Collecting Big Words

ODIOUS MEANING: adjective: Highly offensive; inspiring and deserving hatred. ETYMOLOGY: From Latin odium (hatred), from odisse (to hate). Ultimately from the Indo-European root od- (to hate) that is also the source of the words annoy, noisome, and ennui. USAGE: "Yes, you are under surveillance. Yes, it is odious. Yes, it should bother you. And yes, it's hard to know how to avoid it."  Nick Harkaway "All over the US there are people whose lives are being destroyed for lack of proper health care provision, and there is no sight more odious than the rich, powerful, and arrogant trying to keep it that way." Simon Hoggart; Why the American Right Make Me Sick; The Guardian (London, UK); Aug 15, 2009.  It was Stalin, the most  odious  tyrant of the century.

"Circumlocution" is a noun that refers to the use of unnecessarily long or indirect words or expressions to express an idea, often in an attempt to be evasive or to avoid being clear and direct. Etymology: The word "circumlocution" has Latin origins. It is derived from the combination of "circum" (meaning "around") and "loqui" (meaning "to speak"). Sample Sentences: The politician's speech was filled with circumlocution , making it challenging for the audience to grasp his true stance on the issue. Instead of providing a straightforward answer, he resorted to circumlocution , leaving everyone confused about his intentions. The writer's penchant for circumlocution made the article lengthy and difficult to follow. In diplomatic circles, circumlocution is often employed to navigate sensitive topics without causing offense. The student was marked down for the excessive circumlocution in his essay, as it obscured the m...

"Defenestration" refers to the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. This term is often used figuratively to describe the removal or dismissal of an individual in a forceful or abrupt manner, especially from a position of power or influence. The word "defenestration" has its roots in Latin. It stems from the combination of "de-" (meaning "down from") and "fenestra" (meaning "window"). The term gained prominence due to historical events, such as the Defenestration of Prague in 1618, a key event that triggered the Thirty Years' War. This event involved Bohemian nobles throwing imperial officials out of a window, symbolizing their rejection of Habsburg authority. Here are three sample sentences using "defenestration": The political scandal resulted in the defenestration of several high-ranking officials from their positions. The company's decision to use faulty materials led to the defenestrati...