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The roots that make up the word recondite literally mean "hidden back" or "hidden away," and today something recondite is so obscure or deep that hardly anybody understands it.
To describe hard-to-understand things, we often rely on two metaphors: concealment (like with today's recondite) and darkness. That is, we like to think of hard-to-understand things as either hidden away or too dark to see. Consider these synonyms for recondite:
- Abstruse
- Caliginous
- Obfuscated
They all mean "hard to understand," but could you recall which of these hinge on the metaphor of darkness, and which hinge on concealment?
make your point with...
"RECONDITE"
Something recondite is known or understood by hardly anybody, so it seems to be hidden away from regular folks.
Pronunciation:
Many ways are correct. I prefer "RECK un dite."
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 recondite thing."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was recondite.")
Other forms:
The adverb is "reconditely," and the noun is "reconditeness." (Even though "recondity" sounds better, it's rare.)
How to use it:
Talk about recondite facts and knowledge, a recondite analysis or discussion, a recondite realm or field of study, recondite subjects and topics, recondite words and phrases, recondite allusions and references, and so on. Things might be said or written in a recondite style or manner.
If you say that a person is recondite (like a recondite writer or theorist), what you really mean is that he's known for his recondite style.
examples:
Middle and high school kids do get frustrated when they find the author's many references recondite, but I still recommend How to Read Literature Like a Professor.
When the financial discussion delved into recondite details, my mind wandered.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "recondite" means when you can explain it without saying "obscure" or "esoteric."
try it out:
Think of someone you know with a deep knowledge of a certain subject. Fill in the blanks: "(Person)'s recondite knowledge of (a subject) (is helpful in a particular way)."
Example: "Mark's recondite knowledge of ornithology came in handy when there was some dispute over whether a garden statue appeared more penguin-like or crow-like. Turns out it was actually more robin-like."
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 rhyming puzzles as we review previous words.
Examples: Someone who belts out songs in church with great gusto has ____ ___. Answer: hymn vim. And the barbecue place where you always meet up with your friends from Dallas and Houston is your _____ _____. Answer: Texas nexus. The puzzles, and their answers, will get longer and sillier as the month goes on. Click or mouse-over the link to the clue if you need it, and see each answer the following day. Enjoy!
From yesterday: You hate it when people persuade others using insincere flattery (kind little comments or compliments). So you're always on the lookout for this behavior, and when you see it happening, you interfere. You're on ______ ______. (Two words, two syllables each. Clue: use this word.)
Answer: cajole patrol.
Try this today: An ideal environment for a large tree-dwelling lizard--one in which this creature is perfectly happy and peaceful--could be called ______ _______. (Two words, three syllables each. Clue: use this word.)
review today's word:
1. One opposite of RECONDITE is
A. MIMICKED
B. MANIFEST
C. MYSTERIOUS
2. Casual readers _____ the publication's articles were becoming more recondite.
A. appreciated how
B. didn't notice that
C. complained that
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
The roots that make up the word recondite literally mean "hidden back" or "hidden away," and today something recondite is so obscure or deep that hardly anybody understands it.
"RECONDITE" Something recondite is known or understood by hardly anybody, so it seems to be hidden away from regular folks. Part of speech:
Middle and high school kids do get frustrated when they find the author's many references recondite, but I still recommend How to Read Literature Like a Professor.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "recondite" means when you can explain it without saying "obscure" or "esoteric."
Think of someone you know with a deep knowledge of a certain subject. Fill in the blanks: "(Person)'s recondite knowledge of (a subject) (is helpful in a particular way)."
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. One opposite of RECONDITE 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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