When and Where I Found It: A friend used this word to tell a bunch of friends that, while she had not been on Facebook in awhile, she was still "diligently stalking" all of us. Of course, I found the comment hilarious and I loved her use of the word "diligently."
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, "diligent" means "consistent in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything." A second meaning of this word is "done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking." In essence, my friend was telling us that she is "attentively and persistently" stalking us, in spite of her hiatus from Facebook.
Diligently (adv.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diligently
Level of Familiarity: I have heard this word used many times before. I love how the word sounds. My favorite use of this word is on an episode of "The Office" (Season 3, Episode 22 "Beach Games") when Pam says, "There's nothing better than a beautiful day at the beach, filled with sun, surf, and, uh, diligent note-taking."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well because I have heard it used before, and I'm sure I have used the word in conversation as well. I want to make sure that I understand the correct meaning of the word whenever I encounter it in print or in conversation.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well because this word is used rather often. Others should understand what is meant when the word "diligently" is used. Also, since this word was used on a popular show like "The Office," it implies that a vast majority of the population either knows this word or could determine its meaning in context. If the word is being used on a widely-viewed type of television show, then the viewers should know the correct meaning of the word.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
12:1 Exorbitant
When and Where I Found It: I used this word in conversation when I stated that there was an "exorbitant amount" of something. I have used this word in conversation before, and I have also heard others use this word.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, "exorbitant" means "exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, esp. in amount or extent; highly excessive." When I use this word, I think I usually intend it to mean "highly excessive." For example, I told someone that I wrote an "exorbitant amount of comments" on her Facebook wall.
Exorbitant (adj.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exorbitant
Level of Familiarity: I have used this word previously, and I have heard others use this word in conversation as well. Also, I may have come across this word in the past while reading a book.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well. Since I have used this word multiple times before, I want to be sure that I am using the word correctly.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well. I have heard others use this word in conversation, so it would be beneficial if everyone knew what this word meant. Also, I'm fairly certain I've seen or heard the word used in advertisements to describe the competitor's "exorbitant prices." Since this word is used rather frequently, I think that everyone should have at least a basic understanding of the word's meaning.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, "exorbitant" means "exceeding the bounds of custom, propriety, or reason, esp. in amount or extent; highly excessive." When I use this word, I think I usually intend it to mean "highly excessive." For example, I told someone that I wrote an "exorbitant amount of comments" on her Facebook wall.
Exorbitant (adj.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exorbitant
Level of Familiarity: I have used this word previously, and I have heard others use this word in conversation as well. Also, I may have come across this word in the past while reading a book.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well. Since I have used this word multiple times before, I want to be sure that I am using the word correctly.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well. I have heard others use this word in conversation, so it would be beneficial if everyone knew what this word meant. Also, I'm fairly certain I've seen or heard the word used in advertisements to describe the competitor's "exorbitant prices." Since this word is used rather frequently, I think that everyone should have at least a basic understanding of the word's meaning.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
11:3 Idioglossia
When and Where I Found It: This is the Word of the Day today on dictionary.com. I wanted to post another word this week, but I was having trouble finding a good one, so I decided to check dictionary.com to see if their Word of the Day was interesting.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, this word has two distinct meanings. The first refers to "a private form of speech invented by one child or by children who are in close contact, as twins." The second meaning refers to a "pathological condition characterized by speech so distorted as to be unintelligible."
Idioglossia (n.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/idioglossia
Level of Familiarity: I had never heard of this word before I found it on this website.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? While I will most likely never have to know this word's meaning again, I do think that it is an interesting word to know. I find the fact that there is an actual condition in which speech is distorted to be intriguing, as well as the fact that this same word can also refer to an invented language by children.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? I don't think most people will encounter this word on a daily basis, so I'm not sure that everyone necessarily needs to know this word well. However, it is an interesting word to know. Also, it would be good for parents and those in the medical profession to know this word, in order to explain the type of behavior the word refers to.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, this word has two distinct meanings. The first refers to "a private form of speech invented by one child or by children who are in close contact, as twins." The second meaning refers to a "pathological condition characterized by speech so distorted as to be unintelligible."
Idioglossia (n.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/idioglossia
Level of Familiarity: I had never heard of this word before I found it on this website.
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? While I will most likely never have to know this word's meaning again, I do think that it is an interesting word to know. I find the fact that there is an actual condition in which speech is distorted to be intriguing, as well as the fact that this same word can also refer to an invented language by children.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? I don't think most people will encounter this word on a daily basis, so I'm not sure that everyone necessarily needs to know this word well. However, it is an interesting word to know. Also, it would be good for parents and those in the medical profession to know this word, in order to explain the type of behavior the word refers to.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
11:2 Ameliorate
When and Where I Found It: I came across this word as I was reading Teaching Writing by Gail Tompkins (2008) for my LTED 618 course. The word was used in the sentence, "Marion Crowhurst (1991) identified several problems in children's persuasive writing that this organizational scheme can help to ameliorate" (Tompkins, 2008, p. 269).
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, "ameliorate" means "to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate." Tompkins (2008) uses this word to indicate that organizing a persuasive essay can help to improve children's writing.
Ameliorate (v.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ameliorate
Level of Familiarity: Prior to reading this word, I had heard the word used in conversation and had read this word in books a few times. However, I had never actually determined the correct meaning of the word. Previously, I had only guessed what the word meant. I had thought it meant "alleviate" or "get rid of."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well because I have already encountered this word in other contexts, and I am sure I will encounter this word in the future. For these reasons, I think it is important that I know the correct definition of the word.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well because it is a rather frequently used word, especially in textbooks. When others come across this word in writing or in conversation, it is important that they know what this word means.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, "ameliorate" means "to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate." Tompkins (2008) uses this word to indicate that organizing a persuasive essay can help to improve children's writing.
Ameliorate (v.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ameliorate
Level of Familiarity: Prior to reading this word, I had heard the word used in conversation and had read this word in books a few times. However, I had never actually determined the correct meaning of the word. Previously, I had only guessed what the word meant. I had thought it meant "alleviate" or "get rid of."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well because I have already encountered this word in other contexts, and I am sure I will encounter this word in the future. For these reasons, I think it is important that I know the correct definition of the word.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well because it is a rather frequently used word, especially in textbooks. When others come across this word in writing or in conversation, it is important that they know what this word means.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
11:1 Antiquated
When and Where I Found It: My dad used this word yesterday when discussing some old Christmas decorations that we have in our house. He said that they are "antiquated."
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, this word means "continued from, resembling, or adhering to the past; old-fashioned." The word could also mean "no longer used" or "obsolete." My father meant this word as a way to describe how old-fashioned the Christmas decorations are. Also, he could have meant that these types of decorations are not used by others. In this case, either of the word's definitions seem applicable.
Antiquated (adj.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antiquated
Level of Familiarity: I had heard this word used enough to know that it means old-fashioned and that it could also refer to an out-dated object or practice that is not used in the present-day. However, I had previously never used the word myself in a conversation or thought in-depth about its meaning. I think I remember the word's definition because, when spoken, the word has always sounded like "antique" to me, so I am able to associate both words with "old-fashioned."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well because I think it is an effective way to refer to an out-dated object, practice, or way-of-thinking. Also, having heard this word used before, I'm sure I will come across the word again either in conversation or in writing, so I feel that I should have a good understanding of the word's meaning.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well. While my dad doesn't like to read many books (although he reads the newspaper every day), he knew this word and its meaning. As a result, I feel that others may encounter this word in conversation, so they should know at least a basic definition of this word.
What It Means: According to dictionary.com, this word means "continued from, resembling, or adhering to the past; old-fashioned." The word could also mean "no longer used" or "obsolete." My father meant this word as a way to describe how old-fashioned the Christmas decorations are. Also, he could have meant that these types of decorations are not used by others. In this case, either of the word's definitions seem applicable.
Antiquated (adj.) In dictionary.com Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antiquated
Level of Familiarity: I had heard this word used enough to know that it means old-fashioned and that it could also refer to an out-dated object or practice that is not used in the present-day. However, I had previously never used the word myself in a conversation or thought in-depth about its meaning. I think I remember the word's definition because, when spoken, the word has always sounded like "antique" to me, so I am able to associate both words with "old-fashioned."
Do I Want to Know This Word Well and Why? Yes, I want to know this word well because I think it is an effective way to refer to an out-dated object, practice, or way-of-thinking. Also, having heard this word used before, I'm sure I will come across the word again either in conversation or in writing, so I feel that I should have a good understanding of the word's meaning.
Do I Think Others Should Know This Word Well...If So, Who and Why? Yes, I think others should know this word well. While my dad doesn't like to read many books (although he reads the newspaper every day), he knew this word and its meaning. As a result, I feel that others may encounter this word in conversation, so they should know at least a basic definition of this word.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)