heritage Dictionary, “mean to dull or paralyze the mental capacities with or as if with a shock.”Anunusualsynonymofstupefyishebetate(HEB-i-tayt),tomakeorbecomedullorstupid,from theLatinhebes,blunt,dull. Stupefy comes from the Latin stupefacĕre, to render senseless, stun, a combination of two verbs: stupēre,tobestrucksenseless,astounded,stunned,andfacĕre,tomake.Facĕreisalsothesourceofthe common English suffix -fy, which is used in creating verbs that mean either to make or render, as in clarify,tomakeclear,andsimplify,torendersimple,ortobecome,asinliquefy,tobecomeliquid.The LatinstupēreisalsothesourceoftheEnglishwordsstupid,stupendous,andstupor,aseverelydulledor senselessmentalstate,adaze. Tostupefyistoputintoastuporordaze,eitherwithorasifwithanarcotic,aspolitical rhetoric designedtostupefythenationorstupefiedwithliquor.Thewordisalsooftenusedtomeantoshock, stun,astonish,asstupefiedbythissuddentwistoffate. Stupefyisoccasionallymisspelledstupify,withaniinsteadofaneinthemiddle,nodoubtthrough confusionwithstupid.Takecarenottomakethismistake. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Voidandvacuousare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Besottedandintemperateare… 3.Stymieandexpediteare… 4.Ambrosiaandnectarare… 5.Vivifyandenervateare… 6.Purloinandpilferare… 7.Menaceandbulwarkare… 8.Magisterialandimperiousare… 9.Amuletandtalismanare… 10.Stupefyandinvigorateare… DifficultDistinctions:FartherandFurther “Further.Farther,”beganthequeryonmywebsitecommentspage.“Shallwejustcallthewholething off,orcanyouspecifytheirmeanings? Noneedtocallthewholethingoff,Iresponded.Thedistinctionisn’thardtomaster.Fartherisliteral and refers to physical distances, while further is figurative and refers to every other kind of distance. Thus,youwalkfarthertowardyourdestination,takephysicalstepstowardit,butyoufigurativelytakea stepfurthertowardyourgoal.Yougofartherdowntheroad,notfurther.Andwhilephysicalthingscan driftfartherawayfromeachother,peopleinbadrelationshipsdriftfurtherapart. Unfortunately,theBritishinsistonconfusingthingsbyusingfurtherforbothphysicalandfigurative distance. And the Ford Motor Company isn’t helping, either. During the 2013 Major League Baseball playoffs, Ford promoted its wares with the slogan Go further. Apparently the copywriters thought it wouldbeaslicksalesgimmicktomergethenotionsofphysicalandfigurativedistance.AllIcansayis, Gofigure. *** HerearethenexttenkeyworddiscussionsinLevel3: Word31:RANCOROUS (RANG-kur-us) Feelingorexhibitingdeeplyrootedhostility,bitterness,orresentment. Theadjectiverancorousandthenounrancor(RANG-kur)comefromtheLatinrancēre,toberottenor putrid(PYOO-trid),thesourcealsooftheEnglishadjectiverancid(RAN-sid),rotting,stinking,havinga disgusting smell because of decomposition, as rancid meat or rancid butter. The noun rancor means bitterandlong-lastinghostilityorillwill,asinthis1767quotationfromaletterwrittenbytheAnglican clergymanJohnWesley,whofoundedMethodism:“Suchhatred,malevolence,rancor,bitterness,asyou showtoallwhodonotexactlyfallinwithyouropinionwasscarceeverseen.”Theadjectiverancorous meansfulloforshowingrancor,bitterillwill,malice. Unlike fury, which builds to a fever pitch and explodes, and unlike spite, which suggests petty resentment or envy, rancor implies a deep-seated, long-lasting hatred or resentment that festers, causes bitternessandirritation,overtime.Someonecanfeelrancorousangerforawrongdoneyearsago,orfeel rancorous envy of someone who always gets the breaks but doesn’t deserve them. Rancorous parents headed toward divorce often use their children as pawns in their ongoing rancorous drama. And many societies throughout the world have suffered for generations, even centuries, from rancorous divisions basedonrace,class,andreligion. Word32:ENNUI(ahn-WEE) Boredom,tedium;afeelingofwearinessanddiscontentbroughtonbyalackofinterestinwhatoneisdoingoralackofsomethinginteresting todo. Synonymsofennuiincludelistlessness(listlessisword39ofLevel2),languor(LANG-gur,discussed in languish, word 14 of Level 2), and lassitude, weariness, fatigue, a sluggish relaxation of body or mind. EnnuicomesfromtheFrenchennui,boredom,annoyance,tediousness.Inmodernusageennuiusually impliessomethingdeeper,morepervasive,andlonger-lastingthanboredomandtedium,whichareoften temporary. Ennui suggests a persistent state of mind, an enveloping world-weariness, a chronic fatigue withexistenceorboredomwiththeworldanditsmaterialpleasures.Toomuchofthesamething—orof anything,goodorbad—cangetboring,andwhentheboredomandwhatcausesitshownosignsofgoing away,welapseintoennui. Wealthy people, who think they can afford everything, and fashionable people, who think they have seen everything, are often described as experiencing ennui, a world-weary dissatisfaction with all the privileges and creature comforts they enjoy. And these days many voters suffer from ennui, an overwhelmingfatiguebroughtonbytheconstantsnipinganddivisivenessofpoliticaldiscourse. Word33:CENS ORIOUS (sen-SOR-ee-us) Severelycritical,blamingorcondemningharshly,expressingsterndisapprovalof. TheadjectivecensoriouscomesfromtheLatincensōrĭus,whichmeantrelatingtothecensor, a Roman magistrate who administered the census, a tally of the population and an assessment of property. This ancient Roman censor was also charged with “the supervision of public morals” (OED), so the Latin censōrĭusalsocametomeanstern,rigid,severe,andtheLatincensoralsocametomeanaseverejudge orrigidmoralist. FromthisimplicationofseverityandjudgmentweinherittheEnglishwordcensor(SEN-sur).Asa noun censor means a person who suppresses any material (in books, movies, radio and television programs, etc.) deemed objectionable, immoral, or offensive to the government. As a verb to censor meanstosuppressordeletesomethingobjectionable,astocensorabookbyremovingwordsorpassages consideredoffensive. FromtherelatedLatinwordcensūra,theofficeofacensor,comestheEnglishcensure (SEN-shur), which as a noun means strong disapproval or an official reprimand, and as a verb means to criticize harshly, find fault with, often through a formal proceeding, as to censure a member of Congress for unethicalconduct. Censorious suggests behaving like a censor, a rigid and severe judge, and the act of censuring— criticizing or condemning harshly. A censorious eye is an eye always on the lookout for something or someonetocensure,todisapproveofsternly.Acensorioussocietyorcensoriousgovernmentsuppresses anyactionorexpressionthatitdeemsoffensiveordangerous.AndthecensoriousHaysCode—namedfor William Harrison Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America from 1922to1945—imposedstrictmoralguidelinesforHollywoodmovies. Synonymsofcensoriousincludefaultfinding,denunciatory,captious,carping,andvituperative(vyT[Y]OO-pur-uh-tiv). Word34:MARGINALIZE(MAHR-ji-nuh-lyz) Toremovefromthemainstream,sendtotheborderorouteredge;specifically,toforceapersonorgroupintoaninferior,unimportant,or powerlessroleorcondition. Amargin,inoneofitsmanysenses,isaborderoredge,andspecificallythespacearoundwhatisprinted or written on a page. The adjective marginal means pertaining to or placed at the margin, the border, edge, or outer limit. Thus, when you marginalize something, you place it in a marginal position, on the edgesorouterlimits,soastoignoreitorminimizeitsimportanceorinfluence.Usuallyitisunpopular, powerless, or controversial individuals or groups that are marginalized by the mainstream, which is alwaysbentonmaintainingstabilityandcontrol.Artistsanddissidentsthatchallengethestatusquoare oftenmarginalized,andformuchofAmericanhistorythepowersthatbetookpainstoconsolidatetheir powerbymarginalizingwomenandminorities. Thepastparticiplemarginalizedmayalsobeusedasanountomeanremovedfromthemainstream andplacedinaninferiororpowerlessroleorcondition:“Weallhaveworktodotoputthemarginalized, thehungry,andthehomelessontheelectionagenda”(TimesofLondon). Word35:REPROVE(ri-PROOV) Tocriticize,scold,orcorrectgently;also,toexpressstrongdisapprovalof,condemn. Thenounsreproofandreprovalbothmeantheactofreproving,acriticism,correction,orexpressionof disapproval,asinthissentencefromSherwoodAnderson’s1911novelWinesburg,Ohio:“She…wrote downaseriesofsharp,stingingreproofssheintendedtopouroutuponhim.” TheverbtoreprovecomesfromtheLatinreprobāre,tocondemn,reject,disapproveofstrongly,the source also of the English word reprobate (REP-ruh-BAYT), which may be a noun, an adjective, or a verb.Asanounreprobatemeansacorrupt,unprincipledperson,ascoundrel.Asanadjectivereprobate meansmorallyabandoned,lackingallsenseofdecencyandduty.Andasaverbtoreprobateisastrong synonymofreproveandmeanstocondemn,disapproveof. When you reprove, it may be relatively mild, a gentle and well-meaning scolding or correction, a figurativerapontheknuckles:“Shewasagiftedteacherwhoknewpreciselywhentoreproveandwhen toconsoleherstudents.”Orreprovemayimplyharsherdisapprovalorcondemnation:“Theletterwould reproveMooreforallegedlyusinghisofficeforpersonalgain,dispensingfavors,andbringingdiscredit againsttheHouse”(thehill.com). Synonyms of reprove in the milder sense, to criticize or correct gently, include to lecture, chide, admonish, caution, chasten (rhymes with hasten), and remonstrate (ri-MAHN-strayt). Synonyms of reprove in the harsher sense, to express strong disapproval, include to rebuke, reprimand, denounce, reproach,berate(word37ofLevel4),upbraid,reprehend,revile(word43ofLevel4),castigate,and censure(discussedincensorious,word33ofthislevel). Word36:RELEGATE(REL-uh-gayt) Toassigntoaninferiororinsignificantposition,role,orcondition:outcastsrelegatedtothefringesofsociety. TheverbtorelegatecomesfromtheLatinrelēgāre,tobanish,sendaway,andthiswasthemeaningofthe word when it entered English in the 16th century. Although this sense survives in historical contexts pertainingtobanishment,thecommonmeaningofrelegatesincethe18thcenturyhasbeentoremovetoan inferior position or place, assign to an insignificant or obscure role: “Her noteworthy scientific contributions have sadly been relegated to the dust-heap of history”; “The teacher relegated her impertinent(word20ofLevel1)pupiltoaseatinthebackoftheroom.” Theverbstodelegateandtorelegatehaveoftenbeenusedinterchangeably,butausefuldistinction between them can and should be made. To delegate implies an assignment of equal responsibility, and means to entrust or deliver to another’s care or management. You delegate your duties to someone you trust. To delegate may also be to appoint as an agent or representative to act in your stead: “Henry delegated Robert to speak for him at the council meeting.” To relegate implies giving an inferior or insignificantassignment,placinginanobscureorunimportantpositionsoastoputoutofsightormind: “The Balkans are dominated by patriarchal societies, in which men dictate morality and women are relegatedtothehome”(TheNewYorkTimes). Word37:BEHEMOTH(bi-HEE-muth) Anythingofmontroussizeandpower;amassiveandmightycreatureorthing. BehemothcomesfromaHebrewwordmeaningabeast,buttheOEDnotesthatitmaycomeultimately fromanEgyptianwordthatmeantawater-oxandthatwas“assimilatedinHebrewmouthstoaHebrew form.” That is perhaps why some dictionaries speculate that the original behemoth—mentioned in the BibleinthebookofJob—wasprobablyahippopotamus. “Beholdnowbehemoth,”beginsJob40:15,“…heeatethgrassasanox.”His“bonesarelikebarsof iron,”“themountainsbringhimforthfood,”he“drinkethupariver,”and“noneissofiercethatdarestir himup.”IliveinSanDiego,California,andatourcity’sfamouszootheyhaveabigpoolthatsomevery bighippopotamusesfrolicin.I’veseenthesemonstrouscreaturesupcloseandpersonal,andIcanassure youtheyarebehemoths—massive,powerful,practicallytoothless,andmorethanalittledauntingwhen theysidleuptotheglassandsnortatyou. Chapter41ofthebookofJobintroducesustoanotherformidable(FOR-mi-duh-buul, not for-MIDuh-buul)creature,leviathan(li-VY-uh-thin),amassiveandmenacingseamonster:“Canstthoudrawout leviathanwithahook?…Whenheraisethhimselfup,themightyareafraid.Thearrowcannotmakehim flee.…Helaughethattheshakingofaspear.…Hemakeththedeeptoboillikeapot.”Fromthislanguage youcanseehowthisbiblicalleviathanbecametheinspirationfortheenormouswhitewhalethatCaptain Ahab hunts obsessively in Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick. Even the hefty novel itself is sometimesreferredtoasaleviathan:“Moby-DickistheleviathanofAmericanliterature—agreatwhite whaleofabookthateveryonehasheardofbutfewhaveactuallyread”(TheGuardian). Inmodernusagethewordsleviathanandbehemothmaybeusedofhugeanimals—leviathanofany huge sea creature, such as a whale, and behemoth of any huge land creature. But probably more often todaythesewordsareusedfigurativelyofthingsthatareimmense,powerful,andintimidating.Massive buildingsandgiantcorporationsareoftenreferredtoasbehemothsorleviathans.Enormousathletes,such as football players and weight lifters, are sometimes playfully called behemoths. And the Titanic was calledaleviathan,untilitsank. Word38:INCENDIARY(in-SEN-dee-er-ee) Excitingpassion;tendingtoinflametheemotions;stirringupviolenceorrebellion. The adjective inflammatory (in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee), exciting anger, hostility, or disorder, is a close synonymofincendiary—whichisnotsurprisingbecausebothwordscomefromLatinverbsthatmeantto kindle,setfireto,inflame.Inflammatorycommentsigniteangerorresentment,whileanincendiaryspeech kindlesthesortofpassionateemotionthatcanleadtobloodshed. Incendiary may be used literally to mean pertaining to or involving arson, the intentional and malicioussettingonfireofpropertyorland.Oritmaybeusedofanythingdesignedtosetpropertyon fire,asanincendiarydeviceorincendiarybomb.Butmoreoftenincendiaryisusedfigurativelytomean igniting or inflaming the passions, stirring up strife or controversy, especially in regard to social or politicalissues. Incendiary ideas stir up people’s emotions and disrupt the status quo. Incendiary publications disseminate incendiary ideas to ignite debate and shake up society. And incendiary radio shows and incendiary rallies feature incendiary rhetoric that is designed to inflame people’s emotions and excite them to action. But, all too often, incendiary speech can be so strong and inflammatory that it leads to violence. Incendiarymayalsobeusedasanountomeaneitheranarsonist,apersonwhomaliciouslysetsfires, orapersonwhosetspeopleatoddswitheachother,anagitator,troublemaker,rabble-rouser,firebrand. Word39:S TALWART(STAWL-wurt,rhymeswithfallhurt) Stalwarthasthreesensesincommonuse:(1)stronglybuilt,sturdy,stout;(2)strongandbrave,bold,valiant;and(3)stronginone’spositionor belief,firm,steadfast,resolute. Perhapsyounoticedthatallthreesensesoftheadjectivestalwartinvolvestrength.Astalwartpersonmay bestrongphysically,orhaveastrong,braveheart,orhaveastrong,unwaveringopinionorposition. Astalwartoaktreeissolidandstrong,andastalwartfootballplayerisbigandstrong.Astalwartally isonewhowillstickbyyou,whoisstronglyonyourside.Astalwartdogisstrong,brave,andloyal.A stalwartcommitmentisastrong,solidcommitment.AndthestalwartpioneersoftheAmericanWesthad tobebothphysicallystrongandstrongintheirresolvetosurvive. Stalwart is frequently used to describe people who either strongly favor or strongly oppose something: “Conservatives were stalwart supporters of the measure, while liberals were stalwart opponentsofit.”Stalwartmayalsobeusedasanountomeanastalwartperson,eitheronewhoisstrong and brave or one who is a loyal, unwavering supporter or member: “Jim Johnson, who … had been a stalwartoftheValley’schoralmusicscenefordecades,diedFriday”(Canada.com). Nowlet’stalkforamomentabouthownottousestalwart.Writersfondofsprinklingtheirprosewith interesting words that they haven’t bothered to learn sometimes misuse the noun stalwart for the noun staple,whichmeanseitherabasicornecessaryitemoffoodorabasicorprincipalelementorfeature. Here’s a sentence where the writer mistakenly thought stalwart could denote a basic item of food: “Traditionallyseenasastalwart[staple]ofthriftycookery,bacon…isincreasinglyseenasawaytoadd a little zest to burgers and lunchtime dishes” (The Guardian). And here’s a sentence where the writer mistakenly thought stalwart meant a basic element or feature: “The badger, a stalwart [staple] of BBC natureprograms,isoneofBritain’smostbelovedanimalsandisaprotectedspecies”(npr.com). Word40:ENMITY(EN-mi-tee) Activehatredorhostility,deep-seatedillwill. Hatred and dislike are such common human emotions that the English language is replete (ri-PLEET, well-stocked,abundantlysupplied)withsynonymsforenmity. Many begin with the letter a: animosity, aversion,antipathy,acrimony,andanimus(word20ofLevel4).Severalothersbeginwithm: malice, malevolence,andmalignity.Andinword31ofthislevel,rancorous,wediscussedanothersynonymof enmity:thenounrancor,whichmeansbitterandlong-lastinghostilityorillwill. Antonyms of enmity include friendliness, warmheartedness, sociability, cordiality, harmony, and concord,andtherearenofewerthanfourantonymsbeginningwitha:amiability,affability,amicability, andamity. Not surprisingly, the words enmity and enemy are related. Both come ultimately from the Latin inimīcus,unfriendly,hostile,whichcombinestheprivativeprefixin-,not,andamīcus,afriend.Thus,you harborenmity,hatred,hostility,foranenemybecauseanenemybyderivationisin-,not,amīcus,afriend. Incidentally,theLatininimīcus,unfriendly,hostile,isalsothesourceoftheEnglishadjectiveinimical(iNIM-i-kul),whichmeanslikeanenemy,henceunfriendly,hostile,orunfavorable,harmful:“Singapore’s censorshiplaws…areinimicaltotheliberalartsspirit”(YaleDailyNews). Becausehavinganenemyisusuallyreciprocal—meaningthatthehostilitygoesbothways,andyour enemy also considers you an enemy—the word enmity often implies a shared or mutual hatred. For example, there can be long-standing enmity between two nations, or an entrenched enmity among rival religioussects. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Rancorousmeansbitter,reluctant,resentful. 2.Ennuiisignorance,boredom,tedium. 3.Censoriousmeanscriticizing,condemning,dismissive. 4.Tomarginalizeistoforceintoapowerlessposition,givelittleornocreditto,removefromthemainstream. 5.Toreproveistocondemn,getbackat,criticizegently. 6.Torelegateistoassignaninferiorrole,toentrusttoanother’scare,togiveaninsignificantposition. 7.Abehemothissomethingmassive,somethingmonstrous,somethingmiraculous. 8.Incendiarymeansstirringupinterest,excitingpassion,inflamingtheemotions. 9.Stalwartmeanssturdy,steadfast,straightforward. 10.Enmityishatred,haughtiness,hostility. TheStyleFile:ALotorAlot?AllRightorAlright? “I would like to know if a lot should be spelled as one word or two,” asks a correspondent at my website.Ilovegettingquestionslikethisbecausetheytakeonlyafewwordstoanswer,neveralot.So yousee:alotisalwaystwowords,neverone. Thesamegoesfortheexpressionallright.DespitetheusagenoteinMerriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, which claims that the one-word form alright “has its defenders and its users”—as if that alonemakesitlegitimate—nousageexpertwithareputationtolosewouldtellyouit’sallrighttowrite alright,andcopyeditorsroutinelychangetheone-wordformtotwo.Theone-wordformstrikesmeasan affectation,abitofstylisticcutesiness,likewritingthruforthrough.Garner’sModernAmericanUsage saysalright“hasneverbeenacceptedasstandard”inAmericanEnglish,andit“cannotyetbeconsidered goodusage—orevencolloquiallyallright.” *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word41:MALIGN(muh-LYN,rhymeswithalign) Tospeakevilorillof,utteruntruthsabout,sayharmfulormisleadingthingsabout. Synonyms of the verb to malign include to slander, defame, disparage, denigrate, stigmatize, revile (word 43 of Level 4), traduce (truh-D[Y]OOS), vilify, calumniate (kuh-LUHM-nee-AYT), and vituperate(vy-T[Y]OO-pur-AYT). MaligncomesfromtheLatinmalignus,wicked,malicious,disposedtodoevil.Fromthesamesource comes the adjective malignant (muh-LIG-nint), which may mean showing ill will, malicious, as her spiteful, malignant schoolmates; or having an evil or harmful nature or influence, injurious, as there’s something malignant lurking in the house; or, perhaps most commonly today, tending to produce deteriorationanddeath,asamalignanttumor. Malign is also an adjective that may mean evil in effect, injurious, as no one was aware of the teacher’smaligninfluenceonthestudents.Synonymsofmaligninthissenseincludedeleterious(DEL- i-TEER-ee-us),noxious,baneful,andpernicious.Theadjectivemalignmayalsomeancharacterizedby ill will, having an evil disposition, malicious, spiteful, as malign remarks or a malign stare. The antonymoftheadjectivemalignisbenign(buh-NYN),kindly,gracious,mild,havingorshowingagentle disposition,asabenignsmileorbenignintent. Sincethe15thcenturytheverbtomalignhasbeenusedtomeantospeakillorevilof,andtheword implies doing so by saying subtly misleading things intended to insult or belittle. An author can be maligned by a malicious book reviewer. The tabloid press specializes in maligning celebrities and politicians.Andpoliticianscommonlyairattackadsdesignedtomalignanopponent. Word42:LIBATION(ly-BAY-shin) Adrink-offering;thepouringoutofwineorsomeotherliquidinhonorofagod;hence,theliquidpouredout,adrink,beverage,potation(pohTAY-shun). Libation comes ultimately from the Latin verb lībāre, to give a taste of, pour out as an offering to the gods.AspracticedbytheancientGreeksandRomans,libationwas“theactofpouringaliquid,usually wine, either on the ground or on a victim in sacrifice, in honor of some deity,” says The Century Dictionary.In1697,theEnglishpoetanddramatistJohnDrydenwrote,“Thegobletthenshetook,with nectarcrown’d,/Sprinklingthefirstlibationsontheground.” Becausepouringoutaliquidinhonorofadeityhaslongbeenanobsoletepractice,libationgradually cametobeusedoftheliquiditself,especiallywhenit’sanalcoholicbeverage,asinthis1797quotation from Horace Walpole’s Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third: “Some jovial dinners and libationsofchampagnecementedtheirfriendship.”Somemoderndictionarieslabelthisuseoftheword facetious(fuh-SEE-shus)orjocular(JAHK-yuh-lur)—meaningintentionallysillyorhumorous.Butinfact libationischieflyusedtodaywhenawriterwantsafancier-soundingwaytosaydrinkorbeverage. As thecitationsonGoogleNewsshow,libationmeaningadrink,especiallyanachoholicdrink,isastapleof journalistic prose, as in this sentence from a television news report: “Participants will taste twelve uniquemartinisandvoteonwhichlibationshouldtakethecrown.” Word43:GES TICULATE(je-STIK-yuh-layt) Togesturewiththehandsorbody,usuallyenergeticallyorexcitedly. Gesticulation,theactofgesturingorgesticulating,isthenoun. TheverbtogesticulatecomesfromtheLatingesticulāri,tomakegestures,pantomime,whichcomes inturnfromgestus,action,gesture,especiallythestudiedgesturesofanactorororator. Usuallypeoplegesticulatewhiletheyarespeaking,asawayofphysicallyemphasizingorelaborating on what they are saying, as when a person points an index finger in the air or pounds a fist on a table whilemakinganimportantpoint.Butyoucanalsogesticulatewithoutspeaking,asawayofphysically communicating something unsaid, as when someone waves for a taxi, gives a thumbs-up sign to signal approvalorencouragement,oratadoorwayorentrancepolitelyextendsanarmwithanopenhandasif tosay,“Afteryou.Yougofirst.” Gesticulationincludesarangeofgesturesandisnotlimitedtomotionofthearmsandhands.Youcan also gesticulate, make lively gestures, by shrugging, winking, shaking your head, or moving any part of yourbodyinawaythatsendsamessage. Word44:CIRCUMLOCUTION(SUR-kum-loh-KYOO-shin) Aroundaboutorindirectwayofspeakingorwriting;evasivespeechorwriting. Circumlocution blends the combining form circum-, around, with the Latin loqui, to speak, and means literallyaspeakingortalkingaroundasubject. Three other useful English words that incorporate circum-, around, are circumscribe, circumspect, and circumvent. The verb to circumscribe (sur-kum-SKRYB), from the Latin scrībĕre, to write, draw lines, means literally to draw a line around, encircle, and figuratively to enclose within narrow limits, restrict, confine, as a law that circumscribes certain rights. The adjective circumspect (SUR-kumspekt), from the Latin specĕre, to look at carefully, observe, means cautious, watchful, wary, carefully considering things before acting or making a decision: “After the big downturn in the economy, they becamemorecircumspectabouttheirinvestments.”Andtheverbtocircumvent (sur-kum-VENT), from theLatinvenīre,tocome,meansliterallytocomeorgoaround,andsotobypass,especiallyinacleveror resourcefulway:“Shehadtocircumventalotofredtapetogetthejobdone.” Ourkeyword,circumlocution,impliestheuseofmanymorewordsthanarenecessarytoexpressan idea,anditoftensuggestsadeliberateattempttoavoidbeingclearanddirectsoastocoversomethingup or evade scrutiny: “Reporters repeatedly pressed the senator for straight answers, but all they got was circumlocution.” Periphrasis (puh-RIF-ruh-sis), a term used in rhetoric, is a fancy synonym of circumlocution. But periphrasisdoesnotimplydeliberateevasionandrefersonlytoroundaboutexpression,theuseofmore wordswherefewerwouldsuffice.Candid,straightforwardexpressionistheoppositeofcircumlocution, whileconcise,plainEnglishistheoppositeofperiphrasis. The adjective is circumlocutory (SUR-kum-LAHK-yuh-tor-ee), speaking indirectly or in a roundaboutway,talkingaroundasubject. Word45:BES MIRCH(bi-SMURCH) Tosoilorstain,asifwithmudorsoot;also,todishonor,tarnish,bringdisgraceon. Synonyms of the verb to besmirch in its literal sense include to smear, begrime, beslime, and bedaub; synonymsofbesmirchinitsfigurativesenseincludetodiscredit,debase,defile,anddenigrate.Theverb tosullyisaclosesynonymofbesmirchinbothitsliteralandfigurativesenses. The verb to smirch means literally to make dirty or discolored, stain, smear; it is also used figurativelyofactionsorpeopletomeantotaint,tarnish,discredit,castdisgraceupon.Asyoulearnedin thediscussionofbesotted(word24ofLevel1),theprefixbe-hasvariousmeanings.Inbesmirchitisan intensifier meaning completely, thoroughly. Thus, to besmirch is to smirch thoroughly, soil or stain completely. Ifsomethingcanbesoiledortarnished,ifitcanbedisgracedordishonored,itcanbebesmirched: “For years now, shocking revelations of widespread child sexual abuse have besmirched the Catholic priesthood”; “If you want to be famous, be prepared to have your reputation besmirched in the tabloid press.” EmilyPost,theoriginalexpertongoodmanners,wroteinherbookEtiquette,whichwaspublishedin 1922andisstillinprint,“Nomatterwhohemaybe,whetherrichorpoor,inhighlifeorlow,theman whopubliclybesmircheshiswife’sname,besmirchesstillmorehisown,andprovesthatheisnot,was not,andneverwillbe,agentleman.” Word46:IMMUTABLE(i-MYOO-ti-buul) Notchangeable,fixed,unalterable. The adjective mutable, changeable, not constant or fixed, comes from the Latin mūtābĭlis, changeable, variable,inconstant,whichcomesinturnfromtheverbmūtāre,tochange,thesourceoftheEnglishverb mutate, to change, alter; the noun mutation, “a change or alteration, as in form or nature” (Random House); and mutant, which as an adjective means undergoing or caused by mutation, and as a noun denoteseithersomethingproducedbymutation,suchasaneworganism,or,ascommonlyusedinscience fiction,somethingabnormalorfreakishproducedbymutation. Immutableaddstomutabletheprivativeprefixim-, which negates the meaning of what follows so that immutable means not subject to change, and therefore unalterable, fixed, permanent. Truth, justice, andthelawsofnatureareconsideredimmutable.Certainstandards—suchasthegoldenrule,whichsays “Dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou”—areconsideredimmutable.Andfacts,beingby definitionbothactualandtrue,arethoughtofasimmutable,atleastuntiltheyareshowntobefalse. Thenounisimmutability,insusceptibilitytochange,fixedness,changelessness. Word47:DECLAIM(di-KLAYM) Tomakeaformalspeech,speakforcefullyforrhetoricaleffect. TheLatindēclāmāremeanteithertospeakloudlyandviolentlyorsimplytopracticespeakinginpublic. BoththesemeaningssurviveinthisLatinverb’soffspring,theEnglishverbtodeclaim. Declaimhasbeenusedtomeantospeakinanimpassionedorrantingway,appealingtotheemotions ratherthantothereason,asinthis1884quotationfromChristianWorld:“Todeclaimismoreeasythan to convince.” In this sense declaim is a synonym of harangue. And like the word inveigh (in-VAY), whichcomesfromtheLatininvĕhĕre,toattackwithwords,declaimissometimesfollowedbyagainst. When you inveigh or declaim against something, you express angry disapproval or impassioned condemnationofit,astodeclaimagainstinjustice. Declaimhasalsobeenusedtomeantospeakorrecitepubliclyinastudiedway,asanexercisein elocution.Youcandeclaimpoetry,declaimBibleverses,ordeclaimfamousspeechesfromtheplaysof Shakespeare. But declaim has probably most often been used to mean to make a formal speech, to speak in an oratorical manner. A preacher declaims from the pulpit; the self-styled orators in London’s Hyde Park declaiminSpeakers’Corner;andeveryJanuarythepresidentoftheUnitedStatesdeclaimstothecountry aboutthestateoftheunion. Word48:THRALL(THRAWL,rhymeswithtall) Slavery,bondage,servitude,captivity. Thenounthrall may denote a person in bondage, a slave to or servant of some power or influence, as whenShakespeare,inMacbeth,writes,“Theslavesofdrinkandthrallsofsleep.”Oritmaydenotethe condition of a thrall, enslavement, bondage, servitude, as when the 19th-century English Romantic poet JohnKeatswrites,“Isawpalekingsandprincestoo,/Palewarriors,death-paleweretheyall;/They cried—‘LaBelleDamesansMerci/Haththeeinthrall!’” Whateverenslavesyou,orcontrolsallyourenergyandattention,hasyouinthrall.Apersonseduced byacultisinitsthrall.Loverscanbeineachother’sthrall.Abeautifulpieceofmusicoracaptivating book can hold you in thrall. Parents can be in thrall to their demanding children. Politicians can be in thralltospecialinterests.Andmanyambitiouspeopleareinthralltotheircareers. Youcanseethewordthrall,slavery,bondage,captivity,insidetheverbtoenthrall,whichmeansto completely absorb, steal the attention of, hold spellbound, engross, as a magical performance that enthralledtheaudience. Word49:S ATE(rhymeswithlate) Tofillorsatisfycompletely,supplytosatisfaction,gratify;also,tofillorsupplybeyondwhatisnecessaryordesired,toglut.Synonymsofsate inthislattersenseincludestuff,cram,gorge,choke,inundate(word26ofLevel4),andcloy. Tosurfeit,tosatiate,andtosate all imply satisfying some appetite or desire, either completely or too much. To surfeit (pronounced like surf it) is always to fill or supply to excess, often to the point of discomfort or disgust: “She spent a miserable weekend lying on the couch watching TV and surfeiting herselfwithpotatochipsandicecream.”Tosatiate(SAY-shee-AYT)andtosate may imply supplying morethanisnecessaryordesired,soastomakeweary:“Theyweresoonsatiatedbythenonstopmedia coverageofthestory”;“Showingtoolittleaffectioncanstimulatealover’sdesire,justasshowingtoo muchcansateit.”Orsatiateandsatemayimplysatisfyingcompletely,gratifyingtothefullwithoutany discomfort.Youcansatiatehunger,sateyourcuriosity,satiateyourlonging,orsateyourlust. Thenouncorrespondingtotheverbtosateissatiety(suh-TY-i-tee),wearinessbroughtonbybeing sated,filledorsatisifiedeithercompletelyorbeyondwhatisnecessaryordesired. Word50:GADFLY(rhymeswithbadguy) Apersonwhocontinuallypesters,criticizes,orprovokesothers. A gadfly, literally, is any of several stinging flies that pester and bite livestock. Since the 16th century gadfly has also been used figuratively of a person who persistently annoys others in the manner of a stingingfly. ThemostcelebratedgadflyinhistoryistheancientGreekphilosopherSocrates,acitizenofAthens, who believed he had been put on earth for the intellectual and moral improvement of his fellow Athenians. To this end, he would accost4 people in public places and pester and provoke them with questionsaboutvirtue,justice,andtruth.Whenbroughttotrialin399 B.C.forallegedlycorruptingyouth andcommittingreligiousheresies,Socrates,inhisfamousApology(hisself-defensebeforethetribunal thateventuallycondemnedhimtodeath),arguedthathisproperandnecessaryroleasaphilosopherwas tonettlethepeopleofAthensintogreaterself-awareness: For if you put me to death, you will not easily find another, who, to use a rather absurd figure, attacheshimselftothecityasagadflytoahorse,which,thoughlargeandwellbred,issluggishon accountofhissizeandneedstobearousedbystinging.IthinkGodfastenedmeuponthecityin some such capacity, and I go about arousing, and urging and reproaching each one of you, constantlyalightinguponyoueverywherethewholedaylong.5 In modern usage, gadfly refers to people who, like Socrates, appoint themselves guardians of civic lifeorwatchdogsofpublicinstitutionsorprograms.Gadfliessometimeshaverecognizedrolesinwhich they are expected to criticize—such as community leaders, columnists, television and radio commentators,andpublicintellectuals.Butmoreoftengadfliesareargumentativeeccentricswhotakeit uponthemselvestospeaktheirversionoftruthtopower,persistentlyandsometimesannoyingly,without compensationorreward. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Istomaligntodoevilto,tosayharmfulormisleadingthingsabout,ortoconstructsomethingbadly? 2.Isalibationsomethingyougiveaway,somethingyoubelieve,orsomethingyoudrink? 3.Whenyougesticulate,doyoucomplain,gesture,orobject? 4.Iscircumlocutionanindirectpath,alongordeal,orroundaboutspeech? 5.Ifyoubesmirchsomething,doyoudishonorit,praiseit,orwipeit? 6.Wouldsomethingimmutablebeunalterable,unquenchable,orunknowable? 7.Whenyoudeclaim,doyouspeakangrily,speakformally,orspeakatlength? 8.Whenyouareinthrall,areyouintrouble,inarage,orincaptivity? 9.Ifyouaresated,areyougratified,groggy,oratrest? 10.Isagadflysomeonewhotravelsaround,whoinvestigatescrimes,orwhoisapersistentcritic? GoodWritersAreGoodReaders Oneofmyhighschoolteachersoncesaid,“Whenyou’reallgrownup,you’regoingtorememberonlyten minutesofwhatyoulearnedinhighschool.” Ithinkthatassertionholdstrueformostofus.Youmayrememberwellthetribulations(word1ofthis level)ofyourlifeinhighschool,buthowmuchofwhatyouweresupposedtolearnfromyourclassesdo yourecall?Ican’trememberasinglethingIwroteinmytermpaperonE.M.Forster’snovelAPassage to India, but to this day I carry with me a few precious words of advice from my English teacher that junioryear. It was an off-the-cuff remark, part of an informal exchange before or after class, I can’t remember now. I’m not sure what led up to it. All I know is that this wise teacher, aware of my juvenile literary aspirations,saidtome,“Listen,Charlie.Ifyouwanttobeawriter,thenyoumustread,read,read.” Readinglaysthegroundworkforwritingineveryway.Readinggoodfictionteachesyouaboutplot, character, narration, imagery, and detail. Reading good nonfiction teaches you about theme, argument, description,proportion,andsubstantiation.Readingbothwillteachyouaboutvoice,tone,idiom,syntax, diction,andrhetoricaldevicessuchasalliteration(word34ofLevel1)andanaphora(word12ofLevel 7).AndifyouextendyourreadingtoincludesomeoftheEnglishlanguage’sgreatpoetry,youwillalso learnaboutrhythm,imagery,andmetaphor. Reading teaches us how words work. From reading we learn what makes sense and what sounds insincere or foolish. From reading we learn what kind of writing commands attention and what kind makestheeyelidsdroop.Fromreadingweseehowwordscanbeusedtoconfuseorstifleus,ortostir ourheartsandstimulateourminds. PeoplesometimesaskmewhatIlearnedincollege,andwhentheydoItellthemthatIlearnedthree things:howtoread,howtowrite,andhowtothinkcritically—butnotnecessarilyinthatorder. First,Ilearnedhowtoopenmymindtotheinfinitepossibilitiesoflanguage.Ilearnedhowtolurkina lineofpoetryorapageofproseuntilitundresseditselfformeandIsawitsbeautybare.6BydoingthisI learned how to think like a writer, how to ask pertinent questions and discern a writer’s intentions. I learnedthatknowledgeisintheeyeoftheinterpreter,andthat,contrarytopopularbelief,thewriterisat themercyofthereader.FinallyIlearnedthatyoucanreadforpleasure,forprofit,orforenlightenment— andthegreatestoftheseisenlightenment.7 Allthisinsight,gainedfromreading,helpedmelearntowrite,butnotallthatwell.Althoughcollege gave me opportunities to exercise a raw talent for writing, it didn’t do much to refine it. With the exceptionofthefirstessayIsubmitted,atwo-pagepaperthatcamebackwiththirty-sevenredquestion marksonit,Ididn’treceiveanyrigorouswritinginstructionincollege.Iwasexpectedtowriteoftenand write thoughtfully about what I had read, but I don’t remember getting much advice on how to do that effectively.TheessaysIwroteincollegeweregoodpracticeinputtingmythoughtsintowords,butitwas thethoughtsthatcameunderscrutiny,rarelythewords. Only later, after much autodidactic (word 32 of Level 7) effort plying my trade, did I come to understandathingortwoaboutwriting,andtherevelationthatstruckmemostwasthateverythingIknew aboutwritingIhadlearnedfromreading. There is a maxim I am fond of, which I often use as an inscription when signing copies of my two vocabulary-building novels for high school students, Tooth and Nail and Test of Time. This is what I write:“Read,read,read,andyouwillsucceed.”IthinkmyhighschooljuniorEnglishteacherwouldbe pleased. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel3 KEYWORDS1–10 1.Yes.Tribulationmeansgreatdistress,trouble,orsuffering,oracauseofgreatdistressortrouble,atrial. 2.Yes.Toderideistoridicule,makefunof,laughatscornfullyorcontemptuously. 3.No.Nefariousmeansextremelywicked,infamouslyevil. 4.No.Anideologueisazealous,uncompromisingadvocateorfollowerofanideology. 5.No.Adallianceisneveralonginvolvement,andit’susuallynotunhappy.It’sabrief,playful,triflinginvolvement,aflirtation. 6.Yes.Afatuousspeakerissilly,foolish,idiotic,andthereforeprobablyboring. 7.No.Tomeanderistoproceedbywindingandturning,ortowanderidly. 8.No,justtheopposite.Culpablemeansblameworthy,guilty. 9.No.Anideologueispassionate,evenfanatic.Asedatepersoniscalmandcomposed. 10.No.Youwanttoavoidtheappearanceofimproprietybecauseimproprietyreferstoincorrect,inappropriate,unseemly,indecent,oreven illegalbehavior. KEYWORDS11–20 1.True.Megalomaniaisamentaldisordercharacterizedbyexaggeratedfeelingsofgreatnessorpower;orgenerally,anobsessionwith doinggrand,extravagantthings. 2.False.Vociferousmeanscryingoutnoisily;makingaloudoutcry;uproarious. 3.False.Contrivemeanstoinventordevisewithingenuity,design,plan;also,tomanage,bringaboutbyaplan,especiallybysomescheme orstratagem. 4.False.Apersonwho’sbeennonplussedisnotlikelytosayanything,muchlessobjectvociferously.Tononplusmeanstopuzzleorperplex completely,renderutterlyconfusedsoastobeatalossforwhattosayordo. 5.True.Amegalomaniac,apersonobsessedwithgreatnessanddoinggrandthings,canoftenbeimperious,domineering,overbearing, dictatorial,commanding. 6.False.Privationisastateofextremehardship;specifically,alackoffoodorothernecessitiesforsurvival. 7.False.Tosuffuseistooverspread;tofillorcoveraswithlight,aliquid,orcolor. 8.True.Disconsolatemeansextremelysadorunhappy,completelymiserable,utterlydiscouragedordistressed. 9.False.Adilemma,apredicament,andaquandaryareallcomplicated,perplexingsituationsfromwhichitishardtodisentangleoneself. Aconundrumisacomplicated,perplexingquestionorproblem,ariddleorpuzzle. 10.False.Peopleintheirdotagearesenile.Dotageisthementaldeclineassociatedwitholdage,sometimescalledsecondchildhood. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Vacuousmeansempty,withoutcontentorsubstance;hencefiguratively,emptyofideasorintelligence. 2.Synonyms.Intemperatemeanswithoutmoderation,extremeorexcessive. 3.Antonyms.Stymiemeanstoobstruct,block,thwart,standinthewayof. 4.Synonyms.Ambrosiaisthefoodofthegods,alsocallednectar,whichmadethemimmortal.Itmayalsodenotesomethingdivinelysweet andpleasingtotasteorsmell. 5.Antonyms.Vivifymeanstogivelifeorrenewedlifetoormakemorevividorstriking.Enervatemeanstodepriveofenergy,wearout. 6.Synonyms.Purloinmeanstosteal,takedishonestly,oftenbyabreachoftrust. 7.Antonyms.Abulwarkisapowerfuldefenseorprotection,strongsupportorsafeguard. 8.Synonyms.Magisterialmeansauthoritative,masterly,weighty,commanding. 9.Synonyms.Atalismanisanamulet,good-luckcharm. 10.Antonyms.Stupefymeanstodullthesensesof,putintoadaze,deaden. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Reluctantdoesn’tfit.Rancorousmeansfeelingorexhibitingdeeplyrootedhostility,bitterness,orresentment. 2.Ignorancedoesn’tfit.Ennuiisboredom,tedium,afeelingofwearinessanddiscontent. 3.Dismissivedoesn’tfit.Censoriousmeanscriticizing,blaming,orcondemningharshly. 4.Givelittleornocredittodoesn’tfit.Tomarginalizemeanstoremovefromthemainstreamorforceintoaninferior,unimportant,or powerlessroleorcondition. 5.Togetbackatdoesn’tfit.Toreproveistocriticizeorscoldgently,ortocondemn,expressstrongdisapprovalof. 6.Toentrusttoanother’scaredoesn’tfit.Todelegateistoentrusttoanother,giveequalresponsibilityfor.Torelegateistogiveaninferior positionorinsignificantroleto. 7.Somethingmiraculousdoesn’tfit.Abehemothisanythingofmonstroussizeandpower;amassiveandmightycreatureorthing. 8.Stirringupinterestdoesn’tfit.Incendiarymeansexcitingpassion,inflamingtheemotions,stirringupviolenceorrebellion. 9.Straightforwarddoesn’tfit.Stalwartmeansstronglybuilt,sturdy;orstrongandbrave;orstronginone’spositionorbelief,steadfast. 10.Haughtinessdoesn’tfit.Haughtinessisarrogance,condescension.Enmityisactivehatredorhostility,deep-seatedillwill. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Tomalignistosayharmfulormisleadingthingsaboutsomeoneorsomething. 2.Alibationisadrink,beverage;originally,adrink-offeringtoagodorgods. 3.Whenyougesticulateyougesturewithyourhandsorbody,usuallyenergetically. 4.Circumlocutionisroundaboutorindirectspeechorwriting. 5.Whenyoubesmirchsomething,youliterallysoilorstainitoryoufigurativelydishonororbringdisgraceonit. 6.Somethingimmutableisunchangeable,unalterable. 7.Someonewhodeclaimsmaybeangryandmayspeakatlength.Butdeclaimmeanstospeakformallyandforcefullyforrhetoricaleffect. 8.Whenyouareinthrallyoumaybeinbigtroubleandfuriousaboutittoo,butthat’sbecausethrallmeanscaptivity,servitude,bondage. 9.Asatedpersonmaybebothgroggyfromindulgenceandatrest,buttosatemeanseithertogratify,fillorsatisfycompletely,ortoglut,fill orsupplybeyondwhatisnecessaryordesired. 10.Agadflyisaperson(oftenacranky,eccentricone)whocontinuallypesters,criticizes,orprovokesothers. LEVEL4 Word1:HACKNEYED(HAK-need,likehackneed) Madeordinaryanddullbyoveruse,lackingfreshnessandinterest:ahackneyedplot. Synonymsofhackneyedincludestale,trite,commonplace,shopworn,insipid,banal (BAY-nul or buhNAL), humdrum, threadbare, pedestrian, jejune (ji-JOON), and platitudinous (PLAT-i-T[Y]OO-dinus). The noun hackney, which dates back to the 14th century, once meant a horse hired out for transportation,andahackneycoach was a four-wheeled coach drawn by two horses and available for hire—thepredecessorofthemoderntaxicab. Thenounhack,ashortenedformofhackney,hasnumerousmeanings.Itmaydenoteahackneycoach —whichiswhytaxicabs,andsometimestheirdrivers,aretodayoftencalledhacks.Itmaydenoteahorse keptforcommonhireoranold,worn-outhorse,ajade.Itmaydenoteasellout:acreativeperson,suchas awriterorartist,whoproducesdull,unimaginativeworkinthehopeofgainingcommercialsuccess.It maydenoteahireling:someonewhosacrificesindependenceandintegrityinreturnformoney.Anditmay denoteadrudge:apersonwhodoesboring,routinework,especiallyasecond-ratewriterwhotakeson anykindofliteraryworkthatwillmakemoney. The adjective hackneyed means literally like a hack or done by a hack, and therefore dull, lacking imagination or freshness, overdone, worn-out, stale. We speak of hackneyed words and expressions; hackneyed stories, characters, or dialogue; and hackeneyed subjects, slogans, and songs—all made ordinaryanddullbyoveruse. Word2:INIQUITY(i-NIK-wi-tee) Wickedness,evildoing,grossinjustice;also,awickedorgrosslyunjustact. The plural, iniquities, refers to wicked or harmful actions, injuries, sins. The adjective is iniquitous, wicked,sinful,characterizedbywickednessorinjustice,asiniquitousdeedsoriniquitouslies. IniquitycomesfromtheLatininīquĭtās,unevennessorunfairness,whichinturncomesfrominīquus, uneven,unequal,acombinationofin-,not,andaequus,equal,even,fair.Fromin-andaequusalsocomes the English word inequity (in-EK-wi-tee), injustice, unfairness, especially as displayed through favoritismorbias. Iniquityisaliteraryword,onesuitedmoreforseriouswritingthanforconversation,andnowherein EnglishliteraturedoesiniquitygetasmuchattentionasintheBible,wheregoodandevilclashonevery page. The Bible teems (abounds, overflows) with citations for both iniquity and iniquities, from “the iniquity of the Amorites” in Genesis (15:16), the first book of the Old Testament, to “God hath remembered [Babylon’s] iniquities” in Revelation (18:5), the last book of the New Testament. The world-wearypreacherofEcclesiastesseesiniquityeverywhere:“AndmoreoverIsawunderthesunthe place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there” (3:16).IntheSermonontheMount,Jesusissuesacommandmentagainsttheforcesofevil:“Departfrom me,yethatworkiniquity”(Matthew7:23).Andthehackneyedphrasedenofiniquity,aplaceinhabited by wicked people or where evil things happen, may have been inspired by the phrase den of thieves, foundinMatthew21:13andMark11:17. Synonymsofiniquityincludevillainy,infamy,depravity(word1ofLevel1),atrocity,abomination, and enormity—which in careful usage refers to something monstrously wicked or evil, such as the Holocaust or the genocide in Rwanda in the 1990s, and not, as many miscontrue it, to something very large. Word3:WHIMS ICAL(HWIM-zi-kulorWIM-) Oddlyfancifulorcomical;exhibitingodd,playful,ficklehumor. Whimsicality,thequalityofbeingwhimsical,isthenoun. Awhimisanodd,unpredictable,andoftensuddennotion,fancy,ordesire,anurgethatseemstocome notfromthebrainbutfromthegut:“TheytookoffforEuropeonawhim,withoutacareoradollarin theirpocket.”Therelatednounwhimsy(WHIM-zee)hasoftenbeenusedinterchangeablywithwhim,but inmodernusagewhimsymoreoftendenoteseitherfanciful,playful,extravaganthumor,asanovelfilled withmorewhimsythanwisdom,orsomethinghumorouslyodd,playful,orfanciful,asaVenetianpalace fullofarchitecturalwhimsies.Ourkeyword,whimsical,meansgiventoorarisingfromawhimorfrom whimsy, exhibiting odd, playful, unpredictable humor: “On every episode of the TV show The Office, MichaelScott,thenutty,whimsicalmanagerplayedbySteveCarrell,findssomeplayfullybizarrewayto makeafoolofhimself.” A caprice (kuh-PREES) is a sudden change of mind or change in the emotions, and the adjective capricious (kuh-PRISH-us) means subject to caprice, hence unpredictable, changing abruptly for no apparentreason:“Thestockmarketisnotoriouslycapricious.”Acapriceoftengivesrisetoawhim,an oddlyfancifulnotionordesire,andthatwhichiscapricious,unpredictable,flighty,fickle,isalsooften whimsical,playfulorcomicalinanodd,unpredictableway:“Thewhimsicaldrawingsby…JimmyLiao burstwithcolour,andtellofdreamyfantasyworlds”(asiaone.com). Word4:ENS CONCE(en-SKAHNTS) Toshelter,cover,orhidesecurely;also,tosettleorfixcomfortablyandsecurely. Initsbest-knownsense,asconceisawall-mountedbracketcandlestickwithscreenstoshieldthecandle flames, or a wall-mounted electric light fixture resembling a bracket candlestick. This sense of sconce comes from the Old French esconse, a screened candle or lantern, or a hiding-place. In another, less familiar sense a sconce is a small detached defensive work, a protective screen or shelter. This sense hailsfromtheDutchschans,abundleofwoodorsticks,orascreenforsoldiersmadefrombrushwood. Both these senses of the noun sconce have influenced the meaning of the verb to ensconce, to shelter securelyorsettlecomfortably. The verb-forming prefix en-, explains The Random House Dictionary, may mean to confine in or placeon,asinenshrine,enthrone,andentomb,oritmaymeantorestrictonallsides,asinencircleand enclose. Combine this prefix en- with the noun sconce and you have ensconce, literally to confine or restrictbehindaprotectivescreenorshelter. Ensconce may be used to describe something sheltered or hidden securely or something snugly and securelysettled.WhenFalstaff,inShakespeare’sMerryWivesofWindsor,says,“Sheshallnotseeme:I will ensconce me behind the arras,” he means he will hide himself behind a screen.1 When, in my vocabulary-buildingnovelTestofTime,IdescribedanATMas“ashinymetalmachineensconcedinthe wallofabrownstonebuilding,”Imeantthatthemachinewassecurelyfixedinthewall. Youcanbeensconcedinanarmchair,settledcomfortablyinit.Youcanensconceyourvaluablesina secretwallsafe,hidethemsecurelyinit.Andifyou’readairyfarmeryoucanensconceyourlivestockin awarm,drybarnduringathunderstorm. Word5:PLUTOCRAT(PLOO-tuh-krat) Awealthyandpowerfulperson;someonewhosepowercomesfromwealth. Aplutocracy(ploo-TAHK-ruh-see)isruleorgovernmentbythewealthy;thewordcomesfromtheGreek ploutos,wealth,andkratein,torule,govern.Plutocracyhasararesynonym:chrysocracy (kri-SAHKruh-see),fromtheGreekchrysos,gold,thesourcealsoofchrysanthemum,literallyagoldenflower;and oneofmyfavoritewords,chryselephantine(KRIS-el-uh-FAN-tin),madeofgoldandivory. FromthesameGreekploutos,wealth,cometheunusualwordsplutolatry,worshipofmoney,which incorporates the combining form -(o)latry, worship or excessive admiration of something; and plutomania,anobsessionwithmoneyorwealth,whichincorporatesthecombiningform-mania, which comesfromaGreekwordmeaningmadnessanddenotesexcessiveenthusiasmorobsessivedesire. Aplutocrat,apersonwhosepowercomesfromgreatwealth,isamemberoftheplutocracy,aruling classcomposedofwealthypeople.Theso-calledrobberbaronsofthe19thcentury—menlikeCornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie, who amassed enormous wealth and power by buildingrailroads,refiningoil,manufacturingsteel,manipulatingthefinancialmarkets,andmanipulating electedofficials—wereplutocrats.Andinthe21stcentury,whenwereferto“theonepercent,”meaning the one percent of Americans who control nearly half the nation’s wealth, we are talking about the Americanplutocracy,thewealthyandpowerfulelite. Word6:BEATIFIC(BEE-uh-TIF-ik) Having,showing,orimpartingsupremehappinessorbliss:abeatificsmile. Synonyms of the adjective beatific include blissful, glorious, angelic, saintly, divine, rapturous, and ecstatic(pronouncethec:ek-STAT-ik).Thenounisbeatitude(likebeattitude),astateofgreatblissor happiness, as to seek peace and beatitude in solitary meditation. The plural, beatitudes, refers specificallytothedeclarationsJesusmakesintheSermonontheMountthatbeginwith“Blessedare”;for example, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” is one of the beatitudes. The verb to beatify (bee-AT-i-fy) means either to make supremely and blissfully happy or, in the Roman Catholic Church,todeclarethatadeadpersonisnowamongtheblessedinheavenandisentitledtospecialhonor fromtheliving. BeatificcomesfromthepastparticipleoftheLatinverbbeāre,toblessormakehappy.Youcanuse beatific to describe practically anything that possesses or exhibits not just ordinary happiness but happiness of an exalted nature, supreme bliss. Cherubs (CHER-ubz)—the beautiful and usually chubby youngchildrentypicallyseeninRenaissancepaintingandsculpture—oftenhavebeatificexpressionson theirfaces.Aspiritualleadermayhaveabeatificpresenceorabeatificaura.Andtwopeoplewhoare deeplyinlovemayenjoyabeatificmomentwatchingasunsettogether. Word7:UNFETTERED(uhn-FET-urd) Free,unrestrained,unrestricted,withoutrestraintorcontrol. The noun fetter, which is usually used in the plural, fetters, is a shackle, a chain fastened around the ankles.Figuratively,fettersmaybeanythingthatrestrainsorconfines:“Herboringdayjobputfetterson hercreativity.”Theverbtofettermaymeaneithertoputfetterson,shacklethefeetof,orfigurativelyto restrain, impede, or confine: “Too many rules will fetter spontaneity”; “Those long fettered by superstitionwilldismissthelessonsofscienceandshunthelightofreason.” Addtheprivativeprefixun-totheverbtofetterandyouhavetheverbtounfetter,tofreefromfetters or restraint. For example, you can unfetter captives, unchain them, or you can unfetter your heart from someone you no longer love. From this verb to unfetter comes the participial adjective unfettered, withoutrestraintorcontrol,free. Unfetteredmovementisunrestrictedmovement.Unfetteredaccessisfreeaccess.Andoneofthecore principlesofdemocraticsocietiesistherighttounfetteredspeech,meaningtherighttoexpressopinions freelywithoutfearofrestraintorretaliation. Word8:ES TRANGE(e-STRAYNJ,rhymeswiththerange) Tomakeunfriendlyorhostile,alienatetheaffectionsof;todistanceorpushaway. TheverbtoestrangegoesbackthroughMiddleEnglishandOldFrenchtotheLatinextrāneāre,totreat asastranger,whichcomesinturnfromextrānĕus, foreign, strange, external, literally “that is outside.” ThisLatinextrānĕusisalsothedirectsourceoftheusefulEnglishadjectiveextraneous(ek-STRAY-neeus),whichmaymeancomingfromtheoutside,notbelongingtoathing,asextraneousingredients,ornot vitaloressential,unrelated,irrelevant,asextraneouscomments. Antonymsofestrange,tomakeunfriendlyorhostile,includetoreconcile,conciliate,pacify,mollify, placate, assuage (uh-SWAYJ), and propitiate (pro-PISH-ee-ayt). Synonyms of estrange include alienate,offend,isolate,antagonize,anddisaffect. To alienate, to disaffect, and to estrange all “refer to disruption of a bond of love, friendship, or loyalty” (American Heritage). Alienate “always implies loss of affection or interest” (MerriamWebster’s Collegiate) and “often calls attention to the cause of antagonism or separation” (Random House):“Robertcontinuallyalienatedhisdatesbyflirtingwithotherwomen.”Disaffect“usuallyrefers torelationshipsinvolvingallegianceorloyaltyratherthanloveoraffection”(RandomHouse),andoften impliesdiscontent,resentment,orrebellion.Animperious(word15ofLevel3)rulercandisaffectthe people, make them discontented and no longer loyal. Our keyword, to estrange, “often implies replacementofloveorbelongingbyapathyorhostility”(RandomHouse).Whenyouestrangesomeone youdistanceyourself,pushthatpersonaway.Friends,lovers,andfamilymemberscansometimesbecome estranged,emotionallydistant,unfriendly,orhostile. Word9:S IBILANT(SIB-uh-lint) Hissing;havingorproducingthehissingorwhistlingsoundofs. The adjective sibilant comes from the present participle of the Latin verb sībilāre, to hiss, whistle. In phonetics, the study of speech sounds, sibilant means having any of the soft, hissing sounds associated withtheletters,suchasthehardsofthisandmiss,thesoftsofroseandlaser,theshsoundoffashion andpressure,orthezhsoundofmeasureandvision. Theverbtosibilatemeanstoutterwithahissingsound,likecertainsnakes.Peoplewithspacesor gaps between their teeth—for which the word is diastemata (DY-uh-STEE-muh-tuh), the plural of diastema (DY-uh-STEE-muh)—are also prone to sibilate. The noun is sibilance, which may mean a hissingsoundor“anundueprominenceofsibilants”(OED),asinthetonguetwisters“Shesellsseashells bytheseashore”and“Sixsillysisterssellsilktosixsicklyseniors.” Whenyouwhispertoafriend,whenyouhissindisfavoratabaseballgame,whenyousayshush to tellsomeonetobequiet,orwhenyousaypsssttoattractsomeone’sattention,youarebeingsibilantor makingsibilantsounds. Word10:PUNDIT(PUHN-dit,rhymeswithfundit) Anexpert,critic,commentator;specifically,apersonwithspecialknowledgeofasubjectwhoisfrequentlycalledontoexpressopinionsabout ittothepublic. Punditry(PUHN-di-tree)istheoccupationorpronouncementsofapundit. Synonymsofpunditincludeconnoisseur(properlypronouncedkahn-uh-SUR,withsirattheend,not sewer); past master; maven (rhymes with raven), from the Yiddish meyvn, literally one who understands;2adept(AD-ept),thenouncorrespondingtotheadjectiveadept(uh-DEPT),highlyskilled; andsage(SAYJ)andsavant(suh-VAHNT),bothofwhichcomeultimatelyfromtheLatinsapĕre, to be wiseorsensible—thesourcealsoofsapience(SAY-pee-ints),profoundknowledge;sapient (SAY-peeint), deeply wise and discerning; and Homo sapiens (HOH-moh SAY-pee-inz), the modern species of humanbeings,literally“wiseman.” PunditcomesfromtheSanskritpandita,alearnedman,anddatesbacktothemid-1600s.Theword was originally spelled pandit and used as a title of respect for a learned man in India. Since the early 19thcenturypundithasbeenusedofanyonewithspecialknowledgeofasubject,andinthe20thcentury the word acquired the additional implication of an expert who is called on to offer an opinion to the public.Althoughtherearepunditsforpracticallyeverysubject—frommedicineandeconomicstofood andfashion—themostcommontypeofpunditoneencountersinthemediatodayisthepoliticalpundit. Perhapstherearesomanypoliticalpunditsbecausepoliticsallowsforboththebroadestrangeofopinion andthebroadestdefinitionofanexpert. Pundit is often mispronounced with an intrusive n in the second syllable, as if it were spelled pundint. This mistake is especially common with the plural pundits. Remember, there is no dint in pundit.Putaditinit. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Cansomethinghackneyedbefreshandinteresting? 2.Ispettytheftconsideredanactofiniquity? 3.Canapersonbewhimsical? 4.Whenyouensconcesomething,doyouexposeittoview? 5.Isaplutocratpoorandpowerless? 6.Isabeatificmoodawhimsicalmood? 7.Isapersonwhoisunfetteredbydebtlikelytogobankrupt? 8.Wouldanestrangedrelativebelikelytocallyouoften? 9.Isasibilantnoiselikethehissingofasnake? 10.Wouldapunditbelikelytoexpressanopinionpublicly? TheStyleFile:AvoidBetweenwithTo BlancheWoolfordwrites,“Itseemsthatmanymediawritersnowusetofollowingbetweeninaphrase havingtodowithatimespan,asin‘Roadcrewsarescheduledtoworkbetween7:30p.m.to5:30a.m.’I wastaughtthatthephraseshouldbebetween…and.Couldyouclarifythisforme,please?” Theconstructionbetween…toisflat-outwrong,Iwroteback;onecommentatorcallsit“asubliterate idiom.” You’re correct in saying that between should be followed by and, but in the example you cite there’sahitch.Withnumbers,andespeciallytimespans,betweencanbeproblematic. Evenwhencorrected,thesentence“Roadcrewsarescheduledtoworkbetween7:30p.m.and5:30 a.m.”isjustambiguousenoughtocauseconcern.Arethosecrewsgoingtoworktheentiretimespecified orforsomeshorterperiodorperiodsbetweenthosehours?Ifyoumeantheentiretime(whichisusually thecase),thentheprecisewaytoworditwouldbe“from7:30p.m.to5:30a.m.”Thus,“Theyplanto visittheircousinsbetweenJuly27andJuly31”isbetterrenderedas“fromJuly27toJuly31”because theywillarrivethereonJuly27andstaytillJuly31. Whenyou’retalkingaboutarangeofnumbers,withahighpointandlowpoint,therearethreeways youcanproperlyphraseit:from…to;between…and;orjusttobyitself.Forexample:“windsoutof thenorthwestfrom10to20mph”;“spendingsomewherebetweensixandsevenmillionayear”;and“a boatfortytofiftyfeetlong.” TheStyleFile:HowtoUseMyriad Thewordmyriad(MIR-ee-id)comesintwoflavors:adjectiveandnoun.Theadjectivemeansconsisting ofaverygreatbutindefinitenumber,innumerable,asmyriadstars.Thenounmyriadoriginallymeantten thousand,asamyriadofsoldiers,becauseinancientGreeceamyriadwasamilitarydivisioncomposed oftenthousandsoldiers.Althoughthatsenseisstillingoodstanding,todaythenounmyriadismostoften usedtomeanagreatorindefinitenumber,asamyriadofproblemsoramyriadofdetails. Somepeopleassertthatthenounmyriadshouldbeavoided,butthereisnoreasonablebasisforthe objection.Infact,thenounismorethantwohundredyearsolderthantheadjectiveandhasbeenusedby manyreputablewriters.Thechoicebetweenadjectiveandnoun,saysGarner’sModernAmericanUsage, “isaquestionofstyle,notcorrectness.”Ifyouwanttoeconomizeverbally,usetheadjective.Ifamyriad ofsuitsyourcontextbetter,don’tbeashamedtouseit. Word11:REDOLENT(RED-uh-lint) Strong-smelling,exudingeitherapleasantorastrongodor;hence,inextendeduse,stronglysuggestiveorreminiscentofsomething. WhenredolententeredEnglishinthe14thcenturyitwasusedtomeanhavingasweetorpleasantsmell, fragrant,aromatic.Althoughthismeaningisstillingoodstanding,andyouwillseewritersrefertosuch sweet-smellingthingsas“redolentflowers,”“redolentincense,”and“theredolentscentofspring,”over timeredolentcametobeusedmoreoftenofstrongodorsthatmayormaynotbepleasant,suchasmotor oil,fishstew,andthedampscentofthejungle,andofstrongodorsthataredecidedlyunpleasant,suchas cigarsmoke,sewage,andthestenchoftheabbatoir(AB-uh-twahr),aloanwordfromFrenchthatisthe equivalentoftheEnglishslaughterhouse. My ninety-nine-year-old father—whose mind is as keen as someone half his age—used redolent in thiswaywithmerecently.WhenIcomplimentedhimonhisexcellentpersonalhygiene,hesaid,“Well,as I’msureyouknow,oldpeoplecansometimesbequiteredolent,andI’dratheravoidthat.” Fromthenotionofgivingoffastrongaroma,orbeingpermeatedwithastrongaroma,asa kitchen redolent with sauteed onions, redolent then also came to mean strongly suggestive or reminiscent of something, evoking some particular thing. That particular thing could be something with a pleasant or strongsmell,suchasawineredolentofdriedherbs,plums,andchocolate;orcool,crispairredolentof autumn.Ortheparticularthingbeingsuggestedorevokedcouldhavenothingtodowitharomas,suchasa poptuneredolentofthemusicofthe1980soranoldhotelredolentwiththegrandeurofabygoneera. Synonymsofredolentincludescented,fragrant,aromatic,pungent(PUHN-jint),piquant(PEE-kint), odorous, and odoriferous. The last four of these words should be carefully distinguished. Something pungentissharporpenetratingtothetasteorsmell,andmaybepleasantorunpleasant:apungentgarlicchilisauce.Somethingpiquantismildlypungent—perhapstart,tangy,orspicy—andpleasanttothetaste or smell: a piquant lemon-herb vinaigrette. In modern usage something odorous is strong-smelling usuallyinadistinctlyunpleasantway,asanodorousashtrayoranodorousskunk,whileincarefulusage somethingodoriferous(OH-duh-RIF-ur-us)isalwayssweet-smelling,fragrant,asodoriferouscookiesor anodoriferousgarden. Word12:DEMAGOGUE(DEM-uh-gahg) Adishonestpersonwhogainspopularityandpowerbydistortingthetruth,arousingpeople’spassions,andappealingtotheirprejudices;a rabble-rouser. Thenounisdemagoguery(DEM-uh-GAHG-ur-ee). TheCenturyDictionarydefinesdemagogue as “an unprincipled popular orator or leader; one who endeavors to curry favor with the people or some particular portion of them by pandering to their prejudicesorwishes,orbyplayingontheirignoranceorpassions;specifically,anunprincipledpolitical agitator;onewhoseekstoobtainpoliticalpowerorthefurtheranceofsomesinisterpurposebypandering totheignoranceorprejudiceofthepopulace.”(Theverbtopanderisword30ofthislevel.) How many demagogues can you think of? Adolf Hitler, of course. And perhaps a few that you’ve heardrantingaboutpoliticsonradioandTV?Butlet’snotforgetMarkAntonyinShakespeare’sJulius Caesar, whose subtle demagoguery at Caesar’s funeral arouses the fury and passion of his fellow Romans. Demagogue comes from the Greek dēmagōgós, a leader of the people, which comes in turn from dēmos,thepeople,andagōgós,leading,guiding,fromtheverbagein,tolead.FromthisGreekdēmos, thepeople,wegetthecommonEnglishnoundemocracy,governmentbythepeople,aswellasthemore unusualwordsdemography(di-MAHG-ruh-fee),thestudyofthevitalstatisticsofhumanpopulations— theirbirths,deaths,marriages,migrations,diseases,andsoon—anddemotic(di-MAHT-ik),whichmay meaneitherpertainingtothecommonpeople,popular,orpertainingtothecommon,ordinaryformofa language, also called the colloquial (kuh-LOH-kwee-ul) or vernacular (vur-NAK-yuh-lur), as the demoticdictionofWilliamCarlosWilliams’spoetry. Word13:MAUDLIN(MAWD-lin) Tearfullysentimental,weaklyorfoolishlyemotional,especiallyfromdrunkenness. The adjective maudlin dates back to the early 1600s and is an alteration, both in spelling and pronunciation,ofthenameMaryMagdalene,therepentantwomanJesusforgivesinLuke7:37–50.Inart, Mary Magdalene is often depicted as a weeping penitent, and maudlin originally meant given to tears, lachrymose (LAK-ri-mohs, tearful, mournful, from the Latin lacrima, a tear). That sense, which is now obsolete,quicklygavewaytothemeaningfoolishlytearfulorsentimental,displayingexcessiveemotion, especiallybecauseofdrunkenness.Asfarbackas1699adictionarydefined“mawdlin”as“weepingly drunk,” and that is how the word is still used today; someone who is besotted (word 24 of Level 1), extremelyintoxicated,maybecomemaudlin.Often,though,maudlindoesn’timplyactualdrunkennessbut the excessive and sometimes silly sentimentality typical of an inebriated person. Maudlin humor and maudlinaffectionarefoolishlyemotional,andamaudlinstoryistearfullysentimental. Word14:BEGRUDGE(bi-GRUHJ) Toenvyorresentsomeoneelse’sgoodfortune,pleasure,orpossessionofsomething;also,tobeunwillingtogiveorallow,especiallybecause ofenvyorresentment. Thefamiliarnoungrudgeisacloselyheldfeelingofresentmentorillwill:“Duelswereoftenfoughtto settle a grudge.” Combine the noun grudge with the prefix be- and you have the verb to begrudge, “to grumble,especiallyfromenvy”(Webster2).Incidentally,yetanotherofthevariousfunctionsoftheprefix be-istomaketransitiveverbsoutofnouns,adjectives,orotherverbs,asinbewitch,tocastaspellover, enchant(fromthenounwitch);bedim,tomakedim(fromtheadjectivedim);andbemoan,tomoanover, feelgriefordistressabout(fromtheverbmoan). Theverbtobegrudgealwaysimpliessomecombinationofenvy,illwill,resentment,dissatisfaction, andreluctance.Someonewhobegrudgesothers’successfeelsenvyandresentmentattheirgoodfortune. Many of us, quite understandably, begrudge the wealthiest members of society their disproportionate shareofmoney,resources,andpower.Andifyourindolent(word48ofthislevel)nephewasksyoufora loan,oryourspendthrift(wasteful,extravagant,foolishlyspending)daughterwantsmoneyforashopping spree,youmayforkoverthedoughbutstillbegrudgeeverypenny,anoldexpressionthatmeanstogive orallowwithreluctanceanddispleasure. Word15:AVOWAL(uh-VOW-ul,likeavowel) Anopendeclaration;afrankacknowledgment,admission,oraffirmation. The noun avowal and the verb to avow, to declare openly, acknowledge frankly, come from the Latin advocāre,tosummon,calltoone’said,thesourcealsooftheverbtoadvocate(AD-vuh-kayt),toplead thecauseofanother,andthenounanadvocate(AD-vuh-kit),apersonwhopleadsthecauseofanotherin court,orapersonwhochampionsacause,asanadvocateofsocialreform. A vow is a solemn promise or pledge, as a marriage vow, and the verb to vow means to make a solemn promise. Even more solemn and formal than a vow is an oath (rhymes with both), which may involve an appeal to a deity, as when an elected official takes the oath of office or a person about to testifyincourtswearstotell“thetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,sohelpmeGod.”An avowalislessformalandsolemnbutstillserious:apublicstatementorassertionofsomethingoneisnot ashamedof,anaffirmationoradmissionofthetruth.Anavowalofone’sprinciplesisanopendeclaration ofone’sbeliefs.Anavowalofone’smisdeedsisafrankacknowledgmentofone’smistakes. To disavow (dis-uh-VOW) is the opposite of to avow and means to openly refuse to acknowledge, accept, or take responsibility for: “Sheila disavowed having any involvement in the incident.” A disavowal(DIS-uh-VOW-ul),arefusaltoacceptoracknowledgesomethingorsomeone,istheopposite ofanavowal. Word16:PROS ELYTIZE(PRAHS-uh-luh-tyz) Toconvertorattempttoconvertfromonereligion,party,cause,oropiniontoanother;torecruit. The verb to proselytize and the noun proselyte (PRAHS-uh-lyt) come from an ancient Greek word that meantanewcomer.Proselytewasfirstusedinthe14thcenturyintheWycliffeBibletomeanagentile whohasconvertedtoJudaism.Thewordisstillusedinthissensetoday,butnowmoreoftenaproselyte issomeonewhohasswitchedfromonereligion,party,oropiniontoanother,aconvertorrecruit. Since the late 1600s proselytize has been used to mean “to make, or seek to make, proselytes or converts” (OED). Some religious groups, such as the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, make proselytizingobligatory,andpoliticalpartiesandmovementsoftentrytoproselytize,convertorrecruit otherstotheirbeliefsorcause. Evangelizeandproselytizearesimilarinmeaning.Toevangelize(i-VAN-juh-lyz)istoconvertortry toconverttoChristianity,ortopreachthegospelto.Toproselytizeistoconvertortrytoconvertfrom onereligion,party,cause,orbelieftoanother. Proselytizeissometimesmisusedasasnazzy-soundingsubstituteforpublicizeorpromote, as in to proselytize this message globally or to proselytize her political views. This is poor usage. You can’t proselytizeanopinionoramessage.Youproselytizepeopleorgroups,convertingthemtoyouropinionor belieforpersuadingthemtoendorseyourmessage. Word17:GUILELES S (GYL-lis,rhymeswithfilethis) Honestandinnocent,openandsincere. Guileless combines the noun guile, deceitful or treacherous cunning, crafty or hypocritical deception, withthesuffix-less,whichmeanswithout,asinhopeless,withouthope,andshameless,withoutshame.A guileless person or a guileless smile is without guile, and is therefore honest and innocent, as in the golden days of guileless youth. Sadly, guileless youth is also easily beguiled, led astray by guile, deception,deceit. Synonyms of guileless include frank, candid, straightforward, artless, unaffected, naive, and ingenuous (in-JEN-yoo-us). The direct antonym of guileless is guileful, full of guile. Other antonyms include insincere, wily, slippery, crafty, cunning, hypocritical, insidious, deceptive, fraudulent, and disingenuous. Word18:UNCONS CIONABLE(uhn-KAHN-shuh-nuh-bul) Notguidedorrestrainedbyconscience,lackingconscience;also,unfair,unreasonable,orexcessive. Theadjectiveconscionablemaymeanreasonable,just,fair-minded,asaconscionablesupervisorwho treatsuswithrespect,orgovernedbyone’sconscience,asasupervisorconscionableinherdealings withemployees.Unconscionable,beginningwiththeprivativeprefixun-,whichnegatesthemeaningof whatfollows,denotestheopposite:unreasonable,unjust,notgovernedbyone’sconscience. Allsortsofbehaviorcanbedescribedasunconscionable,lackingconscience—aggressiveandselfish driving,thedeceptivelendingpracticesofbanks,andchildabuseareallunconscionable.Andanything unreasonable,unfair,orexcessivecanalsobedescribedasunconscionable,asanunconscionabledelay, anunconscionableassaultoncivilrights,orunconscionablebudgetcuts. Scrupulous, honest, upright, having moral integrity, is a close synonym of conscionable. Unscrupulous,dishonest,corrupt,lackingmoralintegrity,isaclosesynonymofunconscionable. Word19:CONFLATE(kun-FLAYT) Tomerge,bringtogether,fuseintoone. ConflatecomesfromtheLatinconflātus,thepastparticipleoftheverbconflāre,toblowtogether,melt, fuse,acombinationofcom-,together,andflāre,toblow,thesourceoftheEnglishwordflatus (FLAYtus),intestinalgas.Thenounisconflation,amergingorcombiningintoone,fusion,amalgamation,asa conflationofmusicalstyles,aconflationofgovernmentagencies,oraconflationofwords. When you conflate you bring together two or more separate or different things to form one unified thing. For example, the United States of America is a nation formed by the conflation of fifty states. A bottleneckinaroadwayisaconflationoftwoormorestreamsoftrafficintoone.Conflatedissuesare differentissuesbroughttogetherintoone,andconflatedideasaredifferentideasfusedintoasingleidea, as when the Unitarians and the Universalists conflated their religious doctrines into a unified doctrine. And words are often carelessly conflated, their separate meanings merged into one, as when people pompously use the adjective reticent, which means reluctant to speak, when they mean reluctant, unwilling,hesitant.Thus,someonemaybereticent,butnotreticenttotalk. Writersoftenincorrectlyuseconflatewhentheymeantoequate,toregardasthesameorequivalent, asinthefollowingexamplesfoundonGoogleNews:“Turkishauthoritiesconflate[equate] support for theKurdishcausewithterrorismitself”;“Peopleshouldnotconflate[equate]aworkofart’saestheticor historicalimportancewithitspricetag.”Conflateisalsosometimesmisusedforconfuse:“Weconflate [confuse]freedomfromresponsibilitywithtruefreedom.”Takecaretouseconflateonlywhenyoumean tomerge,bringtogether,fuseintoone:“WhentwootherstormsystemsconflatedwithHurricaneSandyin thenortheasternU.S.inNovember2012,afearsomestormwastransformedintoa‘Frankenstorm.’” Word20:ANIMUS (AN-i-mus) Adeep-seateddislikeorfeelingofillwill;spitefulhostilityoranimosity. AnimusisborroweddirectlyfromtheLatinanimus,whichmeantthemindorthesoul.Itwasoriginally usedinEnglish,beginninginthe14thcentury,tomeanthemindorwill,aperson’sanimatingspirit.But bytheendofthe18thcenturythespiritofthewordhadturneddecidedlynegative,andanimuswasused initsmorecommonmodernsense:intenseandoftenspitefuldislikeorillwill. Enmity (word 40 of Level 3) is a close synonym of animus. Other synonyms include hostility, animosity,antagonism,antipathy,andrancor(discussedinrancorous,word31ofLevel3).Ofthese, hostilityandanimosityaremostlikelytobeexpressedopenly,oftenbyaggressiveactions.Antipathyis strongrepugnanceoraversion:herstrangeantipathytowardclassicalmusic.Antagonismisstrongand active dislike between conflicting people or groups: the antagonism between Democrats and Republicans. Rancor is a bitter, brooding, and resentful hatred nurtured over time; it is more often felt thanexpressed.Bothenmityandanimusareentrenchedfeelingsofillwillandmaybeopenlyexpressed, likehostilityandanimosity,orheldinprivate,likerancor. TheAmericanHeritageDictionarynotesthatanimusis“personal,oftenbasedonone’sprejudicesor temperament.” Because it is personal, animus is also often irrational or malicious, as the following citationsillustrate:“ForObama,governingatatimeofsuchextremepartisananimusandstillcopingwith a torpid economy, a second term was hardly assured” (Newsweek); “Al Qaida … feels a particular animustowardFrancebecauseFrancewastheformercolonialpowerinmostofnorthAfrica”(NPR). ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Ifsomethinggivesoffastrongodor,itisredolent. 2.Aplutocratcanbeademagogue. 3.Amaudlinpersonischeerfulandwitty. 4.Anemployeewhoispassedoverforaraisemightbegrudgeafellowemployeewhoisearningmoremoney. 5.Anavowalofone’smistakesisarefusaltoacknowledgethem. 6.Whenyouproselytize,youattempttopersuadeotherstoadoptyourcauseorbelief. 7.Youcannottrustaguilelessperson. 8.Cheatingonatestisunconscionablebehavior. 9.Whenyouconflatethings,youregardthemasequal. 10.Ananimusisafeelingofexcitementorenthusiasmforsomething. DifficultDistinctions:JealousyandEnvy Inlooseusagejealousyisoftenusedinterchangeablywithenvy,butthereisasubtledistinctionbetween thesetwowordsthatcarefulwritersobserve. Envy is a feeling of discontent born of a desire for something, such as a possession, advantage, or achievement,thatanotherpersonhas:“EverytimeJoesawJohn’shugehouse,redconvertible,andtrophy wife,hewasconsumedwithenvy.” Jealousy is resentment and suspicion of a rival, especially one who may take something you value awayfromyouorwhohasgottensomethingthatyouorsomeoneelsedeserves:“Joeburnedwithjealousy every time he saw his back-stabbing rival sitting in the corner office that by all rights should’ve been giventohim.” Morally and philosophically, envy is worse than jealousy, for even in its worst manifestations jealousy is a venial sin, while envy is one of the seven deadlies—right up there with wrath, avarice, sloth,pride,lust,andgluttony. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word21:S WATH(SWAHTHorSWAWTH,withthasinpath) Thespacecoveredbythestrokeofascytheorthepassofamowingmachine,orarowofacropcutdownbyascytheormower;hence,any longstrip,belt,orarea. Swathdatesbacktobefore900,whenitwasusedinOldEnglishtomeanatrack,trace,footprint.Bythe 15thcenturyithadcometobeusedtomeaneitherthespacecoveredbythesweepofascytheorarowof a crop that has been mowed. These senses are still current today. For example, you could say that a mowercutadeepswatharoundtheedgeofafield,oryoucouldsaythatthemowerleftlongswathsof hayinthefield. Bythe17thcenturythewordhadcometobeusedofanylongstriporbelt,asaswathoffabric,a swathofmist,oraswathofundevelopedland.In1849theAmericanphilosopherandnaturalistHenry DavidThoreauwrote,“ThegreatmowerTime,whocutssobroadaswath.”Todaythisextendeduseis common,andwespeakofalargeswathofundecidedvotersorabroadswathofmiddle-classAmerica. Here’s an example from The Wall Street Journal: “The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted Tuesday to create a historic district encompassing a large swath of the East Village and Lower East Side.” Takecaretodistinguishthesimilarlyspelledwordsswath,swatch,andswathe.Theverbtoswathe (rhymeswithbathe)meanstowraporbindwithabandage,orasifwithabandage,asababyswathedin a blanket. Swathe may also mean to envelop or enfold, as the house was swathed in fog. The noun swatch(rhymeswithwatch)isasample,arepresentativepieceofsomething,oftencloth,asaswatchof unbleachedcotton,butitmayalsorefertoanysmallportion,asaswatchofsilveryhairortheyreada swatchof19th-centuryBritishliterature.Ourkeyword,swath,isalongbroadstrip,belt,orarea,asa swathoflowpressurethatwillbringraintothevalley.Aswatchoflinenisasamplepiece.Aswathof linenisalong,broadstrip. Word22:CONFLAGRATION(KAHN-fluh-GRAY-shin) Agreat,destructivefire;anextensive,disastrousblaze. The adjective is conflagrant (kun-FLAY-grint), burning, blazing, on fire, as a conflagrant building or, figuratively,aheartconflagrantwithlove. The noun conflagration comes from the Latin conflagrāre, to burn up, a combination of con-, completely,andflagrāre,toburn,blaze,thesourceofflagrant,whichmeansshockinglyandshamelessly bad,offensive,orimmoral,asaflagrantbreachoftrust. Thewordsinfernoandholocaustaresynonymsofconflagration. InfernocomesthroughtheItalianinferno,hell,fromtheLateLatininfernus,hell,thesourcealsoof theEnglishadjectiveinfernal,whichmeanseitherhellish,fiendish,damnable(asinStop that infernal racket!),orpertainingtoorresemblinghell.Inthe20thcenturyinfernoalsocametobeusedtomeana placeresemblinghell,afurnace,oven,conflagration:“Theexplosionsturnedthebuildingintoaraging inferno.” When the word holocaust3 entered English in the 14th century from the ancient Greek holócaustos, burntwhole,itdenotedaburntoffering,asacrificeconsumedbyfire.Bythe17thcenturyithadcometo meanhorrendousdestructionordevastationinvolvinggreatlossoflife,especiallybyfire.Thatiswhat wemeanwhenwespeakofanuclearholocaust.Holocaustmaystillbeusedinthisway,butinthe20th centurytheword,spelledwithacapitalH,tookonanother,specificsense—thesystematicslaughterof millions of Jews and other Europeans by the Nazis during World War II—and this is the most familiar senseofthewordincurrentusage. In recent years our keyword, conflagration, has been pressed into service as a fancy-sounding, polysyllabic alternative for conflict or war, as “an international military conflagration” (forbes.com). Conflagrationmaysuggestthedestructivefiresofwar,butusingthewordtomeanawidespreadconflict ispretentious.Thecarefulwriter,mindfuloftheperilsofverbalinflation,willconfineconflagration to itstraditionalmeaning:agreat,destructivefire. Word23:RAREFIED(RAIR-i-fyd) Ofahighlyrefinedorsublimenature,elevatedorloftyincharacterorstyle;hence,belongingorofinteresttoasmall,exclusivegroup, esoteric.4 Exaltedisaclosesynonymofrarefied. TheadjectiverarefiedcomesfromtheLatinrārēfacĕre,tomakethinorlessdense,fromrārus,thin, loose,andfacĕre,tomakeordo.Theverbtorarefy(RAIR-i-fy)meanseithertomakethinorlessdense, asagasrarefiedbyheat,ortorefine,purify,makemorespiritualorexalted,asinthissentencebythe EnglishessayistWilliamHazlitt(HAYZ-lit)from1817:“Loveisagentleflamethatrarefiesandexpands herwholebeing.”Thenounrarefaction(RAIR-i-FAK-shin)meanstheprocessorstateofbeingrarefied, refined,purified,exalted. Rarefiedmaybeusedtomeanthinnerorlessdense,asrarefiedair, but today it is most often used figurativelytomeanhighlyrefined,elevated,lofty,asararefiedliterarystyleorthe rarefied world of philosophy.Byextension,rarefiedisalsoappliedtosomethingsoelevatedorrefinedthatitbelongsonly toasmall,selectgroup,asararefiedtasteinwineorararefiedsocialcircle. Andnowanoteonspelling.Rarefyandrarefiedareoftenmisspelledrarifyandrarified,withaniin themiddleinsteadofane.Infact,thismisspellingissocommonthatsomedictionarieslistrarifiedasa standardalternative.Don’tbemisledbythis;dictionariesrecordwhateveralotofpeopledo,evenifa lotofotherpeoplethinkit’swrong.Rememberthatthewordrareresideswithinrarefyandrarefiedand you’llalwaysspellthemright. Word24:MENDICANT(MEN-di-kunt) Abeggar;apersonwhosurvivesbyaskingforfoodormoney. MendicantcomesfromtheLatinmendīcāre,tobeg,andmendīcus,whichasanounmeantabeggarand as an adjective meant beggarly, impoverished, destitute (DES-ti-t[y]oot), indigent (IN-di-jint), impecunious(IM-pe-KYOO-nee-us). Originally, a mendicant was a member of one of the Christian religious orders—such as the Franciscans,Dominicans,andCarmelites—thatreliedonalms(AHMZ),orcharity,tosurvive.Bytheend ofthe15thcenturymendicanthadcometobeusedasamoredignifiedsynonymforbeggar,andthisisits primarysenseasanountoday:“Herheartwentouttotheraggedmendicantsthatoccupiednearlyevery cornerofdowntown.” Mendicant may also be an adjective meaning either belonging or pertaining to one of the religious ordersofmendicants,asamendicantmonk,or,moreoften,beggingorsuggestiveofabeggar:“Greece and Spain have become mendicant nations, relying on the charity of the European Union to keep their economiesafloat.” Thenounmendicancy(MEN-di-kun-see)meansthestateofbeingabeggarortheactofbegging. Word25:RECOMPENS E(REK-um-pents) Torewardorrepayforsomethingdoneorgiven;also,torepayorcompensateforaloss,damage,orinjury. RecompensecomesfromtheLateLatinrecompensāre,togiveinreturn,giveincompensation.Itmaybea verbmeaningtorepayforsomethingdoneortocompensateforaloss,as“Themigrantfarmworkerswere not recompensed for their labor,” or “The court ordered the defendant to recompense the plaintiff for damages.” The word may also be a noun meaning repayment or reward, as recompense for services rendered, or compensation for a loss or injury, as to make recompense for a hurtful comment or a lawsuitseekingrecompenseforfraud. Theverbstoremunerate(ri-MYOO-nuh-rayt)andtorecompensebothmeantorepay,buttheydiffer intheirconnotation.Toremunerate,fromtheLatinremūnerārī,torepay,andmūnus,agift,istopayor compensate—oftengenerously—forservicesrendered,troubletaken,orgoodsprovided.Forexample,it is customary to remunerate with a holiday tip those who provide special services for you, such as a housekeeper, massage therapist, mail carrier, or hair stylist. Recompense suggests making a fair or just payment or reward, either for something done or given—as “She recompensed the staff for their hard work by taking them to lunch”—or for some loss, damage, or injury sustained, as “Nothing could recompensethemforwhattheysufferedinthewar.” Word26:INUNDATE(IN-un-dayt,occasionallyin-UHN-dayt) Tooverflow,overwhelm,flood;tofillorcoverwithorasifwithaflood. The verb to inundate comes from the Latin inundāre, to overflow, stream over like a torrent, which comes in turn from the noun unda, a wave, the source also of the English verb to undulate (UHN-juhlayt),tomoveinasinuous(SIN-yoo-us)andflowingmanner,likeawave,asa flag undulating in the wind or bodies undulating to music. (Sinuous means winding, bending, turning, moving in a graceful, curvingmanner,asasinuousroadorasinuousdancer.) Inundatemaymeanliterallytoflood,overflow:abeachcanbeinundatedathightideandheavyrain can inundate a valley. But inundate is also often used figuratively to mean to overwhelm, fill or cover with or as if with a flood: an employer can be inundated with job applications, weeds can inundate a garden,andtweeterscaninundatetheir“followers”withtweets. Synonyms of inundate include to drown, swamp, submerge, overspread, engulf, and deluge (DELyooj), to inundate destructively or oppressively, as “Hurricane Sandy deluged the Northeast,” or “The studentsweredelugedwithhomework.” Inundation(IN-uhn-DAY-shin),afloodoroverwhelmingflow,isthenoun,astheinundationofthe coastlineoraninundationofTVadstheweekbeforetheelection. Word27:AGGRANDIZE(uh-GRAN-dyz) Toincrease,enlarge,magnify,augment;especially,toincreaseorenlargethepower,influence,wealth,rank,orstatusof. TheverbtoaggrandizecomesfromtheFrenchagrandir,toincrease,enlarge,augment,whichcomesin turn from the Latin grandire, to make great, increase. By derivation, that which aggrandizes makes someone or something greater by increasing its power or enlarging its influence. The noun aggrandizement(uh-GRAN-diz-ment)meanstheincreaseorenlargementofpowerandinfluence.Inthe 18th and 19th centuries, England sought to aggrandize its power in the world by conquering various foreign countries, colonizing them, and creating an empire. This territorial aggrandizement of a country intoanempireiscalledimperialism. Inmodernusageaggrandizeisoftenusedreflexively,meaningitiseitherprecededbythecombining formself-orfollowedbyareflexivepronoun(oneincorporating-selfor-selves).Wespeakoftheselfaggrandizing rhetoric of political campaigns, of dictators who aggrandize themselves at the expense of theirpeople,andofthegreedyself-aggrandizersonWallStreet. Word28:OUTRÉ(oo-TRAY,rhymeswithyoupay) Beyondtheboundsofwhatisconsideredusual,normal,orproper;unusual,peculiar. Synonyms of outré include bizarre, extravagant, eccentric, unconventional, outlandish, and unorthodox.Antonymsofoutréincludenormal,ordinary,customary,traditional,andorthodox. Asyoumayhavealreadyguessedfromtheacuteaccentoveritsfinalletter,outréisFrench.Itcomes directlyfromoutré,thepastparticipleoftheverboutrer,togobeyond,gotoexcess,pushthelimitsof. Byderivation,thatwhichisoutrégoesbeyondtheboundariesofconvention,pushingthelimitsofwhatis considerednormalorproper. Outrémaybeusedofanythingthatfliesinthefaceofconventionorthatchallengesnotionsofwhatis normalandproper.Someone’sclothingmaybeoutré,outlandish,bizarre.Certainwordsmaybeoutré, unsuitableforpoliteconversation.Andamoviemaybeoutrébecauseitgoesbeyondwhatisconsidered acceptableandproper. Youcanusetheadjectiveoutrébyitself,as“Thenewfashionsforfallareoutré.”Oryoumaypairit withanoun,asTheNewYorkTimesdidwhenitcalledJCPenney“adepartmentstorenotknownforoutré fashion.”Outrépoliticsareradicalpolitics.Outrébehaviorisunconventional,eccentricbehavior.Andan outrésubjectisonethatpushesthelimitsofpropriety. You can also pair outré with the definite article the to refer to that which goes beyond what is consideredusualornormal,somethingextravagantorbizarre:“Foodieswhoembracethenew,theoutré, thedifferent,mayhailanunusualitemonthemenu…horsemeattartare”(horsetalk.co.nz). Word29:QUINTES S ENTIAL Beingtheperfect,mostrefined,ormosttypicalexampleorinstanceofsomething. Quintessential is the adjective corresponding to the noun quintessence (kwin-TES-ints). Both words come ultimately from the Medieval Latin quinta essentia, fifth essence. In ancient and medieval philosophy,quintessencewas“thefifthorlastandhighestessenceorpowerinanaturalbody,”explains Webster 2. “The ancient Greeks recognized four elements, fire, air, water, and earth. The Pythagoreans and Aristotle added a fifth, the ether, out of which they said the heavenly bodies are composed.” In modern usage quintessence is “the pure and concentrated essence; the best and purest part of a thing” (TheCenturyDictionary);figuratively,theperfectembodimentormosttypicalexampleofsomething,as thequintessenceofbeauty,thequintessenceofvirtue,orthequintessenceofstupidity. Quintessential retains from the ancient fifth essence the idea of concentration and purity, and in modern usage the word is used to describe the perfect or most typical example of something: “Naomi aspiredtowriteanovelaboutthestrugglesofherimmigrantgrandparentsthatshehopedwouldportray the quintessential American experience”; “Paella is the quintessential dish of Spanish cuisine”; “The ancientGreekwarriorAchilleswasaquintessentialtragichero”;“Withitswhitepicketfence,brightred barn,andtallmapletrees,thebed-and-breakfasthadquintessentialNewEnglandcharm.” Quintessential may also be used to mean of utmost importance or significance, indispensable, as a quintessentialhistoryoffeminism,or“Lawandorderisquintessentialtothewell-beingofsociety.” Word30:PANDER(PAN-dur) Tocatertoorindulgethevulgartastesanddesiresofothersorexploittheirpassions,prejudices,orweaknesses. Pander is an eponymous (i-PAHN-uh-mus) word, one formed from a name, in this case a name from literature.InclassicalmythologyandinHomer’sepicpoemTheIliad,whichtellsthestoryoftheTrojan War,Pandarus[PAN-duh-rus]wasaTrojanwhoviolatedthetrucebetweentheTrojansandtheGreeksby tryingtoassassinateMenelaus(MEN-uh-LAY-us),thekingofSparta,atreacherousactthatprolongedthe war.Merriam-Webster’sEncyclopediaofLiteratureexplainsthatthenameresurfaced“inthemedieval taleofTroilusandCressida[TROY-lusandKRES-i-duh],aswellasinWilliamShakespeare’splayby thesamename,”where“Pandarusactedasthelovers’go-between;hencetheword‘pander.’” Thenounpander,whichenteredEnglishinthe15thcentury,denoteseitherago-betweeninamorous intrigues—namely,aprocurerorpimp—oraperson“whoministerstothegratificationofanyofthebaser passionsofothers”(TheCenturyDictionary).Theverbtopander, which came along in the early 17th century,originallymeanttoactasapanderorgo-between,buttodaytopanderiscommonlyusedtomean “toministertoothers’passionsorprejudicesforselfishends”(Century). An employee, to gain favor, panders to the whims and desires of his boss. An ambitious writer panderstothevulgartastesofthereadingpublic—ortoitssnobbery.Special-interestgroupspanderto venal (VEE-nul) politicians. (Venal means corruptible, capable of being bribed or bought off.) Demagogues(word12ofthislevel)gaininfluencebypanderingtopeople’sprejudices,ignorance,and passions.Andretailers,eagertoexploitthepublicforprofit,pandertoconsumerswhoareeagertoown thetrendiestclothingandcommodities. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Swathandbeltare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Conflagrationandblazeare… 3.Rarefiedandmundaneare… 4.Mendicantandplutocratare… 5.Recompenseandrewardare… 6.Inundateandsubmergeare… 7.Aggrandizeandminimizeare… 8.Outréandtraditionalare… 9.Quintessentialandordinaryare… 10.Panderandcaterare… OnceUponaWord:TheNameGame Aneponymisawordderivedfromaname,oranamethatbecomesaword.TheEnglishlanguagehas manyeponymouswords,bothcommonandobscure.Science,medicine,andthenaturalworldaresources ofmanyfamiliareponyms. EveryeducatedpersonknowsthattheverbtopasteurizecomesfromthenameoftheFrenchchemist andbacteriologistLouisPasteur(1822–1895),whodevelopedtheprocessofsterilizingbyheatingand rapidcooling.Butdidyouknowthatthelovelyclimbingshrubwisteria(wi-STEER-ee-uh)takesitsname from the American anatomist Caspar Wistar (1761–1818)?5 And did you know that the hardy, colorful plantcalledpoinsettiaisnamedafteranAmericandiplomat,J.R.Poinsett(1779–1851),whobroughtit fromMexicototheUnitedStatesin1828?Incidentally,thereisnopointinpoinsettia,andthewordis properlypronouncedinfoursyllables,notthree:poyn-SET-ee-uh. Another eponymous scientific word that is often mispronounced is salmonella (SAL-muh-NEL-uh), whichhasnothingtodowithsalmon(SAM-un)andeverythingtodowithDanielE.Salmon(1850–1914), an American veterinarian and pathologist who identified this genus of bacteria and whose last name is pronouncedSAL-mun. Many flowers and plants take their names from names. One of my favorites is the beautiful woody vinecalledbougainvillea(BOO-gun-VIL-ee-uh),withitsdelicateandbrilliantflowers,whichisnamed aftertheFrenchnavigatorandexplorerLouisAntoinedeBougainville(1729–1811),whofoughtforthe UnitedStatesduringtheRevolutionaryWaranddiscoveredtheSolomonIslands. Ourtwomethodsofmeasuringtemperature,Celsius and Fahrenheit, are both eponyms. The former comes from Anders Celsius (1701–1744), a Swedish astronomer, and the latter from Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit(1686–1736),theGermanphysicistwhointroducedtheuseofmercuryinthermometers.The Bunsen burner, familiar to all high school chemistry students, is named after Robert Wilhelm Bunsen (1811–1899),aGermanchemist.Andthewordguillotine(GIL-uh-teen,notGEE-yuh-teen)isnamedafter JosephGuillotin(1738–1814),aFrenchphysicianwhodidnotinventthisgruesomedecapitationdevice butwhoadvocatedforitsuseasmorehumanethanhanging. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word31:S ACROS ANCT(SAK-roh-SANGT) Extremelysacredorholy;hence,nottobeviolatedoraltered. Synonymsofsacrosanctincludehallowed,divine,sanctified,andinviolable(in-VY-uh-luh-bul). SacrosanctcomesfromtheLatinphrasesacrosanctus,whichmeansmadeholy,sacred,orinviolable byareligiousrite.ThisphrasecomesinturnfromtheLatinsacer,sacred,holy,thesourceoftheEnglish wordssacredandsacrifice,andtheLatinverbsancire,toconsecrate(word42ofLevel2),thesourceof theEnglishwordssaint,sanctity,andsanctify,tosetapartassacred. In modern usage sacrosanct is often used of anything that cannot or should not be violated or trespassedupon.Ifyouholdsomethingsacrosanct,youtreatitasifwereholyandthereforeimmunefrom criticismorinterference.Asacrosanctbeliefortraditionisonethatmustnotbeviolatedorchanged.A sacrosanctroomisaroomthatissecretorprivateandnottobeentered.Asacrosancttextisonewhose wordsaresoreveredthattheyarebeyondcriticismandmustneverbealtered. Word32:INDOMITABLE(in-DAHM-i-tuh-bul) Unconquerable,unyielding,invincible,notcapableofbeingovercomeorsubdued. Indomitable comes from the Latin indomitus, untamed, wild, which comes in turn from the privative prefixin-,not,anddomitāre,totame,subdue.Byderivation,thatwhichisindomitableiswildandstrong andcannotbetamedorsubdued. Anindomitablearmy,anindomitableenemyorfoe,andanindomitablesportsteamareallincapable of being defeated. Someone with an indomitable spirit is unyielding in the face of opposition and stubbornly persistent in overcoming obstacles. An indomitable force is so wild and powerful that it cannotberesistedorsubdued:HurricanesKatrinaandSandywereindomitableforcesofnature.Andan indomitableheroisinvincible:“IndianaJonesistheultimateaction-heroacademic:playedbyHarrison Ford, the indomitable professor outwits Nazis and other villains in search of religious relics, lost temples, and alien artifacts” (The Economist). Indomitable may also be used figuratively, as in this sentencefromD’Aulaire’sBookofGreekMyths:“ZeuspoundedhisindomitablefistandHerasatsilent.” Synonymsofindomitableincludeinsuperable(in-SOO-pur-uh-bul),masterful, indefatigable (word 21 of Level 2), omnipotent (ahm-NIP-uh-tint), redoubtable (ri-DOW-tuh-bul), and puissant (PYOO-isintorpyoo-IS-int).Antonymsofindomitableincludeweak, helpless, feeble, vulnerable, decrepit (diKREP-it),debilitated,impotent(IM-puh-tint),andeffete(i-FEET). Word33:METTLE(MET’l,likemetal) Aperson’sdispositionortemperament;“the‘stuff’ofwhichoneismade,regardedasanindicationofone’scharacter”(OED).Also,courage, vigor,strengthofspiritorcharacter,orstamina,endurance,stayingpower. Mettleisavariantspellingofmetalandisprobablyafigurativeuseofmetal—theideabeingthatifthe stuffofwhichyouaremade,yourtemperament,isstronganddurable,likemetal,thenyouhavemettle, strength of spirit or character. A man or woman of mettle is a person who displays exceptional vigor, courage,orstamina. Mettleiscommonlyusedinanumberofsetphrases.Totestone’smettle,orsometimestotryone’s mettle,istoputone’scharacter,spirit,orskilltothetest.Tobeonone’smettleistobeinspiredtodo one’sbest.Toputonone’smettleistotestsomeone’senduranceorresourcefulness.Andtoshowone’s mettle or to prove one’s mettle is to show or prove one’s admirable character by displaying courage, spirit,orresilience. Word34:ELLIPS IS (i-LIP-sis) Anomission;specifically,theomissionofoneormorewordsthatareunderstoodincontextbutthatwouldotherwiseberequiredforaclearor grammaticallycompleteconstruction. Ellipsis comes from the Greek élleipsis, an omission. Ellipsis is the singular, ellipses (i-LIP-seez) the plural. Anellipsisisagrammaticalconstruction—aphraseorsentence—thatleavesoutoneormorewords. Usuallywhatisleftoutisimpliedbythecontextandisoftennotnecessary,asinShehaswrittenseveral novelsIadmire,whichwithouttheellipsiswouldbeShehaswrittenseveralnovelsthat I admire; or He’sinterested,butI’mnot,whichwithouttheellipsiswouldbeHe’sinterested,butI’mnotinterested. Sometimesellipsisreferstotheomissionofawordorwordsthatwouldclarifythecontext,asinYou don’twantto,whichleavesoutaverbattheendthatwouldspecifywhatyoudon’twanttodo.Insuch instancesit’sassumedthatthereaderorlistenercanmentallysupplywhathasbeenomitted. “AllwritersandspeakersofEnglish…omitwordswhichneverwillbemissed,”writeBergenand Cornelia Evans in their Dictionary of Contemporary American Usage. “This is never objectionable unless the sentence becomes misleading, that is, unless the omitted words actually are missed.” For example, the sentence I like to interview people sitting down is misleading because the ellipsis is unclear; we’re not sure whether it means I like to interview people who are sitting down, I like to interviewpeoplewhileIamsittingdown,orIliketointerviewpeoplewhilewearesittingdown.6 Inwritingandpublishing,ellipsisisusedtomean“theomissionofaword,phrase,line,paragraph,or more from a quoted passage” (Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition). To indicate an ellipsis, an omissionfromaquotedpassage,writersandeditorsuseellipsispoints,threeorsometimesfourdotsor periods. Elliptical, the adjective corresponding to the noun ellipsis, has several meanings. It may mean pertaining to or marked by a grammatical ellipsis, an omission of a word or words, as an elliptical construction. It may be used of speech or writing to mean characterized by extreme verbal economy, expressedinthefewestwordspossible,asanellipticalmessagescrawledonthebackofanenvelope. Oritmaybeusedofanymannerofexpressionthatisdisjointed,incomplete,ambiguous,orobscure,asa storytoldinafractured,ellipticalstyleorapoetknownforherellipticalverse. Word35:PETULANT(PECH-uh-lint) Showingsuddenimpatience,irritation,oranger,especiallyoversomethingtrivial. PetulantcomesfromtheLatinpetulans,petulantis,impudent,andwhenthewordenteredEnglishinthe late 16th century it was used of impudence or forwardness in speech or behavior. In modern usage, however,petulantconnotesimpatienceandirritabilityratherthanimpudence. Thewordspeevishandpetulantareclosesynonyms.Bothsuggestill-humoredannoyance.Butwhile peevishpeopleareirritableandfullofcomplaintsbecausetheyarefussyanddifficulttoplease,petulant people are prone to self-centered outbursts and apt to express childish irritation or impatience over insignificantthings.Someoneinapeevishmoodhasareasontobeirritableandcomplaining,thoughit may not be a legitimate reason. Someone in a petulant mood quickly gets irritable and impatient over unimportantthings. Word36:DEIGN(DAYN,rhymeswithrain) Todosomethingoneconsidersbeneathone’sdignity;tocondescendreluctantly. The verb to deign comes from the Latin dignāre, to consider worthy, which comes in turn from the adjective dignus, worthy, deserving, suitable, fitting. Dignus is also the source of the English words dignity; dignify; dignitary, a person who holds a position of dignity or honor; indignation, righteous angeratsomethingthoughttobeunworthy,unjust,orundignified;andindignant,filledwithindignation: “Thegadflypointedanindignantfingerattheobjectofhiscontempt,thecitycouncil.” Whenyoudeign,youdecidethatitisworthyorfittingforyoutodosomethingyouwouldnormally considerbeneathyourdignity.Inotherwords,youneverdeignwillingly,hopingtobeofhelp.Youalways deign reluctantly, condescending to do something that you wouldn’t otherwise do: “After much complaining,theirfood-snobfrienddeignedtoeatattheirfavoritegreasyspoon”;“In1972,whenNixon wastheincumbentandfaraheadinthepolls,hebarelydeignedtosayMcGovern’snameduringthefall campaign”(CNN). Inmodernusage,deignalwayshasaninfinitiveasitsobject.Theinfinitiveisthetoformofaverb,so wedeigntodosomething:“Hedeignedtoanswer”;“Thevirtuosodeignedtogiveanencore.”Youcan also deign not to do something: “She wouldn’t deign to notice him”; “My kids won’t deign to eat vegetables.” Word37:BERATE(bi-RAYT) Toscoldharshly,criticizesharply. Theverbstochide,admonish,reproach,upbraid,reprimand,reprove(word35ofLevel3),rebuke,and berateallmeantoscold,criticize,orexpressdisapproval. Tochideandtoadmonishimplygentlescoldingwiththeintentionofcorrectingimproperbehavior, while to reproach is to express disapproval or disappointment less mildly. You chide your dog for chewing the furniture, you admonish your children to spend less time on Facebook and more on their homework,andyoureproachanemployeeforbeinglatetoworkthreedaysinarow. To upbraid implies a more formal, usually justifiable, and often public criticism or scolding: “Politicalcolumnistsupbraidpublicofficialswhohaveabusedthepublic’strust.”Toreprimandismore formalstill,toscoldorcriticizepublicly,officially,andoftenseverely,astheofficerreprimandedthe impertinent(word20ofLevel1)soldier. To reprove may be relatively mild, suggesting a well-meaning scolding like chide, admonish, and reproach,oritmaybemoresevere,suggestingharsherandmorevehementdisapprovallikerebuke. A judgemightreproveoffendersforafirstoffensebutrebukethemforasecond. Finally,ourkeyword,toberate,isaclosesynonymofrebuke.Bothwordsmeantoscoldsharplyor criticizeharshly,butrebukeusuallyreferstoasingleexpressionofsterndisapproval—“Janicerebuked Jimforneglectingtoloadthedishwasher”—whileberateoftenimpliesprolongedorrepeatedscolding: “JimwassickofhearingJaniceberatehimforneglectingtodohisshareofthehousework.” Word38:HARBINGER(HAHR-bin-jur) Asignofsomethingtocome,indicationofafutureevent,forerunner,herald. Harbinger,whichisrelatedtothewordharbor,comesfromaGermanicwordthatmeantshelterforan army,andlaterlodgingingeneral,aplaceofshelterandentertainment. Harbinger is one of the oldest words in English, dating back to the 12th century. Like many old words, it has shed its earliest meaning and taken on new ones. In English, harbinger was first used to meanakeeperofalodginghouse,ahost,entertainer,asensenowobsolete.Thewordnextcametomean apersonorcompanysentaheadtoprovideforlodging,especiallyforanarmyortravelingroyalty.Over timethissensebroadenedandharbingerwasusedofanyonewhogoesbefore,especiallytoannouncethe comingofanother.Finally,thewordcametobeusedfigurativelytomeanasignofsomethingtocome.In 1630, the English poet John Milton used harbinger this way, describing the sun as “the bright morning star,day’sharbinger,”which“comesdancingfromtheeast.” Today harbinger means anything that indicates the arrival of something or that foreshadows some futureevent.Aharbingerofspringindicatesthatspringwillsoonbehere.Aharbingerofrecessiontells usthattougheconomictimeslieahead. Forerunner, precursor, herald, and harbinger all denote people or things that come before. Forerunnerandprecursor(pree-KUR-sur),fromtheLatinprae-,before,andcurrere,torun,bothmean literallyonewhorunsbefore,andbothareoftenusedfigurativelyofthatwhichhasalogicalconnection towhatfollows:“TheBostonMassacrewastheprecursoroftheAmericanRevolution”;“Infantilefears are often the forerunners of adult anxieties.” Herald and harbinger are used chiefly of that which precedesinordertoannounceordrawattentiontothecomingofsomethingelse:Shakespearecalledthe lark“theheraldofthemorn,”andWashingtonIrvingcalled“thebodingcryofthetree-toad”a“harbinger ofstorm.” Anomen,aportent,andaharbingerareallsignsofthingstocome.Bothanomenandaportentare propheticsigns,supposedlyindicatingthenatureoroutcomeofsomeuncertainfutureevent.Thoughby definitionanomenmaybeeithergoodorbad,perhapsbecauseoftheadjectiveominous,whichisalmost alwaysusedofsomethingevilormenacing,anomenisoftenunfavorable.Aportentmaybeasignthat somethingmomentous,ofgreatconsequence,isabouttohappen,orawarningofimpendingdisaster,asa portentofthesubprimemortgagecrisisthatsenttheglobaleconomyintoatailspin. Like omen and portent,harbingermaybeusedofcalamitoussigns,asaharbingerofdoom,butthewordmoreoftenhas apositiveorneutralconnotation,asaharbingerofpeaceoraharbingerofchange. Andnowforawordaboutusage.Here’safaultysentencefromtheLosAngelesTimesthattypifiesa common misuse of harbinger: “It is too early to tell whether the upticks are a harbinger of things to come.”What’swrongwiththat? Ifyouguessedthatit’sredundant,you’reright.Writersoftentackthephrase“ofthingstocome”not onlyafterharbingerbutsometimesalsoafterportentandomen.Allthreewordsdenoteasignofsome futureevent,ofsomethingtocome,soaddingofthefutureorofthingstocomeafterthemisrepetitive andsuperfluous. Word39:CORPULENT(KORP-yuh-lint) Havingalarge,bulkybody;fat,fleshy. Corpulence,thestateofbeingcorpulent,fatness,isthenoun. Synonymsofcorpulentincludeobese,stout,stocky,portly,pursy(PUR-see),shortofbreathbecause offatness,androtund(roh-TUHND),roundandplump. Antonymsofcorpulentincludethin,lean,slender,slim,svelte(SVELT,rhymeswithfelt),andlithe (rhymeswithwrithe),whichareusuallycomplimentary,andthealwaysuncomplimentarywordsscrawny, spindly,gaunt,haggard(HAG-urd),emaciated(i-MAY-shee-AY-tid),andcadaverous(kuh-DAV-ur-us), whichmeanspertainingtoorresemblingacadaver(kuh-DAV-ur),adeadbody. Corpulent comes from the Latin corpulentus, fat, stout, which in turn comes from corpus, body, substance.ThisLatincorpusisalsoanEnglishwordmeaningeitherthedeadbodyofahumanbeingoran animal, or a large collection of writings, the whole body of literature on a subject or by a particular author. From the Latin corpus, body, substance, also come the English words corpse, a dead body; corpuscle(KOR-puh-sul),afree-floatingcell,suchasaredorwhitebloodcell;corporeal(kor-POR-eeul), of or pertaining to the body; its antonym, incorporeal, lacking material substance or physical existence,spiritual;theverbtoincorporate,literallytocombineintoonebody;andthephrasecorporal (KOR-pur-ul)punishment,punishmentinflictedonthebody. Whenourkeyword,corpulent,cameintoEnglishinabout1400itmeantsolid,dense,likeaphysical or material body, but it soon came to be used to mean fat, having a large, bulky, fleshy body—its only meaningtoday.Corpulentusuallyappliestopeoplewhoarenotonlyfatbutalsoponderous(word41of Level2),largeandslow-moving,ashewasfartoocorpulenttodance.WilliamHowardTaft,the27th presidentoftheUnitedStates,wascorpulentintheextreme,atonepointweighingabout340pounds. Word40:AGGRIEVED(uh-GREEVD,rhymeswithrelieved) Wronged,offended,injured,havingagrievance. A grievance is a wrong, an offense, something that causes injury or distress and that is grounds for resentment or complaint: “They submitted a long list of grievances regarding safety violations in the workplace.” To be aggrieved is to have a grievance, to feel wronged or injured, to have a complaint aboutanallegedoffense. The verb to aggrieve, to bring grief, pain, or trouble to, to distress, and the participial adjective aggrieved both entered English in the 14th century from the Latin aggravāre, to make heavier, make worse,thesourcealsooftheverbtoaggravate,toworsen,makemoreseriousorsevere,astoaggravate aninjury. Atfirstaggrievedmeanttroubled,worried,distressed,astheaggrievedunemployedwhohavelost hope of finding work. But by the mid-15th century aggrieved had taken on its more common modern meaning:“upsetorresentfulathavingbeenunfairlytreated”(OED).Thewordmayapplytoanyonewho feelswronged,offended,orinjuredinsomeway,astheaggrievedwifeofanadulteroushusbandoran aggrievedformeremployeewhowentonarampage.Inacivillawsuit,bothparties—theplaintiff,the person who brings the lawsuit, and the defendant, the person being sued—will insist that they are aggrieved,wronged,injuriouslyaffected. In a less common sense, aggrieved may also mean expressing grief, offense, or resentment, as an aggrievedtoneofvoiceoranaggrievedoutpouringofangryletters. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Sacrosanctmeansverysecret,verysacred,veryholy. 2.Indomitablemeansunmanageable,unconquerable,unyielding. 3.Mettleisaperson’stemperament,aperson’sdisposition,aperson’scircumstances. 4.Anellipsisisanomission,amistake,somethingleftout. 5.Petulantmeansshowingsuddenirritationoranger,impatientovertrivialthings,desperateforloveandattention. 6.Todeignistodosomethingbeneathone’sdignity,dosomethingunthinkingly,grantreluctantly. 7.Toberateistojudgeunfairly,scoldharshly,criticizesharply. 8.Aharbingerisanindication,sign,answer. 9.Corpulentmeansfleshy,frumpy,fat. 10.Aggrievedmeansoffended,wronged,unsatisfied. TheStyleFile:SevenDeadlySinsofUsage “Hey, Mr. Language Dude, so you think you’re so great?” some dude once asked me. “Don’t you ever makeamistake?” Whenyou’vebeenalanguagemavenaslongasIhave,yougetallkindsofquestions,andImeanall. Withmytonguefirmlyinmycheek,Isenthimthisreply:“Irregardlessofwhatsomethink,whenitcomes to usage, nobody’s perfect. But some people make more mistakes and some make less. And I’m one of thosepeoplewhorarelymakesmistakes.Iseenoreasontofeelbadlyaboutit.Icanwriteprettygood. Youwon’tcatchmelayingdownonthejob.Anddon’taskmetorepeatthatagain.” Perhaps you noticed that in those seven sentences I commited seven deadly sins of usage (intentionally,ofcourse).Didyoucatchthemall?Youcanfindthesesevenerrorsinprintandhearpeople utterthemeveryday,butanyonewhoaspirestobeacarefulwriterandspeakershouldscrupulouslyavoid them. First,thewordirregardless,whichisprobablyadialectalblendofirrespectiveandregardless, has long been ridiculed by usage commentators, and even the most permissive dictionaries label it “nonstandard,”whichisanamby-pambywayofsayingthatmanypeoplewillthinklessofyouforusing it.Irregardlessisadoublenegative,likedon’tnever,andifyoudon’tneverwanttobecriticizedforyour diction,useregardless,theproperword,instead. InthesecondsentenceIusedlesswhenIshouldhaveusedfewer.Lessappliestoquantities:lesstime, less sugar, less money. Fewer applies to things that can be counted or itemized: fewer minutes, fewer dollars,fewermistakes.Theclassicboo-booisthesignfortheexpresslaneatthesupermarket:15Items orLess.Makethatfewerbecauseitemscanbeitemized.It’slessfoodbutfewergroceries. Inthethirdsentencetheerrorismoresubtle.Whenoneoftheisfollowedbyapluralnounandwhoor that, you should follow with a plural, not a singular, verb. Thus, one of the people (plural noun) who rarely makes (singular verb) mistakes should be one of the people who rarely make (plural verb) mistakes. Turn the sentence around and you’ll see the logic of its grammar: Of the people who rarely makemistakes,Iamone. Inthefourthsentencefeelbadlyshouldhavebeenfeelbad.Herewearenottalkingabouthowyou performtheactoffeelingbutabouthowyoufeel;that’swhyMariainWestSideStorysingsIfeelpretty and not I feel prettily. Linking verbs such as feel, look, smell, taste, seem, and be properly connect a subject with an adjective, not an adverb. That’s why you (the subject) feel (the linking verb) bad (the adjective), and why something (the subject) looks, smells, tastes, seems, or is (the linking verbs) bad (theadjective),notbadly(theadverb). The fifth sentence, I can write pretty good, should be I can write pretty well. Here good is the adjective(asinIfeelgood)whilewellistheadverb,whichtellsushowweperformtheactionofthe verb:Iwritewell. Theprobleminthesixthsentenceisthemisuseoflayingforlying.Nodoubtyou’veheardeducated peoplesayI’mgoingtolaydowninsteadofliedown,andtelltheirdogstolaydowninsteadofliedown. Perhapsyouevensayitthatwayyourself.Butdespitethefrequencyofthisusageitisnotstandard,and authoritiescontinuallyadmonishustodistinguishproperlybetweentheverbstolay,whichmeanstoput orplace,andtolie,whichmeanstoreclineorcometorest.Thus,youlaysomethingdown,putitdown, butwhenyoutakeanapyouliedown,recline. Finally,intheseventhsentenceIusedthecommonredundancyrepeatthatagain.Whyisthatphrase redundant?Becauserepeatalreadymeanstosayagain.Thisbitofwordinessalsooftenoccurswithother verbsbeginningwithre-suchasrewrite,replay,andremarry,inwhichre-meansagain.Thus,youdon’t remarryagain;youeitherremarryormarryagain. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforthelasttenkeywordsinLevel4: Word41:POLYGLOT(PAHL-ee-glaht) Abletospeakandwritevariouslanguages,multilingual. Lessoften,polyglotmeansspokenorwritteninmultiplelanguages,asapolyglotBibleoranimpressive displayofpolyglotswearing.Polyglotisalsoanounmeaningamultilingualperson,onewhospeaksand writesseverallanguages. PolyglotcomesfromLatinandGreekwordsthatmeantmany-tongued.Itisablendoftwocombining forms:poly-,much,many,several,and-glot,language.Thecombiningformpoly- appears in dozens of Englishwordsbothcommonandobscure.Forexample,polygamy(puh-LIG-uh-mee)ismarriagetomore thanonepersonatonetime,andtheunusualverbtopolylogize(puh-LIL-uh-jyz)meanstotalktoomuch: “She came to resent her polylogizing coworkers, whose constant chirping and cackling distracted her.” LaterinWordWorkoutyouwillalsomeetpolymath(word24ofLevel9),apersonwhoknowsagreat dealaboutmanysubjects. Ourkeyword,polyglot,meansabletospeakandwriteseverallanguages.Apersoncanbepolyglot, multilingual, and sometimes a thing can be described as polyglot. For example, the celebrated 20thcentury novelist Vladimir Nabokov,7 who was born in Russia, grew up in a polyglot home speaking Russian,French,andEnglish.AndNewYorkCityisapolyglotcity,whereonanygivendayyoucanhear manydifferentlanguagesfromallovertheworld. Word42:COMPORT(kum-PORT) Tobearorconductoneself,behave,actinacertainway. TheverbtocomportcomesfromtheLatincomportāre,tocarrytogether,fromcom-,with,andportāre,to carry,thesourcealsooftheEnglishwordsimport;export;deport;report,literallytocarryback,bring back; portable, literally able to be carried; and portfolio, a portable case for carrying loose papers, drawings,andthelike. Tocomportisalwaysfollowedbyareflexivepronoun,meaningonewith-selfor-selvesattheend, such as herself, myself, or themselves, and it suggests behavior that conforms to what is expected, required, or considered proper. In other words, you would comport yourself differently at a fancy restaurant or in church than at a bar or a ball game. Experienced trial lawyers know how to comport themselves in front of a judge and jury. Professional chefs know how to comport themselves in a busy kitchen.Andifyouwanttobeanactoryoumustlearnhowtocomportyourselfonstage. Comportment,one’sbehavior,conduct,orbearing,isthecorrespondingnoun.Demeanor (di-MEEnur) is a close synonym of comportment, but comportment is used of conduct that is appropriate and expected, while demeanor is used of conduct that expresses one’s feeling or attitude toward others: “Nancywasarticulateandcomposedduringtheinterview,andthesearchcommitteewasimpressedwith hercomportment.TheywerenotimpressedwithBetsy,herchiefrivalforthejob,whosedemeanorthey thoughtwassmug.” Tocomportmayalsomeantobeinagreementoraccord,conform,andinthissenseitisfollowedby with,asastatelawthatcomportswithfederallaworstatementsthatdonotcomportwiththetruth. Word43:REVILE(ri-VYL) Tosubjecttoverbalabuse;toattackwithangry,contemptuous,insultingwords. Theverbtorevilecombinestheprefixre-,whichinthiscasemeansagainandagain,andtheLatinvīlis, of little worth, cheap, base, the source of the verb to vilify, to speak ill of, belittle, defame, slander, a synonymofrevile.Othersynonymsofrevileincludedisparage,denigrate,reprove(word35ofLevel3), malign(word41ofLevel3),berate(word37ofLevel4),reproach,upbraid,traduce(truh-D[Y]OOS), vituperate(vy-T[Y]OO-pur-AYT),castigate,andexecrate(EKS-uh-KRAYT). Totraduce,castigate,execrate,vituperate,andrevilearetheharshestofthisfamilyofwords.All implyverbalabuse.Totraduceistoslanderordefameviciouslyandfalsely:“Politicalcampaignstend tofocusontraducingtheopposition.”Tocastigate,whichcomesfromtheLatincastigāre,topunishwith words or blows, means to beat up verbally, criticize severely, especially to subject to harsh public criticism:“TalkradioshowhostslikeRushLimbaughmaketheirlivingcastigatingthosewithwhomthey disagree.”Toexecrate,whichbyderivationmeanstoputacurseupon,suggestsvehementdenunciation promptedbyintenseloathing:“Therewillalwaysbealoudfactiondevotedtoexecratingthepresident, regardless of who occupies the White House.” To vituperate, from the Latin vitium, a fault, defect, blemish—thesourcealsooftheEnglishverbtovitiate(VISH-ee-ayt),tocorrupt,contaminate—meansto findfaultwithinviolent,abusivelanguage,torant(word9ofLevel1)orrailat:“WhenRepublicansand Democratsspendalltheirtimevituperatingeachother,cooperationandcompromiseareimpossible.” Ourkeyword,torevile,suggestsverbalabusepromptedbyhatredorcontempt.Whenyourevile,you attacksomeoneorsomethingyoudislikewithangry,insultingwords:“TheSyriantyrantBasharal-Assad wasreviledforhiscrimesagainsthispeople.” Word44:PERS PICACIOUS (PUR-spi-KAY-shus) Havingapowerfulandpenetratingmind,quicktoseeandunderstand. Synonyms of the adjective perspicacious include keen, insightful, discerning, astute, perceptive, shrewd,andsagacious(suh-GAY-shus).Thenounisperspicacity(PUR-spi-KAS-i-tee),powerfulmental perception, penetrating insight, keen understanding: “Great leaders must have not only a vision for the futurebutalsotheperspicacitytorealizeit.” Perspicacious comes through the Latin perspĭcax, sharp-sighted, from perspĭcere, to see through, investigate,perceive,discern.WhenthewordenteredEnglishintheearly1600sitwasusedliterallyof the eyes and the faculty of sight to mean keen, sharp. But it was soon used of people to mean highly perceptiveordiscerning,havingacuteorpenetratingmentalvision.Thisisthemeaningofperspicacious inmodernusage,andtheliteralsense,keen-eyed,isnowarchaic.Todaywespeakoftheperspicacious teacherwhocandiscerneachchild’sneeds,theperspicaciousreporterwhoaskspenetratingquestions, theperspicaciouscoachwhoknowsjustwhattosaytomotivatetheteam,andtheperspicacioushumorist whoacutelyseestheflawsandfolliesofhumannature. Thewordsperspicuous(pur-SPIK-yoo-us)andperspicaciouslookandsoundsimilar,andbothcome ultimatelyfromtheLatinperspĭcere,toseethrough.Butdespitethiskinshiptheyaresharplydistinguished inmeaning.Perspicuousreferstothatwhichislucidorclearlyexpressed:aperspicuousprosestyleis plain and clear; a perspicuous poem is easily understood. Perspicacious, on the other hand, refers to exceptionalclarityofmind,keenmentalperception,theabilitytoseeandunderstandthingsclearly:“The reportshowedaperspicaciousgraspofthefactsandthecomplexitiesoftheproblem.” Word45:TRIUMVIRATE(try-UHM-vur-it,notTRY-um-VY-rit) Agrouporsetofthree,atrio. The word triumvir (try-UHM-vur) comes from the Latin trium virōrum, of three men, from trēs, three, and vir, a man. In ancient Rome a triumvir was one of three officers or magistrates who, acting as a commission, fulfilled various public duties, from basic things such as guarding against fires at night to seriousmatterssuchasoverseeingtheexecutionofthecondemned. Triumvirate has traditionally applied to a group of three people wielding power, as when Henry Adams, in 1879, wrote that “Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin were a triumvirate which governed the country during eight years,” or to any three people of distinction or influence, as “Byron, Shelley, and KeatsarethetriumvirateofRomanticpoetry.”Butthewordhasincreasinglybeenappliedtoasetofthree things related in some way, a trio. For instance, the Axis—the alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan in World War II—was a triumvirate. And when Yahoo, AOL, and YouTube worked together in 2012 to encouragesocialmediainteractionduringthepresidentialdebates,SteveFriessofpolitico.comcalledit “anunlikelytriumvirate.” Word46:AUGURY(AWG-yur-ee) Anomen,indication,portent;asignofsomethinginthefuture. InancientRome,anaugur(AW-gur)wasakindofsoothsayerorprophet,specificallyareligiousofficial charged with interpreting omens and making predictions. (Take care not to confuse this augur with an auger, a tool for boring.) The Roman augur would observe various natural signs—for example, the movements or cries of birds, the entrails of a sacrificed animal, or the position of the stars—and tell whethertheyindicatedafavorableorunfavorablefutureevent. The noun augury comes from the Latin augurium, which meant either the work of an augur or the observationandinterpretationofomens.WhenitenteredEnglishinthe14thcentury,augurymeantskill in making prophecies or the practice of foretelling events, also called divination. This sense is still in goodstandingtoday.Bytheearly17thcenturyauguryhadalsocometomeanthatfromwhichaprediction isdrawn,anomen,sign,indication,harbinger(word38ofLevel4).Anaugurymaybeunfavorable,as “Wheninterestratesclimbitisoftenanauguryofinflation.”Oritmaybefavorable,as“Thedoveisan auguryofpeace,”or“Thefilm’sawardsatthefestivalmaybeanauguryofsuccessattheOscars.” Writers sometimes use augury in phrases like an augury of things to come or an augury of the future.Theseareredundantconstructionsthatshouldbeavoidedbecauseauguryalreadymeansasignof somethingtocome,anindicationofthefuture. Word47:PALLID(PAL-id,rhymeswithvalid) Lackingcolororliveliness. PallidcomesfromtheLatinpallidus,pale,colorless,whichcomesinturnfromtheverbpallēre, to be pale,especiallywithfearoranxiety.Becauseofthisetymology,sinceitsfirstdocumentedusein1590 pallidhasoftenimpliedpalenessfromillnessorstrongemotion.Skin,faces,cheeks,andlipsareoften describedaspallid,pale,ashywhite,especiallywhentheybelongtoapersonwhoissick,inshock,or dead.Butpallidmayalsoapplytoanythingwithfaintcoloring,asapallidbookwormwhosecomplexion hadneverseenthesun.In“TheEveofSt.Agnes,”JohnKeatsusedpallidofthelightofthemoon:“Out wentthetaperasshehurriedin;/Itslittlesmoke,inpallidmoonshine,died.”Andin“TheRaven,”Edgar AllanPoeusedpallidtodescribethemilkywhitecolorofamarblestatue:“thepallidbustofPallasjust abovemychamberdoor.” Initsextendedfigurativeuse,whichalsodatesbacktothelate1500s,pallidmeanslackingliveliness or vitality. Something may be pallid, lacking in liveliness, because it is weak or feeble, as a pallid responseorapallideconomicrecovery.Orsomethingmaybepallidbecauseitlacksenergyorinterest, andisthereforedull,uninteresting,asanovelwithapallidplotorapallidremakeofaclassicfilm. Synonymsoftheadjectivepallid meaning lacking color, pale, include wan (WAHN), sallow (SALoh), ashen, and haggard (HAG-urd). Synonyms of pallid meaning lacking liveliness include lifeless, cheerless, drab, tedious, tiresome, humdrum, and vapid (VAP-id). The corresponding noun is pallor (PAL-ur),extremepaleness,asfromillnessordeath,asthepallorofcontemporaryfashionmodels. Takecarenottoconfusepallor,paleness,withthewordpall(pronouncedlikethenamePaul).Apall is something that covers or overspreads with darkness or gloom, as the thick pall of smoke from the chimneys,orafeelingofgloom,ashisominouspresencecastapallovertheroom. Word48:INDOLENT(IN-duh-lint) Lazy,idle,inactive;avoidingwork,activity,oreffort. Thenounisindolence,astateoflazyinactivityoraninclinationtobelazy:“Nightsofwildindulgence anddaysofsleepyindolence—thatwasDustin’slifeuntilthemoneyranout.” The adjective indolent and the noun indolence come from the Latin privative prefix in-, not, and dolēre,tosufferpain,grieve.Byderivationindolentmeansnotsufferingpain,andwhenthewordentered English in the late 17th century it was a medical term that meant causing little or no pain, inactive or benign,asanindolenttumororanindolentulcer.Thismedicaluseisstillingoodstanding,butbythe early18thcenturyindolentwasalreadybeingusedofpeopletomeanlazy,idle,inclinedtoavoidwork or activity, as in this 1774 citation from the letters of Horace Walpole, fourth Earl of Orford: “I am naturallyindolent,andwithoutapplicationtoanykindofbusiness.”Morethantwoandahalfcenturies laterindolentisstillusedinthisway.Wespeakofindolentadolescentswhosleeptillnoon,orindolent slackers who shirk their duties at work. Indolent may also be used as a noun: “You don’t become a billionaire, the plutocrat Malcolm Prendergast liked to say, by dispensing charity to the indolent.” (Plutocratisword5ofthislevel.) Synonymsofindolentincludesluggish,slothful,apathetic,spiritless,shiftless,listless(word39of Level 2), lethargic, languid, phlegmatic (fleg-MAT-ik), otiose (OH-shee-ohs), faineant (FAY-nee-int), whichcomesfromFrenchandmeansliterally“hedoesnothing,”andhebetudinous (HEB-uh-T(Y)OOdi-nus),whichcomesfromtheLatinhebēre,tobeblunt,dull,heavy,orinactive. Antonyms of indolent include busy, industrious, diligent, assiduous (uh-SIJ-oo-us), and sedulous (SEJ-uh-lus,word28ofLevel7). Word49:UTILITARIAN(yoo-TIL-uh-TAIR-ee-in) Practical,useful,functional;concernedwithorintendedforordinary,practicaluse. The noun utility means practical usefulness, fitness for some practical purpose, as a prehistoric tool whose utility has long puzzled archaeologists. A public utility provides a practical service to the community, such as distributing water, electricity, or natural gas. A utility knife is a knife used for a numberofpracticalpurposes.Andautilityroomisaroomforappliances,suchasawashingmachineor waterheater,thatperformeveryday,practicalfunctions. Utility,whichenteredEnglishinthe14thcentury,andutilitarian, which entered English in the late 18th century, both come from the Latin ūtĭlis, useful, fit, serviceable, beneficial, the source also of the Englishverbtoutilize,tomakepracticalorprofitableuseof,andtheunusualadjectiveutile(YOO-til),a fancysynonymofuseful. Utilitarianism is the ethical doctrine, promulgated8 in the late 18th century chiefly by the English philosopherJeremyBentham(BEN-thum,1748–1832),thatthegreatesthappinessofthegreatestnumber shouldbetheprimeconsiderationofsocietyandtheaimofallpublicaction.Thisdoctrinenaturallyled to the idea that the virtue or value of something must be judged by its utility, its ability to promote the publicgoodoritspracticalusefulnesstoall. The adjective utilitarian may mean pertaining or adhering to the doctrine of utilitarianism, as a utilitarian law, one intended to promote the welfare of all citizens. But more often utilitarian means havingutility,practicalusefulness,fitnessforausefulpurpose.Thatwhichisutilitarianvaluesfunction overformandusefulnessoverbeauty.Autilitariancaroffersnofrillsoramenitiesandsimplygetsyou whereyouneedtogo.Autilitarianbuildingisafunctionalbuilding,withnoornamentation.Autilitarian dressispractical,notattractive.Andwhilemanywouldusethewordwildlifeforwildanimals,hunters tendtotakeamoreutilitarianviewandcallthemgame. Word50:S ALACIOUS (suh-LAY-shus,rhymeswithflirtatious) Lustful,expressingsexualdesire;also,appealingtosexualdesire,indecentorobscene. Synonymsofsalaciousincludesensual,lewd,lecherous,wanton,prurient(PRUUR-ee-int), lascivious, libidinous (li-BID’n-us), debauched (the verb to debauch is word 30 of Level 5), dissolute (DIS-uhloot,word7ofLevel6),andconcupiscent(kahn-KYOO-pi-sint),whichcomesultimatelyfromtheLatin cupĕre,todesire,longfor,thesourcealsoofthenameCupid,theancientRomangodoflove,typically depicted as an infant boy with wings carrying a bow and arrows, and the English word cupidity, excessivedesireorlusttopossesssomething,especiallywealth;hencegreed,avarice. Antonymsofsalaciousincludemodest,prim,prudish,puritanical,straitlaced, and sanctimonious, whichmeanscharacterizedbyhypocriticalself-righteousness,virtuousness,orreligiouspiety:“Viewers were outraged when the popular televangelist was exposed as a sanctimonious humbug who had committedfraud.” Salacious comes from the Latin salax, lustful or exciting lust, which comes in turn from the verb salīre,toleap,spring.Asalaciouslookorgestureislustful;itexpressessexualdesire.Salaciousimages or salacious details excite lust and are therefore indecent or obscene. In the news these days we often hearaboutapoliticianexchangingsalaciousemailortextmessageswithaparamour(PAR-uh-moor),an illicitlover. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Doespolyglotmeanextremelyhungry,abletospeakvariouslanguages,orproficientinmanysubjects? 2.Whenyoucomportyourself,doyoubehaveinacertainway,calmdown,ormovefromoneplacetoanother? 3.Ifyourevilesomething,doyoufinditdisgusting,abuseitverbally,oradoreit? 4.Areperspicaciouspeopleextremelycautious,verycurious,orveryinsightful? 5.Isatriumvirateagroupofthree,agroupoffour,oragroupoffive? 6.Isanauguryafavorableopportunity,anindication,oraninitiationceremony? 7.Ispallidwritinguninteresting,uncultured,orunreadable? 8.Areindolentpeoplelazy,stupid,oruncooperative? 9.Issomethingutilitarianold-fashioned,ideal,orpractical? 10.Isasalaciouslookhopeful,furious,orlustful? TheStyleFile:ProperPlacementofOnly In Sin and Syntax, her lively guide to effective style, Constance Hale reminds us that adverbs are modifiers: “They need to cozy up to the word they modify.” Take the adverb only, for example. Most writerstossthewordintoasentencewithlittleregardforhowitcansubtlyaffectmeaning.Butcareful writersknowthatonlyshouldbeplacedascloseaspossibletothewordorphraseit’smeanttomodify. LookathowmovingaroundtheadverbonlyinthesentenceShetoldmethatshethoughtaboutme changesthemeaning: Onlyshetoldmethatshethoughtaboutme.(Nooneelsehasmentionedit.) Sheonlytoldmethatshethoughtaboutme.(Shedidn’twritemeorsayanythingelse.) Shetoldonlymethatshethoughtaboutme.(Shedoesn’twantanyoneelsetoknow.) Shetoldmeonlythatshethoughtaboutme.(Shedidn’tsayanythingelseaboutme.) Shetoldmethatonlyshethoughtaboutme.(Nobodyelsethinksaboutme.) Shetoldmethatsheonlythoughtaboutme.(Shedidn’ttakeanyotheraction.) Shetoldmethatshethoughtonlyaboutme.(Iamthesoleobjectofherthoughts.)9 “Ingeneral,onlyoughttobeattachedtothewordorphraseitismodifyingandnotsetadrift,”says Bryson’sDictionaryofTroublesomeWords.TheNewYorkTimesreporterwhowrotethat“insurgencies can only be defeated when … communities and military forces work together” needed a thoughtful copyeditortorepositiononlysothatitwouldbenexttowhatit’ssupposedtomodify:“insurgenciesthat canbedefeatedonlywhen…communitiesandmilitaryforcesworktogether.” Thenexttimeyou’reabouttotypethewordonly,considerhowitspositioninyoursentenceaffects themeaning,andwhetherit’snexttowhatit’ssupposedtomodify. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel4 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Somethinghackneyedlacksfreshnessandinterestorisordinaryanddullfromoveruse. 2.No.Iniquitymeanswickedness,grossinjustice,orawickedorgrosslyunjustact—andpettytheftisnotwickedorgrosslyunjust. 3.Yes.Whimsicalmeansoddlyfancifulorcomical,exhibitingodd,playful,ficklehumor.Thewordmayapplytothingsorpeople. 4.No.Ensconcemeanstheoppositeofexposingtoview:toshelter,cover,orhidesecurely;also,tosettleorfixcomfortablyandsecurely. 5.No.Aplutocratisawealthyandpowerfulperson. 6.No.Whimsicalimpliesplayfulnessandoddhumor.Beatificmeanshaving,showing,orimpartingsupremehappinessorbliss. 7.No.Ifyouareunfetteredbydebtyouarefreeofit.Unfetteredmeansunrestrained,unrestricted,withoutrestraintorcontrol. 8.No.Estrangemeanstomakeunfriendlyorhostile,todistanceorpushaway. 9.Yes.Sibilantmeanshissingormakingthewhistlingsoundofs. 10.Yes.Apunditisanexpert,critic,orcommentatorwhoisfrequentlycalledontoexpressopinionstothepublic. KEYWORDS11–20 1.True.Somethingredolentisstrong-smellingorreminiscentofsomethingelse. 2.True.Aplutocratisawealthyandpowerfulperson,andthere’snothingtostopsomeonelikethatfrombeingademagogue,arabblerouser. 3.False.Amaudlinpersonistearfullysentimentalorfoolishlyemotional,especiallyfromdrunkenness. 4.True.Whenyoubegrudge,youenvyorresentsomeoneelse’sgoodfortune,pleasure,orpossessionofsomething,oryouareunwillingto giveorallowsomethingbecauseofenvyorresentment. 5.False.Adisavowalisarefusaltoacceptoracknowledge.Anavowalisanopendeclaration;afrankacknowledgment,admission,or affirmation. 6.True.Whenyouproselytizeyouattempttoconvertothersfromonereligion,party,cause,oropiniontoanother. 7.False.Aguilelesspersonishonestandinnocent,openandsincere. 8.True.Unconscionablebehaviorisnotguidedorrestrainedbyconscience. 9.False.Whenyouconflateyoubringtogethertwoormoreseparateordifferentthingstoformoneunifiedthing. 10.False.Animusisadeep-seateddislikeorfeelingofillwill. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Aswathisalongstrip,belt,orarea. 2.Synonyms.Aconflagrationisagreat,destructivefire;adisastrousblaze. 3.Antonyms.Mundane,fromtheLatinmundus,world,meansoftheworld,earthly,materialasdistinguishedfromspiritual.Rarefiedmeans highlyrefined,elevated,lofty,orbelongingonlytoasmall,selectgroup,esoteric. 4.Antonyms.Aplutocratisapersonofgreatwealthandpower.Amendicantisabeggar. 5.Synonyms.Torecompenseistorewardorrepayforsomethingdoneorgiven;also,torepayorcompensateforaloss,damage,orinjury. 6.Synonyms.Toinundateistooverflow,overwhelm,flood. 7.Antonyms.Toaggrandizeistoincreasethepower,influence,wealth,orstatusof. 8.Antonyms.Outrémeansbeyondtheboundsofwhatisconsideredusual,normal,orproper;hence,untraditional. 9.Antonyms.Quintessentialmeansbeingtheperfect,mostrefined,ormosttypicalexampleorinstanceofsomething. 10.Synonyms.Topanderistocatertoorindulgethevulgartastesanddesiresofothersortoexploittheirpassions,prejudices,or weaknesses. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Verysecretdoesn’tfit.Sacrosanctmeansverysacredorholy. 2.Unmanageabledoesn’tfit.Indomitablemeansunconquerable,unyielding. 3.Aperson’scircumstancesdoesn’tfit.Mettleisaperson’sdispositionortemperament,orstrengthofspiritorcharacter. 4.Amistakedoesn’tfit.Anellipsisisanomission,somethingleftout. 5.Desperateforloveandattentiondoesn’tfit.Petulantmeansshowingsuddenirritationoranger,impatientovertrivialthings. 6.Dosomethingunthinkinglydoesn’tfit.Todeignistodosomethingbeneathone’sdignityortograntreluctantly. 7.Judgeunfairlydoesn’tfit.Toberateistoscoldorcriticizeharshly. 8.Answerdoesn’tfit.Aharbingerisasignorindicationofsomethingtocome. 9.Frumpy,drabandunattractive,doesn’tfit.Corpulentmeansfleshy,fat. 10.Unsatisfieddoesn’tfit.Aggrievedmeanswronged,offended,injured. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Polyglotmeansabletospeakvariouslanguages,multilingual. 2.Whenyoucomportyourself,youbehaveinacertainway,especiallyinawaythatisappropriate,expected,orrequired. 3.Whenyourevilesomethingyouabuseitverbally,attackitwithangrywords. 4.Perspicaciouspeopleareveryinsightful,quicktoseeandunderstand. 5.Atriumvirateisagroupofthree,atrio. 6.Anauguryisanindication,omen,signofsomethinginthefuture. 7.Pallidwritingisuninteresting,dull.Pallidmeanseitherpale,lackingcolor,orlackinglivelinessorvitality. 8.Indolentpeoplearelazyandtendtoavoidwork,activity,oreffort. 9.Somethingutilitarianispractical,useful,functional. 10.Asalaciouslookislustful.Salaciousmeansexpressingorappealingtosexualdesire. LEVEL5 Word1:BEREFT(bi-REFT) Forciblydeprived,dispossessed,orrobbed;deprivedofsomethingneeded,wanted,orexpected.Also,grieving,bereaved,deprivedofaloved one. Theverbtobereave(bi-REEV)maymeantorob,dispossess,depriveofsomething,ortobedeprivedof alovedonebydeath.Bereavedandbereftarebothpasttensesandpastparticiplesofbereave, and the two forms are distinguished in careful usage. Bereaved means deprived of a loved one by death: “The bereavedfamilyoccupiedthefrontpewatthememorialservice.”Bereftmeansdeprived,oftenforcibly, ofsomethingimmaterial,suchasapossession,aquality,oranemotion,asahousebereftofjoy,awoman bereftofheryouthfulbeauty,orspendingcutsthatlefttheprogrambereftoffinancialsupport. “Tobebereftofsomethingisnottolackitbuttobedispossessedofit,”notesBryson’sDictionaryof TroublesomeWords,whichcitesthefollowingsentenceasanexampleofthecommonbutcarelessuseof berefttomeanlacking:“Manychildrenleaveschoolaltogetherbereftofmathematicalskills.”Werethose children stripped of their math skills before graduation? Unless their teachers somehow managed to unteachthem,theymerelylackmathskills;theycannotbedeprivedofskillstheyneverpossessed. Thephrasebereftofideasisalsocommonlymisusedtomeanlackingideasorbarrenofideasrather thandeprivedofideas. Whenyou’rebereftyouhavelostorbeendeprivedofsomethingyouwant,need,orexpect.“Madam, youhavebereftmeofallwords,”writesShakespeareinTheMerchantofVenice.Ifyouareinahopeless situation,you’rebereftofhope.Ifyou’reasmokerwho’sjustsmokedthelastcigaretteinthepack,you’re bereftofcigarettes.Andwhenpeoplelosetheircomposureanddocrazythings,wesaythey’rebereftof theirsenses. Word2:NEMES IS (NEM-i-sis) Apersonorthingthatmetesoutvengeanceorpunishment,thatbringsaboutsomeone’sdownfall,orthatcannotbeovercome;an unconquerableavenger. NemesiscomesfromthenameNemesis,theancientGreekgoddessofretribution (RE-tri-BYOO-shin), repayment in return for a wrong, vengeance. In Greek mythology, explains The Century Dictionary, Nemesis was “a goddess personifying allotment, or the divine distribution to every man of his precise shareoffortune,goodandbad.Itwasherespecialfunctiontoseethattheproperproportionofindividual prosperitywaspreserved,andthatanyonewhobecametooprosperousorwastoomuchupliftedbyhis prosperity should be reduced or punished; she thus came to be regarded as the goddess of divine retribution.” Traditionally,anemesisisanagentofretribution,anunconquerableavenger,asinthissentencefrom 1870: “Scientific skepticism … is the Nemesis which will crush institutionalized religion into nothingness.”InhisusageguideRight,Wrong,andRisky,MarkDavidsoncitesa1997NewYorkTimes headline that “identified Mississippi Attorney General Michael C. Moore as a ‘Tobacco Industry Nemesis’ for filing ‘the first lawsuit by a state against the nation’s cigarette manufacturers … [and leading]across-countrycrusadethathasrallied21otherstatestothecause.’” In contemporary usage this traditional meaning has been watered down, and the word is now frequentlyusedasafancier-soundingsynonymofrival,opponent,orenemy,ofteninthehackneyed(word 1ofLevel4)phraseoldnemesisorcombinedwitharch-toformapretentioussubstituteforarchenemy orarchrival.Herearetwoexamplesofthisdilutedusage:“TheMetsroseuptobattertheiroldnemesis, theBraves,9–4”(Star-Ledger,NewJersey);“Hisarch-nemesisistheevilLexLuthor,whodiminishes Superman’spowerwithKryptonite”(DavidMansour,FromAbbatoZoom,2005). Citationsliketheseperturb(word25ofLevel6)manyusageexperts.“Anemesis,”cautionsBryson’s DictionaryofTroublesomeWords,“isnotmerelyarivalortraditionaladversary…butonewhoexacts retributivejusticeorisutterlyunvanquishable.”Carefulwritersandspeakersavoidusingnemesisforany oldrivalorenemyandreservethewordforapersonorthingthatmetesoutretributivejusticeorthatis impossibletoovercome. Word3:EQUIVOCATE(i-KWIV-uh-kayt) Touseevasiveorambiguouslanguagesoastoavoidcommitmentortowillfullymislead. The verb to equivocate entered English in 1590, formed from the past participle of the Middle Latin aequivocāre, to call by the same name, from aequus, equal, and vocāre, to call, the source also of the Englishevoke,tocallforth,andvocation,acallingtosomeoccupationorcourseofaction. Inhislandmarkdictionaryof1755,SamuelJohnsondefinedequivocateas“tousewordsofdouble meaning; to use ambiguous expressions; to mean one thing and express another.” This is still the core senseofthewordtoday.Whenyouequivocateyouexpressyourselfinasubtleandevasivemanner,using ambiguous words and double meanings so as to mislead. In short, you say one thing but mean another. “The witness shuffled, equivocated, [and] pretended to misunderstand the questions,” wrote Thomas BabingtonMacaulayinhiscelebratedHistoryofEngland(1849–61). Synonyms of the verb to equivocate include to dodge, shuffle, quibble, dissemble (di-SEM-bul), prevaricate(pri-VAR-i-kayt),palter(PAWL-tur),andtergiversate(TUR-ji-vur-sayt).Ofthesewords,to dissemble means specifically to disguise or cover up the facts, or to conceal one’s true feelings or motives;toprevaricateistoevadethetruth,sometimeswithanoutrightlie;topalteristotriflewiththe truthbyexpressingoneselfinsincerelyordeceitfully;andtotergiversateistouseevasivelanguagesoas toavoidtakingafirmstand.Thewell-wornexpressionstomincewordsandtobeataroundthebushare alsocloseinmeaningtoourkeyword,toequivocate. The noun is equivocation, an evasive or ambiguous statement. The adjective is equivocal, deliberately vague, evasive, or ambiguous, as an equivocal answer. Its antonym, unequivocal (un-iKWIV-uh-kul),meansstraightforward,clearanddirect:“Theyvoicedtheirunequivocalsupport.” Word4:PHILIS TINE(FIL-i-steen) Anarrow-mindedpersonwithordinarytasteswhohasnointerestintheartsorlearning;anuneducatedandunculturedperson. Intheancientworldofthe12thand11thcenturies B.C.,Philistia(fi-LIS-tee-uh)wasacountryontheeast coast of the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and Syria whose inhabitants, the Philistines, were continually engaged in territorial warfare with the ancient Israelites. “In the Bible the great Hebrew antagonistsofthePhilistinesareSamson,Saul,andDavid,”saystheColumbiaEncyclopedia.Saulwas the “first king of the ancient Hebrews,” whose “proximity to the Philistines brought him into constant conflictwiththem”;SamsonwasdeliveredintothehandsofthePhilistinesbythetreacherousDelilah, whocutoffthehairthatgaveSamsonhisgreatstrength;andyoungDavidslewtheformidable(FOR-miduh-buul)PhilistinegiantGoliathwithaslingshot. From this wartorn ancient history philistine came to be used, often humorously, of any enemy or persecutor,orofadebauchedordrunkenperson.(Theverbtodebauchisword30ofthislevel.)Butby the early 1800s the word had acquired its modern and dominant meaning: an uneducated, materialistic personwhoissmuglyindifferenttoartandculture. Inmodernusage,aphilistineistheoppositeofaconnoisseur(KAHN-uh-SUR,likeconasir,notcon a sewer). While the connoisseur has expert knowledge and subtle appreciation of some art form or aestheticpursuit,thephilistineisuneducatedandunculturedanddoesn’tcareawhit.Fineart,literature, classicalmusic,andgourmetcooking—oftencalledhautecuisine(OHT-kwi-ZEEN)—arealllostonthe philistine,whosetastesareordinaryandwhosesensibilityisunrefined. Word5:BACCHANALIAN(BAK-uh-NAY-lee-in) Characterizedby,orgivento,drunkenrevelry;frenzied,riotous,ororgiastic. Bacchanalianisaneponymousword—onederivedfromaname—becausenestledwithinitisthename Bacchus(BAK-us,notBAH-kus),theancientRomangodofwineandecstasy,calledDionysus(DY-uhNY-sis)bytheancientGreeks.BecauseBacchus,orDionysus,“apparentlyrepresentedthesap,juice,or lifeblood element in nature, lavish festal orgies in his honor were widely instituted,” says MerriamWebster’s Encyclopedia of Literature. (Festal, pronounced FES-tul, means pertaining to or befitting a feastorfestival.)Ariotous,drunkencelebrationofBacchuswascalledabacchanal(BAK-uh-NAL,like backcanal),awordoftenusedtodayofanywild,drunkenparty.Thesebacchanalia(BAK-uh-NAY-leeuh),drunkencelebrations,wereattendedbycarousersknownasbacchants(BAK-ints),awordstillused todayofdrunkenrevelers.1 BacchanalianoriginallyreferredtotheorgiasticRomanfestivalofBacchus,butthewordwassoon appliedtoanyriotous,drunkenrevelryorwildcarousing.ThepeculiarAmericanritualknownasspring break, in which cartloads of college students travel to the beach for a week of unrestrained revelry involvingcopiousamountsofboozeandbareskin,isdecidedlybacchanalian. Word6:S CHIS M(SIZ’m;commonlybutimproperly,SKIZ’m)2 Adivision,split,orbreak;specifically,disunion,adivisionorseparationintoopposingfactionsofagroupthatpreviouslyactedtogetherasone. Schism comes through Middle English, French, and Late Latin from the Greek schisma, a rent, cleft, division.ThisGreekschismacomesinturnfromtheverbschizein,tosplitorrend,whichisrelatedto theEnglishverbtoshed. Originallyaschismwasaformaldivisionorbreachofunityinachurchorreligiousbody.Thissense ofthewordisstillingoodusetoday.Laterschismwasappliedtoanysect,party,orgroupformedbya schism, a division or split, as in this 1647 quotation from the English historian James Howell: “Hence comesitthattheearthisrentintosomanyreligions,andthosereligionstornintosomanyschismes,and variousformesofdevotion.”Finally,sincethe15thcenturyschismhasalsobeenusedgenerallyofany splitordivisionresultingfromdiscordanddisunitywithinagroup,asaschisminthecitycouncil, or anyseveranceofunitybetweenpeopleorthings,astheschismintheAmericanelectoratebetweenblue statesandredstatesoraschismofthemindandheart. The adjective is schismatic (siz-MAT-ik), of or pertaining to a schism, and the verb is schismatize (SIZ-muh-tyz),tocauseaschismin. Word7:LINGUAFRANCA(LING-gwuhFRANK-uh) Acommonlanguage;amediumofcommunicationbetweenpeoplewhospeakdifferentlanguages. Thepluralispreferablylinguafrancas(FRANK-uhz). Lingua franca comes to English directly from Italian, where it means literally “Frankish tongue.” (Frankish, a synonym of French, in this case means pertaining to the nations of Europe or the West.) Originally,lingua franca was a mixture of languages—consisting mostly of Italian with bits of French, Spanish, Greek, Arabic, and Turkish—used by sailors and merchants in Mediterranean ports. The term soon broadened to designate any language, mixed or not, that serves as a means of communication for people who speak different languages. For example, for a long time Latin was the lingua franca of the Roman Catholic Church, and although Hindi is not the native language of most Indians, it is the lingua francaofIndia. Today lingua franca is most often used either to denote a common language used by people who speak different languages or, figuratively, to denote something that functions like a common language: “Discontentwithhighpricesisthelinguafrancaofshopperseverywhere”(SydneyMorningHerald). In the 20th century English displaced French as the lingua franca of diplomacy. It is also the lingua francaofinternationalaviation.AndbecauseEnglishisnowspoken,withatleastsomedegreeoffluency, byperhapsmorethantwobillionpeoplearoundtheworld,ithasbecomethelinguafrancaoftheglobal marketplace,oftheInternet,andofpopularcultureworldwide—partlybecauseofitsinsatiableappetite forforeignwordsandphraseslikelinguafranca. Word8:WINS OME(WIN-sum) Charming,agreeable,andpleasantinappearanceormanner. Synonyms of winsome include winning, captivating, engaging, enchanting, prepossessing—which meanscreatingafavorableimpression,asawell-spoken,prepossessingjobcandidate—and beguiling, which may mean deceptive, misleading, as beguiling words, or charming, alluring, delightful, as a beguilingmelody. Winsome,whichcomesfromanOldEnglishwordthatmeantjoy,alwaysimpliessweetandsincere charm as opposed to the stiff, insincere charm people manufacture to be polite or make a good impression.Pleasantandfriendlyyoungpeople,orpleasantandfriendlyolderfolkswhoseemyoungat heart,areoftencalledwinsome,foracertainchildlikeinnocenceandlightheartednessarequalitiesoften impliedbywinsome. Almostanythingsweetlycharmingandagreeableinappearanceormannercanbecalledwinsome.A face,alaugh,avoice,asmile,apieceofmusic,apainting,anovel,apoem,aballerina,oranattractive andagreeableperson(usuallyayoungwoman)canallbewinsome. Word9:PATRICIAN(puh-TRISH-in) Aristocratic;ofhighbirthorsocialstanding;upper-class. Synonyms of patrician include noble, royal, blue-blooded, and silk-stocking—as a silk-stocking district, an area where you will find wealthy people engaged in fashionable pursuits. Antonyms of patricianincludeplebeian(ple-BEE-in,word20ofthislevel);proletarian(PROH-luh-TAIR-ee-in),of or pertaining to the proletariat (PROH-luh-TAIR-ee-it), the working class; and bourgeois (boor- ZHWAH),pertainingtoorcharacteristicofthemiddleclass,especiallythemediocrityandmaterialistic aspirationsofthemiddleclass.(Besuretopronouncetherinthemiddleofbourgeoisandrhymethefirst syllablewithpoor.Don’tsayboozh-WAH,buuzh-WAH,orbuush-WAH. Patrician comes from the Latin patrĭcĭus, which meant either a member of the patres, the ancient Romannobility,orbelongingtothatupperclass.InancientRomanhistory,apatricianwassomeonewho belonged to one of the original citizen families of the city, and specifically a member of the senatorial aristocracy appointed by Romulus, the legendary founder of the city. By the 17th century patrician had cometodenoteapersonfromanestablishedandwealthyfamily,amemberoftheupperclass,andasan adjectiveitwasusedtomeanpertainingtowell-educated,privilegedpeopleofrefinedtastes.Todaythe adjectiveisusedofalmostanythingthatsmacksofupper-classmembershipormanners,asa patrician air,apatricianstyle,patriciancourtesy,apatricianaccent,andevenapatriciannose. Word10:REDACT(ri-DAKT) Toedit,revise,prepareapieceofwritingforpublication;especially,toadaptorremovetextfromadocumenttomakeitsuitablefor publication. TheverbtoredactcomesfromtheLatinredactus,thepastparticipleoftheverbredĭgĕre,todrive,lead, orsendback,whichcomesinturnfromre-,back,andagĕre,todriveorsetinmotion,thesourceofthe Englishnounagent,apersonorthingthatacts,andagitate,toshake,disturb,excite. Toreviseandtoeditarethegeneralwordsforpreparingatextforpublication.Toredactistoeditor revise with greater scrutiny, particularly with an eye toward deleting or masking any objectionable or sensitive material. This implication sometimes makes redact a synonym of censor, purge, expurgate (EKS-pur-GAYT), and bowdlerize (BOWD-luh-ryz): “The judge denied defense counsel’s request to redactthenamesoftheallegedconspiratorsfromthetranscriptofthetrial.” Thenounredactionistheactofeditingtextforpublication,particularlybyremovinginappropriate material,oranytextthathasbeenredacted,revisedandadaptedsoastomakesuitableforpublication. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Isafamilywhosehousehasjustburneddownbereftofaplacetolive? 2.Incarefulusage,isyournemesisyourenemyorrival? 3.Doessomeonewhoequivocatesspeakhonestlyandstraightforwardly? 4.Isaphilistinelikelytoenjoygoingtotheopera? 5.Wouldabacchanalianeventbecalmandquiet? 6.Isaschismacomingtogetherofgroupsthatwereformerlydivided? 7.IsEnglishthelinguafrancaofinternationalaviation? 8.Cansomethingsweetlycharmingandagreeablebewinsome? 9.Doespatricianmeanbelongingtothemiddleclass? 10.Arenewspaperstoriesusuallyredactedbeforepublication? DifficultDistinctions:PracticalandPracticable Haveyoueverwonderedwhetherthere’sadifferencebetweentheadjectivespracticalandpracticable? Thereis,notonlyinmeaningbutalsoinpronunciation—practicalhasthreesyllablesbutpracticablehas four:PRAK-ti-kuh-bul. Practical means having a useful purpose or capable of being put to good use. Practicable means workable,feasible,doable,capableofbeingputintopractice.Ausefultoolispractical,ofgooduse;a well-designedplanispracticable,workable. *** Herearethenexttenkeyworddiscussions: Word11:PRÉCIS (pray-SEE) Abriefsummary,especiallyofabook,article,orothertext;aconciseoutlineofessentialpointsorfacts. Synonyms of précis include digest, synopsis, condensation, abstract, abridgment, conspectus, and aperçu(ap-air-SOO).Thewordrésumé(REZ-uh-may),familiartomillionsofjob-seekerswhoprepare onetooutlinetheirprofessionalexperienceandaccomplishments,mayalsobeusedtomeanasummary, condensedstatement,andinthissenseitisalsoasynonymofprécis. Précis comes directly from the French noun précis, a summary, and in English précis is most often usedtomeanaconcisesummaryofsomethingwritten,suchasaspeech,novel,oracademictreatise.But aprécismayalsobeasummaryofatopic,asaprécisofthescientificconsensusonclimatechange. Précis-writing is the art of composing précis, brief summaries or abstracts, and a précis-writer is a personwhowritesprécis.(Thepluralispronouncedpray-SEEZ.) Although précis has been used in English since about 1750, it is still always printed with an acute accentoverthee,asinFrench. Word12:TAXONOMY(tak-SAHN-uh-mee) Thebranchofbiologythatdealswithclassification,oranorderlysystemofnamingandclassifyingorganisms. Taxonomy,whichEnglishborrowedintheearly19thcenturyfromFrench,isablendoftwocombining formsfromGreek:taxo-,arrangement,order,and-nomy,whichdesignates“asystemoflawsgoverninga (specified)fieldorthesumofknowledgeregardingthem”(Webster2),asinastronomy,thestudyofthe laws of the universe, and agronomy (uh-GRAH-nuh-mee), the science of soil management and crop production. Inbiology,taxonomyisasystemofidentifying,naming,andclassifyinglivingthings,suchasplants andanimals.Therelatedwordnomenclature(NOH-men-KLAY-chur)referstothesystemofnamesused in a science, art, or branch of knowledge. In the 18th century, the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (KAR-uh-lusli-NEE-us)inventedthebinomial(by-NOH-mee-ul)systemofnomenclature,inwhichtwo Latinnamesareassignedtoeachspecies(properlySPEE-sheez,notSPEE-seez),thefirstidentifyingthe genus(JEE-nus),orgeneralkind,andthesecondidentifyingthespeciesitself. Traditionallytaxonomydenotestheclassificationoforganisms,butinmodernusageitmayalsorefer totheorderlyclassificationofanything,asinthetaxonomyoftimetravelinmovies,thesocialtaxonomy ofhighschool,andataxonomyofsportscoaches. Word13:S UBLIMINAL(suhb-LIM-i-nul) Belowone’slevelofawareness;existingin,comingfrom,orsubtlyaffectingthesubconsciousmind. The adjective subliminal combines the Latin sub, under, and līmen, the threshold, border, and by derivationmeansbelowthethresholdorborderofconsciousness.Somethingsubliminalfunctionsbelow thelevelofyourawareness,asasubliminaldesireorasubliminalimpulse. Subliminalmessagesmayeitheroriginateinyoursubconsciousorinfluenceyoursubconsciousmind. Forexample,advertisingoftensendsthesubliminalmessagethatyouwillbehappier,healthier,wealthier, orsmarterifyoubuyorconsumeacertainproduct.Post-hypnoticsuggestionoperatesonasubliminal,or subconscious, level, as do self-improvement programs that promise to teach you while you sleep. (Whethertheycanfulfillthatpromiseisanothermatter.)Propagandaalsoworkssubliminallybecauseit canevokearesponsewithoutawarenessofthatresponse;inotherwords,itcanpersuadepeopleorcall them to action by stirring up strong emotions—fear or hatred or self-interest—that lie below their thresholdofconsciousness. The verb to sublimate (SUHB-li-mayt) and the noun sublimation have specific meanings in psychology.Tosublimateistosuppressone’sprimitive,instinctive,orsociallyunacceptableimpulses— tokeepthembeneathone’slevelofconsciousness—andtomodifyordiverttheantisocialenergyofthose impulses into something socially acceptable. Sublimation refers to the act of sublimating, of keeping distastefulimpulsesbelowthethresholdofawareness,asthesublimationofsexualdesire. Word14:MIS ANTHROPY(mis-AN-thruh-pee) Hatredordistrustofhumankind;spitefulpessimismaboutthehumanrace. The noun misanthrope (MIS-un-throhp) denotes a person who hates or deeply distrusts other human beings.Andtheadjectivemisanthropic(MIS-un-THRAHP-ik)meanshavinganaversion(uh-VUR-zhun) tothehumanrace.(Aversionisintensedislikeordisgust.)Thesewords,andourkeyword,misanthropy, hatredordistrustofhumankind,allcomefromtheGreekmīsánthrōpos,hatinghumankind,whichcomes inturnfrommisein,tohate,andánthrōpos,aman,humanbeing. From the Greek ánthrōpos we get the combining form anthropo-, of or pertaining to human beings, which appears in numerous English words, including anthropomorphic (AN-throh-puh-MOR-fik), shaped like or resembling a human being; anthropomorphize (AN-thruh-puh-MOR-fyz), to personify, give human form or feelings to something not human; and anthropoid (AN-thruh-poyd), resembling or shapedlikeahumanbeing. Thefamiliarwordphilanthropy,fromtheGreekphilein,tolove,andánthrōpos,aman,humanbeing, isloveofhumankind—theoppositeofourkeyword,misanthropy,hatredordistrustofhumankind. Word15:IMPRIMATUR(IM-pri-MAH-tur) Approval,support;also,amarkofapprovalorsupport. Synonymsofimprimaturincludelicense,sanction,authorization,sponsorship,anddispensation. Imprimatur comes directly from the New Latin word imprimātur, which means “let it be printed.” Originallyanimprimaturwasanofficiallicensetoprintandpublishgrantedbythelicenserofthepress, especiallysuchalicensegrantedbyacensoroftheRomanCatholicChurch. Fromthisspecificsenseimprimaturbroadenedtomeanapproval,license,orsupportingeneral,ora mark of approval or support. Thus, when Oprah Winfrey selected a book for her book club, everyone knew that receiving her imprimatur would make the book a bestseller. And if the American Dental Associationputsitsimprimaturonabrandoftoothpaste,thattoothpastehasboththeADA’ssupportand itsmarkofdistinction. Word16:CANARD(kuh-NARD) Afalse,absurd,andoftenderogatorystoryorreport. Acanardmaybeapublishedreport,awidelycirculatedstory,ormerelyarumor.Whatmakesitacanard is that it is groundless, meaning it has no basis in fact; it has been fabricated, made up, usually to disparage or make fun of someone or something; and it is ridiculous—though not so ridiculous that it won’tfoolpeople.Thetabloidshavealwaysreveledinpublishingcanards,falseorexaggeratedreports, abouttheallegedlyscandalousbehaviorofcelebrities,buttheirpreeminenceinthebusinessofcirculating nonsenseisswiftlybeingrivaledbytheobsessivelytweetingpublic. Canard is the French word for a duck, and, as Robert Hendrickson explains in The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, we use it in English to mean a ridiculously false story becauseoftheFrenchexpressionvendreuncanardàmoitié, which meant literally to half-sell a duck. BecausetheimplicationoftheFrenchexpressionwasnottoselltheduckatall,itsfigurativemeaning, writesHendrickson,was“tomakeafooloutofabuyer,oranyoneelse,withafalsestory.” Word17:PERFIDIOUS (pur-FID-ee-us) Deliberatelybetrayinganother’strustorconfidence;treacherous. TheadjectiveperfidiouscomesfromtheLatinperfĭdĭōsus,faithless,treacherous,dishonest,andhasthe same meaning in English as its Latin source. The word also usually implies a base and calculated treacheryorbetrayal.Aperfidiouspersonisdeliberatelydishonestanddisloyal;aperfidiousgovernment purposely betrays the faith and confidence of its people and its allies. The corresponding noun perfidy (PUR-fi-dee) means an act of treachery, a deliberate breach of faith or trust, or deceitfulness, untrustworthiness,astheperfidyofacheatingspouse. Take care not to confuse the adjectives perfidious and insidious. Insidious applies to deceit or treachery accomplished by stealth or in a sly, devious manner. Insidious ideas spread ill or harm in a subtleway.Aninsidiousplotattemptstodeceiveorensnarebysecretmeans.Andaninsidiousdisease developsinagradual,seeminglyharmlessway.Perfidious,ontheotherhand,isusedofanybetrayalof trust or confidence, whether secret or open, and always implies deliberate deceit and disloyalty. Perfidiousfriendswillcheatordeceiveyouatthefirstopportunity.Perfidiousdeedsareactions,whether subtleorobvious,thatbetrayanother’strustorconfidence. Synonyms of perfidious include traitorous, faithless, dishonorable, deceitful, untrustworthy, unscrupulous, and duplicitous (d[y]oo-PLIS-i-tus). Antonyms include trustworthy, loyal, faithful, steadfast,dutiful,scrupulous,andincorruptible. Word18:EPIPHANY(e-PIF-uh-nee) Amomentofsuddenanddramaticinsightorrealization;arevelation. EpiphanycomesfromtheGreekepipháneia,amanifestation,apparition,especiallytheappearanceofa divinity. Originally an epiphany was an appearance of a divine being, for as a proper noun Epiphany (note the capital E) is the Christian festival of Twelfth Night, celebrated on January 6, the twelfth day after Christmas, and commemorating what Christians believe was the manifestation of Christ’s divine naturetotheworldthroughthethreewisemencalledtheMagi(properlypronouncedMAY-jy).Epiphany maystilldenotetheappearanceofadeity,butmoreoftenitappliestoanysuddenanddramaticmomentof insightorrealization. Inmodernusage,whenyouhaveanepiphanyyouexperience“asudden,intuitiveperceptionof…the essentialmeaningofsomething,”aperception“usuallyinitiatedbysomesimple,homely,orcommonplace occurence or experience,” says The Random House Dictionary. The corresponding adjective is epiphanic(EP-i-FAN-ik),whichisoftenusedinliterarycriticismtomeanpertainingtoormarkedbyan epiphany,amomentofdramaticinsightorrealization. Word19:PRATTLE(PRAT’l,rhymeswithrattle) Totalkinafoolish,childish,orsimplemindedway;tochatterorbabble. TheverbtoprattleprobablycomesfromaMiddleLowGermanwordthatmeanttochatter,babble,or cackle,andiscloselyrelatedinetymologyandmeaningtotheverbtoprate,whichwasoriginallyusedof chickens to mean “to make the loud clucking noise associated with laying an egg” (OED). In modern usage to prate is most often used to mean to talk at great length, especially in a boastful or pompous manner, while to prattle is most often used to mean to talk at great length, especially in a foolish or pointlessway. Toblather(BLATH-ur,rhymeswithrather)isanotherclosesynonymofprattle.Toblathersuggests excessive talking that is of no consequence or even nonsensical, while to prattle suggests excessive talkingthatischildishorgossipy.Blatheringandprattlingbothdenoteexcessivetalking,butblathering istrivialandtediouswhileprattlingissillyorsimpleminded. Prattle may also be used as a noun to mean babble or chatter, as the prattle of a preschool playground,oritmaymeanababblingsound,astheprattleofbirdsortheprattleofthecreek. A prattler is a person who talks foolishly and constantly, a babbler. Other words for this kind of nonstoptalkerincludechatterbox,blabbermouth,blatherer,windbag,magpie(afterthechatteringbird); palaverer (puh-LAV-ur-ur), from the verb to palaver, to talk profusely (profuse, pronounced pruhFYOOS,meansinabundanceorwithoutrestraint);andblatherskite (BLATH-ur-skyt), which combines theverbtoblatherwiththesuffix-skite,analterationofskate,acontemptibleperson,asincheapskate,a miser. Word20:PLEBEIAN(ple-BEE-in) Oforpertainingtothecommonpeople;hence,popular,common,vulgar. PlebeiancomesfromtheLatinplēbēĭus,whichmeantofthecommonpeople.ThisLatinplēbēĭuscomes inturnfromplebs,thecommonpeople,themasses,themob,andformorethanfourcenturiesplebs has beenusedinEnglishwiththissamemeaning.InancientRome,theplebswerethecommonpeopleanda plebeianwasamemberoftheplebs,themasses.Theplebeians,orcommoners,weresocialoppositesof thepatricians(word9ofthislevel),theancientRomannobilityorupperclass.AlsofromtheLatinplebs, thecommonpeople,comestheunusualEnglishwordplebiscite(PLEB-i-syt),whichmeansadirectvote ofallthepeopleonsomematterofgreatpublicimportance,suchasself-determinationingovernment. WhenplebeianenteredEnglishinthe16thcentury,itwasfirstanounmeaningamemberoftheRoman plebsandanadjectivemeaningoforbelongingtotheRomanplebs.Butthenounsooncametobeusedof anypersonoflowsocialstanding,andtheadjectivewasalsosoonappliedtoanyoneofordinarybirthor rank to mean belonging to or characteristic of the working classes. And since the late 18th century the abbreviatedformplebhasbeenusedtomeananunculturedperson. Synonymsofplebeianincludelowborn,blue-collar,proletarian(PROH-luh-TAIR-ee-in), lowbrow, unsophisticated, and unrefined. Antonyms include aristocratic, patrician, highborn, blue-blooded, highbrow,andhighfalutin. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Ifyoudon’thavetimetoreadallofsomething,youcanreadaprécisofit. 2.Binomialnomenclatureisthesystemofnamesusedintaxonomy. 3.Somethingsubliminalisemergingfromthesubconsciousmind. 4.Philanthropyistheoppositeofmisanthropy. 5.Somethingyoudisapproveofwouldnotgetyourimprimatur. 6.Unsuspectingpeopletendtobelievecanards. 7.Perfidiousfriendsarejustasbadasenemies. 8.Anepiphanyisasuddenimpulsetodosomething. 9.It’sinterestingtolistentopeoplewhoprattle. 10.Apersonofhighbirthorrankisplebeian. TheStyleFile:LikeversusAsIf “I’mconfusedabouttheuseofitlookslike,”writesCatherineAthearn.“Isitcorrecttosay,‘Itlookslike it’sgoingtorainthisafternoon,’orshouldwesay,‘Itlooksasifit’sgoingtorainthisafternoon’?” InTheCarefulWriter,TheodoreM.Bernsteinwritesthat“likecannotstandforasif,exceptforafew idiomaticphrasessuchas‘Thecarlookslikenew’and‘Theycheeredlikecrazy.’Butitisnotproperto write,‘Hespentmoneylikeitwasgoingoutofstyle’[makethatasifitweregoingoutofstyle],or‘The Russiansadvocateddisarmamentliketheymeantit.’” Thathaslongbeenthereigningopinionamongusageauthorities:like,asin“Itlookslikeit’sgoingto rain,” is not appropriate in careful writing—or what is often called “edited writing,” meaning that someonewhoknowssomethingaboutStandardWrittenEnglishhascheckedthepieceforpropergrammar andstyle.Incasualspeech,however,thiscommonuseoflikeisforgivable.Andofcourseyoumayeither sayorwrite,withimpunity(word6ofLevel2),“Itlookslikerain.” Regardingthechoicebetweenasifandasthoughinthiscontext,mostusageexpertsagreethatthey areinterchangeable. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word21:GULL(rhymeswithdull) Tocheat,trick,deceive,takeadvantageof. Theverbtogullisofuncertainorigin.Thewordmayalsobeusedasanountomeanapersonwhois easilycheatedortakenadvantageof.Justasyoucanfoolafoolanddupeadupe,youcangullagull— trickordeceiveafoolish,unwary,oroverlytrustingperson.Gullinggullsisthespecialtyofswindlers andconartists,whocalltheirvictimsmarks. Therelatedadjectivegullible,whichmeanseasilyfooled,cheated,ordeceived,combinestheverbto gullwiththesuffix-ible,whichmeanscapableofbeing,asintangible,capableofbeingdiscernedbythe senseoftouchorrealizedbythemind,fromtheLatintangĕre,totouch;andcredible, capable of being believed,fromtheLatincredĕre,tobelieve,trust,thesourcealsooftheEnglishcreed,asetofbeliefsor principles.AlsofromtheLatincredĕre,tobelieve,comestheadjectivecredulous(KREJ-uh-lus),aclose synonym of gullible that means too inclined to believe, willing to accept something as true without questioning. Synonyms of the verb to gull include to dupe, defraud, swindle, hoodwink, fleece, bamboozle, and cozen(KUZ-’n,likecousin). Word22:COMPENDIOUS (kum-PEN-dee-us) Condensed,abridged;containingthesubstanceofasubjectinbriefform;brieflybutcomprehensivelyexpressed. Concise and succinct (suhk-SINGKT, with the first c like k) are synonyms of compendious. Antonyms includecomprehensive,extensive,thoroughgoing,sweeping,exhaustive,andvoluminous. CompendiousdatesbackinEnglishtobefore1400andcomesfromtheLatincompendium, literally that which is weighed together, hence a saving or shortcut. Since the late 16th century this Latin compendiumhasbeenusedinEnglishtomeanasummary,condensation,orabridgmentofalargerwork or of some area of knowledge. In 1713 the English poet Alexander Pope wrote, “Indexes and Dictionaries…aretheCompendiumofallKnowledge,”andthatisstillhowthewordisbestusedtoday: “Cuevasdescribesthebookasacompendiumofconversations…abouthislife”(Los Angeles Times). Butsinceaboutthemid-20thcenturypeoplehavealsobeenusingcompendiumtomeanacompletelistof something,oracollection,compilation,asin“anannualcompendiumoftheUK’sbestfooddestinations” or “a two-hour-long compendium of 26 short films.” This twist of meaning has sparked concern and objection among authorities on usage and has also affected the adjective compendious, which many peoplenowusetomeanbig,comprehensive,all-embracing. “Compendious means ‘abridged, succinct,’ not ‘voluminous,’ as writers often mistakenly believe,” saysGarner’sModernAmericanUsage.“Perhapstheerrorstemsfromtheideathatacompendiumis,at best,afairlycomprehensiveabridgment.Butproperlyspeaking,theemphasisfallsontheabridgment,not oncomprehensive.” What’s the difference between a compendium and an abridgment? A compendium may consist of previouslypublishedmaterialorbeacondensedsummaryofanybroadsubject,whileanabridgmentis alwaysashorterversionofalongerpieceofwriting. Word23:RHAPS ODIZE(RAP-suh-dyz) Toexpressoneselfwithextravagantemotionorenthusiasm. A rhapsody (RAP-suh-dee), the noun corresponding to the verb to rhapsodize, was originally an epic poem,oraportionofit,“ofasuitablelengthforrecitationatonetime”(OED).Rhapsodyhasalsobeen usedofamiscellaneousliterarycollectionorofanymiscellaneouscollection,especiallyamuddledone, as in this sentence from Frank McCourt’s 2005 memoir Teacher Man: “They produced a rhapsody of excuses,rangingfromafamilyepidemicofdiarrheatoasixteen-wheelertruckcrashingintoahouse.” Since the early 17th century rhapsody has also been used of any highly emotional piece of writing withanirregularordisconnectedform,orofanyecstaticorintenseexpressionoffeeling;andsincethe early19thcenturythewordhasbeenusedinmusic,inperhapsitsbest-knownsensetoday,ofahighly emotionalorexuberantinstrumentalcompositionwithanirregularandseeminglyimprovisationalform. Two of music’s best-known rhapsodies are Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies (nineteen of them composedfromabout1846to1886)andGeorgeGershwin’sRhapsodyinBlue(1924),whichintroduced elementsofAmericanjazztotheclassicalconcertstage. Torhapsodizewasoriginallytoreciterhapsodies,selectionsfromepicpoems.Butbythelate1700s rhapsodize had acquired its modern sense: to speak or write with extravagant emotion or enthusiasm: “Sherhapsodizedaboutthefoodatherfavoriterestaurant”;“Theprofessorrhapsodizedonthepoetryof DylanThomas.” Theadjectiveisrhapsodic,ofthenatureofarhapsody,hencehighlyenthusiasticoremotional,asa rhapsodic,visionarynovel. Word24:OXYMORON(AHK-si-MOR-ahnorAHK-see-MOR-ahn) Anexpressionorfigureofspeechthatcombinestwocontradictorywords;aconciseandpointedphrasethatseemsself-contradictory.In CrazyEnglish,RichardLedererdefinesoxymoronas“afigureofspeechinwhichtwoincongruous,contradictorytermsareyokedtogether inasmallspace.” Fortheplural,dictionariesgiveonlytheGreekoxymora, but Garner’s Modern American Usage notes thattheanglicizedoxymorons“isnowabout60timesascommonasoxymorainprintsources,andought tobeacceptedasstandard.”Theadjectiveisoxymoronic(AHK-si-muh-RAH-nik),beingorresembling anoxymoron. Byderivationthewordoxymoronisitselfanoxymoron.ItcomesfromtheancientGreekoxymōros, whichmeantliterallysharp-dullorfigurativelykeenlystupid,forinGreekoxysmeantsharp,acute,keen, andmōros,thesourcealsooftheEnglishmoron,meantdullorfoolish. Oxymorons abound in literature, as in Shakespeare’s sweet sorrow, Milton’s darkness visible, and Keats’s little noiseless noise. Alfred, Lord Tennyson penned a memorable pair of oxymoronic lines in “LancelotandElaine”:“Hishonorindishonorstood,/Andfaithunfaithfulkepthimfalselytrue.” Manycommonexpressionsarealsooxymoronic.Considertheseexamples:studentteacher,executive secretary, sure bet, baby grand, jumbo shrimp, inside out, random order, working vacation, death benefit, benevolent despot,3 idiot savant,4 deafening silence, industrial park, urban village, white chocolate, good grief, whole piece, conspicuously absent, plastic silverware, guest host, and pretty ugly. LederernotesthatoxymoronscanalsobefoundinplacenamessuchasLittleBigHornandOldNew York,aswellasinsinglewordssuchasbittersweet,firewater,spendthrift,andwholesome. Pianoforte (orsometimesfortepiano)—theoriginalnameofthemusicalinstrumentnowcalledsimplyapiano—is alsoaone-wordoxymoronbecauseinmusictheItalianpianomeanssoftandforte(pronouncedFOR-tay) means loud. Even personal names can sometimes be oxymoronic, such as the baseball player Angel Pagan. “Amonglanguageaficionados,”saysGarner,“collectingandinventingcynicaloxymoronsisaparlor game;theyenjoyphrasesthatseemtoimplycontradictions,”suchaslegalbriefandmilitaryintelligence. “Ifyouarewillingtostretchtheoxymoronicconceptandeditorializeunabashedly,”writesLederer,“you will expand your oxymoronic list considerably.” Among Lederer’s examples in this vein are student athlete, educational television, nonworking mother, postal service, and business ethics. What “editorializingoxymorons”likethesecanyouthinkof? Word25:PROVENANCE(PRAHV-uh-nints) Theorigin,source,orderivationofsomething. Provenance comes from the Latin prōvenīre, to come forth. The word may refer specifically to “the historyoftheownershipofaworkofartoranantique,usedasaguidetoauthenticityorquality”(OED), butingeneralusageitisappliedtotheoriginorsourceofalmostanything,whethersomethingphysical, suchasanobjectorartifact,orsomethingintangible(in-TANJ-i-bul),suchasaword,statement,oridea. (Intangiblemeansincapableofbeingperceivedbythesenseoftouch,impalpable.) Fansoforganicproduceareconcernedabouttheprovenanceoftheirfood,preferringalocaloriginto afarawayone.Fansoffinewinealsotakegreatinterestintheprovenanceoftheirselections.Avirtuoso violinist would be thrilled to own an instrument whose provenance could be traced to the legendary ItalianviolinmakersGiuseppeAntonioGuarneri(1683–1745)orAntonioStradivari(1644?–1737).And historiansmightdisagreeabouttheprovenanceofamanuscript,arguingoverwhoitsauthorwasorwhen itwaswritten,asinthiscitation:“Theprovenanceofthepapyrusfragmentisamystery,anditsownerhas askedtoremainanonymous”(TheNewYorkTimes). Word26:LAIS S EZ-FAIRE(LES-ay-FAIR,rhymeswithguesswaythere) Noninterferencewiththeaffairsofothersorwithindividualfreedomofaction. Laissez-faireenteredEnglishabout1825,acombinationoftheFrenchlaissez,theimperativeoftheverb laisser,tolet,allow,permit,andfaire,todo.Thus,byderivationlaissez-fairemeanstoletpeopledoas theychooseorthinkbest.InEnglishitisusedofapoliticaloreconomicpolicyofnoninterferencebased onthebeliefthatgovernmentshouldmeddleaslittleaspossibleinpeople’saffairs. Inmodernusagelaissez-faireisroughlysynonymouswithfree-marketeconomicsandisrelatedtothe politicalphilosophyoflibertarianism,whicharguesthatpeopleshouldbeallowedtoexercisetheirfree willwithaminimumofgovernmentinterventionorregulation.Asdefinedhere,laissez-faireisanoun, but it is often used attributively (meaning as an adjective) to modify another noun, as a laissez-faire economy, one in which government takes a hands-off approach to business and industry. Advocates of onlinefreedomhavealaissez-faireattitudetowardtheInternet,believingthatweshouldbeallowedto postandcopyandshareanything,regardlessofownershiporcopyright. Word27:PRETERNATURAL(PREE-tur-NACH-ur-ul) Supernatural,beyondwhatisconsiderednormalornatural;hence,exceptional,extraordinary. PreternaturalcomesfromtheLatinphrasepraeternātūram,beyondoroutsidenature,andthenotionof beingbeyondtheordinarycourseofnature,beingabnormalorsupernatural,haslongbeencentraltothe word.Preternaturalmaystillbeusedinthisway,asastoryaboutthepreternaturalreturnofsomeone whohasdied.Butinrecentdecadesthewordhastiltedawayfromthissenseandbecomeasynonymof extraordinary,asapreternaturalgiftformusic. “Preternatural, which for centuries served as a synonym for supernatural, now serves a separate purpose as a powerful word of praise, meaning ‘surpassing the normal, extraordinary,’” writes Mark DavidsoninRight,Wrong,andRisky.Toillustratethatpoint,DavidsonquotesJohnUpdike’scomment onMaxBeerbohm:5“Heearlydevelopedapreternaturalpoiseandgraceasawriterandacaricaturist.” Butpreternaturalcanstillmeanextraordinaryorexceptional,beyondwhatisconsiderednormalor natural, without conveying special praise. Consider these examples: a preternatural stillness in the woods; a preternatural beam of light penetrating the darkness; the preternatural speed of jet plane breakingthesoundbarrier;andamother’spreternaturalabilitytoknowwhatherchildrenarefeeling. Word28:DIS ABUS E(dis-uh-BYOOZ) Tofreefromerror,falsehood,deception,ormisunderstanding;tosetstraight. TheverbtodisabusecomesfromtheFrenchdésabuser,toundeceive,freefromillusion.Itcombinesthe privativeprefixdis-,not,andtheverbtoabuse,tousesomethingbadlyorimproperlysoastoinjureor damage it. Thus to disabuse is literally not to abuse, to reverse or nullify the effects of abuse or exploitation. Whenyoudisabuse,youfreesomeoneofanillusionorafalseidea;youcorrectamistakennotionor clearupamisconception.Incolloquial(kuh-LOH-kwee-ul,informal)terms,todisabuseistosetsomeone straight. Properly,youdonotdisabusethemindofapersonwhoembracesanerrororfalseidea,andyoudo notdisabusetheerrororfalseideaitself.Incarefulusage,youalwaysdisabusepeopleoftheirerrorsand misunderstandings:“MilliepolitelytriedtodisabuseRonaldofhisexaggeratedopinionofhisabilitieson thetenniscourt”;“Doctorstodayoftenhavetodisabusepatientswhohavediagnosedthemselvesonthe Internet”;“Itisourdutyascitizensofademocracytodisabuseourselvesofourprejudices.” Word29:COURTES AN(KOR-tuh-zun) Afemaleprostitute,especiallyonewhoseclientsarenobleormenofwealthandpower. CourtesancomesthroughFrenchfromanItalianwordthatoriginallymeantawomanattachedtoaroyal court. It is the sort of word that conjures the olden days when ambitious and often ruthless aristocrats engaged in political and sexual intrigue, plotting their paths to power while secretly slipping into bed witheachother.Thecourtesanwasnotusuallyherselfamemberofthenobilitybutratheracourt-mistress whoservicedcourtiers(KOR-tee-urz),attendantsatthecourtofakingorotherroyalperson.Laterthe termbroadenedtodenoteaprostitutewhoservicedwealthy,famous,orpowerfulmen. In modern usage, whore is the general and most vulgar term for someone who has sex for money. Prostitute, because it’s from Latin, is a more refined and socially acceptable word for the same thing. Courtesan is the most elevated term of the three, a high-class prostitute, as this citation from Edward Sharpham’s 1607 play The Fleire illustrates: “Your whore is for every rascal, but your Curtizan is for yourCourtier.”(Courtesanwasformerlyoftenspelledwithcur-ratherthancour-andpronouncedKURtuh-zin.) Let’stakealookatsomeotherwordsforso-calledfallenwomen. Thewordharlot(HAHR-lut),whichdatesbacktothe13thcenturyandwasoriginallyusedofaman tomeanarogueorvillain,hassincethe15thcenturybeenusedofawomanasamildertermforwhoreor prostitute. But unlike those two common words, harlot, which occurs often in the Bible and older literature,isnowlesscommon. Strumpet (rhymes with trumpet), trull (rhymes with dull), and tart are unusual synonyms of prostitute,whore,andharlot.Atrollop(TRAH-lup)maybeeitherawomanwhohassexformoneyora sexuallypromiscuouswoman,whileaslattern(rhymeswithpattern)iseitheranuntidy,dirtywomanor awanton(WAHN-tun)woman,aslut.(Wantoninthiscontextmeanslewd,lustful,sexuallyunrestrained.) Yet another synonym of prostitute is the rare word meretrix (MER-uh-triks), which comes directly from the Latin meretrix, a prostitute, the source also of the English adjective meretricious (MER-uhTRISH-us),whichmeansattractiveinaflashyorcheapway,falselyalluring,tawdry,gaudy. The words concubine and paramour are close cousins of our keyword courtesan. A concubine (KAHNG-kyuh-byn)—fromtheLatincon-,together,andcubāre,toliedown,gotobed—isamistress,a womanwholivesandmakeslovewithamantowhomsheisnotmarried.Paramour(PAR-uh-moor)has been used since the 14th century to mean either a lover, sexual partner, or an illicit or secret lover, a companioninadultery. Let’s close this wanton discussion with an amusing anecdote about William Lyon Phelps (1865– 1943),anAmericanliteraryscholarwhotaughtEnglishatYaleforforty-oneyears.Accordingtolegend, Phelpswascorrectingastudent’sessaywhenhecameacrossthisline:“Thewomanfelldownthestairs andlayprostituteatthebottom.”InthemarginPhelpswrote,“Youngman,youmustlearntodistinguish betweenafallenwomanandonewhohasmerelyslipped.”(Thehapless—unlucky,unfortunate—student confusedthenounandverbprostitutewiththeadjectiveprostrate,whichmeanslyingfacedownonthe ground,ofteninhumblesubmission.) Word30:DEBAUCH(di-BAWCH) Tocorruptorseduce,leadawayfromvirtueorresponsibility. Synonymsofdebauchincludepervert(pur-VURT),debase,deprave,anddespoil(di-SPOYL). The verb to debauch comes from the French débaucher, to lead astray, entice away from duty. In modernusageitmeanstocorruptmorallyortoenticeintosensualindulgence,astodebauchaninnocent youngwomanwithflatteryandgifts.Thenounisdebauchery(di-BAW-chuh-ree),excessiveindulgence insensualpleasure,especiallyeating,drinking,andsex:“TheancientGreeksandRomanswereinfamous fortheirdebauchery.” Intemperanceisaclosesynonymofdebauchery.Temperance,sobriety,andabstinenceareantonyms ofdebauchery. Debauched,thepasttenseandpastparticipleoftheverb,isoftenusedasanadjectivetomeaneither corruptedmorally,asadebauchedlifestyle,orshowingtheilleffectsofexcessiveindulgenceinsensual pleasures, as debauched with strong drink. A debauched person, one given or addicted to extreme sensualindulgence,iscalledadebauchee(deb-aw-SHEEordeb-aw-CHEE). ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Gullandhoodwinkare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Compendiousandexhaustiveare… 3.Criticizeandrhapsodizeare… 4.Oxymoronandincongruityare… 5.Provenanceanddestinationare… 6.Noninterferenceandlaissez-faireare… 7.Preternaturalandsupernaturalare… 8.Deceiveanddisabuseare… 9.Courtesanandconcubineare… 10.Depraveanddebauchare… DifficultDistinctions:DiffuseandDefuse In dispensing advice on how to handle a mother with advanced Alzheimer’s who makes inappropriate remarks—suchas“Youareextremelyfat”—PhilipGalanes,theSocialQ’scolumnistforThe New York Times, says it’s probably best to say something simple like “‘I’m sorry for my mother. She isn’t well.’ Thatshoulddiffusethesituation.”Goodadvice,perhaps.Butheshouldhavewrittendefuse. This mistake is increasingly common, perhaps because the pronunciation of the verbs diffuse and defuse is often identical (di-FYOOZ). But their meanings are far apart. To diffuse is to spread or distributewidely,disperse,disseminate(word4ofLevel1).Todefuseistoremovethefusefrom,andso tomakelessharmful,dangerous,ordifficult. Ifyourintendedmeaningistospreadout,scatter,ordisseminate,usediffuse.Lampsdiffuselight.The sundiffusesfog.Andkindergartenteachersdiffuserudimentaryknowledgewhiletheirsniffling,sneezing pupilsdiffusegerms. If your intended meaning is to make something less harmful or troublesome, use defuse. You can defuseabomb,renderitharmless,ordefuseaticklishorpotentiallyexplosivesituation. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word31:BRAGGADOCIO (BRAG-uh-DOH-shee-oh) Emptyandarrogantboastingorbragging. Braggadocio is an eponymous word—a word created from a name—in this case from the boastful characterBraggadocchioinEdmundSpenser’sepicpoemTheFaerieQueene(1590).Itwasprobablya pseudo-Italiancoinagebasedontheverbtobrag,whichdatesbacktothe14thcentury. Braggadocio is most often used to mean arrogant and empty boasting, as in these contemporary citations: “Despite my brash online braggadocio—it’s true. I am shy” (mashable.com); “The arm punching, the braggadocio … they’re for buffoons. Most men have no truck with it” (Vancouver Sun). “From braggadocio to vulnerability, from manic excitement to angry defiance, his is a versatile and commanding performance” (oxfordstudent.com). But braggadocio is also sometimes used to mean a braggart, an arrogant boaster, as when Thomas Carlyle, in 1832, wrote, “He … had much of the sycophant,alternatingwiththebraggadocio.” Synonyms of braggadocio include bluster, swagger, vainglory, gasconade, rodomontade, and fanfaronade.Let’stakeacloserlookatthelastfourofthesewords. Vainglory(VAYN-glor-ee;theadjectivevaingloriousisword37ofLevel7)comesfromtheMiddle Latinvānaglōria,literallyemptygloryorfame.Vaingloryisboastfulandpretentiousvanity,atendency totakeunwarrantedandexcessiveprideinone’saccomplishmentsorabilities. Gasconade (gas-kuh-NAYD) comes through the French gasconner, to boast, from the proper noun Gascon,apersonfromGascony(GAS-kuh-nee),France,“theinhabitantsofwhichwerereputedlyvery boastful,” says The Random House Dictionary. Gasconade is not merely boasting but extravagant boasting, extreme exaggeration, as in this sentence from 1903 by the American short story writer O. Henry:“Whosoeverentered[hadto]listentotheimp’sinterminablegasconadeconcerninghisscandalous career.” Rodomontade (RAHD-uh-mun-TAYD), like braggadocio, is an eponymous word. It comes from Rodomont, a boastful warrior king in Boiardo’s Orlando Inamorato (1482) and Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso (1516), both famous epic poems of the Italian Renaissance. The name comes in turn from the Italianrodomonte,whichmeansliterallyonewhorollsawaymountains.Byderivation,rodomontadeis thearrogantboastingofsomeonewhoclaimshecanmovemountains. Finally, the pleasant-sounding fanfaronade (FAN-fuh-ruh-NAYD) is related to the familiar English fanfare,whichmaymeanaflourishoftrumpetsorashowy,noisydisplay,abigfuss.Fanfaronadecomes ultimately from the Spanish fanfarrón, a braggart, and means arrogant, boastful talk, ostentatious bragging.Thecorrespondingnounfanfaron(FAN-fuh-rahn)meansabraggart. Ourkeyword,braggadocio,meansemptyandarrogantboastingorbragging. Word32:FLAGELLATE(FLAJ-uh-layt) Towhip,flog,lash,scourge(SKURJ,rhymeswithurge). Toflagellateandtheunusualverbtofustigate(FUHS-ti-gayt)aresimilarinsoundandsense,butdenote differentkindsofviolence.Tofustigate,fromtheLatinfustis,astick,istobeatwithastick,tocudgel.To flagellate,fromtheLatinflagellare,towhip,istostrikewithastraporrod. Toflog,toscourge,andtoflagellateallmeantowhip,literallyorfiguratively. Toflog,whichmayalsocomefromLatinflagellare,towhip,meanstopunishortorturebywhipping or beating: “The horse thief was flogged”; or to promote or talk about something excessively: “They floggedtheirproposaluntileveryonewassickofit.” Thenounscourgeisastripofanimalhideusedasawhip;thewordcomesfromtheLatinexcoriare, tostripoffthehide,thesourceoftheEnglishverbtoexcoriate(ek-SKOR-ee-ayt),tostripofftheskin, flay,andsotorebukeordenounceharshly.Toscourgeistowhipwithorasifwithascourge,topunish severely.Aviciousmasterwillscourgeaslave;atyrantoranepidemiccanscourge—orbethescourge of—apopulation;andacriticcanwriteascourgingreview,lashingoutwithspitefulwords. The verb to flagellate and the noun flagellation (FLAJ-uh-LAY-shin), whipping, often connote punishment motivated by self-hatred or masochism. Historically, a flagellant (FLAJ-uh-lint) was a member of a medieval European sect of fanatics who whipped themselves in public to atone for sin. Though condemned by the church, the practice continued until the 16th century. Because of this history, flagellate is often used of self-inflicted punishment or violence, either literal or figurative—“After the burglaryshecouldn’tstopflagellatingherselffornotrememberingtolockthebackdoor”—andsincethe late 19th century flagellation has also referred to sexual gratification derived from whipping or being whipped. The word self-flagellation is commonly used today to mean extreme self-criticism, as “The public willtolerateacelebrityobsessedwithself-promotion,buttheywillsoongrowtiredofoneaddictedto self-flagellation.” Word33:INS URGENT(in-SUR-jint) Apersonwhorisesinoppositiontoagovernmentortoestablishedauthorityorleadership;arebel. Insurgentmayalsobeusedasanadjectivetomeanrisinginrevolt,rebellious.Thus,youcanhavean insurgent attack or an attack by insurgents. The word comes from the present participle of the Latin insurgĕre,toriseup,andinEnglishitalwayssuggestsrebellionoroppositiontoauthority,oftenbyforce ofarms. Thenounsinsurgenceandinsurgencybothdenoteanuprising,butthereisafinedistinctionbetween these words. An insurgence, explains Garner’s Modern American Usage, is “an act or the action of risingagainstauthority,”asgovernmentforcesquashedyesterday’sinsurgence,whileaninsurgency is “thestateorconditionofbeinginrevolt,”asaninsurgencyinthenorthernprovincesthathasgoneon foramonth. Aninsurgencyandaninsurrection(IN-suh-REK-shun) both suggest rising in opposition on a small scaleorforabrieftime.Arevoltislarger,longer,andsomewhatmoreorganized.Arebellion is even larger and fairly well organized. And if a rebellion led by insurgents succeeds in overthrowing an establishedauthorityorgovernment,itbecomesarevolution. Word34:PANACHE(puh-NASH,notpuh-NAHSH) Grandorflamboyantconfidenceofstyleormanner. Synonymsofpanacheincludeelegance,verve,flair,dash,andflourish. Englishborrowedpanacheinthe16thcenturyfromaMiddleFrenchwordthatmeantatuftorplume of feathers, and its original meaning was an ornamental tuft or plume of feathers, especially on a hat, helmet, or other headdress. Panache may still be used in this sense, as a cockatoo with a colorful panache,butsinceabout1900thefigurativeimplicationsofthisostentatiousplumehaveovertakenthe word,andithasbeenusedalmostexclusivelytomeanagrandandshowyconfidenceofstyleoraction. Anything that you can do with grand style and self-assurance you can do with panache. A sexy Hollywood star in a flamboyant gown strolls down the red carpet with panache. Great orators deliver spellbinding speeches with panache. A good waiter at a fancy restaurant will serve your dinner with panache. And Vladimir Horowitz (1903–1989), the virtuoso pianist, performed Chopin’s romantic waltzeswithpanache,majesticeleganceandstyle. Word35:OMNIBUS (AHM-ni-bus) Pertainingto,containing,orcoveringmanydifferentthingsoritemsatonce. Omnibus comes through French from the Latin omnibus, for all, which comes in turn from omnis, all. FromthisLatinomnisEnglishhasadoptedthecombiningformomni-,usedatthebeginningsofwordsto mean “all.” For example, omnipotent (ahm-NIP-uh-tint) means all-powerful; omnivorous (ahm-NIV-uhrus) means all-devouring, eating all kinds of foods; omniscient (ahm-NISH-int) means all-knowing; omnipresent(ahm-ni-PREZ-int)meanspresenteverywhere,inallplacesatonce;andomnifarious(ahmni-FAIR-ee-us)meansofallsortsorkinds,asomnifariousopinions. OmnibusenteredEnglishabout1828asanounforwhatwenowmoreconciselycallabus,alarge publicvehiclefortransportingmanypassengersbyroad.By1840thenounomnibushadalsocometobe usedtomeansomethingthatcontainsorcoversalargenumberofthingsoritemsor,specifically,abook containing reprinted works by a single author or a volume containing works by various authors on a particulartopicortheme. By1842omnibushadbecomeanadjectiveusedtomodifyanimmediatelyfollowingnouninphrases suchasanomnibusshow,onefeaturingallkindsofacts;anomnibusaccount,onethataccommodatesall kindsofassets;anomnibusmotion,alegalmotionthatmakesanumberofrequests;and,mostoften,an omnibusbill,apieceoflegislationthatcoversorcontainsmanydifferentitems. Word36:MILITATE(MIL-i-tayt) Toweighheavily,operateorwork(against). Militate comes from the Latin mīlitāre, to serve as a soldier, the source also of the English adjective militant, which may mean either engaged in warfare or fighting, as the militant opposition, or aggressivelypersistentorcombative,especiallyinsupportofacause,asmilitantanimalrightsactivists. You may militate for or in favor of something, as “to militate for the Syrian president’s departure” (ForeignPolicyJournal).Butinmodernusagemilitateisalmostalwayspairedwiththewordagainstto mean to weigh heavily in opposition, operate or work against, as entrenched customs that militate againstchange,orstrongevidencethatmilitatesagainstarulingintheirfavor. Takecarenottoconfusetheverbsmilitateandmitigate.Tomitigate is to lessen in intensity, make lesssevere,andshouldneverbefollowedbyagainst:“Twitterhastakensomestepstomitigatethespike in traffic and ensure that the site is not knocked offline again” (PC World). Militate means to operate, work,orweighheavily:“Almosteverythinginmodernsocietymilitatesagainstourfallinginlovehardor long. It militates against love as risk, love as sacrifice, love as heroism” (Christina Nehring, The Atlantic). Word37:NIHILIS TIC(NY-i-LIS-tik) Rejectingallestablishedinstitutions,laws,morality,andreligiousbeliefs,“oftenfromasenseofdespairandthebeliefthatlifeisdevoidof meaning”(OED). Theadjectivenihilisticandthenounnihilism(NY-i-liz’m)comefromtheLatinnihil,nothing,thesource alsooftheEnglishnounnil,whichmaymeannothing,zero,ashereffortsamountedtonil,orconsisting ofnothing,astheresultswerenil. In philosophy, nihilism is an extreme form of skepticism—a denial of reality, any purpose to existence, and any objective basis for truth. Historically, nihilism was the doctrine of certain Russian revolutionaries in the late 19th century who held that all political, economic, and social institutions should be destroyed by acts of terrorism and assassination. And in psychiatry, nihilism is a delusional beliefthateverythingisunreal,andthattheself,orindividualconsciousness,hasceasedtoexist. Ingeneralusagenihilismimpliesanegative,hostile,anarchicviewoftheworld.Thenihilistrejects established beliefs, institutions, and traditions and welcomes despair and destruction, including selfdestruction. A nihilistic worldview denies the value and purpose of existence and embraces meaninglessnessandnothingness. Writers often use nihilistic of anyone who opposes the establisment, who questions the meaning of existence,orwhoexhibitsantisocialordestructivebehavior.Forexample,AnthonyBurgess’s1962novel A Clockwork Orange, which depicts the violent, depraved, repugnant6 behavior of a gang of British teenagers,hasbeencallednihilistic,andsomecriticsofpopularmusichavearguedthatsongsthatappeal tothedespairing,self-destructiveimpulsesofteenagersarenihilistic. Word38:TORPID(TOR-pid) Inactive,sluggish,slow,lackingenergy. Theadjectivetorpidandthenountorpor (TOR-pur, mental or physical sluggishness or dullness) come fromtheLatinverbtorpēre,tobesluggish,inactive,ornumb.Anythingthatsorelylacksenergyorvigor, or that is inactive or dormant, can be described as torpid. An old person’s mind may become torpid, sluggishfrominactivity.Atorpidaudienceisonewhosemembersaredullandunresponsive,whoyawn anddoze.Andinmedicineapatient’sdigestioniscalledtorpidwhenitissloworinactive. Synonyms of torpid include inert, apathetic, lethargic, indolent (word 48 of Level 4), phlegmatic (fleg-MAT-ik),languid(seelanguish,word14ofLevel2),somnolent(word16ofLevel2),enervated, languorous (LANG-gur-us), stupefied (stupefy is word 30 of Level 3), and otiose (OH-shee-OHS). Antonyms of torpid include lively, energetic, vigorous, animated, frisky, spry, spirited, dynamic, and vivacious(word15ofLevel1). Word39:S EMINAL(SEM-i-nul) Highlyinfluentialandcreative;sooriginalandimportantastoinfluencelaterdevelopmentorprovideabasisforfutureworks,events,orideas. The adjective seminal comes through the Latin sēminālis from sēmen, a seed, that which is sown or planted. This Latin sēmen, a seed, is also the source of disseminate (word 4 of Level 1), to spread widely,scatterasifsowingseed;seminary,aplacewherepeoplestudyreligionandpreparetobecome membersoftheclergy;andinseminate,whichinitsliteralsensemeanstoimpregnate,injectwithsemen, as an artificially inseminated cow, and in its figurative sense means to implant as if by sowing seed: “Advertisingseekstoinseminatedesireforaproductinasmanymindsaspossible.” Ourkeyword,seminal,literallymeanslikeaseed.Itisusedinthisliteralwayinbotany,physiology, andanatomytomeanof,pertainingto,orcontainingtheseed.Butsincethe17thcenturyseminalhasalso been used figuratively to mean “containing the possibility of future development” (OED); hence, so original and important as to influence later development or future events, as a seminal scientific study thatchartedthecourseofallsubsequentresearch. Word40:CRAVEN(KRAY-vin) Cowardly,utterlylackingcourage,contemptiblytimidorfearful. The origin of craven is uncertain, but it may go back to an Old French word meaning crushed, overwhelmed, and may be related to the obsolete English adjective creant (KREE-int), defeated, vanquished.ThisobsoletecreantisinturnrelatedtothecontemporaryEnglishmiscreant(MIS-kree-int), which at first meant a person who holds a religious belief regarded as false, but now means an evil, unscrupulousperson,avillain;andrecreant(REK-ree-int),whichasanounmeansapersonwhobreaks allegiance,adeserterorcoward,andasanadjectivemeanscowardlyorunfaithfultoone’sduty. Synonymsofcravenincludegutless,spineless,fainthearted,lily-livered,timorous(TIM-ur-us),and pusillanimous(PYOO-si-LAN-i-mus).Thefirstfiveofthesesynonymssuggestcowardiceorfearfulness ingeneral,whilepusillanimous,likecraven,isusedofcowardlypeopleoractionsthatareespecially dishonorableordisgraceful. Cravenmayalsobeusedasanountomeanadespicablecoward,andithassometimesbeenusedasa verbtomeantomakecravenorcowardly,depriveofcourageorspirit,aswhenShakespearewritesinhis playCymbeline (c. 1610), “Against self-slaughter / There is a prohibition so divine / That cravens my weakhand.” The expression to cry craven, like the familiar expression to cry uncle, means to yield, surrender, acknowledgethatonehasbeenbeaten. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Braggadocioisbluster,gasconade,fanfare. 2.Toflagellateistoscourge,curse,flog. 3.Aninsurgentisarebel,arabble-rouser,arevolutionary. 4.Panacheisself-satisfaction,self-assurance,grandstyle. 5.Anomnibusbillhasmanysections,isfullofamendments,coversmanyitems. 6.Tomilitateistomakelesssevere,weighheavily,workagainst. 7.Anihilisticworldviewisutilitarian,anarchic,despairing. 8.Somethingtorpidisenervated,vivacious,sluggish. 9.Aseminalworkisoriginal,influential,spiritual. 10.Acravenpersonisstarving,cowardly,pusillanimous. OnceUponaWord:PortmanteauWords Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (DAHD-sun, 1832–1898), the shy Oxford University mathematician better knownbyhispenname,LewisCarroll,isrememberedtodayastheauthoroftheclassicchildren’sbooks Alice’sAdventuresinWonderland(1865)andThroughtheLooking-Glass(1871).Asloversofhisbooks know well, Carroll was fond of punning and wordplay, and he was particularly fond of blending two wordstocreateanonce(NAHNS)word,meaningawordcreated“forthenonce,”thepresentmomentor aparticularoccasion.Carrollcalledthisblendingaportmanteauword(PORT-man-TOHorport-MANtoh),afteratypeofstiffleathercaseorbagthatopenedintotwoparts. Inhisfamousnonsensepoem“Jabberwocky,”whichappearsinThroughtheLooking-Glass,Carroll coinedvarioushumorousnoncewords—suchasbrillig,gimble,vorpal,frabjous,anduffish—alongwith severalportmanteauwords,suchasfrumious,ablendoffumingandfurious,andslithy,ablendofslimy and lithe. Two of Carroll’s blends in that poem have since gained widespread popularity: chortle, createdfromchuckleandsnort,andgalumph,ablendofgallopandtriumphant. Portmanteauwords,nowbetterknownasblendwords,arenotjustthestuffofchildren’sbooksbut have long been a vital part of the language. Not all blend words catch on, of course, but, as Carroll’s creationsdemonstrate,somestandthetestoftimeandmakeitintothedictionaries.Infact,someofour most familiar words today were born as blends. For example, motel, a blend of motor and hotel, was coinedinthe1920s;brunch,ablendofbreakfastandlunch,wasoriginallyuniversityslanginEnglandin the1890s;andsmog, a blend of smoke and fog, was introduced in 1905 by a London doctor who was concernedabouttheheavypallofcoalsmokechokingthecity. My best guesstimate (a blend of guess and estimate) is that the English language has absorbed hundredsofblendwordssincethe19thcentury.Slanguage,ablendofslangandlanguage,wascoinedin the1870s.Glitterati(GLIT-uh-RAH-tee),ablendofglitterandliterati(LIT-uh-RAH-tee),theeducated class,wascoinedinthe1950sanddenotescelebritiesorfashionablepeople.Camcorder,acombination of camera and recorder, came along about 1980, and the late 1990s saw the emergence of bromance, whichisnowintheonlineeditionoftheOED.Ablendofbrotherandromance,bromancemeansaclose, nonsexualrelationshipbetweentwoheterosexualmales.Perhapsthebest-knownbromanceinliteratureis therelationshipbetweenSherlockHolmesandDr.Watson. Someblendwordsarecreatedinsuchawaythattheirendingsbecomesuffixesusedtocreatelater blends. For example, walkathon (1930), talkathon (1934), and telethon (1949) all use the -thon of marathonasasuffix.Likewisewithnewscast(1934),telecast(1937),andsimulcast(1948),whichuse the-castofbroadcastasasuffix. Otherwell-knownblendwordsincludemotorcade,ablendofmotorandcavalcade(KAV-ul-kayd,a grandprocession,originallyonhorseback),whichwascreatedabout1910;bookmobile,acoinagefrom the 1930s that uses the -mobile of automobile as a suffix; infomercial, a blend of information and commercialthatwascoinedin1981;andstaycation,ablendofstayandvacationthatappearedin2005 andmeansavacationspentatornearone’shome. *** Let’sreturnnowtotheWordWorkoutvocabularyfortenmorekeyworddiscussions. Word41:MALADROIT(MAL-uh-DROYT) Awkward,clumsy,unskillful. Synonymsofmaladroitincludeincompetent,inept,bungling,tactless,gauche(GOHSH),andlubberly (a lubber is a big, clumsy, stupid person). The direct antonym of maladroit is adroit (uh-DROYT), skillful,clever,andefficientatdoingadifficultthing,eitherwithone’shandsorwithone’sbrain.Other antonymsincludeaccomplished,adept,competent,dexterous,proficient,deft,andmasterly. The antonymous adjectives adroit and maladroit are classic examples of the English language’s ingrainedbiasagainstthelefthandandfavoringoftherighthand.Thetwowordssharethesameroot,the Frenchdroit,whichmeansright,therighthand,orstraight,correct.Inadroit,whichmeansliterallytothe right,weseethepositiveimplicationofskillfulnessanddexterityassociatedwiththerighthand.Butin maladroit,whichbeginswiththeprivativeprefixmal-,bad,ill,andmeansnotadroit,notdonewiththe righthand,weseetheimplicationofbiasagainsttheleft. Dexterous, skillful, comes from the Latin dexter, right. The English word sinister, corrupt, evil, unfavorable, comes from the Latin word sinister, left. The English word gauche, awkward, crude, or graceless, is the French gauche, which means left but also crooked, awkward, clumsy. If you’re ambidextrous,skillfulwithbothhands,youliterallyhavetworighthands.Butifyou’reambisinisteryou are clumsy with both hands because, by derivation, you have two left hands. So there you have it: the Englishlanguageisunfairtolefties. Our keyword, maladroit, implies awkwardness or clumsiness that may be either physical or intellectual;themaladroitpersondisplaysapronouncedlackofskillwitheitherthehandsorthemind.A maladroitdriverisapoorlyskilledandpossiblyrecklessdriver.Amaladroitsurgeonmaybethetargetof malpractice lawsuits. A maladroit lawyer lacks the proper knowledge and expertise to present a persuasive case in court. And a maladroit writer is an intellectually clumsy writer, one who writes awkwardsentencesandmakeselementarymistakesofgrammarandusage. Word42:GORMANDIZE(GOR-mun-dyz) Toeatgreedilyandexcessively,likeaglutton;togorge. Thefamiliarwordgourmetdenotesaconnoisseuroffinefoodanddrink,apersonwhoappreciates“the delicaciesofthetable”(OED). The words epicure (EP-i-kyuur) and gastronome (GAS-truh-nohm) are synonymsofgourmet,implyingsomewhatgreaterexpertiseandrefinementoftaste.Thenot-so-familiar wordgourmand(guur-MAHNDorGUUR-mahnd)alsodenotesapersonwhoappreciatesgoodfoodand drink, but one whose taste is much less discriminating and who eats heartily or greedily. The word gluttontakesheartyeatingonevoraciousstepfurtherandisusedofsomeonewhohabituallyoverindulges infoodanddrink. From the noun gourmand we get the verb to gormandize, which in most instances means to eat voraciously and excessively, like a glutton. But to gormandize is also sometimes used figuratively to meantodevourorgobbleup,asinthissentencewrittenbytheAmericanclergymanHenryWardBeecher in1887:“Togormandizebooksisaswickedastogormandizefood.” Word43:POLEMICAL(puh-LEM-i-kul) Pertainingtoorconsistingofanargumentordispute. Synonyms of the adjective polemical include the familiar words argumentative, controversial, contentious (kun-TEN-shus), and disputatious (DIS-pyoo-TAY-shus), and the unusual word eristic (eRIS-tik),whichcomesfromtheGreekéristikós,fondofwranglingorarguing,froméris,strife,whichis also the name of the goddess of strife or discord in Greek mythology. Eristic means given to or characterizedbyargumentthatemployssubtleandsometimesspecious(SPEE-shus)reasoning.(Specious meansusingdeceptivelanguagetomakesomethingfalseappeartrue.Aspeciousargumentlooksgoodon thesurfacebutisflawedunderneath.) Polemics(puh-LEM-iks)istheartorpracticeofargumentordisputation,andapolemic is a strong argument or aggressive verbal attack, usually against some person, opinion, principle, or doctrine. A polemicist(puh-LEM-i-sist)isapersonwhoengagesinpolemicsorwhoissuesapolemic.Ourkeyword, polemical,meansrelatingtopolemicsorconsistingofapolemic.Apolemicalnovel,film,orplayisone in which the author presents a vigorous argument about some social or political issue. And the U.S. Congressisapolemicalinstitutioninwhichdebates,disputes,andcontroversythrive. Word44:EPOCHAL(EP-uh-kul) Highlysignificant,important,orinfluential;momentous. Epochalistheadjectivecorrespondingtothenounepoch(EP-uk),aparticularperiodoftimeknownfor itsdistinctivedevelopments,remarkablecharacteristics,ornoteworthyevents.Epochalmeansimportant enoughtoinitiateorcharacterizeanepoch,adistinctiveornoteworthyperiod;hence,highlysignificant, important,orinfluential. WhentheRussiancomposerIgorStravinsky’sRiteofSpringwasfirstperformedinParisin1913,it wasmetwithriotousdisfavor;yetthisepochalcompositionpavedthewayforthemodern,experimental musicofthe20thcentury.Andifarchaeologistseveruncovertheso-calledmissinglink—thehypothetical evolutionaryconnectionbetweentheanthropoidapesandhumanbeings—itwillbeanepochaldiscovery. Word45:COGNOS CENTI(KAHN-yuh-SHEN-tee,alsoKOHN-orKAWN-) Expertsinacertainsubject,connoisseurs,those“intheknow.” English borrowed cognoscenti from Italian in the late 18th century; it is the equivalent of the more familiarwordconnoisseur(KAH-nuh-SUR,not-SOO-ur),whichEnglishborrowedfromFrenchinthe early 18th century. Cognoscenti comes ultimately from the Latin cognoscĕre, to learn, get to know, the sourcealsooftheEnglishcognizant,aware,knowing;cognition,knowledge,perception;andcognitive, pertainingtocognition. Note that cognoscenti is a plural noun, both in Italian and in English; the singular is cognoscente, spelledwithafinaleinsteadofaniandpronouncedthesameexceptwith-tayinsteadof-teeattheend.A cognoscenteisanexpert,andthecognoscentiareexperts,connoisseurs,peoplewithsuperiorknowledge ofasubject.Itisoftenusedofconnoisseursofthefineartsandliterature,butitmayalsobeusedofan expertinoraficionadoofalmostanything,suchastenniscognoscenti,NASCARcognoscenti,orforeign policycognoscenti. Word46:IMMOLATE(IM-uh-layt) Tokillordestroyasasacrifice,especiallybyfire. The verb to immolate comes from the Latin immolāre, to sprinkle with sacred meal before sacrificing. Thenounisimmolation(IM-uh-LAY-shun),theactorpracticeofburningasasacrifice. Immolation is historically associated with the Hindu custom, now outlawed, called sati (suh-TEE, also spelled suttee), in which a wife would show her unwavering loyalty to her deceased husband by immolatingherselfonhisfuneralpyre.Buddhistmonkshavealsosometimespracticedself-immolation, or self-sacrifice, by setting themselves on fire in public as a form of protest. Immolate is usually used literallyoftheburningofanyoneoranythingasasacrifice,butthewordmayalsobeusedfigurativelyto meantoofferinsacrifice,aspeoplewhoimmolatethemselvesonthealtaroflove. Nowawordofcautiononusage.First,donotuseimmolateasanintransitiveverbmeaningtocatch fire.Immolateisatransitiveverb,meaningthatsomethingmustbeimmolated;itcan’tjustimmolateby itself.Second,immolateshouldnotbeusedlooselytomeantokillordestroyforanyreason.Thenotion ofsacrificialburningisintrinsictothederivationandhistoryoftheword,andshouldberespected.Thus, youdonotimmolateahouse,immolategarbage,orimmolatethelovelettersofaformerboyfriend;you burn or destroy them. Reserve immolate for contexts in which something is destroyed or someone is killedasasacrifice,especiallybyburning. Word47:HIDEBOUND(HYD-bownd,rhymeswithridehound) Narrowandinflexibleinone’sopinions;stubbornlystuckinone’sways. Synonyms of hidebound include narrow-minded, uncompromising, bigoted, close-minded, obstinate, intolerant, adamant, dogmatic, parochial (puh-ROH-kee-ul), intractable, and obdurate (AHB-d[y]uurit).Antonymsofhidebound include broad-minded, open-minded, tolerant, liberal, and latitudinarian (word33ofLevel8). Hideboundwasfirstusedofahorse,cow,orotherdomesticanimaltomeanhavingskinthatclings tightly to the bones; hence, undernourished or emaciated (word 11 of Level 1). This sense was also applied to human beings, as in this citation from William Wright’s 1895 travelogue Palmyra and Zenobia:“Theyhadnotthehidebound,hunger-pinchedappearanceofthechildrenofYabroud.”Butfrom thetimehideboundenteredEnglishinabout1600ithasalsobeenusedfiguratively,inwhatistodayits usual sense, to mean obstinately set in one’s opinion or purpose, stubbornly narrow-minded, as a hidebound traditionalist who resists change of any kind or hidebound grammarians who cling to outmodedrules. Individualsandgroupscanbehidebound,narrowandinflexibleintheiropinions,butcertainthings, such as laws, traditions, and customs, can also be hidebound, stubbornly inflexible: “The English have alwaysstruggledwiththeirhideboundclassdivisions”;“Ifsohideboundaninstitutionasthepapacycan bechanged,whatcan’tbe?”(TheNewYorkTimes). Word48:MOLDER(MOWL-dur,rhymeswithshoulder) Todecay,disintegrate,crumble,rot,wasteaway,becomeparticlesordust. When you think of the noun mold you probably think of the greenish-gray, downy fungi (FUHN-jy, not FUHNG-gy)thatgrowonthingsthataredampordecaying.Butthere’sanotherkindofmold: rich, soft, loosesoil,fulloforganicmatterandsuitableforplanting.Suchgardensoilmadefromcompostingleaves iscalledleafmold.Itisfromthisearthy,crumblykindofmoldthatwegettheverbtomolder,torotor decay:“Thereislittletolurevisitorsintotheweedsandmolderingwoodsthatstretchformilesalong JamaicaBay’snorthernedges”(TheNewYorkTimes). Anythingoldanddampthatislefttodecaycanbedescribedasmoldering—forexample,moldering fruit, moldering books, moldering wallpaper, moldering clothes, a moldering castle, works of art that molderinamuseum’sbasement,and—holdyournosenow—amolderingcorpse. Butmoldercanalsobeusedofanythingthatisfigurativelyfallingapartorwastingaway:“Halligan’s nominationhasbeenmolderingfortwoyearsnow”(TheNewYorkTimes).Afriendshipcanmolderfrom inattention.Aconvictcanmolderforyearsinprison.Abrilliantideacanmolderifnooneactsonit.And supportfororoppositiontosomethingcanmolder,crumbleordisintegrate,overtime. Word49:FRATRICIDE(FRA-tri-syd) Theactofkillingone’sbrother,orapersonwhokillshisorherbrother. Inextendeduse,fratricidemayalsodenotethekillerorthekillingofsomeonewhoislikeabrother—for example,acountryman,fellowsoldier,orclosefriend. Inlaw,fratricideisdefinedastheactofkillingabrotherorsister,orapersonwhokillsabrotheror sister, and some contemporary dictionaries give this definition for fratricide. This follows the oldfashionedpracticeoflumpingwomenwithmeninsuchwordsasmankindandinwell-wornphraseslike “all men are created equal.” Because this practice is widely considered sexist, most of us now use firefighterinsteadoffireman,policeofficerinsteadofpoliceman,andmailcarrierinsteadofmailman, andmanyprefertheinclusivewordhumankindovertheone-sidedmankind. Sowithfratricideyoushouldknowthatbyderivationthewordrefersonlytothekillerorkillingofa brother,becauseitcomesfromtheLatinfrater,brother,whilethecompaniontermsororicide(suh-RORi-syd),fromtheLatinsoror,sister,denotesakillerorthekillingofasister.Bothtermsincorporatethe combiningform-cide,whichcomesfromtheLatincaedere,tocutorkill,andmeanseitherakillerorthe actofkilling. Let’s have a look at some of the other -cide words—or killer words—in the language. There are, regrettably,quitealotofthem. Homicide (properly pronounced HAHM-i-syd, not HOHM-i-syd), from the Latin homo, a man or a humanbeing,isthekillingorkillerofaperson,maleorfemale.Suicide,fromtheLatinsui,ofoneself,is aself-killingoraself-killer.Infanticide (in-FAN-ti-syd) is the killing or killer of an infant. Matricide (MA-tri-syd),fromtheLatinmater,amother,isthekillingorkillerofone’smother.Patricide (PA-trisyd),fromtheLatinpater,afather,isthekillingorkillerofone’sfather.Andparricide(PAR-i-syd),from theLatinparracida,akin-killer,isthekillingorkillerofafather,mother,orothercloserelative. Themorefamiliarregicide(REJ-i-syd),fromtheLatinrēx,rēgis,aking,ruler,isthekillingorkiller ofaking;tyrannicide(ti-RAN-i-syd),fromtheLatintyrannus,anabsoluteruler,isthekillingorkillerof atyrant;andgenocide(JEN-uh-syd)—whichwascoinedduringWorldWarIIfromtheGreekgénos and theLatingĕnus,bothofwhichmeantraceorkind—denotes“thesystematicandplannedexterminationof anentirenational,racial,political,orethnicgroup”(AmericanHeritage).Thesystematicunderminingof aperson’svaluesandbeliefs,asthroughbrainwashingortorture,iscalledmenticide(MEN-ti-syd). Therearealsomany-cide words that kill things other than human beings. For example, a pesticide killspests;aninsecticidekillsinsects;aherbicide(pronouncetheh,HUR-bi-syd)killsweedsandother unwanted plants; a bactericide kills bacteria; a fungicide (FUHN-ji-syd) kills fungi (FUHN-jy), the pluraloffungus;andavermicide(VUR-mi-syd),fromtheLatinvermis,aworm,killsworms,especially intestinalworms. Word50:S PLENETIC(spluh-NET-ik) Irritable,ill-tempered;spitefulandmorose;giventoangryandimpatientfits. Youcanimaginehowmanysynonymsthereareforawordthatmeansirritableorill-tempered.Hereare some of them: cross; cranky; peevish; churlish (word 9 of Level 6); waspish; snappish; petulant (PECH-uh-lint); cantankerous (kan-TANG-kur-us); choleric (KAH-luh-rik, literally affected with the disease cholera); grouchy; sullen; sulky; crabbed (KRAB-id); surly; ill-humored; testy; crusty; captious; irascible (i-RAS-i-bul); curmudgeonly (kur-MUHJ-in-lee); dyspeptic (dis-PEP-tik, word 11 of Level 7); acrimonious (AK-ri-MOH-nee-us); querulous (KWER-uh-lus); and atrabilious (A-truhBIL-ee-us,word24ofLevel8). SpleneticcomesfromtheGreekandLatinwordsforthespleen,andoriginallymeantof,pertainingto, oraffectingthespleen,theorganthatdestroysoldredbloodcells,filtersandstoresblood,andproduces lymphocytes(LIM-fuh-syts),atypeofwhitebloodcellessentialtothebody’simmunesystem.Because theancientsconsideredthespleentheseatofvariousemotions,spleneticcametobeusedofpeoplewho had fits of bad temper, angry impatience, or ill will, or who had a melancholy, morose, ill-humored disposition.In1780theEnglishphilosopherJeremyBenthamwroteof“thefearoffuturepunishmentat the hands of a splenetic and revengeful Deity.” And in 1841, in his novel Barnaby Rudge, Charles Dickenswrotethat“neighbourswhohadgotupspleneticthatmorning,feltgood-humourstealingonthem astheyheard”the“pleasantmusic,”the“magicaltink,tink,tink,”ofthelocksmith. Thatishowwecontinuetousesplenetictoday:tomeangloomy,irritable,andspiteful,giventofitsof angerandimpatience.Thewordiscommonlyappliedtopeople,butitmayapplyaswelltowhatpeople sayorwrite,asthespleneticutterancesofademagogue[word12ofLevel4]withamillionfollowers on Twitter. It may also apply to anything that seems to manifest spiteful or morose irritability: “Stock markets…turneddownrightspleneticinexchangesfromFrankfurttoNewYork”(TheDealPipeline). ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Isamaladroitmaneuverawkward,ill-considered,orinappropriate? 2.Whenyougormandize,doyoutalkatlength,eatexcessively,orchewthoroughly? 3.Isapolemicalessayscholarly,humorous,orargumentative? 4.Wouldanepochaleventbehighlysignificant,controversial,orunremarkable? 5.Arethecognoscentipowerfulpeople,ordinarypeople,orexperts? 6.Whenyouimmolatesomething,doyoucopyit,competewithit,orsacrificeit? 7.Isahideboundpersonnarrow-minded,optimistic,orantisocial? 8.Whensomethingmolders,doesitsprout,disintegrate,orburn? 9.Isfratricidetheactofhatingabrother,marryingabrother,orkillingabrother? 10.Wouldaspleneticpersonbevigorous,spiteful,orincoherent? OnceUponaWord:ABriefCruiseontheOceanofEnglish Haveyoueverwonderedwhyaship’slatrineiscalledthehead?Whatdoesthatbodyparthavetodo with the functions we reserve for the bathroom? As it turns out—happily—nothing. The nautical head referstotheboworheadoftheship,wherethelatrinewasoriginallysituated.Theheadisaeuphemism (word18ofLevel2)sailorsuseinthesamewaylandlubbersusethejohn,whichisprobablyavariation onthe19th-centuryBritishdialectaljackorJack’shouse,meaningaprivy. Speakingoftheheadandthejohn,let’sturnourattentiontothepoop,thesuperstructureatthesternof aship.Haveyoueverwonderedwhatthoseancientmarinerswerethinkingwhentheychosetopoopin theheadandstandonthepoop?Sometimestheyevenateandsleptinthepoop! Don’t be alarmed, for it all makes sense. The landlubber’s poop, which probably comes from the Middle English poupen, to blow a horn, bears no direct relation to the seafarer’s poop, which comes fromtheLatinpuppis,thesternofaship.There’sevenanauticalverbtopoop,meaningtobreakoverthe sternofavessel.“Alargetumblingswellthreatenedtopoopus,”saystheearliestcitationforitinthe OED,from1748. Wheneveryoufeelgroggyyoucanblamethe18th-centuryBritishviceadmiralSirEdwardVernon, whosemencalledhim“OldGrog”becauseoftheheavygrogramcoathewouldalwayswearondeck,no mattertheweather.InAugustof1740,tiredofputtingupwithunruly,drunkensailors,Vernonissuedan ordertodilutetheirrumration,threepartswatertoonepartrum,withportionsservedsixhoursapart. Hismenrespondedbydubbingtheadulteratedmixturegrog.Whenitbecametheofficialliquorrationfor theentireRoyalNavy,grogcametomeaninferior,inexpensivebooze,andlateritwasusedevenmore broadlyofanyliquor. Ifsomeoldsalttellsyouthatgob,meaningasailor,comesfromthesealantssailorsusetowaterproof aship,don’tbelieveawordofit.Thisgobisnotsealant;it’splainoldspit.Inthesecondhalfofthe19th century gob was used in British and American English to mean to expectorate. It appears to have first beenusedofBritishcoastguardsmenwhowerefondofsittingaroundtogethersmokingpipesandspitting. Finally,let’sdispelthepersistentrumorthatposh—meaningelegant,fashionable,upper-crust—isan acronym for port out, starboard home. As the story goes, posh “was formerly stamped on first-class, round-trip tickets of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which carried mail and passengers between England and India,” writes Hugh Rawson in Devious Derivations. “The acronym, saidtodatefromtheyearspriortoWorldWarI,supposedlyentitledtheticketholdertopassageinoneof thecoolercabinsaboardship,ontheportside,facingnorth,ontheoutwardboundjourney,andonthe starboard side, again facing north, when returning home.” This story, though charming, has never been proved,andtheoriginofposhremainsunknown. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel5 KEYWORDS1–10 1.Yes.Bereftmeansforciblydeprivedofsomethingneeded,wanted,orexpected. 2.No.Anemesisisanunconquerableavenger,apersonorthingthatmetesoutpunishment. 3.No.Someonewhoequivocatesusesevasiveandambiguouslanguagesoastomislead. 4.No.Aphilistineisanuneducated,uncultured,narrow-mindedperson. 5.No.Bacchanalianmeansfrenzied,riotous,orgiastic,characterizedbydrunkenrevelry. 6.No.Aschismisasplitorbreak,adivisionofagroupintoopposingfactions. 7.Yes.Alinguafrancaisacommonlanguage. 8.Yes.Winsomemeanscharming,agreeable,andpleasantinappearanceormanner. 9.No.Patricianmeansaristocratic,ofhighbirthorsocialstanding,upper-class. 10.Yes.Toredactistoeditforpublication,especiallytoremoveoradapttexttomakesomethingacceptableforpublication. KEYWORDS11–20 1.True.Aprécisisabriefsummaryorconciseoutline. 2.True.Taxonomyisanorderlysystemofnamingandclassifyingthings. 3.False.Somethingsubliminalisbelowyourlevelofconsciousawareness. 4.True.Philanthropyisloveofhumankind;misanthropyishatredofhumankind. 5.True.Yourimprimaturisyourapprovalorsupport. 6.True.Acanardisafalse,absurd,andoftenderogatorystoryorreport. 7.True.Perfidiousfriendsaretreacherous,disloyalfriends—justasbadasenemies. 8.False.Anepiphanyisamomentofsudden,dramaticinsightorrealization. 9.False.Toprattleistochatter,babble,talkinafoolish,childish,orsimplemindedway. 10.False.Apersonofhighbirthorrankisaristocraticorpatrician(word9ofthislevel).Plebeianmeansofthecommonpeople,ordinary. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Togullistocheat,trick,deceive,takeadvantageof. 2.Antonyms.Compendiousmeanscondensed,abridged,containingthesubstanceofasubjectinbriefform.Exhaustivemeansthorough, coveringeverything. 3.Antonyms.Torhapsodizeistoexpressoneselfwithextravagantemotionorenthusiasm. 4.Synonyms.Anincongruityissomethingthatdisagrees,somethingincompatible.Anoxymoronisaself-contradictoryexpression. 5.Antonyms.Provenanceisthesourceororiginofsomething.Adestinationisaplacewheresomethinggoesorissent. 6.Synonyms.Laissez-faireisnoninterferencewiththeaffairsofothersorwithindividualfreedomofaction. 7.Synonyms.Preternaturalmeanssupernatural,beyondwhatisconsiderednormalornatural;hence,exceptional,extraordinary. 8.Antonyms.Todisabuseistofreefromerror,deception,ormisunderstanding. 9.Synonyms.Acourtesanisahigh-classfemaleprostitute.Aconcubineisamistress. 10.Synonyms.Todebauchistocorruptorseduce—thesameastodeprave. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Fanfaredoesn’tfit.Braggadocioisemptyandarrogantboastingorbragging. 2.Cursedoesn’tfit.Toflagellateistowhip,flog,lash,scourge. 3.Rabble-rouser—ademagogue(word12ofLevel4)—doesn’tfit.Aninsurgentissomeonewhorisesinoppositiontoagovernmentorto establishedauthority,arebel,revolutionary. 4.Self-satisfactiondoesn’tfit.Panacheisself-assurance,grandorflamboyantconfidenceofstyleormanner. 5.Fullofamendments,correctionsorchanges,doesn’tfit.Omnibusmeanspertainingto,containing,orcoveringmanythingsoritemsat once. 6.Makelessseveredoesn’tfit;tomitigatemeanstomakelesssevere,alleviate.Tomilitateistoweighheavily,operateorworkagainst. 7.Utilitarian(word49ofLevel4)doesn’tfit.Nihilisticmeansanarchic,despairing,rejectingestablishedinstitutionsandbeliefs. 8.Vivacious,lively,energetic,doesn’tfit.Torpidmeansinactive,sluggish,enervated. 9.Spiritualdoesn’tfit.Seminalmeanshighlyoriginalandcreative,influencinglaterworks,events,orideas. 10.Starvingdoesn’tfit.Cravenmeanscowardly,contemptiblytimid,pusillanimous. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Amaladroitmaneuverisawkward,clumsy,unskillful. 2.Whenyougormandize,youeatgreedilyandexcessively,likeaglutton. 3.It’sargumentative.Polemicalmeanspertainingtoorconsistingofanargumentordispute. 4.Anepochaleventishighlysignificant,important,orinfluential. 5.Thecognoscentiareexpertsinacertainsubject,connoisseurs. 6.Yousacrificeit.Toimmolateistokillordestroybysacrifice,especiallybyfire. 7.Ahideboundpersonisnarrow-mindedandstubbornlyinflexible. 8.Itdisintegrates.Tomolderistodecay,crumble,rot,wasteaway. 9.Fratricideistheactofkillingone’sbrother,orapersonwhokillshisorherbrother. 10.Aspleneticpersonisirritable,spiteful,andmorose. LEVEL6 Word1:INELUCTABLE(IN-i-LUHK-tuh-bul) Nottobeevadedorresisted;unavoidable;inescapable;inevitable. Ineluctable comes from the Latin inēluctābilis, from which one cannot struggle free, combining the privativeprefixin-,not,withtheverbēluctāre, to struggle out of, surmount. By derivation ineluctable means not to be struggled free from, unable to be surmounted, or, as Henry Cockeram defined it in his EnglishDictionarieof1623,oneoftheearliestworksofEnglishlexicography,“nottobeeouercomeby anypaines.”Thisisstilltheessentialmeaningofthewordtoday. History is replete (well-stocked, richly supplied) with stories of ineluctable social, political, and economicforcesalteringandsometimesdestroyingthelivesofindividuals.Someone’sfateordestinyis oftendescribedasineluctable,unavoidableorinevitable.AndinclassicalGreekdrama,thedownfallof themaincharacteristheineluctableconsequenceoftragicflaws—includinghubris(word40ofLevel1), excessivepride. Word2:MORIBUND(MOR-uh-bund) Dying,closetodeath,atdeath’sdoor. An unusual synonym of moribund is the Latin phrase in extremis (in-ek-STREE-mis), at the point of death. MoribundcomesfromtheLatinmoribundus,dying,atthepointofdeath,whichcomesinturnfrom theverbmorī,todie,thesourcealso,byacircuitous(sur-KYOO-i-tus,indirect,roundabout)path,ofthe word murder. This Latin morī, to die, appears also in the expression memento morī (muh-MEN-toh MOR-eye or MOR-ee), which was borrowed directly from Latin and means “remember that you must die”;thephraseisoftenusedofanobject,suchasaskull,thatservesasareminderofone’smortality. Moribund may be used in a literal sense to mean dying, as a moribund houseplant or a moribund relative.Butinmodernusagemoribundisalsooftenusedinanextended,nonliteralsensetomeanina stateofterminaldecline,approachingextinction.Adyingempire,anobsolescentcustom,afailinglove affair,andacompanygoingoutofbusiness—allaremoribund,closetodeathoronthevergeofexpiring. Word3:BELLWETHER(BEL-weth-ur) Aleader,onewhotakestheinitiative;also,aleadingindicatorofatrend. Awether(pronouncedlikeweather)isacastratedmalesheep,andinitsoriginalsenseabellwetherwas awetherwithabellhungonitsneckwhosefunctionwastoleadtheflockofsheep.Hence,bellwether cametoalsomeanaleader.Atfirstthissensewasdisparaging,asthebellwetherofamutiny, meaning not just a leader but a ringleader, one who leads others in improper or illegal activity. But in modern usagebellwethernolongerhasthisnegativeconnotation,andthewordisusedchieflyintwoways.Itmay denote“apersonorthingthatassumestheleadershiporforefront”(RandomHouse),asBlackstoneisa bellwether investor in the industry. Or it may denote a leading indicator of a trend, as Ohio is consideredthebellwetherstateinU.S.presidentialelections. Word4:PERMUTATION(PUR-myoo-TAY-shin) Athoroughorfundamentalchange,ortheresultofsuchachange. Synonyms of permutation include alteration, transformation, transmutation, transfiguration, and metamorphosis. The noun permutation comes ultimately from the Latin permūtāre, to change completely, a combination of the intensifying prefix per-, thoroughly, completely, and mūtāre, to change, alter. In its mostgeneralsense,amutationisachangeoralteration;forexample,aso-calledcorrectioninthestock market(meaningasuddenandoftensteepdeclineinprices)maycauseamutationintheeconomy,and cells in the body may undergo mutation and become cancerous. A permutation is a thorough or fundamentalmutation,ortheresultofsuchamutation.TheFordMustanghasundergoneseveraldesign permutationssincetheclassiccarwasintroducedin1964.Andeveryyearthemoversandshakersinthe worldoffashionhopetheyhavefoundasuccessfulpermutationofwhatwasinstylebefore. Word5:INTERLOPE(in-tur-LOHPorIN-tur-lohp) Tointerfere,intrude;tothrustoneselfintoothers’affairs,usuallyforselfishreasons. Synonymsofinterlopeincludetomeddle,trespass,invade,infringe,encroach, and the colloquial butt in. Theoriginoftheverbtointerlopeisunclear,butitisprobablyrelatedtotheMiddleDutchlopenor loopen,torun,andanOldEnglishwordmeaningtoleap.Thecombiningforminter-meansbetween,so interlopebyderivationmeanstorunorleapbetween,hencetointerfere.Originallytointerlopereferred tounlicensedinterferinginothers’tradingrightsorunauthorizedintrudingontheircommercialterritory, andthewordmaystillbeusedinthisway,asAninterlopingcompanyeagertoprofitfromtheuntapped oil and gas in the region. But from this specialized meaning developed the modern and more general sense:tointrudeonthedomainofothersortointerfereintheiraffairs,invariablyforselfishgain.Thus, aninterlopingspeciesisonethatintrudesonthehabitatofotherspeciesandcrowdsthemout.Andonthe sci-fiTVshowStarTrektheso-calledPrimeDirectivefortheUnitedFederationofPlanetsdictatesthat therecanbenointerlopinginaliencivilizations. Thenounisinterloper(IN-tur-LOH-pur),someoneorsomethingthatselfishlyinterferesormeddles intheaffairsofothers:“EversinceMarthatookinthatstraycathe’sbeenaninterloperinourhouse.” Word6:HECTOR(HEK-tur) Tobullyorbedomineering;tointimidateortormentwithwordsorthreats. The verb to hector is an eponym, a word derived from a name. It comes from Hector, the leader and bravestwarrioroftheTrojansinGreekmythology.InHomer’sIliad,whichtellsthestoryoftheTrojan War,HectorslaysPatroclus(puh-TROH-klus),thefriendofthegreatestoftheGreekwarriors,Achilles (uh-KIL-eez), who in revenge slays Hector and drags his body behind his chariot around the walls of Troy. HectorwasfirstusedinEnglishasanountomeanavaliantwarriorlikeHector.Itwaslaterapplied to“asetofdisorderlyyoungmenwhoinfestedthestreetsofLondon”(OED)inthe17thcenturyandwas usedtomeanaswaggering,bullyingbraggart.Itwassoontransformedintoaverbmeaningtobullyorto be a bully, as in this quotation from Henry Fielding’s 1749 novel Tom Jones: “We are … not to be hectored,andbullied,andbeatintocompliance.”Thisishowhectorismostoftenusedtoday. Someonewhohectorsisdomineeringandintimidating,usinganymeansshortofoutrightviolence— such as shouting, insults, and threats—to instill fear and obedience in others. Army drill sergeants, for example, are infamous for hectoring recruits, but even a parent or teacher who bullies and threatens childrencanbedescribedashectoring. Word7:DIS S OLUTE(DIS-uh-LOOT) Lackingmoralrestraint;giventoimmoralbehavior. Synonymsoftheadjectivedissoluteincludewanton,lewd,debauched(debauchisword30ofLevel5), licentious (ly-SEN-shus), dissipated (DIS-i-pay-tid), and profligate (PRAHF-li-git). Antonyms include prudish,straitlaced,andpuritanical. DissolutecomesfromtheLatindissolūtus,loose,disconnected,andoncemeantlooseorrelaxed.In modernusage,though,dissolutemeanslooseinmoralsandconduct,toorelaxedaboutone’svirtue.The dissolute person lacks all restraint and is given to indulgence in immoral behavior, especially sensual pleasuresandvices.Adissolutelifestyleisonecharacterizedbyoverindulgenceinandoftenaddictionto somethingconsideredimmoral,suchasdrugs,sex,orgambling. Dissolutemayalsobeusedasanountomeanadissoluteperson:“Whethertheyarefromhighorlow society—trust-fund-squandering preppies slugging gin and tonics in the Hamptons or unwashed, unemployedne’er-do-wellsstickingneedlesintheirarms—dissoluteseverywhereareallthesame.” Word8:LINEAMENTS (LIN-ee-uh-mints) Distinguishingfeaturesordistinctivecharacteristics. Thesingularnounlineament,whichismoreoftenusedintheplural,lineaments,comesthroughtheLatin līneāmentum, a drawn line or a feature, from the Latin līneā, a line, the source also of the adjective linear,composedoflines,hencestraightorsequential,asalinearnarrativeorlinearthinking. Lineamentsmaybeusedofapartofthebody,especiallytheface,tomeanadistinctivecontouror outline, or a particular feature or detail, as a marble bust with the same graceful lineaments as its subject. Perhaps more often, though, lineaments is used generally of any distinguishing features or distinctivecharacteristics,whetherphysical,asthegrimanddangerouslineamentsofthatbarrencoast, or figurative, as the structural lineaments of poetry or an apartment with all the lineaments of a sophisticatedmanwithrefinedtastes. Word9:CHURLIS H(CHUR-lish) Lackingcivilityandgraciousness;rude,ill-mannered,ungracious. Synonyms of churlish include surly, gruff, boorish, loutish, and uncouth. Antonyms include polite, gracious,well-bred,refined,andcourtly. The English noun churl (rhymes with girl) is more than a thousand years old and comes from the Anglo-Saxonceorl,amanorhusband.IntheMiddleAges,inthefeudalsystem,achurlwasafreemanof thelowestrank,justaboveaslave.Becauseofthislowsocialpositiontheadjectivechurlish,whichis almostasoldaschurl,firstmeantpertainingtothelowrankofachurl,butitsooncametosuggestthe rustic,earthy,andcrudecharacteristicsofachurl,andthenthevulgar,low-bredcharacterofachurl.By theearly15thcenturychurlishhadcometomeanlackingcivilityandgraciousness,rude,boorish,surly, andthisisthecommonmeaningofthewordtoday. WhenShakespeare,inTroilusandCressida,writes,“Heisasvaliantasthelion,churlishasthebear, slowasanelephant,”hemeansthatthebearisirritableandantisocial.Churlishhostsorchurlishguests arerudeandungracious—notniceoraccommodatingatall.AndanyonewhohaswatchedtheclassicTV sitcomAllintheFamilyknowsthatArchieBunker—thebenighted(word48ofthislevel)bigotplayed byCarrollO’Connor—wastheembodimentofchurlishness,rude,ill-manneredbehavior. Word10:PREPOS S ES S ING(PREE-puh-ZES-ing) Givingafavorableimpression;attractive,engaging,pleasing,comely. Theverbtoprepossessmaymeantopreoccupybeforehand:“ShecametoWashingtonprepossessedwith grandiose (word 3 of Level 1) ideas.” Or it may mean to influence beforehand, to bias or prejudice, especiallyinfavorofsomething:“Theyeasilyprepossessedthecorruptjudgewithflatteryandbribes.” The adjective prepossessing originally meant causing bias or prejudice, but that sense is obsolete, and sincethe1700sthewordhasbeenusedtomeancreatingagoodimpression,predisposingfavorably:“His prepossessinggoodlooksandmannerswontheheartsofallwhomethim”;“Rarelyisayoungwriter’s firstnovelasprepossessingandprofoundasthis.” The antonym of prepossessing is the perhaps more common unprepossessing, not creating a good impression; hence, unattractive, unremarkable, or unpleasant. An unprepossessing person makes a poor impression,perhapsbecauseheorsheisdressedpoorly,speakspoorly,orhasbadbreath.Andagreat restaurantmaybelocatedinanundesirableneighborhoodonanunprepossessingstreet. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Issomethingineluctableavoidable? 2.Ifsomethingismoribund,isitlikelytosurvive? 3.Isabellwetheraleader? 4.Isapermutationatransformation? 5.Whenyouinterlope,doyouinterfere? 6.Doessomeonewhohectorsofferhelpfuladvice? 7.Wouldadissolutepersonexerciserestraint? 8.Arelineamentsdistinguishingfeatures? 9.Isachurlishpersonunfriendly? 10.Issomethingprepossessingattractive? Don’tStupidsizeMe Aftermyvocabulary-buildingprogramVerbalAdvantagecameoutasabookin2000(itwasoriginally anaudiocourse),Iwasinvitedtobeaguestonsalon.com,answeringquestionsinaforumcalledTable Talk.Itwasalivelydiscussion.Atonepointaparticipantcommentedthatmanyofthekeywordsinthe bookstruckheras“triviaquestionsmorethanelementsofaworkingvocabulary.”Andsheasked,“As muchfunasitistoknowawordlikesciamachy[sy-AM-uh-kee,fightingwithashadoworanimaginary opponent],doyoureallythinkitshouldbepartofeverydaydiscourse?” That’safairquestion,Itoldher.Toomanypeopleusebigwordstoshowoffortointimidateothers, whichisobnoxious,andwhat’sthepointoflearningwordsthatnobodyelsewillunderstand?ButthenI remindedherthatnine-tenthsofthewordsinanunabridgeddictionaryarenotpartofeverydaydiscourse, andatleasthalfofthosearenotsotechnicalorobscurethatnooneusesthem.They’rejustnotcommon. Shouldlexicographersnotbothertoincludethem?(Sometimestheydon’t,tomakeroomfortrendynew words.)Shouldwenotbothertolearnsomeofthem,ifonlybecausethey’reuncommonlyinteresting?And why should something as unimaginative and boring as everyday discourse dictate—or circumscribe— whatwordsareworthlearning? Toawriterallwordsareuseful,whethertheyareusedtoday,tomorrow,nextyear,justonce,ornever. Just having a word in your vocabulary is enough; it’s like having had a memorable experience. For example, my experience with the adjective chryselephantine (KRIS-el-uh-FAN-tin), made of gold and ivory, gave me untold delight, while my experience with the verb to impact was unpleasant enough to makemeswearoffitpermanently. Whatwriterwouldn’tsquirmandcurseifconfinedtothevocabularyofeverydaydiscourse?That’s likehavingtoeatfastfoodanddrinksugarysodaateverymeal.Suchanunappealingdietofunremarkable wordscandoonlyonething:stupidsizeme. This isn’t an argument against simple diction, which has its merits. It’s an argument against the arbitrary notion that we should always use simple words and that difficult words have no place in our discourse.Writerswhorejectuncommonwordscondemnthemselvestothefrustrationoftryingtobuilda house with only a screwdriver. And they forfeit, foolishly, the right to partake in the treasure of our tongue. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel6: Word11:ELEGIAC(EL-i-JY-ik) Ofthenatureofanelegy;hence,expressinggrief,sorrow,orlamentation. Synonymsofelegiacincludemournful,tearful,melancholy,funereal,rueful(word25ofLevel1),and plaintive(word9ofLevel2). Elegiacistheadjectivecorrespondingtothenounelegy.Anelegy(EL-i-jee)isatypeofpoemthat expressesgrieformourning.InTheMakingofaPoem,MarkStrandandEavanBolandexplainthat“an elegyisalament.Itsetsoutthecircumstancesandcharacterofaloss.Itmournsforadeadperson,lists his or her virtues, and seeks consolation beyond the momentary event.” Although the elegy is a public poem of lament, expressing the grief of a community or culture, the best elegies express not only communallamentationbutthepoet’sprivategriefaswell. Elegiac expression is not limited to poetry. A novel, a memoir, a play, or a film can be elegiac, expressing grief over the loss of a person or thing. A great deal of music is also elegiac, mournful, melancholy,expressiveofloss. ElegiacissometimesmispronouncedEL-i-JAY-ik,asifthewordwerespelledelegaic.Takecareto spellitelegiacandsayEL-i-JY-ik. Word12:UKAS E(yoo-KAYSorYOO-kays,likeyoucase) Anauthoritativeorder,command,orproclamation. UkaseenteredEnglishabout1730,comingthroughFrenchfromRussian.Itoriginallymeantanabsolute decree or edict by the czar of Russia or his government, and this is still the word’s specific historical meaning.Butinthe19thcenturythemeaningbroadenedandukasewasusedofanyproclamationhaving theforceoflaw,andinthissenseitisbroadlysynonymouswiththewordsedictanddecree.However,in modern usage ukase also often suggests an arbitrary or subjective order or command issued by an authority: “The professor’s ukase on late papers—that they would get an F, with no extensions or exceptions—took some students by surprise.” A ukase may also come from an authority whose final authoritymaybequestionable:“Duringthecontractnegotiationstheunionrejectedmanagement’sukase, callingitunacceptable.” Word13:AS PERITY(uh-SPER-i-tee) Harshness,roughness,orsharpnessofmanner,temper,ortone. AsperitycomesfromtheLatinasperĭtās,whichcomesinturnfromasper,rough.TheLatinasperĭtāshad several meanings. It was used of the sense of touch to mean roughness or unevenness. It was used of hearing to mean sharpness or sourness. And it was used of character or manner to mean harshness, severity,fierceness.AllthesesensessurviveintheEnglishnounasperity. Youmayuseasperitytomeanaroughnessorunevenness,astheasperityofunfinishedwood, or a slight, uneven projection from a surface, as the asperities of the tongue. You may use it to mean harshnessorsharpnessofsound,asthepiccolo’sasperityortheasperityofhermother’sscoldingvoice. Andyoumayuseittomeanhardship,difficulty,rigor,astheeconomicasperityofalongrecession or theasperityofNewEnglandwinters.Butmostoftenasperityisusedtodenoteaharshness,roughness,or sharpness of manner, temper, or tone: “Herman’s editor insisted on softening his unrestrained asperity toward his literary rivals”; “Portia was infamous for treating her friends and enemies with equal asperity.” Synonyms of asperity include bitterness, acerbity, crabbedness, petulance, surliness, irascibility, andcaptiousness.Antonymsofasperityincludecheerfulness, graciousness, courteousness, cordiality, andaffability. Word14:DELECTATION(DEE-lek-TAY-shin) Enjoyment,delight,greatpleasure. DelectationcomesthroughtheLatindēlectātio,delight,pleasure,fromtheverbdēlectāre,todelight,take delightin,thesourcealsooftheadjectivedelectable(di-LEK-tuh-bul),delightful,pleasing,delicious,as adelectablefeastoradelectablestory. DelectationenteredEnglishinthelate14thcentury,andtheOEDexplainsthatinitiallythewordwas usedofallkindsofpleasure,bothworldlyandspiritual,butsincethe18thcenturydelectationhasbeen applied chiefly “to the lighter kinds of pleasure.” Thus, we speak of “entertainments provided for the public’sdelectation,”or“freshlocalseafoodandvegetablesforthedelectationoftheguests.” Delectationmayalsobeusedofanythingthatdelights,orasamoreliterarysynonymofdelight:“She spokeforafullhour,tothedelectationofallpresent”;“Thatsummerworkingonthedairyfarmhewasso isolated, bored, and bereft (word 1 of Level 5) of books that watching TV was his only diversion and delectation.” Word15:BOOTLES S (BOOT-lis) Useless,unproductive,unprofitable. Synonyms of bootless include fruitless, vain, inefficacious (in-EF-i-KAY-shus), unavailing (uhn-uhVAYL-ing),andnugatory(word31ofLevel9). The adjective bootless may mean literally without boots, and therefore shoeless, unshod, discalced (word 22 of Level 10). But in the sense we are concerned with here, bootless goes back to the Old Englishbōt,aremedy,whichgaveusthenounbootmeaningadvantage,profit,use,familiarinthephrase toboot,meaningtogoodadvantageorinaddition,andformerlyusedinthephrasesitisnoboot,meaning it is no use, and to make boot of, meaning to profit or gain by, as when Shakespeare, in Antony and Cleopatra,writes,“Givehimnobreath,butnowmakebooteofhisdistraction.” Bootlesscombinesthisarchaicboot,advantage,profit,use,withtheprivativesuffix-lesstomeanof noadvantage,unprofitable,useless.Inmodernusagebootlessistheequivalentoftonoavail,meaningto no profitable use or advantage. We speak of bootless attempts, bootless efforts, bootless words, or a bootlessenterprise.“Eachquarter,”writesJasonHirthleratCounterPunch.org,“hundredsofthousandsof workersbecomesodispiritedbytheirbootlesssearchforworkthattheysimplyquitlooking.” Word16:EXPLICATE(EKS-pli-kayt) Topresentadetailedexplanationoranalysisof. TheverbtoexplicatecomesfromtheLatinexplicāre,tounfold,unroll,disentangle.Byderivation,when youexplicateyouunfoldthemeaningofsomething,disentangleitsdifficultiesandmakethemplain. To explain is the general term for making something clear or understandable. To explicate implies explaining in much greater detail and depth, unfolding the meaning or mysteries of something. You can explicate a literary text, explicate a scientific theory, explicate a philosophical principle, explicate a complex piece of music, or explicate the peculiar trends and obsessions of popular culture. The noun explicationistheactofexplicating,presentingadetailedexplanationoranalysisofsomething.Tobea goodteacheryoumustbeadeptatexplication. Synonymsofexplicateincludeinterpret,expound,andelucidate(word22ofLevel1).Antonymsof explicateincludecomplicate,muddle,adumbrate(ad-UHM-braytorAD-um-brayt),andobfuscate(ahbFUHS-kaytorAHB-fuh-skayt). Word17:PEJORATIVE(pi-JOR-uh-tivor-JAHR-uh-tiv) Havinganegativemeaningorforce;uncomplimentary. Synonymsofpejorativeincludebelittling,disparaging,derogatory,depreciatory(di-PREE-shee-uh-toree),anddeprecatory(DEP-ri-kuh-tor-ee). TheadjectivepejorativecomesfromtheLateLatinpējōrāre,tomakeorbecomeworse,whichinturn comesfrompejor,worse,thecomparativeformoftheadjectivemalus,bad,evil,thesourceofmaleficent (muh-LEF-i-sint),harmful,evil.Theverbispejorate(PEE-juh-rayt),tomakeworse,causetodeteriorate, as to pejorate an already bad situation. The noun is pejoration (PEE-juh-RAY-shin), a lessening in worthorstatus,devaluation,asthepejorationofaonce-populartheory. In linguistics, the nouns pejoration and amelioration (uh-MEEL-yuh-RAY-shin), often called melioration,denoteoppositetendenciesinsemanticchange—inthemeaningofagivenword.When,over time, a word acquires a less favorable or less pleasant meaning or connotation, it is said to have undergone pejoration. And when, over time, a word acquires a more positive or favorable meaning or connotation,itissaidtohaveundergoneamelioration(fromtheLatinmelior,better).Apejorativeword, onewithnegativeimplications,conveyscontemptorcondemnation,whileanameliorativeword,onewith positiveimplications,conveysacceptabilityandapproval. Forexample,knaveoncemeantaboy,booroncemeantafarmer,andvillainoncemeantapeasant, but after centuries of pejoration a knave is now an untrustworthy, deceitful man, a boor is now a rude, churlish (word 9 of this level) person, and a villain is now a criminal or scoundrel, the opposite of a hero. Meanwhile, centuries of amelioration have taken the simple adjective nice from meaning foolish, silly,stupidwhenitenteredEnglishinthe14thcenturytomeaningpleasant,agreeable,friendlytoday. Word18:LABYRINTHINE(LAB-uh-RIN-thin) Likealabyrinthormaze;consistingofmanywindingsandturnings;hence,complicated,intricate,involved,knotty. Synonyms of labyrinthine include tortuous (TOR-choo-us), convoluted (KAHN-vuh-loo-tid), meandering(meanderisword7ofLevel3),sinuous,serpentine(SUR-pin-teenor-tyn),andcircuitous (sur-KYOO-i-tus). Theadjectivelabyrinthineandthemorefamiliarnounlabyrinth(LAB-uh-rinth)cometousfromthe famous story in Greek mythology about the hero Theseus (THEE-syoos or THEE-see-us) and the Minotaur (MIN-uh-tor) of Crete, a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man, which ate nothingbuthumanflesh.Theseususedamagicballofthreadthatrolledaheadofhimthroughthelabyrinth andledhimtotheMinotaur,whichhekilledwithhisbarehands.Hethenretracedhisstepsoutofthe labyrinthbyfollowingthethreadagain. Labyrinthineissometimesspelledlabyrinthianandpronouncedinfivesyllables,LAB-uh-RIN-theein. It shouldn’t be. Take care to use the preferred spelling with -thine at the end and the preferred pronunciation,whichhasfoursyllables:LAB-uh-RIN-thin. Word19:LEONINE(LEE-uh-nyn) Relatingtoorresemblingalion. TheadjectiveleoninecomesfromtheLatinleōnīnus,oforresemblingalion,whichcomesinturnfrom leo,leōnis,alion.ThisLatinleo,ofcourse,iswherewegetthenameoftheconstellationLeo and the nameofthefifthsignofthezodiacinastrology.LeoninedatesbackinEnglishtothe14thcentury,when Chaucer,in“TheMonk’sTale,”wrote,“Sowashefullofleoninecourage.”Laterwritersusedleonineto attributelion-likecharacteristicstohumanbeings,referringtoaman’sleonineaspect,awoman’sleonine beauty,oraperson’sleoninenature.Athickmaneofhaironaperson’shead,especiallyafullheadof whitehair,isoftendescribedasleonine. You’lllearnsomemoreanimaladjectivesinamoment,afterthissetofkeywords. Word20:DOCTRINAIRE(dahk-tri-NAIR) Inflexiblyorfanaticallyweddedtocertainideasorbeliefsandintentonimposingthemonothers. A doctrine is a system of belief or a set of principles that people teach and advocate as the truth. The adjective doctrinaire means not only rigidly attached to your beliefs or principles but also intent on imposingthemonothers.Adoctrinairepersontakesanarrow-minded,inflexibleviewofasubjectand expectsotherstoacceptthatviewunquestioningly. Theadjectivesdictatorial,dogmatic,anddoctrinairearecloseinmeaning.Dictatorialmeanslikea dictator,anabsoluteruler;hence,insistingonstrictobedienceinadomineeringmanner.Dogmatic—from the noun dogma (DAWG-muh), an authoritative and often rigid set of opinions or beliefs—means asserting your opinion in an arrogant, overbearing way. Doctrinaire means having inflexible and often fanaticalopinionsorbeliefsandtryingtoimposethemonothers. Othersynonymsofdoctrinaireincludeuncompromising,authoritarian,imperious(word15ofLevel 3),obdurate(AHB-d[y]uu-rit),andintransigent(in-TRAN-si-jint). ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Elegiaclanguageismournful. 2.Aukaseisastrongsuggestion. 3.Abossshouldtreatemployeeswithasperity. 4.Somethingyoudoforyourowndelectationispleasurable. 5.Abootlessattemptisasuccessfulattempt. 6.Toexplicateistoremovefromadifficultsituation. 7.Apejorativeremarkiscomplimentary. 8.Somethinglabyrinthineiscomplicatedorconvoluted. 9.Apersonwithleoninelooksresemblesahorse. 10.Adoctrinairepersonhasinflexiblebeliefs. OnceUponaWord:AnimalAdjectives Youjustlearnedthewordleonine,relatingtoorresemblingalion,andyou’reprobablyfamiliarwiththe adjectives feline (FEE-lyn), canine (KAY-nyn), avian (AY-vee-in), equine (EE-kwyn), and bovine (BOH-vyn),whichmean,respectively,likeacat,likeadog,likeabird,likeahorse,andlikeacow.But herearesomeanimaladjectivesyoumaynotknowthatmaycomeinhandy,especiallywhendescribing peoplewithanimalqualities: ursine(UR-syn):likeabear ovine(OH-vyn):likeasheep porcine(POR-syn):likeapigorswine corvine(KOR-vyn):likeacrow saurian(SOR-ee-in):likealizard hircine(HUR-syn,likehersign):likeagoat lupine(LOO-pyn)andvulpine(VUHL-pyn):likeawolf anserine(AN-suh-ryn):likeagoose struthious(STROO-thee-us):likeanostrich selachian(suh-LAY-kee-in):likeashark bufoniform(byoo-FAHN-i-form):likeatoad blattoid(BLAT-oyd):likeacockroach ophidian(oh-FID-ee-in):likeasnake vermiform(VUR-mi-form):likeaworm pavonine(PAV-uh-nyn):likeapeacock *** Let’sreturnnowtotheWordWorkoutvocabularyfortenmorekeyworddiscussions. Word21:PRES CIENCE(PREE-shintsorPRESH-) Knowledgeofeventsbeforetheyhappenorofthingsbeforetheyexist;foreknowledgeorforesight. Precognitionandpreapprehensionarefancysynonymsofprescience. PresciencecomesfromtheLatinverbpraescire,toknowbeforehand,whichinturncomesfromprae, before,andscire,toknow,understand,thesourceofthefamiliarwordscienceandoftheunusualword sciolist (SY-uh-list), a person of superficial learning; hence, an intellectual fake or pretender to knowledge. Byderivationpresciencemeansknowledgebeforehand,foreknowledge,foresight.Sinceabout1400, when Chaucer wrote his Canterbury Tales, the word has been used in exactly that sense either of the divineforeknowledgeofGodorofthefacultyofforesightinhumanbeings,asinthissentence:“Peabody isknownforhisprescienceinseeingthecomingcollapseinthemortgagemarket”(MotleyFool.com). Theadjectiveisprescient(PREE-shintorPRESH-),havingforeknowledge,knowingaboutthingsor eventsbeforetheyhappen:“Reexaminedinlightofthecurrentheadlines,theconcernsraisedbythestudy seemquiteprescient”(ForeignPolicy). Word22:LOCUTION(loh-KYOO-shun) Aparticularword,phrase,expression,oridiom,especiallyoneusedbyaspecificpersonorgroup. LocutioncomesfromtheLatinlocūtio,speech,pronunciation,whichcomesinturnfromtheverbloqui, to speak, the source of numerous English words, including eloquent, speaking or writing in a vivid, forceful, and moving way; loqacious (loh-KWAY-shus), extremely talkative; colloquial, pertaining to informalspeechorconversation;interlocutor(IN-tur-LAHK-yuh-tur),whichcombinesinter-, between, and loqui, to speak, and means a person one speaks with, who takes part in a conversation; circumlocution (word 44 of Level 3), roundabout or indirect expression; obloquy (AHB-luh-kwee), abusive language or speech; and grandiloquent (gran-DIL-uh-kwint), full of grand, lofty, high-flown words. Locution may refer to any word, phrase, or expression: “Old sport is an old-fashioned and stuffy locution.”Oralocutionmaybeaspecificwordorphraseassociatedwithaparticularpersonorgroup: “TroubleandstrifeisaCockneylocutionforwife”;“[She]hasspentthepasttwenty-eightyearsworking with dementia patients—or, in her preferred locution, with people who have trouble thinking” (New Yorker).Alocutioncanevenbeanabbreviationorinitialism,suchasetc.foretceteraorLOLforlaugh outloud. Word23:OLFACTORY(ahl-FAK-tur-ee,withahl-asinolive) Oforpertainingtothesenseofsmell,ortotheactofsmelling. TheadjectiveolfactorycomesfromtheLatinolfăcĕre,tosmellorsniff,detectbysmelling,fromolēre,to smell,andfăcĕre,todo.Yourolfactoryorgan(sometimescalledyourolfactories)isyournose,andthe nounolfaction(ahl-FAK-shin)isthesenseofsmellortheactofsmelling. Olfactory,whichenteredEnglishinthe17thcentury,wasoncechieflyamedicalandscientificterm, butthesedaysthewordisusedfreelyinjournalismandfiction:“Unmistakableolfactorycluesledmeto discoverthatWilf,my11-week-oldcairnterrier,haddefecatedinthefireplaceatsomepointduringthe morning” (Felicity Cloake, The Guardian); “None of the evil roommates appeared to be home, though traces of them, both visual and olfactory, were everywhere” (Michael Chabon, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,1988). Word24:LOGOPHILE(LAHG-uh-fylorLAWG-,likelogafile) Aloverofwords. Thenounlogophileisablendofthecombiningformslogo-,word,speech,whichcomesfromtheGreek logos, word, and -phile, a lover of, enthusiast for, which comes from the Greek philos, loving, dear, beloved. Logophilescomeinmanyforms—fromtheconnoisseurofstyleandusage,totheetymologist,tothe cruciverbalist (a crossword puzzle expert), to the aficionado of wordplay. Your humble author likes to billhimselfasawriter,editor,broadcaster,andlogophile,aloverofwords. Logophile,whichwasborrowedfromFrenchandhasbeenusedinEnglishsincethe1950s,stillhas nodictionary-sanctionedcorrespondingadjective.Buttheobviouschoice,favoredbythosewhousethe wordlogophile,islogophilic(LAHG-uh-FIL-ik). Word25:PERTURB(pur-TURB) Totroubleorupsetmentally,distressordisturbgreatly;also,tothrowintogreatdisorderorconfusion. Synonyms of perturb meaning to trouble or distress greatly include to agitate, disquiet, harry, fluster, unsettle, discompose, and disconcert (dis-kun-SURT). Synonyms of perturb meaning to throw into disorderorconfusionincludetoconfound (word 34 of Level 2), flummox, flabbergast, befuddle, and, once again, discompose and disconcert. Antonyms of perturb include to pacify, mitigate, mollify, and assuage(uh-SWAYJ). The verb to perturb comes from the Latin perturbāre, to disturb thoroughly, throw into complete confusion,acombinationoftheintensifyingprefixper-,whichmeanscompletely,thoroughly,andtheverb turbāre,todisturb,confuse. Theadjectiveisperturbed,madeanxiousoruneasy,disturbed,overwrought:“Itwasaftermidnight, andshewasperturbedthatherdaughterhadn’tcomehomefromtheparty.”Thenounisperturbation,the stateofbeingperturbed,agitation,disquiet,uneasiness:“Thethoughtofbeingburiedalivethrewhiminto aterribleperturbation.”Theagentnouns1perturber(pur-TUR-bur)andperturbator (PUR-tur-BAY-tur) denote a person or thing that causes perturbation, a disturber or troublemaker, as a perturber of the environmentoraperturbatorofthepeace. What’sthedifferencebetweentoperturbandtodisturb?Bothmeantotroublethemindof,upset,or to throw into disorder or confusion. The difference is one of degree. To disturb is to cause mild or moderatedistressorconfusion.Toperturbismoreintense:tocausegreatdistressoragitation,throwinto severedisorderorconfusion. Ifyoucannotbeperturbed,youareimperturbable,extremelycalmandsteady,impassive.Thenoun imperturbabilitymeansthequalityofbeingimperturbable. Word26:DIS S IMULATE(di-SIM-yuh-layt) Todisguiseorhideunderafalseappearance;toconcealthetruth,thefacts,orone’sthoughts,feelings,ormotivesbysomepretense. Theverbstodissimulateandtodissemble(di-SEM-bul)areclosesynonyms;bothcomefromtheLatin dissimulāre,toconceal,disguise,pretendthatthingsarenotastheyare.Bothwordsmeanusingpretense, deceit, or hypocrisy to conceal the truth or disguise the real nature of one’s motives or feelings. But dissemblesuggestsmakinganinsincereshowtomakeothersbelievethatsomethingfalseistrue,while dissimulate suggests constructing a false or contrary appearance to disguise the reality or truth of something. Thus, when the press exposes a scandal, those involved will often dissemble to protect themselves.Butwhilethatscandalousbehaviorisstillgoingonandhasyettobeexposed,thoseinvolved willoftendissimulate,trytohidethetruthorfactsunderafalseappearance. Thenounisdissimulation,theactofdissimulating,hidingtruthorrealitybysomepretense. Word27:BAUBLE(BAW-bul) Ashowy,inexpensiveornament;atrinket,knickknack,trifle. Thenounbaubledatesbacktothe14thcenturyandisprobablydescendedfromanOldFrenchwordfora child’s toy or plaything. Bauble is related to the word bibelot (BEE-buh-loh or BIB-loh), which was borrowedfrommodernFrenchinthe19thcenturyanddenotesasmalldecorativeobject,oftenofbeauty orrarity.Bycontrast,abaubleisashowy,cheap,oftengaudyornamentordecoration,“apieceoffinery oflittleworth”(OED),suchasapieceofinexpensivejewelry.Historically,baublehasalsobeenusedto denotethescepterorbatoncarriedbyajester,orcourtfool,intheMiddleAges. Trinket, knickknack, and trifle are the most familiar synonyms of bauble. More unusual synonyms include gewgaw (GYOO-gaw), gimcrack (word 49 of Level 7), kickshaw, brummagem (BRUHM-uhjum),andbagatelle(BAG-uh-TEL). Word28:CONTRARIAN(kun-TRAIR-ee-in) Apersonwhotakesacontrarypositionoropposingview,especiallysomeonewhoopposesorrejectstheopinionofthemajorityorestablished practice. The noun contrarian and the adjective contrary come from the Latin contrārius, opposite, against, opposed.Tobecontrary(KAHN-trair-ee)istobeoppositeoropposedinvariousways—indirection, position,nature,character,oropinion—andthewordoftenimpliesastubbornunwillingnesstolistenor obey, as a contrary child. Contrarian may also be used as an adjective to mean opposing prevailing opinion or established practice, as a contrarian social observer who rails against the tyranny of the majority. Itisthenatureofthecontrariantohabituallytakeanopposingviewandrejectprevailingopinionor practice. If everyone’s going one way, the contrarian goes the other. The word is often applied specifically to an investor who flouts conventional wisdom and buys when others sell or sells when othersbuy.Contrarianism(kun-TRAIR-ee-in-iz’m)ishabitualopposition,thetendencytorejectmajority opinionorestablishedpractice. Word29:LUMMOX(LUHM-uks) Aclumsyandstupidperson,usuallyalargeandheavyone;anoaf. Ah,howthelanguagedothaboundwithwordsforawkward,clumsy,stupid,blundering,andill-mannered people. Perhaps that’s because there are so doggone many of them! (If that doesn’t make me sound misanthropic,rereadword14ofLevel5.) Therearethecommonwordsblockhead,bonehead,dolt,dunce,numbskull,imbecile,nincompoop, ignoramus(IG-nuh-RAY-mus),andclod,whoseunusualcousinisclodpate (a combination of clod and pate, which means the head). There are the less common simpleton, dullard, dunderhead, addlepate, puzzlepate,andwitling.Therearetherudeandsurlyboorandchurl(discussedinword9ofthislevel). There’sthegaloot(guh-LOOT),whomaybeeccentricandfoolishaswellasawkwardandstupid.And fromtherusticregionofclumsystupiditycomethebumpkin,clodhopper,yokel(YOH-kul),andhayseed. Weknowthatourkeyword,lummox,wasbornintheUnitedStatesandhasbeendocumentedinprint sincethe1820s,butitsoriginisobscure.Somedictionarieslabelitinformalorcolloquial,butdon’tlet thatdiscourageyoufromusingit.Informaldoesn’tmeansuitableonlyincasualspeech;itmeansmerely that a word is not likely to occur in especially formal writing, such as a scholarly journal, but it’s acceptableinotherkindsofwriting,particularlywhenyouwanttoconveyarelaxedandfamiliartone. TheNobelPrize–winningAmericannovelistJohnSteinbeck,whoknewathingortwoaboutwritingina natural, unaffected voice, used lummox in this way in his 1952 novel East of Eden. “Those great lummoxes,”hewrote,“wouldchewalittlethinglikeyoutothebone.” Word30:FECUND(FEK-undorFEE-kund) Fruitful,productive;producingorcapableofproducingabundantoffspringorvegetation.Also,extremelyproductiveorcreativeintellectuallyor artistically. Prolific (proh-LIF-ik) and fertile are close synonyms of fecund. Antonyms include unproductive, infertile,barren,sterile,impotent(IM-puh-tint),andeffete(i-FEET). The adjective fecund comes from the Latin fēcundus, fruitful, abundant. The noun is fecundity, productivenessortheabilitytoproduceyoung.Theverbisfecundate(FEK-un-dayt),tomakefecundor fruitful,or,inbiology,tofertilizeorimpregnate. Fecund soil or a fecund region is abundantly fruitful, producing many crops. A fecund couple or fecund marriage produces many children. And a fecund artist or a fecund imagination is abundantly inventiveorcreative. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Foreknowledgeandprescienceare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Gestureandlocutionare… 3.Olfactoryandnasalare… 4.Word-loverandlogophileare… 5.Mollifyandperturbare… 6.Dissimulateanddiscloseare… 7.Baubleandgewgaware… 8.Gadflyandcontrarianare… 9.Lummoxandgalootare… 10.Fecundandbarrenare… OnceUponaWord:AreYouaLogophile? As you learned in logophile, word 24 of this level, the combining form logo- comes from the Greek logos,word.Ifyou’realogophile,aloverofwords,you’lllovethefollowing“word-words.” To begin with, a logomaniac (LAHG-uh-MAY-nee-ak) is someone who is nuts about words; a logolept(LAHG-uh-lept)issomeonewhohasseizuresaboutwords;andlogorrhea(LAHG-uh-REE-uh) isexcessivetalkativeness,verbaldiarrhea. Logomachy(luh-GAHM-uh-kee)isawarofwordsorabattleaboutwords(fromtheGreekmache, battle). Anyone who contends verbally—for example, a lawyer, a politician, or a critic—is a logomachistorlogomacher(stresson-gom-).Tologomachize(luh-GAHM-uh-kyz)istoengageinawar oforaboutwords. Alogogogue(LAHG-uh-gahg)isaperson—notunlikeyourhumbleauthor—wholegislatesormakes pronouncements about words. Logogogues tend to like logomachy, and they sometimes suffer from logorrhea. Finally, one of my favorite dictionaries, Webster’s New International, second edition, defines logodaedaly (LAHG-uh-DED-uh-lee) as “verbal legerdemain,” using one of my favorite words, legerdemain (LEJ-ur-duh-MAYN), sleight of hand, artful trickery. The -daedaly half of logodaedaly is related to Daedalus, the ingenious Athenian architect and inventor who designed the labyrinth for the MinotaurofCrete(mentionedinlabyrinthine,word18ofthislevel).Logodaedalydenotesaningenious, intricate,orcunninguseofwords. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel6: Word31:HOIPOLLOI(HOY-puh-LOY) Thecommonpeople,thegeneralpopulation,themasses. InancientGreekhoipolloimeant“themany,”andEnglishhasborrowedthephrasevirtuallyunchangedin sense.Inmodernusage,wheneverwriterswanttorefertoordinarypeopleintheaggregate,asopposedto thefewwhohavepower,wealth,andprivilege,theyusehoipolloi:“Youshouldalwaysbewarywhen big-timeWallStreeterscomeaskingformoneyfromthehoipolloi”(Time);“InPittsburgh…boththehoi polloi and the high and mighty are constantly brought back down to earth” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette); “Sincethebirthofleisuretravel,aristocratshavebeendevisingcreativewaystoisolatethemselvesfrom hoipolloi”(TheNewYorkTimes). BecausetheGreekhoimeant“the,”notafewauthoritiesonusage—includingme—havelamentedthat usingthewithhoipolloiisredundant,meaningliterallythethemasses.But,asyoucanseefromthefirst twooftheexamplesjustcited,thereisnodenyingthattheisfrequentlypairedwithhoipolloiinedited writing,andina2002surveyawhopping78percentoftheAmericanHeritageDictionary’susagepanel admittedusingthisredundantthe. Whether you choose to embrace this questionable usage or eschew (es-CHOO, avoid, shun) it, you shouldtakespecialcaretoavoidtheincreasinglycommonmisuseofhoipolloitomeantheelite,upper crust, or privileged few, the opposite of its proper meaning. This is doubtless a confusion of sound between hoi polloi, the common people, the masses, and hoity-toity, which means haughty, snobbish. Here’s one example of the mistake: “Word … spreads through the L.A. police force and criminal underworldandontotheJazz-AgehedonistsoftheHollywoodhoipolloi”(TheStranger.com).Makethat theHollywoodeliteoruppercrustinstead. Word32:FELICITOUS (fi-LIS-i-tis) Especiallyaptorappropriateinaction,manner,orexpression;“admirablysuitedtotheoccasion”(OED). FelicitouscomesfromtheLatinfēlīcitās,happiness,goodfortune,success,ultimatelyfromfēlix, happy, favorable, bringing good luck. From the same source comes the noun felicity (fi-LIS-i-tee), which may meangreathappiness,bliss,asmaritalfelicity,orskill,appropriateness,andgraceinexpression,asher felicity with language or his felicity as a painter. Felicity may also refer to an especially skillful, appropriate,andwell-chosenexpression:“Jordanwasimpressedwiththemanyfelicitiesheheardfrom theToastmastersthatevening.” Felicitousischieflyusedofverbalexpressiontomeanwell-suitedtotheoccasion,skillfullyaptor appropriate.WespeakofafelicitouswriterorspeakerwithafelicitouscommandofEnglishidiomand theabilitytofindthefelicitouswordorturnofphrase,theonemostappropriatefortheoccasion.Butit’s not unusual for writers to describe the action or manner of something as felicitous. You can have felicitoustiming,perfectlysuitedtothemoment.Youcanhaveafelicitousmixofmusicataconcert,with selections especially appropriate for the audience or mood. You can have a felicitous pairing of wine withfood.Youcouldevenhaveafelicitouscoincidenceoroutcome,wherewhatmighthavehappened badlyturnsouttobeappropriateandwelcome. The antonym of felicitous is infelicitous, inappropriate or ill-timed, ill-suited to the occasion, awkward, malapropos (MAL-ap-ruh-POH). Like felicitous, infelicitous is often used of verbal expression, as an infelicitous remark or infelicitous prose. But almost anything that is ill-timed, inappropriate,unhappy,orunfortunatecanbeinfelicitous,asaninfelicitousphonecall,aninfelicitous choiceofoutfit,oraninfelicitousmarriage. Word33:PAEAN(PEE-un) Asongofpraise,joy,thanksgiving,ortriumph;hence,atributeorexpressionofpraise. The noun paean comes directly from the Latin paeān, a hymn. The OED notes that the paean was originallyasolemnsongorchant,usuallyofvictory,addressedatfirsttoApollo—thegodofthesun,of prophecy,ofmusic,andofpoetry—andlatertoothergods.Fromthishistoricalsensesoondevelopedthe generalsenseinwhichthewordismostoftenusedtoday:aglowingtributeorexpressionofhighpraise. Paean is usually used of a work that praises or honors its subject—whether serious, as President Obama’s paean to the late Senator Ted Kennedy or a paean to the pristine grandeur of Yosemite NationalPark,ornotsoserious,asapaeantothejoysofkaraokeorapaeantothenobilityofbacon. But the word is also frequently used to denote praise for a person or thing you wouldn’t expect to be praiseworthy, as a paean to living fast and dying young or a paean to poor parenting. That usage is acceptable because praiseworthiness is in the eye of the beholder, and paean merely denotes an expression of praise. What is not acceptable usage, though, is writing a paean of praise, which is redundantbecausetheideaofpraiseisimplicitinpaean. Asyoumayhavenoticedfromtheseexamples,paeanmustbefollowedbytounlessitstandsalone syntactically,asinthiscitation:“Thehumblecoffeebeanharvested,roastedandgroundisworthyofa modern-daypaean”(NewStatesman). Word34:S ERENDIPITY(SER-un-DIP-i-tee) Theabilitytomake,ortheactofmaking,desirableandfortunatediscoveriesbyaccident. The adjective is serendipitous (SER-un-DIP-i-tus), characterized by serendipity, making fortunate and desirablediscoveriesbyaccident. Perhapsitwasserendipitythatin1754ledtheEnglishnovelistandessayistHoraceWalpoletowrite aletterinwhichhecoinedthewordserendipityfromaPersianfairytalecalled“TheThreePrincesof Serendip.” The heroes of the tale, Walpole wrote, “were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity,ofthingstheywerenotinquestof.” Surely we’ve all had memorable moments of serendipity: you find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk;yourfriendtellsyouthere’sanicehousedownthestreetforsale,andyouwindupbuyingit;or you decide at the last minute to go to a party where you meet your future spouse. The two keys to serendipityare(1)thatyouaren’tlookingforwhatyoudiscover,and(2)thediscoveryisgood. TheBritishwriterWilliamBoyd,inhis1998novelArmadillo,proposedanantonymforserendipity thatwasbasedonthenameofableakRussianarchipelagointheArcticOcean.“Thinkofanotherworld in the far north, barren, icebound, cold, a world of flint and stone. Call it Zembla,” he wrote. “Ergo: zemblanity [zem-BLAN-i-tee] … the faculty of making unhappy, unlucky and expected discoveries by design.” Word35:EPIS TOLARY(i-PIS-tul-er-ee) Pertainingtoletters;containedin,consistingof,orcarriedonbyletters. Theadjectiveepistolaryandthenounepistle(i-PIS’l),aletter,especiallyaformalone,comethroughthe Latin epistula, a letter, written communication, from the Greek epistolé, a message, letter. In the New TestamentoftheBible,theEpistlesofPaultheApostle,meaninghisopenletters,compriseallthebooks fromRomanstoHebrews.Anepistolarycollectionisacollectionofletters,oftenformalorinstructive ones. And the epistolary novel, which is written in the form of letters, is a venerable (VEN-ur-uh-bul) literaryform.(Venerablemeansworthyofdeeprespectorreverence.) Beforetheadventofemail,whenpeoplewrotelettersbyhandoronatypewriter,sentthembywhatis nowdisparagingly(orsometimesnostalgically)called“snailmail,”andthenwaited,oftenforweeks,for areply,theactofcomposingletterswassometimescalledtheepistolaryart.2Inthosedayslong-distance friendshipsandloveaffairswerebynecessityepistolary,carriedonbyletters. Word36:GUS TATORY(GUHS-tuh-TOR-ee) Oforpertainingtotastingoreating,ortothesenseoftaste. TheadjectivegustatorycomesfromtheLatingustare,totaste,partakeof,enjoy.Thenounisgustation (guh-STAY-shin),theactionoftastingorthesenseoftaste.AndfromtheLatinnoungustus,taste,flavor, comes the familiar word gusto (GUHS-toh), hearty enjoyment, keen appreciation, either of eating and drinkingoringeneral:“Attheweddingtheydinedwithgusto,thendancedwithevengreatergusto.” Gustatoryisaneutralwordthatmaybeusedofalmostanythinghavingtodowithtasting,eating,or thesenseoftaste.Agustatoryexperiencecanbepleasantorunpleasant,agustatorydelightoragustatory disaster. You can have gustatory refinement, gustatory memories, or a gustatory adventure. Here’s an interesting use of the word from The New York Times: “[The] crowds witnessed miracles of gustatory excess:towersofbreakfastcereal,asnarlingbearmadeofprunes,palacesbuiltfromcorn.” The Latin phrase de gustibus non est disputandum (day GUUS-ti-buus nohn est DIS-puu-TAHNduum)—sometimes shortened to de gustibus—means there is no disputing about tastes. In other words, tasteisapersonalmatter,notwortharguingabout. Word37:COS S ET(KAHS-it) Topamper,coddle,treatasapet,spoilwithkindnessandaffection. Theverbtocossetcomesfromthenouncosset,whichoriginallymeantapetlamb,onebroughtupwithout itsdam,ormothersheep,andlaterwasappliedtohumanbeingstomeanaspoiledpet.Thenounisnow rarebuttheverbisgoingstrong.Todayweusecossetofanythingwetreatorthattreatsusasapet,that pampersorispampered.Anathleticcoachmaycossetcertainplayers.Amothermaycossetachild.A goodhostcossetstheguests.Andtheorganizersofafund-raisermustslavishlycossetdonors. The adjective is cosseted, pampered, spoiled, overindulged, as a cosseted child or the cosseted passengersinfirstclass. Word38:RIPOS TE(ri-POHST) Aquickandsharpreplyorresponse;aretaliatoryansweroraction;acounterstroke. RipostecomesthroughFrenchultimatelyfromtheLatinrespondēre,togiveananswerto,reply.Whenit enteredEnglishintheearly18thcentury,aripostewasaretaliatorymaneuverinfencing,aquickthrustof the sword made after parrying an opponent’s lunge. The word may still be used in this way, of literal fencing,buttodayitismoreoftenusedoffigurativefencing,ofquicklydeliveredwordsoractionsthat aresharpandretaliatory.WhenJohnMontagu,thefourthEarlofSandwich3(1718–1792),predictedthat hisdissolute(word7ofthislevel)politicalrival,JohnWilkes(1727–1797),would“dieeitherofapox oronthegallows,”Wilkesletflywiththisimmortalriposte:“Thatdepends,mylord,whetherIembrace yourmistressoryourprinciples.” The words reply, rejoinder, retort, rebuttal, and riposte are related in meaning. Reply is the most general,denotinganyanswerorresponse,orsometimesathoroughresponsetoallpointsandquestions raised.Arejoinder(ri-JOYN-dur)isananswertoareply,andoftenaquick,cleveranswertoanother’s comment or objection: “Mark thought he had Pamela on the ropes, but her rejoinder nonplussed him.” (Nonplus is word 14 of Level 3.) A retort (ri-TORT) is a prompt reply, often witty or cutting, that counters a charge or turns an argument against the person who made it: “Opposing members of the legislature yesterday hurled accusations and retorts across the aisle like cannon fire.” A rebuttal (riBUHT-ul) is a counterargument, a formal response that counters an accusation or charge by presenting evidenceorprooftothecontrary.Ourkeyword,riposte,becauseofitsconnectiontofencing,impliesan especiallyswiftandcuttingreplyorretort,aretaliatorycounterstrokewithwordsoraction:“Jameswas notintimidatedbythebigman’sinsultsandthreats,andhefolloweduphiswitheringverbalripostewith a knee-buckling fistic riposte.” (Fistic, which rhymes with mystic, means pertaining to boxing or to fightingwiththefists.Thenounfisticuffsmeansfightingwiththefists.) Word39:PATOIS (PA-twah) Aregionaldialect;aregionalorruralformofalanguagethatdiffersconsiderablyfromthestandardwrittenformofthelanguage.By extension,anyinformalspeechcharacteristicofaparticularsocialgrouporoccupation. Patois comes directly from the French patois, which meant literally clumsy speech. Originally patois referred to any dialect of France or of French-speaking Switzerland that differed enough from standard writtenFrenchsoastoconfound(word34ofLevel2)thosewhodidn’tspeakit.Fromthisusepatois came to denote any dialect or regional form of a language, as the Dutch patois of South Africa or Brooklyn patois, or any informal language used by a particular social or occupational group, as the patoisoftaxidriversorprisonpatois. The words jargon, argot, and patois are all used of specialized and often unintelligible language. Jargon (JAHR-gun) is difficult to understand because it is highly technical and often pretentious, as medicaljargon,legaljargon,andbusinessjargon.Anargot(AHR-gohorAHR-gut)isaspecializedand often secret vocabulary used by a particular group for private communication. Argots (AHR-gohz) are associated chiefly with subcultural groups, as the argot of adolescence and underworld argot. By derivation patois implies a regional or local form of speech that is difficult to understand because its vocabulary,idioms,andgrammardiffermarkedlyfromthatofthestandardwrittenformofthelanguage. Buttodaypatoisisalsooftenused,likeargot,ofinformalspeechusedbyaparticulargroupforprivate communication. Word40:ANIMADVERS ION(AN-i-mad-VUR-zhun) Anunfavorable,censorious(word33ofLevel3),orhostilecomment;also,adverseorhostilecriticism,ortheactofcriticizingunfavorably. AnimadversioncomesfromtheLatinverbanimadvertĕre,whichinitsneutralsensemeanttotakenotice of,payattentionto,butwhichalsohadanegativesense:totakenoticeofafault,toblame,censure.Itis thissensethatinformstheEnglishnounanimadversionandtheetymologicallyrelatedwordsanimosity, resentment,hostility,andanimus(word20ofLevel4),adeep-seateddislikeorfeelingofillwill. Animadversionmaybeusedintwoways.Itmaydenoteaparticularremarkthatisseverelycriticalor hostile:“Foranhourhelistenedtotheiranimadversions,tryingnottolosehistemper.”Oritmayreferto adversecriticismingeneralortheactofcriticizingunfavorably:“SomeBritishcriticshavelamentedthat American book reviewers rarely indulge in animadversion”; “This newspaper has never felt that it is above criticism, especially from politicians and other public officials who take the brunt of our animadversion”(JamaicaObserver). The corresponding verb animadvert (AN-i-mad-VURT) means to comment unfavorably, express strong criticism or disapproval of. Throughout this book I have not been reluctant to animadvert on commonerrorsofEnglishusageandpronunciation. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Hoipolloimeanstheprivilegedfew,thecommonpeople,themasses. 2.Felicitousmeanswell-suited,especiallyapt,inappropriate. 3.Apaeanisatribute,anaward,anexpressionofpraise. 4.Serendipityisaluckydiscovery,anunexpecteddiscovery,anunwanteddiscovery. 5.Epistolarymeanspertainingtonovels,pertainingtocorrespondence,pertainingtoletters. 6.Gustatorymeanspertainingtoeating,pertainingtoswallowing,pertainingtotasting. 7.Tocossetistoswaddle,pamper,coddle. 8.Ariposteisalunge,counterstroke,sharpreply. 9.Patoisisregionaldialect,jargon,nonsensewords. 10.Animadversionisadversecriticism,unfoundedcriticism,acensoriousremark. DifficultDistinctions:TorturousandTortuous Torturous (TOR-chur-us) means causing or involving torture or great suffering; extremely painful. Tortuous (TOR-choo-us) means winding, circuitous, full of twists and turns. Driving at night in the fog alongatortuous(winding)roadcanbeatorturous(painful)experience.Thetortuouspathtoeconomic recovery can be torturous for those at the bottom of the wage-earning barrel. And a book replete with tortuouslanguagecanbetorturoustoread. Thissentencemisusesthewindingwordforthepainfulword:“Thiswasacaseofyearsoftortuous [torturous] abuse” (SouthCoastToday.com). This sentence gets it right: “Dr. Zats is no stranger to the sometimestorturousfootwearhighfashioncanaskofworkingwomen”(Reuters). DifficultDistinctions:DiscreetandDiscrete Theworddiscreet,endingin-eet,andtheworddiscrete,endingin-ete, are soundalikes with different meanings. Discreet, the better known of the pair, means tactful, prudent, circumspect, showing careful judgment:“Shetoldhimthenewsinadiscreetwhisper.”Discretemeansseparate,detached,orunrelated, asdiscreteissuesontheagendaorphysicistsexperimentingwithdiscreteatomicparticles. *** HereisthelastsetoftenkeyworddiscussionsinLevel6: Word41:EXEGES IS (EK-si-JEE-sis) Criticalexplanationorinterpretationofatext. ExegesiscomesdirectlyfromtheancientGreekexēgēsis,aninterpretation,explanation.Theadjectiveis exegetic(EK-si-JET-ik),pertainingtoexegesis,criticalexplanation.Thenounisexegete(EK-si-jeet),a personskilledinexegesis,onewhoundertakesacriticalinterpretationofatext. Explanationisthegeneralwordforanystatementmeanttomakesomethingclearorunderstandable. Elucidation(i-LOO-si-DAY-shin)—fromthesamesourceastheadjectivelucid,clear,easilyunderstood —istheactofcastinglightonsomethingobscureorhardtounderstand.Explication(EK-spli-KAY-shin) is a detailed explanation or analysis of something, by derivation an unfolding of the meaning. Exegesis denotesadetailedanalysisofatext,acriticalandscholarlyinterpretationofapieceofwriting.Theword isoftenusedofaninterpretationoftheBibleorapassagefromit. Word42:DOYENNE(doy-YEN) Awomanwhoisaseniormemberofagroup;ahighlyskilledandknowledgeablewomanwithextensiveexperienceinagivenfield. Doyenneanditsmasculinecounterpart,doyen(pronouncedthesame),aseniormalememberofagroup, come through French from the Latin decānus, a dean, literally the leader of ten. In modern usage both wordsdenotehighlyskilled,experienced,andrespectedpeoplewhoareleadersorseniormembersofa grouporprofession.Whereveryoucouldusetheworddeantodenoteanexperiencedmemberorleader of a group, you can use doyen or doyenne to imply even greater knowledge, skill, and seniority. For example, Bill Clinton is a doyen and Hillary Clinton is a doyenne of American politics. Joyce Carol OatesisadoyenneofAmericanletters,andMerylStreepisadoyenneofHollywood. The suffix -enne occurs in loanwords from French, forming feminine nouns corresponding to masculinenounsendingin-enor-an.“ThefewEnglishwordsthatendin-enne … usually carry little implication of inferiority,” says The Random House Dictionary. Thus, English has comedienne for a femalecomedian;tragedienneforafemaledramaticactor;Parisienneforafemalenativeorinhabitantof Paris; equestrienne for a female horseback rider; and doyenne for a female leader, a woman who is a seniormemberofagroup. Grande dame (grahnd-DAHM or gran-DAM), which also comes from French and means literally a great lady, is a close synonym of doyenne. A grande dame is an elderly woman of great dignity and prestige,orthepreeminentdoyenneofaparticularfield.TheBritishactressJudithDenchwasgiventhe title Dame, the equivalent of knighthood for a woman, because she is a grande dame of the stage and screen. Word43:ACIDULOUS (uh-SIJ-uh-lus) Somewhatsour,sharp,orharshintasteormanner;also,sour-tempered,bitter. Acidulous comes from the Latin acidulus, slightly sour, from acidus, sour. By derivation acidulous suggestsasomewhatsouroracidictaste,astheacidulouspulpofthegrapefruitoranacidulouscigar. Butacidulousperhapsmoreoftensuggestsnotasourtastebutasourqualityormanner.Whenusedof expression,ofsomeone’scommentsortoneinspeechorwriting,acidulousimpliesamuchgreaterdegree of sourness or sharpness. Acidulous criticism is sour-tempered, and therefore harsh, bitter, and often sarcastic.Theadviceofanacidulousmother-in-lawissharpandbiting. Synonymsofacidulousinthisfigurativesenseincludecaustic,scathing,mordant,acrimonious,and virulent(VIR-[y]uh-lint). Word44:GELD(GELD,gasingo,rhymeswithweld) Todepriveofstrength,force,vitality,orsomeessentialpart. TheverbtogeldenteredEnglishabout1300andwasusedofanimalssuchashorsesandpigstomeanto castrate, deprive of virility, emasculate, as in this quotation from James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson, published in 1791: “A judge may be a farmer, but he is not to geld his own pigs.” The noun geldingdenotesacastratedmaleanimal,especiallyahorse. Togeldmaystillbeusedinthisway,butsinceabout1500thewordhasalsobeenusedfigurativelyto meantoimpairthestrengthorpowerof,weaken,enfeeble,ordepriveofsomeessentialelementorpart. Lawmakerscangeldapieceoflegislation,abadeditorcangeldabook,andathiefcangeldyourwallet ofitscash. Word45:BATHOS (BAY-thahsor-thaws) Inwritingorspeech,aludicrousdescentfromtheelevatedorloftytothecommonplaceorridiculous;anticlimax. Bathos comes directly from the Greek báthos, depth. In 1727, the English poet and essayist Alexander Pope plucked the word from Greek and used it as the opposite of the sublime, meaning that which is supreme, exalted, or raised on high. By derivation and in modern usage, bathos refers to writing or speechwhosetoneiselevatedbutwhosesubjectmatteriscommonplace,specificallyapassingfromthe sublimetotheridiculous.Bathosisthepropertoneforacomedicnovelorformock-heroicpoetry,but when a serious novel or poem veers into bathos, descending from the lofty to the ludicrous, from the sublime to the ordinary, the sudden and unsatisfying anticlimax can alienate the reader. This sort of descent from the elevated to the commonplace has earned bathos the attendant meanings of excessive sentimentalityortriteness,inanity,asthepredictablebathosofasoapopera. Bathosistheoppositeofpathos(PAY-thahsor-thaws),thequalityorpowerinlife,literature,orart to arouse feelings of sympathy or compassion, as the pathos of Shakepearean tragedy. Bathos is insincere or exaggerated pathos, comically sentimental and overdone emotion. The corresponding adjectives are pathetic, arousing pathos, pity or compassion, and bathetic, characterized by bathos, anticlimax,triteness,orsentimentality. Word46:OVERWEENING(OH-vur-WEE-ning) Excessivelyself-confidentorconceited;havinganexaggeratedopinionofoneself.Also,excessive,exaggerated,immoderate. Synonyms of overweening include arrogant, self-important, overbearing, presumptuous (word 2 of Level1),high-handed,overconfident,egotistical,imperious(word15ofLevel3),supercilious,andthe informalhoity-toity. Overweening comes from the verb to overween, to think too highly of oneself, be arrogant or conceited,acombinationofover-,toomuch,excessive,andtheobsoleteverbtoween,tothink,suppose, believe. An overweening coworker is excessively self-confident, always trying to take charge and impress everyone. An overweening relative is arrogant, overbearing, and presumptuous. Overweening studentshaveanexaggeratedopinionofthemselves. Overweeningmayalsobeusedofsomethingexcessive,exaggerated,orimmoderatethatalsoimplies self-importance, arrogance, or conceit. Overweening pride, to paraphrase the proverb, often leads to a fall. Overweening ambition can make people arrogant and tempt them to compromise their principles. And an overweening expectation of success is an exaggerated expectation arising from overconfidence andconceit. Word47:FEBRILE(FEE-brulorFEB-rul) Pertainingto,markedby,orcausedbyfever. FebrilecomesfromtheLatinfebris,afever,thesourcealsoofthecombiningformfebri-,whichmeans feverandappearsinseveralwordsusedchieflyinmedicine:febrific(fi-BRIF-ik),feverish;febrifacient (FEB-ri-FAY-shint), something that causes fever (from the Latin facere, to make or do); and febrifuge (FEB-ri-fyooj),amedicineoragentthatdispelsorreducesfever,alsocalledanantipyretic(AN-tee-pyRET-ik).The-fugeinfebrifugecomesfromtheLatinfugāre,todriveaway,puttoflight,thesourcealso oftheEnglishadjectivefugacious(fyoo-GAY-shus),fleeting,passingswiftlyaway. Febrileheatcancausedehydration,fever,andultimatelyheatstroke.Afebrileconditionisonecaused or marked by fever. And febrile may also be used figuratively to suggest a fever or feverishness, as a febrileimaginationorfebriledesire. Word48:BENIGHTED(bi-NYT-id) Inastateofmentalormoralignoranceordarkness;unenlightened. The adjective benighted comes from the archaic verb to benight, to darken, obscure, as clouds that benight the sky. Benighted may mean to be overtaken by night or darkness, as “The demise of room service would be … hell for the benighted business traveller” (Irish Independent). But far more often benightedmeanstobeinfigurativedarkness—namely,astateofintellectual,moral,orculturalignorance andbackwardness. The peasants of the Middle Ages were benighted because they couldn’t read and write and knew nothing of the world beyond their hamlets and villages. A benighted government is ignorant of and unconcernedwiththeneedsanddesiresofthepeople.Inmyvocabulary-buildingnovelTest of Time, I usedbenightedtodescribethebackward,unenlightenedstateoftheentirehumanrace:“Afterahundredoddyearsof‘progress,’thosemiserable,benightedcreaturescalledhumanbeingswerestillmakingthe samestupidmistakesintheirsorrowfulmarchfromcradletograve.” Because it denotes a lack of light, which figuratively implies a lack of awareness, the word unenlightened is probably the closest synonym of benighted. Other synonyms include primitive, backward, crude, unsophisticated, unrefined, uncultured, and uncultivated. Antonyms of benighted includeeducated,learned(LUR-nid),lettered,enlightened,refined,cultivated,genteel(jen-TEEL),and urbane(ur-BAYN). Word49:TURPITUDE(TUR-pi-t[y]ood) Shamefulwickedness,vileness,basenessofcharacter;also,anevilordepravedact. ThenounturpitudecomesfromtheLatinturpis,morallyfoul,disgraceful,shameful,base.Synonymsof turpitude include immorality, corruption, depravity (word 1 of Level 1), vileness, baseness, degeneracy,sordidness,iniquity(word2ofLevel4),perfidiousness(perfidiousisword17ofLevel5), and improbity (im-PROH-bi-tee). Antonyms of turpitude include trustworthiness, integrity, scrupulousness,uprightness,incorruptibility,impeccability,rectitude,andprobity. Turpitude may mean wickedness, vileness of character, as when Shakespeare writes in Antony and Cleopatra,“Myturpitudethoudostsocrownwithgold.”Oritmaydenoteashamefullyevilact,asthe turpitude of the Holocaust. But the word appears most often in the phrase moral turpitude, a legal conceptthatBlack’sLawDictionarydefinesas“conductthatiscontrarytojustice,honesty,ormorality” and“shockingtothemoralsenseofthecommunity.” Word50:IMPRECATION(IM-pri-KAY-shin) Acurse,ortheactofcursing. ThenounimprecationcomesfromtheLatinimprecāri,toinvokeharmorcalldownevilupon,theprecise modern meaning of the verb to imprecate, to invoke harm or evil on someone, to curse. A person who imprecates is an imprecator, and the adjective is imprecatory (IM-pri-kuh-tor-ee), of the nature of or containingacurse. Animprecationmaybeacurse,acallingdownofevilormisfortuneonsomeone,includingoneself, asinthiscoupletfromthe18th-centuryEnglishpoetAlexanderPope:“Withimprecationsthushefill’d the air, / And angry Neptune heard th’ unrighteous prayer.” Or imprecation may be the action of imprecating, cursing, invoking evil or calamity, as in this sentence from George Puttenham’s Arte of English Poesie, published in 1589: “This was done by a manner of imprecation, or as we call it by cursingandbanningoftheparties,andwishingalleviltoalightuponthem.” Synonyms of imprecation include malediction, execration (EK-si-KRAY-shin), and the archaic malison(MAL-i-zun),anetymologicalcontractionofmalediction. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Isanexegesisamassdeparture,acriticalinterpretation,ortheremovalofsomethingobjectionable? 2.Isadoyenneawomanwhoiswidowed,whoiselderly,orwhoisaseniormemberofagroup? 3.Issomethingaciduloussomewhatsour,somewhatspoiled,orsomewhatsugary? 4.Istogeldtoblend,toaddornamentation,ortodepriveofstrengthorforce? 5.Isbathosacrisis,ananticlimax,ortheresolutionoftheplot? 6.Wouldsomeoneoverweeningbeexcessivelyfond,excessivelyself-confident,orexcessivelycurious? 7.DoesfebrilemeanpertainingtoFebruary,tofever,ortowildanimals? 8.Isabenightedpersonunenlightened,immoral,orunmanageable? 9.Isturpitudemoralpurity,shamefulwickedness,orfesteringguilt? 10.Isanimprecationasuggestion,anaccusation,oracurse? APronunciationPrimer Did you know that primer, meaning an introductory book or treatise, is properly pronounced PRIM-ur, withashortiasinprint?ThewordisoftenmispronouncedPRY-mur,withalongiasinprime,butthat’s theproperpronunciationforthewordthat’sspelledthesamewaybutmeansanundercoatofpaint. Theremaybenoprimeinprimer,butit’salwaysprimetimeforaprimeronpronunciation.Sohere’s acompendious(word22ofLevel5)listofcommonlymispronouncedwordswiththeirproper,preferred pronunciations: Thereisnodayinacademia.It’sak-uh-DEE-mee-uh. Thereisnoflewinaffluent.It’sAF-loo-int. Thereisnodoorinambassador.It’sam-BAS-uh-dur. Thereisnothighorhideinapartheid.It’suh-PAHRT-hayt(likeaparthate),alsouh-PAHRT-hyt(like apartheight). Thereisnobeastinbestial.It’sBES-chul. ThereisnolayinChilean.It’sCHIL-ee-in(likechillyin). Thereisnosewerinconnoisseur.It’skahn-uh-SUR. Thereisnocueincoupon.It’sKOO-pahn. Thereisnodieindais.It’sDAY-is. Thereisnodayindeity.It’sDEE-uh-tee. Thereisnoantindefendant.It’sdi-FEN-dint. Thereisnodipindiphthong.It’sDIF-thahng. Thereisnoshoeineschew.It’ses-CHOO. ThereisnoXinespresso.It’ses-PRES-oh. Thereisnospearinexperiment.It’sek-SPER-uh-mint. Thereisnofoeorfoilinfoliage.Sayitinthreesyllables:FOH-lee-ij. Thereisnofoeinforward.It’sFOR-wurd(likeforword). Thereisnowineingenuine.It’sJEN-yoo-in. Thereisnohandorchiefinhandkerchief.Hangitall,it’sHANG-kur-chif. Thereisnorenderinheartrending.It’sHAHRT-REN-ding(threesyllables). ThereisnoholeorhaulinHolocaust.It’sHAHL-uh-KAWST. Thereisnohomeinhomicide.It’sHAHM-i-SYD. ThereisnonoiseinIllinois(it’sveryquietthere).MakeitIL-uh-NOY. Thereisnopairinincomparable.It’sin-KAHM-pur-uh-bul. Donotstressthegrewinincongruous.It’sin-KAHNG-groo-wus. Donotstresstheflueininfluence.It’sIN-floo-ints. Thereisnopitininterpret.Puttwor’sinit:in-TUR-prit. ThereisnoeyeinIraq,butyoumayputarockorrackinit:i-RAHKori-RAK. ThereisnoclueinKuKluxKlan,becausethey’reclueless.It’sKOO-kluhks-. Thereisnoberryinlibrary.It’sLY-brer-ee. Thereisnomashinmachination.It’sMAK-i-NAY-shin. Thereisnooreinmayoral.It’sMAY-ur-ul. Thereisnomomentinmemento.It’smuh-MEN-toh. Thereisnocueinnuclear.Please,people:it’sN(Y)OO-klee-ur. Thereisnoownerinonerous.It’sAHN-ur-us. Thereisnotanginorangutan.It’suh-RANG-uh-tan. Thereisnorayinorator.It’sOR-uh-tur. Thereisnostoreinpastoral.It’sPAS-tur-ul. Thereisnoplayinpleasure.It’sPLEZH-ur. Thereisnoposeinpossess.It’spuh-ZES. Thereisnopurrinprerogative.It’spruh-RAHG-uh-tiv. There is no rye in ribald, which means humorous in a mildly indecent, coarse, or vulgar way. It’s RIB-’ld(rhymeswithscribbled). Thereisnosphereinspherical.It’sSFER-i-kul. ThereisnoTiainTijuana.It’stee-HWAH-nuhortee-WAH-nuh. ThereisnoanusinUranus.It’sYUUR-uh-nus. Thereisnoaerialinvenereal.It’svuh-NEER-ee-ul. Thereisnobrayinvertebrae.It’sVUR-tuh-BREE. Thereisnowarinwash.It’sWAHSH. Thereisnozealinzealous.It’sZEL-us. Thereisnozooinzoology.It’szoh-AHL-uh-jee. And,asanastonishingnumberofeducatedpeoplefailtorealize,thereisnonouninpronunciation. Makesuretoputanuninit:pruh-NUHN-see-AY-shin. You’llfindmoreontheseandmanyothercommonlymispronouncedwordsinmyBigBookofBeastly Mispronunciations. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel6 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Ineluctablemeansnottobeevadedorresisted,unavoidable,inevitable. 2.No.Moribundmeansdying,closetodeath. 3.Yes.Abellwetherisonewhotakestheinitiative;also,aleadingindicatorofatrend. 4.Yes.Apermutationisathoroughorfundamentalchange,atransformation. 5.Yes.Tointerlopeistointerfere,intrude,thrustoneselfintoothers’affairs. 6.No.Tohectoristobullyorbedomineering,tointimidateortorment. 7.No.Dissolutemeanslackingmoralrestraint,giventoimmoralbehavior. 8.Yes.Lineamentsaredistinguishingfeaturesordistinctivecharacteristics. 9.Yes.Churlishmeansrude,ill-mannered,ungracious. 10.Yes.Prepossessingmeansattractive,engaging,pleasing,comely. KEYWORDS11–20 1.True.Elegiacmeansexpressinggrief,sorrow,orlamentation. 2.False.Aukaseisanauthoritativeorderorcommand. 3.False.Abossshouldtreatemployeeswithcourtesyandrespect,notasperity,whichmeansharshness,roughness;sharpnessofmanner, temper,ortone;orhardship,rigor. 4.True.Delectationisgreatpleasure,enjoyment,ordelight. 5.False.Abootlessattemptisauseless,unprofitable,vainattempt. 6.False.Toextricateistoremovefromadifficultsituation.Toexplicateistopresentadetailedexplanationoranalysisof. 7.False.Pejorativemeanshavinganegativemeaningorforce;uncomplimentary. 8.True.Labyrinthinemeanslikealabyrinthormaze;hence,complicated,intricate. 9.False.Leoninemeansrelatingtoorresemblingalion. 10.True.Adoctrinairepersonisinflexiblyorfanaticallyweddedtocertainideasorbeliefsandintentonimposingthemonothers. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Bothforeknowledgeandpresciencemeanknowledgeofeventsbeforetheyhappenorofthingsbeforetheyexist. 2.Nearantonyms.Agestureisamotionwithsomepartofthebody.Alocutionisverbal:aparticularword,phrase,expression,oridiom. 3.Nearsynonyms.Nasalmeanspertainingtothenoseandolfactorymeanspertainingtosmellingorthesenseofsmell. 4.Synonyms.Alogophileisaloverofwords. 5.Antonyms.Tomollifyistosoothe,pacify.Toperturbistotroubleordistressgreatly. 6.Antonyms.Todiscloseistomakesomethingknown,especiallysomethingsecret.Todissimulateistodisguiseorhideunderafalse appearance. 7.Synonyms.Bothbaubleandgewgawdenoteashowy,inexpensiveornament;atrinket. 8.Nearsynonyms.Agadfly(word50ofLevel3)isapersonwhocontinuallypesters,criticizes,orprovokesothers.Acontrarianisa personwhohabituallytakesacontrarypositionoropposingview. 9.Synonyms.Lummoxandgalootbothdenoteaclumsy,stupid,usuallybig,andoftenfoolishperson. 10.Antonyms.Barrenmeansnotfertileorproductive.Fecundmeansfruitful,productive. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Theprivilegedfewistheoppositeofhoipolloi,thecommonpeople,themasses. 2.Inappropriateistheoppositeoffelicitous,especiallyaptorwell-suited. 3.Apaeanmayaccompanyanaward,butitisanexpressionofpraise,atribute. 4.Serendipityappliestodiscoveriesthatareluckyandunexpected,notunwanted. 5.Youcanwriteanepistolarynovel,butthewordmeanspertainingtolettersorcorrespondence. 6.Pertainingtoswallowingdoesn’tfit.Gustatorymeanspertainingtotastingoreating. 7.Swaddledoesn’tfit.Tocossetistopamper,coddle,spoilwithaffection. 8.Lungedoesn’tfit.Ariposteisaresponsetoalunge,acounterstrokeorsharpreply. 9.Nonsensewordsdoesn’tfit.Patoisisregionaldialect,jargon,orinformalspeech. 10.Unfoundedcriticismdoesn’tfit.Animadversionisadversecriticismoracensoriousremark. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Exegesisisacriticalinterpretationorexplanationofatext. 2.Adoyenneisawomanwhoisarespectedseniormemberofagroup. 3.Somethingacidulousissomewhatsourintasteorharshinmanner;also,sour-tempered,bitter. 4.Togeldistodepriveofstrength,force,vitality,orsomeessentialpart. 5.Bathosisanticlimax,aludicrousdescentfromtheloftytothecommonplace. 6.Someoneoverweeningisexcessivelyself-confidentorconceited;overweeningmeanshavinganexaggeratedopinionofoneself. 7.Febrilemeanspertainingto,markedby,orcausedbyfever. 8.Abenightedpersonisunenlightened,inastateofmentalormoralignoranceordarkness. 9.Turpitudeisshamefulwickedness,vileness;also,anevilordepravedact. 10.Animprecationisacurseortheactofcursing. LEVEL7 Word1:S IMPER(SIM-pur) Tosmileinasilly,self-consciousway. The verb to simper and the noun simper, a silly, self-conscious smile, probably come from the Danish dialectalwordsimper,whichmeantaffectedorcoy.Inmodernusagesimperdoesoftenimplyaffectation orcoyness,asacoquettishsimperorasimperingbridesmaid.Simperalsostronglyimpliessillinessand often simplemindedness; for example, fools are often described as simpering, smiling in an absurd and obvious way, and a simpering manner is a silly, self-conscious manner. To simper may also mean to expresswithasimper,astosimperanapology. Dictionaries often give smirk as a synonym of simper. Although both words denote smiling, simper suggestssmilinginasilly,self-conscious,orsimplemindedway:“Browning’sroleissounderwrittenthat allsheisrequiredtodoissimper”(TheGuardian).Smirkusuallysuggestssmilinginasmug,scornful, or self-righteous way: “The council members ignored the public’s testimony and instead smirked and snickeredamongthemselves.” Word2:DENUDE(di-N[Y]OOD) Tostrip,makenaked,laybare;hence,tostripordepriveof(apossession,quality,etc.). The verb to denude comes from the Latin dēnūdāre, to lay bare, make naked, uncover, also to rob, plunder.TheultimatesourceistheLatinnūdus,naked,bare,fromwhichalsocometheEnglishnudeand nudity. Todenudeistostripofallcoveringorclothingortostripofsomeimportantquality,characteristic, attribute,orpossession;ingeology,denudeisusedtomeantolaybareoruncoverbyerosion.Theword usuallyimpliesaforcefulorviolentstrippingorlayingbare.Forinstance,adenudedhillsideisabare hillside, stripped of vegetation. A denuded orange has been stripped of its covering or peel, and a denudedpersonhasbeenstrippedofclothing.Alumberingoperationcandenudeamountainofitstrees. Acompanydenudedofitsassetsisabankruptcompany.Aneditor’sjobistodenudeawriter’sstyleof faults such as redundancy and circumlocution (word 44 of Level 3). And a quotation denuded of its context—deprivedofsurrounding,clarifyingwordsorhistoricalbackground—canbenotonlyambiguous butalsowillfullymisleading. The noun denudation (DEN-yuu-DAY-shin) means the act of denuding, stripping, depriving, or the stateofbeingdenuded. Word3:S UIGENERIS (SOO-ee-JEN-uh-risorSOO-eye-) Beingtheonlyoneofitskind;constitutingaclassbyitself;unique. Suigeneris,whichhasbeenEnglishsincethe18thcentury,comesdirectlyfromLatin:suī means of its own,andgenerisisthegenitiveofgenus,kind.Thatwhichissuigenerisisliterallyofitsownkind,one ofakind. InAmo,Amas,AmatandMore:HowtoUseLatintoYourOwnAdvantageandtotheAstonishment ofOthers,EugeneEhrlichobserves,“Oneshouldtakesomecareinapplyingsuigeneris,lestthephrase lose its value. Properly used, sui generis requires that the person, place, or thing be of an entirely distinctivecharacter.”Likethewordunique,whichcomesfromtheLatinūnus,one,andproperlyisan absoluteadjectivethatshouldnotbequalifiedbywordssuchasalmost,somewhat,andcompletely,that whichissuigenerisshouldbetheonlyoneofitskind,constitutingaclassbyitself,neverthatwhichis justmoreunusualthanordifferentfromsomethingelse. Ifsomethingisunique,itstandsaloneandhasnoequal.Forexample,yourdaughterisuniquebecause there is no one else exactly like her. Strictly speaking, she cannot be very unique or more unique than otherpeople;thatjustmeansshe’sspecialorunusualinsomeway,butnotunique,matchless,peerless, unrivaled.Likewise,ifsomethingissuigenerisitistheonlyoneofitskind;itoccupiesaclassbyitself. InEnglishliterature,Shakespeareissuigeneris;nooneelsecanmatchhisgenius.TheGrandCanyonis geologicallysuigeneris;thereisnothingelselikeitintheworld.“Wehumans…aretheonlyanimals whosebrainsareknowntoatrophyaswegrowolder,”writesPatriciaMarxinTheNewYorker,“and… wearealsosuigenerisinsufferingfromAlzheimer’sdisease.” Word4:JEREMIAD(JER-uh-MY-id) Aprolongedexpressionofsorroworgrief,oralong,mournfulcomplaint,oftenlacedwithoutrage;alengthyandoftenangrylamentation. The suffix -ad means derived from, concerning, or related to, as in Olympiad, derived from Mount OlympusandrelatedtotheOlympicGames,ortheIliad,Homer’sepicpoemabouttheTrojanWar,which concerns Ilion (IL-ee-un), the Greek name for the ancient city of Troy. Thus, the suffix -ad in jeremiad means derived from or related to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, the author of Lamentations and Jeremiah.Jeremiadisthusaneponymousword,andinhisDictionaryofEponyms Robert Hendrickson explainsthat“Jeremiah’slongandsorrowfulcomplaintswereaprotestagainstthesinsofhiscountrymen andtheircaptivity.” The Century Dictionary notes that jeremiad is often used “with a spice of ridicule or mockery, implyingeitherthatthegriefitselfisunnecessarilygreat,orthattheutteranceofitistediouslydrawnout andattendedwithacertainsatisfactiontotheutterer.”Thus,jeremiadisakindofmock-seriouswordthat canbeappliedtoanylongandtediouscomplaint,ortoanylengthyandexaggeratedlament,thatgrateson the nerves and patience of those listening: “He has prolonged his complaint into an endless jeremiad,” wrotetheEnglishessayistandcriticCharlesLamb(1775–1834). Word5:S OBRIQUET(SOH-bri-kay) Adescriptivenameornickname,especiallyanaffectionate,humorous,orfancifulone. SobriquetenteredEnglishfromFrenchinthe17thcentury;beforethat,itsoriginisuncertain.Theunusual correspondingadjectiveissobriquetical(SOH-bri-KET-i-kul),ofthenatureofasobriquet. Nickname,fromtheMiddleEnglisheke,also,andname,isthegeneraltermforadescriptivename given to a person, place, or thing: The Big Apple is the nickname of New York City. A nickname is sometimesalsocalledapetname,andthefancywordforapetnameishypocorism(hy-PAHK-ur-iz’m). A hypocorism is a kind of endearment, a word or expression that shows affection. Lovers use hypocorisms like sweetie and honey, and parents typically shower their kids with hypocorisms—often personalizedoneslikeJoojy-Pie,theoneIuseformyyoungerdaughter,Judith. Ourkeyword,sobriquet,denotesanicknamethatisusuallyaffectionateandoftencleverorfunny.For example, the legendary baseball slugger Babe Ruth’s sobriquet was Sultan of Swat. And when Mark Twainburstontheeasternliteraryscenewithhisstory“TheJumpingFrogofCalaverasCounty,”hewas giventhesobriquet“TheWildHumoristofthePacificSlope.” Word6:REGNANT(REG-nint) Ruling,reigning,dominant;exercisingpower,authority,orinfluence. TheadjectiveregnantcomesfromtheLatinregnāre,toexerciseroyalauthority,ruleasakingorqueen, whichisalsothesource,ultimately,oftheEnglishverbtoreign,torule,exercisepowerasamonarch. You may use regnant to mean ruling or reigning as a monarch, as the regnant king, or simply ruling, dominant,exercisingpower,authority,orinfluence:“Inademocracythepeopleareregnant”;“Weliketo thinkofJacquelineKennedyregnantinherpillboxhat”(Newsweek). Regnantmayalsobeusedtomeanreigninginthesenseofhavingthechiefpowerorbeingthechief authority: “After twenty years at the State Department she had become the regnant expert on Middle Easternaffairs.”Youmayalsouseregnanttomeanprevalentorwidespreadinadominantorinfluential way:“SuperstitionandilliteracywereregnantintheMiddleAges.” Finally,regnantisalsosometimesusedpostpositively—meaningafterthenounitmodifiesinsteadof before—mostofteninthephrasequeenregnant,meaningarulingqueen,oneinpower:“Thehusbandofa queenregnanthasnoofficialpositionintheBritishmonarchy.” Word7:HAUTEUR(hoh-TUR) Arrogance,haughtiness,condescension;alofty,lordly,ordomineeringmanner. Synonyms of hauteur include snobbishness, pretentiousness, pomposity, contemptuousness, imperiousness,andsuperciliousness. Thenounhauteurandtheadjectivehaughtyareetymologicalcousinswhoseclosestantecedentisthe French haut, high. And both haughty and hauteur strongly imply high-and-mightiness, lordliness of manner.Butwhilehaughtinessiseitheraninstinctiveoranaffectedarrogance,hauteursoboldlyaspires to the heights of arrogance, and so fully expects others to view condescension as its birthright, that, dependingonthecontext,theeffectcanbearresting,evenintimidating—ordownrightfarcical. Think of the stereotype of the grim and gaunt waiter in a fancy French restaurant—in France—who alternately sneers at and ignores foreign customers: that’s hauteur. Think of the lordly posture of proud flamenco dancers in a vibrant duet: that’s hauteur. Think of the 19th-century Irish playwright and poet OscarWilde,who,whenpassingthroughcustomsonavisittotheUnitedStates,said,“Ihavenothingto declare but my genius”: that’s hauteur. Or if you’d prefer an example from popular culture, there’s the maliciously condescending Cruella de Vil in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. That “cruel devil” is the embodimentofhauteur! Word8:PATERFAMILIAS (PAY-tur-fuh-MIL-ee-usorPAT-ur-orPAH-tur-) Amanwhoistheheadofahouseholdorthefatherofafamily;byextension,amanwhoistheleaderofatribe,community,ormovement. Thepluralofpaterfamiliasispatresfamilias(PAY-treez-fuh-MIL-ee-us). PaterfamiliascomesfromtheLatinpaterfamiliās,afatherorheadofahousehold,frompater,father, and familia, a household. Its female counterpart is materfamilias (MAY-tur-fuh-MIL-ee-us), a woman who is the head of a household or the mother of a family, from the Latin mater, mother, and familia, a household. In Roman history the paterfamilias was a male head of a household who had absolute legal power overhisextendedfamily,servants,andslaves.EnglishadoptedthewordfromLatininthe15thcentury anduseditinalessauthoritariansensetomeananymaleheadofahouseholdorfatherofafamily,asin this1754quotationfromTheGray’sInnJournal:“IamhereaKindofPater-familiaswithallmylittle BroodofHensandChickensaroundme.”Thewordeventuallybroadenedtodenoteamaleleaderofany group, community, or enterprise: “Ernest Hemingway was the paterfamilias of the so-called Lost Generation,theAmericanexpatriatewriterswholivedinEuropeafterWorldWarI.” The words paterfamilias and patriarch (PAY-tree-ahrk) both denote a father or male leader. But patriarch,whichdatesbackinEnglishtobefore1200,originallymeantahigh-rankingbishopintheearly Christianchurchor“oneofthescripturalfathersofthehumanraceoroftheHebrewpeople”(MerriamWebster’sCollegiate).Later,patriarchcametomeanafoundingfatherofsomegrouporinstitution,orthe oldestormostrespectedmemberofagroup:“RalphWaldoEmersonwasthepatriarchoftheAmerican schooloftranscendentalphilosophy.”Thus,theroleofthepatriarchisgenerallymoredignifiedthanthat ofthepaterfamilias,andthepersonwhooccupiesitmorevenerable;thepaterfamiliasleadsafamilyor groupbutmayormaynotcommanditsrespect. Word9:APOGEE(AP-uh-jee) Thepointatwhichaheavenlybodyorobjectorbitingtheearthisatitsgreatestdistancefromtheearth;byextension,thehighestpoint,the climaxorculmination. ApogeecomesfromtheGreekapogaion,farfromorawayfromtheearth,fromapo-,away,off,apart,and gaia,avariantofgē,theearth.YoucanseethisGreekgēinthemanyEnglishwordsbeginningwiththe combining form geo-, meaning pertaining to the earth or ground, such as geology, geometry, and geophagy(jee-AHF-uh-jee),thepracticeofeatingdirt,chalk,orclay,fromgeo-andtheGreekphagein, toeat. Apogee was originally used in the astronomical system devised by Ptolemy (TAHL-uh-mee) of Alexandria,asecond-centurymathematician,geographer,andastronomerwhopositedthattheearthwas thestationarycenteroftheuniversearoundwhichthesun,moon,andstarsrevolved.Inmodernastronomy apogeeisusedofthingsthatactuallyorbittheearth,suchasthemoonorasatellite,butitisalsousedof thepointinanyorbitthatisfarthestfromthebodybeingorbited,astheapogeeintheearth’srevolution around the sun. The opposite of the apogee is the perigee (PER-i-jee), the point at which something orbitingtheearthisnearesttotheearth. Apogeeisoftenusedfigurativelytomeanthehighestpoint,theclimaxorculminationofsomething,as theapogeeofMayancivilizationinthe8thand9thcenturies,orsheisattheapogeeofhercareer.In this figurative sense apogee is synonymous with the words summit, pinnacle, apex, acme, vertex, and zenith.Theantonymofallthesehighest-pointwordsisthenadir(NAY-dur),thelowestpoint. Word10:MIEN(MEEN,likemean) Aperson’sbearing,air,ormanner,especiallywhenitrevealscharacter,personality,attitude,orfeeling;one’sdemeanor,deportment,or carriage. The noun mien is a shortening of the obsolete noun demean, bearing, behavior. Over time, the word’s spellingchangedfrommeantomientodistinguishthetwowords. Aperson’smiencanshowseveralthings.Itcanindicateafeelingormood,asa downcast mien, a wistfulmien,orahauntedmien.Itcanindicateanattitudeormanner,asa humble mien or a haughty mien. And it can indicate a person’s bearing or behavior, as an imposing mien or a widowlike mien. “Fopsatallcorners,ladylikeinmien,”wrotetheEnglishpoetWilliamCowper(KOO-pur)in1775.(A fopisavain,effeminatemanoverlyconcernedwithhisdressandmanners.)Thecontextinwhichmien appears often reveals something about a person’s character or personality: “At seventy, white of beard and hair, Turrell combines the mien of a courtly Western rancher with that of a loquacious youthful enthusiast”(PeterSchjeldahl,TheNewYorker). Thenounsdeportment,demeanor,andmienarecloseinmeaning.AccordingtoMerriam-Webster’s CollegiateDictionary,deportment“suggestsactionsorbehaviorasformedbybreedingortraining,”as deportment appropriate to a formal event. Demeanor “suggests one’s attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior,” as her unwelcoming demeanor or the doctor’s calm and reassuring demeanor. Our keyword, mien, “is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor,” says Merriam-Webster.Yourmienishowyoucarryyourself,howyoubehave,andwhatthatrevealsaboutyou toothers. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Doesasimperingpersonneedtobecomforted? 2.Canyoudenudeanorange? 3.Aretwosimilarthingssuigeneris? 4.Isajeremiadpleasanttolistento? 5.Isasobriquetakindofepithet? 6.Isaregnantwomangoingtohaveababy? 7.Dohumblepeopleexhibithauteur? 8.InRomanhistory,wasapaterfamiliasamaleslave? 9.Istheapogeethelowestpoint? 10.Doesaperson’smienoftenrevealcharacterorpersonality? DifficultDistinctions:AppraiseandApprise Theverbstoappraiseandtoappriseareoftenconfused,usuallywiththeformermisusedinplaceofthe latter.Forexample,inRight,Wrong,andRisky,MarkDavidsoncitesaCNNnewscasterwho“reported accusations that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had not been kept sufficiently ‘appraised’ by U.S. militaryleaders.Aboutaminutelaterthenewscasternotedthatheshouldhaveusedthewordapprised.” Toappraise(uh-PRAYZ,almostlikeupraise)istoofficiallydecidetheworthorpriceof,evaluate, estimate, judge. Local governments appraise property so they can levy taxes. And you can appraise an antique,apieceofartwork,orararemanuscript,determineitsworthorprice.Toapprise(uh-PRYZ,like aprize)istoinformornotify.Youapprisesomeoneofthelatestnews,oryoucanbeapprisedofwhat’s happening.Parentswanttheirteenagechildrentokeepthemapprisedoftheirwhereabouts. *** HereisthenextsetoftenkeywordsinWordWorkout: Word11:DYS PEPTIC(dis-PEP-tik) Irritableandgloomy;grouchyandmorose;ill-humoredandpessimistic. TheadjectivedyspepticcomesfromGreek,combiningdys-,bad,ill,ordifficult,andpepsis, digestion. The noun dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-uh) is bad digestion, indigestion. The antonyms of dyspepsia and dyspepticareeupepsia(yoo-PEP-see-uh),goodornormaldigestion,andeupeptic(yoo-PEP-tik),having gooddigestion. The combining form dys- is used in medicine to form words denoting an impaired or abnormal condition. For instance, the familiar word dyslexia refers to various linguistic learning disabilities, including reading disorders. Dyspnea (DISP-nee-uh) is difficult or labored breathing; dysphagia (disFAY-juh)isdifficultyswallowing;dysosmia (dis-AHZ-mee-uh) is an impairment of the sense of smell; dysmenorrhea(DIS-men-uh-REE-uh)isdifficultandpainfulmenstruation;anddysgraphiaisaninability towritecausedbyalesion,or,informally,writer’scramporwriter’sblock. Dyspepticmaybeusedliterallytomeansufferingfromdyspepsia,indigestion,butitisprobablymore oftenusedfigurativelytomeanexhibitingtheemotionalsymptomsofdyspepsia,suchasgloominessand irritability.Dyspepticpeople,alsocalleddyspeptics,tendtobegrouchyandpessimistic,asa dyspeptic neighbororadyspepticmoviecritic.Butdyspepticmaybeappliednotonlytopeoplebutalsotothings. Forexample,anykindofexpression—abook,anessay,aspeech,acomment,andevenadigitalmissive (word 14 of this level)—can be dyspeptic, ill-humored and morose: “Senator Chuck Grassley is well knownasoneofCongress’smostheroicusersofsocialmedia,sendinglegendarilyillegible,frequently dyspeptictweets”(TheHuffingtonPost). Word12:ANAPHORA(uh-NAF-uh-ruh) Inrhetoric,afigureofspeechinwhichawordorphraseisrepeatedatthebeginningofsuccessiveclauses,sentences,orverses,asinthese linesfromPsalm23intheKingJamesBible:Hemakethmetoliedowningreenpastures:heleadethmebesidethestillwaters.He restorethmysoul. ThenounanaphoracomesfromtheGreekanapherein,tobringorcarryback.Theadjectiveisanaphoric (AN-uh-FOR-ik). OneofthemostfamousexamplesofanaphoraisWinstonChurchill’sthrillingspeechtotheHouseof CommonsonJune4,1940,attheheightoftheBattleofBritainduringWorldWarII.Hereisanexcerpt fromitsconclusion:“Weshallnotflagorfail.Weshallgoontotheend.…Weshallfightonthebeaches, weshallfightonthelandinggrounds,weshallfightinthefieldsandinthestreets,weshallfightinthe hills;weshallneversurrender.” AnotherfamoususeofanaphoraisMartinLutherKing’srepetitionofthephraseIhaveadreaminhis speechfortheMarchonWashington,August28,1963.Whatmostofusdon’trememberaboutthatgreat speechishowKingalsousedseveralotherphrasesanaphorically,includingOnehundredyearslater,We refusetobelieve,Wecannotbesatisfied,andLetfreedomring. As you have probably surmised—to surmise (sur-MYZ) is to come to a conclusion by using one’s intuition or imagination—anaphora is common in speechwriting. It is also a common device in poetry, where the repetition of an initial word or phrase can be incantatory.1 Anaphora also contributes to the solemn, earnest tone of the Bible, and Julius Caesar’s famous declaration, I came, I saw, I conquered, maybethemostterseuseofanaphorainhistory. In rhetoric—the art of using words effectively—the opposite of anaphora is the figure of speech calledepistrophe(i-PIS-truh-fee),repetitionofawordorphraseattheendofsuccessiveverses,clauses, or sentences. Abraham Lincoln used epistrophe at the close of the Gettysburg Address: “… and that governmentofthepeople,bythepeople,forthepeople,shallnotperishfromtheearth.”AndinGeorge BernardShaw’s1912playPygmalion,AlfredDoolittleuttersthismemorablecombinationofanaphora andepistrophe:“I’mwillingtotellyou.I’mwantingtotellyou.I’mwaitingtotellyou.” Word13:PHILANDER(fi-LAN-dur) Ofaman,toflirtwithandseducewomenwithouthavinganyseriousintentions. PhilandercomesfromtheGreekphilandros,onewholoves,acombinationofphilo-,loving,andandro-, aman,male.“InRenaissanceliterature,[Philanderwas]acommonnameforaflirtatiousmalecharacter whohasmanyloveaffairs,”saysMerriam-Webster’sEncyclopediaofLiterature.Fromthenameweget theverbtophilander, to court many women but commit to none. Philandering, as a noun, is the act of engaginginmultiplecasualromanticencounters. Philander is usually used either of adulterous men who have casual sex outside marriage or of flirtatious single men who consider themselves, to use a current slang term, players. According to the online Urban Dictionary, a player is “a male who is skilled at manipulating (‘playing’) others, and especiallyatseducingwomenbypretendingtocareaboutthem,wheninrealitytheyareonlyinterestedin sex.” (That definition could also serve for the noun philanderer, a man who flirts with and seduces women.)Butoccasionallytheverbtophilanderisusedfigurativelyofintellectualflirtationorseduction, asinthis1951quotationfromInternationalOrganization:“Theyphilanderedwiththeforcesoffascism inthevainhopethatthelatterwouldmoveeastwardandcrushcommunism.” Word14:MIS S IVE(MIS-iv) Aletter;awrittenmessageorcommunication. The noun missive comes from the Latin mittere, to send, the source of many English words including submission, literally something sent in; missile, literally an object sent out forcefully; emission, a discharge,literallysomethingsentout;andintermittent,happeningatintervals,occasional,literallysent outbetween. Amissivemaybeanysortofletterorwrittenmessagelongerthanabriefnote,whetherhandwritten, typed,ordigitized.Butmissivemayalsodenoteamoreformalwrittenannouncement,similartoapress release: “Steve Jobs has posted a 1,700-word missive on Apple’s website.” In this sense missive is synonymouswiththewordsbulletin,dispatch,andcommuniqué(kuh-MYOO-ni-KAY).Othersynonyms ofmissiveincludeepistle(i-PIS’l,discussedinepistolary,word35ofLevel6),andbillet-doux (BILay-DOO),aloveletter,whichwasborroweddirectlyfromFrench,whereitmeantliterallyasweetnote. A tweet,2 a posting on the social networking service Twitter, is also a missive—or an emissive, my proposedwordforanemailmessageorotherelectroniccommunication. Word15:PENULTIMATE(pe-NUHL-ti-mit) Nexttothelast;secondtolast;beingthelastbutone. PenultimatecomesfromtheLatinpaeneultima,inwhichpaenemeansalmost,nearly,andultimameans thelast.Byderivation,thatwhichispenultimateisalmostthelast.Specifically,itmeansnexttothelast, asthepenultimatechapterofthebook. Penultimatemaybeusedgenerallyofanythingthatissecond-to-last,asthepenultimatedayofour vacationorthepenultimateepisodeofaTVshow.Butitalsohasaspecificuseinprosody(PRAH-suhdee),thestudyofpoeticmeterandversification,whereitdenotesthesecond-to-lastsyllableofaword, the last syllable but one. This next-to-last syllable is also sometimes called the penult (PEE-nult). For example, the penultimate syllable, or penult, in the word penultimate is -ti-. And the antepenultimate (AN-tee-pe-NUHL-ti-mit)syllableistheonebefore,ante-,thepenultimate,hencethethirdtolast:veristheantepenultimatesyllableofversify. Penultimateisoftenmisconstruedasbeinganemphaticsynonymofultimate,whichmeansthelastor theutmost.Thesetwowordsare,mostemphatically,notsynonymous.Reservepenultimateforwhenyou meannotthelastbutthenexttolast. Word16:ZEITGEIS T(TSYT-gyst,rhymeswithslightdiced) Literally,thespiritofatimeorage;thegeneraltrendofthoughtorfeeling,ortheintellectualorculturalclimate,ofaparticularperiodor generation. Zeitgeistisamid-19th-centuryGermanloanwordformedfromtheGermanZeit,time,andGeist,spirit— the same Geist as in poltergeist (POHL-tur-gyst), a spirit or ghost that makes noises, from the German poltern,toknock,makenoise. The zeitgeist is the spirit of a given time, the general trend of its thought and feeling, as the antirational zeitgeist of the Romantic era, the freewheeling zeitgeist of the 1960s, and the zeitgeist of greedinthe1980s.Novelists,playwrights,andfilmmakersoftentrytocaptureandsometimesinfluence thezeitgeist,thegeneraltrendofthoughtorfeeling,intheircreativework.Zeitgeistcanalsosometimes refer to the prevailing intellectual or cultural mood of a particular group in a particular time, as the zeitgeistofthemillennialgenerationorthezeitgeistofSiliconValley. Untilrecently,zeitgeistwasprintedinitalicswithacapitalZ,butitisnowafullyEnglishwordthat shouldbeprintedinlowercaselettersandromantype. Word17:S ENTENTIOUS (sen-TEN-shus) Fullof,orgiventousing,aphorismsormaxims,orshort,meaningfulsentences.Byextension,aboundinginorgiventopompousmoralizing; self-righteous. Way back in the discussion of adage (word 23 of Level 1) I noted that an aphorism (AF-ur-iz’m) is a generaltruthorshrewdobservationexpressedinaterse,forceful,thought-provokingway,whileamaxim (MAKS-im) is a guiding principle or rule of conduct that expresses a general truth drawn from experience.Here’sanaphorismfromMarkTwain:“Thelackofmoneyistherootofallevil.”Andhere’s amaximfromMarkTwain:“Irreverenceisthechampionoflibertyanditsonlysuredefense.” The adjective sententious—which comes through the Latin sententiōsus, full of meaning, from sententia,opinion,thought,meaning,thesourceoftheEnglishsentence—meanshavinglotsofaphorisms and maxims, as a sententious book, or given to using lots of aphorisms and maxims, as a sententious clergyman.Poetsandprophetsareoftensententious;professorsandphilosophersgenerallyarenot. The pompous Polonius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is sententious, and probably because sententious peoplecanbepronetomoralizing,likePolonius,sententiouscametobeusedtomeanself-righteousand moralistic, or pompously formal, as in this 1850 citation from Washington Irving’s Mahomet: “His ordinary discourse was grave and sententious”; and this one from Charles Kingsley’s 1855 historical novelWestwardHo!:“alongsententiousletter,filledwithLatinquotations.” Synonyms of sententious include terse, pithy, succinct, aphoristic, and epigrammatic (EP-i-gruhMAT-ik). Challenging antonyms of sententious include circumlocutory (discussed in circumlocution, word 44 of Level 3), prolix (PROH-liks), tautological (TAW-tuh-LAHJ-i-kul), and pleonastic (pleonasmisword6ofLevel8). Word18:INTERDICT(IN-tur-DIKT) Toprohibitorforbid,especiallybyformalcommandorauthoritativedecree. Synonyms of interdict include to ban, bar, outlaw, disallow, embargo, and proscribe. Antonyms of interdictincludetopermit,legalize,authorize,andsanction. TointerdictcomesthroughtheLatininterdictum,aprohibition,fromtheverbinterdīcere,tostopby comingbetween,frominter-,between,anddīcere,tospeak. When the verb to interdict entered English in the late 13th century it was an ecclesiastical term meaningtoplaceunderaninterdict(IN-tur-dikt),whichtodaymeansanyofficialprohibition,asfroma court, but which originally was an authoritative decree of the Roman Catholic Church prohibiting a personorplacefromreceivingreligiousbenefitsandprivileges.Sincetheearly16thcenturytointerdict hasbeenusedinitsmodernsense,toforbidorprohibit,especiallybyformalcommand:“Amemberofthe Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has been interdicted from duty amid allegations of indecent assault” (BVIBeacon).Sincethemid-20thcenturyinterdicthasalsobeenusedtomeantoimpedeordestroy,as to interdict the enemy’s supply lines, or to interrupt or intercept, as to interdict a shipment of illegal drugs. To forbid, prohibit, and interdict all mean to stop or disallow something. Generally speaking, an individualforbidswhileaninstitutionorgovernmentprohibits.Thus,parentsmayforbidstayingoutlate andateachermayforbidtalkinginclass,whilebusinessesprohibitsmokingandthelawprohibitsdriving withoutalicense.Tointerdictmayapplytoanindividualortoaninstitution,butitisthemostformaland authoritativeofthesethreewords. The noun is interdiction (IN-tur-DIK-shin), the act or an instance of interdicting: forbidding, prohibiting,impeding,orintercepting. Word19:MALAIS E(muh-LAYZ) Avagueandgeneralfeelingofphysicaldiscomfortormentaluneasiness. Malaise is borrowed directly from the French malaise, discomfort, uneasiness, a combination of mal-, bad,andtheMiddleFrenchaise,thesourceoftheEnglishease. WhenmalaiseenteredEnglishinthemid-18thcenturyitwasusedofavagueandgeneralfeelingof physical weakness or discomfort, often signaling the onset of an illness, and the word is still used this waytoday,asinthisquotationfrom1981:“Inmildercases,thereisjustafeelingofmalaise,withsome shivering,pallor…andnausea”(OliverSacks,Migraine).Butovertimethewordcametobeusedmore broadly and figuratively to include mental uneasiness or discomfort, as the malaise of an unhappy marriage,oravagueandgeneralstateofunhealthiness,asaneconomysufferingfromchronicmalaise. Word20:PROGENY(PRAH-juh-nee) Offspring,children,descendants,spawn. ProgenycomesfromtheLatinprōgeniēs,offspring,descendants.Thewordisusuallyconstruedasplural, denoting someone’s children or offspring, as the philanderer’s legitimate and illegitimate progeny. (Philander is word 13 of this level.) But progeny is occasionally used to mean a single child or descendant:“Theinvestigationdeterminedthatshewasherprogeny.” Progeny has also often been used figuratively to mean a person’s “spiritual, intellectual, or artistic descendants”(OED):“ThesemendicantmonksaretheprogenyofSt.Francis.”(Mendicantisword24of Level4.)Inthissenseprogeny is synonymous with successors, followers, and disciples. Progeny may also denote something that results from something else, the product, issue, or outcome, as when the lexicographerSamuelJohnson,in1750,wrote,“FalsehoodwastheprogenyofFolly.” But most often progeny is used to mean the offspring or descendants of human beings, animals, or plants.Loversofhorseracingwonderiftheprogenyofagreatracehorsewillbegreattoo.Saplingsare theprogenyoftrees.Andthehopeofeverygenerationofhumankindistomaketheworldabetterplace foritsprogeny. Aprogenitor(proh-JEN-i-tur)isacreatorofprogeny,hence,anancestor,precursor,ororiginator. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Dyspepticpeopletendtobecheerfulandcarefree. 2.Anaphoraistherepetitionofawordorphraseattheendofsuccessiveverses,clauses,orsentences. 3.Tophilanderistohavemanyloveaffairs. 4.Amissivecouldbeamessagesentinabottle. 5.Thepenultimatesyllableisthefinalsyllable. 6.Ifyoucontradictthezeitgeist,youcontradictthespiritoftheageortimes. 7.Asententiouspersoniscircumlocutory. 8.TheFDAcanapproveorinterdictthesaleofanyfoodordrug. 9.Amalaiseisafeelingofuncertaintyorperplexity. 10.Yourchildren’schildrenarenotyourprogeny. FiguresofSpeechThatEveryWriterShouldKnow InLevel1youlearnedaboutthefigureofspeechcalledalliteration,andafewkeywordsagoIintroduced youtoanaphoraandepistrophe.Nowlet’stakealookatsomeothercommonfiguresofspeechthatyou canputinyourrhetoricaltoolbox. Assonance(AS-uh-nints)ispartialrhymeorharmonyofvowelsoundsatthebeginningofneighboring words, as in the lady had a baby or now comes the cover of night. The opposite of assonance is consonance(KAHN-suh-nints),harmonyofthefinalconsonantsoundsinneighboringwords,asinAnd thenitrainedandruinedeverythingoranintricateanddelicatecontrivance. Anadiplosis(AN-uh-di-PLOH-sis)istherepetitionofanendingatthenextbeginning,asinWhen I love,Ilovefully,orasinthislinefromEcclesiastes9:10intheBible:“Whatsoeverthyhandfindethto do,doitwiththymight.” Antithesis (an-TITH-uh-sis) is the juxtaposition (placing side by side) of sharply contrasting or directlyopposedideas,asinGivemelibertyorgivemedeath—which,withitsrepetitionofgivemein successiveclausesisalsoanexampleofanaphora. Asyndeton (uh-SIN-duh-tahn) is the omission of a conjunction that would normally join words or clauses,asinthetitleofElizabethGilbert’sbestsellingmemoirEat,Pray,Love, which is missing and before Love. By contrast, polysyndeton (PAH-lee-SIN-duh-tahn) is the addition of conjunctions, especially and, where they are not normally required, as in to work and hope and struggle and never giveup. Finally, dissonance (DIS-uh-nints) or cacophony (kuh-KAHF-uh-nee) is the use of harsh-sounding wordsoraharshcombinationofsounds,asinahorridscreechthatsplittheair,andthenthesickening thudandcrunchofbone. Learningtorecognizethesefiguresofspeechandusetheminyourownwritingwillmakewhatyou havetosaymoreinteresting,moremusical,andmorememorable. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel7: Word21:BELIE(bi-LY) Togiveafalseimpressionorrepresentationof,tomisrepresentordisguise;ortoshowtobefalseormistaken,tocontradict. The verb to belie dates back more than a thousand years to Old English, where it meant to deceive by lying.InMiddleEnglishtobeliecametomeantotellliesabout,toslander.Thissenseisnowarchaic. Sincethe16thcenturybeliehasbeenusedtomeantomisrepresentorbemisleading:“Hisyouthfullooks beliehisage”;“Recenttrainwrecksbelieimprovingrailsafetyrecord”(AssociatedPress).Andsince the17thcenturybeliehasalsobeenusedtomeantoshowtobefalseormistaken:“Thefactsbeliesuch easy answers” (The Wall Street Journal); “The record turnout belied predictions of widespread voter indifference.” Takecarenottousebelieasasynonymofrevealorindicate,asheraccentbeliedherNewEngland roots. This erroneous usage is almost the opposite of the word’s true meaning: to misrepresent or disguise,ortoshowtobefalseormistaken. Word22:FACTOTUM(fak-TOH-tum) Apersonemployedtodoallkindsofwork,ahandyman,jack-of-all-trades;hence,anemployeeorassistantwhohasmanydifferentdutiesor responsibilities. Factotum comes from the Late Latin factōtum, a combination of fac, the imperative of facere, to do, make,andtōtum,everything,thewhole.Thiswordforapersonwhoishandyatallkindsofworkcan comeinhandytodescribeeitherapersonskilledinvarioustrades,whocandoallsortsofoddjobsand manuallabor,orsomeonewhohandlesavarietyoftasksorshouldersnumerousresponsibilities.Thus,if you’renotado-it-yourselfexpertit’shelpfultohaveafactotumtodotheupkeeponyourhouse;butifyou are a do-it-yourself expert then you’re probably your own factotum, a jack-of-all-trades. And business ownersalwaysappreciatehavingafactotum,anemployeewillingtotakeonmanymoredutiesthanare listedinthejobdescription. Word23:JINGOIS M(JING-goh-iz’m) Overzealousandaggressivepatriotism,oranaggressiveandbelligerentforeignpolicy. Thenounjingodenotes“apersonwhoprofesseshisorherpatriotismloudlyandexcessively,favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy,” says The Random House Dictionary. Thisuseofjingo,explainsWebster2,“aroseinEngland,wherethewordwasoriginallyanicknamefora supporter or praiser of Lord Beaconsfield’s3 action in sending a fleet to Turkish waters to oppose Russia’sadvancein1878.Itisderivedfromthechorusofapopularmusic-hallsongofthetimes:“‘We don’twanttofight,butbyJingo!ifwedo,/We’vegottheships,we’vegotthemen,andgotthemoney too.’”4 The jingoes or jingoists, as they were called, were zealous, militant patriots who believed that might is always right. An 1881 article in Gentleman’s Magazine observed that “the Jingo is the aggregationofthebully.Anindividualmaybeabully;but,inordertocreateJingoism,theremustbea crowd.” Jingoismis“ablind,flag-wavingnationalismthatrefusestoacknowledgeanyfailingswhatsoeverof oursociety”(TheWallStreetJournal).Theadjectiveisjingoistic,whichmeanseithercharacteristicof jingoes,overzealouspatriots,orexpressiveofjingoism,belligerentpatriotism. Theeponymouswordchauvinism(SHOH-vuh-NIZ’m) is a close synonym of jingoism. In my book VerbalAdvantageIrecountthestoryofa19th-centuryFrenchmannamedNicolasChauvin,who“wasa veteran of the Napoleonic wars and a fervent follower of the emperor. After the defeat and exile of Napoleon, Chauvin became so zealous in his demonstrations of patriotism and allegiance to the fallen emperor that people began to ridicule him.… The French coined a word for his blind love of country, whichsoonmadeitswayintoEnglish.” Word24:GAINS AY(gayn-SAYorGAYN-say) Todeny,contradict,oroppose;todeclaretobeuntrue. Synonymsofgainsayincludetodispute,disavow,disown,repudiate,controvert,andabnegate (AB-nigayt). The verb to gainsay begins with the Anglo-Saxon prefix gain-, which corresponds to the more common prefix re-, from Latin, and signifies “opposition, return, or reversal” (OED). By derivation, when you gainsay you speak against something, either to deny or contradict it. To gainsay a charge or accusationistodeclareittobeuntrue.Thepasttenseisgainsaid (gayn-SED or GAYN-sed). Facts or evidencethatcannotbegainsaidcannotbedeniedoropposedbyargument. Garner’s Modern American Usage observes that “originally gainsay was the popular word and contradict the erudite [learned, scholarly] one. Today just the opposite is true.” Contradict, the more learned word from Latin, has nearly supplanted (word 17 of Level 2) gainsay, the once-popular word fromAnglo-Saxon.TogainsayisnowmorecommoninBritishEnglishthaninAmerican,butitwouldnot beinappopriateforanAmericantouseitinaformalordignifiedcontext. Word25:NEOLOGY(nee-AHL-uh-jee) Theinventionofnewwords,phrases,usages,meanings,orexpressions. Neology is borrowed from French; the combining form neo- means new, and the combining form -logy designatessciences,disciplines,orspheresofknowledge. Neology is the coining of new words and meanings. A neologism (nee-AHL-uh-jiz’m) is a newly mintedlocution(word22ofLevel6)oranewmeaningofaword.Toneologize(nee-AHL-uh-jyz)isto inventnewwords.Andthepeoplewhocoinnewwordsarecalledneologists (nee-AHL-uh-jists). The rest of the population is the court of no appeal, which decides whether these creations will thrive or expire. Here’soneexampleofhowswiftandarbitrarythatjudgmentcanbe.Inthemid-19thcentury,when people needed a word for someone who collects postage stamps, somebody proposed timbromaniac (fromtheFrenchtimbre-poste,apostagestamp).That’saperfectlygoodword,Isuppose,butthemoment somebodyelsecameupwiththemoreelegantwordphilatelist(fi-LAT-uh-list),pooroldtimbromaniac waslicked. Since Geoffrey Chaucer, way back in the 14th century, borrowed from French to create the words attention,duration,fraction,andposition,therehavebeensomegreatEnglishneologistsandsomegreat successesinEnglishneology.SirThomasMorepublishedabookin1516whosetitlehasenduredasthe wordforanidealsociety,aparadiseonearth:utopia.ThepoetJohnMiltonwaslookingtheotherway when,in1667inhisepicpoemParadiseLost,hecoinedthewordpandemonium(literally,theplaceof all the demons) for Satan’s palace in hell. Milton also gave us earthshaking, impassive, infinitude, lovelorn, and sensuous. Sir Francis Bacon gave us placid in 1626; Sir Thomas Browne gave us hallucination in 1629; John Dryden gave us witticism in 1677; and, because somebody had to do it, AlexanderPopegaveusanticlimaxin1710. ThomasJeffersonwasbelittledbytheBritishforinventingtheusefulwordbelittle.SamuelJohnson, whopublishedalandmarkdictionaryin1755,coinedthehumorouswordfiddledeedee,unawarethathis creationwouldachievedubiousimmortalityintheDisneyversionofPinocchio.AndJonathanSwift,in his1726satiricalromanceGulliver’sTravels,introducedthewordyahootodenote“amemberofarace ofbrutes…whohavetheformandallthevicesofhumans.” WherewouldEmilyPostandMissMannersbehadLordChesterfieldnotpolitelypluckedtheword etiquette from French in 1750? And where would the pocket-protector crowd be had Theodor Seuss Geisel,knowntomillionsasDr.Seuss,notinventedthewordnerdinhis1950bookIfIRantheZoo? Neology, the invention of new locutions and meanings, is essential to the growth and survival of a language.Evenifyou’venevercoinedawordyouarestillpartoftheprocessofembracingorrejecting words as they come along, giving them life and breath or giving them a shove in the direction of the dustbin. Word26:EXCRES CENCE(eks-KRES-ints) Anoutgrowth,lump,enlargement,orprojection,especiallywhenabnormal. Challenging synonyms of excrescence include protuberance (proh-T[Y]OO-bur-ints) and intumescence (IN-t[y]oo-MES-ints),fromtheLatintumēre,toswell,thesourceoftheEnglishtumor.Theadjectiveis excrescent (eks-KRES-int), forming an excrescence, growing abnormally or superfluously out of somethingelse. The noun excrescence comes from the Latin excrescĕre, to grow out, spring up, from ex-, out, and crescĕre,togrow,springforth,thesourceoftheEnglishcrescent,whichasanadjectivemeansgrowing, asacrescentmoon,andthenouncrescendo(kruh-SHEN-doh),whichinmusicmeansagradualincrease involume. An excrescence may be a benign and harmless growth or projection, such as a mole, pimple, or blister;oritmaybeanabnormalgrowth,especiallyanabnormalswellingorlump,suchasawart,cyst, boil, pustule (PUHS-chool), wen, or tumor. The bumpy taste buds on your tongue are normal excrescences,butpolypsinyourcolon—evenwhenbenign—areabnormalexcrescences.Asyouageyour bonescandevelopexcrescences,bumpsorprojections,fromcalciumdeposits.Andoncertainanimals, hornsarenormalexcrescences. Sometimesexcrescenceisusedfigurativelyofanyunwantedordisfiguringenlargementoraddition, asthegaudyexcrescenceofherweddingringortheexcrescenceofthefederalbureaucracy. Word27:CORBEL(KOR-bul,rhymeswithwarble) Abracket;specifically,inarchitecture,aprojectionfromwithinawallthatsupportsaweight,suchasagirder. CorbelcomesfromtheLateLatincorvellus,thediminutiveofcorvus,araven.Whatdoesabrackethave todowithabigblackbird?Theanswerisn’tclear,buttheOEDnotesthatcorbelswereoriginallycuton aslantsothattheywouldlooklikeabird’sbeak.Inmedievalarchitecturecorbelswereoftenelaborately carved,whichmayhaveledSirWalterScotttowrite,inhis1805poem“LayoftheLastMinstrel,”that “[t]hecorbelswerecarvedgrotesqueandgrim,”butinmodernarchitecturecorbelsareusuallyfunctional ratherthanornamental. Agargoyle(GAHR-goyl)andacorbelarebotharchitecturalprojections.Agargoyleisaspout—in theformofagrotesquelycarvedhumanoranimalfigurewithanopenmouth—thatprojectsfromaroof gutter and throws rainwater clear of the building. A corbel is a bracket—generally of wood, stone, or brick—projectingfromtheverticalfaceofawalltosupportsomehorizontalweight,suchasabeam,a cornice,oranarch. Word28:S EDULOUS (SEJ-uh-lus) Involvingorcharacterizedbycarefulandpersistenteffort;requiringoraccomplishedbypainstakingattentionorapplication. SedulouscomesthroughtheLatinsēdŭlus,busy,diligent,careful,fromsēdolō,literallywithoutguileor trickery.Byderivationthesedulouspersonworkshonestlyandcarefullytoaccomplishthetaskathand. Sedulousisoftenappliedtopeopleandcreatures:thesedulousstudentburningthemidnightoil;the sedulous lawyer working late writing a brief; the sedulous beaver building a dam; or the sedulous bumblebee tirelessly collecting pollen. The word may also be used of actions to mean done in a persistent,painstakingway:sedulousattention,sedulousinvestigation,sedulouspreparation,sedulous listening. Synonyms of sedulous include busy, industrious, diligent, painstaking, persevering, unremitting, indefatigable (word 21 of Level 2), and assiduous (uh-SIJ-oo-us). Antonyms of sedulous include lethargic, languid, indolent (word 48 of Level 4), phlegmatic (fleg-MAT-ik), slothful, shiftless, and otiose(OH-shee-ohs). Sedulousness,thenoun,meansdiligence,industriousness,carefulandpersistenteffort:“Thecaptain toldthecrew,‘Thislonganddifficultmissionwillrequireyourunwaveringsedulousness,ifweareto succeed.’” Word29:MAUNDER(MAWN-dur) Totalkinarambling,dreamy,ormeaninglessway;tospeakincoherentlyorfoolishly.Also,tomoveoractinanaimless,idle,ordreamy manner. Theoriginoftheverbtomaunderisuncertain. Therearevariouswaystousemaunderinthesenseofspeakinginaramblingorincoherentmanner. You can simply maunder: “She saw the old folks maundering in wheelchairs in the hallways of the nursing home.” You can maunder over something: “It’s odd to see some brawny guy maundering over someuglylittledog.”Youcanmaunderon:“Judithstoppedlisteningasherfathermaunderedon.”You canmaunderabout:“Afterafewdrinkshestartedmaunderingabouthistroubles.”Andyoucanmaunder onabout:“RuthfidgetedwhileAnitamaunderedonaboutherfailingmarriage.” Maundermayalsobeusedtomeantomoveoractinanidle,dreamyway,astomaunderthroughthe woodsortomaunderdowntheprimrosepath. Here’sasentencethataccomplishestheneattrickofusingtherambling,aimlessmaunderinbothits talkinganditsmovingsenses:“Hiscolumnsfrequentlywanderandmaunder,headingthiswayandthat, butneveractuallyarrivinganywhere”(JeffreyShallit,pandasthumb.org). Word30:S ALTATION(sal-TAY-shin,notsawl-) Theactofleapingorjumping,oraleap,jump;hence,theactofdancing,oradance. Saltation comes from the Latin saltāre, to dance, the frequentative of the verb salīre, to leap, jump, bound, spring. Saltation has specific uses in the sciences of geology and evolutionary biology, but in generalliteraryuseitmeanstheactofleapingorjumpingortheactofdancing:“Stillkeepingtimetothe musiclikeHarlequininapantomime,hethrustaletterintoourhero’shand,andcontinuedhissaltation without pause or intermission” (Sir Walter Scott, Waverley, 1893); “Life must be taken with a grain of saltation:letthespiritdanceameasureortwoereitcollapse”(ChristopherMorley,Pipefuls,1920). The adjective saltatory (SAL-tuh-tor-ee) means pertaining to or adapted for saltation, leaping or dancing, and the adjective saltant (SAL-tint) means leaping or dancing. The unusual verb to saltate (SAL-tayt)meanstoleaporjump. ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Belieandproveare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Factotumandjack-of-all-tradesare… 3.Jingoismandchauvinismare… 4.Togainsayandtoconfirmare… 5.Neologyandverbicideare… 6.Excrescenceandprotuberanceare… 7.Corbelandbracketare… 8.Sedulousandindolentare… 9.Tomaunderandtorambleare… 10.Saltationandtorporare… TheGreatestNeologist The English language’s greatest neologist was a man who contributed at least 1,500 items to our wordstock,alongwithcountlessidiomsandexpressionsthataresofamoustheyhavebecomecliché.He wasanElizabethanplaywrightandpoetwho,hadhisfathernotdecidedtomovethefamilytoStratfordon-Avonshortlybeforehisbirth,wouldbeknowntoustodayastheBardofSnitterfield. William Shakespeare was, quite simply, a world-champion wordmaker. As Jeffrey McQuain and StanleyMallesstellusinCoinedbyShakespeare,weencounterhiswordseveryday,fromassassination to zany. Shakespeare’s creations are so firmly embedded in the language that, like the conveniences of modernlife,youcan’timagineatimewhentheydidn’texist. HowwouldwemakelovehadShakespearenotgivenusthewordsembrace,courtship,undress,and kissing?Wherewouldoureconomybewithoutemployer,manager,investment,andretirement? Where would religion be without pious and sanctimonious? Where would journalism be without reword, misquote,andcritic?Wherewouldcriticismbewithoutfashionable,monumental,andworthless? And wherewouldallofEnglishliteraturebehadShakespearenotgivenussuchsimpleandbeautifulwordsas gloomy,hurry,generous,unaware,andlonely? ShakespearewasalsotheEnglishlanguage’sgreatestphrasemaker:“Therehasneverbeenanyoneto match him,” says Bill Bryson in The Mother Tongue. For ever and a day (Taming of the Shrew), Shakespearelaiditonwithatrowel(AsYouLikeIt)andshowedusinonefellswoop(Macbeth) and withnoapparentfoulplay(KingJohn)whatitwasliketobeinapickle(TheTempest),tobefancy-free (MidsummerNight’sDream),tobeggaralldescription(AntonyandCleopatra),tobeeatenoutofhouse andhome(HenryIV,Part2),andtowearyourheartonyoursleeve(Othello).Withthemilkofhuman kindness(Macbeth)hetookusonawild-goosechase(RomeoandJuliet),gaveusshortshrift(Richard III),andsentuspacking(HenryIV,PartI).Hemadeourhairstandonend(Hamlet)becausehewasas merryasthedayislong(MuchAdoAboutNothing)andaspureasthedrivensnow(TheWinter’sTale andMacbeth).Surelyhiswordswillneverbecometoomuchofagoodthing(AsYouLikeIt)orvanish intothinair(Othello). And that’s the long and the short of it—an idiom that the Bard, in The Merry Wives of Windsor, originally wrote as “this is the short and the long of it.” As the 19th-century Irish poet and playwright OscarWildedrylyobserved,“NowwesitthroughShakespeareinordertorecognizethequotations.” *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforanothertenkeyworddiscussions. Word31:ANODYNE(AN-uh-dyn) Amedicine,drug,oragentthatrelievespain;hence,anythingthatsoothesthemindorfeelingsorthatalleviatesanxietyordistress. ThenounanodynecomesfromtheGreekanódynos,painless,acombinationoftheprivativeprefixan-, without,andódyne,pain.Originallyananodynewasamedicineordrugthatalleviatedpain:laudanum (LAWD’n-um), a tincture or preparation of opium, was once a popular anodyne. But perhaps because emotional pain is as prevalent as physical pain, anodyne was soon used of other things that alleviated anxietyordistress:“Listeningtobeautifulmusiccanbeananodyneforgrief”;“Devouringapintofice creameverynightisnotasensibleanodyneforstress.” Theunusualwordnepenthe(nuh-PEN-thee)isaclosesynonymofanodyne.Nepenthecomesfromthe Greek nēpenthēs, banishing pain and sorrow, and means a magical drug or drink that makes you forget yoursorrowsormisfortune.InhisepicpoemTheFaerieQueene(1590–1609),EdmundSpenserwrites, “Nepentheisadrinkofsovereigngrace,/Devisedbythegods,fortoassuage/Heart’sgrief,andbitter gall away to chase.” And in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” (1845), the depressed narrator moans, “Quaff [KWAHF], oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!” (To quaff is to drink a beverage,especiallyanintoxicatingone,deeplyandheartily.) Ourkeyword,anodyne,mayalsobeusedasanadjectivetomeanrelievingpain,soothingtothemind or feelings, or not likely to offend or arouse ill will: “For some people canned background music in publicplacesisirritatingandinvasive,whileforothersitisanodyne.” Word32:AUTODIDACTIC(AW-toh-dy-DAK-tik) Self-taught;acquiringknowledgebyoneself. Autodidacticistheadjectivecorrespondingtothenounautodidact(AW-toh-DY-dakt).Anautodidactis a self-taught person, one who has gained knowledge or skill without the benefit of a teacher or formal education. The combining form auto-, self, comes directly from the Greek autós, self, and appears in many English words, such as autograph, literally self-writing; automatic, literally moving by oneself; autocracy,governmentbyonepersonwithsolepower;andtheunusualautochthonous,combiningautowiththeGreekchthón,earth,land,tomeanliterallyofthelanditself,hencenative,aboriginal,indigenous (in-DIJ-i-nus). Autodidactic combines auto-, self, with the adjective didactic, designed to teach, instructive. Throughout history, many great writers, artists, and musicians have been autodidactic, self-taught, and even some eminent scholars and scientists were autodidacts—for example, the 18th-century English lexicographerSamuelJohnson,who,forlackofmoney,hadtoabandonhisstudiesatOxfordafteronlya year,andtheprolificAmericaninventorThomasEdison,whoasayouthhadjustthreemonthsofformal schooling. Word33:JOCUND(JAHK-und,firstsyllablelikejock,notjoke) Merry,cheerful,mirthful,filledwithhighspirits,livelyandlighthearted. TheadjectivejocundcomesfromtheLateLatinjocundus,analterationoftheLatinjūcundus, pleasant, delightful, from the verb juvāre, to help, benefit, or to please, delight. In English jocund may be used eitherofpeopleorofthingstomeancharacterizedbymerrimentandmirth,fullofhighspirits.Agathering oragreetingcanbejocund,fullofgoodcheer.Someone’sexpressionormannercanbejocund,merryand lively:inShakespeare’sHenryIV,SirJohnFalstaffisajocundreveler.Andevenmusiccanbejocund,as in this sentence from The Duke’s Children (1879) by the English novelist Anthony Trollope: “It was a sweetandjocundair,suchaswouldmakeyoungpeoplepronetorunandskip.” Becauseoftheirsimilarsound,theadjectivesjovial,jocose,jocular,andjocundshouldbecarefully distinguishedinmeaning.Jovial(JOH-vee-ul),whichcomesfromtheRomangodJove,orJupiter,who wasrenownedforhisloveoffeastingandmerriment,meansliterallylikeJove,good-humored,friendly, andconvivial:jovialconversation.Jocose(joh-KOHS)andjocular(JAHK-yuh-lur)bothhailfromthe Latinjocus,ajoke(thesourceoftheEnglishjoke),andbothmeanhumorous,witty,orhabituallygivento joking, as a jocose drunkard or a jocular play on words. Our keyword, jocund, may suggest wit or playfulhumor,butitprimarilysuggestscheerfulmerrimentandhighspirits;thatwhichisjocundislively, lighthearted,andexhilarating:theirhilariousandjocundbanter. The corresponding nouns are joviality (JOH-vee-AL-i-tee), jocosity (joh-KAHS-i-tee), jocularity (JAHK-uh-LAR-i-tee),andjocundity(joh-KUHN-di-tee). Word34:S IMULACRUM(SIM-yuh-LAY-krum) Animageorrepresentation,oraninsubstantialorunreallikeness;asemblance. English borrowed simulacrum in the late 16th century directly from the Latin simūlācrum, an image, likeness,portrait,effigy.ThestandardpluralofsimulacrumfollowstheLatin:simulacra(SIM-yuh-LAYkruh). Asimulacrummaybe,likeitsLatinsource,animageorlikenessofaperson,asasimulacrumofthe GreekgodApollo;arepresentationofathing,astheplay’ssetisasimulacrumofasubwaystation;ora representation of a concept, as a convincing simulacrum of reality. Or a simulacrum may be a vague, unreal,insubstantialimageorlikeness,asemblance.Forexample,toanyonewhoappreciatesgood,real food,Kraftmacaroniandcheeseisasimulacrumofthegenuinearticle.Anandroidisasimulacrumofa humanbeing.Andthestrange“phantomlimb”sooftendescribedbyamputeesisasimulacrum,avague andshadowymentalimageoftheabsentlimb. Simulacrum is sometimes mispronounced with lock in the penultimate (word 15 of this level) syllable; dictionaries do not record this variant. And despite what you may see in your dictionary, the penultimatesyllableshouldn’tbelackeither.Mostauthoritiesrecognizeonlythetraditionalpronunciation withlay:SIM-yuh-LAY-krum. Word35:LAMBENT(LAM-bint) Lambenthasthreesenses:(1)movingorplayinglightlyoverasurface,flickering;(2)softlyradiantorbright;or(3)expressedinalightand brilliantstyle. Ihavelistedthesethreesensesoflambentintheirorderofdevelopment,notintheirorderoffrequency. Sense1datesfromthe17thcentury,sense2fromtheearly18thcentury,andsense3,themostextended one,fromthelate19thcentury. LambentcomesfromtheLatinverblambĕre,whichmeanttolick,lap,orwashandwasusedofwater orfire.Initsoriginalsense,lambentsuggestsfire,flame,orlightthatflickers,shimmers,orplayslightly over a surface, as lambent candles, lambent stars, or lambent moonlight on the water. In its second sense,lambentsuggestssomethingsoftlybrightorradiant,eitheremittingorsuffused(word17oflevel3) withlight,asalambentjewel,lambenteyes,orthelambentscreenofherKindle.Andinitsthirdsense, lambent is used figuratively to suggest a light, playful, brilliant style, as lambent flashes of wit or the lambentmelodiesofMozart’scomicoperas. Word36:S UPERVENE(SOO-pur-VEEN) Tohappenafterwardasanadditional,unrelated,orunexpectedconsequence.Also,tofollowcloselyorcomeshortlyafter,especiallyasa consequence;toensue. The verb to supervene comes from the Latin supervenīre, to come down on top of, or to come up unexpectedly, a combination of super-, over, above, beyond, and venīre, to come. By derivation, when somethingsupervenesitcomesfromaboveorbeyond;theword“suggeststhefollowingorbeginningof somethingunforeseenorunpredictable”(Merriam-Webster’sCollegiate).Specifically,whatsupervenes happens or follows, usually soon after, as an additional, unrelated, or unexpected consequence. If Congress passes a bad law, a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality may supervene. Farmers are suprisedwhenabadharvestsupervenesafterafavorablegrowingseason.Aheadachemaysupervenea night of partying, or heartburn may supervene overeating. And pneumonia often supervenes in the final stagesofasevereillness. Thenounissupervention,theactoraninstanceofsupervening,followingafterasaconsequence. Word37:VAINGLORIOUS (vayn-GLOR-ee-us) Boastful,excessivelyproudoforvainaboutone’sabilitiesorachievements. The adjective vainglorious and the noun vainglory (VAYN-glor-ee) come from the Middle Latin vāna glōria,literallyemptygloryorfame.Vaingloryisboastfulpride,excessiveandpretentiouselationover one’saccomplishments;vaingloriousmeanscharacterizedbyorgiventovainglory. Vaingloriouspeoplebehaveasiftheyaresmarter,moretalented,andmoreimportantthaneveryone else,andtheytypicallydonotsurroundthemselvesorconsortwithpeoplewhomightchallengethatview. Celebrities whose heads have been puffed up by fame can be vainglorious, taking unwarranted and excessiveprideintheirstatusandachievements.Andtosomepeople,theownersoffancysportscarsare vainglorious—obnoxiouslyproudofandboastfulabouttheirexpensivevehicles. Take care not to confuse the adjectives glorious and vainglorious. Glorious is positive and means worthy of great praise or honor. Vainglorious is negative and means boastful, full of pride. Thus, a gloriousnovelisquitedifferentfromavaingloriousone. Word38:PETRIFACTION(PE-tri-FAK-shin) Theactorprocessofturningintostone,orsomethinglikestone;also,thestateofbeinghardenedorturnedintostone. The noun petrifaction and the verb to petrify come ultimately from the Latin petra, a stone, rock, and facere,todo,make.Topetrifymaymeantoconvertintostoneorsomethinglikestone,aspetrifiedwood. It may mean to harden, deaden, or immobilize, as his emotions were petrified. Or, in its best-known sense,itmaymeantostunorparalyzewithfear:“Thehorrormoviepetrifiedthechild.”Petrifaction is theactorprocessofpetrifyinginanyofthesesenses,orthestateofbeingpetrified,hardened,paralyzed, orturnedtostone. Petrifaction is used literally in science and medicine of any conversion into stone or a stony substance, such as fossilization or calcification. It is also used to mean a hardening, deadening, or immobilization, a figurative turning into stone: “As Manny got older his inflexible political opinions underwentevengreaterpetrifaction”;“Hershockingwordscausedpetrifactionintheaudience.” Word39:FECULENT(FEK-yuh-lint) Foul,filthy,filledwithwastematter;hence,disgusting,offensive,revolting. The adjective feculent, the noun feculence, and the noun feces (FEE-seez), excrement, waste matter discharged through the anus, all come from the Latin faex, faecis, which meant the dregs of any liquid, especiallywine,or,figuratively,thedregsorlowestorderofsociety. Inmodernusagefeculentisusedliterallyofanythingthatisfilledwithwastematter,suchasdregs, garbage,orexcrement,andalsofigurativelyofanythingthatisfoulorfilthyasiffilledwithdisgusting wastematter.Thus,intheliteralsenseyoucanhavefeculentstreetsorfeculentwater,andinthefigurative sense you can have feculent words, feculent lies, a feculent movie, or feculent music. This sentence illustratestheliteraluse:“Theodorthatroseupfromthemuckwashorrible—stiflingandfeculent”(John Dalton,Heaven Lake). And this sentence illustrates the figurative use: “These fellows were simply the feculentscum…ofcivilization”(WilliamCowperBrann,1898). Word40:S OLOMONIC(SAH-luh-MAH-nik) Showinggreatwisdomandgoodjudgment,especiallyindifficultsituations;wise,reasonable,andfair. SolomonicisaneponymouswordderivedfromthenameSolomon,abiblicalking,thesonandsuccessor of David, who led the ancient Hebrews in the 10th century B.C. According to legend, Solomon was an exceptionally wise man. The Old Testament (1 Kings 3) recounts how God appears to Solomon in a dreamandsays,“AskwhatIshallgivethee.”WhenSolomondoesnotaskforrichesoralonglifebut insteadfor“awiseandanunderstandingheart,”Godispleasedwithhishumilityandgrantstherequest. Straightaway,Solomon’swisdomandjudgmentaretested.Twowomencometothenewkingwitha babythattheybothclaimtobethemotherof.TosilencetheirbickeringSolomonasksforasword,and whenitarriveshesays,“Dividethelivingchildintwo,andgivehalftotheone[mother],andhalftothe other.”Fairenough—onpaper,atleast.Butwhentheyareabouttocleavethepoorbaby,thetruemother criesout,beggingSolomontoletthechildliveandgiveittothefraudulentmother,whilethefraudulent mothercoldlysays,“Letitbeneitherminenorthine,butdivideit.”Withthat,thekingknewwhichwoman wasthetruemotherandhegavethechildtoher.AndwhentheIsraelitesheardofhisshrewddecision, “theysawthatthewisdomofGodwasinhimtodojudgment.”ThatiswhytodaySolomonicisusedto meansuggestiveofthewisdomofSolomon,showingfairnessandgoodjudgment. Synonyms of Solomonic, which is still customarily printed with a capital S, include judicious, prudent,sage,sapient(SAY-pee-int),shrewd,sagacious,astute,andperspicacious(word44ofLevel 4). ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Ananodyneisacharm,adrug,amedicine. 2.Ifyouareautodidacticyouareself-trained,self-involved,self-taught. 3.Ajocundpersonismerry,cheerful,self-assured. 4.Asimulacrumisacopy,alikeness,asemblance. 5.Tobelambentistoflicker,begentle,besoftlyradiant. 6.Tosuperveneistohappenafterward,happensuddenly,ensue. 7.Avaingloriouspersonispowerful,proud,boastful. 8.Petrifactionisthestateofbeinghardened,theprocessofbecomingstone,theprocessofbecomingold. 9.Somethingfeculentisfoul,stifling,revolting. 10.TobeSolomonicistobefair,firm,wise. TheStyleFile:Don’tThinktoYourself NearlyeverydayIreadorhearasentencelikethisonewrittenbyJimmyGolenofTheAssociatedPress: “Andhethoughttohimself,‘We’renext.’” Unlessyou’rethinkingoutloud,youalwaysthinktoyourself.Thereisnootherwaytothink.Inany such construction involving thinking—or wondering, reflecting, musing, and ruminating—adding the prepositiontoandareflexivepronounsuchasmyself,yourself,orherselfisredundant.Thegoodstylist letstheverbstandalone.Sodon’tthinkinyourheadorwondertoyourself.Justthinkandwonder. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel7: Word41:LEITMOTIF(LYT-moh-TEEF) Inapieceofmusic,ashort,recurringthemeormelodicpassageassociatedwithaperson,thing,idea,orsituation;byextension,anyrecurring idea,feature,ortheme. LeitmotifisaGermanloanwordthatmeansliterallyaleadingmotif.Amotif(moh-TEEF)isadistinctive subject,centraltheme,ordominantfeatureinaworkofart,literature,ormusic:“Resilienceisthemotif intheseremarkablewomen’sstories.”Inmusic,amotifisabriefmelodicthemeorpassagefromwhich more complex passages are developed. By contrast, a leitmotif is a short recurring musical theme or passagethatevokesaparticularperson,situation,thing,oridea—akindofmusicalquotation. The leitmotif is often associated with the 19th-century German composer Richard Wagner (VAHGnur), who used it often in his lengthy operas. But Wagner did not invent the leitmotif for it occurs in earlier compositions, including Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte (1790). In Peter and the Wolf (1936),SergeiProkofiev’sbelovedsymphonicfairytaleforchildren,eachcharacterhasathemethatis initially played in full, then briefly repeated throughout the composition as a leitmotif to musically illustrate the narrator’s story. The flute plays the leitmotif of the bird; the oboe that of the duck; the clarinetthatofthecat;theFrenchhornthatofthewolf;thebassoonthatofthegrandfather;andthestrings playPeter’sleitmotif,whichisoftenevokedinjustsixnotes. Incurrentusageleitmotifisalsousedmoregenerallyofanyrecurringtheme,idea,orfeature:“Curry is a leitmotif in the cuisine of India and Thailand”; “Obama promised many things and set lofty goals —‘change’washisleitmotif”(TheHuffingtonPost). Word42:S CARAMOUCH(SKAR-uh-moochor-moosh) Acowardlyrascalorbuffoon;ascamp. Scaramouch, with a capital S, is the name of a stock character in farce and commedia dell’arte (kuhMAY-dee-uh-del-AHR-tay, Italian popular comedy of the 16th to 18th centuries), a foolish, cowardly, boastfulrascalwhoiscontinuallyfloggedbythecharacterHarlequin.Withalowercases,scaramouchis a term of contempt for any boastful rascal or cowardly buffoon—not necessarily someone who is regularlybeaten,butsomeonewhoperhapsdeservestobe.IntheIrishwriterJustinHuntlyMcCarthy’s 1901playIfIWereKing,acharacterasks,“Whyarethewomenallsunflowerstothisscaramouch?” The unusual word poltroon (pahl-TROON), from the Old Italian poltrone, a cowardly idler, is a colorfulsynonymofscaramouch.Butapoltroonisascaramouchsquared:notjustaboastful,cowardly buffoonbutawretched,worthlesscoward. Word43:EFFLORES CE(EF-luh-RES) Tobloom,blossom,burstforthintoflowers.Figuratively,toflower,flourish,thrive. Theverbtoeffloresce,theadjectiveefflorescent(EF-luh-RES-int),andthenounefflorescence(EF-luhRES-ints)allcomefromtheLatinefflōrescĕre,toblossom,breakintobloom,acombinationofex-, out, and flōrescĕre, to begin to blossom, come into flower. The ultimate source is the Latin flōs, flōris, a flower, blossom, the source of various English words, such as floral, pertaining to or consisting of flowers, and its fancier synonym, floriated, decorated with flowers; florist, a seller of flowers; floriculture,thegrowingofflowers;andfloriferous(flaw-RIF-ur-us),bearingflowers. By derivation, something that effloresces doesn’t just bloom; it bursts into bloom. In New England, whereIgrewup,thecrocuses,thosewelcomeharbingers(word38ofLevel4)ofspring,pushupthrough the half-frozen soil and effloresce, bloom swiftly and spectacularly. And in my backyard in Southern California, where I live now, the agapanthus (AG-uh-PAN-thus) effloresce in June, breaking into a brilliant display of globular (GLAHB-yuh-lur) flowers that look like miniature fireworks. (Globular meansglobe-shaped,spherical.) Youmayalsouseeffloresce,efflorescent,andefflorescenceofanythingthatflowersfiguratively,that developsswiftlyandflourishesorthrives.ThetremendousgrowthinthevocabularyofEnglishduringthe Elizabethan era (1533–1603) was an effloresence, a period of great flowering, for the language. An efflorescentartistisablossoming,thrivingartist,onewhoisburstingwithcreativeoutput.Anditisevery parent’shopethattheirchildrenwillgrowupandeffloresce,flourishandsucceed. Word44:S KEIN(SKAYN,rhymeswithtrain) “Alengthofthreadoryarnwoundinalooselongcoil”(AmericanHeritage).Byextension,(1)anythingsuggestingthecoilsortwistsofa skein;(2)aflockofwildfowlinflight;and(3)anysuccessionofrelatedthings:aseries. SkeinmaycomefromtheVulgarLatinscamniare,towindyarn.Initsoriginalsense,whichdatesfromthe 15thcentury,askeinis“alooselycoiledlengthofyarnorthreadwoundonareel”(Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate),asaskeinofwool,cotton,orsilk. By the early 17th century skein had come to be used figuratively to mean something suggesting the coilsofaskein,acomplextangleorweb,asaskeinoflies,askeinofredtape,or“askeinofAfghan tribal politics that we will never understand” (The Wall Street Journal). “For love is but a skein unwound/Betweenthedarkanddawn,”wrotetheIrishpoetW.B.Yeatsin1932.Skeinhasalsobeen usedofaflockofgeese,ducks,orotherwildfowlinflight,andfromthisuse,perhaps,wegettheword’s mostrecentandextendedsense:aseriesofsimilarorrelatedthings,aswatchingaskeinofboxcarspass byontherailroadtracksorherlifehasbeenaskeinoftragedies. Word45:INTERS TICE(in-TUR-stis) Asmallornarrowspace,gap,opening,orbreakbetweencloselyspacedthingsorparts. ThenounintersticecomesfromthepastparticipleoftheLatinverbintersistĕre,topause,makeabreak, acombinationofinter-,between,andsistĕre,tocausetostand,set,place.Byderivationanintersticeis something that stands between or creates a break between things, hence, a small or narrow gap or opening,asanintersticeinthecloudsthroughwhichasinglesunbeamshone;“Wealllookedonwith horrifiedamazementaswesaw…thewoman,withacorporealbodyasrealatthatmomentasourown, passthroughtheintersticewherescarceaknifebladecouldhavegone”(BramStoker,Dracula). Interstices (in-TUR-sti-seez), the plural, are often small spaces or breaks between closely spaced thingsorparts.PicketfencesandVenetianblindshaveinterstices.Theintersticesintileworkarefilled withgrout.Evenyourthoughtshaveinterstices—breaksorintervalswhereyourmindisnotfocusingon anythinginparticular. Synonymsofintersticeincludecleft,slit,rift,chink,crevice,cranny,andlacuna(luh-K[Y]OO-nuh). Theadjectiveisinterstitial(IN-tur-STISH-ul),ofthenatureofaninterstice,orformingorsituatedinan interstice,asmallspaceorgap. Word46:COMMENTARIAT(KAH-mun-TAIR-ee-it) Thenewsmedia,seenasaclass;especially,thosemembersofthenewsmediawhoseroleitistocommentonpoliticsandcurrentevents. Commentariat is a freshly minted word, a neologism, coined in the United States in the 1990s. It is a portmanteauword,ablendofcommentaryandproletariat,theworkingclass.Althoughcommentariatis sowetbehindtheearsthatitisnotyetlistedinsomecurrentdictionaries,youcanbetthatitwillbesoon, becauseinrecentyearsitsusehasexploded.Todayitappearsfrequentlybothinprintandonline.Here’s oneexamplefromTheWallStreetJournal:“HewasactivelyopposedbyamajorityoftheCongressand acommentariatthatarguedforeverythingfromwithdrawingimmediatelytopartitioningthecountry.” The words commentariat and punditocracy are close in meaning. Punditocracy (PUHN-dit-AHkruh-see), which was coined in the 1980s, is based on pundit (word 10 of Level 4), an expert who is calledontoexpressopinionstothepublic.Thepunditocracycomprisesmembersofthenewsmediaas wellasexpertswhoopine(word13ofLevel2)publiclyonvarioussubjectsofgeneralinterest.Initially thecommentariatdesignatedthosemembersofthenewsmediawhoopineonpoliticsandcurrentevents, but the word is showing signs of differentiating itself from punditocracy by suggesting a broader and moreplebeian(word20ofLevel5)groupthatincludesnonprofessionals,asthe online commentariat, thepeoplewhobroadcasttheiropinionsonwebsitesandblogs. Word47:PEREGRINATION(PER-i-gri-NAY-shin) Travelfromoneplacetoanother;ajourney,especiallyoneonfoot. Peregrination comes from the Latin peregrīnātio, a traveling or a staying in foreign countries, from peregrīnus,foreign,strange.Originallyaperegrinationwasthespiritualjourneyofaperson’slife,one’s sojourn(word35ofLevel2)onearth.Laterperegrinationwasusedasasynonymofpilgrimage,asa peregrinationtoRome.Butthedominantmeaninginmodernusage,whichtookrootinthe16thcentury,is atravelingorjourneyfromoneplacetoanother,especiallyonemadeonfoot. A peregrination may be fairly short, as a week of peregrination in the Cotswolds. But it is usually long, as his six-month peregrination around Europe. And sometimes a peregrination is very long, as severaldecadesofpersistentperegrinationintheremotestpartsoftheworld.Thewordisalsooften usedintheplural,peregrinations,tomeantravels,wanderings,ramblings:“Hisbookisanentertaining travelogue,anamusingaccountofhisperegrinations.” Theverbisperegrinate(PER-i-gri-nayt),totravel,journey,astoperegrinatefromtheEastCoastto the West. The adjective is peregrine (PER-i-grin), traveling, wandering, as a peregrine minister or a peregrinespirit.Theperegrinefalcon,literallyawanderinghawk,isprizedforitsswiftandpowerful flight. Word48:FILIGREE(FIL-i-gree) Ornamentation,embellishment;anythingverydelicate,intricate,andfanciful. Filigree comes from the Latin fīlum, a thread, and grānum, a grain or seed. Originally, filigree was ornamental jewelry work made of grains or beads; later, filigree was made of delicate threads of fine gold,silver,orothermetalwireformedintolacy,intricatescrollsandpatterns.Earrings,bracelets,rings, necklaces, buttons, goblets, window glass, the frames of paintings or mirrors, fabrics, containers, silverware, pens, and even doors, cabinets, and gates were applied with the delicate, intricate, and fanciful ornamentation of filigree. Eventually filigree also came to be used figuratively of any sort of delicate, fanciful ornamentation, whether fabricated or natural, as a filagree of poetic images or a filigree of frost on frozen branches, or of any fine and showy embellishment, as the harp’s rich, cascadingfiligree. Youmayalsousefiligreeasaverbtomeantoadornwithorasifwithfiligree,orasanadjective, spelledeitherfiligreeorfiligreed,tomeandelicately,intricately,andfancifullydecorated,asa filigree patternorfiligreedlanguage. Word49:GIMCRACK(JIM-krak) Showybutuseless,trivial,orworthless. Theoriginofgimcrackisobscure.Thewordmaybeusedasanounmeaning“acheapandshowyobject oflittleornouse”(AmericanHeritage),asthegimcrackstheygiveforprizesatthecountyfair.Orit may be used as an adjective to mean “flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive” (New Oxford AmericanDictionary),asthegimcrackprizesatthecountyfair. Gimcrack cookware, gimcrack jewelry, or gimcrack furniture—also called borax—may be goodlookingbutischeaplyandpoorlymade.Gimcrackproseoragimcracktheoryisshowyandattractiveon thesurfacebuttrivialorworthlessoncloserinspection.AndAmericansareobsessedwiththegimcrack glamourofHollywood,otherwiseknownasTinseltown. Synonymsofgimcrackincludeshoddy,tasteless,gaudy,andtrumpery(TRUHM-puh-ree).Thenoun isgimcrackery(JIM-krak-uh-ree),cheapandshowyornaments,uselesstrifles,trinkets,knickknacks,or baubles(word27ofLevel6). Word50:IMMITIGABLE(i-MIT-i-guh-bul) Notabletobemitigated;thatcannotbelessenedorsoftenedinforceorintensity. Theverbtomitigate means to lessen in intensity, make less severe, and the adjective mitigable means capableofbeingmitigated,abletobesoftenedorsoothed.Becauseimmitigablebeginswiththeprivative prefix im-, not, it means not mitigable, unable to be made less intense or severe. These words come ultimatelyfromtheLatinmītigāre,tosoften,calm,soothe. Anythingthatcannotbemitigated—moderatedoralleviated—isimmitigable.Immitigablepaincannot be lessened and immitigable sorrow cannot be relieved. A judge’s immitigable sentence cannot be lessenedorappealed.Immitigabledarknessisconstantdarkness.Immitigablestubbornnessisunrelenting; itnevergivesup.Andimmitigablehungerisinsatiable,unabletobesatisfied. Unappeasableandimplacable(im-PLAK-uh-buul)aresynonymsofimmitigable. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 This time the review word is followed by three words or phrases, and you must decide which comes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Isaleitmotifafunnystory,arecurringtheme,oraningeniousplot? 2.Isascaramouchalover,ajoker,orarogue? 3.Whensomethingeffloresces,doesitbreakapart,breakintobloom,orbreakintosong? 4.Isaskeinasmallflaw,atangle,orashamefulsecret? 5.Isanintersticeanarrowspace,apointofconnection,oranunspokencontract? 6.Isthecommentariatthevoters,thespeechwriters,orthenewsmedia? 7.Isaperegrinationaquestion,ajourney,oranordeal? 8.Isfiligreeanancestralline,fineornamentation,orafoolishfancy? 9.Issomethinggimcrackfirst-rate,eccentric,orworthless? 10.Wouldimmitigabledestructionbepartial,avoidable,orunstoppable? OnceUponaWord:Semordnilap “Dear Wordmaster,” writes James Phelan on my website. “My son has a boy whose name is Aidan. A neighborhasachildnamedNadia,whichisthereverseofAidan.Isthereanameforthis?” I would call that delightful coincidence a “name semordnilap” (sem-ORD-ni-lap). Semordnilap—a wordthathaslongbeenusedinrecreationallinguisticsbutthathasnotyetfounditswayintoadictionary forlackofmoregeneraluse—isthewordpalindromesspelledbackward.Apalindrome(PAL-in-drohm) is a word, phrase, or sentence that says the same thing when read either forward or backward, as in A man,aplan,acanal,PanamaandGohangasalami,I’malasagnahog.Aword-unitpalindromereads the same, word for word, forward and backward, as in All for one and one for all. By contrast, a semordnilap is a word that means one thing when read forward and another when read backward; for example,partturnedaroundbecomestrap,wolfbecomesflow,woodbecomesdoom,andstrawbecomes warts.BobandEvearenamepalindromes;AidanandNadiaisanamesemordnilap.Anotherexampleof anamesemordnilapisHarpoandOprah. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel7 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Awhimperingpersonneedstobecomforted.Tosimperistosmileinasilly,self-conscious,andoftenaffectedorsimplemindedway. 2.Yes.Todenudeistostrip,makenaked,ortodepriveofsomething. 3.No.Suigenerismeansnotlikeanythingelse,oneofakind,inaclassbyitself. 4.No.Ajeremiadisaprolongedexpressionofsorroworgrief,oralong,mournfulcomplaint,oftenlacedwithoutrage. 5.Yes.Bothasobriquetandanepithetaredescriptivenamesornicknames. 6.No.Apregnantwomanisgoingtohaveababy.Regnantmeansruling,reigning,dominant;exercisingpower,authority,orinfluence. 7.No.Hauteuristheoppositeofhumility—arrogance,haughtiness,condescension. 8.No.Apaterfamiliasisamanwhoistheheadofahouseholdorthefatherofafamily;byextension,amanwhoistheleaderofatribe, community,ormovement. 9.No.Theapogeeisthehighestpoint,climax;originally,thepointatwhichaheavenlybodyorobjectorbitingtheearthisatitsgreatest distancefromtheearth. 10.Yes.Yourmienisyourbearing,air,ormanner,especiallywhenitrevealscharacter,personality,attitude,orfeeling. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Dyspepticpeopleareirritableandgloomy,grouchyandmorose. 2.False.Anaphoraisrepetitionofawordorphraseatthebeginningofsuccessiveverses,clauses,orsentences.Epistropheisrepetition ofawordorphraseattheend. 3.True.Tophilanderistoflirtwithandseducemanywomen. 4.True.Amissiveisaletter,awrittenmessageorcommunication. 5.False.Penultimatemeansnext-to-last,notlast. 6.True.Zeitgeistmeansthespiritoftheageortimes. 7.False.Circumlocutorymeansspeakingindirectlyorinaroundaboutway.Sententiousmeansfullof,orgiventousing,aphorismsor maxims,orshort,meaningfulsentences. 8.True.Tointerdictistoprohibitorforbid,especiallybycommandordecree. 9.False.Malaiseisavague,generalfeelingofdiscomfortoruneasiness. 10.False.Bothyourownchildrenandyourdescendantsareyourprogeny. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Antonyms.Tobelieistomisrepresentordisguise,ortoshowtobefalseormistaken. 2.Synonyms.Afactotumisapersonemployedtodoallkindsofwork,ahandyman,jack-of-all-trades;hence,anemployeeorassistantwho hasmanydifferentduties. 3.Synonyms.Bothjingoismandchauvinismmeanoverzealous,aggressivepatriotism. 4.Antonyms.Toconfirmistoprove,verify.Togainsayistodenyorcontradict. 5.Antonyms.Verbicide,asdefinedbythewriterandphysicianOliverWendellHolmes(1809–1894),is“violenttreatmentofawordwith fatalresultstoitslegitimatemeaning”;byderivationverbicideisthekillingofaword.Neologyistheinventionofnewwords,phrases,usages, meanings,orexpressions. 6.Synonyms.Anexcrescenceisanoutgrowth,lump,enlargement,orprojection,especiallywhenabnormal. 7.Synonyms.Acorbelisabracketthatprojectsfromawallandsupportsaweight. 8.Antonyms.Indolent(word48ofLevel4)meanslazy,idle,inactive.Sedulousmeansinvolvingorcharacterizedbycarefulandpersistent effort;diligent,painstaking. 9.Synonyms.Tomaunderistotalkinarambling,dreamy,ormeaninglessway;ortomoveoractinanaimless,idle,ordreamymanner. 10.Antonyms.Torpor(seetorpid,word38ofLevel5)isastateofmentalorphysicalsluggishnessordullness.Saltationistheactof leapingorjumping,aleaporjump;hence,theactofdancing,oradance. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Charmdoesn’tfit;anamuletisacharm.Ananodyneisadrugormedicinethatrelievespainoranxiety. 2.Self-involveddoesn’tfit.Autodidacticmeansself-taught,self-trained. 3.Self-assureddoesn’tfit.Jocundmeansmerry,cheerful,mirthful. 4.Copydoesn’tfit.Asimulacrumisalikenessorrepresentation,asemblance. 5.Begentledoesn’tfit.Lambentmeans(1)movingorplayinglightlyoverasurface,flickering;(2)softlyradiantorbright;or(3)expressed inalightandbrilliantstyle. 6.Happensuddenlydoesn’tfit.Tosuperveneistohappenafterwardasanunrelatedorunexpectedconsequence,ortofollowcloselyor comeshortlyafter,ensue. 7.Powerfuldoesn’tfit.Vaingloriousmeansboastful,excessivelyproud. 8.Theprocessofbecomingolddoesn’tfit.Petrifactionistheactorprocessofturningintostone,orsomethinglikestone;also,thestateof beinghardenedorturnedintostone. 9.Stiflingdoesn’tfit.Feculentmeansfoul,filthy;hencerevolting,disgusting. 10.Firmdoesn’tfit.Solomonicmeansfair,wise,reasonable,just. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Aleitmotifisashort,recurringthemeormelodicpassageassociatedwithaperson,thing,idea,orsituation;byextension,anyrecurring idea,feature,ortheme. 2.Ascaramouchisacowardly,boastfulrascalorrogue. 3.Whensomethingefflorescesitbreaksintobloomorflourishes,thrives. 4.Askeinisalongloosecoilofthreadoryarn;byextension,anythingsuggestingthecoilsortwistsofaskein,suchasacomplexwebor tangle. 5.Anintersticeisasmallornarrowspace,gap,opening,orbreakbetweencloselyspacedthingsorparts. 6.Thecommentariatisthenewsmedia,especiallythosememberswhoseroleitistocommentonpoliticsandcurrentevents. 7.Aperegrinationisajourney,travelfromoneplacetoanother,especiallyonfoot. 8.Filigreeisfineornamentation,anythingverydelicate,intricate,andfanciful. 9.Somethinggimcrackisshowybutuseless,trivial,orworthless. 10.Immitigabledestructionwouldbeunstoppablebecauseitcannotbelessenedorsoftenedinforceorintensity. LEVEL8 Word1:PANOPLY(PAN-uh-plee) Animpressivearrayorsplendiddisplay. PanoplycomesfromtheGreekpanoplía,frompan-,all,andhopla,arms,armor,thepluralofhoplon,a weapon,tool,orpieceofarmor,especiallytheheavyshieldwornbythehoplites(likehop lights), the heavilyarmedfootsoldiersofancientGreece. A panoply may be a full suit of arms and armor, as the panoply of a knight; or, by extension, a panoplymaybeaprotectiveorcompletecovering,asthequilledpanoplyoftheporcupineorapanoply ofice.Thewordisalsooftenusedofanysplendiddisplayoffullceremonialattireandaccessories,asin the panoply of a military parade, or “Last came the knightly Normans … with all the panoply of chivalry”fromSirWalterScott’s1821novelKenilworth. Fromtheseearlierandstillcurrentusesofthewordhascomethemostpopularsense:anymagnificent array or striking display. You can have a panoply of shiny medals or colorful flags. You can have a panoply of heavenly stars or a panoply of Hollywood stars. You can have a panoply of tantalizing appetizers or desserts, or a panoply of high-priced lawyers or political consultants. You can even use panoply of an impressive or striking array of some intangible thing, as a panoply of reforms, or “a panoplyofgrimsecrets”(TheGuardian). Word2:RECHERCHÉ(ruh-shair-SHAY;also,andchieflyBritish,ruh-SHAIR-shay) Soughtoutwithgreatcare;hence,veryrare,obscure,exotic,exquisite,orrefined. Recherché comes from the past participle of the French verb rechercher, to search for carefully, investigate,thesourcealsooftheEnglishresearch.AlthoughrecherchéenteredEnglishabout1700and is no longer printed in italics (which indicates a foreign borrowing), the word retains a French acute accentoverthefinale. Recherché is used of things that must be sought out or procured with care and effort, and that are thereforerare,exotic,orobscure.Thewordisfrequentlyusedoffineart,asa recherché collection of pre-Columbianfigurines;offinefoodandwine,asarecherchébanquetthatbeganwithoysters,caviar, andchampagne;andoflanguage,asarecherchéexpression.WilliamF.BuckleyJr.wasrenowned,and often criticized, for displaying his large and often recherché vocabulary on his television show Firing Line.AndMarkTwainhadsomesatiricalfunwiththewordwhen,inhis1869travelogueTheInnocents Abroad,hedescribedanimpressivegroupofEgyptiandonkeysas“thebestwehadfoundanywhere,and themostrecherché.Idonotknowwhat‘recherché’is,butthatiswhatthesedonkeyswere,anyhow.” Because recherché implies a rare and sophisticated knowledge or taste, it is often applied to something or someone who is overly elegant or refined, to the point of being affected, precious, or pretentious. For example, in his 1914 novel The Titan, Theodore Dreiser describes a member of Chicago’sbusinesseliteasbeing“asmall,polite,recherchésoul,suggestingmansionsandfootmenand remoteluxury…” Word3:VERTIGINOUS (vur-TIJ-i-nus) Dizzy,orcausingdizziness. Synonymsoftheadjectivevertiginousincludegiddy,lightheaded,disordered,andreeling.Antonymsof vertiginous include sober, steady, clearheaded, composed, unruffled, self-possessed, and imperturbable. VertiginouscomesfromtheLatinvertīgo,aturningorwhirlinground,whichcomesfromvertere, to turn,thesourceofrevert,literallytoturnback,convert,literallytoturnwith,andvertigo(VUR-ti-goh), thetechnicaltermfordizziness. Vertiginousisperhapsmostcommonlyusedtomeanaffectedwithvertigo,dizzy,orcausingdizziness: “Shespunarounduntilshewasvertiginous”;“Theygaspedwhentheyreachedthevertiginousedgeofthe cliff.”Itmayalsobeusedofafigurativedizzinessorgiddiness:“Theprospectofgainingsuddenwealth makessomepeoplevertiginous.”Butthewordhastwoothermeaningsingeneraluse. Vertiginous may be used to mean unstable, unsettled, or inconstant, apt to change quickly, as a vertiginouseconomyorthecourtofpublicopinionisnotoriouslyvertiginous. It may also be used to mean whirling, spinning, rotating or revolving, as the vertiginous motion of the earth on its axis or a vicious,vertiginoustornado. Word4:KIS MET(KIZ-metorKIZ-mit) Fate,destiny,fortune;one’slotorportioninlife. The noun kismet entered English in the mid-19th century, coming through Turkish and Persian from the Arabicqisma,portion,lot,fate,fromqasama,todivide,allot. Thewordsfate,destiny,fortune,karma,andkismetallrefertowhathappenstoapersoninthislife orthenext. Fateisaninevitableandoftenpredeterminedconditionoroutcome,especiallyabadoneresultingin destructionordeath:“ThefateoftheConfederacywassealedwhenVicksburgfell”(UlyssesS.Grant). Destinysuggestsan“invinciblepowerconceivedofascontrollinghumanlifeandtheoperationsof theuniverse”(Funk&WagnallsStandardDictionary):“IfeltasifIwerewalkingwithdestiny,”wrote WinstonChurchillinTheGatheringStorm(1948),“andthatallmypastlifehadbeenbutapreparation forthishourandthistrial.” Fortune is the result of mysterious and incomprehensible controlling forces, good or bad. You can seekyourfortuneinlife;youcanbe“fortune’sfool,”likeShakespeare’sRomeo;or,likehisHamlet,you can“suffertheslingsandarrowsofoutrageousfortune.” InHinduismandBuddhism,karmaistheforcecreatedbyaperson’sactions,regardedasdetermining his or her fate either in this life or in reincarnation. In current usage karma is often used loosely and informallytomeanmerelygoodorbadluck. Dictionaries define our keyword, kismet, as synonymous with fate or destiny, but while the latter wordssuggestaninevitableoutcomedeterminedbysomecontrollingforce,kismetismorelikekarmain suggestinganunknownorunexpectedoutcome,oftenaluckyandadvantageousone,determinedbyone’s actionsorbychance.Inotherwords,yourdestinycandealyouabadhandandfatecansealyourdoom, whilekismetcangiveyouthetalentyouneedtosucceedandputyouintherightplaceattherighttime.If thathappens,besuretothankyourluckystars—otherwiseknownaskismet. Word5:TEMPORIZE(TEM-puh-ryz) Toactevasivelyorbeindecisivesoastogaintime;tostallorhedge. TheverbtotemporizecomesfromtheMedievalLatintemporizāre,tohangback,delay,waitforone’s time.Byderivation,temporizingistheactofdelayingorhangingbackuntilamorefavorabletime. Temporizeneatlycapturesinonewordwhatvariouscommonidiomsexpressinseveral.Forexample, todragone’sfeet,tositonthefence,tosleeponit,tobideone’stime,andtoseewhichwaythewind blowsareallwaysofsayingtotemporize,todelayactingsoastogaintime. Temporizingisawayoflifeinpoliticsanddiplomacy,whereideologicalopponentsorparticipantsin negotiationsoftenactevasivelyanddrawthingsoutsoastogaintime:“Aselectedofficialspostureand temporize, families are bankrupted by health-care costs and forgo treatment they can’t afford” (Newsweek).Temporizingisalsooftenapopularofficialstrategyindealingwiththeever-changingwinds oftheeconomy:“Forawhile,theTreasury[Department]cantemporizewithcreativeaccounting,shifting moneyfromonepiletoanother”(TheWallStreetJournal). But you can temporize on a more mundane levelaswell—forexample,inyourrelationshipsatworkandathome—byactingevasivelysoastogain time,avoidaconflict,orputoffadecision. Word6:PLEONAS M(PLEE-uh-naz’m) Theuseofmorewordsthanarenecessarytoexpressanidea;also,anexampleofthis. TherhetoricaltermpleonasmcomesthroughLatinfromtheGreekpleonasmos,abundance,whichcomes inturnfrompleonazein,tobeexcessive,andpleion,more.Theadjectiveispleonastic(PLEE-uh-NAStik),andtherarewordpleonast(PLEE-uh-nast)denotesapersonaddictedtopleonasm. Thefamiliarwordredundancy is the generic term for needless repetition in the use of words. Like redundancy, pleonasm can refer to any superfluous repetition. More specifically, it denotes a word or phrase that can be deleted without altering the meaning, or “the use of words whose omission would leaveone’smeaningintact”(Webster2).“Weknowwehaveapleonasm,”writesArthurQuinninFigures ofSpeech:60WaystoTurnaPhrase,“whenwecaneliminatewordswithoutchangingmeanings.” Everywhere you look you will find pleonasms embedded in our speech and writing, from the substandardwhereisitat?andmorepreferabletotheubiquitousfreegiftandcloseproximity.Pleonasm takes root in the innocently redundant habits of childhood, as in My friend, she told me (a double subject), and reaches full flower in the countless excesses of adulthood that we utter without thinking, such as hot water heater, future plans, past history, added bonus, three a.m. in the morning, and the reason…isbecause(becausemeans“forthereasonthat”). Therearescoresofpleonasticsetphrasesinthelanguage—suchaswritedown,tinybit,tinylittle, noneatall,tempertantrum,andupintheair—thatonlyapedant1wouldfretabout.Buttherearealso manycommonwordcombinationsthatcarefulusersofthelanguagewouldfindobjectionablypleonastic. Considertheexcessverbiage(VUR-bee-ij:threesyllables,nottwo)inthephraseexcessverbiage—have weforgottenthatverbiagemeansanoverabundanceofwords?Nowconsiderthesuperfluouswordsin suchfamiliarphrasesassafehaven,lagbehind,mypersonalopinion,filledtocapacity,bestever,brief summary,pickandchoose,ultimategoal,rootcause,pizzapie,andemptyhole.Wesayandprintthose andmanyotherpleonasmscountlesstimesaday. Manypleonasticphrases—suchasanyandall,fitandproper,aidandabet,saveandexcept,sole and exclusive, null and void, terms and conditions, cease and desist, and various and sundry—have beenadoptedfromlegaljargon.Othercommonpleonastictwinsthatusageauthoritiescondemnincludeif andwhen,unlessanduntil,compareandcontrast,firstandforemost,andthemuch-despisedeachand every. Let’s close this discussion with a short list of hackneyed (word 1 of Level 4) phrases that are indefensibly pleonastic: final conclusion; end result; new recruit; temporary reprieve; necessary requirement;advancewarning(orplanning);openinggambit;compete(ormeetorinteract)witheach other; true (or actual or real) fact; passing fad; fresh new (idea, look, etc.); new beginning (or innovation); general consensus; congregate together; continue to remain; endorse on the back; and dwindlingdown,whichmywifegleefullycaughtmesayinglongago,inmypleonasticyouth. Word7:VERIS IMILITUDE(VER-i-si-MIL-i-t[y]ood) Theappearanceoforresemblancetotruthorreality. ThenounverisimilitudecomesfromtheLatinvērisimilitūdo,probability,whichcomesinturnfromvērī, the genitive of vērum, the truth, reality, and similis, like, resembling. From the same source comes the uncommonadjectiveverisimilar(VER-i-SIM-uh-lur),whichmeanshavingtheappearanceoftruth,asa verisimilarstory. Ifitistruethatartimitateslife,thenartistsmustbeconcernedwithverisimilitude,thequalityintheir work that makes it seem lifelike, real, and believable. The sculptures and frescoes of the neoclassical artist Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) are brilliant examples of verisimilitude, so convincing in theirresemblancetorealitythatweoverlookhowthepeopleandthingsportrayedaremuchlargerthan life. Writers of realistic fiction and drama must also strive for verisimilitude, creating characters who seemlikerealpeopleandsettingsthatevokerecognizableplaces.Modernfilmmakersemployallmanner ofspecialeffectstoachieveverisimilitude,andvideogamedesignerspridethemselvesonthelevelof verisimilitudetheycangivetheiranimateddigitalcreations. Word8:CABAL(kuh-BAHLorkuh-BAL) Agroupofsecretplotters,aconspiracy;also,theplotorschemeofsuchagroup. The noun cabal comes from the Hebrew qabbālāh, tradition, literally something received or handed down, the source also of the English cabala (KAB-uh-luh or kuh-BAH-luh), an esoteric and mystical system of interpreting Scripture, developed by rabbis, that arose in the 7th century and lasted into the 18th.“CabalisticinterpretationofScripturewasbasedonthebeliefthateveryword,letter,number,and even accent contained mysteries interpretable by those who knew the secret,” says the Columbia Encyclopedia.“Thesystemdegeneratedintojugglingwithlettersandformulasandbecamethebasisof muchmedievalmagic.” Cabal was initially a variant of cabala, but since the mid-17th century cabal has been used of any smallgroupofplotterswhoconspireagainstagovernmentoragainstsomeoneinauthority.In1865,the actorandConfederatesympathizerJohnWilkesBoothledacabalthatplottedtheassassination,onApril 14,ofPresidentAbrahamLincoln. The word cabal was also famously applied to five cabinet ministers of Charles II, king of England from1660to1685.Althoughthisgroupdidnotconspireagainstthethrone,peopleweremuchtakenby thefactthatthefirstlettersoftheirnames—Clifford,Arlington,Buckingham,Ashley,andLauderdale— happenedtospellcabal. Word9:POS TPRANDIAL(pohst-PRAN-dee-ul) Happeningordoneafterameal,especiallyafterdinner. PostprandialcomesfromtheLatinpost,after,andprandium,ameal,repast.Thewordmayrefertoany meal, but it is usually used of dinner: a postprandial speech, a postprandial snifter of brandy, a postprandialstroll,or,fortheelderly,apostprandialnap.Anteprandial,beginningwiththeLatinante, before,meanshappeningordonebeforeameal.Andprandial,asyoumightguess,meansoforpertaining toameal,relatingtodinnerordining,asaprandialinvitationorprandialexpenses. Word10:ONOMATOPOEIA(AHN-uh-MAT-uh-PEE-uh) Theformationoruseofawordinimitationofthesoundthatathingoranactionmakes. Onomatopoeia comes from the Greek onomatopoíia, the making of words, a combination of onoma, a name,andpoiein,tomake,theultimatesourceoftheEnglishwordpoet.Theadjectiveisonomatopoeic (AHN-uh-MAT-uh-PEE-ik) WhenIwasakidIlovedtoreadcomicbooksaboutsuperheroesbattlingsupervillainsinamythic clashbetweengoodandevil.Becausecomicsdon’thavesoundtracks,theillustratorwouldincludebig, bold words with exclamation points to depict the sounds of the struggle: Wham! Bash! Crunch! Pow! Kaboom!Ididn’tknowitthen,butallthesesmashingwordswereclassicexamplesofonomatopoeia. “The sound must seem an echo of the sense” proclaimed the 18th-century English poet Alexander Pope,providinguswithaconciseguidelineforcreatingonomatopoeicwords,onesformedinimitationof asound.Today,theEnglishlanguagecontainsavastnumberofonomatopoeicwords,mostofthemshort andvividlikethesoundstheyrepresent.Manyimitatethesoundsthatanimalsmake:thebuzzofabee;the bowwowofadog;thecroakofafrog;thesibilant(word9ofLevel4)hissofasnake;andthelyrical cock-a-doodle-dooofarooster.Manyothersimitatesoundsinnature,suchascrack, thud, clunk, pop, plop,andwhoosh,orthesoundsthatobjectsmake,suchastheding-dongofabell;theclackety-clackof a keyboard; the tick-tock of a clock; the bang or rat-a-tat-tat of a gun; and the beep! of almost every dadblamedthinginthisdigitizedage.Stillothersimitatesoundshumanbeingsmakethatconveymeaning, suchasshush,pssst,brrrr,ahem,hmmm,pshaw,andphew. Onomatopoeia is commonly mispronounced with monna in the middle: ono-MONNA-poeia. Take caretoputamatintheword:onna-MAT-opoeia. ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Wouldapanoplybeimpressive? 2.Issomethingrecherchéexoticorobscure? 3.Doessomethingvertiginousmakeyouimpatient? 4.Canyoudetermineorshapeyourkismet? 5.Ifyoutemporize,doyoustall? 6.Iscompletelysurroundedapleonasm? 7.Doabstractexpressionistpaintingshaveverisimilitude? 8.Isacabalagroupofplutocrats? 9.Wouldapostprandialcigarbesmokedafterdinner? 10.Isonomatopoeiatheformationofwordsfromnames? StyleFile:FindthePleonasms Ineachofthefollowingsentencesthere’sacommonpleonasmthateludedacopyeditor.Ifyoucanspot themall,youhaveafineeyeforsuperfluouswords. 1.“FederalandlocalauthoritiessurroundedasmallbankinBuenaParkwhereanarmedgunmanwassaidtobeholdingatleastone hostage”(LosAngelesTimes). 2.“Banksbeganofferingcardswithavarietyofdifferentinterestratesandfees”(TheNewYorkTimes). 3.“Hehas…justrecentlyreleasedhisfirstdocumentaryfilm”(Reuters). 4.“Thebandperformedthreeoriginalnumbersthattheyhadwritten”(SanDiegopublicradio). 5.“Lynchburgispresentlyfacinga$500,000free-speechcomplaint”(LynchburgNews&Advance,Virginia). 6.“Upuntilnow,premiumproducerslikeMercedes-Benzhavehadaneasiertimeweatheringeconomicstorms”(BusinessWeek). 7.“TheirhomeisstillintheprocessofbeingrenovatedafterHurricaneKatrina”(AssociatedPress). 8.“Theycontinuedonfor600miles”(TheWashingtonTimes). 9.“Akeylesschuckisincludedwithit”(PittsburghPost-Gazette). 10.“Bothauthorandillustratorfocusinontheboyashewondersaloudwhatlifewillbelikeforhimwhenhe’sgrown”(TheNewYork Times). EXPLANATIONS 1.Agunmanisapersonarmedwithagun.Strikearmed. 2.Thewordvarietymeans“anumberofdifferentthingsthoughtoftogether”(Webster’sNewWorldCollegeDictionary),sopairingitwith differentispleonastic. 3.Pairingjustwithrecentlyispleonastic.Useoneortheother. 4.Thelastfourwords,thattheyhadwritten,arerepetitiveandsuperfluous.Oryoucouldkeepthemanddeleteoriginal. 5.Presentlyfacingispleonastic;facingconveysthemeaningbyitself. 6.Untilmeans“uptothetimeof,”sopairingitwithupisredundant.Makeituntilnoworuptonow. 7.Thephraseintheprocessofaddsnothingbutbaggagetothesentence. 8.Onaftercontinueorproceedispleonasticbecausethoseverbsmeantogoon. 9.Strikewithitandletincludeddoitsworkalone. 10.Whenyoufocus,youconcentrateyourattentiononsomething.Thewordinisunnecessaryafterfocus.Ifyoumeantobringintocloseup,aswithaphotographiclens,usezoominoninstead. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforLevel8. Word11:DUDGEON(DUHJ-un) Afeelingorasuddenfitofanger,resentment,orindignation. Theoriginofdudgeonisunknown. Inmodernusagedudgeonusuallyappearsaftertheadjectivehigh—“Shestormedoutofthemeeting inhighdudgeon”—orsometimesaftergreat:“Nothingcouldmollifyhergreatdudgeon.”Butyoucanalso expressyourdudgeon,nurseyourdudgeon,andgohomeinadudgeon.Here’sacitationfromThe Wall Street Journal for the unmodified dudgeon: “The boxing world is in a dudgeon about these recommendations.” Thenounsumbrage,pique,huff,anddudgeonallsuggest“anemotionalresponsetooranemotional stateresultingfromaslightorindignity,”saysMerriam-Webster’sCollegiateDictionary. Umbrage(UHM-brij),fromtheLatinumbra,shade,suggestsaperson“shadowedinoffendedpride, retreating into the darkness of proud indignation.”2 Umbrage usually appears in the phrase to take umbrage, meaning to take offense because of an insult or slight to one’s dignity or pride: “She took umbrageathisrudemanner.”Youmayalsofeelumbrage,resentment,orgiveumbrage,offense,butthese locutionsarelesscommon.(Locutionisword22ofLevel6.) Pique(pronouncedlikepeek),fromtheFrenchpiquer,toprick,suggestsatemporaryfeelingofanger or resentment because of an insult to one’s vanity or self-respect. You can be in a pique, have a fit of pique,orjustfeelpique:“John’spiqueoverMorty’sinsolentremarksputRachelinapiquetoo,andthey bothsoonleftthepartyinadoublefitofpique.” Ahuffisapeevishorpetulant(word35ofLevel4)fitofsulkingorbroodinganger,usuallyprompted byasmall,insignificantslight:“Theywereinahuffovertheumpire’squestionablecall”;“Theargument endedwithhimmarchingoffinahuff.” Our keyword, dudgeon, may suggest a feeling of anger or resentment prompted by some real or imaginedoffense,butitoftensuggestsafitofself-righteousangerorindignation:“Thechairmanresigned fromthecommitteeinhighdudgeon.” Word12:HEGEMONY(hi-JEM-uh-nee) Leadership,dominance,preponderantinfluenceorauthority. Thenounhegemony,whichenteredEnglishinthe16thcentury,comesfromtheGreekhegemon, leader, whichforalittleoveracenturyhasalsobeenanEnglishnounmeaningaleaderorrulingpower,aperson or nation that exercises hegemony. A 1904 issue of The Forum contained this sentence: “The hegemon [HEJ-e-mahn]oftheWesternhemisphereistheUnitedStates.” Hegemony, leadership, dominance, is commonly exercised by a nation, state, or confederation. In ancient Greece, the city-states of Athens and Sparta continually vied for hegemony, and for centuries Britain, France, and Spain fought for hegemony in Europe. But hegemony may also be exercised by a dominant social, cultural, or ideological group. For example, liberals and conservatives battle for political hegemony, the United States and China compete for economic hegemony, Yale and Harvard contendforintellectualhegemony,andAmazon.comhasachievedhegemonyintheonlineretailworld. Theadjectiveishegemonic(HEJ-i-MAH-nik),whichmaymeaneitherruling,leading,predominant, asthehegemonicpowerintheregion,orpertainingtoorcharacterizedbyhegemony,asa nation with hegemonicambitions. Word13:PREMONITORY(pre-MAH-nuh-tor-ee) Givingwarning;servingtonotifybeforehand. Theadjectivepremonitoryandthebetter-knownnounpremonition(PREE-muh-NISH-un)comefromthe Latinpraemonēre,toforewarn,advisebeforehand.Apremonitionmaybeaforewarning,butitisusually usedtomeanafeelingofanticipationoranxietyaboutafutureevent;presentiment(pri-ZEN-ti-ment)isa closesynonymofpremonition.Anadmonition,fromtheLatinadmonēre,towarn,remind,isastrongbut gentlyexpressedwarningorreminder.Andtheadjectivemonitorymeansgivinganadmonition,servingto warnorremind:“Heheardthechill,monitorywailofanairraidsiren”(EileenDunlop,TheHouseon theHill,1987). Premonitory adds to monitory the implication of warning or alerting someone well before an anticipated event. You can detect premonitory symptoms of a disease or experience the premonitory tremorsofanearthquake.Apremonitoryspeechorletterwarnsofsomethingtocome—usuallysomething adverseordisastrous.Andapremonitorydreamgivesforewarning,servingtonotifyyouofsomefuture event. Word14:RETRONYM(RE-truh-nim) “Anadjective-nounpairinggeneratedbyachangeinthemeaningofthenoun,usuallybecauseoftechnology”(RichardLederer,Crazy English). Retronymcombinesretro-,backorbackward,and-onym,awordorname,fromtheGreekonoma,name. Thewordwascoinedinthe1970sbyFrankMankiewicz,thepresidentofNationalPublicRadio,who was intrigued by the proliferation (proh-LIF-uh-RAY-shin, rapid growth or spread) of what William Safire,thelongtimelanguagecolumnistforTheNewYorkTimes,oncedescribedasnounphrases“created todenotethingsthathavebeenovertakenbyevents.” When the world changes, the English language changes right along with it, and retronyms are an obvious manifestation of that change, especially when it is driven by advances in technology. For example,weusedtohaveaguitar,butnowwehavetheretronymselectricguitar and acoustic guitar. Weusedtohavebooks,buttheadventofpaperbackbooksbegotthephrasehardcoverbooks, and now wealsohaveebooks.Weusedtohaveplainoldmilk,butnowwehavewhole milk, reduced-fat milk, andfat-freeorskimmilk.Andweusedtohavemail,butnowwehaveemail,voicemail,andsnailmail. The word telephone has spawned a slew of retronyms in recent years. Once there were only telephones, but then the rotary phone was supplanted (word 17 of Level 2) by the touch-tone phone, whichwassupplantedbythecordlessphone,whichmaybesupplantedbywhatwasfirstamobilephone, thenacellphone,andthenasmartphone. Retronyms can also reflect societal as well as technological reforms. For example, when people began to challenge and redefine the traditional concept of marriage, we invented the retronyms gay marriage,same-sexmarriage,andheterosexualmarriage. Word15:RECUS E(ri-KYOOZ) Toremoveordisqualifyoneselfasajudge,authority,orparticipanttoavoidanysuspicionofbiasorconflictofinterest. The verb to recuse, which dates back to the 14th century, comes ultimately from the Latin recusāre, to objectto,protestagainst,refuse,reject.Recuseisusedchieflyinlawineitheroftwoways.Itmaymean toobjecttoorchallengeajudge(orsometimesanattorneyorjuror)asunqualifiedtohearacasebecause of prejudice or conflict of interest: “The defense filed a motion to recuse the trial judge.” More often, though,andespeciallyinAmericanusage,torecusemeanstoremoveoneselffromapositionofjudgment or authority to avoid the perception of personal interest or partiality: “When it came to light that CouncilmemberBurnsownedsharesinSmarmoCorporation,whichisbiddingforthecitycontract,she recusedherselffromthedeliberations.” In Coming to Terms, William Safire observes that recuse “has a more legal connotation than disqualify, is more pointed than excuse and contains a reason that is not available in remove or withdraw.” The corresponding noun is recusal (ri-KYOO-zul), the removal of oneself as a judge, authority, or participant because of actual or perceived bias or conflict of interest. A recusant (REK-yuh-zint) is a personwhorefusestosubmittoauthorityorobeyalaworcommand,or,historically,anEnglishRoman CatholicwhorefusedtoattendservicesoftheChurchofEnglandbetween1570and1591. Word16:PENURY(PEN-yuh-ree) Extremepoverty. Synonyms of penury include privation (word 16 of Level 3), indigence, and destitution. Antonyms of penuryincludeaffluence(AF-loo-ints;stressthefirstsyllable,notthesecond),prosperity,andopulence (AHP-yuh-lints). Penury comes from the Latin pēnūria, a lack, want, especially a lack of the necessities of life. PēnūriacomesinturnfromtheGreekpeina,hunger. Penuryhasbeenusedtomeanseverepovertysincebefore1500.Here’showtheAnglo-Irishwriter MariaEdgeworthusedpenuryinher1801novelBelinda:“Herfatherhadasmallplaceatcourt,lived beyondhisfortune,educatedhisdaughter…asifsheweretobeheiresstoalargeestate;thendied,and lefthiswidowabsolutelyinpenury.”Andhere’sacontemporarycitationfromTheHuffingtonPost: “It canmeanthedifferencebetweenowningahomeorrenting,sendingyourkidstocollegeversussending themtoflipburgers,andadecentretirementversuspenuryinoldage.” Theadjectiveispenurious(pe-NYOOR-ee-us),livinginorcharacterizedbypenury,extremepoverty. Word17:ROUÉ(roo-AY,rhymeswithdosay) Alecherous,dissoluteman,onedevotedtoimmoralbehaviorandsensualpleasure.(Dissoluteisword7ofLevel6.) EnglishborrowedthenounrouédirectlyfromFrenchinthelate18thcentury.Thewordmeansliterallya personbrokenonthewheel,foritwasformedfromthepastparticipleoftheFrenchverbrouer,tobreak on the wheel, which goes back to the Latin rota, a wheel, the source of the English rotate, rotary, and rotavirus,anyofagroupofwheel-shapedvirusesthatcauseintestinaldistress. Why is a roué, a dissolute man, by derivation someone broken on the wheel? The word was first appliedtotheprofligatecompanionsofPhilippeII(DukeofOrleansandRegentofFrancefrom1715to 1723), who, because of their dissolute and depraved lifestyle, were said to deserve this punishment. Becauseofthisderivation,rouéwasforalongtimeappliedchieflytodissipatedyoungmenofwealth andprivilege,asinthissentencefromthe1847novelJaneEyrebyCharlotteBrontë(properlyBRAHNtee,not-tay):“Iknewhimforayoungrouéofavicomte[Frenchforviscount,pronouncedVY-kownt]—a brainlessandviciousyouth.”However,theOEDnotesthatincurrentusagearouéisoftenadebauched elderlyman,soitappearsthatyoungroués,iftheysurvivetheirearlyexcesses,cangrowuptobeold ones—notunlikeMickJaggerandKeithRichards,thosericketyrouésoftheRollingStones. Synonymsofrouéincludeplayboy,rake,lecher,andlibertine(LIB-ur-TEEN). Word18:LUDDITE(LUH-dyt) Apersonfanaticallyopposedtotechnologicalinnovation,especiallytoanymachineorlabor-savingdeviceperceivedtoreplaceworkers. TheeponymousnounLuddite,whichisstillprintedwithacapitalL,comesfromthenameNedLudd,“a Leicestershirevillageidiot…whointhelateeighteenthcenturybrokeseveralstockingframesbelonging tohisemployer,”saystheMorrisDictionaryofWordandPhraseOrigins. “The name was taken by a group of workers who, between 1811 and 1816, tried to halt what came to be called the Industrial Revolutionbysmashingnewlabor-savingtextilemachinery.” InhisDictionaryofEponyms,RobertHendricksonexplainsthat“themaskedbandsofworkerswho made night raids on English factories were protesting layoffs, low wages, and poor quality goods, all caused by the large-scale introduction of textile machines to replace handicraft.… Today a Luddite is anyonewhofearsandwouldeliminateautomation—notonlyfortheunemploymentitcreates,butforits effectonthequalityoflife.…Inourrebellionagainstanimpersonalsocietythewordisusedmuchmore sympatheticallythanbefore.” In other words, in hindsight the Luddites were prescient about the consequences of technology. (Prescience is word 21 of Level 6.) Sociologically speaking, the Industrial Revolution made the individualsubordinatetothemachine.That’ssomethingtokeepinmindbeforeyouusethewordLuddite forapersonwhoismistrustfulofprogressorwhoisreluctanttoembracetechnologicalchange.Betterto reservethewordforsomeoneunreasonablyorfanaticallyopposedtoanykindofinnovation. Word19:S CHADENFREUDE(SHAHD-’n-FROY-duh) Maliciousjoyinthemisfortuneofothers;pleasurederivedfromanother’stroubles. Schadenfreude is a German loanword, a combination of the German Schaden, harm, and Freude, joy. Though it has been used in English since the 19th century, it is still sometimes (unnecessarily) printed withacapitalS. In They Have a Word for It, Howard Rheingold asks, “Why do people laugh at cartoons that show peopleslippingonbananapeels?WhatissofunnyaboutthewaytheThreeStoogesbonkoneanother? One of the peculiar defining characteristics of the human race seems to be related to our strange and sometimessadisticsenseofhumor.” IncontemporaryAmerica,wherenoopportunitytomakeabuckisoverlooked,peoplehavemadea thrivingbusinessoutofschadenfreude.Fromtabloidsthatrevelinexposingthefoiblesandmisfortunesof celebrities to TV shows featuring home videos of embarrassing and often injurious mishaps, other people’s pain has become our pastime and our guilty pleasure. And now you have a word for that: schadenfreude. Word20:COS TIVE(KAHS-tivorKAW-stiv) “Sloworreluctantinspeechoraction”(NewOxfordAmericanDictionary). The adjective costive comes from the Latin constipāre, to press or crowd together, the source of the Englishverbtoconstipate,whichoriginallymeanttocrowdorpresstogetherbutwhichnowmeansto confinethebowels. WhenitenteredEnglishabout1400,costivemeantconstipated,sufferingfromconstipation,andthis meaningisstillingoodstanding,asacostivedietoracostiveanimal.Butthewordisalsooftenused figurativelytomeanuncommunicative,unforthcoming,sloworreluctanttospeakoract:“Shesatdownat thenarrowdining-table,andheseatedhimselfopposite,withthecostivefeelingofonewhocannotfind wordsthatwillringtrue”(JohnGalsworthy,TheSilverSpoon,1926);“Gradually,theBritishwithdrew into a private and costive and repressed universe where eventually they could say … ‘We don’t rule [India]anymore.Wepresideoverit’”(ChristopherHitchens,TheAtlantic,2008). ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Whenyou’reinadudgeon,you’reconfused. 2.Anationthatexerciseshegemonyhasleadershiporswayoverothernations. 3.Apremonitoryphonecallinformsyouofsomethingbadthat’shappened. 4.Electriccarisaretronym. 5.Whenyourecuseyourself,youassertyourinnocence. 6.Someonelivinginpenuryisservingtimeinjail. 7.Ifyourhusbandisaroué,he’sfaithfultoyou. 8.PeoplewhoarefanaticallyopposedtonewtechnologyareLuddites. 9.Schadenfreudeistheexperienceoffeelingsomeoneelse’spain. 10.Atalkativepersoniscostive. DifficultDistinctions:ForbiddingandForeboding Theadjectiveforbidding(for-BID-ing),fromtheverbtoforbid,isusedofthatwhichforbidsorstrongly discourages approach. Something forbidding may appear hostile, menacing, or sinister, as a forbidding stranger,aforbiddingscowl,orforbiddingstormclouds.Somethingforbiddingmayalsobeuninviting because it is bleak or grim, as a rocky, forbidding coastline or a forbidding fortress. Or something forbiddingcanbedangerousorthreatentoobstructorhinderprogress,asadense,forbiddingjungle. The word foreboding (for-BOH-ding), which begins with the combining form fore-, beforehand, comesfromtheverbtoforebode,whichmaymeantopredictorgiveanomenof,foretell,portend,asto forebodeevil,ortoanticipateafutureevent,especiallyabadorunfortunateone:“Themomentshesaw himsheforebodedmischief.”Asanounforebodingisasynonymofpremonition(PREE-muh-NISH-un) and means a sense or sign of impending evil or misfortune, as a foreboding of coming trouble or an atmosphere of dread and foreboding. As an adjective foreboding means ominous, portending evil or misfortune,astheforebodingmusicofAlfredHitchcock’smovies. Thecommonmistake,easilyfoundonGoogleNews,istousetheadjectiveforeboding,ominous,to mean forbidding, uninviting, dangerous, or menacing. For example, in a foreboding challenge, foreboding woods, and the creepy and foreboding Roderick Usher, foreboding should properly be forbidding. *** HerearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel8: Word21:GALLIMAUFRY(GAL-i-MAW-free) Ajumbledorconfusedmixture. Thepluralisgallimaufries(GAL-i-MAW-freez). GallimaufrycomesfromMiddleFrenchgalimafree,asteworsauce,awordofunknownoriginthat is probably a conflation3 of galer, to amuse oneself, make merry—the source of the English adjective gallant—and mafrer, to gorge oneself. Although gallimaufry has been used to mean “a dish made by hashingupoddsandendsoffood”(OED),thatsenseisnowrareandthefigurativemeaning,ajumbledor confusedmixture,hasprevailedsincethemid-16thcentury. GallimaufryisoneofmanycolorfulEnglishwordsformiscellaneousmixtures.Itssynonymsinclude hodgepodge,medley,miscellany,mishmash,pastiche,salmagundi,mingle-mangle,mélange,potpourri, olio,ollapodrida,andfarrago.Let’stakeacloserlookattheseinterestingwords. Thewordhodgepodge(HAHJ-pahj)isanalterationofhotchpotch,athicksouporstewofvegetables andmeat.Itmayrefertoanydiversemixture,asahodgepodgeofhumanity,butitmayalsoreferto“a clumsymixtureofingredients”(OED),athoughtlessjumble,asahodgepodgeofarchitecturalstyles. Amedley(MED-lee)maybeanymixtureofdissimilarordiverseelements,butspecificallytheword referstoamusicalcompositionconsistingofshortpiecesorpassagesfromavarietyofsources. Miscellany(MIS-ul-ay-nee)isthenouncorrespondingtotheadjectivemiscellaneous.Likeamedley, a miscellany may be any miscellaneous collection of things, or the word may refer specifically to a literaryworkcomposedofwritingsbydifferentauthorsonvarioustopics. Mishmash (pronounced to rhyme with fish hash), which is sometimes spelled mishmosh (and pronouncedtorhymewithpish-posh),comesfromMiddleEnglishbutisprobablyrelatedtotheGerman Mischmasch and the Yiddish mish-mash. There is no question that Jewish culture has done much to popularize the word in the United States. In The Joys of Yinglish, Leo Rosten defines it not just as a jumbleorhodgepodge,asdictionariesoftendo,butas“amess,”“afouled-upstateofthings,”“confusion galore.”Whenyouthinkofamishmash,thinkofachaoticmixture,amuddle,asabookthatpresentsa mishmashofideasseeminglychosenatrandom. Pastiche(pas-TEESH)comesthroughFrenchfromtheItalianpasticcio,apiemadefromamixtureof meatandpasta.InEnglish,pastichemayrefertoanartisticwork—suchasanovel,painting,ormusical composition—thatborrowsvariousstyles,selections,ormotifsfromotherworks,oritmayrefertoan artisticworkthathumorouslyimitatesorparodiesaparticularstyleoranotherartisticwork. A salmagundi (SAL-muh-GUHN-dee) is, by derivation, a kind of salad made of chopped meat or fish,eggs,anchovies,onions,sometimesothervegetables,andoil.Sincethe18thcenturysalmagundihas also been used figuratively of any diverse mixture or medley, as “Her memoir is a salmagundi of experienceseasonedwithwitandwisdom.” Mingle-mangle combines the verbs to mingle, to mix or associate with, and to mangle, to injure, spoil,orruin.Likegallimaufryandhodgepodge,mingle-mangleusuallyreferstoaconfusedorjumbled mixture. The English language, which has freely and often haphazardly borrowed its vocabulary from dozensofforeignlanguages,isamingle-mangleofwordsandtongues. The noun mélange—may-LAH(N)ZH, with a nasalized French n—is related to the verb to meddle, which once meant to mix or mingle. In current usage a mélange is any mixture, blend, or collection, especially one composed of unrelated or inharmonious elements: “The Indian-style pizza is a spicy mélange of garam masala, ginger, turmeric, paprika, spinach, cilantro and green onions” (San Jose MercuryNews). A potpourri (poh-puh-REE) was originally a stew made with a mixture of meats; by derivation the wordmeansarottenpot(fromFrenchpourrir,toberotten).Thatsensebecameobsoleteandpotpourri came to denote various things: a mixture of fragrant dried flower petals and spices used to perfume a room or closet; a musical medley; a literary miscellany; and finally, any mixture or miscellaneous collectionofthingsorpeople,asaninterestingpotpourriofartobjectsfromallovertheworld. Botholio(OH-lee-oh)andollapodrida(AHL-uh-puh-DREE-duh)comefromtheSpanisholla,apot orstew,andanollapodrida is literally a rotten pot, like a potpourri. Both words may denote a spicy SpanishorPortuguesestewofmeatandvegetables,butmoreoftentheyareusedofanydiversemixture andarevirtuallyinterchangeablewithhodgepodge,medley,andpotpourri. Farrago (fuh-RAY-goh) comes from a Latin word meaning mixed fodder for animals, a jumbled assortmentofgrains.Inmodernusagefarragomayrefertoanymixture,especiallyaconfusedorjumbled mixture, as “the farrago of errors known otherwise as Wikipedia, which … is regarded by many as a reliableresearchtool”(DavidPenberthy,HeraldSun,Australia). Ourkeyword,gallimaufry,mayapplyeithertothingsortopeopleandrefersto“anyinconsistentor ridiculousmedley”(TheCenturyDictionary),asagallifmaufryofuselessanddiscardedobjects,ora gallimaufryoflies,talltales,andsuperstition.Butgallimaufry(andfarrago)canbeneutraltoo,asin thisexcerptfromI.MoyerHunsberger’sintroductiontoTheQuintessentialDictionary:“Mywifeandall seven of our offspring provided a veritable farrago of advice, a gallimaufry of helpful ideas, and omniscientencouragementasthisdictionarywasbeingcompiled.” Word22:ANALECTS (AN-uh-lekts) Selectedwrittenpassages,extracts,orfragmentsfromanauthororvariousauthors;especially,acollectionofsuchwrittenpassages:an anthology. InclassicalLatin,thewordanalectawasusedforaslavewhosejobwastocleanthetableafterameal, collecting any crumbs or scraps of food left behind. Originally in English analects followed this derivation literally; in his Universal Etymological English Dictionary of 1721, Nathan Bailey defined the word as “fragments gathered from Tables.” But in postclassical Latin analecta came to mean a collectionofliteraryfragmentsorextracts—afteritsownsource,theGreekanalégein,topickup,gather up,collect—anditisthissensethathassurvivedintheEnglishanalects:aselection,oracollection,of literarypassages,extracts,orfragmentsbyoneauthororseveral. Inmodernusagethepluralnounanalects(thesingularanalectissorarethatmostdictionariesdon’t list it) is most closely associated with The Analects of Confucius, a compilation of the maxims, aphorisms, and teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, dating from the 4th century B.C. But analects can denote any collection of literary passages and tidbits, especially a miscellaneous or anecdotalcollection,astheanalectsofthesages(asageisaverywiseperson). The Latin plural analecta is still sometimes used, but Garner’s Modern American Usage says the Englishformanalectsispreferred. Word23:PARTURITION(PAHR-chuu-RISH-inorPAHR-tyuu-RISH-in) Childbirth;theactorprocessofbringingforthoffspring. ThenounparturitioncomesfromtheLatinparturīre,tobeinlabor.Thewordischieflyusedinmedicine andbiology,althoughitoccursoccasionallyinothernonfictionandinliterature,asinthissentencefrom the 1973 novel The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis: “Mother’s was a … generally rather inelegant parturition.” The word may also be used figuratively of something that resembles childbirth; the long laborofwritingabook,forexample,isakindofparturition. Theadjectiveparturient(pahr-T[Y]UUR-ee-int)meanspertainingtochildbirthorbearingoffspring. The phrase parturient amnesia has been proposed for the act of forgetting, or the ability to forget, the pain of labor and delivery. In my book There’s a Word for It, I wrote that “parturient amnesia is the oblivion that preserves our species, for without it, how many women would choose to have another child?” The medical term parturifacient (pahr-t[y]uur-i-FAY-shint) may be a noun meaning a medicine or agentthatinducesoraccelerateslabor,oranadjectivethatmeansinducingoracceleratinglabor.Inboth these senses parturifacient is synonymous with oxytocic (AHK-si-TOH-sik), which comes from the Greekoxys-,sharp,quick,acute,andtokos,childbirth. Word24:ATRABILIOUS (A-truh-BIL-ee-us) Gloomyandirritable;peevishlymelancholy. Synonymsofatrabiliousincludesullen,morose,surly,crabbed(KRAB-id),splenetic(word50ofLevel 5), hypochondriacal (HY-poh-kun-DRY-uh-kul), saturnine (SAT-ur-NYN), and dyspeptic (word 11 of Level 7). Antonyms include mirthful, exuberant, vivacious (word 15 of Level 1), sanguine (SANGgwin),andjocund(word33ofLevel7). TheadjectiveatrabiliouscomesfromtheLatinātrabīlis,blackbile,whichinancientandmedieval physiology was one of the four humors, or bodily fluids, thought to determine a person’s health or disposition.Ifyouwerefullofblood,alsoknownasthesanguinehumor,youwerecheerfulandconfident. Ifyouwerefullofcholer(pronouncedlikecollar),alsoknownasyellowbile,youwerepassionateor hot-tempered.Ifyouwerefullofphlegm(FLEM)—fromwhichwegetthewordphlegmatic(fleg-MATik), having a sluggish or apathetic temperament—you were either cool and indifferent or dull and sluggish.Andifyouwerefullofmelancholy,alsoknownasblackbile,youweregloomy,miserable,or dejected. Byderivation,atrabiliousmeansfullofmelancholyorblackbile,andthereforegloomyordepressed. Buttheword,whichenteredEnglishinthe17thcentury,hastakenonanotherdimensioninmodernusage, suggesting not only a melancholy or morose disposition but also an irritable, dyspeptic one. An atrabilioustemperamentisgloomybutalsosourorsurly,melancholybutalsocrossorcantankerous,glum but also peevish or petulant, as in this sentence from The Huffington Post: “No doubt the usual cavalcade4ofatrabiliousright-wingcommentatorswillworkovertimeto…distortObama’sremarks.” Atrabilious may be used of people or, figuratively, of things. “The Professor did not like Mr. Simpson,” wrote the British-American writer Frank Harris (1856–1931) in his 1895 short story “Gulmore, the Boss.” “The atrabilious face, the bitter, thin lips, and grey eyes veined with yellow, remindedhimindefinablyofawildbeast.” Word25:TRANS MOGRIFY(tranz-MAHG-ri-fy) Tochangeortransform,especiallyinastrange,grotesque,orpreposterousway. The origin of the verb to transmogrify is uncertain. Coined sometime in the mid-17th century, it is probably a humorous pseudo-Latinism, meaning a word that looks like Latin but isn’t, and in modern usage transmogrify usually implies a change or transformation that is humorous in a preposterous, bizarre,andsometimesgrotesqueway,aswhenthefroginthefamousfairytaleistransmogrifiedintoa prince. Totransmute,transfigure,metamorphose,andtransmogrifyallmeantochangeortransform. Totransmute,fromtheLatinmūtāre,tochange,alter,shift,istochangecompletelyfromalowerstate toahigherormorerefinedone:themedievalalchemiststriedtotransmuteleadintogold. Totransfigureiscloselyassociatedwithchapter17oftheGospelofSt.Matthew,whichtellshow Jesus“wastransfiguredbeforethem:andhisfacedidshineasthesun,andhisraimentwaswhiteasthe light.” Because of this transfigure often implies a change in outward appearance, especially one that glorifiesorexalts:“Asmilebrokeoverhisface,oneofthosepowerfulsmilesthattransfigurethevery featuresofsomemen”(AnnS.Stephens,TheOldHomestead,1855). Tometamorphose(MET-uh-MOR-fohz),theverbcorrespondingtothenounmetamorphosis,suggests acompleteandusuallystrikingchange,oftenoneeffectedbymagicorsupernaturalmeans:“Incantations are muttered, a wand is waved, and your body begins to metamorphose into a horse” (The Wall Street Journal). Ourkeyword,totransmogrify,impliesagreattransformationthatisstrangeandoftenpreposterous:“I was afraid to walk across the green shag broadloom because I thought there was a chance it would transmogrifyintotheIndianOceananddrownme”(SamanthaBee,iknowiam,butwhatareyou?). Word26:S CREED(rhymeswithspeed) Alongandtediousspeechorpieceofwriting. The noun screed comes from the Middle English screde, a torn fragment, the source also of the word shred,acutortorn-offfragmentorstrip.Originallyscreedwasasynonymorvariantofshred; later it wasusedofastriporparceloflandandofaborderingedge,suchasthefrillofacap.Themodernuseof screed in plastering and concrete work to mean a strip of plaster, wood, or metal used as a guide or levelingdeviceprobablycamefromthesearchaicsenses. The figurative use of screed to mean a long, monotonous discourse arose in the late 18th century, probablyfromtheassociationofanarrowortorn-offstripwiththeideaofalongrollorlist.Inmodern usageascreedisoftenroughlythesameasarant(word9ofLevel1),adiatribe(word1ofLevel2),or a harangue, denoting not only a lengthy and boring speech, essay, or book but also one that is angry or impassioned. As you can infer from that, screed is usually used pejoratively (pejorative is word 17 of Level 6), as an illiterate, racist screed or a rambling, witless screed. But once in a while you see it used, almost ironically, in a positive context: “In 1950, Dr. Seuss published a charming little animalliberationscreedtitledIfIRantheZoo”(vanityfair.com). Word27:MATUTINAL(muh-T[Y]OO-ti-nul) Pertainingto,happening,orperformedintheearlymorningortheperiodafterwaking. TheOEDshowsthatmatutinalhasalsooccasionallybeenusedtomean“risingearly;activeoralertin the morning,” as in this surprisingly modern-sounding citation from 1834: “Our household was not the mostmatutinalintheworld”(GeorgePayneRainsfordJames,TheLifeandAdventuresofJohnMarston Hall). Matutinal comes from the Latin matutinus, early in the morning or pertaining to the morning. Matutinalisrelatedtothewordmatins(MAT’nz),whichintheChristianchurchdenotesearlymorning prayer. Vespers—from the Latin vesper, the evening or the evening star—are prayers or worship performedintheearlyevening.Vespertine(VES-pur-tinor-tyn)meansbelongingtooroccurringinthe evening.Matutinalmeansbelongingtooroccurringinthemorning. Matutinalmaybeusedofalmostanythingpertainingtoordoneintheearlymorning.Anovelistor poetmightwriteofthematutinalcrowingofaroosterorthematutinaldewonthegrass,whileahumorist mightwriteofthematutinalconsumptionofcoffeeanddoughnuts,orthematutinalritualoforalhygiene, with its noisy gargling, throat-clearing, and expectoration (ek-SPEK-tuh-RAY-shin, a fancy word for spitting).Yourmatutinalroutineisyourmorningroutine,thethingsyoudoeachdayafterwakingup.This would likely begin with a few moments of pandiculation (pan-DIK-yuh-LAY-shin), yawning and stretchingbeforegettingoutofbed. Diurnalandquotidian(kwoh-TID-ee-in)bothmeandaily,happeningorrecurringeachday—though quotidianmayalsomeanordinary,commonplace,ofaneverydaynature.Nocturnalmeansrelatingtoor happeningatnight,andalsoactiveatnight,asanocturnalanimal.Matutinalmeansrelatingto,occurring, ordoneintheearlymorning. Word28:CRAPULENT(KRAP-yuh-lint) Sufferingtheilleffectsofexcessiveeatingordrinking;sickfromoverindulgence. The adjective crapulent entered English in the 17th century; its cousin crapulous, with which it is interchangeable,isaboutacenturyolderbutlesscommoninmodernusage.Bothwords,alongwiththe noun crapulence, sickness resulting from overindulgence in food or drink, come through the Latin crāpula,drunkenness,andespeciallyitsuncomfortableaftereffects,ultimatelyfromtheGreekkraipálé,a hangover.(Incaseyou’rewondering,theslangwordcrapdoesnotsharethissourcebutcomesfromthe MiddleEnglishcrappe,chaff,rubbish,residue.) If you eat or drink alcohol excessively you may become crapulent, which can involve not only the traditionalheadacheofahangoverbutalsoabdominalcramps,nausea,vomiting,anddiarrhea.People,of course,getcrapulentorsufferfromcrapulence,butcertainthingscanbedescribedascrapulenttoo;for example,in2013,whenthecelebrityTVchefPaulaDeenwasdisgracedforusingracistlanguage,one writercalledher“thequeenofcrapulentfood,suretoinducegoutanddiabetes.” Word29:IPS OFACTO (IP-sohFAK-toh) Bythefactitself;bytheverynatureofthefactordeed. Ipso facto is a 16th-century borrowing from Latin that means literally by the fact itself, ipso being the ablativeofipse,itself,andfactobeingtheablativeoffactum,fact.ThisLatinipseoccursalsoinanother phraseborrowedfromLatin,ipsedixit(IP-seeDIK-sit),literallyhehimselfsaidit(fromtheLatindīcere, tosay,speak).InEnglishweuseipsedixitofanassertionmadewithoutproof:“Foralongtimepeople believedthetobaccoindustry’sipsedixitthatsmokingwasn’tharmfuloraddictive.” Ipso facto, by the fact itself, is a more formal way of saying necessarily, in itself, or by its very nature:“H.L.Mencken,whobeganhiscareerasapolicereporterinBaltimore,wrotethathequickly encounteredwhathecalledthe‘policementality’:Everypersonaccusedorsuspectedofacrimeisipso factoguiltyofthatoffense”(JackWardlaw,TheTimes-Picayune,NewOrleans). Word30:DEBOUCH(di-BOOSHordi-BOWCH) Toemerge,issue,ormarchfromanarroworconfinedplaceintotheopen. TheverbtodebouchcomesfromtheFrenchdéboucher,toemerge,acombinationofde-,out,andbouche, a mouth or opening. When debouch entered English in the mid-1700s it was a military word used to describetroopsthatmarchedfromaconfinedarea,suchasagorgeoradefile,anarrowpassage,into open ground: “We saw the column of infantry debouching into Minden plain,” reported The London Magazinein1760. Thewordwassoonappliedtootherthingsthatemergedorissuedfromamouthoroutletintoanopen orwiderspace:astreamdebouchingintoalake;carsdebouchingfromnarrowstreetsintowideravenues orhighways;commuterthrongsdebouchingfromthebowelsofthesubwayontothestreet;angrywasps debouching from a disturbed nest. Here’s a contemporary citation from The Wall Street Journal that anyonewhorememberstheterroranddestructionof9/11canrelateto:“Theemergency-exitstairsatOne WorldTradeCenterwilldebouchtothestreetratherthanintothelobbytoheadoffamayhemcollisionof firefightersandpanickingtenants.” ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Salmagundiandgallimaufryare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Selectionsandanalectsare… 3.Parturitionandchildbirthare… 4.Atrabiliousandsanguineare… 5.Metamorphoseandtransmogrifyare… 6.Screedanddiatribeare… 7.Vespertineandmatutinalare… 8.Soberandcrapulentare… 9.Ipsofactoandnecessarilyare… 10.Confineanddebouchare… OnceUponaWord:EnglishIsaSpanishOmelet TheollapodridaofEnglishisheavilyspicedwithSpanish.(Ollapodrida is discussed in gallimaufry, word21ofthislevel.)FromCaliforniatoTexastoFlorida—allSpanishnames—EnglishisaSpanish omelet.PeopleliveincitiesandtownswithSpanishnameslikeSanAntonio,SantaFe,LasVegas,and LosAngeles.TheydriveonstreetswithSpanishnamesandliveinSpanish-stylehousesindevelopments with (often mangled) Spanish names. They admire Hispanic flora and enjoy Hispanic food. Spanish surroundsthemand,whethertheyrealizeitornot,theyspeakiteveryday. In the 16th century, when Spain was exploring and conquering the New World, Spanish exerted its earliest influence upon English. By 1600, English had acquired alligator, anchovy, banana, cannibal, cocoa, hurricane, mosquito, potato, sassafras, sherry, sombrero, and tobacco. By 1700, English had adopted cargo, barricade, escapade, siesta, matador, toreador, tomato, chocolate, vanilla, and cockroach. By 1750, English had gained the geological term mesa, and by 1780, the word stevedore (from estibador, one who packs or loads cargo), which preceded longshoreman, its Anglo-Saxon equivalent, by more than twenty years. By 1850, English had appropriated the now-familiar canyon, bonanza,loco,andvigilante. As 19th-century American pioneers pushed west into territory long dominated by Spain and later Mexico,theidiomofthecowboygrewoutofthevernacularofhiscounterpart,thevaquero(vuh-KAIRoh).Fromthevaquerosthecowboysadoptedthewordsranch,rodeo,lassoandlariat, chaps, poncho, serape,stampede,desperado,andbuckaroo,ananglicizationofvaquero. Thebuckarooslearnednewnamesforcreatures:burroforadonkey,pintoforapiebaldhorse,cinch for a bedbug, and coyote for a wild dog. They ate frijoles, chiles, tamales, and enchiladas. And if a buckaroodranktoomuchmescalortequila,hemightwindupinthecalaboose or hoosegow—the jail. OtherborrowingsfromtheheydayoftheOldWestincludehacienda,patio,arroyo,hombre,amigo,and pronto. “TheSpanishcontributionstotheAmericanvocabularyarefarmorenumerousthanthoseofanyother Continental language,” observes H. L. Mencken in The American Language. Think about that the next timeyou’resittingonthepatioofyourhaciendasippingsherry,takingasiesta,eatingsomevanillaice creamwithslicedbananas,orgazingatastampedeofmosquitoesinthecanyon. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word31:IMMURE(i-MYOOR) Toenclosewithinwalls,shutin,confine;hence,toimprisonorentomb. TheverbtoimmurecomesfromthemedievalLatinimmūrāre,towallin,frommūrus,awall,especially awallaroundacity.Immurewasonceusedtomeantosurroundwithawall,butsincethewordentered Englishinthelate15thcenturyithaschieflybeenusedfigurativelytomeantoenclosewithinwalls,oras ifwithinwalls,toimprison.“Thouwertimmured,restrained,captivated,bound,”wroteShakespearein 1598inLove’sLaboursLost. Immure may also be used to mean to entomb in a wall. The most famous immurement (i-MYUURmint)inEnglishliteratureoccursinEdgarAllanPoe’sstory“TheCaskofAmontillado,”whichendswith these lines: “I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I reerected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat!”(Latinforrestinpeace,morecommonlyrenderedasrequiescatinpace.) Word32:CORRIGENDUM(KOR-i-JEN-dum) Anerrortobecorrectedinatextorprintedwork. Corrigendum is a mid-19th century borrowing of the Latin corrigendum, something to be corrected, whichcomesinturnfromtheverbcorrĭgere,tocorrect,amend,putstraight,thesourcealsooftheEnglish words correct and correction. Although corrigendum, the singular, is the typical dictionary headword, meaning an error discovered in print that needs to be corrected, the plural form, corrigenda (KOR-iJEN-duh),meaningalistoferrorsinaprintedworkalongwiththeircorrections,isconsiderablymore common.Typically,whenanewprintingoreditionofabookisbeingprepared,anauthororeditorwill submitcorrigenda,alistoferrorstobecorrected,tothecompositor.Nowadays,withcomputersthatcan makechangesinsecondsandsomuchwrittenmaterialbeingpublishedonline,itismucheasiertorectify corrigenda,textualerrorstobecorrected. Word33:LATITUDINARIAN(LAT-i-T[Y]OO-di-NAIR-ee-in) Tolerant,broad-minded,especiallyinreligiousmatters;notinsistingonstrictconformityoradherencetoanydoctrine,code,orstandard. The adjective latitutudinarian and the noun latitudinarian, which means a tolerant, broad-minded person,comefromtheLatinlātitūdo,breadth,extent,thesourcealsooftheEnglishnounlatitude. One meaning of latitude is freedom of action, choice, or opinion, as some parents allow their children considerable latitude. To be latitudinarian, or to be a latitudinarian, is to favor latitude in opinion or conduct, to be tolerant and open-minded, especially when it comes to religion, for in English history a latitudinarian was “a member of a group of Anglican Christians active from the 17th through the 19th centurywhowereopposedtodogmaticpositionsoftheChurchofEnglandand[who]allowedreasonto informtheologicalinterpretationandjudgment”(AmericanHeritage). Inmodernusagetobelatitudinarianistobetolerantandbroad-mindedandnotinsistonconformityto arbitraryrulesoradherencetoanyonewayofthinking:“SomejuristsinterprettheConstitutionnarrowly whileothersaremorelatitudinarian”;“WhenBritainquietlymadesame-sexmarriagethelawoftheland in 2013, observers around the world both hailed and decried the latitudinarian implications of such a move.”(Todecry[di-KRY]istocondemn,expressstrongdisapprovalof.) Synonyms of latitudinarian include liberal, lenient, and catholic, which, when printed with a lowercase c, means broad or all-embracing in one’s sympathies, interests, or tastes. Antonyms include narrow-minded,bigoted,biased,intolerant,dogmatic,andparochial(puh-ROH-kee-ul). Word34:S TENTORIAN(sten-TOR-ee-in) Veryloud,powerful,andfar-reaching. Synonyms of stentorian include thunderous, earsplitting, deafening, screeching, strident, clamorous, andvociferous(word12ofLevel3).Antonymsincludefaint,subdued,harmonious,mellow,melodious, dulcet(DUHL-sit),andeuphonious(yoo-FOH-nee-us). Stentorianisaneponymousword,fromthenameStentor(STEN-tor),aGreekheraldintheTrojan Warwho,asHomerputitinhisepicpoemtheIliad,had“avoiceofbronze…asloudasthatoffiftymen together.”ByderivationstentorianmeanshavingorresemblingtheloudandpowerfulvoiceofStentor. Stentorianisusedchieflyofaveryloudorpowerfulvoice,asastentoriannarratororastentorian drill sergeant yelling orders. It is also sometimes used of singing, as his impassioned, stentorian baritone. It may also be used of extremely loud sounds, especially voicelike sounds: for example, the wordfrequentlyappearsinthephrasestentoriantones.Stentorianmayalsobeusedtomeanabletoutter a very loud sound, as a stentorian foghorn or stentorian lungs. Finally, the word is sometimes used figuratively of something that suggests a person speaking in a loud and powerful voice, as the newspaper’sstentorianeditorializing. The noun stentor is used of a person who has a very loud and powerful voice: “The officer of the watch…gavetherightorders,inthevoiceofastentor”(CharlesReade,ASimpleton). Word35:ABECEDARIAN(AY-bee-see-DAIR-ee-in) Apersonwhoislearningthealphabet,orabeginnerwhoislearningtherudimentsofsomething. Youcanseeandhearthefirstfourlettersofthealphabetinthewordabecedarian,whichcomesfromthe Late Latin abecedārius, of the alphabet. As a noun, abecedarian denotes someone who is learning the alphabet,suchasachildinelementaryschool,orsomeonewhoislearningtherudimentsorfundamentals in any field of endeavor, as an abecedarian in the insurance business. The word may also apply to someonewhoteachesthealphabetortherudimentsofasubject:“Jennawasahome-schooledchild,and hermotherwasherabecedarian.” Asanadjective,abecedarianhasseveralsenses.Itmaymeanoforpertainingtothealphabet,asan abecedarian book, one that teaches the alphabet; of or pertaining to someone who is learning the alphabet, as her abecedarian pupil; or elementary, rudimentary, or immature, as abecedarian instructionsoranabecedarianinterpretation. Word36:JUVENILIA(JOO-vuh-NIL-ee-uhor-NIL-yuh,not-NEEL-) Artisticworksorcompositions,especiallyliteraryones,producedinone’syouth. The plural noun juvenilia, which must be used with a plural verb, comes from the Latin juvenīlis, youthful,andjuvenis,ayoungperson,thesourceoftheEnglishjuvenile. Apoet’sjuveniliaaretheverseswritteninheryouth,whichmayormaynothaveliterarymerit.The essaysyouwroteinhighschoolandcollege,evenifyou’renotaprofessionalwriter,areyourjuvenilia. Andparentsoftenproudly,andsentimentally,clingtotheirgrown-upchildren’s5juvenilia,thedrawings andscribblingsandcrudeobjetsd’arttheyproducedintheiryouth.(Bytheway,thetermobjets d’art, pronounced AWB-zhay DAHR, comes from French and means art objects, usually small creations or curios of some artistic worth. The singular is objet d’art, without the pluralizing s but pronounced the sameway.) Juveniliamayalsodenoteacollectionofliteraryorartisticworksproducedinsomeone’syouth.And inthesecondhalfofthe20thcenturyjuveniliaalsocametobeusedofliteraryorartisticworkssuitable ordesignedforyoungpeople:“Theypublishpicturebooksandchapterbooksandotherjuvenilia.” Word37:HIDALGO (hi-DAL-goh) Agentlemanbybirth;specifically,amemberofthelowerorminornobilityinSpain. ThenounhidalgowasborrowedfromSpanishinthelate16thcenturyandisacontractionofthephrase hijo de algo, literally a son of something—namely, a son of a man of worth and esteem. In Spain and SpanishAmericathehidalgoswereroughlytheequivalentofthegentlemenandsquiresofEngland,who weremembersofthelandedgentry,meaningthattheyhadsomelandandmoneyandprivilegesbutwere at the bottom tier of the aristocracy. According to The Century Dictionary, “The special privileges formerly possessed by the hidalgos … made them as a class self-important, haughty, and domineering, thoughmanyofthemwerenototherwisedistinguishedfromtheclassbelowthem.” Word38:ELEEMOS YNARY(EL-uh-MAHS-i-ner-ee) Charitable;pertainingtoorsupportedbyalmsorcharity. TheoddlyspelledeleemosynarycomesfromtheGreekeleēmosynē,pity,compassion,thesourcealsoof theEnglishwordalms(AHMZ),whichgoesbacktoOldEnglishandmeansanythinggivenascharity.An eleemosynary act is an act of charity. An eleemosynary institution—such as a school, church, or humanitarian organization—is one devoted to charity, to distributing alms, although not infrequently an eleemosynaryinstitutionmayitselfbedependentoncharity.DoctorsWithoutBorders,theNobelPrize– winninginternationalmedicalrelieforganization,isaneleemosynaryinstitutionsupportedbythousands ofdonorsaroundtheworld,includingme. Someauthoritiessanctionaseven-syllablepronunciation,EL-ee-uh-MAHS-i-ner-ee,butthisisrarely heard today. And the recent editions of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary record the eccentric variantEL-uh-MOH-si-ner-ee,whichisnotattestedelsewhereandisbestavoided. Word39:PLANGENT(PLAN-jint) Resounding,reverberating;havingaloud,resonantsound,especiallyaplaintiveone.(Plaintiveisword9ofLevel2.) The adjective plangent comes from the Latin verb plangere, which meant either to strike noisily or to beatthebreastasasignofgrief,tobewail,lament.Becauseofthisderivation,plangent,whichentered Englishinthe17thcentury,hasbeenappliedbothtoloud,resonantsoundsandtoloud,mournfulsounds thatpullatyourheartstrings. Thus,plangentcandescribethepiercingsoundofthebellcallingthecowhandsintodinneraswell asthesoundofchurchbellstollingforafuneral.Aplangentcrycanbesimplyloudandresonantoritcan reverberate with deep emotion. The strident fanfare of a trumpet is plangent, as are the wistful, tender, plangentreverberationsofaclassicalguitar.InthissentencefromA Woman of Thirty, the 19th-century FrenchnovelistHonorédeBalzac(ahn-uh-RAYduBAWL-zak)capturesboththesesensesofplangent— loud and resonant and also resounding with plaintive feeling: “Ah! that full, deep voice, charged with plangentvibration,wasthevoiceofonewhohadsufferedindeed.” Word40:LAGNIAPPE(lan-YAPorLAN-yap) Abonus,gratuity,ortip;specifically,asmallgiftorbonusitemgiventoacustomerwithapurchaseasawayofsaying,“Thankyouforyour business.” The noun lagniappe was born in the southern United States, coming through Louisiana French from the Spanishlañapa,acorruptionoftheQuechua(KECH-wuh)wordyapa,meaningthatwhichisadded.By derivation,lagniappemeansalittlesomethingextra.ThewordisrecordedinEnglishfromthemid-19th century;in1883MarkTwainnoteditsLouisianaoriginsinLifeontheMississippi. You may use lagniappe in its original sense: a small gift or petty gratuity given by a retailer to a customeralongwithapurchase:“AstackofcoastersreceivedaslagniappewithapurchaseofIronCity Beerlongago,gracedanendtable”(RichardW.Browne,Brannon’sChoice).Thissensecouldeasilybe extended to include the insignificant gifts—such as buttons, coffee mugs, and tote bags—that nonprofit organizationstypicallygiveasathank-youfordonations.Oryoumayuselagniappefigurativelytomean a bonus or unexpected benefit, as the American humorist S. J. Perelman (PER-ul-man, beginning with peril,notpearl)didin1947inhiscollectionWestwardHa!:“Sincetheshipwascallingthereanyway, thetripwouldbepurelagniappe,anextradashofstardustunforeseeninourprogram.” ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Toimmureistoenclosewithinwalls,tieup,imprison. 2.Acorrigendumisacorrectionmade,amistaketobefixed,anerrortobecorrected. 3.Latitudinarianmeanstolerant,bigoted,broad-minded. 4.Astentoriantoneisdeafening,thunderous,melodious. 5.Anabecedarianisabeginner,anamateur,apersonlearningthealphabet. 6.Juveniliaareyouthfulcreations,unfinishedcreations,earlyartisticworks. 7.Ahidalgoisaminoraristocrat,agentlemanbybirth,ahigh-rankingnobleman. 8.Aneleemosynaryinstitutionischaritable,religious,supportedbyalms. 9.Somethingplangentisresponsive,resonant,resounding. 10.Alagniappeisagift,anote,abonus. APunctuationPrimer TheBritishputtheircommasandperiodsoutsidetheirquotationmarks,butinAmericanstyletheybelong inside—with no exceptions. Thus: “I always put my commas inside my quotation marks,” the careful writersaid.“AndIputallmyperiodstheretoo.” Peoplealsooftenwonderwhetherperiodsshouldgoinsideoroutsideparentheses.Whenthewords inparenthesesarepartofalargersentence,eveniftheyconstituteasentencethemselves,theperiodgoes outsidetheclosingparenthesis:Youcan’tgohomeagain(wroteThomasWolfe).Whenaword,aphrase, orafullsentenceisenclosedinparenthesesandisnotpartofalargersentence,theperiodgoesinsidethe closingparenthesis:(Youbet.)(I’mnotkidding.) Colonsandsemicolonsalwaysgooutsideparenthesesandquotationmarks,butquestionmarkscango insideoroutsidequotationmarks,soyouhavetobeonyourguard.Ifthequotationisitselfaquestion,the questionmarkgoesinsidethequotationmark:“WhatcanIgetforyoutonight?”thewaiterasked.Ifthe sentenceitselfisaquestion,andthequotedmatterismerelypartofit,thequestionmarkgoesoutsidethe quotationmark:Whosaid“Icame,Isaw,Iconquered”? Whenyouneedtoquotesomethingwithinaquotation,usesinglequotationmarks:Any person with evenavestigeoftastehastoask,“Whatareshowslike‘FamilyGuy’and‘SouthPark’doingonTV? Don’tweknowwhat‘humor’meansanymore?” Word41:ACOLYTE(AK-uh-lyt) Anassistant,attendant,ordevotedfollower. ThenounacolytecomesfromtheGreekakólouthos,anattendant,follower.Originally,anacolytewasan altarattendant,apersonwhoassistedamemberoftheChristianclergybyperformingminorduties,such as lighting candles, during the service. Acolyte has been used in this ecclesiastical sense since Old English, but since the 17th century it has also been used more generally of any assistant or devoted follower. You can be an acolyte of a person, as Robin is Batman’s acolyte or the esteemed poet was surroundedbyheracolytes.Oryoucanbeanacolyteofsomedoctrine,asanacolyteofthelibertarian philosophyofAynRand. Word42:CHATOYANT(shuh-TOY-int) Changinginlusterorcolor,likeacat’seyeinthedark. ChatoyantcomesfromtheFrenchverbchatoyer,toshimmer,glisten,changelusterlikeacat’seye.(The Frenchwordforacatischat.) Injewelrywork,chatoyantreferstoagemthathasbeencutsoastoshowasinglestreakornarrow bandofwavy,reflectedlight.Thisstreakoflightinchatoyantjewelscanseemtofloatorundulateand vary in color, much like a cat’s eye in the dark. Silk and satin are often described as being chatoyant because of their rich, flowing, and variable sheen or luster. In his 1861 novel Elsie Venner, Oliver WendellHolmesdescribedthedancefloorataformalballasa“frothy,chatoyant,sparkling,undulating sea of laces and silks and satins.” Human eyes have often been likened to those of a cat, as in this quotationfrom1916:“Eitherbecausetheypossessedachatoyantqualityoftheirown…orbyreasonof thelightreflectedthroughtheopenwindow,thegreeneyesgleameduponmevividlylikethoseofagiant cat”(SaxRohmer,TheDevilDoctor).Youmayusechatoyantofanythingthatshimmersandchangesin colorlikesilkorlikeacat’seyeinthedark. Word43:DOPPELGÄNGER(DAHP-ul-GANG-ur) Acounterpartorghostlydoubleofalivingperson;asecondself;alterego. Theunusualnounswraith(rhymeswithfaith)andfetcharesynonymsofdoppelgänger. DoppelgängerenteredEnglishinthemid-19thcenturyasaloanwordfromGerman,whereitmeant literallyadouble-goerordouble-walker.“InGermanfolklore,”saysMerriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature, a doppelgänger is “a wraith, or apparition, of a living person, as distinguished from a ghost. The concept of the existence of a spirit double … is an ancient and widespread belief. To meet one’sdoubleisasignthatone’sdeathisimminent.Thedoppelgängerbecameapopularsymbolin18thand19th-centuryhorrorliterature,andthethemetookonconsiderablecomplexity.” TheAmericanHeritageDictionarynotesthataprominentcharacteristicofadoppelgängeristhatit “haunts its fleshly counterpart.” One of the best-known explorations of the theme of a doppelgänger hauntingitsfleshlycounterpartisEdgarAllanPoe’sstory“WilliamWilson,”publishedin1839. Word44:S UPERNUMERARY(SOO-pur-N[Y]OO-muh-rair-ee) Exceedingwhatisusualorrequired;beyondwhatisneededoruseful. TheadjectivesupernumerarycomesfromtheLatinsupernumerārius,whichtheOEDtellsuswasused of soldiers who were appointed to a legion after its numbers had been filled, and in military usage supernumerarytraditionallyappliestoadditionalofficersattachedtoaregimentorbattaliontoreplace thosewhoaresick,injured,orkilledinaction.Itmayalsobeusedofapersonwhoisassociatedwithbut doesnotformallybelongtoanorganizationorstaff,whomerelyassistsintimesofneed.Asupernumerary firefighterhelpsinanemergency,andasupernumeraryteacheriscalleduponwhenthere’sashortageof regularteachers. In Late Latin supernumerārius came to mean extra, additional, and since the 17th century we have used supernumerary to mean exceeding what is usual, needed, or prescribed. Supernumerary ornamentation is excessive, superfluous. Your wisdom teeth are supernumerary and must usually be extracted. And to a king hoping to produce a male heir, a daughter might seem supernumerary, beyond whatisneededorrequired. Supernumeraryisalsosometimesusedasanountomeananadditionalperson,especiallyanactor whoappearsinanonspeakingrole,alsocalledawalk-onoranextra. Word45:REBARBATIVE(ri-BAHR-buh-tiv) Repellent,disagreeable,objectionable;causingannoyanceorirritation. TheadjectiverebarbativecomesfromthemodernFrenchrébarbatif,repellent,disagreeable,theultimate sourcebeingtheLatinbarba,abeard—aderivationthat,becausebeardscanbescratchy,reinforcesthe notionofannoyanceandirritationinrebarbative,whichenteredEnglishinthe1890s. In current usage rebarbative is used chiefly of people and things that are unpleasant, offensive, or repulsive. You wouldn’t say that someone has a rebarbative nose, but you could say that he has a rebarbativevoice,orthathemaderebarbativecomments,orthathispersonalityorattitudeisrebarbative. Ablogcanberebarbative,annoying,becauseitsbloggerisrebarbative,disagreeable.Rebarbativeviews areobjectionableviews,andrebarbativebehaviorisrepellent,evensickeningbehavior. Word46:LOUCHE(LOOSH) Disreputableorindecent;ofquestionablecharacter,taste,morality,orpropriety. Synonymsofloucheincludeshifty,sleazy,dubious,shady,andseedy. English borrowed louche in the early 19th century directly from the French louche, which means literallycross-eyed,squinting,andfigurativelysuspicious,fishy,andwhichcomesinturnfromtheLatin luscus,one-eyed,blindinoneeye. In English louche is frequently used of shady people with dubious reputations or questionable motives, such as the louche British journalist Peter Fallow in Tom Wolfe’s 1987 novel Bonfire of the Vanities,orMataHari,theDutchexoticdancerandspyfortheGermansecretserviceduringWorldWarI who“betrayedimportantmilitarysecretsconfidedtoherbythemanyhighAlliedofficerswhowereon intimatetermswithher”(ColumbiaEncyclopedia).ShewasexecutedbytheFrenchin1917. Loucheisalsooftenusedofseedyordisreputableplaces,suchasared-lightdistrictoralow-life bar.Louchemayalsorefertoactions,qualities,orthingsthatareofquestionableorindecentcharacter, such as louche conduct, louche conversation, or a louche dress. “In pre-Las Vegas America, when gamblingwasillicitandhadalouchecharm,thenaturaldomainofthedisreputablewasthepokertable, theracetrackandthepoolhall”(TheWallStreetJournal). Word47:INTERREGNUM(IN-tur-REG-num) Apauseorinterruptionincontinuity;alapseorinterval. Interregnum,whichenteredEnglishinthelate16thcentury,comesfromtheLatininterregnum,literallya periodbetweenreigns,asofarulerormonarch,acombinationofinter,between,andregnum,rule,royal power or authority. The word is still used today in the specific sense of the interval between when a sovereign’sreignendsandasuccessorassumesthethrone,ortheperiodbetweenwhenaleader’sterm endsandasuccessortakesoffice.TheintervalbetweenwhenaRomanCatholicpopediesorresignsand anewpopeischoseniscalledtheinterregnum,andtheso-calledlame-duckperiodbetweentheendofan incumbentpresident’stermandtheinaugurationofanewpresidentisaninterregnum,as“theinterregnum betweentheoutgoingBushadministrationandtheincomingObamaWhiteHouse”(TheHuffingtonPost). Interregnummayalsoapplytoaperiodinwhichastatehasnorulerorleaderandonlyaprovisional government,ortoaperiodoffreedomfromcontrolorauthority.Butincurrentusagethewordisperhaps most often used in the broad sense of a lapse, pause, interruption, or interval in something normally continuous:“Mostparents,Isuspect,lookforwardtothatshortinterregnumbetweenchild-rearinghours andtheirownbedtime”(TheGuardian);“Whynottakeadvantageofthisinterregnumtoborrowmoneyat cheapratesandstimulatetheeconomyandmakenecessaryinvestments?”(TheWashingtonPost). TherecommendedpluralistheEnglishinterregnums,nottheLatininterregna. Word48:ALEMBIC(uh-LEM-bik) Anythingthatworksachangeortransformation,orthatpurifiesorrefines. Alembic comes ultimately from the Arabic al-anbīq, a combination of al-, the, and anbīq, a vessel for distilling. An alembic was originally an apparatus used in chemistry for distillation, consisting of two vesselsconnectedbyatubeandusuallymadeofglassorcopper.Thismeaningisstillingoodstanding, but alembic is perhaps more often used figuratively of anything that causes a change or transformation, suchasthealembicoffate,thealembicofsorrow,orthehotalembicofthedesertsun.Thewordoften suggestssomethingthatpurifiesorrefines:“Forseveralmonthsbeforebeginningtowritethenovelthe ideapercolatedinthealembicofherimagination.” The verb to alembicate (uh-LEM-bi-kayt) means to change, refine, purify, or transform as if in an alembic:“Agoodautobiographyisthestoryofalifealembicatedintoaworkofliteraryart.” Word49:OLEAGINOUS (OH-lee-AJ-i-nus) Affectedlypoliteorflatteringinaslimyway;overlyanddistatefullycomplimentary. OleaginouscomesfromtheLatinoleāginus,oftheolivetree,fromolea,anolive.Whenthewordentered Englishmorethanfourhundredyearsagoithadtheliteralmeaningofitsderivation:oily,greasy,fatty, containingoilorhavingthenatureofoil,asin“theoleaginousscumthatpollutesthesurfaceofariver,” or “Margarine is an oleaginous substitute for butter.” The word was also used to mean yielding or producingoil,aspeanutsareoleaginous.Boththeseliteralsensesarestillingoodstanding. Inthe19thcenturyoleaginouscametobeusedtomeanoily,slippery,orslimyinafigurativesense, as an oleaginous politician or an oleaginous funeral director. Both people and things can be figurativelyoleaginous.Whenflatteryorpietyisaffectedandoverdone,it’soleaginous.Popularmusic, createdtopleasetheleastsophisticatedear,isoftenoleaginous.Andthewordmaybeappliedtoanyone whose manner is too polite or complimentary, as an oleaginous used-car salesman or an oleaginous waiter. A critic once described the British actor Hugh Grant, a pretty boy with a history of sexual indiscretions,as“anoleaginous,womanizingloungelizard.”Nowthat’sslimy—andlouche(word46of thislevel). Synonymsofoleaginous in its figurative sense include fawning, smarmy, ingratiating, obsequious, andunctuous(UHNGK-chu-wus).Theclosestoftheseisprobablyunctuous,whichcomesfromtheLatin ungere, to anoint, the source of the English word unguent (UHNG-gwent), a medicinal ointment. Like oleaginous,unctuousbyderivationmeansoily,fatty,havingagreasyorsoapyfeel,andthewordisused today to mean having a slimy or slippery manner. Both the oleaginous and the unctuous person appear agreeableorearnest,butinanaffected,self-serving,insincere,andoverlyflatteringway. Word50:WAS TREL(WAY-strul) Anidle,good-for-nothingperson,ane’er-do-well,orapersonwhoiswastefulandself-indulgent,aspendthrift. Wastrel combines the word waste with -rel, “a noun suffix having a diminutive or pejorative force” (RandomHouse).Becauseofthisbelittling,derogatoryderivation,wastrelismostcommonlyusedofa wasteful,indolent(word48ofLevel4),andself-indulgentyoungperson:“Hismothercallshim‘alazy pig’andswearsabluestreakasshedescribestheshameofhavingsuchawastrelforason”(TheGlobe andMail);“Themainmalecharacter,Ji-woong,isahandsomewastrel.Unabletogetajob,hespendshis daysgoofingaroundinSeoul”(fandompost.com).Occasionallywastrelisusedfigurativelyofsomething wasteful,lazy,andself-indulgent,asinthis1889quotationfromTheQuarterlyReview:“Londonisthe mostconspicuouswastrelofbothmenandmeans.”Wastrelisalsooftenusedattributively,meaningasan adjective,asthewastrelnationsoftheeurozoneorthosewastreldaysofcarelessyouth. Wastrel has one other common meaning: an abandoned or homeless child living a vagabond life, a waif,orwhatusedtobecalledastreeturchin. ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Isanacolyteanobserver,anofficer,oranattendant? 2.Doessomethingchatoyantchangeshape,changeposition,orshimmer? 3.Isyourdoppelgängeryourlostlove,yourghostlydouble,oryourworstenemy? 4.Aresupernumerarythingsexcessive,important,orbeyondunderstanding? 5.Wouldarebarbativeremarkbestimulating,objectionable,orthreatening? 6.Doeslouchemeansophisticated,unpredictable,ordisreputable? 7.Isaninterregnumaninterval,anintervention,oraninterpretation? 8.Doesanalembiccausedisease,causeatransformation,orcausetrouble? 9.Wouldanoleaginouspersonbenosy,ingratiating,orsedate? 10.Isawastreladrugaddict,atravelingmusician,orane’er-do-well? TheStyleFile:FirstThingsFirst A headline in The New York Times Book Review refers to “the novelist who first conceived of cyberspace.”AstoryintheBostonGlobe says that “when Southwest first announced it would fly from Boston to Baltimore for $49 each way, JetBlue added a route there too.” And a reporter on NPR’s All ThingsConsideredsays,“WhenHolderwasfirstappointedoverayearago…” Didyoucatchtherecurringerrorinthesethreecitations? The problem is a misuse of the word first. When it’s understood from the context that something is beingdoneforthefirsttime,orwhentheverbinthecontextmeansdoingsomethingforthefirsttime,first isredundant. Toconceivemeanstoimagineforthefirsttime,toformanideabeforeanyoneelsehasdoneso.Thus, theBookReview’sheadlineshouldhaveread,“thenovelistwhoconceivedofcyberspace.”Likewise,to announce means to make known or make public, which happens only once, so the Boston Globe’s copyeditor should have changed “when Southwest first announced it would fly” to “when Southwest announceditwouldfly.”Andunlessyou’reappointedtoaposition,thenresignandarereappointedtoit, youareappointedonlyonce.SotheNPRreportershouldhavesaid“WhenHolderwasappointedovera yearago,”notfirstappointed. First is always superfluous when it’s paired with a verb—such as start, begin, create, invent, introduce,learn,discover,andarrive—thatmeansdoingsomethingforthefirsttime,asinthissentence fromTheSanDiegoUnion-Tribune:“It’sbeen100yearssinceEdgarRiceBurroughsfirstintroducedhis accidentalspacetraveler,JohnCarter,toreaders.”Mostofthetimedeletingfirstwillfixtheproblem, but sometimes the sentence has to be revised. For example, in The Know-It-All A. J. Jacobs writes, “Machine guns, when they first were invented, got so hot they had to be cooled by water.” Make that “Whenmachinegunswereinventedtheygotsohottheyhadtobecooledbywater,”or“Thefirstmachine gunsgotsohottheyhadtobecooledbywater.” AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel8 KEYWORDS1–10 1.Yes.Apanoplyisanimpressivearrayorsplendiddisplay. 2.Yes.Somethingrecherchéisveryrare,obscure,exotic,exquisite,orrefined. 3.No.Somethingvertiginousmakesyoudizzyorgiddy. 4.No.Yourkismetisyourfate,destiny,orlotinlife,andcannotbealtered. 5.Yes.Totemporizeistoactevasivelyorbeindecisivesoastogaintime;tostall. 6.Yes.Surroundedmeansenclosedonallsides,soaddingcompletelytoitispleonastic.Pleonasmistheuseofmorewordsthanare necessarytoexpressanidea. 7.No.Abstractexpressionismwasanartisticmovementofthemid-20thcenturywhoseworkswerenonrepresentational,meaningtheydid notportrayorresemblephysicalobjectsinnature.Verisimilitudeistheappearanceoftruthorresemblancetoreality. 8.No.Aplutocrat(word5ofLevel4)issomeonewhosepowercomesfromwealth.Acabalisagroupofsecretplotters,aconspiracy. 9.Yes.Postprandialmeanshappeningordoneafterameal,especiallyafterdinner. 10.No.Eponymouswordsareformedfromnames.Onomatopoeiaistheformationoruseofawordinimitationofasound. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Whenyou’reinadudgeon,you’reexperiencingasuddenfitofanger,resentment,orindignation. 2.True.Hegemonymeansleadership,dominance. 3.False.Apremonitoryphonecallwarnsyouofsomethingthat’sabouttohappen. 4.True.Aretronymisanadjective-nounpairinggeneratedbyachangeinthemeaningofthenoun,usuallybecauseoftechnology:e.g., electricguitar,rotaryphone,snailmail. 5.False.Whenyourecuseyourself,youremoveordisqualifyyourselfasajudgeorparticipanttoavoidanysuspicionofbiasorconflictof interest. 6.False.Someonelivinginpenurylivesinextremepoverty. 7.False.Arouéisdevotedtoimmoralbehaviorandsensualpleasure. 8.True.ALudditeissomeonefanaticallyopposedtoinnovation. 9.False.Schadenfreudeispleasureorjoyderivedfromotherpeople’smisfortune. 10.False.Acostivepersonissloworreluctanttospeakoract. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Asalmagundiandagallimaufryarebothdiverseorjumbledmixtures. 2.Synonyms.Analectsareselectedwrittenpassages,extracts,orfragmentsfromanauthororvariousauthors. 3.Synonyms.Parturitionisthemedicaltermforchildbirth. 4.Antonyms.Sanguinemeanscheerful.Atrabiliousmeansgloomyandirritable. 5.Synonyms.Bothmetamorphoseandtransmogrifymeantochangeortransformcompletely.Transmogrifyimpliesastrange,grotesque, orpreposteroustransformation. 6.Synonyms.Adiatribeisbitter,abusivespeechorwriting.Ascreedisalongandtediousspeechorpieceofwriting,andoftenonethatis angryorimpassioned. 7.Antonyms.Vespertinemeansoftheevening.Matutinalmeansofthemorning. 8.Antonyms.Crapulentmeanssickfromoverindulgenceinfoodordrink,hungover. 9.Synonyms.Ipsofactomeansbytheveryfactitself,necessarily,byitsverynature. 10.Antonyms.Todebouchistoemergefromanarroworconfinedplaceintotheopen. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Tieupdoesn’tfit.Toimmureisnottobindbuttoenclosewithinwalls,imprison. 2.Acorrectionmadedoesn’tfitbecauseacorrigendumisanerrorinatextthathasbeennotedbutnotyetcorrected. 3.Bigoted,intolerant,doesn’tfitbecauselatitudinarianmeanstolerant,liberal,broad-minded. 4.Melodious,tuneful,sweet-sounding,doesn’tfit.Somethingstentorianisextremelyloudandresounding,oftenunpleasantlyso. 5.Anamateurdoesn’tfit.Amateursarepeoplewhobyderivation(Latinamor,love)dothingsfortheloveofit,andalthoughtheyarenot expertsorprofessionalstheymayhaveconsiderableexperienceandskill.Bycontrast,anabecedarianhasnoskills.Anabecedarianisa personlearningthealphabet,or,byextension,abeginneratsomething. 6.Unfinishedcreationsdoesn’tfit.Juveniliaareartisticworksproducedinone’syouth,oracollectionofsuchworks. 7.Ahigh-rankingnoblemandoesn’tfit.Ahidalgoisagentlemanbybirthandaminoraristocrat. 8.Religiousdoesn’tfit.Althoughaneleemosynaryinstitutiondispensescharityandmayalsodependoncharity,itneednotbereligious. 9.Responsive,whichreferstoactions,doesn’tfit.Plangentreferstosoundsthatareloudandresounding,andalsomelancholy. 10.Anotedoesn’tfit;it’svague.Alagniappeisasmallgiftorbonusgivenbythesellertothebuyerasathank-you. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Anacolyteisanassistant,attendant,ordevotedfollower. 2.Itshimmers.Chatoyantmeanschanginginlusterorcolor,likeacat’seyeinthedark;hence,shimmering,glistening. 3.Yourdoppelgängerisyourghostlydouble,acounterpartofalivingperson. 4.They’reexcessive.Supernumerarymeansexceedingwhatisusualorrequired;beyondwhatisneededoruseful. 5.Itwouldbeobjectionable.Rebarbativemeansrepellent,disagreeable,objectionable;causingannoyanceorirritation. 6.Louchemeansdisreputable,indecent;ofquestionablecharacterorpropriety. 7.Aninterregnumisapauseorinterruptionincontinuity;alapseorinterval. 8.Analembiccausesachangeortransformation,orpurifiesorrefines. 9.Anoleaginouspersonisingratiating,politeorflatteringinaslimy,affectedway. 10.Awastrelisanidle,good-for-nothingperson,ane’er-do-well,orapersonwhoiswastefulandself-indulgent,aspendthrift. LEVEL9 Word1:S ANGFROID(sah[n]-FRWAH) Composure;coolnessorcalmnessofmind,especiallyintryingcircumstances. Synonyms of sangfroid include self-possession, aplomb (uh-PLAHM), equanimity (EE-kwuh-NIM-itee), and imperturbability. Antonyms of sangfroid include agitation, uneasiness, discomposure, disquiet,andperturbation(discussedinperturb,word25ofLevel6). Thenounsangfroid comes directly from French and means literally cold blood (sang is French for bloodandfroidisFrenchforcold),theideabeing,apparently,thathot-bloodednessimpliespassionand overreactionwhilecold-bloodednessimpliescomposureunderpressure. The unusual word froideur (frwah-DUR) also incorporates this French froid, cold, and denotes an attitudeofcoldsuperiority,coolaloofnessorhaughtyindifference.WhenIthinkoffroideur(whichisso rareinEnglishthatitisstillprintedinitalics),IthinkofMarieAntoinette(1755–1793),queenofFrance duringthereignofLouisXVI,who,inresponsetolearningthatherpeoplewerestarvingfromabread famine,wasreputedtohavesaid,withinfamousfroideur,“Letthemeatcake.” Sangfroidmaybeusedofanyimpressivedisplayofcomposureindifficultcircumstances,whetherthe actionsinvolvedareadmirableorreprehensible.Thus,asoldiermayexhibitsangfroidunderfire,anda criminal may exhibit sangfroid while conducting a robbery. A teacher can demonstrate sangfroid in a classroom full of rowdy and insubordinate high schoolers, and an acrobat can show great sangfroid performingonthehighwire,butamafiosocanalsoshowsangfroid,coolnessofmindortemperament, whilebrutallymurderingarival. Word2:DES UETUDE(DES-wi-T[Y]OOD,rhymeswithguessthefeud) Astateofdisuseorinactivity;discontinuanceofuseorpractice. ThenoundesuetudecomesthroughFrenchfromtheLatindēsuētūdo,disuse,whichcomesinturnfromthe verb dēsuēscĕre, to disuse, become unaccustomed to. It is a lovely literary word that is often used in phrases such as passing into desuetude or falling into desuetude to mean obsolescent, becoming obsolete,enteringastateofdisuse.Butsomethingcanalsobeindesuetude,alreadyinastateofdisuseor inactivity.Forexample,aword,alaw,oracustomcanpassintodesuetudeoralreadybeindesuetude, discontinuanceofuseorpractice.Thewordoftenimpliesneglectanddecay,asan ancient castle that hadlongsincefallenintodesuetude. Word3:S HIBBOLETH(SHIB-uh-lethor-lith) “Awordorpronunciationthatdistinguishespeopleofonegrouporclassfromthoseofanother”;hence,apassword.Also,“awordorphrase identifiedwithaparticulargrouporcause”;hence,acatchphrase,watchword,orslogan.(BothdefinitionsquotedarefromTheAmerican HeritageDictionary.) Shibboleth comes from an ancient Hebrew word meaning an ear of corn or a stream in flood. “In our language today,” says the Morris Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins, “shibboleth has the very differentmeaningof‘testword’or‘watchword,’andbehindthatchangeofmeaningliesanintriguingbit ofBiblicalhistory. DuringabattlebetweentheGileaditesandtheEphraimitesattheJordanfords,themenofGilead tookcommandofthefordsandwhenanyofthefugitivesofthearmyofEphraimaskedtopass, theywouldbeasked“AreyouanEphraimite?”Iftheanswerwasno,theninthewordsofJudges 12:6—“Theysaidtohim,‘SaynowShibboleth,’andhesaid‘Sibboleth,’forhecouldnotframeto pronounce it right. Then they took him and slew him at the passages of the Jordan.” Thus the inabilitytopronouncecorrectlytheHebrewword…wasthedistinguishingcharacteristicofthe Ephraimites and one which the sons of Gilead were shrewd enough to use as their watchword, givingthewordshibboleththemeaningithastoday. TheGileadites,itshouldbenoted,slew42,000Ephraimiteswhocouldn’tsayshibbolethandsealed their fate by saying sibboleth instead. “Perhaps only racial, religious, and national slurs have killed as many men as this word,” notes Robert Hendrickson in The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and PhraseOrigins. Inmodernusageashibbolethisakindofpassword,specifically“apeculiarityofpronunciation,ora habit,oramodeofdress…whichdistinguishesaparticularclassorsetofpersons”1Forexample,the consonantcombinationthisashibboleththatdistinguishesnativeEnglishspeakersfrommanynonnative ones; the so-called half-broad a in words like park, dance, and half is a shibboleth that distinguishes New Englanders; and certain expressions, gestures, and articles of clothing are shibboleths that distinguishmembersofastreetgang. Shibbolethmayalsobeusedtomeanacatchphraseorslogan,especiallyoneusedrepeatedlysoasto differentiatethosewhoareadherentstoacertainpartyorcausefromthosewhoarenot.SenatorJoseph McCarthy,inhisfanaticalcrusadeagainstcommunistsintheearly1950s,repeatedlyusedtherhetorical questionandshibboleth“Areyounow,orhaveyoueverbeen,amemberoftheCommunistParty?” Word4:CRIDECOEUR(KREE-duh-KUR) Animpassionedoranguishedoutcry,asofdistress,protest,orentreaty. Thepluraliscrisdecoeur,pronouncedthesameasthesingular. EnglishborrowedcridecoeurfromFrenchinthelate1800s.InFrenchitmeansliterallyacry(cri) of(de)theheart(coeur),andthat’spreciselyhowit’susedinEnglish.Acridecoeurmayexpressmany things—frustration, distress, sorrow, yearning—and it may take many forms—an appeal, a protest, a complaint,oranexpressionofdesire—butitisalwaysanimpassionedoutcry.Toborrowaphrasefrom thefilmmakerPaulSchrader(1946–),acridecoeurindulges“thatneedtojustleanoutthewindowand yell.” IntheLosAngelesTimeswereadof“adesperatecridecoeuraimedattheconscienceofsociety.”In The Daily Beast we read that “the speech was also a cri de coeur against a system that … imposes massivemoralandhumancostsontheUnitedStates.”IntheIrishExaminerwelearnthat“itwasreallya cridecoeurfordecisiveactionfromtoday’spoliticalleaders.”AndintheFinancialTimes(ofLondon), awriterasks,“IsBillyBuddaChristianparable,anexposéofEnlightenmentideals,oracridecoeurfor sexualfreedom?” Word5:INCUNABULA(IN-kyuu-NAB-yuh-luh) Earlyprintedbooks,especiallythoseproducedbefore1501. IncunabulaisapluralnounthatcomesdirectlyfromtheLatinpluralnounincunabula,thestrapsorbands holding a baby in a cradle, from incūnāre, to place in a cradle, and cūnae, a cradle. By derivation incunabulapertainstosomethinginitsinfancy,specificallythebooksproducedintheearlieststagesof printingfrommovabletype.Asyoucanimagine,incunabulaareextremelyrareandvaluableandfragile becausetheyaresoold:“Hehadrepairedalltypesofbooks,fromBiblestoincunabula,withpageson thepointofturningtodust”(TheHuffingtonPost). Anincunable(in-KYOO-nuh-bul)isabookprintedbefore1501,apartoftheincunabula.Perhapsthe best-known incunable is the Gutenberg Bible, considered to be the earliest book printed from movable type,inabout1456. Word6:CHEF-D’OEUVRE(shay-DUU[R]-vruh) Amasterpiece,especiallyoneinliterature,art,ormusic. Thenounchef-d’oeuvrecomesdirectlyfromFrenchandmeansliterallyachiefpieceofwork,fromchef, chief,andoeuvre(UU[R]-vruh),work,production,awordthatEnglishhasalsoborrowedtomeanallthe worksofawriter,artist,composer,orthelike,takenasawhole:“Nigel’sknowledgeofJaneAusten’s oeuvrewasdecidedlylacking.” Chef-d’oeuvrehasbeenEnglishsincetheearly1600s,longenoughtolosetheitalicsthatindicatea foreign borrowing but not its French pronunciation, perhaps because it is such an unusual synonym of masterpiece, the commonly used word. But, to borrow a turn of phrase from the American journalist Ambrose Bierce, who disappeared in Mexico in 1914, to call a word unusual means only that it’s no longer used by the timid. Most of us may not have the sangfroid (word 1 of this level) to nonchalantly flingchef-d’oeuvreintoaconversation,butifusedinadignifiedwayinwritingaboutaworkofartthe word can be a tour de force (TOOR-duh-FORS, an exceptional achievement or a stunning display of strengthorskill). Thepluralischefs-d’oeuvre,withansaddedafterthefinthefirstsyllablebutpronouncedthesame asthesingular. Word7:IAMB(EYE-am,likeIamwithstressonI) Inpoetry,ametricalfootoftwosyllables,consistingofashortorunstressedsyllablefollowedbyalongorstressedsyllable. The noun iamb comes through Latin from Greek, where, according to The Oxford Companion to the English Language, it meant “lame: that is, a weak step before a strong step.” The adjective is iambic (eye-AM-bik),consistingofiambs. In penultimate, word 15 of Level 7, I introduced the word prosody (PRAH-suh-dee), the study of poetic meter and versification. In prosody, a foot is a group of two or more syllables that constitute a fixed unit of rhythm. The iamb, an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, is the most common footinEnglishpoetryandtherhythmicunitclosesttoordinaryspeech. YoucanheariambicmeterinEnglishpoetryfromthesonnetsofShakespeare(“Whentothesessions ofsweetsilentthought/Isummonupremembranceofthingspast”)to“Ihavebeenoneacquaintedwith thenight”bytheAmericanpoetRobertFrost(1874–1963).AndrewMarvell’s“ToHisCoyMistress,” published in 1681, is iambic (“Had we but world enough, and time, / This coyness, lady, were no crime”), as is Gelett Burgess’s nonsense poem “The Purple Cow,” published in 1895: “I never saw a purplecow,/Ineverhopetoseeone;/ButIcantellyouanyhow,/I’dratherseethanbeone.” Poetic lines consisting of five iambic feet are written in iambic pentameter; the combining form penta-, from Greek, means five, as in pentagon, a five-sided figure. Sonnets are written in iambic pentameter. Lines consisting of four iambs, as in “To His Coy Mistress” and “The Purple Cow,” are written in iambic tetrameter (te-TRAM-i-tur), the combining form tetra-, again from Greek, meaning four. OthercommonmetricalfeetinEnglishpoetryincludethetrochee(TROH-kee),thedactyl(DAK-til), andtheanapest(AN-uh-pest). A trochee is the metrical opposite of an iamb: a long or stressed syllable followed by a short or unstressedone,asinChristinaRossetti’s“Hurtnolivingthing”(1872),DylanThomas’s“Inmycraftor sullen art” (1946), and the nursery rhyme “Twinkle, twinkle, little star.” A dactyl is a long syllable followedbytwoshortones,asinthelyricfromthemusicalOklahoma:“Owhatawonderfulmorning,/ Owhatawonderfulday.”Lotsofcommonnames,suchasJennifer,Evelyn,andChristopher,aredactylic (dak-TIL-ik).Ananapestistwoshortsyllablesfollowedbyalongone,asintheseliltinglinesfromthe children’spoem“Spring”byKarlaKuskin(1932–2009):“I’magambolinglamb/I’malightleapinggoat /I’mabud/I’mabloom/I’madoveonthewing.”(Theverbtogambolispronouncedlikegambleand meanstoskipabout,frolic.) Word8:FRIS S ON(free-SOH[N]) Ashudderofexcitementorquiveringthrillthatcoursesthroughthebody. Inthelate18thcenturyEnglishborrowedthenounfrissonfromFrench,whereitmeansashudder,shiver, thrill;itmaycomeultimatelyfromtheLatinfrīgēre,tobecold.FrissonhasbeenEnglishlongenoughto sheditsitalics,butbecauseitisnotincommonuseitretainsitsFrenchpronunciation,withfreeforthe first syllable and a nasalized n at the end. The plural is frissons, pronounced free-SOH(N)Z, with a z soundattheend. Whenthehairstandsuponthebackofyourneckorachillrunsdownyourspine,it’safrisson.You can get a frisson from reading an action-packed thriller, listening to exciting or transcendent music, jumpingintocoldwater,orwatchingahorrormovie.Youcanhaveafrissonoffear,ofdoubt,ofjoy,of sexualarousal,andevenofdespair.Frissonscanalsobecollective,aswhenacontagiousthrillpasses throughacrowd. Allright,nowforaquiz.Here’sasentencefromTheWallStreetJournal:“Itbegan,astheseaffairs oftendo,withafrissonofillicitexcitement.”Canyoutellwhat’swrongwiththat?Becausetheideaof excitementisimplicitinthemeaningoffrisson,it’sredundanttopairfrissonwithexcitement;aneditor shouldhavechangedthephraseto“withanillicitfrisson.”Thisisaregrettablycommonmistakemadeby writers who don’t know the word well enough to use it properly and who apparently don’t trust their readerstoknowiteither—ortolookitup. Word9:PRELAPS ARIAN(PREE-lap-SAIR-ee-in) OforpertainingtothetimebeforetheFallofhumankind;hence,innocent,carefree,childlike,naive,unspoiled,uncorrupted. ThenounprelapsariancomesfromtheLatinprae,before,andlapsus,afall.IntheBible,chapter6of GenesisrecountsthestoryofAdamandEve,who,temptedbytheserpent,violatedGod’scommandment andatethefruitofthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil.Forthistransgression,Godbanishedthemfrom theGardenofEden,alsocalledParadise. At heart, this story is a tale of the loss of innocence, writ large for all humankind. And since prelapsarianenteredEnglishinthe1870swehaveusedthewordtodescribeanychildlike,carefreestate of unspoiled innocence reminiscent of Adam and Eve before the Fall. A prelapsarian landscape is a beautiful,pristinelandscape.Prelapsarianromanceisinnocent,childlikelove,withoutthecomplications ofaphysicalrelationship.Andsomepeopleimaginethattherewasaprelapsarianstateofthelanguage,a timewhenEnglishwaspureanduncorrupted,butthatisamyth.Finally,prelapsarianmayalsobeusedof otherkindsofmetaphoricalfallsfrominnocence,grace,orperfection,asthe prelapsarian days before thestockmarketcollapse. Postlapsarian,aftertheBiblicalFall,istheantonymofprelapsarian.Ittoomaybeusedfiguratively tomeannolongerinnocent,hencespoiled,corrupted,ordepraved:“Thenovelconjures[KAHN-jurs]a postlapsarianworldinwhichpeopledoevilsupposedlyintheserviceofsomegreatergood.” Word10:MÉTIER(may-TYAYorMAY-tyay) Aspecialty;afieldofworkorareaofactivityinwhichonehasspecialabilityorforwhichoneisparticularlysuited. The noun forte, meaning a strong point or area of expertise—which is properly pronounced in one syllable, like the word fort, or in two syllables with the stress on the first syllable, FOR-tay, not the second—isaclosesynonymofmétier.Othersynonymsincludepursuit,calling,andvocation(thefancier wordforcalling,fromtheLatinvocare,tocall).Casualsynonymsofmétierincludelineanddodge:“If youweretoaskmewhat’smylineI’dsayI’mintheworddodge.” When it entered English from French in the late 1700s, métier meant an occupation, trade, or profession,asinthisquotationfromCharlotteTurnerSmith’s1792novelDesmond:“Theywanted…to make me a monk; but I had a mortal aversion to that métier.” But the word soon became used more specificallytomeanafieldofworkorareaofactivityatwhichoneexcels,andthisisitsprimarysense inmodernusage. Métier,saysMerriam-Webster’sCollegiateDictionary,“impliesacallingorpursuitforwhichone believesoneselftobeespeciallyfitted.”BoxingwasMuhammadAli’smétier;“theartofthedeal”isthe businessman Donald Trump’s métier; and political maneuvering was the métier of the Italian statesman NicolòMachiavelli(1469–1527),whowroteThePrince.InChopin:TheManandHisMusic (1900), JamesHunekerwrites,“Whenaskedwhyhedidnotcomposesymphoniesoroperas,[Chopin]answered thathismétierwasthepiano,andtoithewouldstick.” ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Canasoldierexhibitsangfroidunderfire? 2.Ifsomethingfallsintodesuetude,isitneglectedornolongerused? 3.Isatongue-twisterashibboleth? 4.Canacridecoeurexpressfrustration,distress,sorrow,oryearning? 5.Areincunabulabooksprintedafter1750? 6.IsMichelangelo’sstatueofDavidachef-d’oeuvre? 7.Isaniambametricalfootconsistingofalongsyllablefollowedbyashortone? 8.Couldwatchingascarymoviegiveyouafrisson? 9.Isaprelapsarianlandscapebeautifulandpristine? 10.Isyourmétieryourweaknessorareaofgreatestvulnerability? OnceUponaWord:LeMotJuste InthelastsetofkeywordsyouencounteredseveralborrowingsfromFrench—sangfroid,froideur,cride coeur, chef-d’oeuvre, tour de force, frisson, and métier. Let’s take a moment to look at a few more Frenchlocutions(word22ofLevel6),soyouwillalwayshaveatyourfingertipslemotjuste(le-MOHZHOOST),theappropriatewordfortheoccasion. We’ll begin with RSVP, which often appears in the phrase “Please RSVP.” Because RSVP is an initialismthatstandsforrépondezs’ilvousplaît,whichmeanspleasereply,usingpleasewithRSVP is redundant. I offer this advice en passant (ah[n] pa-SAH[N]), in passing, because it’s my raison d’etre (RAY-zoh[n]-DE-truh), my reason for being, to rid the world of redundancy. For me, rooting out redundancyisderigueur(du-ri-GUR),strictlyrequiredbyetiquette,usage,orcustom. Ifyouwanttostayaucourant (oh-kuu-RAH[N]), up-to-date, and never be passé (pa-SAY), behind thetimes,outoffashion,youmustcultivatesavoirfaire(SAV-wahr-FAIR),tact,diplomacy,anabilityto speakandbehaveappropriatelyinsocialsituations.Savoirfairewillcomeeasilytoyouifyouareabon vivant (BAHN-vee-VAHNT), a cultivated person with refined tastes who likes to indulge in fine food anddrink.Andwherebettertoindulgethoserefinedtastesbutatasoiree(swah-RAY),apartyorsocial gathering in the evening, at a pied-à-terre (pee-AY-duh-TAIR), a secondary residence, such as an apartmentinacity,forsomeonewholiveselsewhere. Atthissoigné(swahn-YAY,elegantlyappointedorfashionablywell-groomed)pied-à-terreyouwill mingle with members of the beau monde (boh-MAHND), high society. Some of them will speak with éclat (ay-KLAH), brilliance or conspicuous success, about their idée fixe (ee-day-FEEKS), their obsession(literallyafixedidea),orsomecausecélèbre(KAWZ-suh-LEBor-LEB-ruh),whichdoesnot mean a celebrated cause or ideal, as some mistakenly believe, but a sensational controversy, such as a legaltrial.Nodoubtthere’llbesomesoi-disant (SWAH-dee-ZAH[N]), self-styled or self-proclaimed, know-it-allsamongthem.Andofcoursethere’llbeafewdullfolkswhowillwanttohaveatêteàtête (TAYT-uh-TAYTorTET-uh-TET),aprivateconversation,withyou,andboreyouwithstoriesandjokes thatareréchauffé(RAY-shoh-FAY),literallywarmed-over,andthusrehashed,unoriginal. Takenenmasse(en-MAS),alltogether,asagrouporwhole,theseFrenchloanwordsmayseemde trop (du-TROH), excessive, too much or too many. But don’t be daunted. They’re all part of the great patchworkquiltofEnglish.AndIthinkyoumayfind,onceyou’veabsorbedandbeguntousethem,thata littleassimilatedFrenchcansometimesprovidenotonlylemotjustebutalsobethepiècederésistance (pyesduRAY-zee-STAH[N]S),thechieforprizedfeature,theshowpiece,ofyourprose. *** Now,herearethenexttenkeywordsinLevel9: Word11:ABLUTION(uh-BLOO-shin) Theactofwashingorbathing,especiallyasareligiousrite. The noun ablution, which dates back to the early 1400s, comes through the Latin ablutio, spiritual purificationbybaptismorthebaptismitself,fromtheverbabluere,tobewashedclean,towashoffor away.Invariousreligions,ablutionisaritualperformedbeforeprayer.Butablutionmaybeusedeither of the ceremonial and spiritual cleansing of the body or of the act of washing something clean. The EnglishpoetJohnKeatscapturedbothsensesintheselinesfromhissonnet“BrightStar,”writtenin1819: “Themovingwatersattheirpriestliketask/Ofpureablutionroundearth’shumanshores.” Here are two contemporary examples of ablution used to mean washing or bathing, without any religious connotation: “Designers have spent years trying to perfect an aerated shower head that won’t detractfromthepleasuresofthemorningablutionroutine”(TheTelegraph,UnitedKingdom);“Morethan 10,000 schools will be provided with new ablution facilities at the beginning of 2014” (www.AllAfrica.com). Word12:APOS TAS Y(uh-PAHS-tuh-see) Renunciationorabandonmentofone’sfaithorallegiance. ThenounapostasycomesfromtheGreekapostasía,astandingaway,withdrawal,henceadesertionor defection, the sense in which the word is used today. From the 14th century, when apostasy entered English,tothe16th,thewordmeantarenunciationofreligiousfaithortheactofrenouncingone’svows andquittingareligiousorder. Then, by extension, apostasy also came to be used of any abandonment of one’s principles or allegiancetoapartyordoctrine.Incurrentusagewespeakofpoliticalapostasy,suchasabandoningone partyandjoininganother,andofphilosophicalormoralapostasy,suchaswhenapersonrenouncesone positioninfavorofanother. Theadjectiveandnounapostate(uh-PAHS-tayt)meanseithercharacterizedbyapostasyoraperson whocommitsapostasy,andtheverbapostatize(uh-PAHS-tuh-tyz)meanstocommitapostasy,torenounce ordesertone’sfaith,allegiance,orprinciples. Word13:S UMPTUARY(SUHMP-choo-er-ee) Pertainingtoexpensesorexpendituresor,especially,totheregulatingofthem. Theadjectivesumptuary,whichenteredEnglishabout1600,comesfromtheLatinsumptuārius,relating to expenses or expenditures, from sumptus, a cost or expense, and ultimately from the verb sūmĕre, to take, buy, spend, the source also of the English words consume and consumption, as well as presumptuous(word2ofLevel1). Thefamiliaradjectivesumptuous(SUHMP-choo-us),fromthesamesourceassumptuary,means,by derivation, involving great expense, extremely costly, and therefore lavish, luxurious, magnificent, as a sumptuousfeastoranopulentmansionwithsumptuousfurnishings. Sumptuarymaymeansimplypertainingtoexpensesorexpenditures,especiallypersonalones,asa sumptuary allowance, meaning an expense account, or a household’s sumptuary budget. But the word hasmostoftenbeenusedofregulationsorlawsthatgovernexpendituresonmoralorreligiousgrounds, especially personal expenditures that may be considered extravagant or indulgent. Sumptuary laws are oftenpassedtoregulatetheconsumptionofluxuryitems,andsumptuarytaxesareimposedtypicallyon things that society considers undesirable or objectionable, such as tobacco. The infamous blue laws of New England, which ban the sale of alcohol on Sundays, are sumptuary laws, as is New York City’s controversialproposedordinancebanningthesaleofextra-largesoftdrinks. Word14:TATTERDEMALION(TAT-ur-duh-MAY-lee-un) Apersonwhowearstatteredorraggedclothing;aragamuffin(RAG-uh-MUHF-in). The origin of the noun tatterdemalion is obscure. When it entered English in the early 1600s it was spelledtatterdemallionandpronouncedtorhymewithItalianandstallion.Theinitialtatter- was also often spelled totter-, perhaps suggestive of the tottering or staggering of a shabbily dressed vagrant or beggar. But we have settled on tatter- as the preferred spelling probably because it suggests either the nountatter,atornscrap,ashred,ashisclothingwasintatters,ortheadjectivetattered,torntotattersor shreds,ragged. Tatterdemalionhasalsolongbeenusedasanadjectivetomeanragged,unkempt,shabby,dilapidated, andmaybeusedofpeopleorthings,asanold,tatterdemalionwomaninanold,tatterdemaliongown. Word15:ABJURE(ab-JUUR) Torenounceorrejectsolemnlyorunderoath.Also,toabstainfromoravoid. Synonymsoftheverbtoabjureincludetorepudiate,recant,retract,forsake,andforswear. AbjurecomesfromtheLatinabjurāre,todenyonoath,fromjurāre,toswear.Thewordmaybeused either to mean to renounce something solemnly or under oath, as to abjure violence, or to give up or abstainfromsomething,astoabjuretobacco.Thewordimplies“afirmandfinalrejectingorabandoning often made under oath,” says Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. For example, monks and nuns take vows of celibacy, abjuring marriage and the pleasures of the flesh. You can abjure your religious faith in favor of another religious faith or in favor of no religious faith. You can abjure authority or responsibilityforsomething.Andyoucanabjureyourrighttodosomething,suchasmakeaclaimorfile alawsuit. Thenounisabjuration(AB-juu-RAY-shin),theactofabjuring,renouncingorrejectingsolemnlyor underoath. Word16:NOBLES S EOBLIGE(noh-BLESoh-BLEEZH) Themoralobligationofthoseofnoblebirthorhighsocialpositiontobehaveinanhonorable,kindly,andgenerousway. The phrase noblesse oblige, which English borrowed from French about 1830, means literally nobility obliges;inotherwords,privilegeentailsresponsibility.Historicallythelocution(word22ofLevel6) referstotheself-imposedresponsibilityofthenobilitytobehavebenevolentlytowardthoseinaninferior socialposition.Butthetermisoftenusedinamoregeneralwayofthemoralobligationthatanyoneof high social standing has to act honorably and charitably, to help the less fortunate—or, to put that in modernparlance(PAHR-lunts),“togivebacktothecommunity.”(Parlanceisacertainwayormannerof speaking,anidiomorvernacular.) In his 1910 novel Burning Daylight, Jack London writes, “He found, with rare and mythical exceptions,thattherewasnonoblesseobligeamongthebusinessandfinancialsupermen.”Andhereare somecontemporaryexamplesofhowwritersusenoblesseoblige:“Scranton’spragmatism,groundedin the spirit of noblesse oblige, was dependent upon his wealth, his family heritage, and, politically, the Republican Party” (www.penlive.com). “At first, the attention Sutter lavishes on Aimee is a kind of chivalry,ahighschoolversionofnoblesseoblige”(BaltimoreMagazine). Word17:PRIMOGENITURE(PRY-muh-JEN-i-chur) Thestateofbeingthefirstbornchildofthesameparents;or,moreoften,therightofafirstborn,especiallytheeldestson,toinheritpropertyor title. The noun primogeniture comes from the Middle Latin prīmōgenitūra, the right of the firstborn child, whichcomesinturnfromprīmō,atfirst,andgenitūra,abegetting. Primogeniture may mean seniority by birth, being the firstborn child in a family, whether male or female.Butmoreoftenitisahistoricaltermfromcommonlawfortheruleofinheritanceinwhichland andpropertydescendtotheoldestsontotheexclusionofallothersiblings.Primogenituredevelopedin thefeudalsystemofmedievalEurope,whichrequiredmilitaryservicefromalllandholdersandvassals (VAS-ulz), or feudal tenants. The purpose of primogeniture was to keep a father’s land to support his eldest son, who was obligated to the overlord to serve as a knight or vassal for forty days a year. Primogeniture was finally abolished in Britain in 1925. The custom never caught on in the democratic UnitedStates,probablybecauseofitsfeudalandaristocraticorigins. Other words for historical customs of inheritance include gavelkind (GAV-ul-kynd), which divided landequallyamongthedecedent’ssonsorotherheirs(adecedent,pronounceddi-SEE-dint,isadeador deceased person); and borough-English, where the youngest son, or sometimes the youngest daughter, inheritedeverything.Twofancysynonymsforborough-Englishareultimogeniture (UHL-ti-moh-JEN-ichur), from the Latin ultĭmus, most distant, last, and postremogeniture (puh-STREE-muh-JEN-i-chur), fromtheLatinpostrēmus,hindmost,last. Word18:XERIC(ZEER-ik) Pertainingoradaptedtoadryenvironment;havingorneedingonlyalittlemoisture. TheadjectivexericcomesfromtheGreekxērós,dry,thesourceoftheEnglishcombiningformxero-,dry, whichappearsinanumberofscientificandtechnicaltermssuchasxerophthalmia (ZEER-ahf-THALmee-uh), abnormal dryness of the eyes. A xerophyte (ZEER-uh-fyt) is a plant that can live in dry conditions,andtheadjectivexerophilous(zeer-AHF-i-lus),whichmeansliterallylovingdryness,means abletothriveinahot,dryclimate.Toxeriscape(ZEER-i-skayp)istolandscapeanareawithdroughttolerantplantsandusetechniques,suchasmulching,thatwilllimittheneedforirrigation.Axericclimate is dry, like Southern California, where I live; a xeric region is dry, like a desert or chaparral; xeric conditionsarehotanddryconditions;andxericlandscapingneedsonlyaminimalamountofmoistureto survive. Word19:UXORIOUS (uhk-SOR-ee-us) Excessivelyfondoforsubmissivetoawife. “Richard was a fond, almost an uxorious husband,” wrote Sir Walter Scott in his 1825 novel The Talisman.ThemoviestarPaulNewmanwasfamouslyandcharminglyuxoriousabouthiswife,themovie star Joanne Woodward. And President Obama once took some ribbing from Jacob Heilbrun in The Huffington Post, who wrote that “the uxorious Obama had more important things to do—attend a ChristmaspartyorMichellemightgetmadathim.” TheadjectiveuxoriouscomesfromtheLatinuxōrius,toodevotedtoone’swife,whichcomesinturn fromuxor,awife,thesourcealsooffourotherunusualbutusefulEnglishwords:uxorial (uhk-SOR-eeul),oforpertainingtoawife,wifely;uxoricide(uhk-SOR-i-syd),thekillingofone’swifeoramanwho murdershiswife;uxorilocal(uhk-SOR-i-LOH-kul),atermusedinanthropologytomeanoforpertaining tolivingwithawife’sfamilyortribe;anduxorodespotism(uhk-SOR-oh-DES-puh-tiz’m),wifelytyranny. Ifuxoriousisusedofamanwhoisexcessivelydevotedorattentivetohiswife,whatdowecalla woman who does the same with her husband? The unusual word maritorious, from the Latin marītus, husband,isthecompanionofuxoriousandmeansexcessivelydevotedtoahusband. Word20:OPPUGN(uh-PYOON) Toattackoropposebyargumentoraction;tocallintoquestion,contradict,dispute. TheverbtooppugncomesthroughtheLatinoppugnāre,toattack,assault,oppose,whichcomesinturn frompugnāre,tofight,andpugnus,afist,thesourcealsooftheEnglishwordspugilist (PYOO-ji-list), the fancy word for a boxer; pugilism (PYOO-ji-liz’m), the fancy word for boxing; and the adjective pugnacious,giventofighting,combative,literallyreadytofightwiththefists. To controvert, the verb corresponding to the noun controversy, is to argue against, oppose by reasoning: “The defense tried to controvert the prosecution’s allegations.” To oppugn is to controvert vigorously, to vehemently call into question, to attack or oppose forcefully. You can oppugn someone’s judgment, call it into question, or oppugn someone’s argument, dispute its merits or its truth. You can oppugnanidea,ascreationists who oppugn the theory of evolution; you can oppugn an institution, as politicalbloggerswhooppugnCongress;oryoucanoppugnaperson,as,“Sheoppugnedhimforbeing analoofintellectualinanivorytower.” ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Ablutionsareexercisesperformedinthemorning. 2.Someonewhorenouncesonepositioninfavorofanothercommitsapostasy. 3.Asumptuarytaxisimposedonthesaleofitemseveryoneusesandneeds. 4.Atatterdemalionandaragamuffinarebothpoorlyclothed. 5.Whenyouabjureyouobjectordisagreepolitely. 6.Peopleofhighsocialstandingenjoycertainprivilegesknownasnoblesseoblige. 7.Therightofthefirstbornsontoinheritpropertyortitleiscalledprimogeniture. 8.Axericclimateisdry,likeadesertorchaparral. 9.Anuxorioushusbandisunkindandunfaithfultohiswife. 10.Whenyouoppugnsomeone’sjudgment,youvigorouslycallitintoquestion. OnceUponaWord:CompanionWords Ifamisogynist(mi-SAHJ-uh-nist)isahaterofwomen,whatdoyoucallahaterofmen?That’soneofthe most frequently asked questions I’ve encountered in my louche (word 46 of Level 8) career as a word detective.Inthediscussionofmisanthropy(word14ofLevel5)youmetthewordmisandrist(MIS-andristormis-AN-drist),fromtheGreekmis(o)-,hate,andandro-,man.Amisandristisahaterofmen,and thenounmisandrymeanshatredofmen. That’s just one example of what I call “companion words,” unusual counterparts of more familiar words. You recently learned the companion words uxorious and maritorious, and there are scores of othersuchgemslurkinginthecobwebbedcornersofourunabridgeddictionaries,waitingtoenlightenand delightus. EarlierinWordWorkout you met the companion words fratricide, the killing of a brother, from the Latin frater, brother, and sororicide, the killing of a sister, from the Latin soror, a sister. So, if to fraternize means to mingle or associate as brothers, what’s the word for mingling or associating as sisters?It’ssororize(SOR-uh-ryz). Ifafemaleballetdancerisaballerina,what’sthecomparablewordforamaleballetdancer?Entre nous (AHN-truh-NOO, just between us), it’s danseur (dahn-SUR). If a man who keeps a woman is a keeper,isthereawordforawomanwhokeepsaman?Yes,she’sakeeperess.SamuelRichardsonusedit inhis1748novelClarissa.Ifyou’reexperiencingtheoppositeofeuphoria,afeelingofgreathappiness or well-being, what exactly are you experiencing? It’s called dysphoria (dis-FOR-ee-uh), an unwell feelingoragenerallyunwholesomecondition. Ifyou’readeptwithbothhands,you’reambidextrous.Butwhatifyou’reineptwithbothhands?The wordforthatisambisinister,fromambi-,both,andtheLatinsinister,leftorleft-handed.Ambisinisteris theperfectsubstitutefortheshopwornexpressionallthumbs. Haveyoueverwonderedwhythewordfeminist,whichcamealonginthe1890s,nevergenerateda companion?Well,actuallyitdid,butitnevergotanylegs.Thoughit’sclearlyausefulword,hominist (fromtheLatinhomo,hominis,man)issorarethatitappearsonlyintheOED,whichcitestheprefaceto the1903playManandSupermanbyGeorgeBernardShaw,whoapparentlycoinedit. Ihopethisbriefdisquisition(DIS-kwi-ZISH-un,aformaldiscussionoforinquiryintoasubject)on companionwordshasbeenneitheraneyesorenoranearsore,anannoyancetotheear,acompanionword thatTheCenturyDictionaryandtheOEDlabelobsoletebutthatclamors,inacharminglydisagreeable way,toberesurrectedfromobscurity.Willyoubemycompanioninthatworthyeffort? *** Let’sreturnnowtotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforLevel9. Word21:AGNOS IA(ag-NOH-zhuh) Theinability,orpartialinability,torecognizefamiliarobjectsthroughthesenses,usuallyastheresultofbraindamage. ThenounagnosiacomesfromtheGreekagnōsía,ignorance,acombinationoftheGreekprivativeprefix a-,andgnosis,knowledge.YoucanseethissameGreekprivativeprefixa-andgnosis,knowledge,inthe relatedEnglishwordagnostic,whichissaidtohavebeencoinedin1869bytheBritishscientistThomas H.Huxley.Anagnosticisapersonwhoholdsthattheessentialnatureofthingsisunknownandcannotbe known;hence,anagnosticdoubtstheexistenceofGodordivinepower.Tobeagnosticistoassertthe uncertainty of all claims to knowledge, and agnosticism is the doctrine—or belief in unbelief—of the agnostic. Agnosia is used chiefly in medicine and psychology to denote the lack or a diminution (DIM-iNYOO-shin,adecreaseordiminishing)ofthesensoryabilitytorecognizeobjects.Auditoryagnosiais misperception of or the inability to interpret sound. Localization agnosia is the inability to recognize where one’s skin is touched. Optic agnosia is the inability to interpret visual images. Tactile (TAK-til) agnosiaistheinabilitytorecognizeobjectsbytouchingthem.Andvisual-spatialagnosiaisadisturbance ofspatialorientationandamisperceptionofthespatialrelationsofobjects. Word22:CAS UIS TRY(KAZH-oo-i-stree) Oversubtleanddeceptivereasoning;falseordishonestapplicationofmoralprinciples. ThenouncasuistrycomesfromtheLatincāsus,acase,event,andsincethewordenteredEnglishinthe early1600sithasbeenusedinaneutralwayoftheresolvingofcasesofconscience,orofquestionsof right and wrong in conduct, by the application of general ethical principles, the laws of society, and religious doctrine. But as The Century Dictionary observes, “In the history of Christian and Jewish theology,casuistryhasoftendegeneratedintohair-splitting…arguments,inwhichquestionsofrightand wrongwereconstruedtomeetselfishaims.” Thatiswhycasuistryhasmoreoftenbeenusedpejorativelyofoversubtle,deceptive,andspecious reasoning,orofanyquibbling,evasivewayofdealingwithdifficultquestionsofdutyorconscience:“It was legal casuistry to redefine the torture of prisoners with waterboarding … as ‘enhanced interrogation’”(TheEconomist);“Thecauseofgayrights…isnothelpedbythiskindofslippery,selfinterestedscholarship,wherepropagandaandcasuistryimpedetheobjectivesearchfortruth”(Camille Paglia). Thewordsophistry(SAHF-is-tree)isaclosesynonymofcasuistry.TheSophistsofancientGreece wereteachersofrhetoric,politics,andphilosophynotoriousfortheirdeceptiveandoversubtlemethodof argumentation. Today sophistry refers to speech or writing that is clever and plausible but marred by falseordeceptivereasoning. Othersynonymsofcasuistryincluderationalizationandequivocation(discussedunderequivocate, word3ofLevel5). Word23:PARAPRAXIS (PAR-uh-PRAK-sis) Inpsychology,aminorerrororoversight—suchasaslipofthetongueorpen,orthemislayingofobjects—thoughttorevealunconscious motivesorwishes. The noun parapraxis combines the Greek praxis, an act or action, with the prefix para-, abnormal, defective—asinparanoia,frompara-,abnormal,andtheGreeknous, mind. By derivation parapraxis meansabnormalordefectiveaction. Parapraxis is the technical word for what is more commonly known as a Freudian slip, an eponymoustermfromthenameofthepioneerofpsychoanalysis,SigmundFreud(FROYD,1856–1939). AFreudianslipistheseeminglyinnocentslipofthetonguethatseemstorevealanunconsciouswishor motive,especiallyasexualone. English has some other interesting terms for slips, or what some observers call “disfluencies.” The Latinwordlapsus,thesourceoftheEnglishlapse,meantaslippingorfalling,andEnglishhasadopted thisword,pronouncedLAP-sus,tomeanasliporanerror.Alapsuslinguae(LING-gwee)isaslipofthe tongue;alapsuscalami(KAL-uh-my)isaslipofthepen;andalapsusmemoriae(me-MOR-ee-ee)isa slipofthememory. Word24:POLYMATH(PAH-li-MATH) Averylearnedperson;anexpertinvarioussubjects. ThenounpolymathenteredEnglishintheearly1600sfromtheGreekpolymathés,verylearned,which comesinturnfrompoly-,much,many,andmanthánein,tolearn,thesourceofmathematics. Wordscloseinmeaningtopolymath,thoughnotsynonymous,includepundit(word10ofLevel4), sage (rhymes with page), savant (suh-VAHNT), and the rare word pantologist (pan-TAHL-uh-jist), a person with universal or very broad knowledge, from pan-, all, and -logy, a body of knowledge. The unusualwordpolyhistor(PAH-lee-HIS-tur),fromtheGreekpolyístōr,verylearned,isanexactsynonym ofpolymath. Thenounpolymathy(puh-LIM-uh-thee)meansencyclopedicknowledge,learninginmanyfields.The adjective is polymathic (PAH-li-MATH-ik), pertaining to polymathy or to a polymath, a very learned person,anexpertinmanysubjects. Word25:ENCOMIUM(en-KOH-mee-um) Aformalexpressionofhighpraise,arousingtribute. Thepreferredpluralisencomiums. ThenounencomiumcomesfromtheGreekenkōmion,praisingavictor,fromenkōmios,ofthevictory procession.Byderivationanencomiumisaformalexpressionofhighpraiseforthevictorinavictory celebration. Synonyms of encomium include tribute, eulogy, and panegyric (PAN-uh-JIR-ik). All three words refer to the bestowing of high praise. Tribute implies the expression of praise either through words or actions;aspeech,anessay,apoem,apieceofmusic,oracharitableeffort,suchasafund-raiser,canbea tributetosomeoneortoacause.Bothaeulogyandapanegyricareloftypublicexpressionsofpraise, usually on some formal occasion; according to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, eulogy “appliestoapreparedspeechorwritingextollingthevirtuesandservicesofaperson,”asatafuneral, whilepanegyric“suggestsanelaborateoftenpoeticcompliment.” Although it connotes a formal and often lofty expression of praise, encomium also “implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing,” says M-W 11. Thus, an enthusiastic letter of recommendationortheaffectionatetributetothebrideandgroomtraditionallydeliveredbythebestman ataweddingcanbeencomiums. Thenounisencomiast(en-KOH-mee-ast),apersonwhopraisesordeliversencomiums. Word26:CHARRETTE(shuh-RET) Anintensiveefforttocompleteanarchitecturaldesignprojectbeforeadeadline. Charrette,whichenteredEnglishinthe1960sandisstillnotlistedinmanydictionaries,isaborrowing of the modern French charrette, a cart, little wagon, from char, a truck or wagon—the connection apparentlybeingthespeedofthecart’swheelsrepresentingthespeedoftheworkonthecharrette. In English, the French-derived suffix -ette forms diminutives, or littler versions, of the nouns it’s attached to: a kitchenette is a little kitchen; a statuette is a little statue. The suffix -ette also forms femininenounssuchascoquette(koh-KET),aflirtatiouswoman,andgrisette(gri-ZET),ayoungFrench womanoftheworkingclass. “Architectshaveknownforcenturiesthatthemostcreativewaytoworkistoimmersethemselvesina problem for an uninterrupted period—often several days,” writes Bill Lennertz in the Lansing State Journal. “They call this way of working a charrette.” Although charrette has been used chiefly in architectureofashort,intensiveperiodofplanningordesignworkthatmayinvolveotherspecialistsand sometimes the public, the word is ripe for the plucking in a useful wider sense that Wiktionary, the collaborativeonlinedictionary,definesas“aperiodofintensework,especiallygroupwork,undertaken to meet a deadline.” This broader sense would cover all kinds of charrettes—from manufacturing and building,tothecraftingoflegislation,totheperformingarts.OnnotafewoccasionsIhavetoldpeople that the intensive effort I made in the summer of 2013 to finish writing Word Workout was a literary charrette. Word27:DEBRIDE(di-BREED) Inmedicine,tocleanawoundbyremovingforeignmaterialandcuttingawaydeadorcontaminatedtissue. DebrideenteredEnglishbyalinguisticprocesscalledback-formation,inwhichanewwordisformedby removing an inflectional part of a longer word, such as a prefix or suffix. There are many respectable back-formations in modern English, among them the verb to collide, from the noun collision; the noun greed,fromtheadjectivegreedy;theverbtodiagnose,fromthenoundiagnosis;andtheverbtosculpt, fromthenounsculptor. But many back-formations are rejected or have trouble gaining acceptance. For example, to burgle, a back-formation from burglar, has never been a serious contender to supplant burglarize; to liase, a back-formation from liaison, still smacks of business and political jargon even though it’s almost a century old; and to enthuse, a back-formation from enthusiasm that dates from the early19thcentury,isstillatbestacasualism,illateaseinformalwriting. Theverbtodebrideisaback-formationfromthenoundebridement(di-BREED-mint),2thecleaning of a wound by cutting away dead tissue and removing foreign material. Athletes who suffer knee or rotator cuff injuries are often candidates for surgery that involves debridement, and any wound that is slow-healingorthatfesterswillhealfasterifitisregularlydebrided(di-BREE-did),cleanedofdeador contaminatedtissue. Word28:LAPIDARY(LAP-i-DER-ee) Havingorexhibitingelegance,precision,andrefinementofexpression. LapidarycomesfromtheLatinlapis,lapidus,astone.Thewordmaybeanounmeaningastone-cutter, someonewhoengravesandpolishestombstones,orapersonwhocuts,engraves,andpolishesprecious stones.Asanadjectivelapidarymayalsomeanpertainingtothecuttingandengravingofstones,asthe lapidaryart,orengravedorsculptedinstone,especiallyastonemonument,asalapidarymaxim. Buttheadjectivalsenseoflapidarythatwearemostinterestedinhereisitsfigurativeusetomean having an elegant, precise, refined, and often concise manner of expression suggestive of the skill involved in cutting and polishing gemstones or engraving stone monuments. A lapidary style is elegant, refined, and often succinct. Lapidary lines or verses are graceful and polished. A lapidary mind is culturedandbrilliant.Andlapidarydetailisfinelyobservedandpreciselyrecorded. Word29:OVIPAROUS (oh-VIP-uh-rus) Producingeggsthatdevelopandhatchoutsidethemother’sbody. Theadjectiveoviparous, which is chiefly used in zoology (zoh-AHL-uh-jee, not zoo-), comes from the Latinōviparus,egg-laying.Itisablendofthecombiningformsovi-,egg,fromtheLatinōvum,anegg— the source of the English oviform (OH-vi-form), egg-shaped—and -parous, which means bearing, producing,andcomesfromtheLatinparere,tobringforth,bear,produce. Viviparous(vy-VIP-uh-rus), which comes from the Latin vīvus, living, alive, and the same -parous, bearing,producing,meansgivingbirthtolivingoffspringthatcansurviveoutsidethemother’sbody,as dohumanbeingsandmostmammals.Oviparousmeanslayingeggsthathatchoutsidethemother’sbody. Chickens and other birds are the most familiar oviparous animals, but most reptiles and fish are also oviparous. Word30:MARMOREAL(mahr-MOR-ee-ul) Madeoforresemblingmarbleoramarblestatue;havingthequalitiesofmarble. TheadjectivemarmorealcomesfromtheLatinmarmoreus,madeofmarble,whichcomesinturnfrom marmor, marble. It is a literary word favored by poets and prose stylists who use it to suggest the whiteness,smoothness,hardness,orcoldnessofmarble.Becausemarbleisbothwhiteandsmoothand hardandcold,theconnotationofmarmorealcanbeeitherameliorativeorpejorative.(Forareviewof thoseterms,seepejorative,word17ofLevel6.)Forexample,amarmorealcomplexionorfacecanbe eitherattractivelywhiteandsmoothorunappealinglypallid(word47ofLevel4),suggestingillnessor thepalenessofdeath.The19th-centuryEnglishpoetRobertBrowningusedthewordinapositiveway when he wrote of a “marmoreal neck and bosom.” But a movie critic for the Washington Post used it negatively when describing a character as “a bloodless, marmoreal being who has no human connections.” ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Agnosiaandmisperceptionare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Sophistryandcasuistryare… 3.Freudianslipandparapraxisare… 4.Polymathandignoramusare… 5.Encomiumandpanegyricare… 6.Charretteandvacationare… 7.Befoulanddebrideare… 8.Lapidaryandunpolishedare… 9.Mammalianandoviparousare… 10.Marmorealandpallidare… DifficultDistinctions:DieresisandUmlaut “Couldyoupleasesettleadebate?”writesTimothyHernandezofEnglewood,Colorado.OfcourseIcan. That’swhatwelanguagemavenslivetodo. “Respondingtoaquestioninanonlineforum,”Hernandezexplains,“Iwrotethatthediacriticalmark (twodots)placedovertheeinthenameChloëisanumlaut.Twootherpeoplesaidit’smoreproperly calledadieresis.Whoiscorrect?” Both umlaut (OOM-lowt) and dieresis (dy-ER-uh-sis) denote the same diacritical mark—two dots placedoveravowel—butthedifferencebetweenthesewordsliesinhowthatmarkisused.Anumlautis placed over a vowel to show that it has a sound slightly different from how the vowel would be pronouncedwithoutthemark.Umlauts,whicharecommoninGerman,areneverusedoveravowelnext to another vowel. The dieresis, on the other hand, always appears over the second of two adjoining vowelstoshowthatthesecond,markedvowelshouldbepronouncedseparatelyfromthefirstone. For example, cooperate and preeminent were formerly printed with a dieresis (coöperate, preëminent) so people wouldn’t inadvertently say koop-erate and preem-inent. Because the diacritical markovertheeinChloëappearsabovethesecondoftwoadjoiningvowelsandindicatesthatthevowels arepronouncedseparately(KLOH-ee),itisproperlycalledadieresis. Incidentally,adiacriticalmark,ordiacritic,isamarkappliedtoalettertodistinguishitashavinga specificsoundorwayofbeingpronounced.Commondiacriticsincludethecedilla(suh-DIL-uh)underthe c in façade, which indicates that it should sound like s in sod, and the acute accents in résumé, which show that the word has three syllables and is not pronounced like the verb resume. Dictionaries use diacriticalmarkstoshowpronunciation,suchasthemacron(MAY-krahn)foralongvowelsound,asin/ sē/forsee,andthebreve(BREEV)forashortvowelsound,asin/pŏt/forpot. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyfortenmorekeyworddiscussions. Word31:NUGATORY(N[Y]OO-guh-tor-ee) Ofnoworth,value,orimportance;worthless,insignificant.Also,havingnoforceoreffect;useless,futile,vain. Synonymsofnugatoryinthesenseofhavingnovalueorworthincludetrifling,inconsequential,trivial, piddling,andnegligible(NEG-li-gi-bul).Synonymsofnugatoryinthesenseofhavingnoforceoreffect includeinvalid,inoperative,ineffectual,bootless(word15ofLevel6),feckless,andinefficacious(inEF-i-KAY-shus). TheadjectivenugatorycomesfromtheLatinnūgātōrius,frivolous,insignificant,futile,fromtheverb nūgāri, to trifle, be frivolous, talk nonsense. That which is nugatory either has no intrinsic value or importanceorhasnoforceoreffect. Nugatory actions are unimportant or ineffectual; a nugatory argument is worthless or futile; and nugatoryexcusesaretrivialandvain.“AsTVandtheInternetconvergeintosomethinggenericallyknown as broadband, the distinctions between the two will soon become nugatory from a consumer point of view”(MichaelHirschorn,TheAtlantic).“Tacticalexcellenceandtheconsiderablecourageoffrontline troops are forever being rendered nugatory by failed leadership” (The Washington Post). In law nugatorymeansinvalid,aswhenacourtrendersastatutenugatorybydeclaringitunconstitutional. Thenounnugacity(n[y]oo-GAS-i-tee)meanseithertriviality,insignificance,asthetediousnugacity ofeverydaylife,oratrivialorinsignificantthingoridea,asthepompousnugacitiesofthepreacher’s sermons. Word32:PRES BYCUS IS (PREZ-bi-KYOO-sis) Lossorimpairmentofhearingduetooldage. The noun presbycusis comes from the Greek presbys, which meant old or an old man, and ákousis, hearing, which comes in turn from akouein, to hear. From the same Greek akouein, to hear, come the English words acoustic (uh-KOO-stik), relating to hearing or to the science of sound, and the unusual acouasm(uh-KOO-az’m),abuzzingorringingintheears,alsocalledtinnitus(properlypronouncedtiNY-tustorhymewitharthritis),fromtheLatintinnīre,toring,tinkle. YoucanseetheEnglishcombiningformpresby-,fromtheGreekpresbys,old,inpresbyter(PREZ-bitur), which by derivation means an elder; presbytery (PREZ-bi-ter-ee), a body of presbyters or elders; andPresbyterian(PREZ-bi-TEER-ee-in),pertainingtovariouschurchesthataregovernedbypresbyters or elders. In ophthalmology (in which the first syllable is properly pronounced AHF-, not AHP-), the branch of medicine dealing with the eyes, the word presbyopia (PREZ-bee-OH-pee-uh) denotes the gradual development, beginning in middle age, of farsightedness and a difficulty focusing sharply on thingsupclose. Our keyword, presbycusis, is the medical term for any deterioration of the sense of hearing due to advancedage,otherwiseknownasage-relateddeafness.Presbycusisoftenbeginswithareducedability tohearhigh-pitchedsounds.Later,soundsmaybecomedistortedandfuzzyandareoftenquieteroverall. Word33:CICERONE(SIS-uh-ROH-nee) Aguide,especiallyonewholeadsandinstructssightseers;hence,atutorormentor. ThenounciceronecomesthroughItalianfromthenameofthefamousRomanoratorandstatesmanCicero (SIS-uh-roh, 106–43 B.C.). Thus, by derivation, the cicerone, or guide, is “thought of as having the knowledge and eloquence of Cicero” (Random House). The OED says the term was “apparently originally given to learned Italian antiquarians, whose services were sought by visitors seeking informationabouttheantiquitiesofaplace.” Guide is the general term for someone who leads or directs others. The words usher, escort, and marshaldenotepeoplewhoseprofessionalorofficialdutyistoguideoraccompanyothers.Thewords tutor,mentor(MEN-tur,not-tor),andpreceptor(pree-SEP-tur)denotepeoplewhoguidebyteachingor informing,especiallyone-on-one.Thewordguru(GUUR-oo),whichenteredEnglishinabout1820from the Indian language Hindi (HIN-dee), is a spiritual or religious guide, especially a personal one; by extension,aguruissomeonewithspecialknowledgethatothersrelyonoradmire,asacomputerguru.A docent (DOH-sint)—from the Latin docēre, to lead, the source also of docile (DAH-sil), easily led or managed,cooperative—isatourguidewholeadspeoplethroughgalleriesandmuseums,instructingthem aboutwhattheyareviewing. Ourkeyword,cicerone,isakindofglorifiedorscholarlytourguidewhohasintimateknowledgeof placesofhistoricalinterestandthefactsandstoriespertainingtothem.Thewordmaybeusedliterallyof a guide for sightseers, or figuratively of a guide who leads you toward a better knowledge of some subject. Thepreferredpluralformistheanglicizedcicerones(SIS-uh-ROH-neez),althoughdictionariesalso sanctiontheItalianciceroni(SIS-uh-ROH-nee). Word34:PANS OPHIC(pan-SAHF-ik) Pertainingto,orpossessing,universalwisdomorencyclopedicknowledge. Pansophic is the adjective corresponding to the noun pansophy (PAN-suh-fee), universal wisdom or encyclopedicknowledge.BothwordscomefromtheGreekpan-,all,andsophós,wisdom.Youcansee this Greek sophós, wisdom, in numerous English words including philosophy, which means literally lovingwisdom;sophomore,literallywise-foolish,fromtheGreekmōros,foolish,dull;andsophrosyne (suh-FRAHS-uh-nee),whichmeanswisemoderation,prudence,discreetgoodsense. PansophyrefersinparticulartoasystemofuniversalknowledgeproposedbyComenius(koh-MEEnee-us), a 17th-century Moravian clergyman and educator whose precepts about teaching and learning seemdecidedlymodern.“Comeniusadvocatedrelatingeducationtoeverydaylifebyemphasizingcontact with objects in the environment and systematizing all knowledge,” says the Columbia Encyclopedia. “Teaching was to be in the vernacular rather than in Latin, and languages were to be learned by the conversationalmethod.He[also]workedforauniversalsystemofeducationofferingequalopportunities towomen.” Word35:RUBICUND(ROO-bi-kund) Redorreddishincolor;flushed. Synonymsofrubicundincluderuddy,florid,sanguine,roseate(ROH-zee-it)likearoseincolor;rufous (ROO-fus),reddish,fromtheLatinrūfus,red;anderubescent(er-uh-BES-int), becoming red, blushing. Antonymsofrubicundincludepale,ashen,blanched,bloodless,pallid(word47ofLevel4),wan, and cadaverous(kuh-DAV-ur-us),havingtheappearanceofacadaver(kuh-DAV-ur),adeadbody. RubicundcomesfromtheLatinrubicundus,red,flushed,whichcomesinturnfromrubēre,tobered, andruber,red,ruddy.FromthissamesourcecometheEnglishwordsruby,thefamiliarredgemstone;the adjectiverubious,ruby-colored;thenounrubric,atitle,heading,orpartofatextthatisprintedinred; rubricate, to mark or color in red; rubify, to redden or make red, as the sunset rubified the sky; and rubeola(ROO-bee-OH-luh),themedicaltermformeasles. Rubicund may be used generally of anything that’s red or reddish, such as a rubicund apple or rubicund wine, but it is perhaps more often used of the face or complexion to mean red or flushed, as cheeks rubicund from the cold or a rubicund nose, or of a person who is red-faced, especially from overindulgenceinfoodanddrink:“Thechefwasacorpulent(word39ofLevel4),rubicund,loquacious littleman.” Word36:PICARES QUE(PIK-uh-RESK) Oforrelatingtorogues,rascals,orknaves;specifically,oforpertainingtoanepisodicformofnarrativefictionthatchroniclestheadventures ofaroguishbutlikablehero.“Thepicaresquestyle,”saystheOED,“ischaracterizedbysocialsatireandrealisticdescriptionsofscenesfrom lowlife.” Picaresque comes from the Spanish picaresco, roguish, mischievous, literally of or pertaining to a picaro, a rogue, rascal. From the Spanish picaro English has also inherited the noun picaroon (pik-uhROON),arogue,vagabond,orthief,especiallyapirateorbrigand(BRIG-und),amemberofabandof robbers. Synonymsofpicaresqueincluderoguish,rascally,prankish,swashbuckling,adventuresome,rakish (RAY-kish), and raffish (RAF-ish). Synonyms of picaroon include bandit, outlaw, highwayman, desperado,andcutthroat. In1829,theScottishhistoricalnovelistSirWalterScottastutelycalledthepicaresquenovel,which originatedinSpaininthe16thcentury,“aromanceofroguery.”Itwas“usuallyafirst-personnarrative, relatingtheadventuresofarogueorlowbornadventurer…whodriftsfromplacetoplaceandfromone socialmilieutoanotherinanefforttosurvive,”saysMerriam-Webster’sEncyclopediaofLiterature.“In itsepisodicstructurethepicaresquenovelresemblesthelong,ramblingromancesofmedievalchivalry, towhichitprovidedthefirstrealisticcounterpart.Unliketheidealisticknight-erranthero,however,the picaroisacynicalandamoralrascalwhowouldratherlivebyhiswitsthanbyhonorablework.” Picaresquemaybeusednotonlyoffictionbutofanythingthatsuggeststhefreewheelinglifestyleofa rogue,rascal,orvagabond.Forexample,“apicaresqueseriesofexploitsthatillustrateherabilitytolive byherwits”(TheNewYorker);or,“Itwasapicaresquelife,livedinhotelsonthefringesof‘normal’ society”(SundayIndependent,Ireland).Whenpicaresqueisprecededbythe,itdenotesthemischievous andoftenamoralqualitiesofarogueorrascal:“Helovesatrickster;thepicaresqueamuseshim.” Word37:ENDOGENOUS (en-DAHJ-uh-nus) Originatingorproducedfromwithin. The adjective endogenous combines endo-, within—as in endocardial, situated within the heart, and endogamy(en-DAH-guh-mee),marriagewithinatribeorfamily—with-genous,whichmeansoriginating orproducinginaspecificmanner,asinindigenous(in-DIJ-i-nus),originatinginaparticularplace,hence native. In biology, endogenous means growing or produced within the organism. In pathology, the study of diseases, endogenous is used of a disease that originates from within the organism. And in psychiatry, endogenousreferstodisordersthatoriginatewithintheindividualratherthanbeingcausedbyexternal factors,asendogenousdepression. The antonym of endogenous is exogenous (eks-AHJ-uh-nus), originating or produced from without, fromexo-,outside,external. Word38:PERORATE(PER-uh-rayt) Tospeakatgreatlength,especiallyinahigh-flownorpompousmanner;also,toconcludeaspeech,especiallyinaforcefulorrousingmanner. Synonyms of the verb to perorate include to lecture, declaim, discourse (dis-KORS), descant (desKANT),andexpatiate(ek-SPAY-shee-ayt). PeroratecomesfromtheLatinperōrātus,thepastparticipleofperōrāre,whichmeanteithertospeak atlength,explainorstatethoroughly,ortowindupaspeech,concludeanoration,fromper-,thoroughly, and ōrāre, to speak, argue, plead. This Latin ōrāre is also the source of the familiar words oration, orator(OR-uh-tur),andorate. What’sthedifferencebetweentoorateandtoperorate?It’sadifferenceofdegreeorintensitycaused by the prefix per-, which is an intensifier in many words. For example, to ambulate, from the Latin ambulāre, to walk, means simply to walk or stroll, while to perambulate is to walk all about. The adjectivefervid,fromtheLatinfervēre,toboil,seethe,meanspassionateorvehement,asaferviddebate, while the adjective perfervid (pur-FUR-vid) means overheated, boiling over with passionate intensity. Andtheadjectivetenacious,fromtheLatintenēre,tohold,meansholdingfirmlytoabelieforcourseof action, while the adjective pertinacious (PUR-ti-NAY-shus) means to be stubbornly and annoyingly tenacious.Thus,toorateismerelytolectureordeliveraformalpublicspeech,whiletoperorate is to speakatgreatlength,especiallyinapompousorgrandiose(word3ofLevel1)manner. Thenounisperoration(PER-uh-RAY-shin),whichmaymeanalongandoftenpompousoration,but whichisprobablymoreoftenusedtomeantheconcludingpartofaspeech,especiallyarousingspeech, inwhichpointsmadeearlierarerecapitulated. Word39:ONYCHOPHAGY(AHN-i-KAHF-uh-jee) Theactorhabitofbitingone’snails;nail-biting. Thenounonychophagylinkstwocombiningforms:onycho-,oforpertainingtothenails,fromtheGreek onyx,anail,claw;and-phagy,eating,devouring,fromtheGreekphagein,toeat.Otherwordsfromthe Greekonyx,anail,includeonycholysis(AHN-i-KAH-luh-sis),alooseningorpartialseparationofanail from a finger or toe (from the Greek lysis, a loosening), and paronychia (PAR-uh-NIK-ee-uh), an inflammationofthefleshsurroundinganail:colloquially,aninfectedhangnail. Onychophagyisusedchieflyinmedicineandinpsychology,whereitreferstohabitualnail-bitingas asymptomofanxietyoremotionaldisturbance.Intheinterestoffulldisclosure,ImustconfessthatIhave a personal stake in this word, since for most of my life I was an inveterate (word 25 of Level 2) onychophagist(AHN-i-KAHF-uh-jist),anail-biter,atonepointsufferingfromanexcruciatinglypainful paronychiacausedbymyownruthlessonychophagy.Andthen—andhere’stheRipley’s-Believe-It-orNot story—three weeks after 9/11 I realized that I hadn’t bitten my nails since that tragic day, and I haven’t bitten them since. You’d think that such a horrific and traumatic event would cause a nervous habit,butsomehow,inexplicably,itbrokemeofone. Word40:DÉJÀLU(DAY-zhah-LOO) Thefeelingthatyouhavereadsomethingbefore. Youareprobablyfamiliarwiththetermdéjàvu(DAY-zhah-VOO),whichenteredEnglishfromFrench about 1900. Literally it means already seen and denotes the illusory feeling of having experienced or donesomethingbefore.FromthesameFrenchdéjà,already,andlu,read,comesdéjàlu,whichentered English about 1960 and means the sense that you have read something before or in a similar form somewhere else. The OED records one more related loan phrase from French: déjà entendu (ah[n]taw[n]-DOO),whichmeansliterallyalreadyheardanddenotesthefeelingthatonehasalreadyhearda passageofmusicbefore. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three are correct;oneisunrelatedinmeaning.Decidewhichonedoesn’tfitthekeyword.Answersappearhere. 1.Nugatorymeansofnoworth,uninteresting,useless. 2.Presbycusisislossofhearingduetooldage,ringingintheears,age-relateddeafness. 3.Aciceroneisataxidriver,aguide,atutor. 4.Pansophicmeanshavingexceptionalinsight,universalwisdom,encyclopedicknowledge. 5.Rubicundmeansreddish,bloodless,flushed. 6.Picaresquemeanspertainingtofools,pertainingtorogues,pertainingtorascals. 7.Endogenousmeansproducedfromwithin,comingintoexistence,originatinginside. 8.Peroratemeanstospeakincoherently,tospeakatgreatlength,toconcludeaspeech. 9.Onychophagyischewingone’snails,bitingone’snails,trimmingone’snails. 10.Déjàluisthefeelingyouhavereadsomethingbefore,seensomethingbefore,perusedsomethingbefore. OnceUponaWord:VeneryInteresting “It’s a gaggle of geese, a school of fish, and a pride of lions. But what about tigers?” I’m telling you, peopleemailmesomeamazingquestions! Thesetermsforgroupsofanimalshavebeencalled“nounsofmultitude,”“companyterms,”“nounsof assemblage,”and,mostcommonly,“groupnouns.”Butconnoisseursofthesewordsalsoknowthembyan olderphrase,“termsofvenery,”veneryheredenotingnotsexualintercoursebuthuntingoranimalsthat arehunted(fromtheLatinvenari,tohunt). “Thevenerealgame,”astheconnoisseurscallit,istheartofinventingtheseplayfulandoftenpoetic groupnouns,andithasbeengoingonforcenturies.Oneoftheearliestandmostexhaustiverecordsof groupnounsisTheBookofSt.AlbansbyDameJulianaBerners(orBarnes),publishedin1486.Dame Juliana’sbookcontainedalistof164groupnouns,includingarafterofturkeys,amurderofcrows,a murmurationofstarlings,ashrewdnessofapes,aleapofleopards,askulkoffoxes,aknotoftoads, andacowardiceofcurs.Italsocontainedsometerms—suchasapontificalityofpriests,asuperfluity ofnuns,andanabominablesightofmonks—thatventurebeyondtheanimalkingdomandintothehuman realm. An Exaltation of Larks by James Lipton is one of the best-known modern books on the subject of groupnouns.Itdiscussestheevolutionofthevenerealgamefromancienttermsforanimalslikeaclowder ofcats,aslothofbears,asiegeofherons,andanostentationofpeacockstomoderntermsforalltypes of people like a sneer of butlers, a rash of dermatologists, an indifference of waiters, a wheeze of joggers,aningratitudeofchildren,andalotofusedcardealers. Now,whataboutthosetigers?AstreakoftigersisthetermLiptongives,butanambushoftigershas alsobeenproposed.Takeyourpick. *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word41:VERBIGERATE(vur-BIJ-ur-ayt) Torepeatmeaninglesswordsorphrasescontinuallyandobsessively. A close synonym of verbigerate is the verb to battologize (buh-TAH-luh-jyz), which comes from the Greek battos, a stammerer, and logos, speech, and means to repeat words or phrases needlessly and tiresomely. Theverbtoverbigerateandthenounverbigeration,theobsessiverepetitionofmeaninglesswordsor phrases,comefromtheLatinverbigerare,tochat,talk,converse,acombinationofverbum,aword,and gĕrĕre, to carry on, conduct. A verbigerator (rhymes with refrigerator) is a person who verbigerates, continuallyrepeatscertainmeaninglesswordsorphrases. Inpathology,thescienceofdiseasesanddisorders,verbigerationistheabnormal,unconscious,and oftenobsessiverepetitionofnonsequiturs(nahn-SEK-wi-turz),wordsorphrasesthatdonotfollowfrom whathaspreviouslybeensaidorareunrelatedtothecontextandthereforemeaningless.(Non sequitur comes directly from Latin and means “it does not follow.”) To a medical doctor or psychiatrist, verbigerationisusuallytheresultofabraininjuryormentaldisorder,buttotherestofuslaypeopleitis simplypartoftheverbalfabricofeverydaylife. Toddlerswilloftenlatchontoawordorphrasethey’vepickedupfromtheirparentsorfromTVand repeat it indiscriminately and mercilessly. Elderly people succumbing to senile dementia (SEE-nyl diMEN-shuh)oftenverbigerate,evenwhennooneislistening.Andthentherearethosepeskyverbigerating teenagerswhoinsertlikeandy’knowintoeverysentence,andwhogrowuptobetedious,verbigerating adultswhoinsertmeaninglesswordsandphraseslikeanywaysandirregardlessintoeverysentence. Forme,themostverbigeratedwordsintheEnglishlanguageareimpactandunique,whichhavebeen repeatedsooftenandsounthinkinglybysomanypeoplethattheyhavelostalltheirforceandsingularity. Word42:TENEBROUS (TEN-uh-brus) Dark,gloomy,obscure. The adjective tenebrous, which dates back to the early 1400s, comes from the Latin tenebrōsus, dark, gloomy. The word may be used to mean dark, shut off from the light, either literally or figuratively. A tenebrouscastleoratenebrousclimateisadarkandgloomyone.Atenebrousmindisabenighted(word 48 of Level 6) mind, one laboring in a state of intellectual darkness. And a tenebrous argument or a tenebrousphilosophyisonethatissoobscureastobeimpenetrable. Therelatedadjectivetenebrific(TEN-uh-BRIF-ik),fromtheLatintenebrae,darkness,andfacere,to make,meanscausingorproducingdarkness.Asolareclipseistenebrific,asaremosteconomists. Word43:AGNATE(AG-nayt) Relatedthroughthemalelineofdescent;relatedonthefather’sside. Agnate comes from the Latin agnātus, a male relation on the father’s side. The Old Testament of the ChristianBibleexpendsagooddealofinktracingtheagnateoffspring,ormalelineofdescent,ofvarious figures:forexample,thesonsofNoah,thesonsofShem,thesonsofEsau.Youragnaterelativeiseither someonewhosekinshipistraceableonlythroughmales,oramalerelativeonthefather’sside,apaternal kinsman.Agnatemayalsobeusedasanounmeaningarelationthroughthemaleline. Perhaps you’re wondering if there’s a companion word for agnate pertaining to women? The adjective distaff (DIS-taf) means female, pertaining to women, and the distaff side of a family is the femaleormaternalbranch,alsocalledthespindleside,asopposedtothespearside,themaleorpaternal branch.Butmorecloselyrelatedtoagnateisthewordcognate(KAHG-nayt),fromtheLatincognātus, born together. In Roman law cognate referred to those who were descended from the same ancestor, regardless of sex, but “in Scots and later civil law,” says Black’s Law Dictionary, cognate “implies kinshipfromthemother’sside.” Word44:ULULATE(UHL-yuh-laytorYOOL-yuh-layt) Tohowl,wail,screech,orshriek. The verb to ululate comes from the Latin ululātus, a howling, wailing, shrieking, or yelling, the past participleoftheverbululāre,tohowloryell.Byderivation,toululatesuggeststhehowlingofadogor wolf,orthescreechingofanowl.Infact,intheearliestEnglishdictionaryinwhichululateappears,from 1623,thewordisdefinedas“tohowlelikeadogorwolf.” Ululateisoftenusedofanimal-likehowling,wailing,orscreeching,asapackofhungry,ululating jackals.Butitisalsooftenusedofhumancryingandshrieking,asinthiscitationfrom2009:“Insome cultures, the grieving ululate, whip themselves, and rend their clothing” (www.wordnik.com/words/ululate). When used in this way ululate is an exact synonym of the verb to keen, to wail or lament loudly, especially for the dead. Ululate is also sometimes used of any excited howlingoryelling,asillustratedbythissentencefromNewsweek:“Westandinacircleandclap—some ofthewomenevenululateinasortofjoyousyodel.” Thenounisululation(UHL-yuh-LAY-shinorYOOL-),ahowlingorwailing.Inhis1867translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy, the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, “There sighs, complaints,andululationsloud/Resoundedthroughtheair.”Theadjectiveisululant (UHL-yuh-lint or YOOL-), howling, wailing, screeching: “The preacher’s exhortations whipped the congregation into an ululantfrenzy.” Word45:ZUCCHETTO (zoo-KET-oh) AskullcapwornbyRomanCatholicclerics. ThenounzucchettowasborrowedfromItalianinthemid-19thcenturyandisrelatedtotheItalianzucca, whichmeanseitheragourdortheheadandisthesourceofthefamiliarItaliansquashcalledzucchini (zoo-KEE-nee). The unusual word calotte (kuh-LAHT), which was borrowed from French in the 17th century, is an exact synonym of zucchetto. The plural is preferably the anglicized zucchettos, not the Italianzucchetti. Thezucchettoissmallandroundandmadeofflexiblecloth.Youcouldsaythatitistheecclesiastical cousin of the Jewish skullcap called a yarmulke (YAHR-mul-kuh, pronounce the r). The color of the zucchettoindicatestherankofaclericintheRomanCatholichierarchy.Priestswearablackzucchetto; bishopswearavioletorpurpleone;cardinalsweararedone;andthepopewearsawhiteone. Word46:PS EUDANDRY(SOO-dan-dreeorsoo-DAN-dree) Theuseofamalenamebyawomanasapseudonymorpenname. The noun pseudandry combines pseudo-, false, pretended, with -andry, male, which comes from the Greek andrós, a man, male. A pseudonym (SOO-duh-nim), from pseudo-, false, and -onym, name, is a fictitious name, such as the pen name of an author. A pseudonym or pen name is also called a nom de plume(NAHM-duh-PLOOM),whichisFrenchforpenname. In the 18th and 19th centuries the few women who wrote for publication usually resorted to pseudandry,theuseofamalepenname,becauseoftheirinferiorsocialstatus:womenwerethoughttobe less competent than men and it was considered scandalous for a woman to write a book. Pseudandry thereforeofferedawaytobetakenseriously,oratleastnottobedismissedoutright. Famous pseudandrists of that period include Mary Ann Evans, who used the nom de plume George EliottopublishMiddlemarchandothernovels;theBrontësisters,Charlotte,Emily,andAnne,whoused, respectively, the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell; the French novelist Lucile Aurore Dupin Dudevant,whoachievedfamewritingunderthepseudonymGeorgeSand;andLouisaMayAlcott,author ofLittleWomen,whobeganhercareerwritingundertheandrogynous(an-DRAH-juh-nus)pennameA. M. Barnard. (Androgynous, from the Greek andrós, man, and gyné, woman, means having qualities or characteristicsofbothamanandawoman.) Contemporary female writers who have used androgynous initials in their pen names include Nora Roberts,whohaspublishedasJ.D.Robb,andAnneRice,whohaspublishedasA.N.Roquelaure.And J. K. Rowling, the androgynously named author of the Harry Potter series, has written under the pseudonymRobertGalbraith. The counterpart of pseudandry is pseudogyny (soo-DAH-juh-nee), from pseudo-, false, pretended, andtheGreekgyné,woman,theuseofafemalenamebyamanasapseudonymorpenname. Word47:CAES URA(si-ZHUUR-uh) Abreak,pause,interruption,hiatus(hy-AY-tus). CaesuracomesdirectlyfromtheLatincaesūra,acutting,whichcomesinturnfromtheverbcaedĕre,to cut. A Caesarean section is so called because the baby must be cut from its mother’s womb. The procedure is traditionally associated with Julius Caesar, who was supposed to have been delivered by Caesareansection,buttheevidencesupportingthatstoryisflimsy. Caesura has a specific, technical meaning in English prosody, the study of the metrical structure of poetry.Inprosody,acaesuraisanaturalpauseorbreakorbreathsomewhereinthemiddleofapoetic line.Thus,thecaesuraintheopeninglineofChaucer’sCanterburyTalescomesrightafterApril:“Whan thatApril||withhisshowressoote.”AndthecaesurainthefirstlineofShakespeare’ssonnet18isthe fleetingpausebetweentheeandto:“ShallIcomparethee||toasummer’sday?” Sinceaboutthemid-19thcenturycaesurahasalsobeenusedinamoregeneralsenseofanybreak, pause,orinterruption:“TheFlavian[FLAY-vee-in]dynastymarksacaesurainthehistoryofRomanfirst ladies”(AnneliseFreisenbruch,Caesars’Wives).“Heremembersonespaceofferingawelcomecaesura from the ormolu and swag” (The Wall Street Journal). (Ormolu, pronounced OR-muh-loo, is gilded metal.) Word48:PHILODOX(FIL-uh-dahks) Someoneinlovewithhisorherownopinions;apersonwhomakescategoricalassertions;adogmatist. You’verunacrossthemyourwholelife—inschool,atwork,atparties—thoseself-referentialboreswho lovetohearthemselvestalk.Philodoxesthinkthateverythingtheysayisbrilliantandthateverythingthey knowisright.Theyareoftenloversofargumentforitsownsakeandtheyarealwayseagertobuttonhole anyonetheythinkwilllisten.Thisqualitymakesthephilodoxtheclosecousinofthemacrologist (maKRAHL-uh-jist),theinfernallydullconversationalistyougetstuckwithatasocialeventanddeftlytryto passontosomeoneelse. Thenounphilodox,whichwasborrowedfromFrenchin1603,isformedfromtwoGreekelements: philo-, loving, and doxa, opinion, the source also of orthodox, which means literally the right opinion becausethecombiningformortho- means right, correct. Here’s a clever citation for philodox from the Berkshire(Massachusetts)Eaglein1958:“Onegrowswearyofthesickeningsophomorictwaddleofour local pansophic philodox.” (Sophomoric is discussed in fatuous, word 6 of Level 3; twaddle [TWAHD’l]issillytalk,drivel,nonsense;andpansophicisword34ofthislevel.) Word49:VALETUDINARIAN(VAL-e-T[Y]OO-di-NAIR-ee-in) Aweakorsicklyperson,aninvalidorhypochondriac. ValetudinariancomesthroughtheLatinvalētūdinārius,sickly,infirm,fromvalēre,tobestrong,well,or vigorous, the source also of the English words valor and valiant. Cousins with the Latin valēre, to be strong,istheadjectivevalidus,strong,powerful,thesourceoftheEnglishnouninvalid(IN-vuh-lid),an exactsynonymofvaletudinarian,aweakorsicklyperson. Valetudinarian is often used not only of a sickly person but of a hypochondriac, someone who continually imagines he or she has physical ailments. In Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel Les Misérables, a character named Joly is a doctor who was “more of an invalid than a doctor. At three and twenty he thoughthimselfavaletudinarian,andpassedhislifeininspectinghistongueinthemirror.” Valetudinarian may also be used attributively, as an adjective modifying a noun, as a dissolute, valetudinarian debauchee. (Dissolute is word 7 of Level 6, and debauchee, a debauched person, is discussedindebauch,word30ofLevel5.) Word50:APOTHEOS IS (uh-PAH-thee-OH-sis) Theelevationofahumanbeingtothelevelofagod;hence,elevationtoatranscendentorglorifiedposition,oraglorifiedorexaltedexample orideal. Synonyms of the noun apotheosis include deification, glorification, exaltation, canonization, and consecration.(Consecrateisword42ofLevel2.) Apotheosis is a late-16th-century borrowing from Latin and Greek that comes from the Greek apotheoun, to make into a god, deify, from apo-, formed from, related to, and theos, a god. At first apotheosiswasusedoftheelevationofahumanbeingtotherankofagod,aswhentheancientRomans, byasolemndecreeofthesenate,wouldconferdivinestatusuponadeceasedemperor.Thewordwas thenextendedtomeantheelevationofanypersonorthingtoaglorifiedortranscendentposition:“Some musiccriticslamenttheapotheosisofimmaturepopstarslikeJustinBieberandMileyCyrus.”Inthe20th century the word’s application was extended even further to mean an exalted or glorified example or ideal,astheapotheosisofbeauty,theapotheosisofcourage,ortheapotheosisofItaliancomicopera. Sometimesapotheosisisusedofthatwhichisdecidedlynotglorifiedorexalted,asifitmeantsimply theperfectorbestexample:“BlagojevichisregularlydescribedastheapotheosisoftheshadyIllinois politician.”Thiserroneoususageshouldbeavoided,andapotheosis should be reserved for exalted or glorifiedexamples.Apotheosisisalsooftenusedtomeanthehighestpoint,climax,astheapotheosisof her career, but this is another loose usage. When you mean the highest point in the development of something,usepeak,summit,pinnacle,apex,zenith,orapogee(word9ofLevel7)instead. Theverbtoapotheosize(uh-PAH-thee-uh-syz)meanseithertomakeintoagodortoglorifyasifto divine honor: “When Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president in 1952, it was as if the American peoplehadapotheosizedhimforhisroleinwinningWorldWarII.” ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Ifyouverbigerate,doyourunoffatthemouth,repeatmeaninglesswordsandphrasescontinually,orchooseyourwordscarefully? 2.Issomethingtenebroussad,dangerous,ordark? 3.Areyouragnaterelativesonyourmother’sside,yourfather’sside,orbothsides? 4.Doesululatemeantoeattoomuch,togarbleone’swords,ortohowl? 5.Isazucchettoagreensquash,askullcap,orashortsword? 6.Ispseudandrytheuseofafemalepseudonymbyaman,theuseofamalepseudonymbyawoman,ortheuseofinitialsinapseudonym? 7.Isacaesuraabreak,anoperation,oravictorysong? 8.Isaphilodoxavirtuousperson,agenerousperson,orapersoninlovewithhisorherownopinions? 9.Isavaletudinarianasicklyperson,afaithfulperson,oranunreliableperson? 10.Doesapotheosismeantherevelationofdivinewisdom,theelevationofapersontothelevelofagod,ortheappearanceofagod? TheWrongPro-NOUN-ciation At Merriam-Webster, the storied house of lexicography in Springfield, Massachusetts, that traces its pedigreetoNoahWebster,theeditorshavebeensedulously(sedulousisword28ofLevel7)collecting citationssincethe1930sof“allpronunciationvariantsofawordthatareusedbyeducatedspeakersof the English language.” And when they say all, they mean all—including the warts.3 If a lapsus linguae happenstocomeoutofaneducatedspeaker’smouth,itgoesinthefile.Thisworriesmebecause“itis primarilyonthebasisofthislargeandgrowingfile,”saystheirlatestdictionary,“thatquestionsofusage andacceptabilityinpronunciationareanswered.” Like other dictionary publishers, Merriam-Webster promises to give us guidance in standard Americanpronunciation,buttheirconceptofstandardAmericanpronunciationseemstobethatifyou’re anAmerican,yourpronunciationisstandard,nomatterhoweccentricitmaybe.PeruseM-W’spopular Collegiate dictionaries and you will find many controversial, stigmatized, and downright strange pronunciations—allofthem,M-Wclaims,“fallingwithintherangeofgenerallyacceptablevariation.” Let’sseehowthatclaimholdsup. We’llbeginwithaccurate,whichM-Wgetsallwrong.RecentCollegiatesbestowtheirblessingon AK-ur-itandAK-rit,variantsthatarenotstandardandneverhavebeen.Thevastmajorityofeducated speakersconsiderthemslovenly(SLUHV-un-lee,sloppy,careless),whichiswhytheothermajorcurrent AmericandictionariesignorethemandgiveonlytheaccurateAK-yur-it,withay-glidebeforetheu. Since 1961, M-W has endorsed putting an arch in archipelago, a variant no other dictionary recognizes. Educated speakers simply don’t say it that way. They say ark—because, as Alfred Ayres explainsinTheOrthoëpist,“Whenarch,signifyingchief,beginsawordfromtheGreekandisfollowed byavowel,itispronouncedark—asinarchangel,architect,archive,archipelago…butwhenarchis prefixed to an English word, it is pronounced so as to rhyme with march—as, archbishop, archduke, archfiend.” According to M-W, you may count yourself among the ranks of educated speakers if you pronounce particular and particularly as puh-tickler and puh-tickly and pronunciation as pro-NOUN-ciation. Otherdictionariesdonotrecordtheseaberrations.M-WisalsotheonlydictionarytorecognizeSEN-teeint for sentient (SEN-shint, word 48 of Level 2). And for eschew, which is properly pronounced esCHOO,M-Wisaloneinsanctioningtheweirde-SKYOOandthevoguee-SHOO,whichitbrazenlylists first. Forfoliage,whichisproperlypronouncedinthreesyllables,FOH-lee-ij,M-WlistsFOY-lij,amajor blunderthatotherdictionarieseschew.ItalsocallsthevariantFOH-lij“verycommon”—asifthatalone justifiesit.Ifitwereascommon,andcertainlyifitweremorecommon,atenable(TEN-uh-bul,ableto be defended or upheld) argument could be made for its acceptability. But lots of usages that are “very common” are also very objectionable to lots of people: the mispronunciation nucular for nuclear (N[Y]OO-klee-ur)comesquicklytomind. M-W’susagenotesapologizeforvariantsthatmanyeducatedspeakersconsidersubstandardandthat authoritiesonpronunciationproscribe.Forexample,thenoteforlibrarysaysthevariantliberryisheard “fromeducatedspeakers,includingcollegepresidentsandprofessors,aswellaswithsomewhatgreater frequencyfromlesseducatedspeakers.”Ifafewcollegepresidentsandprofessorssayliberry,doesthat make it less beastly? If your professor, or your child’s professor, said liberry—or perfessor, for that matter—wouldn’tyouraiseaconcernedeyebrow?Here,andelsewhere,M-Wignorestheplaintruththat when educated people use slipshod or stigmatized pronunciations, they lose credibility. They are perceivedas“lesseducatedspeakers.” Languagemavensandlexicographerscanagreetodisagree.Butbysanctioningsomanyquestionable pronunciations,includingsomethatarebeyondthepale—liketheludicrousDUHB-yeefortheletterW— Merriam-WebstermisrepresentswhatNoahWebsterfamouslycalled“thegeneralpracticeofthenation” andobliteratesthedistinctionconscientiousspeakersstrivetomakebetweenwhatisandisn’tstandard. AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel9 KEYWORDS1–10 1.Yes.Sangfroidmeanscomposure,coolnessofmindintryingcircumstances. 2.Yes.Desuetudeisastateofdisuseorinactivity;discontinuanceofuseorpractice. 3.No.Atongue-twisterissimplyhardtosay.Ashibbolethisapassword,catchphrase,watchword,orslogan. 4.Yes.Acridecoeurisanimpassionedoranguishedoutcrythatcantakemanyforms. 5.No.Incunabulaareearlyprintedbooks,especiallythoseproducedbefore1501. 6.Yes.Achef-d’oeuvreisamasterpiece,especiallyoneinliterature,art,ormusic. 7.No.Atrocheeisalongsyllablefollowedbyashortone.Aniambistheopposite:ashortsyllablefollowedbyalongone. 8.Yes.Afrissonisashudderofexcitementoraquiveringthrill. 9.Yes.PrelapsarianreferstothetimebeforetheBiblicalFallofhumankind;hence,innocent,carefree,orunspoiled,uncorrupted. 10.No.Yourmétierisyourspecialty,workoractivityforwhichyouarewellsuited. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Ablutionmeanstheactofwashingorbathing,especiallyasareligiousrite. 2.True.Apostasyistheabandonmentofone’sfaith,allegiance,orprinciples. 3.False.Sumptuarytaxesareimposedonthingssocietyconsidersindulgentorobjectionable,suchastobaccoandalcohol.Sumptuarymeans pertainingtoexpendituresortotheregulatingofthem. 4.True.Atatterdemalionisapersonwhowearstornorraggedclothing,aragamuffin. 5.False.Whenyouabjureyourenounceorrejectsolemenlyunderoath. 6.False.Noblesseobligeisthemoralobligationofthoseofnoblebirthorhighsocialpositiontobehaveinanhonorable,kindly,andgenerous way. 7.True.Primogenitureisthestateofbeingfirstborn,ortherightofafirstborn,especiallyason,toinheritpropertyortitle. 8.True.Xericmeanspertainingoradaptedtoadryenvironment,needinglittlemoisture. 9.False.Anuxorioushusbandisexcessivelyfondoforsubmissivetohiswife. 10.True.Tooppugnistoattackoropposebyargument,callintoquestion,contradict. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Agnosiaistheinabilitytorecognizeobjectsorinterpretphysicalsensations. 2.Synonyms.Bothsophistryandcasuistrydenoteoversubtleanddeceptivereasoning. 3.Synonyms.BothFreudianslipandparapraxisdenoteaminorerrororoversight,suchasaslipofthetongue,thatseemstorevealan unconsciousmotiveorwish. 4.Antonyms.Apolymathisaverylearnedpersonoranexpertinvarioussubjects. 5.Synonyms.Bothanencomiumandapanegyricareformalexpressionsofhighpraise. 6.Antonyms.Acharretteisanintensiveefforttofinishaprojectbeforeadeadline. 7.Antonyms.Todebrideistocleanawound.Tobefoulistomakefoulordirty. 8.Antonyms.Lapidarymeanshavingorexhibitingelegance,precision,andrefinementofexpression. 9.Antonyms.Mammalianmeanspertainingtomammals,whichgivebirthtoliveyoung.Oviparousmeansproducingeggsthatdevelopand hatchoutsidethemother’sbody. 10.Synonyms.Pallid(word47ofLevel4)meanspale,lackingcolor.Marmorealmeansresemblingmarble,eitherbybeingattractivelywhite andsmoothorunappealinglypale. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Uninterestingdoesn’tfit.Nugatorymeansworthless,insignificant,oruseless,futile. 2.Ringingintheearsdoesn’tfit.Acouasmandtinnitusdenoteringingintheears.Presbycusisislossorimpairmentofhearingduetoold age. 3.Taxidriverdoesn’tfit.Aciceroneisaguideforsightseersoratutor,mentor. 4.Exceptionalinsightdoesn’tfit.Pansophicmeanspertainingtoorpossessinguniversalwisdomorencyclopedicknowledge. 5.Bloodlessdoesn’tfit.Rubicundmeansredorreddish,flushed. 6.Pertainingtofoolsdoesn’tfit.Picaresquemeansoforrelatingtorogues,rascals,orknaves;specifically,pertainingtofictionthat chroniclestheadventuresofaroguishhero. 7.Comingintoexistencedoesn’tfit.Endogenousmeansoriginatingorproducedfromwithin. 8.Tospeakincoherentlydoesn’tfit.Toperorateiseithertospeakatgreatlength,especiallyinahigh-flownorpompousway,orto concludeaspeechinarousingmanner. 9.Trimmingone’snailsdoesn’tfit.Onychophagyistheactorhabitofbitingone’snails. 10.Seensomethingbeforedoesn’tfit.Déjàvuisthefeelingthatyou’veseenordonesomethingbefore.Déjàluisthefeelingthatyou’ve readsomethingbefore. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Toverbigerateistorepeatmeaninglesswordsandphrasescontinuallyorobsessively. 2.Somethingtenebrousisdark,gloomy,orobscure. 3.Youragnaterelativesareonyourfather’sside,throughthemalelineofdescent. 4.Toululatemeanstohowl,wail,screech,orshriek. 5.AzucchettoisaskullcapwornbyRomanCatholicclerics. 6.Pseudandryistheuseofamalepseudonymbyawoman.Pseudogynyistheuseofafemalepseudonymbyaman. 7.Acaesuraisabreak,pause,interruption,orhiatus. 8.Aphilodoxisapersoninlovewithhisorherownopinions. 9.Avaletudinarianisaweakorsicklyperson,aninvalidorhypochondriac. 10.Apotheosismeanstheelevationofahumanbeingtothelevelofagod;hence,elevationtoatranscendentpositionoraglorifiedexample orideal. LEVEL10 Word1:CHIAROS CURO (kee-AHR-uh-SKYUR-oh) Thedistributionandgradationsoflightandshadeinapictorialworkofart. Byderivationthenounchiaroscuromeansclear-dark,forthewordisacombinationoftheItalianchiaro, clear,bright(fromtheLatinclārus,clear,distinct),andoscuro,dark,obscure(fromtheLatinobscūrus, thesourceofobscure). Inthepictorialarts,chiaroscurorefersto“thegeneraldistributionoflightandshadeinapicture… thatis,thecombinedeffectofallitslights,shadows,andreflections,”saysTheCenturyDictionary.Any painting,drawing,photograph,orengravingthathasstrongcontrastsbetweenlightandshadowisastudy inchiaroscuro. Notsurprisingly,thisusefulwordpertainingtothevisualartshasbeenco-optedbyotherartforms. (To co-opt means to take over, appropriate, or to absorb, assimilate.) Movie reviews often refer to chiaroscuro lighting or the chiaroscuro of the cinematography. Music critics may refer to “chiaroscuro harmonies”ornotehow“thedisparitybetweenthedarkandlighttimbres”ofasinger’svoiceisakindof chiaroscuro.I’veevenseenatheaterreviewthatreferstotheplayers’“chiaroscuropersonas,”meaning the contrast between the bright and dark sides of their characters. Chiaroscuro can also be used of literatureinthisfigurativewaytosuggestthesymbolicstrugglebetweenlightanddarknessorgoodand evil. Word2:CONTEMN(kun-TEM) Totreatorregardwithcontempt;toscornordespise. Synonyms of the verb to contemn include to disdain, spurn, slight, shun, deride (word 2 of Level 3), disparage, and disrespect—which, as a verb meaning to have or show no respect for, is not slang, as manymistakenlysuppose,butisinfactquitereputableandquiteold,datingbacktothe17thcentury. Antonymsofcontemnincludetoadmire,praise,commend,extol(word26ofLevel2),laud,esteem, eulogize,andpanegyrize(PAN-i-juh-ryz). ContemncomesfromtheLatincontemnĕre,todespise,scorn,slight,thinkmeanlyof,alsothesource oftheEnglishnouncontempt.Takecarenottoconfusecontemnwiththeverbtocondemn,whichmeans todeclaretobewrongorevilortopronounceguiltyofacrime.Contemn,whichtheOEDcallschieflya literary word, appears several times in the Christian Bible; for example, Psalm 10, verse 13, asks, “WhereforedoththewickedcontemnGod?”meaning“WhydothewickedregardGodwithcontempt?” (Inthisarchaiccontextwhereforemeanswhy,asinShakespeare’s“Wherefore[why]artthouRomeo?”) Todespiseusuallyimpliesloathingordisgust,althoughitmayimplymerelystrongdislike.Toscorn andtodisdainimplyarrogantandcondescendingcontempt.Toshunandtospurnimplystrongrejection and avoidance of that which is disliked. To disparage implies belittling or discrediting that which is disliked, treating it as inferior. To contemn implies strong disapproval, a rejecting as unworthy of respect, and may be used either of people or of their actions: “The court struck down the state’s law disallowingsame-sexmarriage,contemningitasunconstitutionalandaviolationofthedefendants’civil rights.” Thenouniscontemner(kun-TEM-nur),onewhocontemns. Word3:APOLOGIA(AP-uh-LOH-jee-uh) Anapology;specifically,adefenseorjustificationofone’sbeliefs,ideas,oractions. ApologiacomesfromtheGreekapologia,aspeakingindefense,fromapo,from,andlogos,speech,the samesourceasthecommonEnglishwordapology. What’s the difference between an apology and an apologia? Both words may denote a defense or justification of one’s beliefs or actions, but an apology is usually spoken while an apologia is usually written,andonlythewordapologymaybeusedofanexpressionofregretorremorseforhavinginsulted orinjuredsomeoneelse. In his old age the ancient Greek philospher Socrates was brought before an Athenian court on the chargesofcorruptingthemindsoftheyoungandbelievinginhisowngodsratherthanthoseapprovedby the state. His defense before that court, known as the Apology, is perhaps the most famous of The DialoguesofPlato;init,Socratesgiveswhathewouldhavecalledanapologia,adetailedexplanation ofhiswayoflifeandajustificationofhisconvictions. ThemostfamousapologiainEnglishliteratureistheApologiaProVitaSua1—literallyadefenseof his life—by the Anglican theologian Cardinal John Henry Newman, who converted to Catholicism in 1845andpublishedhisapologia,hisreligiousautobiographyanddefenseofhisadoptedfaith,in1864. Word4:GORGONIZE(GOR-guh-nyz) “Tohaveaparalyzingorstupefyingeffecton”(AmericanHeritage). Synonymsoftheverbtogorgonizeincludetohypnotize,mesmerize,paralyze,petrify,andstupefy(word 30ofLevel3). In ancient Greek mythology, the Gorgons were three ugly and horrible sisters who had wings and claws and who were “so gruesome that all living creatures turned to stone at the sight of them,” says D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. “Long yellow fangs hung from their grinning mouths, on their heads grewwrithingsnakesinsteadofhair,andtheirneckswerecoveredwithscalesofbronze.” FromthesefearsomesisterscomestheEnglishverbtogorgonize,tohaveaparalyzingorstupefying effect,ortogazeatwiththelookofaGorgon,andsotopetrify,turntostone.InMaudandOtherPoems, publishedin1855,Alfred,LordTennysonwrote,“Andcurvingacontumeliouslip,/[He]Gorgonizedme fromheadtofoot/WithastonyBritishstare.”(Contumelious,pronouncedKAHN-t[y]oo-MEEL-ee-us, meanscontemptuous,insulting,andhumiliating.) Word5:S CHOLIA(SKOH-lee-uh) Explanatorynotesorcomments;annotations. Scholia,andthesingularscholium(SKOH-lee-um),anexplanatorynoteinatext,comefromtheGreek schólion,acomment. Annotationsandscholiaarebothexplanatorynotesorcomments;scholiaisthemorelearnedword and may refer specifically to scholarly notes or comments on passages in works written in Latin or ancientGreek. Footnotes are placed at the bottom of a page. Endnotes are placed at the end of a book or text. Marginalnotes,ormarginalia(MAHR-ji-NAYL-yuh),areplacedinthemarginsofatext.Agloss is a noteplacedeitherinthemarginorinthetextthatexplainsortranslatesanunusualorobscurewordor phrase. Annotations and scholia, explanatory notes or comments, may appear as footnotes, endnotes, or marginalia. Word6:CATHECT(kuh-THEKT) Toinvestmentaloremotionalenergyinanidea,object,orperson.2 Theverbtocathectisaback-formation—which,asyoulearnedindebride,word27ofLevel9,isa wordformedfromalongerwordbyremovingapartofit,usuallyasuffix.Inthiscasetheback-formation isfromcathexis(kuh-THEK-sis),theinvestingorconcentrationofmentaloremotionalenergyinanidea, object,orperson. Inabout1920pychoanalystsborrowedcathexisfromtheGreekkáthexis,akeeping,holding;itwas intendedasatranslationoftheGermanBesetzung,atakingpossessionof,atermusedbySigmundFreud ofthelibido(li-BEE-doh),thepsychicenergyderivedfromprimitiveinstinctssuchasself-preservation and sexual desire. According to Freud, if you are too deeply cathected—mentally and emotionally investedinsomething—youhaveapsychologicalcomplex. You can cathect, concentrate your emotional or mental energy on something, in good ways or bad. Creative people of all kinds cathect with their creations. A singer must cathect with the song, and a biographermustcathectwiththesubjectofthebiography.Andloverswhohavejustfalleninloveand are,aswesay,madabouteachother,arecathected.Butsuchanintenseinvestmentofpsychicenergycan sometimes lead to depression or deviant behavior, as when a cathected person stalks the object of his cathexisorisdrivenbyittocommitacrime. Take care not to confuse cathexis with catharsis (kuh-THAHR-sis). Both words come from psychiatry,butcatharsis,fromtheGreekkátharsis,acleansing,denotesthereleaseofemotionaltension orthepurgingoftheemotions:“JeremyhadaprofoundcatharsisthefirsttimeheheardBach’sGoldberg Variations.”Theadjectiveiscathartic. Word7:S ORTILEGE(SOR-ti-lij) Sorcery,magic;specifically,divinationconductedbydrawingorcastinglots. Divination is the ancient practice of using magic or supernatural means to foretell future events or discoverthingsthatarehiddenorobscure.Perhapsthemostcommonformofdivinationispalm-reading, for which there are three words: palmistry (PAH-mis-tree), chiromancy (KY-ruh-MAN-see), and chirognomy(ky-RAHG-nuh-mee),inwhichthecombiningformchiro-meanshand.Almostascommonis cartomancy(KAHR-tuh-MAN-see),divinationwithplayingcards;tarot(TAR-oh)isonepopularformof cartomancy.Divinationbylookingintoacrystalballiscalledscrying,divinationbyinterpretingdreams is called oneiromancy (oh-NY-ruh-man-see), and divination by drawing or casting lots is called sortilege. If you’re wondering what a lot is, it’s “one of a set of objects, [such] as straws or pebbles, drawnorthrownfromacontainertodecideaquestionorchoicebychance”(RandomHouse). SortilegecomesfromtheLatinsortilegus,whichasanadjectivemeantprophetic,oracular,andasa nounmeantafortune-tellerorsoothsayer.TheLatinsortileguscomesinturnfromsors,sortis,alot,and theverblegere,togather,collect,ortoread,survey.Sortilege,whichdatesbacktothe14thcentury,has beenusedinterchangeablywithsorceryandmagic,butinpreciseusageitreferstodivinationbydrawing orcastinglots. Word8:TERPS ICHOREAN(TURP-si-kuh-REE-in) Oforpertainingtodancing.Also,adancer. Doyouremembersaltation,word30ofLevel7?Itmeanstheactofleaping,jumping,ordancing.The adjective saltatory (SAL-tuh-tor-ee) means pertaining to or adapted for saltation, and is an unusual synonymofterpsichorean. In ancient Greek mythology there were nine Muses who presided over literature, the arts, and the sciences.AllwerethedaughtersofZeus,thechiefgodoftheOlympians,andMnemosyne(nuh-MAH-sinee), the goddess of memory, from whom we get the adjective mnemonic (ni-MAH-nik), assisting or pertainingtothememory. Calliope (kuh-LY-uh-pee) was the leader of the nine Muses, and her specialty was heroic or epic poetry.Erato(ER-uh-toh)wastheMuseoflyricandlovepoetry;Euterpe(yoo-TUR-pee)wastheMuse ofmusic;Thalia(thuh-LY-uh)wastheMuseofcomedyandbucolic(byoo-KAH-lik,rural,rustic)poetry; Melpomene (mel-PAH-muh-nee) was the Muse of tragedy; Urania (yuu-RAY-nee-uh) was the Muse of astronomy;Clio(KLY-oh)wastheMuseofhistory;Polyhymnia(PAH-li-HIM-nee-uh)wastheMuseof hymnsandsacredlyrics;andTerpsichore(turp-SIK-uh-ree)wastheMuseofdance. Terpsichoreistheeponymoussourceofthewordterpsichorean,whichasanadjectivemeansofor pertainingtodancing,andasanounmeansadancer.TheTVprogramSoYouThinkYouCanDanceisa terpsichorean talent show. The choreographer Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away is a terpsichorean celebration of the music of Frank Sinatra. And the immensely talented terpsichoreans Fred Astaire and GingerRogerswereperhapsthegreatestterpsichoreanteamofalltime. Word9:ES PRITDEL’ES CALIER(e-SPREEduhles-kal-YAY) Theperfectresponseorremarkthatcomestomindlater,afterthechancetomakeithaspassed. Haven’tweallhadtheexperienceofthinkingofasnappycomebackorstingingriposte(word38ofLevel 6)whenit’swaytoolatetouseit?Andhaven’tyousometimeswonderediftherewasawordforthat? Well, now you know it: esprit de l’escalier, which English borrowed from French in the early 1900s, meansliterallythespiritofthestaircase—inotherwords,inspirationgaineduponascendingthestairsto retiretobed,longaftertheopportunityforaretorthaspassed.Whenyou’recominghomefromworkand youthinkofwhatyoucouldhavesaidtoyourcontemptibleboss,orwhenyou’recleaningupafterdinner and you suddenly know what you should have told your insufferable father-in-law, that’s esprit de l’escalier. Inrecentyears,twoEnglishequivalentsofthisFrench-derivedphrasehavebeenproposed:stairwit, almostaliteraltranslationoftheoriginal,andretrotort,ablendoftheprefixretro-,backwardorbehind, and retort. There is also the German Treppenwitz (TREP-en-vitz), a word on the fringe of becoming Englishwhoseconnotationsextendbeyondthespiritofthestaircase.InTheyHaveaWordforIt,Howard Rheingoldwritesthat“inadditiontoreferringtothekindofremarkthatoccurstoapersonwhenitistoo late,[Treppenwitz]alsoappliestoeventsthatappeartobetheresultofajokeplayedbyfateorhistory.” The French word esprit (e-SPREE) is also an English word meaning liveliness or vivacious wit: “The Howells always invited Marjorie to their Christmas party because everyone loved her infectious esprit.”Espritalsoappearsinbel-esprit(BEL-e-SPREE), a person of intelligence and wit, and in the phrase esprit de corps (e-SPREE duh KOR), the sense of unity and enthusiasm for a common cause amongthemembersofagroup. Word10:POPINJAY(PAHP-in-jay) Apersonwhoisvain,conceited,haughty,andfondofidle,pretentiouschatter. The noun popinjay, which almost always applies to men, comes from the Middle English papejay or papejai,whichmeantaparrot,andisrelatedtotheItalianandSpanishwordsforaparrot,pappagallo andpapagayo.WhenpopinjayenteredEnglishinthe14thcenturyitwasusedtomeanaparrotandalso anornamentalrepresentationofaparrot,asonatapestryorinheraldry.Themodernmeaningofpopinjay appearedintheearly16thcentury,probablyinfluenced,saystheOED,by“thebird’sgaudyplumageor itsmechanicalrepetitionofwordsandphrases.” Because of this psittacine derivation—psittacine (SIT-uh-syn, like sit a sign) means resembling or pertaining to parrots—the word popinjay, when properly used, always suggests two things about a person: exaggerated vanity and a fondness for empty, pretentious talk. Popinjays are overly concerned withtheirappearanceandhaveanexaggeratedsenseofself-importance.Theyoftenstrutandmince,walk or speak in an affected manner. In his 1819 novel Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott described a character as being“aspertandasproudasanypopinjay.”Lestyouthinkthisisthesortofwordthatonly19th-century novelistsuse,here’sacontemporarycitation:“CharlieChaplinenragedHitlerbyopenlysatirisinghimas aludicrouspopinjayinhis1940comedyTheGreatDictator”(IrishIndependent).Andhere’sonefrom J.K.Rowling’s2003novelHarryPotterandtheOrderofthePhoenix:“Hasitnotoccurredtoyou,my poorpuffed-uppopinjay,thattheremightbeanexcellentreasonwhytheHeadmasterofHogwartsisnot confidingeverytinydetailofhisplanstoyou?” Colorfulsynonymsofpopinjayincludefop,dandy,andcoxcomb(discussedunderepithet, word 37 of Level 1). Unusual synonyms of popinjay include the eponymous Beau Brummel (boh-BRUHM-ul), cockalorum(KAH-kuh-LOR-um),princox(PRIN-kahks),andprickmedainty(PRIK-mi-dayn-tee). ReviewQuizforKeywords1–10 Considerthefollowingquestionsanddecidewhetherthecorrectanswerisyesorno.Answers appear here. 1.Doeschiaroscurorefertothecontrastbetweencolorandshade? 2.Canyoucontemnsomeoneyoudislikeordisapproveof? 3.Isadefenseofone’sbeliefsoractionsanapologia? 4.Whenyougorgonize,doyouterrorizeordefeat? 5.Canscholiaappearasfootnotes,endnotes,ormarginalia? 6.Ifyouarecathected,areyouemotionallyalienated? 7.Issortilegeaformofdivination? 8.Issingingaterpsichoreanartform? 9.Isacrushingretortmadeonthespotanexampleofespritdel’escalier? 10.Areapopinjayandaparrotconnectedetymologically? DifficultDistinctions:CacheandCachet Thewordscacheandcachet,bothborrowingsfromFrench,shouldbecarefullydistinguishedinmeaning andpronunciation.Cache,pronouncedinonesyllablelikecash,denotesasecretstorageplaceor,more often, valuable items that are secretly stored, as a cache of weapons or the pirates’ buried cache. Cachet,pronouncedintwosyllables,ka-SHAY(rhymeswithparfait),originallymeantanofficialletter or seal but in modern usage has come to mean a mark of distinction or prestige: “No honor has more cachetthantheNobelPrize”;“Whenthestorestoppedcateringtothewealthy,itlostitscachet.” DifficultDistinctions:PurposelyandPurposefully Whenyoudosomethingpurposely,youdoitonpurpose,intentionally:“Heflirtedwithherpurposely”; “Shepurposelyneglectedtotellhimabouttheincident.”Whenyoudosomethingpurposefully,youdoit withdeterminationtoaccomplishanobjective:“Hestrodepurposefullyacrosstheroomtoconfrontthe loudmouthedbully.” The common mistake is to use purposefully, meaning with a specific purpose in mind, with determination,whenwhatismeantispurposely,intentionally:“Amemorialbearshisnameandthenames ofthe39othersonslabsofpurposefully[purposely]unfinishedstone”(SanFranciscoChronicle). Word11:CATACHRES IS (KAT-uh-KREE-sis) Misuseofonewordforanother,orusingthewrongwordforthecontext. ThenouncatachresiscomesfromancientGreek,whereitmeantthemisuseormisapplicationofaword. In general, catachresis denotes any misuse or abuse of words, such as using reticent (which means reluctanttospeak)tomeanreluctant,orconfusingsupine(whichmeanslyingfaceup)withprone(which meanslyingfacedown).Inrhetoric,thestudyofeffectivewritingandspeaking,catachresisdenotesany strained or farfetched usage, such as the wresting of a word from its common meaning or a mixed metaphor. Shakespeare’s Hamlet has two well-known rhetorical catachreses (KAT-uh-KREE-seez): “I willspeakdaggerstoher”and“Totakearmsagainstaseaoftroubles.” Englishhasseveralwordsforvariousslipsandblundersofusage,includinggaffe(word27ofLevel 2),parapraxis(word23ofLevel9),solecism,malapropism,mondegreen,andspoonerism. Solecism (SAH-luh-siz’m) comes from the inhabitants of Soloi, an ancient Greek colony in Cilicia (si-LISH-uh), Asia Minor, whose citizens were infamous for their horrible habits of speech. In modern usageasolecismiseitheragrossgrammaticalerrororasocialimpropriety(word10ofLevel3),suchas spittingorbelchinginpublic. Thewordmalapropism(MAL-uh-prahp-iz’m)comesfromMrs.Malaprop,thenameofacharacterin RichardBrinsleySheridan’splayTheRivals,publishedin1775.Intheplay,Mrs.Malaprop,whosename wascreatedfromtheFrenchloanwordmalapropos(MAL-ap-ruh-POH),inappropriateoroutofplace, hasaludicroushabitofconfusingwordsthataresimilarinsound,usuallysubstitutingadifficultwordfor amorecommononeinanattempttosoundeducated. The word mondegreen (MAHN-duh-green) was coined in 1954 by journalist Sylvia Wright for the phenomenon of inadvertently transposing what you hear into different words, as when we mishear a patchyfogasApachefogorforallintentsandpurposesasforallintensivepurposes.Wrightcameup with mondegreen for this because she remembered as a child mishearing the lyric of an old Scottish ballad,“TheyhaeslaintheEarlo’Morey/Andlaidhimonthegreen”as“TheyhaeslaintheEarlo’ Morey/AndLadyMondegreen.” Finally,aspoonerismisaspecialtypeofspokenblunderthattakesitsnamefromWilliamArchibald Spooner (1844–1930), an Anglican clergyman and warden of New College, Oxford. Also called a transpositionpun,aspoonerismisareversaloftheinitiallettersorsyllablesoftwoormorewordsthat createsanonsensicalphrasethatseemstomakesense:forexample,ablushingcrowforacrushingblow, awell-boiledicicleforawell-oiledbicycle,andahalf-warmedfishforahalf-formedwish. Word12:ETIOLOGY(EE-tee-AHL-uh-jee) Thestudyofcausesororigins,orthecauseofsomething;specificallyinmedicine,thestudyofthecausesororiginsofdiseases,orthecause ororiginofadisease. Etiology, which entered English in the mid-1500s, comes from the Greek aitiología, determining the cause of something, from aitía, cause, and -logia, science or study. Etiology is most often used in medicinetomeaneitherthestudyofthecausesororiginsofdiseases,or,moreoften,thecauseororigin of a disease or disorder, as the etiology of cancer, or the etiology of schizophrenia: “The underlying etiology for autism remains unknown, although genetic and environmental factors … are thought to be involved” (www.medscape.com). Etiology may also be used to mean the study of causes or origins in general, or it may mean the specific cause of something: “The etiology of the persistent gender gap in physicianearningsisunknownandmeritsfurtherconsideration”(www.scienceblog.com). Word13:DEMIMONDE(DEM-ee-MAHND) Aclassofwomenwholiveonthefringesofrespectablesocietybecauseoftheirindiscreetbehaviorandsexualpromiscuity,andwhoare oftensupportedbywealthylovers.Hence,byextension,anygroupwhosesocialrespectabilityormoralityisquestionableandwhosesuccess orstatusismarginal. Thenoundemimondemeansliterallyhalf-world,forthecombiningformdemi-meanshalf,asindemigod anddemilune(DEM-i-loon),acrescentorhalf-moonshape,andtheFrenchmondemeansworld,coming fromtheLatinmundus,theworld,thesourceoftheEnglishadjectivemundane,oftheworld,temporal, materialasopposedtospiritual,asmundaneaffairs. WhendemimondeenteredEnglishfromFrenchinthemid-1800sitwasusedofwomen“ofdoubtful reputation and social standing” (OED) who lived on the fringes of respectable society, often as the mistresses and kept women of wealthy lovers. Over time the scope of the word’s meaning widened as demimondecametobeusedofanygroupthatoperatesonthefringesofsocietyorthatseemstoinhabitits ownworld,oftenamorallyquestionableone. Contemporarywritersrefertothedrug-addleddemimondeofNewYorkCity’snightclubsceneinthe 1980s,tothedemimondeofstripshowsandtattooparlorsinacity’sred-lightdistrict,ortothelawless, violent demimonde of organized crime. And the so-called noir (NWAHR) fiction of writers such as RaymondChandler(1888–1959)depictsademimondeofcynical,hard-boileddetectiveswhoscourthe underbellyofsocietytouncoverthesleazydealingsofvariouslouche(word46ofLevel8)characters. Word14:NUMINOUS (N[Y]OO-mi-nus) Magical,supernatural,mysterious;inspiringaweandreverence,especiallyinaspiritualordivineway. TheEnglishnounnumen(N[Y]OO-men)comesdirectlyfromtheLatinnūmen,whichinoneofitssenses meantdivinewillorcommand;inEnglishnumenmeansadivinepowerorspiritualforce,especiallyone connectedwithaparticularobjectorplace.Theadjectivenuminous,fromthesameLatinsource,means oforpertainingtoanumen,hencesupernaturalormysteriousinaspiritualortranscendentway:“Forthe restofherlife,Nancyfondlyrememberedherbelovedgrandfather’sfarmasthenuminousplacewhere shespentsomanyblissfulsummersasachild.” The phrase the numinous suggests the awe-inspiring feelings or characteristics associated with religiousfaithandisroughlyequivalenttothedivineortheholy.Butthewordnuminousbyitselfdoes notalwaysimplydivineinspiration;oftenitsuggestsamysterious,magicalqualityorexperiencethatis spiritually uplifting or sublime, as a numinous performance, numinous inspiration, or the lambent, numinousmoon.(Lambentisword35ofLevel7.) Word15:LEXIPHANIC(LEK-si-FAN-ik) Using,orfullof,pompous,pretentiouswords. Perhaps you’re thinking, at this point in Level 10, that Word Workout is becoming lexiphanic, full of inflated,overblownwords.Indeeditis,andthatisthejoyofcomingtotheendofthisverballyintensive program,forinthisandthepreviouslevelIhavebeensharingwithyousomeofthebrightestgemsinthe bejeweledcrownofthelanguage. The adjective lexiphanic comes from the Greek lexis, a word or phrase, and the verb phainein, to show.ThisGreeklexisisalsothesourceoflexicology,thestudyofthemeaninganduseofwords,and lexicography, the compiling of dictionaries or the principles of writing them. Lexiphanic writing or speech is typically hard to understand because it is grandiloquent (gran-DIL-uh-kwint), full of grand, lofty,high-flownwords. The noun lexiphanicism (LEK-si-FAN-i-siz’m) means showing off with words. And a lexiphanes (lek-SIF-uh-neez)isapersonwhousesbigorobscurewordsasawayofshowingoff. Word16:BRACHIATE(BRAY-kee-ayt) Tomovebyswingingbythearmsfrombranchtobranch,likeanapeormonkey. The verb to brachiate and the noun brachiation (BRAY-kee-AY-shin), the act of swinging through the treeswiththegreatestofease,comefromtheLatinbrāc(c)hium,whichmeantanarmorthebranchofa tree.Brachiationisthegracefulmodeoflocomotionemployedbyapes,monkeys,andchildrenplayingon ajunglegym. Word17:QUIDNUNC(KWID-nuhngk) Anosy,inquisitivepersonwholikestogossipaboutthelatestnews;abusybody. Thenounquidnunc,whichenteredEnglishabout1700,isformedfromtheLatinwordsquid,what,and nunc,now.Thequidnuncasks“Whatnow?”becauseheorsheisabusybodywhoalwayswantstoknow thelatestgossip.Inhis1978novelChinaman’sChance,RossThomaswroteof“theborngossipmonger, thequidnuncwhowouldalmostratherdiethanbethelasttoknow.” The curious English language contains several interesting words for busybodies and other officious (uh-FISH-us)folks.(Officiousmeansmeddlesome,nosy,prying,especiallyinanoverbearingway.) A polypragmon (PAH-lee-PRAG-mun) is a compulsive meddler, someone who is compelled to interfereinothers’affairs.Ayenta(YEN-tuh),whichEnglishborrowedfromYiddish,isspecificallya female gossip, often a shrewish one. A badaud (ba-DOH), which comes from French, is “a credulous, gossiping simpleton,” says Webster 2, or, colloquially, a rubbernecker. And then there is the freshly minted scuttlebutthead, coined by the American journalist Paul Tough, which denotes a person whose chiefpleasureinlifeisbeingthefirsttotelleveryonethelatestnews,whetherit’sabreakingstoryinthe mediaorabrokenheartintheoffice.That’sanexactsynonymofourkeyword,quidnunc. Word18:CATECHUMEN(KAT-uh-KYOO-min) Apersonbeingtaughtthebasicsofasubject;specifically,someonewhoisbeingtaughtthebasicdoctrineoftheChristianchurch. Thenouncatechumendatesbacktothe14thcentury.ItcomesfromtheGreekkatēchoúmenos, literally one being taught orally, from katēcheîn, to teach orally. From the same source comes the verb to catechize(KAT-uh-kyz),toinstructorallybymeansofquestionsandanswers,andspecificallytoteach Christian doctrine in this way. Historically, a catechumen is either a convert to Christianity who is learning the basic doctrine of the church in preparation for baptism, or someone who is being taught Christian doctrine in preparation for the rite of confirmation. But in its extended, nonreligious sense, a catechumenisabeginner,someonelearningtheelementaryprinciplesorrudimentsofanysubject:“Any aspiringcookwouldjumpatthechancetobeacatechumeninagreatrestaurantwithacelebratedchef.” English has various words for different kinds of beginners. You’ve already met the abecedarian (word 35 of Level 8), a person who is learning the alphabet or the rudiments of something. A novice (NAHV-is)isaprobationarymemberofareligiouscommunityorsomeonenewtosomethingwhohasto learnthebasics.Aneophyte(NEE-uh-fyt)isapersonnewlyconvertedtoareligionordoctrine,hencea beginnerornovice.Byderivationatyro(TY-roh)isarecruitintheRomanarmy;inmodernusageatyro is a raw beginner, eager to learn but incompetent. Finally, the words tenderfoot and greenhorn denote peoplewholackexperienceandwhomayalsobenaiveaboutwhattheyaregettingthemselvesinto. Word19:S YBARITE(SIB-uh-ryt) “Apersondevotedtoluxuryandpleasure”(RandomHouse). Sybarite is a toponym (TAHP-uh-nim), a word formed from the name of a place, in this case Sybaris (SIB-uh-ris),anancientGreekcityinsouthernItalyrenownedforitswealthanditsinhabitants’devotion toluxuryandpleasure. “TheSybariteswerenotedamongtheGreeksfortheirloveofluxuryandsensuousness,andtosome extentfortheireffeminacyandwantonness,allqualitiesassociatedwiththewordsybaritetoday,”writes RobertHendricksoninTheFactsonFileEncyclopediaofWordandPhraseOrigins.“Thefertilelandof Sybaris…madeluxuriouslivingpossible,buttoomanypleasuresweakenedthepeople.Theneighboring Crotons…destroyedSybarisin510 B.C.,divertingtheriverCrathistocoveritsruins.Itissaidthatthe Sybariteshadtrainedtheirhorsestodancetopipesandthat[the]Crotonsplayedpipesastheymarched uponthem,creatingsuchdisorderamongtheirrivalsthattheyeasilywonthebattle.” In modern usage sybarite refers to anyone devoted to luxury or to sensual pleasure: “The selfindulgentanticsofHollywood’ssybaritesareaperennialtopicinthetabloidpress.”Therecentlycoined wordsfashionistaandfoodiedenotesybariteswhoderivepleasurefrom,respectively,fancyclothingand fine food. But sybarite may also refer to someone devoted to nonphysical luxury and pleasure, as a literarysybariteorasybariteofthecontemporaryartscene. Synonyms of sybarite include voluptuary (vuh-LUHP-choo-er-ee), sensualist, hedonist (HEE-duhnist),anddebauchee(discussedunderdebauch,word30ofLevel5).Theadjectiveissybaritic(SIB-uhRIT-ik). Sybaritism (SIB-ur-uh-tiz’m) denotes the habits or practices of a sybarite, a pleasure-loving person. Word20:QUIS LING(KWIZ-ling) Atraitor,collaborator;apersonwhobetrayshisorhercountrybycooperatingwithanenemyoranoccupyingforce. TheeponymousnounquislingcomesfromthenameVidkunQuisling(1887–1945),afascistNorwegian leader who helped Nazi Germany conquer Norway, then became the arrogant and brutal premier of his occupiedcountry.WhentheNazissurrenderedin1945,Quislingwasarrested,convictedoftreason,and shot.Histreacherouslegacyasapuppetoftheenemymadehisnamesynonymouswithtraitor. Other synonyms of quisling include turncoat, renegade, and apostate (uh-PAHS-tayt, discussed in apostasy,word12ofLevel9).OthereponymoussynonymsofquislingincludeJudas(orJudasIscariot) andBenedictArnold. The rare verb to quisle (KWIZ’l, rhymes with fizzle) means to act as a quisling, to betray one’s countrybyaidingandabettinganenemyoranoccupyingforce. ReviewQuizforKeywords11–20 Considerthefollowingstatementsanddecidewhethereachoneistrueorfalse.Answersappearhere. 1.Amispronouncedwordisacatachresis. 2.Etiologyisthestudyofthesymptomsofadiseaseorproblem. 3.Ademimondeisagroupthatoperatesonthefringesofsociety. 4.Anuminousexperienceisembarrassing. 5.Alexiphanicpersonlikestoshowoffwithwords. 6.Whenyoubrachiateyouwalkfromplacetoplace. 7.Aquidnuncismisanthropic. 8.Acatechumenhaslotsofexperience. 9.Thewordsybariteisatoponym. 10.Aquislingisafaithfulservant. OnceUponaWord:MenuEnglish Hadalookatarestaurantmenulately?Nodoubtyouhave,andperhaps,likeme,youcringed.Therethey were,alltheusualculinary(KYOO-li-NER-ee,notKUHL-)redundanciesandsolecisms,lookingupat youfromthelaminatedpagewithanilliteratesneerlikeahaughtywaiterata“bistrorestaurant,”whichis apompousredundancybecausethewordbistromeansasmall,informalrestaurant. No doubt there was the redundant steak with au jus (au means with), which you can enjoy after swillingapleonasticbowlofthesoupdujouroftheday(dujourmeansoftheday).Thentherewasthe penne pasta, instead of just the penne, because the menu writers have decided penne requires special clarificationaspasta.Buttheyarenotalone.Thesupermarketpeoplewhocomposethepeculiarlanguage onyourgroceryreceiptsalsoindulgeinpastapleonasm,givingusspaghettipasta,linguinepasta,andso on. Thissameredundantreasoningisatworkonthewordscampi,whichisinvariablybilledasshrimp scampi. But scampi is the plural of the Italian scampo, a kind of lobster, and in English scampi is a singularnounmeaningalargeshrimporadishoflargeshrimpsautéedingarlicandbutter. If you’re in the mood for a salad, you can order one with bleu cheese dressing, which uninspiring restaurants with Continental aspirations prefer to serve instead of the proper English blue cheese. You havetowonder,gazingdownatthecreamywhiteglopthatwilltravelimmediatelytoyourmidsectionand takeuplodging,howthecheesecomesintothekitchenbluebutgoesoutofitbleu.Itisatrès(nottrés) mysteriousfrenchification,perhapsinfluencedbyvealcordonbleu,inwhichcordonbleudoesnothave anythingtodowithcheesebutmeansafirst-ratecook. Finally, there’s the so-called restaurant apostrophe—the pluralizing apostrophe that appears on countless menus, which is often miswritten menu’s, even in the most chic (SHEEK) establishments. An Italian restaurant near me has some especially egregious (i-GREE-jus) specimens: pizza’s, pasta’s, appetizer’s,soup&salad’s,andlunchspecial’s.Youcanevenorderapizzawithsauteedonion’s.Thank goodnesstheplacedoesn’thaveaseparatekid’smenu,whichyou’llfindatscoresoffamilyrestaurants. Isthatamenuforjustonekid?Orisitakids’menu,oneforallthekidstheyserve? *** Nowlet’sreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabularyforanothertenkeyworddiscussions. Word21:CATHOLICON(kuh-THAHL-i-kun) Acure-all,universalremedy. Thewordpanacea(PAN-uh-SEE-uh)isaclosesynonymofcatholicon.PanaceacomesfromtheGreek pan-,all,asinpanorama,literallyaviewallaround,andakos,cure,andmeansacure-allforphysical ailmentsoranantidoteforworldlywoes. TheRomanCatholicChurchisso-calledbecauseitregardsitselfastheone,only,true,anduniversal church—with the emphasis on universal because catholic comes from the Greek katholikós, universal, general. When printed with a lowercase c, catholic means universal, comprehensive, broad in one’s sympathiesorinterests.Andcatholicity(KATH-uh-LIS-i-tee)isbroad-mindedness,tolerance,liberality intastesorviews. Our keyword, catholicon, also hails from the Greek katholikós, universal, general, and means a universal remedy, cure for all ills. The word may be used literally, as in this 1642 quotation from Sir ThomasBrowne’sReligioMedici:“Deathisthecureofalldiseases.ThereisnoCatholiconoruniversal remedy I know but this.” Or it may be used figuratively, as in this 1734 quotation from Robert North’s LifeofFrancisNorth:“He…madehisWitaCatholicon,orShield,tocoverallhisweakPlacesand Infirmities.”Andifyou’rereallyclever,youcanuseitbothliterallyandfiguratively,asBrettT.Robinson didwhenhewrote,atsalon.com,that“theiPhoneisacatholiconforsecuringinstantgratification.The ‘catholic’oruniversalappealoftheobjectisapointworthconsidering.” Word22:DIS CALCED(dis-KALST) Withoutshoes,barefoot,unshod. TheadjectivediscalcedcomesfromtheLatinprivativeprefixdis-,without,andcalceus,ashoe,which comesinturnfromcalx,calcis,theheel,thesourceoftheverbtoinculcate,discussedunderindoctrinate (word28ofLevel2). DiscalcedisthekindofwordthatnativespeakersofaRomancelanguagesuchasSpanishorItalian aremorelikelytounderstandthananativeEnglishspeaker.Why?BecausemostwordsintheRomance languages,bothcommonandliterary,comefromLatin,whileEnglishgetsitshardestwordsfromLatin and Greek and its simplest words mostly from Anglo-Saxon, which is derived from German. Thus, the commonSpanishdescalzoandthecommonItalianscalzobothmeanshoeless,barefoot,andcomefrom thesameLatinsourceasthedifficultEnglishworddiscalced. Historically,discalcedhasbeenusedofthemembersofcertainreligiousorders,suchasfriarsand nuns,whogoaboutwithoutshoesorwhowearsandals.Butthewordmayalsobeusedofanypersonwho is barefoot or temporarily unshod, as in these contemporary examples: “There were several pairs of shoes involved … which the otherwise discalced women had a hard time getting on and off” (Boston Globe); “Babies must be snatched from mothers, stinky feet must be discalced, nail files must be confiscated,andallyourpersonalbelongingsmustbestrewnabout”(TheHuffingtonPost). Theantonymofdiscalcediscalced(KALST),wearingshoes,shod. Word23:INCONDITE(in-KAHN-dit) Badlyconstructed,poorlyputtogether. Synonymsoftheadjectiveinconditeincludecrude,rough,unpolished,unrefined,ill-arranged,andillcomposed. Antonyms of incondite include elegant, refined, cultivated, genteel (jen-TEEL), polished, cultured,andurbane(ur-BAYN). Incondite, which entered English in the 16th century, comes from the Latin incondĭtus, disorderly, uncouth,fromin-,not,andtheverbcondĕre,toputtogether.Thusbyderivationinconditemeansnotput together,andthatisessentiallytheword’smodernmeaning:badlyconstructed,ill-composed,unpolished, unrefined. Youmayuseinconditeofanythingthatisroughorcrudeinform,thatlackspolishorrefinement,such asvulgarspeechorbehavior.Oryoumayuseincondite,asitisperhapsmostoftenused,ofliteraryor artisticworksthatarebadlyputtogether,thataredisordered,illogical,orstylisticallyinelegant.Thatis how the 19th-century Scottish historian and essayist Thomas Carlyle (kahr-LYL) used it in Sartor Resartus (1836) in his critique of the Koran, the sacred text of Islam, which he called “a wearisome confusedjumble,crude,incondite…statedinnosequence,method,orcoherence.” Word24:AFFLATUS (uh-FLAY-tus) Inspiration,especiallypoeticordivineinspiration. Afflatusmayseemlikeafunny-soundingworduntilyouknowitsetymology.ItenteredEnglishinthemid1600sfromtheLatinafflātus,abreathingon,thepastparticipleoftheverbafflāre,tobreatheorblow on,whichcomesfromad-,to,toward,andflāre,toblow.Fromthesamesourcecomethefamiliarverbs inflateanddeflate,aswellastheunusualnounflatus(FLAY-tus),intestinalgas.Unlikeflatus,thenoun afflatus is only used figuratively of the so-called breath of inspiration—a word that itself means a breathingin,fromtheLatinin-andspīrāre,tobreathe. The Latin phrase afflatus divinus means divine inspiration, and afflatus by itself often implies a divine communication of knowledge or the influence of a supernal (soo-PUR-nul) impulse or power. (Supernalmeanscomingfromonhigh,heavenly.)Afflatusalsosuggestspoeticorartisticinspiration,a strongcreativeimpulse,thekindthatis“animpellingmentalforceactingfromwithin”(RandomHouse). “Through me the afflatus surging and surging,” wrote the 19th-century American poet Walt Whitman in “SongofMyself”(1855). Theverbistoafflate(uh-FLAYT),literallytobloworbreatheon,hencetoinspire.Theadjectiveis afflated,inspired,asanafflatedstyleoranafflatedaudience.Andanafflationisaninstanceofdivine orpoeticinspiration. Word25:FLANEUR(fluh-NUR) Anidler,loafer,ordawdler. In the mid-1800s English borrowed the noun flaneur from French, where it means, as in English, a stroller,loafer,orlounger,andcomesinturnfromtheFrenchverbflâner,tostroll,saunter,loaforlounge about. By the 1870s English had also adopted the French noun flânerie (flahn-REE), which retains the little hat over the a—called a circumflex (SUR-kum-fleks)—and means loafing, dawdling, or idleness. “Theaimlessflânerie,”wrotetheAmericannovelistandcriticHenryJamesin1875,“whichleavesyou freetofollowcapriciouslyeveryhintofentertainment.” Common synonyms of flaneur include lounger, sluggard, trifler, ne’er-do-well, do-nothing, noaccount,andslacker,whichinitsmostrecentsense,datingfromthe1990s,denotesadisaffected,aimless youngpersonwholacksambition. Two unusual words for loafers and idlers are faineant (FAY-nee-int) and stalko (STAW-koh). Faineant,whichcomesfromaFrenchphrasemeaningtodonothing,maybeusedasanadjectivetomean lazy,good-for-nothing,orasanountomeanalazyperson,anidler.Webster2definesthewordstalko, which comes from Anglo-Irish dialect, as “an impecunious [IM-pe-KYOO-nee-us] idler posing as a gentleman.”(Impecuniousmeanspenniless,havinglittleornomoney.)TheearliestcitationintheOED, from1804,saysstalkorefersto“menwhohavenothingtodo,andnofortunetosupportthem,butwho stylethemselvesesquire.” Ourkeyword,flaneur,originallydenoted“aliterarytypefrom19th-centuryFrance,essentialtoany pictureofthestreetsofParis,”saysWikipedia.org.Theword“carriedasetofrichassociations:theman ofleisure…theurbanexplorer,theconnoisseurofthestreet.”Becauseofthishistory,inmodernusage flaneurdoesnotusuallysuggestthelazinessofthesluggard,theworthlessnessofthene’er-do-well,or thecynicalwork-shirkingoftheslacker,butratheragentlemanlykindofloaferwhosaunterswithidle curiosityfromplacetoplaceseekingpleasureandentertainment. Word26:QUOMODOCUNQUIZE(KWOH-muh-doh-KUHNG-kwyz) Tomakemoneyinanywaypossible. TheverbtoquomodocunquizeisderivedfromtheLatinquōmŏdŏcunque,avariantofquōmŏdŏcumque, inwhateverway,fromquōmŏdo,inwhatmanner,how. I’mtakingsomelibertiesincludingquomodocunquizeasakeywordbecause,strictlyspeaking,it’snot attestedinanydictionaries.TheOEDhasonecitation,fromSirThomasUrquhartin1652,forthepresent participle quomodocunquizing, which it labels obsolete: “Those quomodocunquizing clusterfists and rapacious varlets.” (Clusterfist, another extremely rare word, means a miser, skinflint, penny-pincher. Rapaciousisword10ofLevel2.Avarletisaknave,rascal,orscoundrel.) ButI’veneverbeenintimidatedbyso-calledobsoletewords;awordmaynolongerbeused,butthat doesn’t mean it’s no longer useful. My sentiments are with the eccentric American journalist Ambrose Bierce,authorofthesatiricDevil’sDictionary(1906),whodeclaredthat“ifitisagoodwordandhasno exactmodernequivalentequallygood,itisgoodenoughforthegoodwriter.” So I have taken the liberty of extrapolating3 the infinitive quomodocunquize from the participle quomodocunquizing because we sorely need a word for trying to make money by whatever means possible, and for whatever reason—hunger, desperation, ambition, or naked greed. Clearly quomodocunquize “has no exact modern equivalent equally good,” so I hope you’ll see fit to use this word when the proper occasion arises—perhaps when you next encounter some “clusterfists and rapaciousvarlets.” Word27:PAS QUINADE(PAS-kwi-NAYD) Asatire,especiallyaharshorabusiveone,directedagainstapersonandpostedinapublicplace. The words pasquinade and lampoon are close in meaning. Both are satires, pieces of writing that use ironyandsarcasmtoridiculeorscornapersonoraninstitution,ortoexposehumanstupidityorvice. And both are typically abusive and malicious in tone. But historically a lampoon is published in a traditional manner, for example as a pamphlet, handbill, or circular, while a pasquinade is posted in a publicplace,inthemannerofaposterorplacard(PLAK-urd).IntheageoftheInternetasatiricalposton Facebookoraninsultingtweetwouldqualifyasapasquinade. The first pasquinades “were hung upon an ancient statue unearthed in Rome in 1501, and reerected nearthePiazzaNavonabyCardinal[Oliviero]Caraffa,”writesRobertHendricksoninTheFactsonFile EncyclopediaofWordandPhraseOrigins. Themutilatedoldstatue…wasdubbedPasquino…probablybecauseitstoodoppositequarters whereasharp-witted,scandal-lovingoldmannamedPasquinohadlived.…Itbecamecustomary onSt.Mark’sDaytosaluteandmockinglyaskadvicefromthestatuenamedforthecausticold man,suchrequestsbeingpostedonthestatueafterawhile.ThesewrittenLatinversessoontook the form of barbed political, religious, and personal satires, often upon the Pope, which were called[inItalian]pasquinate.” Eventually,saystheOED,“thetermbegantobeapplied,notonlyinRome,butinothercountries,to satirical compositions and lampoons, political, ecclesiastical, or personal, the anonymous authors of whichoftenshelteredthemselvesundertheconventionalnameofPasquin.” Word28:XANTHIPPE(zan-TIP-ee) Anill-tempered,scolding,browbeatingwoman;ashrew. Xanthippeisaneponymousword,fromthenameofthewifeoftheancientGreekphilosopherSocrates. Legend has made Xanthippe the classic shrew—a quarrelsome, nagging woman—but the Columbia Encyclopediasays“thestorieshavelittlebasisinascertainablefact.”AlthoughSocrateswasabrilliant thinker and teacher, he was also a repugnant runt who was hardly God’s gift to woman. “Various historians,” notes Robert Hendrickson in his Dictionary of Eponyms, “argue that [Xanthippe] has been muchmaligned[word41ofLevel3],thatSocrateswassounconventionalastotaxthepatienceofany woman,asindeedwouldanymanconvincedthathehasareligiousmissiononearth.” Xanthippe may be the proverbial shrew, but her name is not the only word in the language for a shrewish woman. A vixen (VIK-sin) is a shrew who is not only irritable and quarrelsome but also schemingandmalicious.Avirago(vi-RAY-goh)isanill-tempered,scoldingwomanwhoisbigandloud; thewordhailsfromtheLatinvir,aman,thesourceofvirile,manly,becausethevirago’simposingsize and overbearing speech seem more male than female. A termagant (TUR-muh-gant, not -jant) is a “boisterous, brawling, or turbulent woman,” says The Century Dictionary, who doesn’t hesitate to use her fists as well as her tongue to make a point; termagant was first used as the name of a violent, overbearingcharacterrepresentingamythicalMuslimdeityinmoralityplaysoftheMiddleAges.Finally, aharridan,whichmaycomefromtheFrenchharidelle,anold,thinhorseoralarge,gauntwoman,isa vicious,disreputableoldshrew. Word29:POCOCURANTE(POH-koh-kyuu-RAN-tee) Careless,indifferent,nonchalant,apathetic. PococuranteenteredEnglishinthemid-1700sfromtheItalianpococurante,caringlittle.Thewordmay beanadjectivewithexactlythesamemeaningastheItalian,caringlittle,andsoindifferentorapathetic, as a pococurante manner or pococurante conversation. Or it may be a noun meaning a careless, indifferent,nonchalantperson,atrifler,asinthis1779quotationfromthediaryofHesterLynchThrale,a closefriendofSamuelJohnson:“HeseemstohavenoAffections,andthatwon’tdowithme—Ifeelgreat DiscomfortintheSocietyofaPococurante.” In Candide, the celebrated satirical novel published in 1759 by the French philosopher Voltaire (1694–1778), the naively optimistic Candide travels with a companion to the opulent palace of Count Pococurante,who,truetohisname,“receivedthetwotravelersquitepolitely,butwithoutmuchwarmth.” TheCountproceedstoshowthemwhatawetblanketheis(awetblanketisapersonwhotakesallthe pleasure or excitement out of something) by nonchalantly dismissing everything that Candide finds interesting. He says he is bored with attractive women, that he no longer bothers to look at the rare paintingsinhiscollection,thatheisunmovedbybeautifulmusic,anddisdainfulofmostofthebooksin hislibrary.“IsaywhatIthink,”theCountdeclares,“andcarelittlewhetherothersagreewithme.” Did you notice that care little? That’s why he’s Count Pococurante, a man so indifferent to all the richesthatsurroundhimthathecanonlyfeelsuperiortoordisgustedwiththem.Inshort,theCounttakes pleasureinnotbeingpleased—andthat’safinemoderndefinitionofthewordpococurante. Word30:HOMUNCULUS (hoh-MUHNG-kyuh-lus) Alittlemanorhumanbeing;adiminutiveperson. Thepluralishomunculi(hoh-MUHNG-kyuh-ly). Homunculus comes from the Latin homunculus, a little man, the diminutive of homo, a man, as in homo sapiens, literally intelligent man, the scientific term for human beings. According to the 16thcenturySwissphysicianandalchemistParacelsus(PAR-uh-SEL-sus),ahomunculuswas“atinyhuman beingthatmaybeproduced…artificially,withoutanaturalmother,”asifinanalchemist’sflask,says TheCenturyDictionary.“Beingproducedbyart,itwassupposedthatartwasincarnateinitandthatit hadinnateknowledgeofsecretthings”ormagicalpowers.Fromthisfancifulnotionanevenmorefanciful notiondeveloped:thatahomunculuswasafullyformedbutminiaturehumanbeingsupposedtobepresent inthehumanspermcell.Laterwritersrejectedtheseideasandusedhomunculusinitsetymologicalsense ofalittlemanorapersonwhoisverysmallbutotherwisenormallyproportioned. Familiar synonyms of homunculus include dwarf, pygmy, midget, runt, and shrimp. Less familiar synonymsofhomunculusincludeTomThumb, the diminutive hero of English folklore; manikin, a little man—as distinguished from mannequin, the dummy for displaying clothing; mite, which may denote a smallinsect,asmallcoin,asmallamountorbit,oratinycreature;andLilliputian (LIL-i-PYOO-shin), one of the diminutive inhabitants of the imaginary land of Lilliput in Jonathan Swift’s satirical novel Gulliver’sTravels,publishedin1726. Antonyms of homunculus include colossus (kuh-LAH-sus), titan, behemoth (word 37 of Level 3), andleviathan(discussedinbehemoth). ReviewQuizforKeywords21–30 Decideifthepairsofwordsbelowaresynonymsorantonyms.Answersappearhere. 1.Catholiconandpanaceaare…synonymsorantonyms? 2.Discalcedandunshodare… 3.Inconditeandrefinedare… 4.Inspirationandafflatusare… 5.Flaneurandsluggardare… 6.Philanthropizeandquomodocunquizeare… 7.Pasquinadeandeulogyare… 8.Xanthippeandshreware… 9.Passionateandpococuranteare… 10.Homunculusandbehemothare… OnceUponaWord:PardonMyFrench English has borrowed many words from French that end with -eur, including keyword 25 of this level, flaneur,anidler,loafer.InafewborrowingsthisFrenchsuffixcreatesanounforathingoraquality,as inliqueur(li-KUR,notli-KYOOR);hauteur(word7ofLevel7),arrogance,andfroideur(discussedin sangfroid,word1ofLevel9),coolaloofness;andpudeur (pyoo-DUR), modesty, especially regarding sex(fromtheLatinpudēre,tobeashamedortofillwithshame,thesourcealsooftheEnglishpudency,a fancysynonymofmodesty).ButinmostFrenchloanwordsthis-eurisasuffixthatcreatesanagentnoun, meaninganoundenotingapersonwhoperformsanaction. Someoftheseagentnounsendingin-eurarecommon:wordslikeamateur,chauffeur,entrepreneur (AHN-truh-pruh-NUR,not-NOO-ur,andnotetherintheantepenultimatesyllable),connoisseur (kahnuh-SUR),andrestaurateur4(RES-tuh-ruh-TUR)arepartofeverydaydiscourse. Someofthemarelessfamiliar,likemasseur(ma-SUR),amanwhogivesmassages;coiffeur(kwahFUR), a male hairdresser—not to be confused with coiffure (kwah-FYUR), a hairstyle; voyeur (voyYUR), a person who gets sexual gratification from spying on other people, a peeping Tom; litterateur (LIT-ur-uh-TUR),aliterarypersonorprofessionalwriter;andagentprovocateur(AY-jintorA-zhah(n) pruh-VAHK-uh-TUR),apersonhiredtosecretlyinfiltrateanorganizationandinciteitsmemberstosome illegalaction. Thentherearesomeunusualagentnounsendingin-eur,knownonlytoconnoisseursofsuchverbal delights.Herearesomeofthem: An accoucheur (a-koo-SHUR) is an obstetrician or a person who assists in childbirth, from the French couche, a bed, couch. A carillonneur (KAR-uh-luh-NUR) is a person who plays a carillon (KAR-uh-lahn), a set of stationary bells usually placed in a tower. A colporteur (KAHL-por-tur) is a peddler of Bibles and religious books. A danseur (dahn-SUR)—a word you met in the discussion of companion words in Level 9—is a male ballet dancer. A farceur (fahr-SUR), from the same source as farce, is a joker, wag, or humorist. A friseur (free-ZUR), from friser, to curl, frizz, or wave, is a rare word for a hairdresser. A jongleur (zhaw(n)-GLUR) is an itinerant minstrel or juggler. A persifleur (PUR-si-flur) is the agent noun corresponding to the noun persiflage (PUR-si-flahzh), good-humored banterorjesting.Arapporteur(ra-por-TUR)isafancywordforapersonwhogivesreports.Andfinally, asiffleur(see-FLUR)—oneofmyfavoritewords—isaprofessionalwhistler. *** Nowlet’sleaveLaBelleFranceandreturntotheWordWorkoutvocabulary. Word31:MORGANATIC(MOR-guh-NAT-ik) Oforpertainingtoamarriagebetweenapersonofhighrankorsocialstandingandapersonofalowerrankorsocialstanding. Historically, the adjective morganatic refers to a marriage between a member of the nobility and a commonerinwhichthearistocrat’stitlesandpropertycannotbeinheritedbytheignoblespouseorthe half-noble, half-common offspring. This explains the word’s derivation, from the New Latin phrase matrimonium ad morganaticam, literally marriage with a morning gift, meaning that the wife and any children she may bear are not entitled to any share of what the husband owns beyond the traditional morninggift,thepropertythehusbandgivesthewifethemorningaftertheirmarriage. Althoughhistoricallymorganaticreferstoamanofhighrankmarryingawomanoflowerrank,the wordhasoccasionallyalsobeenusedofamarriagebetweenahigh-rankingwomanandalow-ranking man. In modern usage morganatic could aptly refer to any intimate relationship, married or otherwise, betweenpeopleofmarkedlydifferentsocialstatus.Forexample,whensomeWallStreetMasterofthe Universe ditches his long-suffering wife and shacks up with the housekeeper, or when a wealthy older womanhasanaffairwithanimpecuniousyoungman,that’smorganatic. The noun hypergamy (hy-PUR-guh-mee), from hyper, over, above, and the combining form -gamy, which means marriage or union, denotes a marriage with someone above your social station. Colloquially,hypergamyiscalled“marryingup.” Word32:PARALEIPS IS (PAR-uh-LYP-sis) Inrhetoric,thetechniqueofdrawingattentiontosomethingwhileclaimingtosaylittleornothingaboutit. Paraleipsis—which,sinceenteringEnglishabout1550,hasalsobeenspelledparalepsisandparalipsis —comesfromtheGreekparáleipsis,anomitting,passingover,fromparáleipein,toleaveononeside, omit.Byderivation,paraleipsisisanintentionalpassingoversoastodrawattentiontothatwhichhas onlybeentoucheduponoromitted. Garner’sModernAmericanUsagedefinesparaleipsis,whichisalsoknowninrhetoricasoccupatio (AHK-yuh-PAY-shee-oh), as “a brief reference to something done in such a way as to emphasize the suggestivenessofthethingomitted.”Garneroffersthisexample:“I’lljustmentionafewoftheoutrages committed by the Spanish Inquisition.” And Webster 2 offers this example: “I confine to this page the volumeofhistreacheriesanddebaucheries.”(Theverbtodebauchisword30ofLevel5.) InhisHandlistofRhetoricalTerms,RichardA.Lanhamsaysthatparaleipsis,oroccupatio, occurs when “a speaker emphasizes something by pointedly seeming to pass over it,” as when someone introducesaspeakerbysaying,“IwillnotdwellhereonthetwentybooksandthethirtyarticlesProfessor X has written, nor his forty years as Dean, nor his many illustrious [i-LUHS-tree-us, well known and respected,distinguished]pupils,butonlysay…”Setphrasesinthelanguageassociatedwithparaleipsis includetosaynothingof,nottomention,anditgoeswithoutsaying. The related rhetorical term preterition (PRET-ur-ISH-in) might be defined in colloquial terms as “saying you’re not going to say something and then saying it anyway.” Preterition is commonly used in debating,andespeciallyinpoliticalwrangling,aswhenacandidatesays,“I’mnotheretotalkaboutmy opponent’s reprehensible voting record and failed policies. I’m here to explain my position on the issues.” Word33:MUMPS IMUS (MUHMP-si-mus) Someonewhoobstinatelyclingstoanerror,badhabit,orprejudice,evenafterthefoiblehasbeenexposedandthepersonhumiliated.Also,any error,badhabit,orprejudiceobstinatelyclungto,especiallyoneinspeechorlanguage. Mumpsimus has its obstinate roots in a 16th-century story of “an ignorant priest,” says The Century Dictionary,“whoinsayinghismasshadlongsaidmumpsimusforsumpsimus,andwho,whenhiserror was pointed out, replied, ‘I am not going to change my old mumpsimus for your new sumpsimus.’ The storyevidentlyreferstothepost-communionprayer‘Quodinoresumpsimus.’” MarkTwainoncesaid,“Youcanstraightenaworm,butthecrookisinhimandonlywaiting.”That worm with the crook in him is a mumpsimus, a person who stubbornly adheres to an erroneous or outmodedwayofdoingsomethingdespiteallevidencethatitisstupidorwrong.Haven’ttherebeena fewtimesinyourlifewhenyouthoughtaparent,teacher,orsomeoneelseinauthoritywasamumpsimus? Amumpsimusmaybeapersonwhoclingstoanerror,badhabit,orprejudiceortheerror,badhabit, or prejudice itself. In Fifteen Chapters of Autobiography, the British writer and Liberal politician GeorgeWilliamErskineRussell5(1853–1919)wrote,“TheLiberalPartystillclungtoitsmiserableold mumpsimus of laissez-faire [word 26 of Level 5], and steadily refused to learn the new and nobler languageofSocialService.” Word34:BIBLIOPHAGIC(BIB-lee-uh-FAJ-ik) Book-devouring. The adjective bibliophagic and the noun bibliophage (BIB-lee-uh-fayj), a person who devours books, comefromtheGreekbiblios,abook,andphagein,toeat,devour.ThisGreekphagein also appears in sarcophagus,whichbyderivationmeansflesh-devouring,andonychophagy(word39ofLevel9),nailbiting. Takeapeeksometimeinanunabridgeddictionaryandyou’llbesurprised,andIhopedelighted,to find all sorts of interesting words that begin with the combining form biblio-, book. After the familiar bibliography and its derivatives, can you think of any other words that begin with biblio-? Perhaps bibliophile,aloverofbooks? Abibliophilehastowatchoutforthreebadbiblios:thebibliophobe,thepersonwhofearsbooksor what’sinthem;thebiblioklept,thebookthief;andthebiblioclast,themutilatorordestroyerofbooks.A bibliophile who needs more books can visit a bibliopolist (BIB-lee-AH-puh-list), a bookseller, or consult a bibliothecary (BIB-lee-AH-thuh-ker-ee), the keeper of a library, a blend of biblio- and apothecary(uh-PAH-thuh-ker-ee),anarchaicwordforapharmacist. Finally, a bibliophile who gets devoured by books can become a bibliomaniac, someone who is obsessedwithbooks,orevenworse,abibliolater(BIB-lee-AHL-i-tur),someonewhoworshipsbooks. And all those insatiably bibliophagic—those incessantly book-devouring—bibliomaniacs and bibliolaters belong to a hyperliterate class that the 20th-century American journalist H. L. Mencken dubbedthebibliobibuli(BIB-lee-oh-BIB-yuh-ly),meaningpeoplewhoreadtoomuch. Word35:CORYBANTIC(KOR-i-BAN-tik) Wild,frenzied,frantic,unrestrained. TheadjectivecorybanticisaneponymouswordformedfromthepropernounCorybant (KOR-i-bant), with a capital C. The plural is Corybantes (KOR-i-BAN-teez). The Corybantes were priests and attendants of the nature and mother goddess Cybele (SIB-uh-lee), who was worshiped by the ancient peoples of Asia Minor. Cybele’s rites were celebrated with wild music, wine, and ecstatic dancing, supposedly while Cybele “wandered by torchlight over the forest-clad mountains” (Webster 2). In pathology, corybantism (KOR-i-BAN-tiz’m) is a kind of frenzy or wild delirium in which the patient experienceshallucinations,usuallyfromlackofsleep. Corybantic,whichenteredEnglishinthe1600s,meanslikeacorybant,arecklessrevelerorfrantic devotee (word 14 of Level 1), hence wild, frenzied, madly agitated. In modern usage corybantic may apply to dancing or to any sort of frantic, unrestrained behavior, especially wildly self-indulgent behavior, as the corybantic dancing in the mosh pit or her corybantic weekend partying with her friendsatthelake.Butthewordmayalsobeusedmoremildlyofanyintenseanduninhibitedfeelingor action,forexample,corybanticenthusiasmorcorybanticenergy. Synonyms of corybantic include agitated, frenetic, hectic, impassioned, delirious, moonstruck, crazed,overwrought,deranged,andunhinged.Antonymsofcorybanticincluderational, level-headed, sober,self-possessed,sedate(word9ofLevel3),subdued,andstaid. Word36:AUBADE(oh-BAHD) Asong,aninstrumentalcomposition,orapoemgreetingorannouncingthedawn,oralovesongsungintheearlymorning. InTalesofaWaysideInn,publishedin1863,theAmericanpoetHenryWadsworthLongfellowwrites, “Therehelingeredtillthecrowingcock…/Sanghisaubadewithlustyvoiceandclear.” ThenounaubadecomesthroughFrenchfromaPortuguesewordmeaningasongaboutthepartingof twoloversatdawn,andisrelatedultimatelytotheLatinalbus,white.Coincidentally,perhapsthemost famousaubadeofmoderntimesisofPortugueseprovenance(word25ofLevel5).“ManhãdeCarnaval” (MorningofCarnival),composedbyLuizBonfáwithlyricsbyAntônioMaria,isthethemesongofthe 1959movieOrfeuNegro(BlackOrpheus)bytheFrenchdirectorMarcelCamus,whichiscreditedwith bringingtheSouthAmericansambaandtherelatedmusicalstylecalledbossanovatotheattentionofthe world. Aubade,asongannouncingthemorning,isthecompanionwordforserenade,amusicalperformance givenatnight,especiallyalovesong. Word37:LYCANTHROPY(ly-KAN-thruh-pee) Thedelusionthatoneisawolf,orthetransformationofahumanbeingintoawolf. ThenounlycanthropycomesfromtheGreeklykos,awolf,andánthrōpos,aman,humanbeing.Theword datesbacktothelate16thcentury,butthedelusionhasbeennotedsinceancienttimes.In1621,inThe Anatomy of Melancholy, the British clergyman and scholar Robert Burton (1577–1640) wrote, “Lycanthropia…orWoolfemadnesse,whenmenrunnehowlingaboutgravesandfieldsinthenight,and willnotbepersuadedbutthattheyareWolves,orsomesuchbeasts.”Alycanthrope(LY-kun-throhp)isa personaffectedwithlycanthropy—inotherwords,eitheraweirdooranactualwerewolf. Englishhasnumerouswordsforthedelusionthatoneisaparticularkindofanimal.Allcombinethe Greekwordfortheanimalinquestionwiththesuffix-anthropy,frománthrōpos,aman,humanbeing.To beginwith,zoanthropy(zoh-AN-thruh-pee),fromtheGreekzôion,ananimal,isthedelusionthatyou’re somekindofanimal.Cynanthropy(si-NAN-thruh-pee),fromtheGreekkynos,adog,isthedelusionthat one is a dog. Galeanthropy (GAL-ee-AN-thruh-pee), from a Greek word that was applied to various animals,isthedelusionthatoneisacat.Andboanthropy(boh-AN-thruh-pee),fromtheGreekbous, an ox,isthedelusionthatoneisanox. Word38:NULLIPARA(nuh-LIP-ur-uh) Awomanwhohasneverborneachild. Nulliparaischieflyamedicalterm,formedfromtheLatinnullus,none,notany,andthecombiningformparous,bearing,producing,whichcomesfromtheLatinparere,togivebirth,bringforth.Inmedicine,a nulliparaisawoman(orrarely,afemaleanimal)whohasnevergivenbirthtoachild.Aprimipara(pryMIP-uh-ruh),fromtheLatinprīmus,first,isawomanwhohasborneonechildorwhoisgivingbirthtoa firstchild.Andamultipara(muhl-TIP-uh-ruh),beginningwithmulti-,many,isawomanwhohasborne morethanonechild.ThepluralsofthesenounsfollowtheLatin:nulliparae,primiparae,andmultiparae, inwhichthefinalsyllableisproperlypronounced-ree.Theadjectivesarenulliparous,primiparous,and multiparous. Word39:WELTS CHMERZ(VELT-shmairts) Sentimentalsadness;world-wearymelancholy. Webster’sNewWorldCollegeDictionarydefinesweltschmerzas“sentimentalpessimismormelancholy overthestateoftheworld.”AndtheAmericanHeritageDictionarydefinesitas“sadnessovertheevils of the world, especially as an expression of romantic pessimism.” Why is the world part of these definitions? Because weltschmerz, which English borrowed from German in the mid-1800s, means literallyworld-pain,foritisacombinationoftheGermanWelt,world,andSchmerz,pain. Merriam-Webster’sEncyclopediaofLiteratureexplainsthatweltschmerzis“afeelingofmelancholy andpessimismorofvagueyearninganddiscontentcausedbycomparisonoftheactualstateoftheworld withanidealstate.Thetermhasbeenusedinreferencetoindividualsaswellastotheprevailingmood of a whole generation or specific group of people. It is particularly associated with the poets of the romantic era who refused or were unable to adjust to those realities of the world that they saw as destructiveoftheirrighttopersonalfreedom.” WhenIthinkofweltschmerzI’mremindedofoneofthefunniestbutalsomostmelancholyofMark Twain’smanyepigrams:“Manwasmadeattheendoftheweek’swork,whenGodwastired.” Weltschmerz is still often printed in the customary German way, with a capital W, and it still sometimesappearsinitalicstoindicatethatitisforeign.ButthewordhasbeenEnglishfor150years, enoughtimeforittobetreatedlikeanormalEnglishnounandprintedinlowercaseromantype. Word40:NOETIC(noh-ET-ik) Of,pertainingto,originatingin,orapprehendedbythemindortheintellect. Synonymsofnoeticincludeintellectual,rational,andcognitive. TheadjectivenoeticcomesfromtheGreeknoētikós,intellectual,whichcomesinturnfromnoein,to think,andnous,themind.Thenounisnoesis(noh-EE-sis),whichinancientGreekphilosophymeantthe exerciseofreasonandwhichinmodernpsychologymeansintellectualfunction,cognition. Thehumanfacultyofreasonisnoetic,asisthehumanimagination.Readingisanoeticactivity.And whenagreatideacomestoyouseeminglyoutofnowhere,that’snoeticinspiration. ReviewQuizforKeywords31–40 Inthisquizthereviewwordisfollowedbythreewordsorphrases,andyoumustdecidewhichcomes nearestthemeaningofthereviewword.Answersappearhere. 1.Morganaticmeansmarryingasocialequal,marryingasocialinferior,marryingasocialsuperior. 2.Paraleipsisisawayofsuggestingmuchbysayinglittle,awayofinsultingsomeonewithaveiledcompliment,awayofsayingnoby sayingyes. 3.Amumpsimusisapersonwhorefusestolisten,apersonwhorefusestoagree,apersonwhorefusestochange. 4.Bibliophagicmeansbook-loving,book-devouring,book-destroying. 5.Corybanticmeanseven-tempered,unswervinglyloyal,frenzied. 6.Anaubadeisasongorpoemgreetingthedawn,anodetonature,avictorydance. 7.Lycanthropyisthetransformationofleadintogold,thedelusionthatoneisawolf,thefulfillmentofawish. 8.Anulliparaisawomanwhohasnevergivenbirth,awomanwhohasgivenbirthtoonechild,awomanwhohasbornemanychildren. 9.Weltschmerzisworld-wearymelancholy,personalfreedom,aloveofwordplay. 10.Noeticmeansmoral,physical,intellectual. OnceUponaWord:GermanLoanwords MarkTwain,America’sgreatesthumorist,wasnofanofGerman.TwaintraveledinGermanyandlived thereforatime,andthelanguageneverceasedtocausehimtroubleandconsternation.Thisheassuaged (uh-SWAYJD) in his usual manner: by poking fun at it. He wrote satirical essays with titles like “The Awful German Language” and “The Horrors of the German Language,” and he littered his books with withering gibes (JYBZ) about its confounding (word 34 of Level 2) grammar, tortured syntax, and ridiculously bloated words. (A gibe is a taunting or derisive remark or joke.) “Whenever the literary Germandivesintoasentence,”hewroteinAConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur’sCourt,“thatisthelast youaregoingtoseeofhimtillheemergesontheothersideofhisAtlanticwithhisverbinhismouth.” PerhapsmyfavoriteofTwain’smanyassaultsonGermanisthisquipfromhisnotebook:“July1—In the hospital yesterday, a word of thirteen syllables was successfully removed from a patient, a NorthGermanfromHamburg.” It’s true that German words can be impressively long, not to mention tricky to pronounce, but the voracious (word 7 of Level 1) English language has proved hospitable to many German borrowings. You’vealreadymetseveralofthem:zeitgeistisword16ofLevel7;schadenfreudeisword19ofLevel 8;doppelgängerisword43ofLevel8;Treppenwitzisdiscussedinespritdel’escalier,word9ofthis level;andyoujustgotacquaintedwithweltschmerz,word39ofthislevel.Andnow,quickerthanyoucan saygesundheit(guh-ZUUNT-hyt),literallyhealth,toapersonwhohasjustsneezed,herearesomeother interestingandusefulwordsthatEnglishhasborrowedfromGerman. Schmaltz (SHMAHLTZ), which is both German and Yiddish, means literally melted poultry fat; hence, by extension, schmaltz is excessive sentimentality, maudlin (word 13 of Level 4) emotion, especiallyinmusicorwriting. Verboten (vur-BOHT’n), which entered English about 1912, means forbidden, prohibited, as a verbotensubject. SturmundDrang(SHTURMuuntDRAHNG),whichmeansliterallystormandstress,wasthename of a German romantic literary movement of the late 18th century but is more commonly used today to meanturmoil,upheaval,orstruggle:“Exhaustedfromyetanotherbitterconfrontationwithherhusband, Elenawasn’tsurehowmuchlongershecouldenduretheSturmundDrangoftheirmarriage.” Gemütlich(guh-MOOT-likhor-lik),amostagreeableword,enteredEnglishinthe1850sandmeans agreeably pleasant or friendly, warm and congenial: “Josie and Carl’s dinner parties always featured goodfood,stimulatingconversation,andagemütlichatmosphere.” Bildungsroman (BIL-duungz-roh-mahn) is a literary term for “a type of novel concerned with the education,development,andmaturingofayoungprotagonist”(RandomHouse);inshort,acoming-of-age story. Weltanschauung (VEL-tahn-SHOW-uung), which may be printed with a lowercase w, comes from Welt, world, and Anschauung, view, and means literally a worldview, specifically a comprehensive conceptofhumanity’sfunctionintheuniverse. Sprachgefühl(SHPRAHKH-guh-fuul)comesfromtheGermanSprache,speech,language.InEnglish sprachgefühlmeansasensitivitytolanguage,specificallyanintuitiveunderstandingofwhatisidiomatic orlinguisticallyappropriate. The marvelously ponderous (word 41 of Level 2) Schlimmbesserung (shlim-BES-uh-ruung) is still not in dictionaries, but I think you’ll agree that English sorely needs it. A Schlimmbesserung is a socalled improvement that makes things worse. “Is It Progress, or Just Schlimmbesserung?” asked the headline for an article in the Los Angeles Times Magazine published April 26, 1987, whose subhead proceededtodefinethisunusualword:“ManyPurportedImprovementsSeemtoDiminishtheQualityof ModernLife.” And finally, we have one of my all-time favorites: witzelsucht (VITS-ul-suukt or VIT-sel-zuukht) a feeble attempt at humor, from witzeln, to affect wit, and sucht, mania. Specifically, says Stedman’s MedicalDictionary,witzelsuchtdenotes“amorbidtendencytopun,makepoorjokes,andtellpointless stories,whilebeingoneselfinordinatelyentertainedthereby.”Yourlanguagemavenpleadsguiltyonall counts. *** Now,herearethefinaltenkeyworddiscussionsinWordWorkout: Word41:QUIDDITY(KWID-i-tee) Theessentialnatureoressenceofapersonorthing. The noun quiddity, which dates back to the 14th century, comes from the Middle Latin quidditās, whatness, so by derivation quiddity is that which makes a thing what it is. The word is associated historicallywiththeChristiantheologian-philosophersoftheMiddleAges,beginningwithSt.Anselmin the11thcentury,whodevelopedasystemofthoughtknownasscholasticism,whichstrovetoreconcile faithandreason.“Forthegreatestofthescholastics,”saystheColumbiaEncyclopedia, “this meant the useofreasontodeepentheunderstandingofwhatisbelievedonfaithandultimatelytogivearational content to faith.” The scholastics continually sought rational answers to the questions “What is the quiddityoffaith?”and“WhatisthequiddityofGod?” Since the 17th century quiddity has been used less philosophically and more generally to mean the essential nature or essence of a person or thing, as in this 1828 citation from Thomas De Quincey in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine: “The quiddity … of poetry as distinguished from prose”; and this citationfromGeorgeBlake’s1935novelTheShipbuilders:“Hislipsandtongueweretremblingtoframe asentencethatwouldembodythequiddityofthespectacle.”Thequiddityoflifeiswhatmakeslifewhat itis—andifyouknowwhatthatis,youknowmoreaboutlifethanIdo. Quiddityhasalsobeenusedtomeanasubtledistinctionorquibbleinanargument,orawittyremark or quip, particularly in the phrases quibbles and quiddities, quirks and quiddities, and quips and quiddities.“Hownow,hownow,madwag?What,inthyquipsandthyquiddities?”wroteShakespearein HenryIV,PartI.Andhere’sacitationfrom1998inTheWashingtonPost:“Thebookisnotyourusual pussyfootingexerciseinquibblesandquiddities.” Word42:RES IS TENTIALIS M(RES-i-STEN-shuh-liz’m) Hostileormaliciousbehaviormanifestedbyinanimateobjects. Resistentialismisahumorousblendoftheverbresistandthenounexistentialism,themodernphilosophy thatexplorestheindividual’srelationshiptotheuniverse,theproblemoffreewill,andtheresponsibility forone’sactionsthatitentails.ThewordalsopunsontheLatinwordrēs,athing,familiarinthephrase inmediasres(inMED-ee-ahsRAYS),inthemiddleofthingsorinthethickofit. The British humorist Paul Jennings coined resistentialism in 1948 in a parodic essay in The Spectator.Inthephilosophyofresistentialism,Jenningstellsus,thereis“agrandvisionoftheUniverse as One Thing—the Ultimate Thing.… And it is against us.” In the great scheme of things (think about that!),saysJennings,weareno-ThingandThingsalwayswin.Earlierwritersknewthis,ofcourse.Inhis 1846 poem “Inscribed to W. H. Channing,” Ralph Waldo Emerson observed that “Things are in the saddle,/Andridemankind.” In my book There’s a Word for It I cited but a few examples of the innumerable resistentialist acts committed every day by hostile inanimate objects: screen doors that snap back at you and smash your nose;rugsthatquietlycurlupsotheycansnagyourtoe;doorknobsthathookyourjacketpocket;glasses thatsidleintojusttherightpositionsoyouwillknockthemover;andmicrowaveovensthatsabotageyour food so that the first bite is lukewarm and the next one scalds your tongue. And let’s not forget plastic wrap,themostresistentialistthingontheplanet! Word43:NULLIBIQUITOUS (NUHL-i-BIK-wi-tus) Notinexistenceanywhere. Theadjectivenullibiquitous,whichenteredEnglishabout1820,andthenounnullibiety(NUHL-i-BY-itee),whichdatesbacktothe1660s,comefromtheLateLatinnullibi,nowhere.Tobenullibiquitousisto existnowhere,andnullibietyisthestateorconditionofnotexistinganywhere,nonexistence. Ifyouthinkaboutitforamoment,thosedefinitionsareoxymoronic.(Oxymoronisword24ofLevel 5.)Howcansomethingexistifitisnowhere?WithapologiestoShakespeare’sHamlet,thequestionisnot tobeornottobe,buthowcanyoubeifyoudon’texist?Fortheanswertothatyou’llneednotjustaword workoutbutanontological(AHN-tuh-LAH-ji-kul)workout.(Ontology is the branch of philosophy that studiesthenatureofbeingortheessenceofexistence.) Ihadthepleasureofbringingtherarewordnullibiquitousoutofobscurity—orperhapsnonexistence —back in 1999, when I wrote a guest On Language column for The New York Times Magazine about beingaworddetective,or“grandiloquentgumshoe,”whosejobitisto“trackdownthatmissingpiecein yourverbalpictureoftheworld,whereveritmaybelurking—inthedemimondeofdialectandslang,in thecobwebbedcornersofcyberspace,inthebenthicdarknessofanunabridgeddictionary.”(Demimonde is word 13 of this level, and benthic, pronounced BEN-thik, means pertaining to or occurring at the bottomofalakeorocean.)Iwrote:“Whenclientsaskmeforalocution[word22ofLevel6]Isuspectis nullibiquitous(notinexistenceanywhere),Ihatetoletthemdown,soImakesomethingup.” Asyoumayhavesurmised,theadjectiveubiquitous,existingorseemingtoexisteverywhereatthe sametime,istheantonymofnullibiquitous,notinexistenceanywhere. Word44:FLOCCULENT(FLAHK-yuh-lint) Woolly;resemblingtuftsorclumpsofwool,orconsistingofloosefluffymasses.Also,coveredwithasoft,shortwoollysubstance;downy. The adjective flocculent comes from the Latin floccus, a tuft or flock of wool, a word that English borrowedfromLatintomeanasmalltuftofwoollyhairsorthedownyplumageofunfledgedbirds. Soyou’veheardofaflockofsheep,butwhat’saflockofwool?FromthesameLatinfloccus, this flockisatuftorlockofwoolorcotton;usedintheplural,flocks,orsometimesflocking,itiswoolor cotton refuse, or shearings of cloth, coarsely torn by machinery and used to stuff cushions, mattresses, furniture,andthelike. A floccule (FLAHK-yool) is anything resembling a small tuft or flock of wool, and the verb to flocculate (FLAHK-yuh-layt) means to form flocculent, or woolly, masses. In chemistry, flocculent is used to mean containing or consisting of floccules, loose particles or soft flakes, as when a substance separates from a solution or suspension. In zoology (zoh-AHL-uh-jee, not zoo-), flocculent is used to meancoveredwithasoft,waxysubstanceresemblingwool. Word45:BOUS TROPHEDON(BOOS-truh-FEED-’n) Anancientmethodofwritinginwhichthelinesarewrittenalternatelyfromrighttoleftandfromlefttoright. BoustrophedoncomesdirectlyfromtheGreekboustrophēdon,turninglikeoxeninplowing,whichcomes in turn from bous, an ox, and strephein, to turn, the source also of the -strophe in catastrophe, which meansliterallyadown-turning.Thus,byderivationboustrophedoniswritingthatresemblesthefurrows madeinplowingafield,withtheplowpassingalternatelyonewayandthenbacktheotherway. “In such writing, each letter on the alternate lines was written as in a mirror image or rotated 180 degrees,”writesAnuGargathiswebsiteA.Word.A.Day.“Westilldomanythingsboustrophedonically [BOO-struh-fee-DAHN-ik-lee], such as mowing the lawn, vacuuming the floor, etc. In many computer printers,suchasdot-matrixandinkjet,theprintheadusuallymovesintheboustrophedonmode(though thankfullyitdoesn’tprintlettersmirroredorrotated).” WhenIpaintwithabrushorwipeacounterormopafloor,Idosoinaboustrophedonicpattern.Can youthinkofanytasksthatyoudo,orthatthingsdo,boustrophedonically? Word46:CLINQUANT(KLING-kint) Glitteringorshimmeringwithgold,silver,ortinsel. Familiar synonyms of clinquant include sparkling, glimmering, twinkling, glistening, dazzling, brilliant, radiant, resplendent, and spangled, which means covered or adorned with spangles, small, thinpiecesorcirclesofglitteringmetalorplastic.“TheStar-SpangledBanner,”thenationalanthemofthe UnitedStates,whichwasoriginallyapoemcomposedbyFrancisScottKeyin1814,takesitsnamefrom thenotionofthestarsontheAmericanflagglitteringinthenightlikespangles. Unusual synonyms of clinquant include scintillating (SIN-ti-LAY-ting), which by derivation means throwing off sparks; coruscating (KOR-uh-SKAY-ting), giving off flashes of light; and refulgent (riFUHL-jint),shiningorgleamingbrightly.Interestingantonymsofclinquantincludetenebrous (word 42 ofLevel9);umbrageous(uhm-BRAY-jus),fromtheLatinumbra,shade,whichmeansshadyorshadowy; stygian (STIJ-ee-in or STIJ-in), pertaining to the mythological river Styx, over which the souls of the dead crossed to reach the underworld, called Hades (HAY-deez)—hence dark and gloomy, or infernal, hellish;Cimmerian(si-MEER-ee-in),whichbyderivationmeanslivinginperpetualdarkness,hencevery darkorgloomy;andcaliginous(kuh-LIJ-i-nus),darkandmisty,fromtheLatincālīgĭnis,whichmeantfog, mist,vapor,ordarkness. Clinquant, which entered English in the early 1600s, comes directly from the Middle French clinquant,clinkingortinkling,andisprobablyrelated,throughtheDutchklinken,totheEnglishverbto clink.Originallyclinquantwasusedofthatwhichglitteredwithrealgoldorsilver;laterthewordwas appliedtothingsdecoratedwithimitationgoldleafortinsel.Clinquantmaybeusedasanadjectiveto meanglitteringwithgold,silver,ortinsel,orasanoundenotingtherealorfakegoldleafortinselitself. The word may also be used figuratively either as an adjective to mean having a glittering superficial quality, tinselly, as the poet’s pretty, clinquant verses, or as a noun to mean false glitter, literary or artistictinsel,aswhentheEnglishessayistandpoetJosephAddisonwrotein1711,“OneverseinVirgil isworthalltheclinquantortinselofTasso.” Word47:CAS TELLATED(KAS-tuh-lay-tid) Builtlikeacastleorresemblingacastle. The adjective castellated comes from the Medieval Latin castellātus, fortified like a castle, and is relatedtothecommonEnglishwordcastle.Thecastle,aswethinkofittoday—anintegratedgroupof buildings designed as a massive, high-walled fortress—was an outgrowth of feudalism, the political systemoftheMiddleAgesinwhichthelord,whooccupiedthecastle,grantedhistenants,calledvassals, useofhislandinreturnfortheirswornloyaltyandmilitaryservice. ThebuildingofgreatcastlesflourishedinEuropeinthe13thcentury.Althoughtheydifferedinstyle andlayout,mostofthemsharedcertaintypicalarchitecturalelements.Therewasoftenamoat—adeep, widetrencharoundthecastle,usuallyfilledwithwater—andadrawbridge,abridgeoverthemoatthat couldbeloweredforcrossingitorraisedtokeepoutintruders.Therewasaportcullis(port-KUHL-is),a gratedirondooratthemainentranceofthecastlethatcouldberaisedorloweredwhenthedrawbridge wasdown.Andtherewasabarbican(BAHR-bi-kun)orgatehouse,atowerprotectingthemaingateor drawbridge. Therewereturretsandsmalleroverhangingturretscalledbartizans(BAHR-ti-zunz) projecting from thewallsandtowersofthecastle,usuallyatthecorners,whichwereusedaslookouts.Thetopsofthe wallshadbattlementsconsistingofalternatingsolidparts,calledmerlons(MUR-lunz),andopenspaces, calledcrenels(KREN-ulz),aswellasloopholesormachicolations(muh-CHIK-uh-LAY-shunz), narrow openings or slits in the wall or floor through which an enemy could be observed, weapons could be discharged,orboilingliquidscouldbedropped. Thentherewasthekeepordonjon(pronouncedlikedungeon),thegreattowerandstrongestpartof thecastle,locatedintheinnermostcourt,whichhad“wallsofimmensethickness,suitedtoformthelast retreatofthegarrison,”saysTheCenturyDictionary.Andfinallytherewastheoubliette(oo-blee-ET),a word that comes from a Middle French verb meaning to forget and that is related to the English word oblivion,aforgettingorthestateofbeingforgotten.Theoubliettewaswhatwenowcalladungeon,a secretpitinthefloorofthedonjonormaintowerwithonlyasmallopeningintheceilingthroughwhich prisonersweredroppedandthenlefttoperish. Our keyword, castellated, may mean furnished with battlements and turrets like a castle, or resemblingacastle:“Walterdespisedtheopulentgatedcommunitiesofthesuburbs,withtheircastellated mansions.” The noun castellation means “the act of fortifying a house and rendering it a castle, or of givingittheappearanceofacastle”(TheCenturyDictionary). Word48:ULTRACREPIDARIAN(UHL-truh-KREP-i-DAIR-ee-in) Goingbeyondone’ssphereofknowledgeorinfluenceinofferinganopinionoradvice;givinganopiniononsomethingoutsideyourareaof expertise. UltracrepidariancomesfromtheLatinphrasenesupracrepidamsutorjudicaret,“Letnotthecobbler overstephislast,”amaximpertainingtoastoryaboutacobblerandtheancientGreekpainterApelles (uh-PEL-eez). The cobbler noticed a defect in a shoe Apelles had painted and remarked on it. Apelles wasgratefulfortheadvice,andthecobbler,emboldenedbythis,presumedtogivehisopinionaboutother elementsinthepainting.Annoyedbythecobbler’sarrogance,thepainterscolded,“Cobbler,sticktoyour last.” The earliest known use of ultracrepidarian is in a letter written by the English essayist William Hazlitt,6 who may have coined the word. Hazlitt used it aptly of literary critics, who are infamous for givingopinionsonmattersbeyondtheirknowledge.Ultracrepidarianmayalsoserveasanoundenoting a person who presumptuously offers an opinion on something beyond his or her scope of knowledge. Ultracrepidarianismistheactofgivinganopiniononsomethingyouknowlittleornothingabout. Word49:THERS ITICAL(thur-SIT-i-kul) Verballyabusive,foul-mouthed. Synonyms of thersitical include obscene, profane, slanderous, derogatory, and contumelious (KAHNt[y]oo-MEE-lee-us).Butprobablytheclosestsynonymofthersiticalisscurrilous(SKUR-orSKUH-rilus),usingorexpressedinlanguagethatiscoarse,vulgar,andabusive. The adjective thersitical is eponymous; it comes from the name Thersites (thur-SY-teez), who, in ancient Greek legend, was a member of the Greek army in the Trojan War and a minor character in Homer’s epic poem the Iliad. Thersites, says Webster 2, was “the ugliest and most scurrilous of the Greeks.” He reviled everyone (revile is word 43 of Level 4), but he reserved his most slanderous invectivefortheGreekheroesUlyssesandAchilles—whichwasnotverysmart,becausewhenThersites mocked Achilles for mourning the brave Amazon queen Penthesilea (PEN-thuh-si-LEE-uh), Achilles killedhim. Inmodernusagethersiticalsuggeststhekindofgrossverbalabuseorslanderthatcouldgetyoufired, sued, punched, evicted from the premises, kicked out of the family, or, depending on whom you are slandering,whacked,astheMafiawiseguysliketosay.Whentherevilingandtraducingareespecially scurrilousandscathing,usethersitical. Word50:PERENDINATE(puh-REN-di-nayt) Toputoffuntilthedayaftertomorrowortopostponeindefinitely. Thefamiliarverbtoprocrastinatemeansbyderivationtoputoffuntiltomorrow,foritcomesfromthe Latincrastĭnus,oftomorrow.Theverbtoperendinatetakesprocrastinateonestepfurther,foritcomes fromtheLatinperendĭnus,relatingtothedayaftertomorrow.MarkTwainoncesaid,“Donotputofftill tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well.” Was the great American humorist thinkingthatit’sbettertoperendinatethantoprocrastinate? Perendinate is such a rare word that the OED has but one citation for it, from 1656, in the sense definedhere,andonlytwolatercitationsforanothersense:tostayatacollegeasaguestforanextended amountoftime.Asawriterwhospecializesintheearnestanddrearylaborofputtingthingsoffuntilthe dayaftertomorroworindefinitely,Ican’thelphopingthatyouandothersofyourword-lovingilkwill seefittogiveperendinateanewleaseonlife.(Ilk,whichrhymeswithmilk,meanskind,sort,ortype.) Soplease,don’tdelay,postpone,procrastinate,defer,orprorogue(proh-ROHG).Findanexcuseto useperendinatetoday! ReviewQuizforKeywords41–50 In each statement below, a keyword (in italics) is followed by three definitions. Two of the three definitions are correct; one is unrelated in meaning. Decide which definition doesn’t fit the keyword. Answersappearhere. 1.Quidditymeanstherealityofsomething,thewhatnessofsomething,theessentialnatureofsomething. 2.Resistentialismisrebellion,hostility,unusualbehavior. 3.Nullibiquitousmeansnotresponding,notexisting,beingnowhere. 4.Flocculentmeanswaxy,downy,woolly. 5.Boustrophedoniswritingthatformsadesign,writingfromrighttoleftandlefttoright,writingthatresemblesthefurrowsmadein plowingafield. 6.Clinquantmeansshimmeringliketinsel,flickeringlikefire,glitteringwithgold. 7.Castellatedmeansbuiltlikeacastle,resemblingafortress,builtlikeaprison. 8.Ultracrepidarianmeansbeingaknow-it-all,beinganosyperson,talkingaboutthingsyouknownothingabout. 9.Thersiticalmeansfoulmouthed,furious,verballyabusive. 10.Toperendinatemeanstoputoffuntilthedayaftertomorrow,todelayindefinitely,topostponebriefly. SomeFinalWordsonLearningNewWords If I’ve taught you anything in Word Workout, I hope it’s that learning new words should be a lifelong activity,acommitmenttoyourlong-termverbalhealth.Hereareseventipstohelpyoucontinuepumping upyourwordpowerafteryouclosethisbook: 1.Read,read,read.Readingisthemosteffective—andenjoyable—waytobuildvocabulary.Yetan astonishingnumberofpeoplewhocanreaddon’tread.Ina2001surveyofliterateAmericansage25and overconductedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEducation,29percentofthewomenand43percentofthemen hadnotreadabookintheprecedingsixmonths.“TheaverageAmericanadultreadsonebookayear,and reads it with the skills and comprehension of a seventh grader,” writes Edward Humes in School of Dreams. “The average American child spends 78 minutes a week reading, 102 minutes a week on homeworkandstudy,and12hoursaweekwatchingtelevision.” Ifyou’renotreadingforyourownpleasureandintellectualdevelopment,it’stimetostartdoingthat foratleasttwentyminutesaday.Makereadingnewspapersandmagazines,printoronline,apartofyour diurnalroutine.Visitthepubliclibrary—often.Joinabookcluborliterarysalon.Listentoaudiobooks whileyoucommute,andalwayslistenforwordsyoudon’tknow(seetipnumberfivebelow). 2.Expandyourhorizons.Tobuildastrongvocabulary,youneedtoreadwidely.Venturebeyondthe familiar and the easy. Seek out writers who don’t write down to the reader and look for writing that aspirestoeloquence.Trysomethingnew.Takerisks. 3. Make it fun. You won’t learn anything when you’re frustrated or bored. Challenge yourself, but don’tforceyourselftoreadsomethingyoudon’tlike.Readwhatinterestsyou:letyourcuriositybeyour guide. Talk about what you’re reading with others, and solicit recommendations from others on good bookstoread. 4.Don’t“readaround”wordsyoudon’tknow.Thisisextremelyimportant.Youshouldneverskip overwordsyoudon’tknoworthatyouthinkyoucanfigureoutfromcontext.Bypassingawordyouthink youknowbecauseyou’veseenitonceortwicebefore,orbecauseyoucanfigureoutwhatthesentence means,isabadhabit—onethatinthelongruncanbedetrimentaltoyourverbalhealth.Unfortunately,I have met many people who are proud that they can understand a passage without knowing the precise meaningsofthewordsitcontains.Thatisadelusion. Reading around words is not a sign of intelligence; it is a sign of laziness. Furthermore, the consequencesofguessingwhatawordmeanscanbeserious.Becausethecontextcanbeambiguousand themarginforerrorisgreat,moreoftenthannotyouwillguesswrong.Youknowwhatyou’redoingthen? Building a vocabulary filled with incorrect definitions! That can only lead straight to bad usage and embarrassment. The point is, don’t ever cheat yourself out of the opportunity to increase your understanding of the language. Every word you learn is another dollar in the bank, another arrow in your quiver, another windowontheworld. 5.Alwayslookforwordsyoudon’tknow.Asavocabularybuilder,yourjobistobeonthelookout forunfamiliarwords.Trytofindatleastonenewwordeverytimeyouread.Anddon’tforgettotakenote ofanynewwordsyouhearwhenyouconversewithothers,listentotheradio,orwatchTV.Seek,andyou shallfind.Andbehonestwithyourself—doyoureallyknowthatwordorjustthinkyouknowit? 6. Use a dictionary. Whenever you see an unfamiliar word, it’s essential that you look it up. Not doingsoistantamount(TAN-tuh-mownt,equivalent)toreadingaroundtheword.Keepaprintdictionary handy or an online dictionary open while you read so you can look up words right away. Or you can highlight words or jot them down (with the page number or URL so you can find them again) and look themuplater. 7.Reviewitorloseit.Reviewisthekeytoretention.Withtoday’stechnologyit’seasytocreateafile or list of the words you’ve learned. If you can, record not only the word and definition but also the pronunciation,etymology,andcontextinwhichyoufoundtheword.Trytoorganizeyourwordsintheir orderofdifficultyforyou,andreviewthelistoften—afewtimesaweekatleast. And now we’ve come to the end of Word Workout. I’ve enjoyed being your personal trainer in the gymnasiumoflanguage,puttingyouthroughyourverbalpacesandcoachingyoutowardamoreprecise andpowerfulcommandofwords.Nowit’stimeforyoutotaketheknowledgeyouhavegainedandrun withit. IfyouhaveacommentaboutWordWorkoutoraquestionaboutlanguage,you’rewelcometocontact methroughmywebsite:www.charlesharringtonelster.com. Goodluckandgoodwordstoyou! AnswerstoReviewQuizzesforLevel10 KEYWORDS1–10 1.No.Chiaroscuroreferstothecontrastoflightandshadeinapictorialwork. 2.Yes.Tocontemnmeanstotreatorregardwithcontempt. 3.Yes.Anapologiaisadefenseorjustificationofone’sbeliefs,actions,orideas. 4.No.Whenyougorgonize,youstupefy,paralyze,orpetrify. 5.Yes.Scholiaareexplanatorynotesorcomments,whichcanappearinfootnotes,endnotes,ormarginalia. 6.No.Tocathectistoinvestemotionalormentalenergyinsomeoneorsomething. 7.Yes.Sortilegemaymeansorcery,magic,orthecastingoflotstopredictthefuture,aformofdivination. 8.No.Dancing,notsinging,isaterpsichoreanartform. 9.No.Acrushingretortthoughtoflaterisespritdel’escalier. 10.Yes.Popinjay,avain,pretentiousperson,isrelatedtotheItalianandSpanishwordsforaparrot. KEYWORDS11–20 1.False.Acatachresisisamisuseofonewordforanother,orusingthewrongwordforthecontext. 2.False.Etiologyisthestudyofcausesororigins,specificallyofdisease. 3.True.Demimondemaydenoteanygroupthatoperatesonthefringesofsocietyorthatseemstoinhabititsownworld,oftenamorally questionableone. 4.False.Anuminousexperienceismagical,mysterious,inspiringaweandreverence. 5.True.Alexiphanicperson,orlexiphanes,isashowoffwithwords. 6.False.Whenyoubrachiateyouswinggracefullyfrombranchtobranch,likeanapeormonkey. 7.False.Amisanthropeisahaterofhumankind.Aquidnuncisanosy,inquisitiveperson,abusybody. 8.False.Acatechumenisapersonbeingtaughtthebasicsofasubject. 9.True.ThewordsybaritecomesfromSybaris,anancientGreekcityinsouthernItalywhoseinhabitantsweredevotedtoluxuryand pleasure. 10.False.Aquislingisatraitor,someonewhoaidsandabetstheenemy. KEYWORDS21–30 1.Synonyms.Acatholiconisapanacea,cure-all,universalremedy. 2.Synonyms.Discalcedmeansbarefoot,unshod. 3.Antonyms.Inconditemeansbadlyconstructed,unpolished,unrefined. 4.Synonyms.Afflatusisinspiration,especiallypoeticordivineinspiration. 5.Synonyms.Aflaneurisaloafer,idler,sluggard. 6.Antonyms.Tophilanthropizeistopracticephilanthropy,charitablegiving.Toquomodocunquizeistotrytomakemoneyinanypossible way. 7.Antonyms.Aeulogyisaloftypublicexpressionofpraise,usuallyonsomeformaloccasion.Apasquinadeisanabusive,publiclyposted satireofaperson. 8.Synonyms.AXanthippeisanill-tempered,scolding,browbeatingwoman;ashrew. 9.Antonyms.Pococurantemeanscareless,indifferent,nonchalant,apathetic,oracareless,indifferent,nonchalantperson,atrifler. 10.Antonyms.Abehemoth(word37ofLevel3)isamassiveandmightycreatureorthing.Ahomunculusisalittlemanorhumanbeing. KEYWORDS31–40 1.Morganaticmeansmarryingasocialinferior. 2.Paraleipsisisawayofsuggestingmuchbysayinglittle. 3.Amumpsimusisapersonwhorefusestochange,whoobstinatelyclingstoanerror,badhabit,orprejudice. 4.Bibliophagicmeansbook-devouring. 5.Corybanticmeansfrenzied,wild. 6.Anaubadeisasongorpoemgreetingthedawn,oralovesongsungatdawn. 7.Lycanthropyisthedelusionthatoneisawolf,orthetransformationofahumanbeingintoawolf. 8.Anulliparaisawomanwhohasnevergivenbirth. 9.Weltschmerzisworld-wearymelancholy,sentimentalpessimism. 10.Noeticmeansintellectual,pertainingtothemindortheintellect. KEYWORDS41–50 1.Therealityofsomethingdoesn’tfit.Quiddityistheessentialnatureorbeingofsomething,itswhatness. 2.Unusualbehaviordoesn’tfit.Resistentialismishostilitymanifestedbythings,therebellionofinanimateobjects. 3.Notrespondingdoesn’tfit.Nullibiquitousmeansnotinexistenceanywhere. 4.Waxydoesn’tfit.Flocculentmeanswoolly,downy,fluffy. 5.Writingthatformsadesigndoesn’tfit.Boustrophedoniswritinginwhichthelinesarewrittenalternatelyfromrighttoleftandfromleft toright,likethefurrowsmadeinplowingafield. 6.Flickeringlikefiredoesn’tfit.Clinquantmeansglitteringorshimmeringwithgold,silver,ortinsel. 7.Builtlikeaprisondoesn’tfit.Castellatedmeansbuiltlikeacastleorfortress. 8.Beinganosypersondoesn’tfit.Ultracrepidarianmeansgivinganopiniononsomethingoutsideyourareaofexpertise. 9.Furiousdoesn’tfit.Thersiticalmeansverballyabusive,foulmouthed. 10.Topostponebrieflydoesn’tfit.Toperendinatemeanstoputoffuntilthedayaftertomorroworindefinitely. NOTES INTRODUCTION 1. See, for example, Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, “Steps to a Nimble Mind: Physical and Mental Exercise Help Keep the Brain Fit,” amednews.com,November17,2008. LEVEL1 1.paltry(PAWL-tree):ofanamount:extremelysmall,meager,measly,scanty;ofathing:insignificant,trivial,worthless,inferior. 2.coxcomb(KAHKS-kohm),aconceited,pretentiousfool;amanwhosevanityissoexaggeratedthatit’slaughable.Thewordcomesfrom “cock’scomb,”thecapwornbyprofessionaljestersintheElizabethanera.Synonymsofcoxcombincludedandy,fop,andpopinjay(word 10ofLevel10). 3.Incongruous(in-KAHNG-groo-wus)meansoutofplace,inappropriate,inconsistent,unsuitable. 4.Archaic(ahr-KAY-ik)meansold-fashioned,nolongerinordinaryuse. 5.garrulous(GAR-uh-lus),talkative,especiallyinarambling,annoying,pointless,orlong-windedway. LEVEL2 1.Malevolent(muh-LEV-uh-lint)meansfullofillwill,wishingevilorharmtoothers. 2.Thewordforafearofthenumberthirteenistriskaidekaphobia(TRIS-ky-DEK-uh-FOH-bee-uh). 3.Prudery(PROO-dur-ee)isextrememodestyinrelationtosexualmatters. 4.Nether(rhymeswithwhether)meanslower,situatedunderneathorbelow,asthenetherregions,theunderworldorhell. 5.Theadjectiveprivative(PRIV-uh-tiv)meanstakingaway,depriving.Aprivativeprefixtakesawayornegatesthemeaningofthewordthat comes after. Other privative prefixes include un-(fromAnglo-Saxon),asinuncivil, not civil, rude, impolite; in- and its variant im- (from Latin),asininsuperable,notcapableofbeingovercome,andimmaterial,notimportantorrelevant,unrelated;non-(alsofromLatin),asin nonpartisan,notsupportingaparticularpoliticalpartyorspecialinterestgroup;anda-oran-(fromGreek),asinamoral,notmoral,and anarchy,literallywithoutaleader(froman-,lacking,andarchós,aleader). 6.Dogma(DAWG-muh)isanauthoritativedoctrineorsystemofprinciples,especiallyonelaiddownbyachurchconcerningfaithandmorals. LEVEL3 1.Layinthesenseusedhereisanadjectivethatmeanspertainingtothelaity(LAY-i-tee),thepeoplewhodonotbelongtoagivenprofession orspecializedfield,nonprofessionals. 2.Apartipicaladjectiveisanadjectivecreatedfromaverbalform,suchasthepresentparticiple(whichendsin-ing) or the past participle (whichusuallyendsin-ed).Thus,inhisloving,devotedfriend,bothlovinganddevotedareparticipialadjectives. 3.Formoreonprivativeseethefootnoteunderdispassionate,word20ofLevel2. 4.Formoreonaccost,reviewassail,word45ofLevel2. 5.FromHaroldNorthFowler’stranslationofPlato’sApology(Cambridge,MA:HarvardUniversityPress,1966). 6.ThisisanallusiontoEdnaSt.VincentMillay’ssonnet“EuclidAloneHasLookedonBeautyBare.” 7.ThisanallusiontotheBible,1Corinthians13:13:“Andnowabidethfaith,hope,charity,thesethree;butthegreatestoftheseischarity.” LEVEL4 1.Anarras(AR-is)isatapestryusedasawallhanging,curtain,orscreen.Itisatoponym(TAHP-uh-nim),awordformedfromthenameof aplace,inthiscasethecityofArrasinnorthernFrance.Formoreontoponyms,seethechapter“PuttingWordsinTheirPlaces”inCrazy English,RichardLederer’sclassicandcharmingjoyridethroughtheEnglishlanguage. 2.ThelatejournalistWilliamSafire,whowrotethecolumnOnLanguageforThe New York Times Magazine for thirty years, liked to call himselfalanguagemaven,andIhaveadoptedthathabitfromhim. 3.ProperlypronouncedHAHL-uh-KAWST,withthefirstsyllableasinhollow,notlikeholeorhaul. 4.Esoteric(ES-uh-TER-ik)meansintendedforordesignedtobeunderstoodonlybyaselectgroup;hence,secret,confidential. 5.Areyouwonderingwhytheman’snameisspelledWistarbutthegenusisspelledWisteria?AHarvardnaturalistnamedThomasNuttall (1786–1859)accidentallyprintedWisteriainsteadofWistaria,andthemistakehassincebecomethenorm. 6.IhaveadaptedthisexamplefromTheRandomHouseDictionary. 7.Properlypronouncedvluh-DEE-murnuh-BAW-kuf(theauthor’spronunciation). 8.Promulgate(pruh-MUHL-gaytorPRAHM-ul-gayt)meanstomakeknown,publish,proclaim,makepublicinanofficialmanner. 9.Ihaveadaptedthisexercisefrompage96ofSinandSyntax. LEVEL5 1.Amaledrunkencarouserisabacchant,whileafemalecarouserisabacchante(buh-KAN-tee).Thepluralforbothmenandwomenis bacchants. 2.Forahistoryofthepronunciationofschism,seemyBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations. 3.Benevolent(buh-NEV-uh-lint)meanscharitable,desiringgoodforothers,andadespot(DES-put)isatyrant,dictator. 4. A savant (suh-VAHNT) is a learned person, expert, pundit (word 10 of Level 4). An idiotsavant is “a person with generally impaired intellectualandsocialfunctionswhoisextremelygiftedinaparticularway”(OED). 5. John Updike (1932–2009) was an American fiction writer, poet, and critic. Max Beerbohm (BEER-bohm, 1872–1956) was an English essayist,critic,andcaricaturist. 6.Depravityisword1ofLevel1;repugnantisword4ofLevel2. LEVEL6 1.Anagentnoundesignatesapersonwhoperformsanaction.Agentnounsusuallyendin-eror-or.Thus,athinkerisonewhothinks,and anactorisonewhoacts. 2. Email has, at the very least, transformed the epistolary art, and probably rendered it obsolescent. Because email communications are typically brief and informal, they can hardly be called epistles. So, some years ago (c. 2000), I coined a word for our distinctly unliterary electronicletters:emissives,fromthenounmissive(word14ofLevel7),awrittencommunicationormessage. 3.Theeponymoussourceofthewordsandwich.Itallbeganwhentheearlgothungrylateonenightwhilegamblingandaskedaservantto bringhimroastbeefbetweenslicesofbread. LEVEL7 1.Incantatory (in-KAN-tuh-tor-ee) means having the magical or spellbinding effect of an incantation, the chanting of certain words as a charmorspell. 2. The noun tweet, meaning a message of 140 characters or fewer sent via Twitter, was admitted into the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013. 3.ThearistocratictitleofBenjaminDisraeli(1804–1881),England’sprimeministeratthetime. 4.Thephrasebyjingoisprobablyanoldeuphemism(word18ofLevel2)forbyJesus. LEVEL8 1.Apedant(PED’nt)isapersonwho“laysanunduestressonexactknowledgeofdetailoroftrifles,ascomparedwithlargermattersor withgeneralprinciples”(TheCenturyDictionary). 2.FromADictionaryofContemporaryAmericanUsagebyBergenandCorneliaEvans. 3.Conflationisthenouncorrespondingtotheverbtoconflate,word19ofLevel4. 4.Cavalcade(KAV-ul-kayd)comesfromtheOldItaliancavalcare,torideonhorseback,andtheLatincaballus,ahorse,thesourcealsoof theEnglishcavalier,ahorsemanormountedsoldier.Acavalcadeisaprocessionofpeopleridingonhorsesorinhorsedrawncarriages,or, byextension,anyimpressiveprocessionorseries. 5.SomeyearsagoIwonfirstplaceinaneologizingcontestfortheWordFugitivescolumninTheAtlanticbycoiningthewordoffsprungfor one’sgrown-upchildren. LEVEL9 1.FromADictionaryofContemporaryAmericanUsagebyBergenandCorneliaEvans. 2.Formoreonthepronunciationofthisword,seemyBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations. 3.ThisisanallusiontoacondensedversionofastatementbytheEnglishgeneralandstatesmanOliverCromwell(1599–1658),whotoldan artistwhowaspaintinghisportrait,“PaintmeasIam,wartsandall!” LEVEL10 1.PronouncedinEnglishAP-uh-LOH-jee-uhprohVY-tuhS(Y)OO-uh;inclassicalLatin,AH-paw-LAW-gee-ahprohWEE-tahSOO-ah. 2. I have borrowed this definition from A.Word.A.Day (www.wordsmith.org), a popular website and email subscription service run by my logophiliccolleagueAnuGarg. 3. To extrapolate, pronounced ek-STRAP-uh-layt, means “to infer (an unknown) from something that is known” (The Random House Dictionary). 4.RestaurateurisoftenmisspelledrestauranteurandmispronouncedRES-tuh-rawn-TUR. 5.Apersonwithfournamesiscalledaquadrinomial(KWA-dri-NOH-mee-ul).Asapersonwiththreenames,Iamatrinomial(try-NOHmee-ul),likeRalphWaldoEmersonandWilliamJeffersonClinton. 6.PronouncedHAYZ-lit,notHAZ-lit,asmanydictionariesmistakenlyrenderit;formore,seemyBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations. WORDWORKOUT SELECTEDBIBLIOGRAPHY The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company,2000. Ayres,Alfred.TheOrthoëpist.NewYork:D.AppletonandCompany,1894. Barnett,Lincoln.TheTreasureofOurTongue.NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf,1964. Bernstein,TheodoreM.TheCarefulWriter.NewYork:Atheneum,1983. Black’sLawDictionary.8thed.St.Paul,MN:ThomsonWest,2004. Bryson,Bill.Bryson’sDictionaryofTroublesomeWords.NewYork:BroadwayBooks,2002. ———. The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way. New York: William Morrow and Company,1990. Burchfield,R.W.TheNewFowler’sModernEnglishUsage.3rded.Oxford:ClarendonPress,1996. The Century Dictionary. New York: Century Company, 1914. Accessible online at http://www.globallanguage.com/CENTURY/. Cerf,Bennett.BennettCerf ’sBookofRiddles.NewYork:RandomHouseBeginnerBooks,1960. TheChicagoManualofStyle.15thed.ChicagoandLondon:UniversityofChicagoPress,2003. Clark,RoyPeter.TheGlamourofGrammar.NewYork:Little,BrownandCompany,2010. TheColumbiaEncyclopedia.3rded.NewYorkandLondon:ColumbiaUniversityPress,1963. Cooper,Samuel.DictionaryofLiteraryTerms.Toronto:KeyBookPublishingHouse,1970. Crabb,George.Crabb’sEnglishSynonymes.NewYork:Grosset&Dunlap,1917. D’Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire. D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths. New York: Bantam DoubledayDellPublishingGroup,1962. Davidson,Mark.Right,Wrong,andRisky.NewYork:W.W.Norton&Company,2006. Ehrlich, Eugene. Amo, Amas, Amat and More: How to Use Latin to Your Own Advantage and to the AstonishmentofOthers.NewYork:Harper&Row,1985. Elster,CharlesHarrington.TheAccidentsofStyle:GoodAdviceonHowNottoWriteBadly.NewYork: St.Martin’sGriffin,2010. ———.TheBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations:TheCompleteOpinionatedGuidefortheCareful Speaker.Boston,NewYork:HoughtonMifflinCompany,2006. ———.TestofTime:ANovelApproachtotheSATandACT.NewYorkandSanDiego:Harcourt,2004. ———.There’saWordforIt:AGrandiloquentGuidetoLife.NewYork:PocketBooks,1996,2005. ———.VerbalAdvantage:10EasyStepstoaPowerfulVocabulary.NewYork:RandomHouse,2000. ———. What in the Word? Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions About Language.NewYork:Harcourt,2005. Evans, Bergen, and Cornelia Evans. A Dictionary of Contemporary American Usage. New York: RandomHouse,1957. Garg,Anu.A.Word.A.Day.www.wordsmith.org. Garner,BryanA.Garner’sModernAmericanUsage.3rded.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2009. Hale,Constance.SinandSyntax.NewYork:BroadwayBooks,1999. Hendrickson,Robert.TheDictionaryofEponyms:NamesThatBecameWords.NewYork:DorsetPress, 1972. ———.TheFactsonFileEncyclopediaofWordandPhraseOrigins.3rded.NewYork:Checkmark Books,2004. Holder, R. W. How Not to Say What You Mean: A Dictionary of Euphemisms. New York: Oxford UniversityPress,1995,2002. Humes,Edward.SchoolofDreams.Orlando,FL:Harcourt,2003. Hunsberger,I.Moyer.TheQuintessentialDictionary.NewYork:HartPublishingCompany,1978. Kohl, Herbert. From Archetype to Zeitgeist: Powerful Ideas for Powerful Thinking. Boston: Little, BrownandCompany,1992. Lanham,RichardA.AHandlistofRhetoricalTerms.BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCalifornia Press,1969. Lederer,Richard.CrazyEnglish.NewYork:PocketBooks,1989,1998. ———.TheMiracleofLanguage.NewYork:PocketBooks,1991. ———.TheWordCircus.Springfield,MA:Merriam-Webster,1998. Lipton,James.AnExaltationofLarks.NewYork:PenguinBooks,1968,1977. McQuain,Jeffrey,andStanleyMalless.CoinedbyShakespeare:WordsandMeaningsFirstPennedby theBard.Springfield,MA:Merriam-Webster,1998. Mencken,H.L.TheAmericanLanguage.4thed.NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf,1937. Merriam-Webster’sCollegiateDictionary.11thed.Springfield.MA:Merriam-Webster,2003. Merriam-Webster’sEncyclopediaofLiterature.Springfield,MA:Merriam-Webster,1995. Morris,William,andMaryMorris.TheHarperDictionaryofContemporaryUsage.2nded.NewYork: Harper&Row,1985. ———.MorrisDictionaryofWordandPhraseOrigins.2nded.NewYork:HarperCollinsPublishers, 1977,1988. TheNewOxfordAmericanDictionary.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2001. The Oxford Companion to the English Language. Tom McArthur, ed. New York: Oxford University Press,1992. TheOxfordEnglishDictionary.Onlineedition,accessedmultipletimesoverseveralyearsthroughthe SanDiegoPublicLibrarywebsite. Quinn,Arthur.FiguresofSpeech:60WaystoTurnaPhrase.SaltLakeCity:GibbsM.Smith,1982. The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, 2nd ed., Unabridged. New York: Random House,1987. Rawson,Hugh.DeviousDerivations.NewYork:CrownTradePaperbacks,1994. Rheingold,Howard.TheyHaveaWordforIt.LosAngeles:JeremyP.Tarcher,1988. Rosten,Leo.TheJoysofYinglish.NewYork:Plume,1989. Safire,William.ComingtoTerms.NewYork:Doubleday,1991. ———.LetaSimileBeYourUmbrella.NewYork:CrownPublishers,2001. Shipley,JosephT.DictionaryofWordOrigins.NewYork:ThePhilosophicalLibrary,1945. Siegal,AllanM.,andWilliamG.Connolly.TheNewYorkTimesManualofStyleandUsage.NewYork: TimesBooks,1999. A Standard Dictionary of the English Language. New York, London, and Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company,1897. Stedman’sMedicalDictionary.22nded.Baltimore:TheWilliams&WilkinsCompany,1972. Strand, Mark, and Eavan Boland. The Making of a Poem. New York and London: W. W. Norton & Company,2000. Webster’sNewInternationalDictionary.2nded.Springfield,MA:G.&C.Merriam,1941. Webster’sNewWorldCollegeDictionary.3rded.NewYork:Macmillan,1997. AlsobyCharlesHarringtonElster VerbalAdvantage TenEasyStepstoaPowerfulVocabulary TheAccidentsofStyle GoodAdviceonHowNottoWriteBadly WhatintheWord? Wordplay,Wordlore,andAnswers toYourPeskiestQuestionsAboutLanguage There’saWordforIt AGrandiloquentGuidetoLife ToothandNail ANovelApproachtotheSAT TestofTime ANovelApproachtotheSATandACT TheBigBookofBeastlyMispronunciations TheCompleteOpinionatedGuidefortheCarefulSpeaker ABOUTTHEAUTHOR Charles Harrington Elster is a nationally recognized authority on the English language and the authorofTheAccidentsofStyle,VerbalAdvantage,andmanyotherbooks.HehaswrittenforThe New York Times Magazine, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal, and been a guest commentatoronhundredsofradioshows.HelivesinSanDiego,California. WORDWORKOUT.Copyright©2014byCharlesHarringtonElster.Allrightsreserved.Forinformation,addressSt.Martin’sPress,175Fifth Avenue,NewYork,N.Y.10010. www.stmartins.com CoverdesignbyKerriResnick Coverillustration:man©KuvshinovaNadezhda/Shutterstock.com;background©bekulnis/Shutterstock.com eBooksmaybepurchasedforbusinessorpromotionaluse.Forinformationonbulkpurchases,pleasecontactMacmillanCorporateand PremiumSalesDepartmentbywritingtoMacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com. TheLibraryofCongresshascatalogedtheprinteditionasfollows: Elster,CharlesHarrington. Wordworkout:buildingamuscularvocabularyin10easysteps/CharlesHarringtonElster. p.cm. ISBN978-0-312-61299-3(tradepaperback) ISBN978-1-250-02089-5(e-book) 1.Vocabulary—Problems,exercises,etc.I.Title. PE1449.E4582014 428.1—dc23 2014030941 e-ISBN9781250020895 FirstEdition:December2014