DarkRavie Posted September 6 Author Report Share Posted September 6 What's the Word: CRINKUM-CRANKUM pronunciation: [KRING-kəm-KRANG-kəm] Part of speech: noun Origin: English, mid-18th century Meaning: 1. Elaborate decoration or detail. Examples: "I love Victorian architecture with the woodwork overflowing with crinkum-crankum." "The reviews of the latest book in the mystery series promise a story filled with crinkum-crankum." About Crinkum-Crankum Crinkum-crankum is a fanciful word for something fanciful itself. This fun-to-say noun means something with over-the-top decoration, or something full of twists and turns. Did you Know? It might sound like a nonsense word, but "crinkum-crankum" has roots in very real terms. It’s an alteration of "crinkle," meaning "a wrinkle or crease on the surface of something," and "crankle," which comes from the Latin word "crincum," meaning "a bend or twist." "Crinkum-crankum" is a fun way to describe something delightfully elaborate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 7 Author Report Share Posted September 7 What's the Word: ABSTRMIOUS pronunciation: [əb-STEE-mee-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 17th century Meaning: 1. Indulging only very moderately in something, especially food and drink. Examples: "He threw his abstemious diet out the window and indulged in cake on his birthday." "The family was very abstemious, keeping no sugar or junk food in the house." About Abstemious Abstemius in Latin is spelled slightly differently from its English counterpart, "abstemious," but they mean the same thing. In Latin, "ab" means "from" and "temetum" means "alcoholic drink." An abstemious man is one who does not indulge in excessive food or drink. Did you Know? There’s a fun trick hidden in the word "abstemious." Take a look at the vowels — notice anything? Each vowel appears only once and in alphabetical order. Feel free to use this bit of trivia at your next happy hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 8 Author Report Share Posted September 8 What's the Word: MULTIVERSE pronunciation: [MULL-tee-vərs] Part of speech: noun Origin: English, 1960s Meaning: 1. An infinite realm of being or potential being of which the universe is regarded as a part or instance. Examples: "My favorite sci-fi series explores the different realities possible in a multiverse." "The physics department seems to be split into those who believe in a multiverse theory, and those who do not." About Multiverse If you’re a physicist, a comic book writer, a psychologist, or a theologian, you'll probably be familiar with the concept of a multiverse. The philosophy that there are multiple, or even infinite, states of being in the universe has long been a topic of debate. Did you Know? Fans of "The Big Bang Theory" are probably familiar with one example of a multiverse: Schrödinger's cat. On the TV show, Sheldon explained the hypothetical situation where a cat is inside a box, and, until you open the box, the cat could be alive or dead. There are two potential universes in that scenario, which is also the many-worlds interpretation of a multiverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 9 Author Report Share Posted September 9 What's the Word: CIRCUMLOCUTION pronunciation: [sir-kəm-lo-KYOO-shən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 16th century Meaning: 1. The use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive. Examples: "The drawn-out speech was not only boring, but also pure circumlocution." "His attempt at circumlocution didn’t fool his mother when she asked where he was last night." About Circumlocution "Circumlocution" is a fairly direct translation from Latin: "circum" = around, and "locution" = talk. When a speaker is in the midst of circumlocution they’re circling around their point and using too many words. This could be a sign of deception or just a symptom of not knowing when to be quiet. Did you Know? Maybe you’re nervous, or maybe you’re trying to avoid giving a direct answer. Whatever the reason, if you’re “beating around the bush,” you’re practicing circumlocution. Using that phrase would also be circumlocution, which refers to the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in an attempt to be evasive. Why use an idiom when there’s a perfectly good word? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 10 Author Report Share Posted September 10 What's the Word: APPURTENANCE pronunciation: [ə-PERT-ən-ns] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, 14th century Meaning: 1. An accessory or other item associated with a particular activity or style of living. Examples: "She decorated her new car with fun appurtenances, such as fuzzy seat covers and a phone holder." "I keep a bag packed with all the appurtenances I need for the gym so I can go at any time." About Appurtenance You can trace this noun back to the French verb “apartenir,” which means to belong to. Go back even further and you'll arrive at the Latin “appertineō,” which means I belong. The English noun "appurtenance" holds this meaning as objects that belong to a certain category. Did you Know? You can use "appurtenance" to describe specific objects or in a general sense to talk about equipment associated with a particular category. In a specific sense, these items are supplemental accessories, such as the extra appurtenances for a stand mixer. In a general sense, these items can designate a type of person or activity, such as a garage with all the appurtenances of motorcycle riding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 11 Author Report Share Posted September 11 What's the Word: NIRVANA pronunciation: [nir-VAH-nə] Part of speech: noun Origin: Sanskrit, 1830s Meaning: 1. A state of perfect happiness; an ideal or idyllic place. 2. (In Buddhism) A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. Examples: "After a stressful year at work, the week at the spa was nirvana for her." "When he started studying Buddhism, he was fascinated by the idea of achieving Nirvana." About Nirvana Nirvana is a Sanskrit word that means "the act of extinguishing." It is the ultimate goal of the Buddhist path. Now the term "nirvana" can be applied to any state of extreme bliss, but it's still helpful to understand the Buddhist roots. Did you Know? Kurt Cobain, the singer and guitarist of the rock band Nirvana, said, “I wanted a name that was kind of beautiful or nice and pretty instead of a mean, raunchy punk name." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 12 Author Report Share Posted September 12 What's the Word: DEMONYM pronunciation: [DEM-ə-nim] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. A noun used to denote the natives or inhabitants of a particular country, state, city, etc. Examples: "He knew the demonym for a resident of Indiana is 'Hoosier,' but he didn't know why." "I currently live in Australia, but I still claim my demonym as British." About Demonym A demonym identifies a native of a certain geographical place or ethnic group. Forming these words might be as simple as adding a suffix (Japanese, Egyptian, Parisian), or they could be entirely different words (Okie, Mancunian, Neapolitan). Did you Know? Demonym comes from Greek — "dēmos" meaning "people" and "onuma" meaning "name" — but the usage has changed over time. It used to be applied to a noun used as a pen name, such as on a pamphlet written by "A Country Clergyman." The term was resurrected in the 1990s as a descriptor of residency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted September 13 Author Report Share Posted September 13 What's the Word: GNOMIC pronunciation: [NOH-mik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, early 19th century Meaning: 1. Expressed in or of the nature of short, pithy maxims or aphorisms. 2. Enigmatic; ambiguous. Examples: "He seemed incapable of original thought and spoke only in gnomic riddles." "The campaign speech excited the voters but remained gnomic in substance." About Gnomic The roots of this speech-related adjective are the same as the roots for the fairy-tale creature. In Greek, "gnōmē" means "thought or judgment." Gnomes have served many purposes in fantastical stories, but they're often storytellers, or givers of advice. The adjective "gnomic" became applied to trite sayings in the 19th century, well after the genesis of stories of magical gnomes. Did you Know? You might assume this adjective is of the garden-gnome variety, but it serves multiple purposes. You can use it to describe anything gnome-like, but it's better used to describe advice given through short, commonplace adages. Just don't go asking your garden gnome for his opinions; he'll probably remain fairly silent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Sunday at 06:29 PM Author Report Share Posted Sunday at 06:29 PM What's the Word: BILDUNGSROMAN pronunciation: [BIL-dungz-ro-mahn] Part of speech: noun Origin: German, early 20th century Meaning: 1. A novel dealing with one person's formative years or spiritual education. Examples: "She had an entire shelf in her home library devoted to Bildungsroman." "The Bildungsroman told the story of his journey from a one-room schoolhouse to graduating from medical school." About Bildungsroman Bildungsroman is an intimidating word for a literary style popular with all types of readers. "Bildung" is German for "education," and "roman" is a novel. Simply put, it's a coming-of-age story. Since the noun is borrowed directly from German, it's usually capitalized (following the German rule), but it's still correct in English if it's not. Did you Know? Emma by Jane Austen, "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Huston, and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee — all Bildungsromans. Any story that concerns the moral, educational, and philosophical development of a young person falls into this family of novels. A more modern term for this genre is "coming-of-age story" and it applies to narratives across literature, TV, film, and theater. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Monday at 03:30 PM Author Report Share Posted Monday at 03:30 PM What's the Word: MOIL pronunciation: [moyl] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. Work hard. 2. Move around in confusion or agitation. Examples: "You'll need to moil to get the bulbs planted before a frost, but it will be worth it in the spring." "She seemed lost as she moiled around the street corner." About Moil As a verb, "moil" primarily means "to work very hard." But if you work too hard, you might get overwhelmed or overheated. In comes the second definition of "moil," meaning "to move around in agitation." Did you Know? The modern definition of "moil" is the opposite of its roots. In Latin, "mollis" means "soft," and "moil" originally meant "to moisten or soften" a substance. But if you're laboring in mud, it's probably pretty hard work, and that's likely how "moil" came to mean "strenuous work." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM What's the Word: RHAPSODY pronunciation: [RAP-sə-dee] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. An effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling. 2. A free instrumental composition in one extended movement, typically one that is emotional or exuberant in character. Examples: "The story captured the rhapsody of first love and the emotions that go along with it. " "He wrote a rhapsody inspired by the colors of the changing autumn forest." About Rhapsody As a song, a rhapsody is exuberant and bold, full of feeling. It’s written as one instrumental composition. But you can also apply rhapsody outside of the music world. You might recognize “rhapsodies of praise” or a “rhapsody of spring.” Any expression of intense emotions and enthusiasm can be a rhapsody. Did you Know? In ancient Greece, a rhapsody was an epic poem, usually recited in one sitting. Over the years, a rhapsody became a song instead of a poem, but still exuberant and often quite long. You can find rhapsodies all throughout the history of classical music and in more modern forms, such as Queen's epic "Bohemian Rhapsody." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Wednesday at 06:59 PM Author Report Share Posted Wednesday at 06:59 PM What's the Word: ZEPHYR pronunciation: [ZEH-fər] Part of speech: noun Origin: Greek, late 17th century Meaning: 1. A soft gentle breeze. 2. A very light article of clothing. Examples: "The warm zephyr was a welcome sign that spring was here. " "You only need to wear a zephyr over your swimsuit for a trip to the beach." About Zephyr In Greek, "zephuros" means "god of the west wind." As "zefferus" moved into Old English, it became a personification of the west wind, or a metaphor for pleasant weather. By the late 17th century, the word "zephyr" was a poetic way to describe a gentle breeze — possibly from the west, but not necessarily. Did you Know? You can use "zephyr" to describe a welcome breeze on a warm day, or it might be the article of clothing you're wearing. "Zephyr" once referred to a specific kind of fine cotton gingham, but the term evolved to describe any lightweight garment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Thursday at 04:42 PM Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 04:42 PM (edited) What's the Word: SAGACIOUS pronunciation: [sə-GEY-shus] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 17th century Meaning: 1. Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment. Examples: "She could always rely on her mentor to provide sagacious feedback." "The op-ed provided a sagacious viewpoint on the recent city council controversy." About Sagacious To be sagacious means to be wise, but specifically showing keen judgment. It's not just about intelligence; it's showing discernment, too. Being sagacious could be described as using "street smarts" in addition to "book smarts." Did you Know? Sage is commonly known as the herb that provides a heavy dose of flavor at Thanksgiving, but the Latin word "sagax" also means "wise." Use "sage" as an adjective meaning "wise," or as a noun for "a wise person." "Sagacious" becomes the adjective if you feel it's wise to use a longer word. Edited 14 hours ago by DarkRavie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted 14 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 14 hours ago What's the Word: KINETIC pronunciation: [kə-NED-ik] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. Relating to or resulting from motion. 2. (Of a work of art) Depending on movement for its effect. Examples: "The garden has a large kinetic water fountain as the centerpiece." "The museum featured a breathtaking display of kinetic art for the spring showcase." About Kinetic Kinetic comes from the Greek word "kinētikos," from the verb "kinein," meaning "to move." You can describe any sort of motion — from your first stretch in the morning to the giant drop on a roller coaster — as kinetic. The word is also used in the art world to describe moving sculptures. Did you Know? You might recognize "kine" in other moving words, including "kinesiology" ("the study of the mechanics of body movements"), "kinescope" ("a television picture tube"), and "kinesics" ("gestures and body movements serving as nonverbal communication"). They all come from the Greek root "kinēsis," meaning "movement." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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