Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GOLCONDA

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explore the archives: Today's "Golconda" means "a diamond mine" or "any source of great wealth or value." If you'd rather imply that something is more like a city of gold than a mine of diamonds, you might call it an E_ D_____. make your point with... "GOLCONDA" "Golconda" is the name of a famous group of diamond mines in India. So, a Golconda is any source of great wealth. Pronunciation: gall CON duh Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like “bottle,” “piece,” and “decision,” are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about “a bottle,” “three pieces,” and “many decisions.” Likewise, talk about one Golconda or multiple mines of Golconda.) It’s also a proper noun, so you always capitalize the G. Other forms: none How to use it: Keeping in mind that a Golconda is a literal or figurative diamond mine, call something a Golconda when it's either literally a source of vast riches ("he found a Golconda when he invested in that company") or figuratively a source of great value ("the new organics store is a Golconda for the health-conscious"). We don't really make this word plural, but you can talk about "the mines of Golconda," usually for dramatic or poetic purposes: "The mines of Golconda hold nothing as beautiful as this." "I wouldn't give him up for the mines of Golconda." examples: I can't stand his uppity tone. He always talks as if he had the mines of Golconda at his command. The works of Shakespeare: for English teachers, they remain a Golconda; for students, a torture device. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "Golconda" means when you can explain it without saying "mine of wealth" or "treasure trove." try it out: Think of something or someone you love dearly, and fill in the blank: "I wouldn't trade _____ for all the gems of Golconda." Example: "I wouldn't trade this curly-headed mess of a toddler for all the gems of Golconda." 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: Much, much bigger than a worm, a "pebble worm" is a c________. Answer: This is a crocodile, whose name comes from Greek. Try this one today: A "little thief" is a f____. review today's word: 1. The opposite of GOLCONDA is A. BOUTIQUE B. TRASH HEAP C. BURNING BUSH 2. _____, he examined the reading list: a Golconda whose titles promised to _____. A. Dazzled .. unlock the secret answers to all of his deepest questions B. Shocked .. keep him up until at least 3:00AM until the end of the semester C. Angry .. explore only one very biased perspective on the entire topic 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. B 2. A