New Game: What's the Word?

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - SHUNT

pronunciation: [SHənt]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Middle English

 

Meaning: 

1. Push or shove (someone or something).

2. Direct or divert (someone or something) to a less important place or position.

 

Example:

"The unused dishes will be shunted to the side once the buffet ends."

"The applicants with less experience were shunted to the bottom of the resume pile."

 

About Shunt

In the sense of "move suddenly aside," it's believed this Middle English word evolved from "shun," which in Old English meant to seek safety from an enemy.

 

Did You Know?

The verb "to shunt" can be applied to moving anything aside, but the main usage of it used to be directly related to trains. "To shunt" means to push or pull a train, or part of a train, from the main line to a side track.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PURVIEW

pronunciation: [PER-vyoo]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Anglo-Norman French, mid-15th century

 

Meaning: 

1. The scope of the influence or concerns of something.

 

Example:

"Corporate law did not fall under the purview of Rebecca’s legal firm. "

"The security officer on duty said anything that happened in the courtyard wasn’t his purview."

 

About Purview

This word is late Middle English. It comes originally from the Anglo-Norman French “purveu,” meaning “foreseen,” which is a past participle of “purveier.”

 

Did You Know?

In its earliest use, purview’s root, “perveu,” was a term that introduced statutes in English legal documents in the Middle Ages. The modern, expanded use of the word actually stems from the meaning of “view,” or a “manner of regarding something.”

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - BASTION

pronunciation: [BAS-chən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: French, mid-16th century

 

Meaning: 

1. An institution, place, or person strongly defending or upholding particular principles, attitudes, or activities.

2. A projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions.

 

Example:

"By the time Tim got tenure, he was a bastion of academia."

"The naval base has a bastion that juts out into the ocean."

 

About Bastion

This word is French, by way of the Italian “bastione.” That comes from “bastire,” meaning “build.”

 

Did You Know?

“Bastion” is also a role-playing video game that was released in 2011. Complete with narration, players have to create and fight for civilization’s last stronghold in the game’s imaginary setting.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - EIDOLON

pronunciation: [ay-DOH-lən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, early 19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. An idealized person or thing.

2. A specter or phantom.

 

Example:

"Marilyn Monroe was once the eidolon of femininity."

"The movie “Poltergeist” has a menacing eidolon that haunts a family’s new home."

 

About Eidolon

This word, which first appeared around the 1820s, stems from the Greek “eidōlon,” from “eidos,” meaning “form.”

 

Did You Know?

The eidolon of Hamlet’s father is a somber presence in the Shakespeare play. According to some accounts, the playwright took on the role of the ghost himself in its original productions.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - MORES

pronunciation: [MOR-ayz]

 

Part of speech: noun (plural)

Origin: Latin, late 19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. The essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community.

 

Example:

"Technology has helped rapidly change mores across the world."

"One of the mores of the Girl Scouts is service to others."

 

About Mores

This comes from Latin and is the plural form of “mos,” meaning “custom.”

 

Did You Know?

One of the first identified sociologists from the United States, William Graham Sumner, is credited with introducing the word “mores” into modern sociology.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - WINNOW

pronunciation: [WIN-oh]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Old English, late 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Remove (people or things) from a group until only the best ones are left; find or identify (a valuable or useful part of something).

2. Remove (chaff) from grain.

 

Example:

"The women winnow the grain every day of the harvest season."

"Dana winnowed her list of admirers down to a select few."

 

About Winnow

This stems from the Old English word “windwian.” It’s related to the Dutch “wind” and German “Wind,” from an Indo-European root shared by Latin ventus.

 

Did You Know?

“Winnow” has even more definitions than listed. Although rarely used this way, it can also mean “to beat with or as if with wings” or “to blow on or fan.” These definitions didn’t come into play until the 19th century.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PERCIPIENT

pronunciation: [pər-SIP-ee-ənt]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid-17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Having a good understanding of things; perceptive.

 

Example:

"Ethan was a quiet, but percipient, kind of guy."

"The percipient expression on her face showed her understanding."

 

About Percipient

This word comes from the Latin “percipient,” meaning “seizing, understanding,” from the verb “percipere.”

 

Did You Know?

Percipient can also be a noun. In that context, it means “(especially in philosophy or with reference to psychic phenomena) a person who is able to perceive things.”

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - CONVIVIAL

pronunciation: [kən-VIV-ee-əl]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, mid-17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. (Of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable; (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial

 

Example:

"The housewarming party was convivial and welcoming."

"Thérèse was a charming, convivial dinner host — and a good cook, too."

 

About Convivial

This term originates from the Latin “convivialis,” which stems from “convivium,” meaning “a feast.” “Con-” is “with,” and “vivere” means “live.”

 

Did You Know?

Convivial is also the name of a popular French bistro in northwestern Washington, D.C. Like the definition of “convivial,” the interior is casual and welcoming.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - ADJURE

pronunciation: [ə-DJUR]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Middle English, late 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Urge or request (someone) solemnly or earnestly to do something.

 

Example:

"She adjured the jury to carefully consider the evidence."

"The pastor adjured his congregation to donate to those in need."

 

About Adjure

This word stems from late Middle English via the Latin “adjurare,” from “ad-” meaning “to” plus “jurare” “swear” (from jus, jur- ‘oath’).

 

Did You Know?

“Adjure” could easily be mistaken for “abjure” because they sound similar. Both have the same Latin root, “jurare,” but to abjure something is to renounce it solemnly or abstain from it.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - FINITUDE

pronunciation: [FIN-ə-tood]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, 1640s

 

Meaning: 

1. The state of having limits or bounds.

 

Example:

"The fussy toddler’s mother was quickly reaching the finitude of her patience."

"There is a finitude of fresh produce at the convenience store."

 

About Finitude

This word originated from the Latin “finis,” meaning “end” + “-dō,” meaning to “signify a noun of state.”

 

Did You Know?

Finitude is a popular topic across many areas of academia, including philosophy, psychology, art, and economics. There’s an intellectual struggle between what’s a known or acceptable entity in the human experience at a given time (the finitude) versus what’s possible if the human brain can imagine it.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - GESTALT

pronunciation: [ɡə-SHTalt]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: German, 1920s

 

Meaning: 

1. An organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.

 

Example:

"Gestalt in art refers to an ability to recognize patterns and group objects."

"Families form their own unique gestalt over time."

 

About Gestalt

Gestalt stems from the Proto-Indo-European root “-stel,” meaning “to put, stand, or put in order.”

 

Did You Know?

Gestalt psychology came from early twentieth-century Germany and Austria. It highlighted the human ability to recognize patterns and configurations, not simply the individual components of a thing or scenario.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - ENSCONCE

pronunciation: [en-SKANS]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Unknown place of origin, late 16th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Establish or settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe, or secret place.

 

Example:

"The top government officials were safely ensconced in a windowless office."

"Barbara ensconced herself in the world of academia."

 

About Ensconce

While the origin of this word is unknown, the etymology suggests it comes from either the Dutch “schans,” meaning “earthwork,” or the Middle High German “schanze,” meaning “bundle of sticks.”

 

Did You Know?

“Sconce'' and “ensconce” are easy to mix up. Remember, ensconce is a verb, while sconce is a noun. Most people think of a decorative light fixture as a “sconce,” but it also has an archaic definition as a fort made of earthen materials.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - MENTATION

pronunciation: [men-TAY-SHən]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, mid-19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Mental activity.

 

Example:

"Celine’s mentation became muddled when she was sleep deprived."

"The bar exam requires extreme focus and mentation."

 

About Mentation

This word comes from the Latin “ment-,” a stem of “mens” that means “mind,” plus “-ation,” an ending for certain nouns of action.

 

Did You Know?

The Maudsley Mentation Test was developed in the early 1990s as a way to monitor the mental functions of patients who have suffered certain kinds of brain hemorrhages. This test can provide evidence of mental deterioration in early stages of treatment and prevent further damage.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - COMPENDIOUS

pronunciation: [kəm-PEN-dee-əs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: French, late 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Containing or presenting the essential facts of something in a comprehensive but concise way.

 

Example:

"Jared’s compendious recitation of archaic literature impressed his professors."

"The book was a compendious study of film history. "

 

About Compendious

This word stems from the Old French “compendieux,” from the Latin “compendiosus,” which means “advantageous, brief.”

 

Did You Know?

R.D. Trivedi’s 888-page “A Compendious History of English Literature” was published in India in 1976. The literature in it ranges from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century. The volume is used by many Indian students to gain a better grasp on the literature and history of the English language.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - PULCHRITUDINOUS

pronunciation: [pəl-krə-TOOD-ən-əs]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: English, 15th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Beautiful.

 

Example:

"Her pulchritudinous looks charmed everyone at the table. "

"The wedding planner provided lush, pulchritudinous flower arrangements."

 

About Pulchritudinous

This word stems from the American English “pulchritude,” from the Latin “pulchritudo,” meaning “beauty.” Earlier English had “pulcrious,” meaning “beautiful, fair,” but that term is now obsolete.

 

Did You Know?

According to Google users, “pulchritudinous” is a confusing word. One of the most common queries related to the word: “Is pulchritudinous a bad word?”

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - ENCOMIUM

pronunciation: [en-KO-mee-əm]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, mid 16th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.

 

Example:

"Adlai Stevenson gave a moving encomium about Eleanor Roosevelt to the United Nations."

"The mayor praised the first responders in his encomium."

 

About Encomium

This word hails from Latin, deriving from the ancient Greek “enkōmion,” meaning “eulogy.” The “en-” means “within” + “komos” means “revel.”

 

Did You Know?

The ancient Greeks developed this word to describe the public congratulatory speeches given to Olympic winners in the original games in 776 BCE.

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - AVER

pronunciation: [ə-vər]

 

Part of speech: verb

Origin: Old French, late 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. State or assert to be the case.

 

Example:

"The gentleman avers that he is quite wealthy."

"The principal averred that the seniors were responsible for the prank."

 

About Aver

This word stems from late Middle English via the Old French “averer.” This is based on the Latin “ad,” meaning “to,” (implying “cause to be”), plus “verus,” meaning “true.”

 

Did You Know?

Spanish speakers say a word that sounds like “aver,” but it doesn’t have the same meaning as the English version. It’s actually two words: “a ver,” which roughly translate to “let’s see.”

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - VIAND

pronunciation: [VY-ənd]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Old French, late 14th century

 

Meaning: 

1. (usually viands) (archaic) An item of food.

2. (Philippines) A meat, seafood, or vegetable dish that accompanies rice in a typical Filipino meal.

 

Example:

"The lunch came with two savory viands."

"Her mother made an array of viands to accompany the starches."

 

About Viand

This word stems from the Old French "viande," meaning “food.” This originates from an alteration of Latin’s “vivenda,” from “vivere,” meaning “to live.”

 

Did You Know?

The modern iteration of “viand” has been adopted in Filipino English. It’s a translation of the Tagalog word “ulam,” which means “dish.”

 

Note:  I am French Canadian and the way they pronounce "viand" sounds more an English than French.  For me it sounds more like [vee-on-d].

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - ALEATORY

pronunciation: [EY-lee-ə-tor-ee]

 

Part of speech: adjective

Origin: Latin, late 17th century

 

Meaning: 

1. Depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random.

2. Relating to or denoting music or other forms of art involving elements of random choice during their composition, production, or performance.

 

Example:

"Vegas casinos run on the outcome of aleatory games."

"The aleatory sounds of the symphony demonstrated the composer’s unique vision."

 

About Aleatory

This word hails from the Latin “aleatorius,” from “aleator,” meaning “dice player.” “Alea” means “die,” + “-y,” meaning “having the quality of.”

 

Did You Know?

Aleatory music, in which some part of the composition is left up to the whims of the performer, is known as chance music. It’s not just improvisation — some forms of aleatory music incorporate statistical and computer techniques.

 

 

[DarkRavie]

What's the Word? - HYPOCORISTIC

pronunciation: [hi-pə-kə-ris-tik]

 

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, mid-19th century

 

Meaning: 

1. A form that denotes a pet name or diminutive form of a name.

 

Example:

"She found the hypocoristic to be childish."

"The father of eight came up with a hypocoristic for each child."

 

About Hypocoristic

This word originates from the Greek “hupokorisma,” from “hupokorizesthai,” meaning “play the child.” “Hupo” translates to “under,” and “korē” means “child.”

 

Did You Know?

Hypocorism, another noun formation with the same root as hypocoristic, is another word for “baby talk.” Wordsmiths of the 19th century used this linguistic term to describe the “baby talk” adults use when they speak to very young children. That usage eventually faded out of fashion and took on the current definition of a nickname or pet name.