Elliot Carruthers's Blog, page 24

Bellicose

Bellicose

<bel-lah-kose>

hostile; combative; threatening;

being quick to show a desire to fight.

The bellicose bird swooped down on everyone. She was defending her nest.

Remember:
bellicose reminds of "belly close".
Bellies come close when people want to fight.

At work:
The customer was upset and bellicose. He became happy because it was under warranty.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers
 

Leonine

Leonine

<lee-ah-nine>

famed; outstanding; esteemed;

someone who is powerful and fierce.

He reminded me of someone leonine. He displayed confidence and courage.

Remember:
leonine reminds of lion.
lions are brave.

At work:
He stood before the shareholders leonine and steadfast. He won them over with his display of leadership.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Actuate

Actuate

<akt-chu-ate>

motivate; activate; instigate;

to cause something to move to action.

Throw a stick to actuate a dog. He will chase it every time.

Remember:
actuate reminds of act.

At work:
I see your problem. You must plug your computer to actuate it. Glad I could help.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Ingenuous

Ingenuous

<in-gen-yew-iss>

trusting; naïve; innocent;

a person who has a childlike innocence.

I have to watch out for her. She is ingenuous and once bought the Brooklyn bridge.

Remember:
ingenuous reminds of generous.
generous with our trust.

At work.
We're not an ingenuous company. We make good deals and we are experienced.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Betide

Betide

<beh-tied>

become; occur; befall;

something that happens.

May happiness betide you wherever you go.

Remember:
The tide comes in and happens to us.

At work:
A gloom did betide us until we heard our stock price went up.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Becalm

Becalm

<be-kahm>

lull; still; unmoving;

motionless because of a lack of external power.

The leaves slept in an snug pile because of the quiet becalm. There was no wind.

Remember:
becalm reminds of "be calm"

At work:
The audience stayed becalm because the presentation was so impressive

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Defray

Defray

<deh-fray>

settle; compensate; grant;

to pay something or cover a cost.

This coupon will defray the price of your ticket. You will get in for free.

Memory trick:
fray reminds on something falling apart.
if we defray something... we put it back together.

At work:
We will defray the cost of training for you. It will cost you nothing.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Bloviate

Bloviate

<blow-vee-ate>

rant; babble; boast;

to speak pompously without saying anything important.

He will bloviate all day. He will waste your time with useless chatter.

Memory trick:
bloviate reminds of blow.
we blow hard when we talk too much.

At work:
Don't bloviate when you give your speech. Speak clearly and say something of value.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Puckish

Puckish

<puk-ish>

mischievous; impish; naughty;

playful in a teasing way.

The puckish look on his face made me realize I fell for his prank.

Memory trick:
we play games with a puck.

At work:
We have to stop the puckish antics and focus on the project. We must get serious.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers

Panoply

Panoply

<pan-ah-plee>

array; display; collection;

An impressive show of spectacular items.

The audience was impressed by the panoply of costumes. They were colorful and amazing.

Memory trick:
panoply reminds of pan
we pan around a room and see everything.

At work:
We offer a panoply of products. We will have what you need.

(c) 2015 E. Carruthers