Make Your Point > Archived Issues > LASSITUDE

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"LASSITUDE" Meaning: Lassitude is tiredness or weariness, in either the body or the mind. Pronunciation: LASS it ood (or "LASS it yood") Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like “milk,” “rice,” and “education,” uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about “some milk,” “the rice,” and “a lot of education,” but you don’t say “a milk,” “three rices,” or “many educations.” Likewise, talk about “the lassitude,” “such lassitude,” “much lassitude,” “no lassitude,” and so on, but don’t say “lassitudes.”) Other forms: "Lassitudinous" is the adjective, but not all dictionaries list it. It's kind of a mouthful anyway, so consider saying "weary," "tired," "fatigued," or "languid" instead. How to use it: When "weariness" or "tiredness" feel awkward or not formal enough, pick "lassitude." It comes straight from the Latin word for "weary," so you know it's basically a more formal version of "weary." Talk about someone's lassitude, someone being filled with lassitude, someone doing or saying something with lassitude, something that causes or produces lassitude, something that reduces or counteracts lassitude, the lassitude of the voting public, and so on. You can be figurative and talk about the lassitude of a market or industry, the lassitude of a laid-back town, the lassitude of a joyless performance, etc. Traveling disrupts my routines and fills me with lassitude. I only do it if I have to. Kids preparing their college application essays are encouraged to express some emotion or other in their writing, but with the stress of the season bearing down on them, the only thing they feel profoundly is lassitude. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "lassitude" means when you can explain it without saying "exhaustion" or "weariness." Think of something that always makes you feel energetic, and fill in the blank: "_____ can always shake me out of my lassitude." Example: "Hearing a favorite song from years ago on the radio can always shake me out of my lassitude." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing with song lyrics that include words featured in issues of Make Your Point. I’ll give you a few lines from the song, with a blank where our word appears, along with its definition. See if you can come up with it! You can follow the link to see the right answer right away, or just wait until the following day’s issue. Have fun! Yesterday's lyrics: Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Title: She Didn't Say "Yes" Lyrics:    She wanted to rest    All cuddled and pressed    A _____ part of somebody's heart Definition: able to be touched, or so real that it’s almost as if it can be touched Answer: palpable Try this one today: Artist: Owl City Title: Air Traffic Lyrics:    The scent is strong as we move on    And breathe in the pristine crime scene    The false _____ is old like a substitute volunteer    From oh some other year Definition: a fake, superficial layer or appearance Peek at the answer... A Point Well Made: Adlai Stevenson: “My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.” 1. The opposite of LASSITUDE is A. CREATION B. ENERGY C. MOTION 2. They finally succumbed to their lassitude and _____. A. yelled at each other B. fell deeply asleep C. ordered dessert Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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. B Exploring the archives: Jaded. Haggard. Cadaverous. Languid, and languishing. Today's "lassitude" adds to all these options for talking about being and looking tired, to various degrees. Could you take all those words, and today's, and put them in order from least to most intense? Your order might be a little different from mine, but let's definitely start with this relatively tame word and end with this extremely intense word.