Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MINATORY

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

connect today's word to others: Our word minatory looks a lot like menace for good reason: they both come from the Latin minari, which means "to threaten." The interesting thing about minari is that its more literal meaning is "to jut out." So when we talk about __min___ things, we're suggesting that they jut out at us or loom over us, intimidating us, coming closer, as we're powerless to stop them. And _min___ people and things seem to jut out from others: they stand out by being dignified, successful, or remarkable. Could you recall both of those words? (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "MINATORY" Something minatory is threatening, menacing, looming, or ill-boding. In other words, minatory things make you fear that something bad or violent is about to happen. Pronunciation: MINN uh tore ee 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 minatory thing." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was minatory.") Other forms: minatorily, minatoriness   How to use it: Talk about minatory words, minatory threats and warnings, minatory remarks and declarations, minatory emails and letters, minatory gestures (like a minatory finger in your face), minatory facial expressions (like minatory gazes and glares), a minatory style, a minatory tone, or even a minatory silence.  More loosely, you can call something minatory if it seems powerful enough to pose a threat, like a minatory budget, doctrine, or alliance. examples: Joan is one of those teachers who can shut down chatter with a minatory glance. "Brexiters in the UK, imitating Tory tactics in London’s mayoral election, conjured up minatory visions of foreigners."    —The Guardian, 13 January 2017 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "minatory" without saying "boding poorly" or "intimidating." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "(Someone's) tone grew minatory. '_____.'" Example: "The manager's tone grew minatory. 'Leave now, or we call the police.'" 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 Clichés! In each issue this month, I'll present a general theme and a handful of common expressions that apply to it--but only the first few words of each expression. See if you can complete them!  To keep things interesting, I've picked a mixture of phrases both new and familiar to me. I hope some will pique your curiosity and inspire you to Google them for their meanings and backstories. (Please try that first, and if your search turns up empty, email me for help.) If you're playing this game with the kids in your family or your class, you might enjoy talking together about what the phrases mean. Enjoy! In the previous issue, the theme was "Managing expectations:" A. Any port in... B. Half a loaf... C. Many are called... Answers: A. Any port in a storm B. Half a loaf is better than none C. Many are called, but few are chosen Try these today. The theme is "Wasting time:" A. The game isn't worth... B. Gild the... C. Go around Robin... D. Grasp at... E. Preach to... review today's word: 1. The opposite of MINATORY is A. OVERSIZED. B. PROMISING. C. MEEK. 2. It was a minatory gesture, _____. A. an angry fist in the air B. a goofy two thumbs up C. a slump of the shoulders 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. A