Make Your Point > Archived Issues > FABERGE

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connect today's word to others: If you haven't seen Faberge eggs before, take a peek at them now. Wow. Along with delicate, intricate, and bejeweled, I'm reminded of the following words: 1. Something impressively fancy is op___nt. 2. Something that requires a great deal of effort or labor is op___se. 3. And something showy that seems to demand attention and admiration is os_____tious. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "FABERGE" Something Faberge is fancy, complex, delicate, and beautiful in a way that reminds you of the works of art made by the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé. Pronunciation: FAB air ZHAY Part of speech: Proper adjective.  You always capitalize proper adjectives, like "Korean," "Shakespearean," and "Christian." (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a Faberge creation." 2. After a linking verb, as in "The creation was Faberge.") Other forms: none How to use it: Make sure to capitalize it. And if you prefer to emphasize its foreignness, keep the accent mark over the final "e:" Fabergé. Because most people have heard of Faberge eggs, they'll probably know what you mean when you use this rare and unusual word. They'll draw the connection between whatever you're talking about and the image of a fine, delicate, beautiful, bejeweled, ultra-expensive Faberge egg. You might talk about Faberge art, works, objects, costumes, devices, creations, inventions, buildings, interiors, etc., or more abstract things, like Faberge lies, novels, careers, histories, structures, designs, intellects, etc. examples: These days, you can ace the SAT even without a flair for analogies or a Faberge vocabulary. "The Phoenician remains and the Greek vases are in the local museums; the Romans have left roads, arenas, and the haughty triumphal monument of La Turbie; a sort of Fabergé Russianism clings around parts of Nice; but memories of our forebears dimly predominate."    — J. G. Weightman, "A View of the Cote d'Azur," Encounter, 1959 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "Faberge" without saying "intricate" or "flamboyant." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "_____ appear(s) delicate, as if made with Faberge craftsmanship." Example: "Studded with pearl sprinkles, the bonbons under the glass dome appear delicate, as if made with Faberge craftsmanship." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Complete the Limerick! In each issue this month, finish off the last line of the poem with a word or phrase we've checked out before. From the previous issue: For me, it's an everyday pickle: Avoiding clichés that say little. They keep on arising, Tame and tranquilizing, Those phrases highly lackadaisical. Try this one today: The noise of preschoolers' diversions, Their riotous, rowdy dispersions: Happy sounds hammer us. Nothing more clamorous Than their _____________________. review today's word: 1. A close opposite of FABERGE is A. UNDULANT. B. UTILITARIAN. C. UNPARALLELED. 2. The dollhouse's tiny _____, Faberge creations. A. inhabitants are blank-faced and rubbery B. stained glass windows are jewel-bright and latticed C. articles of furniture are sanded smooth for a child's hands Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B