Make Your Point > Archived Issues > EMINENT
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Today's word has two homophones. I've recommended keeping them straight by understanding how the words' roots influence their meanings. Refer to the full discussion here if you like, but here's the summary:
Immanent looks like "manor" because something immanent dwells within.
Imminent looks like "into" because something imminent looms in toward you.
Eminent looks like "exit" because something eminent pokes out.
And imminent and eminent both look like "mountain" because they're related: something imminent is like a mountain glaring down at you, and someone or something eminent is standing on top of a mountain, so to speak.
make your point with...
"EMINENT"
Literally, someone or something eminent towers above the things around it or pokes out from the things around it.
But we'll focus on the figurative meaning: someone or something eminent stands out from others by being dignified, successful, or remarkable.
Pronunciation:
EM in ent
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "an eminent thing" or "an eminent person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was eminent" or "He was eminent.")
Other forms:
eminently, eminence
Why it's in that common legal term "eminent domain:"
Eminent domain is the government's power to take over private property. The idea here is that the government stands supreme, or eminent, over the individual people who own that property.
How to use it:
This word has a positive tone. (The adjective for easily noticeable things that stand out for a bad reason is egregious.)
Talk about eminent people in the community and eminent people from history, such as eminent scientists, eminent leaders, eminent musicians, and eminent activists who fought for social change.
Or, talk about eminent things when you mean they're both easy to notice and very remarkable: eminent success or accomplishments, eminent intelligence or good sense, an eminent theory, eminent beauty, eminent perfection, etc.
examples:
Poorly researched and hastily written, this biography attempts to vilify one of history's most eminent women. It fails to do so.
Elton John rose to eminence in 1970 with his self-titled album.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "eminent" means when you can explain it without saying "outstanding" or "successful."
try it out:
Think of something you find extremely beautiful or absolutely perfect. Fill in the blank: "Nothing compares to the eminent (beauty/perfection) of _____."
Example: "Nothing compares to the eminent beauty of a blank, clean counter."
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.
This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What are the 3 anagrams for LEAD?
Answer: DALE, DEAL, and LADE. To lade something is to put cargo on it or load it up. You’re probably more familiar with the form "laden," as in "heavily laden" and "laden with guilt."
Try this one today: What is the 1 anagram for GIST?
review today's word:
1. One opposite of EMINENT is
A. SOARING
B. ORDINARY
C. CLUTTERED
2. _____ competing theories, this one has long stood eminent.
A. Among
B. After
C. Below
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. B
2. A
Today's word has two homophones. I've recommended keeping them straight by understanding how the words' roots influence their meanings. Refer to the full discussion here if you like, but here's the summary:
"EMINENT" Literally, someone or something eminent towers above the things around it or pokes out from the things around it. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Poorly researched and hastily written, this biography attempts to vilify one of history's most eminent women. It fails to do so.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "eminent" means when you can explain it without saying "outstanding" or "successful."
Think of something you find extremely beautiful or absolutely perfect. Fill in the blank: "Nothing compares to the eminent (beauty/perfection) of _____."
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.
1. One opposite of EMINENT is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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