By Paige Hendrickson
Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer
Motlow Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson has selected “nefarious,”
“oxymoron,” and “plethora” for her latest column on words.
nefarious
ne·far·i·ous
/nəˈferēəs/
adjective:
(typically of an action or activity) Wicked or criminal.
Synonyms: wicked, evil,
iniquitous,
sinful,
vile,
foul,
monstrous,
shocking,
outrageous,
atrocious,
abominable,
reprehensible,
hateful,
detestable,
despicable
Example: Although most college pranks are intended for fun
and frivolity, some students’ motivations are much more nefarious and
can cause serious harm.
oxymoron
ox·y·mo·ron
/äksəˈmôrˌän/
noun:
A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in
conjunction.
Synonyms: contradiction,
contradiction
in terms, self-contradiction,
inconsistency,
incongruity,
anomaly,
conflict,
absurdity,
oddity,
enigma,
puzzle,
mystery,
conundrum
Example: Many accepted phrases in the English language are
obvious oxymorons, which combine opposite terms, such as: bittersweet,
civil war, deafening silence, dull roar, freezer burn, icy hot, liquid gas,
loud whisper, original copy, resident alien, sad smile, silent scream, “The
Sound of Silence”, “sweet sorrow”, and working vacation.
plethora
pleth·o·ra
/ˈpleTHərə/
noun: A large or excessive amount of (something).
Synonyms:
abundance,
mass,
host,
plenitude,
cornucopia,
riot, surplus, surfeit,
multitude,
sea,
wealth
Example: The frustrated student was convinced that he would
need to change research topics to finish his paper by the deadline, until he
spoke to the Librarian who assured him that a plethora of sources could
be found using the college’s online databases.
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