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Watching the news this election year, you'd think the vitriolic tone that pervaded our nation would make vitriol or vitriolic a contender for Dictionary.com's Word of the Year. They chose instead what you might consider a specific type of vitriol: xenophobia (explored in this issue of Make Your Point). Well chosen, Dictionary.com.
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"VITRIOLIC"
Literal vitriol is a certain sulphate of metal that's known for being corrosive (for damaging things by eating away at them). And figurative vitriol is a tone or feeling of sharpness, meanness, and harshness. If your words have vitriol, it's like they are acidic, bitter, dangerous chemicals.
So, someone or something vitriolic is very sharp, mean, and harsh.
Pronunciation:
vit ree ALL ick
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 vitriolic thing" or "a vitriolic person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was vitriolic" or "He was vitriolic.")
Other forms:
Just the noun: vitriol ("VIT ree all").
How to use it:
Talk about vitriolic people, or people who speak or write in a vitriolic tone or style; vitriolic attitudes, feelings, and sentiments; vitriolic words, messages, accusations, discussions, and so on. Even entire events, campaigns, and periods of time can be vitriolic.
examples:
Alanis Morissette mellowed in subsequent albums, but we'll always love belting out those vitriolic lyrics in "You Oughta Know."
Leah Remini managed to inform the public, without vitriol, of the abuses and brainwashing inherent in Scientology.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "vitriolic" means when you can explain it without saying "acidic" or "hateful."
try it out:
What's something that people disagree about very, very strongly? Fill in the blank: "Sometimes you have to step away from the vitriolic debate over _____."
Example: "Sometimes you have to step away from the vitriolic debate over welfare."
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 the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play!
First, try to recall from yesterday the literal meanings of "comma" and "illustrate" and the original meaning of "martyr." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue.
Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below:
1. "Concentrate" originally meant _____
2. "Improve" literally means _____
3. "Globe" originally meant _____
Answer bank:
A. "any round thing."
B. "to bring toward the center."
C. "to turn a profit."
review today's word:
1. The opposite of VITRIOLIC is
A. TERSE
B. SWEET
C. ABSENT
2. The conversation grew vitriolic, leaving both of us _____.
A. with the satisfaction that comes from that deeper understanding
B. to wonder what could have been
C. red-faced and furious
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, 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 game questions:
1. "Comma" literally means "a piece which is cut off."
2. "Illustrate" literally means "to light up."
3. "Martyr" originally meant "a witness."
Answers to review questions:
1. B
2. C
Watching the news this election year, you'd think the vitriolic tone that pervaded our nation would make vitriol or vitriolic a contender for Dictionary.com's Word of the Year. They chose instead what you might consider a specific type of vitriol: xenophobia (explored in this issue of Make Your Point). Well chosen, Dictionary.com.
Literal vitriol is a certain sulphate of metal that's known for being corrosive (for damaging things by eating away at them). And figurative vitriol is a tone or feeling of sharpness, meanness, and harshness. If your words have vitriol, it's like they are acidic, bitter, dangerous chemicals. Part of speech:
Alanis Morissette mellowed in subsequent albums, but we'll always love belting out those vitriolic lyrics in "You Oughta Know."
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "vitriolic" means when you can explain it without saying "acidic" or "hateful."
What's something that people disagree about very, very strongly? Fill in the blank: "Sometimes you have to step away from the vitriolic debate over _____."
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. The opposite of VITRIOLIC is
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
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