Jump to content

New Game: What's the Word?


DarkRavie

Recommended Posts

What's the Word? - NISUS

pronunciation: [NAI-səs]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, late 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Effort, endeavor.

2. Especially impulse, tendency.

 

Example:

"He put a lot of nisus into completing his final project a week before the due date."

"My nisus is to skip my Monday morning workout, but I always feel better when I do it."

 

About Nisus

Nisus comes from the Latin words "nīsus" (effort) and "nītī" (to strive). If someone uses this word to describe you, take it as the highest compliment — they're recognizing that you are working hard to achieve your goals.

 

Did you Know?

The word "nisus" was originally published in "Philosophical Transactions" from The Royal Society of London. It makes sense that a noun for effort and endeavor comes from the world's first and longest-running scientific journal, launched in 1665.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - LITTÉTATEUR

pronunciation: [lid-ər-ə-TER]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, early 19th century

 

Meaning

1. A person who is interested in and knowledgeable about literature.

 

Example:

"She considered herself a littérateur and enjoyed giving book recommendations."

"As a littérateur, I like analyzing the written word."

 

About Littérateur

We've held onto the French spelling for this word describing a lover of literature, but it can be traced back farther to Latin. In Latin, "littera" means letter of the alphabet, but in the plural it gains the meaning of literature or culture.

 

Did you Know?

A littérateur is someone knowledgeable about literature. If you want to find someone who loves literature, however, you would look for a bibliophile. They just might be one and the same!

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - PROSPICIENCE

pronunciation: [pros-PIH-shee-ens]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, late 15th century

 

Meaning

1. The action of looking forward.

2. Foresight.

 

Example:

"The inventor had the prospicience that his creations would change the world someday."

"Grandma has an almost uncanny sense of prospicience with her weather predictions."

 

About Prospicience

This word originates from the Latin word "prōspicientia," which both describes the act of looking forward and divine providence.

 

Did you Know?

Meteorologists are masters of prospicience — especially when people rely on them to report weather conditions for travel, traffic, and daily life. Through satellites and other technology, meteorologists use weather data to generate a forecast model. These forecast models help meteorologists predict future weather conditions.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - DISQUISITION

pronunciation: [dis-kwə-ZIH-shən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. A long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject.

 

Example:

"Lucian submitted a disquisition of poetry inspired by Shakespeare for his thesis."

"I don't just love cheese — I wrote a disquisition on the origins of cheesemaking."

 

About Disquisition

While disquisition developed in French, it originally comes from the Latin words "disquisito" (investigation) and "quaerere" (to seek).

 

Did you Know?

True Crime is having a moment in pop culture. This genre is finding new life on podcasts and streaming services, mediums that allow for a complete disquisition of a particular case or famous figure.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - DIEGESIS

pronunciation: [di-ə-JEE-sis]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, early 19th century

 

Meaning

1. A narrative or plot, typically in a film.

 

Example:

"The film's diegesis was full of twists and turns."

"The audience was captivated by the Best Picture winners intense diegesis."

 

About Diegesis

Diegesis originates from the Greek word "diēgēsis," which means "narrative." Digesting a good diegesis is a pleasurable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 

Did you Know?

Do you ever feel a rush of satisfaction when you finish a particularly good book? There's an explanation for that feeling — when you hear a good story, your brain releases feel-good chemicals in the pleasure centers of your brain. Consuming a good diegesis can be similar to consuming a delicious sandwich (and just as satisfying).

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - RATIOCINATE

pronunciation: [rash-ee-OH-sin-ate]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Latin, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Form judgments by a process of logic.

2. Reason.

 

Example:

"To solve the murder-mystery game, you must ratiocinate through all the clues."

"Don't make a snap judgment; stop and ratiocinate first."

 

About Ratiocinate

This verb comes from the Latin word "ratiocinat," which means "deliberated; calculated."

 

Did you Know?

To ratiocinate, you must develop your critical and logical thinking skills. One way to do that is building your vocabulary and discovering the meaning behind words — which means you are practicing ratiocination right now.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - PERSONAGE

pronunciation: [PəR-sən-ij]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, mid 15th century

 

Meaning

1. A person (used to express importance or elevated status)

2. A character in a play or other work.

 

Example:

"She carried herself as a personage of great importance."

"Daniel received praise for how easily he slipped into various personages — humorous, serious, and tragic."

 

About Personage

Personage developed in Old Middle English by way of Old French, but it can be traced back to the Latin word "personagium," which means "effigy." Then the representation gained the meanings of "honorable" and "eminent" — raising the word to an elevated status all its own.

 

Did you Know?

TIME Magazine chooses the most Influential Person of the Year. While the general reader's poll has some influence on the selection, the final list of personages is handpicked and evaluated by TIME editors.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - MULTIVOCAL

pronunciation: [muhl-TIH-və-kəl]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid 19th century

 

Meaning

1. Having or open to many different meanings, interpretations, or applications.

 

Example:

"The issue was truly multivocal, giving the scientists multiple possible solutions."

"Since one of the math problems was multivocal, the teacher decided to give the point to every student."

 

About Multivocal

Multivocal developed from the Latin word "multivocus" (expressed by many words) by way of poet, critic, and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

 

Did you Know?

If you encounter a word that is multivocal, you are looking at a homonym. Homonyms are often spelled and pronounced alike, but have different meanings — such as aunt and ant, byte and bite, and flow and floe.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - RETROJECT

pronunciation: [reh-trə-JEKT]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Latin, mid 19th century

 

Meaning

1. Project backwards.

 

Example:

"He presented a hypothesis that retrojected the previous learnings."

"He was reminiscing about his youth, retrojecting about his past accomplishments."

 

About Retroject

Retroject originated in the mid-19th century from the combination of the Latin words "retro" (backwards) and "project" (to throw forth). It's a bit of an oxymoron, but we'll allow it.

 

Did you Know?

Have you heard of the psychological term "projection"? It means to attribute your feelings or opinions onto someone else. "Retroject" means to apply current beliefs or learnings onto the past.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - ANOMALOUS

pronunciation: [ə-NAM-ə-ləs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Greek, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected.

 

Example:

"The instrument's readings were anomalous, so the captain decided to radio for help."

"The results were anomalous, leading the scientists to revise the experience from the beginning."

 

About Anomalous

Anomalous comes from the Greek word "anōmalos," which translates to "not even."

 

Did you Know?

An "anomaly" is the noun form of the adjective "anomalous." If you call something "an anomaly" it implies that it's out of the norm. To dig a little deeper, use the adjective to describe exactly WHAT is anomalous. Is it the color? The way it makes you feel? Use your words.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - CRAIC

pronunciation: [krak]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Irish, 1970s

 

Meaning

1. Enjoyable social activity.

2. A good time.

 

Example:

"Tim's birthday was such a good craic."

"My neighbors are always up for a craic and a laugh."

 

About Craic

Craic is an Irish Gaelic word that developed in the 1970s. It originated from the English and Scots word "crack" (which is often used to indicate having a good time).

 

Did you Know?

While you'll hear mostly English in Ireland, a lot of people also speak Irish, or Gaelic. "Craic" means a good time, but you might also hear "fáilte," or welcome, "grá," for love, and "saoirse," for freedom. Fair warning: Don't try to pronounce any of these words with English phonetics.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - SAPID

pronunciation: [SA-pihd]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, early 17th century

 

Meaning

1. Having a strong, pleasant taste.

2. (of talk or writing) pleasant or interesting.

 

Example:

"Lunch consisted of finger sandwiches and a sapid tea."

"The cheese was sapid and savory, and paired well with freshly baked bread."

 

About Sapid

Sapid originated from the Latin word "sapidus," from the verb "sapere," which means "to taste."

 

Did you Know?

Here's a memory trick: syrup is made from the sap of a tree. It has a strong, pleasant taste, which is the exact definition of the adjective "sapid." If you're using the adjective to describe pleasant words, they're pretty sweet, too.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - DULCIFY

pronunciation: [dəl-sə-fai]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Latin, late 16th century

 

Meaning

1. Sweeten.

2. Calm or soothe.

 

Example:

"He used honey to dulcify his trademark lemonade."

"She attempted to dulcify the crying child with a lullaby."

 

About Dulcify

This verb comes from the Latin words "dulcinficare" (to sweeten) and "dulcis" (sweet). This allows it to be used to indicate sweetness of all kinds — whether dulcet tones or a dulce de leche.

 

Did you Know?

Dulcify is a word with a double meaning — it can mean to sweeten, but used in context with a person, it can mean soothing or calming them down. This means that you can dulcify a friend, but you can also dulcify your coffee, too.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - EMULOUS

pronunciation: [EM-yə-ləs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid 16th century

 

Meaning

1. Seeking to emulate someone or something.

2. Motivated by a spirit of rivalry.

 

Example:

"His short stories are emulous of Stephen King."

"Her paintings started off as emulous of great masters, but she soon found a style of her own."

 

About Emulous

Emulous comes from the Latin word "aemulus" (rival) via Late Middle English, but the idea of it as a description of emulating another person developed over the 16th century.

 

Did you Know?

The Beatles might be one of the most-imitated bands in music history. If you're a fan of The Eagles, The Beach Boys, Heart, Billy Joel, The Mamas and The Papas, KISS, Bruce Springsteen, even Nirvana — they've all claimed to be emulous of The Beatles.

 

Edited by DarkRavie
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - BATHOS

pronunciation: [BAY-thos]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, mid 17th century

 

Meaning

1. (especially in a literary work) an effect of anticlimax created by an unintentional lapse in mood from the sublime to the trivial or ridiculous.

 

Example:

"The ridiculous climax left everyone with a deep sense of bathos."

"The avant-garde play left the audience in bathos and confusion."

 

About Bathos

While this noun originated in Greek to mean "depth" in the 17th century, it found its modern legs in the writings of Alexander Pope, an influential English poet.

 

Did you Know?

An anticlimactic finale can ruin even the most popular shows. The finale of fantasy show "Game of Thrones," for example, instilled such a deep sense of bathos in so many viewers that positive discussion of the show disappeared almost overnight.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - NURDLE

pronunciation: [nər-dl]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Unknown, 1990s

 

Meaning

1. A very small pellet of plastic which serves as raw material in the manufacture of plastic products.

 

Example:

"Jess filled the box with nurdles, hoping to protect the tea cups inside."

"Eric cleaned the beach every weekend, hoping to stop the dangerous environmental effect of nurdles."

 

About Nurdle

Like so many things plastic, this word came about during the 1990s. While its exact origins are unknown, nurdle has become synonymous with the little pellets used for plastics manufacturing.

 

Did you Know?

A nurdle can also refer to the wave-shaped blob of toothpaste seen in commercials. The next time you go to put the dentist recommended pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, you have a name for it.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - AGLET

pronunciation: [AG-lət]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, late 15th century

 

Meaning

1. A metal or plastic tube fixed tightly round each end of a shoelace.

 

Example:

"The company recreated historical shoes to the most minute of details, right down to the color of the aglet."

"Dash was delighted to discover a colorful array of aglets he could use to switch up the shoelaces."

 

About Aglet

Aglet came from the French word "aiguillette," meaning "small needle" — which makes sense, given the way they look.

 

Did you Know?

The children's show "Phineas and Ferb" featured a song called "A-G-L-E-T" about — what else — the little round, metallic or plastic tubes on your shoelaces.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - WIDDERSHINS

pronunciation: [WIH-dər-shinz]

 

Part of speech: adverb

Origin: Scottish, early 16th century

 

Meaning

1. In a direction contrary to the sun's course, considered as unlucky.

2. Counterclockwise

 

Example:

"The first thing my dog does when he gets home is run widdershins three times around the backyard."

"Despite dancing widdershins when everyone else went clockwise, Martha was the highlight of the Christmas musical."

 

About Widdershins

This adverb developed from a mix of the Middle Low German word "weddersins" and the Middle High German word "widersinnes." Despite being spelled differently, both of these words came from the same roots — "wider" (against) and "sin" (direction).

 

Did you Know?

If you've traveled anywhere south of the equator, you've probably noticed something odd about draining water — it travels widdershins, or counterclockwise, down the drain, compared to clockwise in the northern hemisphere.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - MIRIFIC

pronunciation: [mih-RIH-fik]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, late 15th century

 

Meaning

1. That works wonders; exciting wonder or astonishment; marvellous.

2. Also (humorously) in weakened sense.

 

Example:

"The mirific painting attracted more visitors than the museum had ever seen in its 90-year history."

"Yolanda's first glance at the mirific mountains nearly took her breath away."

 

About Mirific

Mirific first developed from the Latin word "mirificus" (wonderful). Then it transitioned into its modern usage through the Middle French adaptation "mirifique," which means "causing wonder and admiration."

 

Did you Know?

It might sound cliché, but there are few things as mirific as watching a sunrise (or sunset) over the mountains; the feeling of astonishment at the sight can be overwhelming.

Edited by DarkRavie
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What's the Word? - SUPERFICIES

pronunciation: [soo-per-FISH-eez]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, mid 16th century

 

Meaning

1. A surface.

2. (literary) An outward part or appearance.

 

Example:

"The sculptor created a superficies that seemed so realistic you would expect the marble body to be warm to the touch."

"While he exhibited an uncaring superficies in public, he was actually very sensitive with people in his private life."

 

About Superficies

Superficies developed from the Latin words "super" (above) and "facies" (face).

 

Did you Know?

You're probably already familiar with the word superficies due to the word "superficial" — a word that means something that exists or occurs on a surface level.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...
Please Sign In