6/4/11

Mordant
Pronounced < more-dent >

It means:  a sarcastic cruel and biting wit

Daily use:  The bully once had a mordant sense of humor.  He was very nice now.

Memory trick: 
mordant
mord (reminds of)  =  mortified or shocked surprise
ant (reminds of)  =  a small bug or very little
 Mortifying words will make someone feel very small

Listen: Mordant


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6/2/11

Misnomer

 
Pronounced:
<mis-nohm-er>
An error in naming something.  A wrong name for a person.

 
My use:
It is a misnomer to call it work when you like what you do.  It should be called play.
 
Literary use:
By Whately
The word "synonym" is fact a misnomer.


 
Memory trick:
Mis - nome - r
mis (reminds of) = miss or not right
nome (reminds of) =
name
r
(reminds of) = are
not right name are

 
Listen: Misnomer


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6/1/11

Mien


Pronounced:
<meen>
Manner. Demeanor.

 
My use:
You have a very pleasant mien.  Your parents must have taught you good manners.
 

Literary use:
By Alexander Pope
 Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,  As, to be hated, needs but to be seen.


 
Memory trick:
mien
mien (sounds like) = mean or average or usual
the average way you are 

Listen: Mien


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Nexus
Pronounced:
< Nex-uh-sss >

 
It means: 
A link between to things.  A connected group.

Daily use: 
The nexus between our two groups is very strong. We are almost like one group.

Memory trick: 
nexus
nex (reminds of)  =  next
us (sounds like)  =  us or we
next to us

Listen: Nexus


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5/30/11

Mien

Pronounced:
<meen>
Manner. Demeanor.


My use:

You have a very pleasant mien.  Your parents must have taught you good manners.

Literary use:
By Alexander Pope
 Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,  As, to be hated, needs but to be seen.


Memory trick:
mien
mien (sounds like) = mean or average or usual
the average way you are
Listen: Mien

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