I'm going to start posting interesting words I come across. I'm doing this mostly for my own amusement. Others can join in. If I'm the only word nerd here, thats OK.
I'm going to use this format:
1) Word
2) Definition
3) Source (where I found it)
4) Etymology (where the word came from)
So...
1) Dyspeptic
2) Adj. - Of or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression. N. - A person who suffers from indigestion or irritability.
3) "The only response was a slightly elevated eyebrow and the beginning of a dyspeptic expression on Spock's sallow face." (Mutiny on the Enterprise by Robert E. Vardeman)
4) Greek - dys (difficult) + peptos (digested).
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 10:59 pm
by MaxPC
Perspicacious (one of my favorites)
quick in noticing, understanding, or judging things accurately
e.g. His perspicacious grandfather had bought the land as an investment, guessing that there might be gold underground.
Cambridge Dictionary
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 11:01 pm
by Szdfan
1) imbroglio
2) N. - An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.
3) "The crew observing this imbroglio became most agitated and many failed to report to their duty stations afterward." (Mutiny on the Enterprise )
4) Italian - "imbrogliare" (confuse, tangle)
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 11:01 pm
by Szdfan
MaxPC wrote: ↑Wed May 10, 2023 10:59 pm
Perspicacious (one of my favorites)
quick in noticing, understanding, or judging things accurately
e.g. His perspicacious grandfather had bought the land as an investment, guessing that there might be gold underground.
Cambridge Dictionary
That's a good one!
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 9:10 am
by MaxPC
Szdfan wrote: ↑Wed May 10, 2023 9:05 pm
I'm going to start posting interesting words I come across. I'm doing this mostly for my own amusement. Others can join in. If I'm the only word nerd here, thats OK.
I'm going to use this format:
1) Word
2) Definition
3) Source (where I found it)
4) Etymology (where the word came from)
So...
1) Dyspeptic
2) Adj. - Of or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression. N. - A person who suffers from indigestion or irritability.
3) "The only response was a slightly elevated eyebrow and the beginning of a dyspeptic expression on Spock's sallow face." (Mutiny on the Enterprise by Robert E. Vardeman)
4) Greek - dys (difficult) + peptos (digested).
You can do a series on those words with the same Greek roots but wherein the next syllable has a different derivative.
E.g. the "PHIL" words (love of):
philology - philologist
philosophy - philosopher
philanthropy - philanthropist
philately - philatelist
Strong's Greek dictionary would be an interesting start to your venture: the English language is replete with such words.
Replete is another word that can be added to your list.
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 1:11 pm
by temporal1
1) Fifthly
2) adverb. /ˈfɪfθli/ /ˈfɪfθli/ used to introduce the fifth of a list of points you want to make in a speech or piece of writing.
4) EnglishEdit. EtymologyEdit · fifth + -ly. AdverbEdit. fifthly (not comparable). In the fifth place; fifth in a row. TranslationsEdit.
Fifthly Nychthemeron / 2:32min
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Thu May 11, 2023 5:49 pm
by Szdfan
MaxPC wrote: ↑Thu May 11, 2023 9:10 am
Strong's Greek dictionary would be an interesting start to your venture: the English language is replete with such words.
That's a good idea. My school almost exclusively uses Greek and Latin roots to teach morphology to our students. I've been looking more deeply into them because I'm discovering that while my students will use the morpheme forms, they don't really think about their meanings, which is leading to mistakes.
verb (used without object), blo·vi·at·ed, blo·vi·at·ing.
to speak pompously.
That would NEVER happen on MN!!
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 2:14 am
by RZehr
Pettifogger - noun
A. lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery
B. any person who quibbles or fusses over details
Pettifog - verb
verb (used without object), pet·ti·fogged, pet·ti·fog·ging.
A. to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.
B. to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.
C. to practice chicanery of any sort.
Re: Fantastic and Interesting Words
Posted: Fri May 12, 2023 9:40 am
by MaxPC
RZehr wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 2:14 am
Pettifogger - noun
A. lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery
B. any person who quibbles or fusses over details
Pettifog - verb
verb (used without object), pet·ti·fogged, pet·ti·fog·ging.
A. to bicker or quibble over trifles or unimportant matters.
B. to carry on a petty, shifty, or unethical law business.
C. to practice chicanery of any sort.
Another favorite of mine!
In this era pettifoggery is used to erect straw men as well.
