DarkRavie Posted May 19 Author Report Share Posted May 19 What's the Word: APOLLONIAN pronunciation: [ap-ə-LOH-nee-ən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, 17th century Meaning: 1. Relating to the rational, ordered, and self-disciplined aspects of human nature. Examples: "Adam considered himself to have Apollonian traits." "His combination of excellent grades and participation in several sports gave him an Apollonian reputation." About Apollonian This word hails directly from the Greek god Apollo. The Greek adjective was “Apollonios.” Did you Know? The ancient Greeks put the god Apollo on a pedestal because he was the god of poetry, music, healing, and more. Twentieth-century German philosophers juxtaposed the sons of Zeus — Apollo (archetype of rationality and calmness) and Dionysus (archetype of passion, emotions, and instinct) — in a long-lasting duality. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 20 Author Report Share Posted May 20 What's the Word: LEVIATHAN pronunciation: [lə-VI-ə-thən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, late 14th century Meaning: 1. A thing that is very large or powerful, especially a ship. 2. A very large aquatic creature, especially a whale. Examples: "The blue whale is one of the largest leviathans in the sea." "The cruise ship was a towering leviathan of the seas." About Leviathan This word comes from late Latin via the Hebrew “liwyāṯān,” meaning “dragon, serpent, huge sea animal.” Did you Know? The Old Testament refers to a sea monster called Leviathan in the book of Psalms. In the story, this huge sea monster is killed by God, then offered to the Hebrews as food. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warriorpirate Posted May 21 Report Share Posted May 21 On 5/19/2024 at 10:34 PM, DarkRavie said: That is great to know. What language? My mothertounge is Urdu, it's spoken in Pakistan. It shares a lot of words from Arabic and Persian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 21 Author Report Share Posted May 21 2 hours ago, warriorpirate said: My mothertounge is Urdu, it's spoken in Pakistan. It shares a lot of words from Arabic and Persian. It's always good to learn something I never knew. I only speak English and French. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 21 Author Report Share Posted May 21 What's the Word: EKE pronunciation: [eek] Part of speech: verb Origin: Old English, pre-12th century Meaning: 1. Make an amount or supply of something last longer by using or consuming it frugally. 2. Manage to support oneself or make a living with difficulty. Examples: "The farm only eked out a bushel of produce after the major freeze." "The committee managed to eke out a proposal draft by the deadline." About Eke This word comes from the Old English “ēacian” or “ēcan” (in the sense “increase”). It is of Germanic origin and related to the Old Norse “auka.” Did you Know? In addition to its verb usage, “eke” was an archaic adverb that meant “also.” Example: "Say thy name and eke thy occupation." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 22 Author Report Share Posted May 22 What's the Word: DICTUM pronunciation: [DIK-təm] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, late 16th century Meaning: 1. A short statement that expresses a general truth or principle. 2. A formal pronouncement from an authoritative source. Examples: "The famous medical dictum says, 'First, do no harm.'" "Stanley wanted to include a popular spiritual dictum in the introduction to his novel." About Dictum This is borrowed from the Latin “dictum,” literally meaning “something said.” Did you Know? Not all dictums are necessarily rooted in truth; sometimes they’re just catchphrases that have been said with enough authority over time to gain popularity. For instance, “you are what you eat” is not a literal truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 23 Author Report Share Posted May 23 What's the Word: AVATAR pronunciation: [AV-ə-tahr] Part of speech: noun Origin: Sanskrit, late 18th century Meaning: 1. An icon or figure representing a particular person in video games, internet forums, etc. 2. A manifestation of a deity or released soul in bodily form on earth; an incarnate divine teacher (mainly in Hinduism). Examples: "Derek’s avatar on the text thread is a cartoon." "Meghan chose the fox as her avatar in the video game." About Avatar This word originates from the Sanskrit “avantarana,” meaning “descent of a deity to the earth in incarnate form.” Did you Know? The rise of technology seems to coincide with a rise in popularity of the word “avatar.” In computer terminology, usage of the word seems to trace back to the 1992 sci-fi novel “Snowcrash” by Neal Stephenson, which features an alternate universe populated by avatars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 24 Author Report Share Posted May 24 What's the Word: MEZZANINE pronunciation: [MEH-zə-neen] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 18th century Meaning: 1. A low story between two others in a building, typically between the ground and first floors. 2. The lowest balcony of a theater, stadium, etc., or the front rows of the balcony. Examples: "The hotel’s mezzanine floor had a lot of ornate woodwork." "The office mezzanine incorporated glass and steel into its design." About Mezzanine This word came from France by way of the Italian “mezzanino,” stemming from “mezzano,” meaning “middle.” It originated from the Latin “medianus,” meaning “median.” Did you Know? While "mezzanine" is primarily used to describe architecture, "mezzanine financing," in the financial realm, is capital that has both debt and equity features. Just like a mezzanine floor sits between the ground and first floors, this type of lending falls between more traditional types of financing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 25 Author Report Share Posted May 25 What's the Word: CODA pronunciation: [KOH-də] Part of speech: noun Origin: Italian, mid-18th century Meaning: 1. A concluding event, remark, or section. 2. The concluding passage of a piece or movement (music), typically forming an addition to the basic structure. Examples: "Tim composed an elegant concerto with a haunting coda." "The graduation ceremony was a touching coda to her high school memories." About Coda This word comes from the Italian “cauda,” meaning “tail.” Did you Know? The acronym "CODA" stands for "child of deaf adult." The acronym has gained widespread use, especially after the 2021 Oscar-winning movie of the same name. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 26 Author Report Share Posted May 26 What's the Word: FACTOID pronunciation: [FAK-toid] Part of speech: noun Origin: American English, 1970s Meaning: 1. A brief or trivial item of news or information. 2. An assumption or speculation that is reported and repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact. Examples: "Mary loved collecting drinks with factoids under the bottle cap." "Despite the popular factoid, it is not dangerous to drink soda and eat Pop Rocks." About Factoid This word originated as a combination of the word "fact" ("a thing known or proven to be true") and the suffix "-oid" ("resembling or like"), creating the definition of "something that resembles a fact." It has gathered additional meanings over time. Did you Know? Factoid was first coined by American writer Norman Mailer in his 1973 biography of pop culture icon Marilyn Monroe. In what is thought to be the first usage of the term, Mailer described factoids as facts that didn’t exist before being reported in newspapers or magazines — in other words, made up. Over time, however, "factoid" has taken on a different meaning of "a small tidbit of news or information." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 27 Author Report Share Posted May 27 What's the Word: CITADEL pronunciation: [SID-ə-del] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. A fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city. Examples: "The soldiers prepared to fall back to the citadel before dark." "The king ordered the construction of a moat to further secure the citadel." About Citadel Citadel, the French word "citadelle," and the Italian word "cittadella" are all derived from the Latin word "civitas" ("city"). Did you Know? The Acropolis of Athens (Greece), the Rock of Gibraltar (located in/near Spain), and Dover Castle (England) are citadels, fortresses built in strategic defensive locations to protect a city. The citadels were used by different cultures, depending on who was currently in power. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 28 Author Report Share Posted May 28 What's the Word: LUCUBRATE pronunciation: [LOO-kyə-brayt] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, early 17th century Meaning: 1. Write or study, especially by night. 2. Produce scholarly written material. Examples: "Elliott was known to lucubrate past midnight during finals week." "Maryann lucubrated an academic journal on Egyptian history." About Lucubrate This word comes from the Latin “lucubrat-” meaning “(having) worked by lamplight,” from the verb “lucubrare.” Did you Know? Writers are keen on figuring out what time of day is most creative and productive for them. Horror fiction author H.P. Lovecraft insisted nighttime lucubration was most suited to the craft, stating, “At night, when the objective world has slunk back into its cavern and left dreamers to their own, there come inspirations and capabilities impossible at any less magical and quiet hour. No one knows whether or not he is a writer unless he has tried writing at night.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 29 Author Report Share Posted May 29 What's the Word: CULTIVAR pronunciation: [KUHL-tə-var] Part of speech: noun Origin: American English, 1920s Meaning: 1. A plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. Cultivars are usually designated in the style Taxus baccata "Variegata." Examples: "The rose garden was organized by sections of different cultivars." "Most houseplants are cultivars of hardier, outdoor species." About Cultivar Cultivar originated from a 1920s combination of the existing words "cultivate" ("preparation for crops") and "variety" ("the state of being different or diverse"). Did you Know? The word “cultivar” was coined by horticulturalist Liberty Hyde Bailey in 1923. Bailey wanted an abbreviation for the term “cultivated variety” — specific designations of plants that retain similar characteristics even after reproduction. Besides serving as the chair of Cornell University’s Horticulture and Landscape Gardening Department (the first of its kind in the country), Bailey was instrumental in creating the 4-H organization. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted May 30 Author Report Share Posted May 30 What's the Word: EXTANT pronunciation: [EK-stənt] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. (Especially of a document) Still in existence; surviving. Examples: "Since the original document was no longer extant, the team settled for secondary sources." "Unfortunately, there was a very small amount of extant work in Jessica’s chosen field." About Extant Extant developed from the Latin word "exstant" ("being visible or prominent, existing"), from the verb "exstare" — a combination of "ex" ("out") and "stare" ("to stand"). Did you Know? The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., is the largest library in the world, with more than 170 million items, including a large collection of extant materials, such as original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, and the U.S. Constitution. The LOC displays these documents out of storage only for very short periods at a time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 1 Author Report Share Posted June 1 What's the Word: LUCULLAN pronunciation: [luh-KUH-lən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. (Especially of food) Extremely luxurious. Examples: "Everything about the suites at the Plaza Hotel is Lucullan." "The convention ended with a Lucullan banquet." About Lucullan This word comes directly from the name of Licinius Lucullus, Roman general from the first century BCE, famous for giving lavish banquets. Did you Know? Lucullan marble, also known as Lucullite, is a specific marble colored dark gray by carbon found along the Nile River Valley in Egypt. It has been used in world-famous architecture and sculptures, including the geometric flooring of the Temple of Herakles in Malibu’s Getty Villa Museum and the Furietti Centaurs sculptures in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 1 Author Report Share Posted June 1 What's the Word: ROBORANT pronunciation: [RO-bər-ənt] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. A medicine, treatment, etc., that has a strengthening or restorative effect. Examples: "The antibiotic was a needed roborant for his infection." "The ointment felt like a short-term roborant." About Roborant This word comes from the Latin “roborant-,” meaning “strengthening,” and the verb “roborare,” from “robor-,” meaning “strength.” Did you Know? “Roborant” can also be used as an adjective, meaning “having a strengthening or restorative effect.” For example, “The crux of the roborant treatment after surgery was physical therapy.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 2 Author Report Share Posted June 2 What's the Word: FILLIP pronunciation: [FIL-əp] Part of speech: noun Origin: Possibly of imitative origin, mid-15th century Meaning: 1. Something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity. 2. (Archaic) A movement made by bending the last joint of the finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing it; a flick of the finger. Examples: "With a fillip of two fingers, Serena flicked the acorn across the table." "Springtime usually provides a fillip to automotive sales." About Fillip This word is likely an onomatopoeia — it appeared in the mid-16th century around the same time as “flip” and “flirt.” The noun and verb usages appeared contemporaneously. Did you Know? In addition to its use as a noun, the word “fillip” can also be a verb meaning “to flick something with a finger,” “to strike something sharply,” and “to stimulate/urge someone or something.” For example, “The doctor asked the patient a series of questions in an attempt to fillip her memory, but all she could do in response was fillip the table.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 3 Author Report Share Posted June 3 What's the Word: CLOVEN pronunciation: [KLOH-vən] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Old English, 13th century Meaning: 1. Split or divided in two. Examples: "Do you remember the story of Moses when he made the Red Sea cloven?" "By the time the storm subsided, the sailboat was nearly cloven." About Cloven This word comes from the Old English “clēofan,” a past participle adjective of “cleave,” meaning “to split, part, or divide by force.” It is related to the Dutch “klieven” and German “klieben.” Did you Know? There are many animals with cloven hooves, including deer, pigs, cattle, antelopes, goats, and sheep. The hooves on horses, zebras, and donkeys, meanwhile, are solid and single-toed, while rhinoceroses have three toes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 4 Author Report Share Posted June 4 What's the Word: APOLOGUE pronunciation: [AHP-pə-log] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. A moral fable, especially one with animals as characters. Examples: "Jessica wrote an apologue that made it easy for her students to absorb the lesson's morals." "The Tortoise and the Hare' is a famous apologue." About Apologue This word stems from French, via the Greek “apologos,” meaning “story.” Did you Know? “Aesop’s Fables,” perhaps the most well-known collection of apologues, has been educating children for generations with morality tales delivered through talking animals. Stories such as “The Owl and the Grasshopper,” “The Bell and the Cat,” and “The Two Crabs” are short enough to keep a child’s attention and obvious enough to make their ultimate messages clear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted June 5 Author Report Share Posted June 5 What's the Word: CONATION pronunciation: [koh-NAY-SHən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, early 17th century Meaning: 1. The mental faculty of purpose, desire, or will to perform an action; volition. Examples: "Monica had the conation to complete the Boston Marathon." "Henry was frustrated that he still had the conation to complete his big plans, but the foul weather was stopping him." About Conation This word comes from the Latin “conatio(n-),” originally from “conari,” meaning “to try.” Did you Know? According to the American Psychological Association, conation is one of three traditionally identified components of the human mind. The other two are cognition and affect. Conation in this sense is “the proactive (as opposed to habitual) part of motivation that connects knowledge, affect, drives, desires, and instincts to behavior.” Sometimes the behavioral basis of attitudes is called the “conative component.” 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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