Make Your Point > Archived Issues > UNDULANT

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"UNDULANT" Meaning: Something undulant either moves in waves or has a wavelike pattern. Pronunciation: Several ways are correct. I prefer "UN dyuh lunt." 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 “an undulant dance” 2. After a linking verb, as in “The dance was undulant.”) Other forms: "Undulate" is the verb: to move in a wave. "Undulance" is the noun. And if "undulant" doesn't quite fit your idea, you can also pick from these other adjectives: "undulated," "undulating," "undular," "undulatory," and "undulative." Whew! How to use it: This word is poetic: you use it to describe the softness, beauty, grace, rhythm, and steadiness with which something moves up and down (or appears to move up and down). Talk about undulant hair, undulant animals, undulant artwork, undulant hills and fields and flowers, undulant sounds (such as undulant music or undulant voices, or undulant poems or undulant prayers,) undulant water, undulant dancing, an undulant gait, and so on. You can get abstract and talk about the undulant nature of memory, the undulant passing of time, an undulant style of writing, etc. Some folks say "undulant waves," but that's redundant, like saying "round circles." From the cafe across the street, we could hear the undulant music wafting out of the theater. Part of the joy of doing nothing on the beach is studying the undulant surface of the water, enjoying how it glitters, and knowing there are no particular responsibilities pressing on you at that moment. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "undulant" means when you can explain it without saying "wavy" or "gently moving up and down." Think of a particular type of music or dance that you like, and fill in the blanks: "The undulant (sounds/movement) of _____ (are/is) _____." Example: "The undulant sounds of a Fiona Apple tune are alternately soothing and energizing." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, with the gracious permission of author Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer, we’re sampling some English language trivia from Word Nerd: More Than 17,000 Fascinating Facts about Words. Dr. Kipfer’s book is a hearty 570-page feast that I’ve been gleefully devouring for the past few months. We’re starting off with easy questions, then working our way toward some whoppers at the end of the month, all the while focusing on funny, unusual words; surprising word histories; and cool tidbits about the language.  Yesterday's question: From Ceres, the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture, we get this food word: "_ _ _ _ _ _." Answer: Cereal. Try this one today. It should feel moderately difficult:   This word, “_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,” is based on Latin campus, “field,” and literally means “one who has the field when the fighting is over.” A Point Well Made: Albert Einstein: “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” 1. The opposite of UNDULANT could be A. IMPOSING B. SILENT C. STILL 2. We _____ the undulant road. A. zipped straight across  B. felt a little carsick as we headed up  C. noted that the map, for obvious reasons, didn't even include  Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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. C 2. B