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"Legions," literally meaning "armies," is a colorful way to say "tons" or "a lot." When you need to emphasize an even larger amount of something, you might call it inc______able: enormous or extreme, almost defying enumeration.
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"LEGION"
A legion is an army. More loosely, it's a vast, overwhelming amount of people or things.
Pronunciation:
LEE jin
Part of speech:
Countable noun.
(Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions."
Likewise, talk about a legion, the legion, or legions.)
It's also an adjective meaning "extremely numerous," so talk about legion things or things that are legion.
Other forms:
legions, legionary
How to use it:
We most often use "legion" to talk about legions of people: legions of fans, legions of supporters, legions of unemployed college graduates. Less often, you'll describe legions of things: legions of bugs, legions of problems. But you can also use the adjective: "the problems are legion," "there are legion rumors about that."
However you use "legion," keep in mind that you're comparing things to a vast army. It makes sense to talk about "a legion of consumers" because they are, in a sense, powerful as a group, and perhaps they're figuratively on the attack or on the defense. But it wouldn't make sense to describe "legions of stars in the sky." There's no undertone of conflict there.
examples:
Houston is a wonderful city, minus its legions of mosquitoes.
In the wake of Orlando's tragedy, it warms the heart to see the legions of blood donors lined up.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "legion" means when you can explain it without saying "zillions" or "so many it's like an army."
try it out:
Think of a very popular celebrity or event, and fill in the blanks: "(Someone or something) (draws/earns) legions of fans with (his/her/its/their) (certain attractive quality)."
Example: "Lady Gaga has earned legions of fans with her artistic, even bizarre persona."
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.
Well-Named Creatures:
In June, I gave you the literal meaning of a creature's name, and you came up with what it is.
From yesterday: A "three-horned face" is a t______.
Answer: It's a triceratops. And only a coincidence that yesterday's answer was also a dinosaur. :)
Our new game for July is "Language Techniques:"
When language sounds beautiful or memorable, often there’s some particular technique responsible for that effect. Each day this month, I’ll give you a specific stylistic technique or quality, and I’d like you to recreate (as closely as you can) the quote that I’ve botched by removing it. We’ll work our way from the easiest to the hardest techniques. Enjoy!
Try this one today:
Even outside of poetry and song lyrics, rhyme can have a startling effect. For example, Samuel Butler once complained memorably that "All the rhetorician’s rules teach but the naming of his tools." In 1995, when defending O.J. Simpson, the lawyer Johnnie Cochran didn't say "If the glove isn't the right size, then you have to set my client free." What memorable rhyming statement did he offer instead?
review today's word:
1. The opposite of LEGION is
A. FEW
B. SINCERE
C. PEACEFUL
2. We expected _____, not the legions that arrived.
A. an organized shipment of supplies
B. a handful of protesters
C. a new set of tools
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. A
2. B
"Legions," literally meaning "armies," is a colorful way to say "tons" or "a lot." When you need to emphasize an even larger amount of something, you might call it inc______able: enormous or extreme, almost defying enumeration.
"LEGION" A legion is an army. More loosely, it's a vast, overwhelming amount of people or things. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Houston is a wonderful city, minus its legions of mosquitoes.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "legion" means when you can explain it without saying "zillions" or "so many it's like an army."
Think of a very popular celebrity or event, and fill in the blanks: "(Someone or something) (draws/earns) legions of fans with (his/her/its/their) (certain attractive quality)."
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. The opposite of LEGION 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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