by Dwane | Jul 14, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Anomalous Abnormal, differing from the norm, the standard, or the usual way of doing things. Anomalous is the adjective form of anomaly. Anomalous comes from the Greek words ἀν (an), meaning “not” and ὁμός (homos) meaning “same”. Synonyms include atypical, divergent,...
by Dwane | Jul 13, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Anomaly Something differing from the usual pattern. A peculiarity, an abnormality. A deviation from the normal. An outlier. Synonyms include aberration, deviation, oddity, and rarity. Anomaly comes from the Greek words ἀν (an), meaning “not” and ὁμός (homos)...
by Dwane | Jul 11, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Atavistic An atavistic trait is a trait you picked up from your ancestors. It skipped a generation, or two, though. Your parents did not have this trait. Atavistic traits disappear for a time only to show up later. For example, “He has an atavistic temper. It...
by Dwane | Jul 10, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Arachnoleptic fit: The wild fit you throw right after you walk through a spider web. Arachnoleptic fit is a made-up word. My mom sent it to me. It’s a useful made-up word though. I nearly wiped out once after biking through a spider web. I threw an arachnoleptic fit...
by Dwane | Jun 30, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Yesterday, I posted the word Saturnine, meaning gloomy. Oddly enough, today’s word has the exact opposite meaning. Saturnalian: Riotously merry, overindulgent How did these two similar words end up with opposite definitions? Saturnine meaning gloomy, derives...
by Dwane | Jun 29, 2023 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Saturnine Gloomy, grave, scowling. In the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian, Nikabrik refuses to join in the celebration. He stands off to the side with a sullen, saturnine look. From the Roman name for the god of time, Saturn. Yes, the planet is named after...
