Word Power Made Easy
Sessions 39-41: Common Phenomena
Let's learn 10 new words for everyday occurrences and feelings.
The 10 "Phenomena" Words
In these sessions, we will master 10 key words for common ideas.
- Penury
- Vicarious
- Ephemeral
- Euphemism
- Badinage
- Bovine
- Nostalgia
- Cacophony
- Carnivorous
- Clandestine
Extreme poverty; destitution.
(From `penuria` "want, neediness").
Unwilling to spend money; stingy.
(A person who is `parsimonious` may live in `penury`.)
Synonyms for being in `penury`.
Both mean extremely poor.
Antonyms for `penury`.
Both mean extremely wealthy.
Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
(A secondhand emotion).
The Root: VICARIUS
(Latin: "a substitute")
Feeling something through a "substitute" (another person).
Example: A "vicarious thrill."
Lasting for a very short time; fleeting.
The Root: EPHEMEROS
(Greek: "lasting a day")
Something that is short-lived, as if it only lasts for a day.
A synonym for `ephemeral`.
Quickly fading or disappearing.
A mild or indirect word substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
The Roots: EU + PHEME
(good, well)
(voice, speech)
A "good speech"; saying something in a "good" or nice way.
"Passed away" is a euphemism for "died."
(good)
(speech, word)
A "good speech," usually at a funeral.
(good)
(sound)
A "good sound"; any pleasant, harmonious sound.
(good)
(death)
A "good death"; mercy killing.
Light, playful, teasing conversation; banter.
Relating to cows; or, (of a person) calm, slow, and unemotional.
The Root: BOVIS
(Latin: "cow")
Like a "cow."
Related Roots: The Zoo
- Canine (`canis`)
Dog-like. - Feline (`felis`)
Cat-like.
Related Roots: The Zoo
- Piscine (`piscis`)
Fish-like. - Porcine (`porcus`)
Pig-like.
Related Roots: The Zoo
- Vulpine (`vulpus`)
Fox-like; sly, cunning. - Lupine (`lupus`)
Wolf-like; savage.
Related Roots: The Zoo
- Ursine (`ursus`)
Bear-like. - Equine (`equus`)
Horse-like. (From Sessions 45-46)
A sentimental longing for the past; homesickness.
The Roots: NOSTOS + ALGOS
(a return)
(pain)
The "pain" of wanting to "return" home.
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
The Roots: KAKOS + PHONE
(bad, harsh)
(sound)
A "bad sound."
The antonym of `cacophony`.
From `EU-` (good) + `PHONE` (sound) = "good sound."
Meat-eating.
The Roots: CARNIS + VORO
(flesh)
(to devour)
One who "devours flesh."
(herb)
(to devour)
Plant-eating.
(all)
(to devour)
Eating "all" things (meat and plants).
From `voro`.
Devouring great quantities of food; or, having a very eager approach to an activity (e.g., "a voracious reader").
Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
A synonym for `clandestine`.
Kept secret because it would not be approved of.
Sessions 39-41 Review
You've learned 10 words for common phenomena:
- Penury (`penuria` - want)
- Vicarious (`vicarius` - substitute)
- Ephemeral (`ephemeros` - lasting a day)
- Euphemism (`eu-` - good; `pheme` - voice)
- Badinage (playful banter)
- Bovine (`bovis` - cow)
- Nostalgia (`nostos` - return; `algos` - pain)
- Cacophony (`kakos` - bad; `phone` - sound)
- Carnivorous (`carnis` - flesh; `voro` - to devour)
- Clandestine (`clam` - secretly)
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. 'Penury' is a state of extreme poverty.
2. A 'vicarious' feeling is one you experience directly.
3. 'Ephemeral' means "lasting for a very long time."
4. Saying "passed away" instead of "died" is a 'euphemism'.
5. 'Badinage' is a serious, heavy discussion.
6. 'Bovine' means "cow-like."
7. 'Nostalgia' is a feeling of homesickness.
8. 'Cacophony' is a harsh, unpleasant sound.
9. A 'carnivorous' animal eats only plants.
10. 'Clandestine' means "secret."
Quiz: True or False (11-20)
11. A 'voracious' reader reads a lot.
12. 'Euphony' is the antonym of 'cacophony'.
13. 'Vulpine' means "bear-like."
14. 'Parsimonious' means "stingy."
15. 'Affluent' is a synonym for 'indigent'.
16. 'Evanescent' means "fleeting" or "vanishing."
17. An 'omnivorous' animal eats both plants and meat.
18. 'Nostos' is the root for "pain."
19. 'Surreptitious' is a synonym for 'clandestine'.
20. 'Eulogy' means "a bad death."
Quiz: Can you recall the words?
Let's test your recall from the book.
Fill in the blank with the word that fits the definition.
Quiz: Fill in the Blanks (1-5)
Quiz: Fill in the Blanks (6-10)
Quiz: Can you work with the words?
Let's match the words with their meanings.
Select the correct definition from the dropdown for each word.
Quiz: Matching (1-5)
Quiz: Matching (6-10)
Your Quiz Score
Let's see how you did on the quizzes!
Review: The 10 Words
- Penury: Extreme poverty.
- Vicarious: Secondhand; felt through another.
- Ephemeral: Short-lived.
- Euphemism: A "good" or mild word.
- Badinage: Light, playful banter.
Review: The 10 Words
- Bovine: Cow-like.
- Nostalgia: "Pain" for a "return" (homesickness).
- Cacophony: "Bad sound."
- Carnivorous: "Flesh-devouring."
- Clandestine: Secret, illicit.
Review: Key Roots
- PENURIA: Want, need
- VICARIUS: Substitute
- EU-: Good, well
- PHEME / PHONE: Voice / Sound
- BOVIS, CANIS, FELIS, etc.: Animals
- NOSTOS: A return
- ALGOS: Pain
- KAKOS: Bad, harsh
- CARNIS: Flesh
- VORO: To devour
Congratulations!
You have completed the presentation for Sessions 39-41.
Next Up: Sessions 42-44
How to Talk About What Goes On