Words From Paige's Pages: Reticent, Sardonic, and Syllogism

            SMYRNA -- Our vocabulary expert, Smyrna Branch Librarian Paige Hendrickson, knows a thing or two about words. This issue, she provides definitions and usage examples for the words Reticent, Sardonic, and Syllogism. 

reticent

ret·i·cent

/ˈredəsənt/

adjective: Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.

Synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, restrained, inhibited, diffident, shy, modest, unassuming, shrinking, distant, undemonstrative, uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, close-mouthed, close-lipped, quiet, taciturn, silent, guarded, secretive, private, media-shy, mum

Example: For the first presentation of the semester, most students in Speech class are reticent in responding with feedback or sharing opinions.

sardonic

sar·don·ic

/särˈdänik/

adjective: Grimly mocking or cynical.

Synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic, cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, derisory, sneering, jeering, scoffing, taunting, scathing, caustic, trenchant, mordant, cutting, sharp, tinging, acerbic, tart, acid, wry, dry, sarky, mordacious, acidulous

Example: After the students asked if the midterm exam was open book and open note, the professor gave the class a sardonic smile as an answer.

syllogism

syl·lo·gism

/ˈsiləˌjizəm/

noun: 1. an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion. A typical form is “All A is C; all B is A; therefore all B is C.” 2. deductive reasoning. 3. an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument.

(e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs).

Synonyms: deduction, dialectic, reasoning, logic, argument

Example: In order to convey a clearer explanation for the logical argument, the instructor gave the students a syllogism to make a real-life connection.

Words from Paige's Pages: 'Superfluous,' 'Ubiquitous' and 'Visceral'

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

        "Word Lady" (Motlow Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson) is at it again! This time, she has selected the words “superfluous,” “ubiquitous” and “visceral” to help grow our Motlow vocabulary.

superfluous

su·per·flu·ous

/so͞oˈpərflo͞oəs/

adjective: Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

Synonyms:

surplus, redundant, unneeded, not required, excess, extra, spare, to spare, remaining, unused, left over; useless, unproductive, undue, in excess, surplus to requirements; expendable, disposable, dispensable, unwanted, waste

Example: As the students began creating their “cheat sheets” for their final exams, they soon realized that the first half of the semester’s material was superfluous since the exam was not comprehensive and did not cover everything.

ubiquitous

u·biq·ui·tous

/yo͞oˈbikwədəs/

adjective: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

Synonyms:

omnipresent, ever-present, present everywhere, everywhere, all-over, pervasive, universal, worldwide, global; rife, prevalent, predominant, very common, popular, extensive, wide-ranging, far-reaching, inescapable

Example: Many college students have already discovered that technology is ubiquitous but not always easily accessible.

visceral

vis·cer·al

/ˈvis(ə)rəl/

adjective: Relating to or affecting the viscera (or organs).

Synonyms: splanchnic

Relating to deep inward (crude) feelings or elemental emotions rather than to the intellect; felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body.

Not intellectual; instinctive; unreasoning

Synonyms: intuitive; unlogical; illogical; non-rational

Example: A good life lesson is not to always act on your first, visceral response to a situation, but rather to choose thinking first.

Words from Paige's Pages: 'Proclivity,' 'Requisite' and 'Succinct'

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

        Motlow Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson knows all about words, and we’re learning a lot. This time, the “Word Lady” has selected “proclivity,” “requisite” and “succinct” to help grow our Motlow vocabulary.

proclivity

pro·cliv·i·ty

/prōˈklivədē, prəˈklivədē/

noun: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.

Synonyms:      liking, inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition, predilection, partiality, preference, taste, fondness, weakness, proneness

Example: One common truth in life is that college students at one time or another demonstrate the proclivity to procrastinate on lengthy assignments and/or complex projects.

requisite

req·ui·site

/ˈrekwəzət/

adjective: Made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations.

Synonyms:

necessary, required, prerequisite, essential, indispensable, vital, needed

noun: A thing that is necessary for the achievement of a specified end.

Synonyms:

necessity, essential requirement, prerequisite, essential, precondition, specification, stipulation

Example: (adj.) The frantic college student was hurrying around campus to obtain the requisite signatures to complete her paperwork for graduation that was only a month away.

succinct

suc·cinct

/sə(k)ˈsiNG(k)t/

adjective: (Especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed.

Synonyms:

concise, short, brief, compact, condensed, crisp, laconic, terse, tight, economic, pithy, thumbnail, summary, compendious, epigrammatic, synoptic, aphoristic, gnomic

Example: In preparing for his next oral presentation, John realized that his outline was too detailed for a 3-minute speech but then decided it was fine as long as he was succinct when standing in front of the class.

Words from Paige's Pages: Nefarious, Oxymoron, and Plethora

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.

Success is... The 'Words' We Live By

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

     Our librarian, Paige Hendrickson, is at it again with her world-famous column, “Words from Paige’s Pages.” This time, she shares a few invigorating words that can help lead us to success.

determination

de·ter·mi·na·tion

/dəˌtərməˈnāSH(ə)n/

noun: Firmness of purpose; resoluteness.

Synonyms:

resolution, resolve, resoluteness

Example: Success can be measured by the amount of determination and dedication students show in their first year of college.

perseverance

per·se·ver·ance

/pərsəˈvirəns/

noun: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Synonyms:

persistence, tenacity, determination, resolve, resolution, resoluteness, staying power, purposefulness, firmness of purpose.

Example: Although the student’s grades in A & P were not stellar at midterm, she believed her new study plan and self-imposed limits on social media would empower her and perseverance would eventually triumph.

resilience

re·sil·ience

/rəˈzilyəns/

noun: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Synonyms:

strength of character, strength, toughness, hardiness; adaptability, buoyancy, flexibility, ability to bounce back.

Example: One of the most rewarding aspects of working at a community college library is witnessing the resilience of the students who prove their tenacity and integrity with each subsequent semester.

Words from Paige's Pages

   Our librarian, Paige Hendrickson, has a way with words. Here are a few of her favorites.

magnanimous
mag·nan·i·mous
/maɡˈnanəməs/
adjective: Very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself.

Synonyms:

generous, charitable, benevolent, beneficent, big-hearted, handsome, princely, altruistic, philanthropic, unselfish, chivalrous, noble

Example: The Smyrna Library is fortunate enough to have coffee supply “sponsors” whose magnanimous donations throughout the year keep this beverage service free of charge to library patrons.

mercurial
mer·cu·ri·al
/mərˈkyo͝orēəl/
adjective: (of a person) Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.

Synonyms:

volatile, capricious, temperamental, excitable, fickle, changeable, unpredictable, variable, protean, mutable, erratic, quicksilver, inconstant, inconsistent, unstable, unsteady, fluctuating, ever-changing, kaleidoscopic, fluid, wavering, vacillating, moody, flighty, wayward, whimsical, giddy, impulsive.

Example: College professors often have to edit their responses to students who have mercurial personalities to ensure fair and levelheaded communication.

myopic
my·op·ic
/mīˈäpik/
adjective: Nearsighted; short-sighted.

Synonyms:

unimaginative, uncreative, unadventurous, narrow-minded, lacking foresight, small-minded, short-term, narrow.

Example: Due to the planners’ myopic vision for future growth, the roads in Rutherford County are constantly congested with traffic, often leading to accidents and long delays.


(Words and definitions found at Dictionary.com)

Words from Paige's Pages: Fortuitous, Irony and Lexicon

     SMYRNA -- Have you ever scratched your head trying to figure out what certain words mean and how to use them? Motlow Smyrna Librarian ("Ms. Wordsmith") Paige Hendrickson continues her column called "Words from Paige's Pages" that provides tips on how to use her favorite words. For this issue, she has selected the words fortuitous, irony and lexicon.

fortuitous

for·tu·i·tous

/fôrˈto͞oədəs/

adjective: Happening by accident or chance rather than design.

Synonyms:

chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, unintended, unplanned, unpremeditated

Example: Each time the Smyrna librarian encounters former Motlow students in the community, she instantly feels that these fortuitous meetings are incredible opportunities to reconnect and renew meaningful bonds.

irony

i·ro·ny

/ˈīrənē/

noun:

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

Synonyms:

sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire, sardonicism

      A state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.

Synonyms:

paradox, incongruity, incongruousness

     A literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.

Example: During the numerous sessions for Classroom Library Instruction, the librarian must remember that irony is not always well received; in fact, sometimes it can be mistaken for offensive or snarky sarcasm (a.k.a. ‘snarkasm’).

lexicon

lex·i·con

/ˈleksiˌkän/ or /ˈleksiˌkən/

noun:

    The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.

    A dictionary, especially of Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, or Arabic.

Synonyms:

dictionary, wordbook, vocabulary list, glossary, thesaurus

Example: The students often feel that their professor’s lexicon is completely pretentious and is only used to belittle them.

Words From Paige's Pages: Caveat, Chortle and Eclectic

     SMYRNA -- Have you ever scratched your head trying to figure out what certain words mean and how to use them? Motlow Smyrna Librarian ("Ms. Wordsmith") Paige Hendrickson has started a new column called "Words from Paige's Pages" that provides tips on how to use her favorite words. For this issue, she has selected the words caveat, chortle and eclectic. 

caveat

ca·ve·at

/ˈkavēˌat/ or /ˈkävēˌät/

noun: A warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.

Synonyms:

warning, caution, admonition

Example: The panicked college student was temporarily relieved when he found out that the library had the textbook he needed for class; although, he soon discovered, as the librarian pointed out, there was a caveat when checking out this reserve book -- It must stay in the library!!

chortle

chor·tle

/ˈCHôrdl/

verb: To laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle.

noun: A breathy, gleeful laugh.

Synonyms:

chuckle, laugh, giggle, titter, tee-hee, snigger

Example: The librarian sternly, but politely, shushed the girl whose chortles were disturbing the other students in the packed library.

eclectic

ec·lec·tic

/əˈklektik/

adjective: Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Synonyms:

wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; More varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, miscellaneous, assorted

noun: A person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Example: When asked what her favorite style of music and favorite artists were, Paige replied that her musical tastes were extremely eclectic, from classic rock (Journey) and heavy metal (Disturbed) to folk (Simon & Garfunkel) to techno (Lords of Acid) and, quite literally, everything in between.

     (Stay tuned for more words from "Ms. Wordsmith.")