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"Scabrous" derives its current figurative meaning of "crude, mean, and inappropriate" from the original one: "rough and bumpy."
Speaking of textures, could you recall a one-syllable noun meaning anything pleasantly soothing? It originally described a smooth and goopy substance that you'd smear on your skin to heal it or soothe it.
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"SCABROUS"
From the Latin word for "scrape, scratch," "scabrous" originally described surfaces that were rough and knobby.
Now, though it still means "rough, bumpy, and crusty," it can also mean "harsh and unmusical" or "full of difficult little problems." But the most common meaning of "scabrous" today is "rough in a mean, nasty, or indecent way."
Pronunciation:
SKAB russ
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 scabrous review."
2. After a linking verb, as in "The review was scabrous.")
Other forms:
scabrously, scabrousness
How to use it:
Talk about scabrous humor and scabrous sarcasm, scabrous topics and scabrous details, scabrous online forums and scabrous publications, scabrous comments and scabrous dialogue, scabrous reviews and scabrous social media posts, scabrous novels and songs, scabrous rumors and accusations, and so on.
Although you don't often say that a person is scabrous, you might say that someone is scabrous about some topic ("she's always so scabrous about her exes") or that something appeals only to the most scabrous element of human nature.
examples:
At one time I did find it entertaining, but the scabrous humor of shows like "Two and Half Men" no longer appeals to me.
Deadline by Chris Crutcher is thoughtful and gripping but narrated with the scabrous sarcasm of a teenage boy. Still, it's a heck of a book.
Writing for Time.com, Richard Corliss made use of our word's literal and figurative meanings simultaneously when he described a movie's "warm heart beating under its seemingly scabrous shell."
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scabrous" means when you can explain it without saying "rough" or "inappropriate."
try it out:
Think of something we can talk openly about now that used to be scandalous or unacceptable, and fill in the blanks: "(At a certain point in the past), _____ was a scabrous topic."
Example: "Only a generation ago, divorce was a scabrous topic."
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 "night singer" is a n______.
Answer: It's a nightingale, whose name comes from Old English.
Try this one today: A "white dog" is an o______. (It's not a dog! Don't pet it!)
review today's word:
1. One opposite of SCABROUS is
A. REFINED
B. REDOLENT
C. RETICENT
2. On the topic of _____, his autobiography took on a scabrous edge.
A. how he met his two best friends
B. why his political opponents were not just wrong but idiotic
C. when he planned to retire and how he would occupy his time
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
"Scabrous" derives its current figurative meaning of "crude, mean, and inappropriate" from the original one: "rough and bumpy."
"SCABROUS" From the Latin word for "scrape, scratch," "scabrous" originally described surfaces that were rough and knobby. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
At one time I did find it entertaining, but the scabrous humor of shows like "Two and Half Men" no longer appeals to me.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scabrous" means when you can explain it without saying "rough" or "inappropriate."
Think of something we can talk openly about now that used to be scandalous or unacceptable, and fill in the blanks: "(At a certain point in the past), _____ was a scabrous topic."
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 SCABROUS 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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