Make Your Point > Archived Issues > LIMPID

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explore the archives: It sounds like limp, but limpid describes clear waters and skies, beautiful music, and pure souls. It means "clear in a clean, beautiful way" and gosh, it's such a poetic word. So is lam____, our word meaning "graceful and light, or playful in an intelligent way." make your point with... "LIMPID" Literally, limpid things (usually liquids) are clear, with no stuff floating around in them. Figuratively, limpid things are clear, bright, and clean in a beautiful way. Pronunciation: LIM pid 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 "a limpid thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was limpid.") Other forms: The adverb is "limpidly." For the noun, use "limpidness" or "limpidity." ("Limpidity" is more common, and it's my preference because it sounds nicer: "lim PID it ee.") How to use it: To be literal, talk about limpid skies, limpid eyes and crystals and marbles, limpid colors (like a limpid turquoise), and, very often, limpid liquids (like limpid streams, rivers, pools, seas, etc.). To be figurative, talk about limpid sounds, usually musical ones: Nancy's limpid soprano, Josh Turner's limpid bass, the limpid opening notes of the song. You can also talk about someone's limpid intellect, someone's limpid writing or speaking style or the limpid language of a poem, even someone's limpid heart, spirit, or soul.  examples: Heaps of sharp black volcanic rocks gave way to the limpid sapphire bay. I challenge you to listen to Pentatonix's limpid rendition of "Hallelujah" without getting the chills. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "limpid" means when you can explain it without saying "free from any particles" or "beautifully transparent." try it out: Think of a speaker or writer who's not just clear but beautifully clear. Fill in the blanks: "(Person) talks/writes with limpidity about (a certain topic)." Example: "Thomas Gilovich writes with limpidity about the pitfalls of human reasoning." 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 KWIKORD, an addictive, challenging new word game for solo or group play, created by Wayne Ellice.  We're dipping our toes into the game this month, trying some simple challenges first and working our way toward harder tasks. (Check out my interview with the game's creator here, and order your own copy of the full version of KWIKORD here.) You'll see a sample answer to each puzzle the following day. Enjoy! Yesterday, you took the letters CHTAOO and arranged them into words that fill the perimeter of a 3x3 grid. Many solutions were possible. Here are two: We'll do this one last time before switching to a more complex task. Try it once more today with the letters GLTEOU. Draw a tic-tac-toe board on some scrap paper and go for it! review today's word: 1. One opposite of LIMPID is A. SURE-FOOTED B. SUSTAINED C. CLOUDED 2. He argues with a politician's certainty and a _____ limpidity. A. demagogue's B. grandfather's C. poet's Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, 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. C 2. C