VAUGHAN'S VOCAB
Learning a word's definition inevitably gives ideas to you. For example, if you see or hear the word “quixotic” (quick-SAH-tic) and explore its definitions, you'll likely think of practical examples of someone who fits the description of that adjective. Learning the meaning of advanced words leads to new ideas.
Of the following five, think of how these words are applied. Let me know how well you did in this week's word quiz.
[1.] emblematic (em-blem-AT-ic) A. when something is cachet (cash-AYE) B. symbolic, representative
C. the open space of an attic D. boisterous
E. nocent, injurious
I like Dictionary.com's contemporary example of emblematic in a sentence: The twang we hear as emblematic of white country music is actually the direct descendant of black folk music banjo.
Recently hearing the word “emblematic” on National Public Radio gave me an idea for our radio daytime drama. Hope for Tomorrow's Valerie Adams, played by EMCC's Ginny Leonard, explains that the noun mousepads in “Monica and the Mousepads” is emblematic of the music group's love for writing songs on their laptops. No. 1 is B.
[2.] vivacious (vie-VAY-shus) A. commonplace
B. lacking energy and excitement C. menacing
D. lively, animated, spirited E. cacophonous
Dawn Davenport, college football reporter for ESPN, vivaciously gives her reports from the sidelines. No. 2 is D.
[3.] dystopian (dis-TOE-pee-in)
A. utopian
B. utilitarian
C. when something is characterized by abject
living conditions
D. when someone is showing allergic symptoms
caused by the environment
[4.] doleful (DOLE-ful)
A. hopeful, optimistic B. cantankerous
C. practical
D. impractical
E. sorrowful, mournful, melancholy
[5.] envious (EN-vee-us)
A. wanting what someone else has
B. showing extreme cupidity
C. covetous feelings or a state of painful desire D. feeling or showing envy
Aside from C, dystopian means an imaginary society where living conditions are extremely bad. Example: I do not like reading dystopian novels.
No. 4, doleful, is E. During the eulogy, the minister asked the congregation not to look so doleful.
All four are correct for No. 5, envy. B came from Vocabulary.com. In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the lovesick Helena is envious of Hermia.