Word Power Made Easy
Sessions 32-37: How to Flatter Your Friends
Let's explore the positive words that describe admirable qualities.
The 10 "Flattering" Words
In these sessions, we will master 10 key adjectives to describe the best in people.
- Convivial
- Indefatigable
- Ingenuous
- Perspicacious
- Magnanimous
- Versatile
- Stoical
- Intrepid
- Scintillating
- Urbane
Friendly, lively, and enjoyable; sociable.
(From `con-` "with" + `vivo` "to live").
The Root: VIVO
(Latin: "to live")
Enjoys "living with" others; loves parties.
From `vivo`.
Attractively lively and animated; full of life.
From `vivo`.
Producing powerful feelings or clear, "lifelike" images in the mind.
From `re-` (again) + `vivo` (to live).
To bring back to life.
Tireless; persisting tirelessly.
The Root: FATIGUUS
(Latin: "weary")
Extreme tiredness.
Word Breakdown
(not)
(to tire out)
Unable to be tired out; "not" weary.
Innocent, simple, frank, and open; naïve.
Like a child, "inborn" (`genuus`) goodness.
The Root: INGENUUS
(Latin: "inborn, native, frank")
Having an "inborn" frankness or innocence.
Ingenuous vs. Ingenious
These two words are famously confused!
- Ingenuous: Frank, honest, naïve, like a child.
(Think: `u` as in "gullible") - Ingenious: Clever, talented, inventive.
(Think: `i` as in "brilliant idea")
`dis-` (not) + `ingenuous` (frank).
Not frank; insincere, pretending to be innocent.
A synonym for `ingenuous`. Showing a lack of experience or wisdom.
Related Root: CREDERE
(Latin: "to believe")
`Ingenuous` and `naïve` people are often too quick "to believe."
From `credere`.
Too ready to believe; gullible.
`in-` (not) + `credulous` (believing).
Not believing; skeptical.
From `credere`.
Able to be believed; convincing.
Easily fooled or cheated. (A synonym for `credulous`).
Sharp-minded; insightful.
Able to "see through" (`specere`) problems.
The Root: SPECERE
(through)
(to see, to look)
Able to "look through" and understand complex things.
Perspicacious vs. Perspicuous
Another classic confusion!
- Perspicacious: Refers to a person.
"A perspicacious detective." (Sharp-witted) - Perspicuous: Refers to a thing (like an explanation).
"A perspicuous argument." (Clear, easy to understand)
From `specere`.
A public show or display; something to see.
From `specere`.
One who looks on or watches.
From `re-` (back) + `specere` (to look).
To "look back" at someone; to admire.
From `intro-` (inward) + `specere` (to look).
The act of "looking inward" at one's own thoughts.
From `circum-` (around) + `specere` (to look).
"Looking around"; watchful and cautious.
Generous, big-hearted, and forgiving.
Having a "great mind/spirit."
The Roots: MAGNUS + ANIMUS
(great)
(mind)
Having a "great mind" or "great spirit."
(one)
(mind)
"Of one mind"; in complete agreement.
(equal)
(mind)
"Equal mind"; mental calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation.
From `magnus`.
A wealthy and influential person; a "great" person in business.
From `magnus`.
To make "great" or larger.
From `magnus`.
The "greatness" of size or importance.
Able to "turn" (`vertere`) to many different tasks or skills.
(A callback to Sessions 1-3!)
Enduring pain and hardship without showing feeling or complaining.
The Root: STOA
(Greek: "porch")
The philosopher Zeno taught on a "porch" (`stoa`) that one must be indifferent to pain or pleasure.
Fearless; adventurous.
"Not" (`in-`) "fearful" (`trepidus`).
The Root: TREPIDUS
(not)
(fearful)
Not afraid; fearless.
From `trepidus`.
A feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.
Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly clever or witty.
The Root: SCINTILLA
(Latin: "a spark")
Giving off "sparks" (either literal or metaphorical).
A tiny trace or spark of a feeling.
"Not one scintilla of evidence."
Suave, courteous, and refined in manner.
Having the polish of a "city" dweller.
The Root: URBS
(Latin: "city")
Polished, like one from the "city."
From `urbs`.
Relating to a city.
(under/near)
(city)
An area "near the city."
(between)
(city)
Existing or traveling "between cities."
Sessions 32-37 Review
You've learned 10 positive words and their roots:
- Convivial (`vivo` - to live)
- Indefatigable (`fatiguus` - weary)
- Ingenuous (`genuus` - inborn)
- Perspicacious (`specere` - to see)
- Magnanimous (`magnus` - great; `animus` - mind)
- Versatile (`vertere` - to turn)
- Stoical (`stoa` - porch)
- Intrepid (`trepidus` - fearful)
- Scintillating (`scintilla` - a spark)
- Urbane (`urbs` - city)
Quiz Time: True or False
Let's test your understanding with questions from the book.
Based on what you've learned, are these statements True or False?
Quiz: True or False (1-10)
1. 'Indefatigable' refers to individuals who never get tired.
2. 'Ingenuous' and 'Ingenious' are interchangeable terms.
3. 'Magnanimous' is derived from a root indicating small-mindedness.
4. A 'convivial' person is quiet and shy.
5. 'Perspicacious' means "easy to understand."
6. A 'stoical' person complains a lot.
7. 'Trepidation' is a feeling of great fear.
8. To 'scintillate' means "to spark."
9. 'Urbane' and 'Urban' mean the exact same thing.
10. 'Suburban' means "between cities."
Quiz: True or False (11-15)
11. 'Disingenuous' means "not frank" or "insincere."
12. A 'gullible' person is hard to fool.
13. 'Equanimity' is a state of calmness.
14. 'Vivacious' means "full of life."
15. 'Intrepid' means "fearful."
Quiz: Crossword
Let's test your new vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
Fill in the grid based on the clues provided.
Sessions 32-37 Crossword
Sessions 32-37 Crossword
Sessions 32-37 Crossword
Sessions 32-37 Crossword
ACROSS
- 1. Calm, uncomplaining (7)
- 2. Root for "to see" (7)
- 3. Root for "city" (4)
- 4. Root for "to live" (4)
- 5. Polite, polished, sophisticated (6)
- 6. Root for "spark" (8)
- 7. Fearless (8)
- 8. "Great mind"; generous (11)
DOWN
- 1. Brilliant, witty, "sparkling" (13)
- 2. Friendly, "living together" (9)
- 3. Root for "to turn" (7)
- 4. Frank, honest, inborn (9)
- 5. Fear, alarm (11)
- 6. Root for "weary" (8)
- 7. Tireless (13)
Congratulations!
You have completed the presentation for Sessions 32-37.
Next Up: Sessions 39-41
How to Talk About Common Phenomena