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Meaning "rebellious and stubborn," recalcitrant has roots that mean "kicking back." Imagine an animal who kicks back at you instead of following your commands: it's a recalcitrant animal.
Could you come up with a synonym for "recalcitrant" whose roots mean "hardened against"? It's __dur___, which is related to "endure," "durable," "duration," and "during." (All those words share the concept of hardness or lasting for a long time.)
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"RECALCITRANT"
A recalcitrant person, animal, or thing won't cooperate, won't obey, and doesn't like being controlled.
Pronunciation:
rih CAL sih trunt (or "ree CAL sih trunt")
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 recalcitrant mood."
2. After a linking verb, as in "Their mood was recalcitrant.")
Other forms:
Recalcitrantly, recalcitrance. You can also call a person "a recalcitrant."
How to use it:
Talk about recalcitrant animals, recalcitrant toddlers, recalcitrant criminals, a recalcitrant species of insect, and so on. Words, gestures, and actions can all be recalcitrant.
A problem or disease can be recalcitrant if it resists efforts to control it, and someone might have recalcitrant manners or be in a recalcitrant mood.
You can also use this word lightheartedly, hyperbolically, and figuratively: "a recalcitrant tuft of hair that won't stay in place," "this recalcitrant worry that won't go away."
examples:
You know that one recalcitrant kid in your class who slowed down every single lesson with his (or her) shenanigans? Yeah. Every class has that kid.
When a recalcitrant mood hits my little girl and all she'll say is "NO," I'll tease her by asking her something like "Do you want some candy?"
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "recalcitrant" means when you can explain it without saying "resisting authority" or "uncontrollable."
try it out:
Think of a time someone refused to do what you wanted them to, and fill in the blanks: "In response to my request for _____, all I got was (recalcitrant silence / a recalcitrant glare / recalcitrant shouting, etc.)."
Example: "In response to my request for her to pick up her toys, all I got was a recalcitrant but sing-songy 'NOOOOOOOO!'"
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:
Some names for animals and other creatures define themselves instantly or after a brief moment’s thought: anteater, grasshopper, hummingbird, seahorse, octopus (eight-foot). But other names deserve some exploration; they hold hidden clues about what the animals look like or what they do. And sometimes the names reveal how baffled people were when they first caught a glimpse of the creatures and tried to name them. This month, I’ll give you the literal meaning of a creature's name, and you come up with what it is. Answers will appear in alphabetical order this month. (Oh, and the answers might be animals, birds, insects, or even extinct creatures.) Enjoy!
From yesterday: A "corpse whale" is a n______.
Answer: It's a narwhal, whose name comes from Old Norse and gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Try this one today: A "night singer" is a n______.
review today's word:
1. The opposite of RECALCITRANT is
A. DENIABLE
B. TRACTABLE
C. PLIABLE
2. Reporters love to interview that one recalcitrant guy who, when a hurricane is imminent, _____.
A. is the first one to board up his windows
B. starts muttering about how nature is exacting punishment on humanity
C. stands on his porch shouting about how he ain't goin' nowhere
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. C
Meaning "rebellious and stubborn," recalcitrant has roots that mean "kicking back." Imagine an animal who kicks back at you instead of following your commands: it's a recalcitrant animal.
"RECALCITRANT" A recalcitrant person, animal, or thing won't cooperate, won't obey, and doesn't like being controlled. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
You know that one recalcitrant kid in your class who slowed down every single lesson with his (or her) shenanigans? Yeah. Every class has that kid.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "recalcitrant" means when you can explain it without saying "resisting authority" or "uncontrollable."
Think of a time someone refused to do what you wanted them to, and fill in the blanks: "In response to my request for _____, all I got was (recalcitrant silence / a recalcitrant glare / recalcitrant shouting, etc.)."
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 RECALCITRANT 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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