Germane

Building Your Power of Expression Germane, adj. Pronunciation: jərˈmān Meaning: When something is said to be germane, it is relevant to the topic under consideration. Conversely, if something is said to not be germane, the claim is being put forth that what was just said is irrelevant to the subject at hand. Usage: Your point is […]

Building Your Power of Expression Effusive, adj. Pronunciation: əˈfyo͞osiv Meaning: Any time you are expressing feelings of gratitude, praise, approval, or offering compliments in a way that is unrestrained, deeply heartfelt, or over-the-top, you are being effusive. Usage: She received quite an effusive welcoming upon her return. I couldn’t help it; I gave them effusive praise […]

Building Your Power of Expression Compunction, n. [usually used in the negative] Pronunciation: kəmˈpəNG(k)SH(ə)n Meaning: A compunction is a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. Think of it as a feeling of anxiety arising from awareness of guilt. It could also be thought of as distress of […]

Building Your Power of Expression Schema, n. Pronunciation: ˈskēmə Meaning: Aside from its technical use in the fields of logic or philosophy (especially in Kantian philosophy) a schema most generally refers to a representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or a model of some kind. If I developed a new […]

Building Your Power of Expression Emaciated, adj. Pronunciation: əˈmāSHēˌādəd Meaning: When a person (or an animal) appears to be abnormally weak and thin, especially when due to illness or a lack of food, that person (or animal) could be said to be emaciated. We’ve all seen people or animals that have been neglected and are thus […]

Building Your Power of Expression Ameliorate, v. Pronunciation: əˈmēlyəˌrāt Meaning: To ameliorate is to take something bad or undesirable and make it better somehow; to make more tolerable. Usage: Take this medicine, as it will help ameliorate the pain. His reforms did much to ameliorate living standards. Although this environment is in utter disarray, it will […]

Building Your Power of Expression Droll, adj. Pronunciation: drōl Meaning: This word describes something that is curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement. Usage: He was notable for his unique brand of droll self-mockery. No, I didn’t do the chicken dance or anything so droll. Nick is very droll; he’s got a very […]

Building Your Power of Expression Risible adj. Pronunciation: ˈrizəbəl Meaning: Something that is capable of causing laughter. The word describes something that is amusing or worthy of laughter, often because it is absurd or ridiculous. Usage: The comedian’s risible performance had the audience in stitches. His risible attempts at dance moves made everyone at the party […]

Building Your Power of Expression Paean n. Pronunciation: ˈpēən Meaning:A paean is a rich word loaded with meaning and energy. The word can refer to a song of praise or triumph, such as the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, or the National Anthem (“The Star Spangled Banner”) of the United States. Additionally, a paean can be […]

Building Your Power of Expression Pining, pine n. Pronunciation: pin ng Meaning: To pine is to yearn for something with deep intensity – especially something that is unattainable. If a person longs for the return of something (e.g., a person, an earlier state of affairs, etc.,) they could said to be pining for that thing from […]