Make Your Point > Archived Issues > VERACIOUS

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"VERACIOUS" Meaning: Someone or something veracious is truthful and accurate in a detailed, thorough way. Pronunciation: vuh RAY shus 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 veracious testimony.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "His testimony was veracious.”) Other forms: veraciously, veraciousness/veracity How to use it: When you talk about veracious people, veracious personalities, and veracious qualities, you mean that people are not just honest but also totally forthcoming with all the true details. So when you talk about a veracious friend, or a veracious witness, you mean they're more than simply honest: they tell the whole truth. You can also talk about veracious accounts or records, veracious testimony, a veracious book or essay, veracious insight, and so on. The article is hilarious but not exactly veracious--the facts presented were true enough but only revealed one side of the story. She's veracious by nature, so don't ask her what she thinks of your cooking unless you're ready for some constructive criticism. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "veracious" means when you can explain it without saying "accurate" or "the whole truth." Think of a time you protected someone's feelings or helped someone by not telling the whole truth, and fill in the blank: "I (glossed over / didn't mention) _____, but my comments were otherwise veracious."  Example: "I didn't mention the student's low-effort papers, but my comments in the recommendation letter were otherwise veracious." 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, we're playing with some fascinating thematic word lists assembled by Stephen Chrisomalis, an English language expert over at The Phrontistery who kindly gave permission for me to use his work. (Check out his site; you will definitely enjoy it!) Try a question each day, and see the right answers here the following day--or if you can't wait, follow the link to Stephen's list to dig out the answers yourself. Have fun! Yesterday's question: Did you know that there are hundreds of terms related to ships and sailing? Here’s a handful. See if you can tell which ones are people (types of workers on a ship) and which ones are things (objects on a ship.) - aftergaurd - ballaster - bee - bumpkin - deadeye - moonraker - starbolins Answers: The people are the afterguard (the men who work the aft sails on the quarterdeck and poop deck,) the ballaster (someone who supplies ships with ballast,) and the starbolins (the sailors of the starboard watch.) The things are the bee (the hardwood on either side of bowsprit through which forestays are reeved,) the bumpkin (the spar projecting from the stern of the ship,) the deadeye (the rounded wooden block with a hole used to set up the ship's stays,) and the moonraker (the topmost sail of a ship, above the skyscraper.) Try this one today: You're probably familiar with the Greek phileein, meaning "to love." Could you complete the definitions for these love-related terms? Easy: Germanophilia is the love or fondness for _____. Medium: Something petrophilous lives on or thrives in areas that are _____. Hard: Someone with stigmatophilia has a love for or obsession with _____. Can't wait until tomorrow for the right answers? Check out Stephen's full list and discussion at the Phrontistery. A Point Well Made: Hebrews 13:2: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 1. The opposite of VERACIOUS is A. DECEPTIVE B. DECEASED C. DECREASED 2. The biography was veracious, _____ even. A. complimentary B. selective C. exhaustive 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. A 2. C Exploring the archives: Today's word describes people who speak or write so honestly that they include every little detail. How about a good word for people who are so honest that they do everything in plain sight, as if they're playing a card game with you and keeping their hands where you can see them?