Words from Paige's Pages: 'Pandemic,' 'Ethos' and 'Embed'

 By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            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 Pandemic, Ethos, and Embed. 

 

pandemic
pan·dem·ic
/panˈdemik/
adjective: 1. (of a disease) prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world; epidemic over a large area. 2. general; universal.
noun: a pandemic disease.
 
Synonyms: widespread, prevalent, pervasive, rife, rampant, epidemic, universal, global
 
Example: Many colleges and universities are offering only online classes for Fall 2020 semester due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has affected nearly every country in the world.
 
ethos
e·thos
/ˈēTHäs/
noun: the characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations.
 
Synonyms: spirit, character, atmosphere, climate, prevailing tendency, mood, feeling
 
Example: When students transition from high school to college, the ethos shifts and places the responsibility of assignments and studying on the individual student outside the classroom.
 
embed
em·bed
/əmˈbed/
verb (used with object): 1. to fix into a surrounding mass; 2. to surround tightly or firmly; envelop or enclose; 3. to incorporate or contain as an essential part or characteristic.
verb (used without object) to be or become fixed or incorporated, as into a surrounding mass.
 
Synonyms: implant, plant, set, fix, lodge, root, insert, place, sink, submerge, immerse
 
Example: Especially when taking online college classes, students should look for important links that are embedded to guide them to the online course assignments and other resources to help them be more successful in their classes.

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Synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, restrained, inhibited, diffident, shy, modest, unassuming, shrinking, distant, undemonstrative, uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive,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.