Next 10Platitude, Macabre, Verisimilitude, Brio, Illusory, Acerbic, Fabulist, Exegesis, Lugubrious, Fad
Platitude [n. PLAT-ih-tood or PLAT-ih-tyood]
A platitude is a boring, meaningless, and unoriginal remark. Often meant to sound fresh or perceptive, it falls flat instead because of its triteness. Example: "The press on the campaign bus were tired of hearing the candidate's platitudes about the glory of patriotism." Platitude also means the quality of being flat or lacking in originality, particularly in speech or writing. Near synonyms of this sense include insipidity, dullness, and triteness. Since it is ultimately derived from the vulgar Latin plattus (flat) it is no surprise that platitude has meant a flat remark in English since the early 1800s. It was borrowed from the French which literally meant flatness. The vulgar Latin Plattus (which may go back to the Greek platus for broad) is also the root of the English words plate, platter, platform, and plateau.
Macabre [adj. muh-KAHB, muh-KAH-bruh, muh-KAY-bruh]
Something that relates to death can be called macabre, especially if it's horrifying. Example: "Lisa had this macabre fascination with the more sensational crime stories in the paper." Near synonyms include ghastly, grisly, and hideous. This French word is taken from the phrase danse macabre (dance of death, in which a figure of death is seen enticing people to dance with him until they die). The origins of the phrase are unclear, but some trace it to the Maccabees, 2nd-century Jewish patriots associated with reverence for the dead.
Verisimilitude
Verisimilitude is the appearance of truth or reality. Near synonyms include credibility, likelihood, and probability. Example: "His testimony gave verisimilitude to her claim." Verisimilitude can also mean an accurate portrayal of reality in art or literature. A near synonym of this sense is realism. In the late 1500s, verisimilitude was taken from the Latin verisimilitudo. This was a variant on verisimilis from the Latin veri (a singular form of verum which meant truth) and similis (like).
Brio [n. BRE-oh]
First thing in the morning most of us lack brio. After breakfast or a cup of coffee, when we've perked up, this noun might be more applicable. Brio is verve or enthusiastic vigor. Example: "Despite his brio and wit, Alan was unable to charm the young salesclerk." This spirited word entered English in the 18th century from the Italian. Taken from the Spanish brio (energy, determination), it was likely derived from the Celtic brigos which was related to the Old Irish brig (power, strength, force). Near synonyms include: vim, pep, liveliness, sprightliness, and vivacity.
Illusory [adj. e-LOO-sah-ree or e-LOO-zuh-ree]
Illusory means causing an illusion or like an illusion. It can also mean deceptive, misleading, imagined, or false. Example: "Having discovered his success was illusory, the star regretted having turned his back on family and old friends." Illusory has been in the English language since the late 1500s. It is from the Late Latin illusorious which was derived from the Latin illudere (to mock, ridicule). Near synonyms include: ethereal, dreamlike, false, delusive, imaginary, and unreal.
Acerbic [adj. ah-SUR-bik]
Acerbic means sharp or nasty in temper, expression, or character. A harshly cruel person, especially one who is prone to making scathing or vitriolic comments, could be described as acerbic. Example: "His acerbic remarks prompted the others to vote him off the island." The adjective acerbic can also describe something that has a sour or astringent taste. Near synonyms of this sense include: acrid, bitter, and harsh. This word has been in use in English since the 1860s. It is from the Latin acerbus (unripe, bitterly harsh).
Fabulist [n. FAB-yuh-list]
If someone calls you a fabulist, it may or may not be a compliment. Fabulists are people who invent fables or relate legends, admired for their storytelling. These stories often teach important lessons. But a fabulist can also be a liar, someone who creates falsehoods. Example: "Peter had such a reputation as a fabulist that no one believed him when he said he had seen a wolf." Fabulist is from the Middle French and entered English in the late 1500s. It is ultimately derived from the Latin fabula (fable). Fabula is also the root word for the English words fable (myth or legend) and fabulous (almost impossible to believe). Aesop is one of the most renowned fabulists. Here are some of his fables
Exegesis [n. ek-suh-GEE-sis]
An exegesis is an explanation or interpretation of a text made after careful study. This exposition is meant to help determine the intended meaning of the original text. While the word exegesis used to apply mostly to the study of the Bible in Judaism and Christianity, academic writers now interpret all sorts of texts. Their reading or version of the source material is their exegesis. First used in English in the early 1600s, this noun is from Greek. Exegesis (interpretation) was related to exegeisthai (to show the way, interpret) from the word hegesthai (to guide).
Lugubrious [adj. lu-GOO-bree-us or lu-GYOO-bree-us]
If you were to see someone looking lugubrious you might suggest that they smile or at least stop and ask them "what is the matter?" Someone looking or acting lugubrious is mournful, dismal, or gloomy. Quite often their sorrow seems exaggerated or affected. Near synonyms of this adjective include: doleful, sorrowful, sad, and melancholy. Example: "His mother was starting to worry, he had been looking lugubrious ever since Esther broke up with him." Lugubrious has been describing gloomy countenances since the 16th century. The word is from the Latin lugubris (mournful) which is akin to the verb lugere (to mourn).
Fad [n. FAD]
A fad is a fashion or manner of conduct that is only popular for a short period of time. It is usually enthusiastically followed by a group of people while it is popular. Example: "She could remember when poodle skirts were the fad among her friends." Fad is a word from the early 1800s. It originally meant to look after things or to busy oneself with trifles. It was derived from the verb faddle, meaning to play with a child. Near synonyms of the contemporary sense include: craze, rage, fancy, fashion, vogue, and mania.
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