Make Your Point > Archived Issues > DIADEM
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connect today's word to others:
Because a literal diadem is a crown, often studded with jewels, the word "diadem" must be related to "diamond," right?
Oddly, no. The roots within "diadem" literally mean something "bound" (dem) "across" (dia) the forehead, while "diamond" is from the Latin word for "hardest metal:" adamantem.
Adamantem also gave us an adjective for people who are so firm and inflexible in their thinking that nobody can change them. Can you recall it?
make your point with...
"DIADEM"
A diadem is a crown, or more generally, something that reminds you of a crown: either it's very elegant and seems to encircle or cap something, OR it shows glory or great dignity.
A note for sticklers:
Historically speaking, crowns and diadems are not exactly the same thing--but the difference doesn't matter here, since we're interested mostly in figurative usage.
Pronunciation:
DIE uh dem
Part of speech:
Both a noun ("a diadem," "two diadems," "many diadems")
and a verb (the transitive kind: "to diadem something").
Other forms:
diadems, diademed
How to use it:
"Diadem" is a beautiful word. Pick it instead of "crown" when you need to be formal, elegant, or poetic in your word choice.
Talk about literal diadems worn by anyone from monarchs to brides.
Or, be figurative and say that certain people, objects, or labels are diadems: "she's the diadem of this film," "it's the diadem of the museum's entire collection," "calling someone Miss Bossy these days isn't an insult; it's a diadem."
To get poetic, talk about a diadem of sunlight or frost or snow, a diadem of mansions around the edge of an island, etc. The verb sounds even more poetic: say that things are diademed with flowers, clouds, streams, sunbeams, etc.
examples:
I'm grateful that in our country, our leaders wear no diadems and are known as "public servants."
With its broad patch across the forehead, the diademed monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) is named so elegantly. I would have named it the unibrow monkey.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "diadem" means when you can explain it without saying "crown-like thing" or "emblem of dignity."
try it out:
Fill in the blanks: "_____ (is/was/were) diademed with _____."
Example: "The shoreline is diademed with black lava rocks."
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.
Our game this month is Banishing Bland Adjectives.
In each issue, we're strengthening our word-finding skills as we take aim at a vague little adjective and think up three ways to make it more specific. Resist the urge to sneak off to the thesaurus!
From yesterday: HURTFUL.
1. When something is HURTFUL because it's mean and it causes people harm on purpose, then instead of HURTFUL, call it _____.
2. When something is HURTFUL because it messes things up that were in good repair before, then instead of HURTFUL, call it _____.
3. When something is HURTFUL because it hurts or even kills people in a sneaky way, then instead of HURTFUL, call it _____.
Suggested answers: 1, malicious; 2, destructive; 3, pernicious. (Your answers might be different but just as precise.)
Today: FEW.
1. When things are FEW because there aren't enough of them for the purpose you have in mind, then instead of FEW, call them _____.
2. When things are FEW because the small amount of them isn't even worth worrying about, then instead of FEW, call them _____.
3. When things are FEW because there's a small amount of them and they're all spread out apart from each other, then instead of FEW, call them _____.
review today's word:
1. A close opposite of DIADEM is
A. DUNCE CAP
B. RIBBON SASH
C. COWBOY BOOTS
2. We lingered outside, _____ the diadem of _____.
A. in awe of .. jewel-bright rose bushes
B. unnerved by .. statues lined up in phalanxes as if for battle
C. wondering if .. despair cursing the house and its inhabitants was no hoax after all
Answers are below.
a final word:
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From Liesl's blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. A
Because a literal diadem is a crown, often studded with jewels, the word "diadem" must be related to "diamond," right?
"DIADEM" A diadem is a crown, or more generally, something that reminds you of a crown: either it's very elegant and seems to encircle or cap something, OR it shows glory or great dignity. Part of speech: Other forms:
I'm grateful that in our country, our leaders wear no diadems and are known as "public servants."
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "diadem" means when you can explain it without saying "crown-like thing" or "emblem of dignity."
Fill in the blanks: "_____ (is/was/were) diademed with _____."
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. A close opposite of DIADEM is
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. |