Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SIDERATE

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connect today's word to others: When it comes to word origins, I get really jazzed up about them, so I was blown away, practically siderated (starstruck or planet-struck) to learn that the roots in the word consider might literally mean "to observe the stars"--and in desire, "to wait for what the stars will bring." That's because in Latin, sidus means "star, or constellation," and we know for sure that sidus gave us today's word, siderate. Now, never mind that some dictionaries mark siderate as "somewhat rare" or even "obsolete." We need this word. It literally means "struck by a star or a planet," a concept you'll relate to if you've ever been siderated by a first love, by a deep disappointment, or by a startling epiphany. And who hasn't? But when you need a synonym of siderated that's a bit more down-to-earth, you might pick dazed, bewildered, dumbfounded, disc____ted, or add____ted. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "SIDERATE" Something that siderates you seems to strike you with a bolt of lightning or smack you with an entire planet or star. In other words, to siderate someone is to fill that person with a sudden strong emotion, like fear, confusion, or amazement. Pronunciation: SIDE uh rate Part of speech: Verb, the transitive kind: "it siderates me," "this siderated him," "she's been siderated." Other forms: siderated, siderating, sideration How to use it: When even "gobsmacked" or "lightning-struck" isn't strong enough, pick "siderated." Just make sure your context helps your listeners know what you mean; it's a very rare (and poetic) word. Talk about things that siderate people. What kinds of things might siderate us? News, events, realizations, images sounds, remarks, etc. examples: Everyone cheered them and supported them; they were going to change history, change the world; all signs pointed toward their success. Their defeat siderated them. "On receiving this news, the patient is almost siderated if he has not been psychologically prepared."    —Jean Benjamin Stora, When the Body Displaces the Mind: Stress, Trauma and Somatic Disease, 2007 study it now: Look away from the screen to define "siderate" without saying "astound" or "flabbergast." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "In that moment, when (something amazing or terrible happened), (someone) was siderated." Example: "In that moment, when we reached the street where the tornado had done its greatest damage, we were siderated." 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 "dilemmas:" A. Between the devil... B. Out of the frying... C. God and... D. On the horns... E. Lesser of... F. Between a... Answers: A. Between the devil and the deep blue sea B. Out of the frying pan and into the fire C. God and Mammon D. On the horns of a dilemma E. Lesser of two evils F. Between a rock and a hard place Try these today. The theme is "don't say that:" A. A distinction without... B. Lay it on with... C. Make a mountain... D. Run off at... E. Soft... F. Talk through your... G. Thump the... review today's word: 1. A close opposite of SIDERATE is A. UNDERWHELM. B. UNDER-INSURE. C. UNDERESTIMATE. 2. Expressing a moment of pure sideration, the artist Brian Andreas wrote, _____ A. "I love you & I’m glad you’re here." B. "I breathe you in & there it is again, my heart saying thank you." C. "This is what it is like to be struck by lightning, knowing I would never be untouched by her again." 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. A 2. C