New Game: What's the Word?

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - VIRTU

pronunciation: [vər-TOO]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Italian, early 18th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Knowledge of or expertise in the fine arts.

2. (Literary) the good qualities inherent in a person or thing.

 

Example:

"Callie was known for her virtu in everything from opera to pop art installations."

"There is a tangible virtu in doing community service work."

 

About Virtu

“Virtu” hails from the Italian “virtù,” which originates from the Latin “virtutem” (nominative “virtus”) meaning "virtue, goodness, manliness."

 

Did You Know?

“Virtu” is the same word as “virtue,” even if its spelling makes it look more cosmopolitan. It was adapted during a period of history when the Italian culture and language were considered the height of culture around the world. The variant “vertu” is an alteration that looks French, although technically, it is not.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - DILETTANTE

pronunciation: [dil-ə-TAHNT]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Italian, mid-18th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

 

Example:

"No one could accuse the artist of being a dilettante."

"Seth had a dilettante-level knowledge of wine compared to the vintner."

 

About Dilettante

This word is Italian, meaning “person loving the arts,” It stems from “dilettare,” meaning “to delight,” originating from the Latin “delectare.”

 

Did You Know?

Dilettante has a slightly negative connotation now, but that wasn’t always the case. It used to simply mean “devoted amateur” before the word developed a more derogatory outlook in the 18th century.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - TYRO

pronunciation: [TY-ro]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A beginner or novice.

 

Example:

"She was a tyro podcaster when it came to production but always chose great subject matter."

"Tyro investors should ease into the market by investing small amounts of money."

 

About Tyro

This word hails from Middle English, originating from the Latin “tiro” or the medieval Latin “tyro,” meaning “recruit” or “young soldier.”

 

Did You Know?

Writers in the 17th and 18th centuries expanded the use of “tyro” from its Latin origins — when it meant “recruit” or “young soldier” — to describe people in all kinds of occupations. More modern iterations use the word as an attributive noun, which is one that describes another noun immediately following it (i.e. a tyro programmer).

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PRAXIS

pronunciation: [PRAK-səs]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, late 16th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Practice, as distinguished from theory; accepted practice or custom.

 

Example:

"Jeremy put the Hippocratic Oath into praxis on a daily basis."

"Marian turned her exercise plan into praxis."

 

About Praxis

Praxis comes from medieval Latin, by way of the Greek version, meaning “doing,” as well as from the stem “prattein,” meaning “to do” or “to act.”

 

Did You Know?

Praxis doesn’t just refer to putting lessons and skills into practice. Philosophers like Aristotle, Plato, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, and countless others wrote about how citizens and governments could implement their ideas into accepted custom, or praxis.

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by DarkRavie

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - OPEROSE

pronunciation: [AHP-ə-rohs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, late 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Involving or displaying much industry or effort.

 

Example:

"Dana wasn’t used to doing operose work outdoors."

"The project turned out to be a more operose affair than the group thought it would be."

 

About Operose

This word hails from the Latin “operosus” and originated from “opus,” meaning “work.”

 

Did You Know?

At the outset, “operose” was mostly used to describe people. It only took a century for the word’s meaning to shift toward describing inanimate things, like difficult tasks.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PASSIM

pronunciation: [PASS-ihm]

 

Part of speech: adverb

Origin: Latin, 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. (Of allusions or references in a published work) to be found at various places throughout the text.

 

Example:

"Her grandfather’s observations about the book were found passim, especially scribbled in the margins."

"The influence of other black artists was found passim her own work."

 

About Passim

This word originates from the Latin “passus” meaning “scattered.” It came from the past participle of “pandere,” meaning to spread.

 

Did You Know?

Passim is a term occasionally used in legal writing. If composing a Table of Authorities, and a case is cited more than five times in the legal brief, the Microsoft Word program will insert “passim” in place of multiple citations to save room.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - EUSTASY

pronunciation: [YOO-stə-see]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, 1940s

 

Meaning: 

1. A change of sea level throughout the world, caused typically by movements of parts of the Earth's crust or melting of glaciers.

 

Example:

"Today, we’re learning about eustasy in our marine science class."

"Oceanographers like Jacques Cousteau likely researched eustasy during their careers."

 

About Eustasy

This word came into use in the 1940s as a back-formation from “eustatic.” It was coined in German from the Greek “eu,” meaning “well” and “statikos,” meaning “static.”

 

Did You Know?

Even though “eustasy” is the standard spelling in scientific circles (and in the Oxford dictionary), “eustacy” is the only spelling of this word in other dictionaries. The “-cy” suffix is an evolution of the Latin “-atia” suffix.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - INVETERATE

pronunciation: [in-VED-ər-ət]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Middle English, 15th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.

 

Example:

"After living in Washington, D.C for decades, Walt had an inveterate set of political beliefs."

"April had an inveterate longing for a lavish wedding."

 

About Inveterate

This word is Middle English, originating from the Latin “inveteratus.” This is from the past participle of “inveterare,” meaning “to age” (transitive verb).

 

Did You Know?

It’s easy to confuse “inveterate” with “invertebrate” because they look so similar at first glance. But while “inveterate” is an adjective that means deep-rooted, “invertebrate” describes any animal that has no backbone, like a mollusk or anthropod.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - AUTEUR

pronunciation: [oh-TER]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, 1960s

 

Meaning: 

1. A filmmaker whose personal influence and artistic control over a movie are so great that the filmmaker is regarded as the author of the movie.

 

Example:

"Kathryn’s goal was to become an auteur whose films were instantly recognizable."

"The movie’s distinct elements made the young director an auteur seemingly overnight."

 

About Auteur

This word first popped up in the 1960s. It’s a French term that literally translates to “author.”

 

Did You Know?

American film critic Andrew Sarris coined the term “auteur theory” from the French translation and used it in his famous 1962 essay, “Notes on the Auteur Theory.” This is how the word “auteur” was popularized in the United States. As a result of this and other Sarris writings, more public attention was turned to the overall craft of filmmaking instead of being focused solely on the actors.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PRECATORY

pronunciation: [PREH-kə-tor-ee]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid-17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Relating to or expressing a wish or request.

 

Example:

"Her letter had a precatory tone as she asked for money for the foundation."

"A marriage proposal is one of most commonly precatory experiences in life."

 

About Precatory

This word comes from the late Latin “precatorius.” It stems from “precat-,” meaning “prayed,” from the verb “precari.”

 

Did You Know?

The word “precatory” often pops up in legal documentation to express a nonbinding request — that is, a wish that does not legally require someone to carry through the request.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - CABOTAGE

pronunciation: [KAB-ə-tazh]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, mid-19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. The right to operate sea, air, or other transport services within a particular territory.

 

Example:

"The cabotage laws within China are fairly strict."

"The government passed new cabotage directives after the change in leadership."

 

About Cabotage

This word developed from the French “caboter,” meaning “to sail along a coast.”

 

Did You Know?

Cabotage used to only refer to transportation and trade along the French coastline. In the 1700s, the French restricted trade so only their own ships could do so in their ports. This right was eventually considered “cabotage,” too, and over time, other countries adopted this and expanded the concept to include other transport services within their borders.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PERDURABLE

pronunciation: [pər-DUR-ə-bl]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Middle English, 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Enduring continuously; imperishable.

 

Example:

"My grandfather always claimed his love for my grandmother was perdurable."

"One selling point of cast-iron cookware is how seemingly perdurable it is. "

 

About Perdurable

This word is from late Middle English via Old French. It originates from the late Latin “perdurabilis,” which stems from Latin “perdurare,” meaning “endure.” “Per-” is throughout and “durare” means “to last.”

 

Did You Know?

It’s easy to mistake “perdurable” for another adjective, “perturable,” because there’s only one letter difference. However, “perdurable” means long-lasting; “perturable” means testy or prickly in temperament.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - GAZETTEER

pronunciation: [ga-zə-TEER]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Italian, early 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A geographical index or dictionary.

 

Example:

"The gazetteer had a very detailed index."

"Even though gazetteers are old fashioned, they can still be useful historial tools."

 

About Gazetteer

This word stemmed from French but originated from the Italian “gazzettiere,” from “gazzetta.”

 

Did You Know?

It’s easy to mistake “perdurable” for another adjective, “perturable,” because there’s o“Gazetteer” comes directly from Laurence Eachard’s “The Gazetteer’s, or Newsman’s Interpreter,” a 1693 geographical handbook for folks in the newspaper industry. The second edition’s title was shortened to “The Gazetteer.” The archaic definition of “gazetteer” is a journalist.nly one letter difference. However, “perdurable” means long-lasting; “perturable” means testy or prickly in temperament.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - CLAQUE

pronunciation: [KLAK]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, mid 19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A group of sycophantic followers.

2. A group of people hired to applaud (or heckle) a performer or public speaker.

 

Example:

"Some political leaders arrange to have claques at their public speeches."

"A lot of high school movies present friend groups as claques."

 

About Claque

This word came from the French word “claquer,” meaning “to clap.” The practice of paying audience members for their praise originated at the Paris opera.

 

Did You Know?

The use of claques in public performances goes back to ancient times. It only became an organized, permanent system — and controlled by claquers themselves — in 1800s Paris. Members of a claque are called claquers.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - XIPHOID

pronunciation: [ZY-foyd]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Greek, mid 18th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Sword-shaped.

 

Example:

"The children looked for any xiphoid objects they could use to play-duel with."

"The face masks had small medieval helmets and xiphoid figures printed on them."

 

About Xiphoid

This word hails from the Greek “xiphoeidēs,” which comes from “xiphos,” meaning “sword.”

 

Did You Know?

The lowest third of the human sternum is called the xiphoid process. You can actually see or feel the tip of it in some newborns. Between ages 15 to 30, the xiphoid process typically fuses to the rest of the sternum, but it doesn’t ossify (harden) until around age 40.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - LYCEUM

pronunciation: [ly-SEE-əm]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, late 16th century

 

Meaning: 

1. The garden at Athens in which Aristotle taught philosophy.

2. (U.S. archaic) A literary institution, lecture hall, or teaching place.

 

Example:

"Sandra found she really learned the most from the lyceum lectures."

"Rick preferred the lyceum structure over online classes.

 

About Lyceum

This word came about via Latin from the Greek “Lukeion,” the neuter of “Lukeios.”

 

Did You Know?

A number of literary societies in late 18th-century France and early 19th-century England named their literary societies lyceums as a nod to their place in academia during ancient times.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PERORATE

pronunciation: [PAIR-ə-rayt]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Latin, early 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. (formal) Speak at length.

 

Example:

"The commencement speaker perorated for at least 40 minutes."

"The bride begged her father not to perorate at her wedding reception."

 

About Perorate

This word stems from the Latin “perorat-”. This means “spoken at length,” from the verb “perorare.” “Per-” means “through,” and “orare” means “speak.”

 

Did You Know?

The word “perorate” contains an important clue about its definition — the word “orate.” Of course, to perorate is to drag your oration out for longer than necessary.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - INVOCATION

pronunciation: [in-və-KAY-shən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French and Latin, 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. The action of invoking something or someone for assistance or as an authority.

 

Example:

"The chemistry department’s invocation of new methodologies opened up possibilities for research."

"Pastor Stanley gave an invocation at the beginning of his sermon."

 

About Invocation

This word comes from late Middle English via Old French. It originated from the Latin “invocatio(n-),” from the verb “invocare.”

 

Did You Know?

Practicing Christians will likely recognize the word “invocation” in its religious context, meaning the act of calling for God’s assistance, presence, and guidance. It’s one of the most common forms of prayer. In a non-religious context, it can be used in an instance of summoning help from an authority.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - CONCORD

pronunciation: [kahNG-kord]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Agreement or harmony between people or groups.

2. A chord that is pleasing or satisfactory in itself.

 

Example:

"The two sides of the case reached a concord in mediation."

"Jerry played a variety of concords on his Gibson guitar."

 

About Concord

This is a Middle English word from the Old French “concorde.” That stems from the Latin “concordia” from “concors,” meaning “of one mind.” Con- means “together” + cord-, meaning “heart.”

 

Did You Know?

Another use for “concord” is via the Concord grape, a dessert grape developed in Concord, Massachusetts. It’s a versatile grape used for wine, juice, table grapes, jelly, and more.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - VALOROUS

pronunciation: [VAL-ər-əs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: French, late 15th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Showing great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.

 

Example:

"George Washington proved valorous during the Battle of Trenton in 1776."

"Joan of Arc was considered such a valorous heroine that she was canonized as a saint."

 

About Valorous

This word stems from the French “valeureux” and “valeur,” which came from the Latin stem “valere,” meaning “be strong.”

 

Did You Know?

One of the traditions of the Jewish faith is to read or sing “Eshet Chayil,” a 22-verse poem from Proverbs 31, verses 10-31, during the Shabbat celebration on Friday evenings. Many know it as the “Woman of Valor” song that extols the valorous virtues of an ideal Jewish woman: hardworking, industrious, and God-fearing.