by Naomi L. | November 9, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cumbersome
Pronunciation: KƏM-bər-səm
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
This week’s vocabulary word is a good one to define some of the obstacles we face in life. Every now and then, you may find you need to move something large and heavy or face a situation that sets you back, and it’s expected that fictional characters must face the same trials. You could say that such obstacles are “cumbersome”: they may slow you down, but they don’t necessarily have to stop you from achieving success!
A “cumbersome” object is difficult to carry or use due to being too large and/or heavy. The word arose in late Middle English in the sense “difficult to get through” and stems from the verb “encumber”, meaning “restrict or burden (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult”. This verb comes from the Old French verb encombrer “to block up”, which comprises the prefix en “in” and the verb combrer “to hinder”.
As noted above, while “cumbersome” primarily refers to concrete objects, it can also be used to describe abstract concepts, as it has the sub-definition “slow or complicated and therefore inefficient”. Based on the contexts in which I’ve read it, I believe this word applies best to obstacles that hinder but don’t completely halt progress. If the conflicts in your stories often slow your characters down, “cumbersome” may be a good word to define the obstacles in their way! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | November 2, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: superfluous
Pronunciation: soo-PƏR-flə-wəs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week is a good one to know for unsatisfactory writing. Often when a writer goes overboard with the descriptions in their fiction, it detracts from the action of their story. In this case, an editor or reviewer could say the detail in the story is “superfluous”, as it has crossed a limit into being unnecessarily wordy. Writers beware: detailed descriptions are fine, but you never want them to be excessively elaborate!
To be “superfluous” is to be excessive and thus unnecessary. The word arose in late Middle English and comes from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning “in excess”. This adjective comprises the preposition super “over” and the verb fluere “to flow”.
With its roots in the Latin words for “over” and “flow”, it’s no wonder the adjective “superfluous” easily brings to mind the image of water overflowing. While it doesn’t necessarily have to apply to liquid, this image does make it easier to memorize the word’s definition of excess. Whether you’re describing too many objects or too many ideas, “superfluous” is a good word to keep in mind for anything that’s more than necessary. Have fun writing about the “superfluous” things in your stories; just take care not to use “superfluous” detail in your narrative! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 26, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cantankerous
Pronunciation: kan-TAN-kər-əs
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week was suggested by Kriswasp of I Love Me vol I. He requested I write about the word “cantankerous”, and I’ll be honest: I darn near smacked myself for not having thought to write about it sooner. What an interesting word! Heck, just saying it aloud is fun! “Cantankerous”! Of course, the definition of the word isn’t nearly as pleasant as the sound of it, but if you’re going to call someone “bad-tempered” or “uncooperative”, you may as well go for the most (as Kriswasp puts it) majestic way to say it!
A “cantankerous” person is ill-tempered and argumentative to the point of being difficult. The word arose in the mid 18th century and is of unknown origin, though according to Oxford Dictionaries, it is speculated that it comes from a blend of the Anglo-Irish noun cant “auction” and the English noun “rancor” (“bitterness or resentfulness”), which in turn traces back to the Latin adjective rancidus “stinking”. Another theory states that “cantankerous” may stem from an early amalgamation of two English adjectives: “contentious” (“causing or likely to cause an argument”) and “rancorous” (“characterized by bitterness or resentment”).
While I haven’t yet worked the word “cantankerous” into my own stories very often, I do remember hearing it for the first time years ago and loving how funny it sounded. Most people I’ve seen described as “cantankerous” are elderly and grumpy, but that’s not to say the word can’t be used to describe younger people who are just as uncooperative. If you write characters who tend to argue a lot and who are difficult to work with, “cantankerous” may be a perfect word to fit into your stories! Have fun!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 19, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: cogent
Pronunciation: KOH-jənt
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: clear, logical, and convincing
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Today’s Word of the Week is highly applicable to my line of study. After formulating theories or attaining results, scientists have to know how to defend their findings in a manner that’s logical and convincing. The ability to form “cogent” arguments is an important skill for every academic, as it is for any writer hoping to successfully pitch a big story!
A “cogent” argument or case is logical and clear enough to be convincing. The word arose in the mid 17th century and comes from the Latin verb cogere, meaning “to compel”. This verb is composed of the preposition com “together” and the verb agere “to drive”.
Though I haven’t yet read it much in fiction, “cogent” is definitely a word I’d like to work more into my stories. With all the experience I have reading researchers’ discussions in scientific papers, I could have fun writing logical cases and arguments in my fiction. If you write plenty of debates and discussions among your characters, “cogent” may be a good word to describe their best arguments! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
by Naomi L. | October 12, 2015 | Blog, Word of the Week |
Word: harbinger
Pronunciation: HAR-bən-jər
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
Source: Oxford Dictionaries
Yet another word pulled from the list of 100 most beautiful words in English, “harbinger” is a word I’ve read quite a few times in various forms of fiction. I tend to see it most commonly in fantasy fiction, where it often refers to a literal messenger warning of the approach of a powerful figure. Whether the arrival of said figure is good or bad news varies depending on the story, but either way, the presence of a harbinger is usually a sign of imminent serious business!
A “harbinger” is someone or something that signals or announces the approach of someone or something else. The word can be traced back through French from the noun herbergere to the verb herbergier, which means “to provide lodging for”. This verb stems from the noun herberge “lodging”, which comes from the Old Saxon noun heriberga, meaning “shelter for an army”.
As you can probably deduce from its etymology, there’s a history behind the word “harbinger”: it used to refer to a person who provided lodging and later to a person who ventured ahead to find lodgings for an approaching army. “Harbinger” is related to the word “harbor” in origin, and a sub-definition of the word is “a forerunner of something”. A “harbinger” doesn’t have to be concrete, but the ominous beings in fiction who seem to foretell the coming of such powerful figures as Death, Justice, and Doom have always been my favorite examples. If you like to warn your characters (and your audience) of major events about to unfold in your stories, you may have room for a “harbinger” or two in your fiction! Good luck!
What are your thoughts on this word? Any suggestions for future “Word of the Week” featured words?
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