Vaughan’s Vocabulary: Grow your word usage
Some Vaughan’s Vocabulary readers have remarked that they like the table technique of learning advanced words. In Microsoft Word click Table, then Insert Table. You’ll need five columns and 21 rows to begin with, and as you add a page, repeat the process.
The headings at the top of your table will be Word, Pronunciation, Part of Speech, Definition, and Sentence in which the Word is Used. For example: ubiquitous; you-BIK-qui-tus, adjective, existing everywhere at the same time. The ubiquitous pollen causes havoc on our health.
1. dolorous (DOLL-er-uhs)
A. grievous, mournful
B. having money to spend
C. pretty, fancy
2. coterie (CO-tuh-ree)
A. a tie worn by women
B. a small group of individuals with a shared interest or taste
C. a tourniquet
D. the latest fashion
3. brackish (BRAHK-ish)
A. having high prospects for the Final Four
C. having a salty or briny taste
4. indolent (IN-duh-lent)
A. impertinent, insulting
D. slothful, torpid
5. bellicose (BELL-uh-kohs)
A. having the tendency to fight
No. 1, dolorous, is A. The funeral home played dolorous music during the visitation.
No. 2, coterie, is B. A coterie of individuals who strongly believe in the power of prayer meet every morning.
No. 3, brackish, is C. Janet’s salmon steaks had a brackish flavor.
No. 4, indolent, is D. Roger is so indolent that he will not mow his lawn.
No. 5, bellicose, is A. Amy told Cy that since Ted has such a bellicose nature, he should avoid flirting with Susan (Ted’s wife).
Don R. Vaughan, Ph.D. is a speech and theatre professor at East Mississippi Community College and is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Calhoun County.