Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ACOLYTE

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"ACOLYTE" Meaning: This word has several meanings, some of which are religious. But let's focus on this one: An acolyte is a devoted follower. In other words, an acolyte is a person who adores, admires, and obeys someone. Pronunciation: ACK uh light 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 acolyte or multiple acolytes.) Other forms: acolytes How to use it: When you need a stronger word than "fan" or "follower," pick "acolyte," and be aware that the tone is a little critical; you're hinting that someone is a very devoted fan, almost like a worshiper or a slave. So, talk about someone's acolytes (or the acolytes of someone,) a crowd of acolytes, a mass of adoring acolytes, etc. Acolytes usually follow and adore a person or group of people (such as a politician, a musician or band, an athlete or team, and so on) but you can also talk about acolytes of a brand, a company, an idea, a trend, or a movement. In the hilarious movie Josie and the Pussycats, which is sort of a critique of the music industry, the band gets discovered one day and then somehow has millions of instant acolytes. I'm not quite sure I understand the appeal of that company's products... and I don't really get their acolytes, either. To each their own! Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "acolyte" means when you can explain it without saying "follower" or "fanatic." Think of someone who has die-hard fans (maybe you're one of those fans?), and fill in the blanks: "At/When/During _____, acolytes are always willing to _____." Example: "At comic book conventions, acolytes are always willing to wait in a long line and pay a hefty fee for Patrick Stewart's autograph." 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 sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about the origins of words, phrases, and quotes. Click here if you want to check them out. They're compact--perfect for stockings. Just saying. :) Try a question here each day this month, and see the right answer the next day. Have fun! Yesterday's question: "Guess the word! Origin: The difficulty of hand picking this tree-grown fruit led to this hyphenated term, which means to select only the best, easiest, or most desirable option." Answer: "The word is: Cherry-pick.” Today's question: "Guess the movie [from these quotes]! 'I need to repair my turbo boosters. Are you still using fossil fuels, or have you discovered crystallic fusion?' [Response to ‘I’ve set my laser from stun to kill’:] 'Oh, great. If anyone attacks, we can blink ‘em to death.' 'Gee, I’d better shave! [pulls off mustache]' 'What if Andy gets another dinosaur? A mean one?! I just don’t think I can take that kind of rejection!' 'To infinity and beyond!'” A Point Well Made: Eleanor Roosevelt: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’" 1. The opposite of ACOLYTE is A. LEADER B. SPEAKER C. MINION 2. To its acolytes, I'm sure the selfie movement is _____. A. a baffling and narcissistic habit B. a profound means of self-expression C. tolerated in hopes that it will go away soon 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. B Exploring the archives: What does today's word have in common with fantast, laity, narcissist, nebbish, raconteur, saboteur, and zealot? Yup, these are words for people. Not adjectives that describe people, but nouns that are people. I actually don't cover words like this too often, because they're rarely complimentary. Only a few that I just listed are something actually nice to call someone. Can you spot them? One is a word for someone who's awesome in a crazy way, and the other is a word for someone who's naturally funny and entertaining.