Tagged as: Word-Of-The-Week
Apr
23
[sin-tl-eyt]
Definition:
To emit sparks
Example of usage:
When she said that she didn’t mind kissing and telling, she was completely honest! Her descriptions included all of the scintillating details.
Comments:
Okay so I actually this that this is interesting because I looked up the word before I posted it, and it seemed like a slightly different definition than I expected. It makes sense for scintillate to mean to emit sparks, but for most of the times that I’ve encountered it, it has been used more metaphorically. There is the usage in terms of sparks as between lovers. And there is the usage for someone who is very witty and quick. Hm, I guess we all learn something everyday, don’t we?
Tagged as: Word-Of-The-Week
Apr
16
[kas-ti-geyt]
Definition:
To strongly criticize or reprimand.
Example of usage:
After running into the street, some people think that the parents should just send them to the corner, but others are of the mind that the child should be castigated in order to more strongly deter future injurious behavior.
Comments:
Using a new word instead of criticize seems like an attractive possibility. Seemingly of the old English variety of words, it flavors your language, and I’d warrant to say that it might make you sound more sophisticated.
Tagged as: Word-Of-The-Week
Apr
09
[i-gree-juh s, -jee-uh s]
Definition:
Extreme or monumental in some negative way.
Example of usage:
Now some people will forget things on their vacation, but forgetting your credit card and money is an egregious mistake.
Comments:
I think that this word is pretty useful in everyday language. Now we might not necessarily encounter things that can be termed “egregious” every single day. However, it can be useful in order to reference things that could possibly happen or that have happened previously.
Tagged as: Word-Of-The-Week
Apr
02
[pri-koh-shuh s]
Definition:
Unusually advanced or mature
Example of usage:
While the rest of the class was struggling with their work, the precocious child had finished already and was causing a ruckus because he was bored.
Comments:
This is definitely one of those words that is very descriptive of what you’re trying to say. You can try to explain what you mean with this word in many more words, but this word displays much more brevity. And that is always good.
Tagged as: Word-Of-The-Week
Mar
26
[ten-uh-buh l]
Definition:
To be capable of being held or defended
Example of usage:
That bunker over there is on higher ground, has a good vantage point of the attackers, and is thus definitely tenable.
Comments:
This word can be used both as meaning to hold an actual place, but more commonly in our day and age it can be used to describe a side of an argument. When someone has a better position in such an argument, their position could be described as tenable. If you use it, people might nod and agree, but they’ll likely have no idea what you’re talking about. Then you’ll feel like an all-star. Unless of course they already know what it means, in which case you better make sure that you’re using it in the right context.
The more uncommon a word is, the more horrible it is when used in the wrong context
-Derek Wong
Haha I can’t believe that I just made up a quote and then quoted myself. 