Wednesday, January 12, 2011

anatidaephobia

Anatidaephobia (anna-tidy-phobia)- noun

Definition:
a pervasive, irrational fear that one is being watched by a duck (associatedcontent.com)

Translated defintion:
The fear that no matter what you are doing, a duck is somehow watching you

No other forms

Original sentences:
1. Sean has anatidaephobia, before we go into a room he always has to have someone go in and make sure that there aren't any ducks.
2. Anatidaephobia is such an irrational fear, why in the world would a duck be watching you?

Best time of use:
Anatidaephobia is not the type of word you would just throw out in an everyday conversation, it would be best to use if you are talking to a therapist or a help group where someone has this fear. Since it is such a rare condition you might not ever get to use this word, but if you ever get the chance I highly reccomend it.

Synonyms:
The word anatidaephobia is similar to the word ornithophobia, but they are not exactly the same. Ornithophobia is the fear of birds, so it is somewhat alike to the fear that a duck is watching you, but they are both their own phobias.

Antonyms:
The word anatidaephobia is the exact opposite of the phrase "duck lover" because someone who posseses anatidaephobia most definately does not love ducks.

Rate its usefulness:
I give the word anatidaephobia five out of five stars because it is a very original word, there is nothing else quite like it. Also, it can be a very useful word to know in case you ever come accross someone who has this phobia. Finally, it is just a very interesting word.

Video:
This video is a perfect description of the word anatidaephobia, it shows someone who is afraid that a duck is watching them and how the duck seems to show up everywhere no matter what. Sorry for the random words in a different language, we couldn't find one that was in English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-wK1URtGOZ8

NBD

NBD (ehn-bee-dee) is an adjective. It is an acronym that means "No big deal"

Our definition (only definition...): NBD is used to describe something that is not a big deal and not very important to you. Also used sarcastically if you accomplish an amazing feat and want to let everyone know by saying it's NBD, but it's actually a really BD.

There are no other forms of the word NBD.

Original Sentences:
1. My friend apologized for stealing my boyfriend, but I was already over it. So, I told her it was NBD and that I didn't care.
2. I just landed a backflip on my snowboard, but you know it's NBD, it's not like I'm amazing or anything....

Use:
There are two great situations to say "NBD" in. First, you should say it if someone is either apologizing to you for something, or trying to get a reaction out of you. If someone apologizes and you forgive them, it's good to just say that it's NBD. If somebody tells you something because they want to get a reaction out of you and stir your emotions, then a good way to prove them wrong is by saying, "whatever, it's NBD." The second, and probably more common, use of "NBD" is when you are being very sarcastic. If you want to let everyone know that you just landed a flip on your snowboard or aced your test but you don't want to seem conceited, you can just tack on "NBD" to the end of your sentence and it makes you sound humble.

Synonym:
Saying "NBD" is like saying "it's whatever". They both mean that something is not important to you and that you couldn't care less. However, saying NBD is usually used in a more sarcastic manner, whereas "it's whatever" is usually used in a bitter way because you don't care for the person you are talking to/about.

Antonym:
The opposite of NBD would be saying that something is a really big deal, because it stands for "no big deal".

Usefulness:
I would rate "NBD" 3 out of 5 stars. I think it is a great word to use because it is very short and convenient to toss around in casual conversation. However, it would not be such a great word to use in a professional environment, so that takes away from its versatility. Also, i think that there are other words out there that could communicate your feelings more clearly.



This picture fits "NBD" well because, if you use it in the sarcastic form, you could say that this trick is not impressive and totally NBD, when you can tell that it's actually a really BD.

eclectic

Eclectic (ih-klek-tik)- adjective

Definition: not following any one system, but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.

Translated definition: to be eclectic is to choose the best you can find from multiple sources (the cream of the crop, you could say), and compile them together.

Forms:
eclectically- adverb
noneclectic- adjective, noun
noneclectically- adverb
uneclectic- adjective
uneclectically- adverb
 
Original Sentences:
1. When doing my project, i chose my information eclectically, because I wanted the best and most accurate facts I could find from many sources.
2. It was clear that his research was done noneclectically and that he had just copied and pasted the first result he found on Google, because it was not accurate.
 
Use:
The best time to use the word eclectic is when you are talking about/to someone who is very meticulous with their worl and they always pick the very best information they can find from a number of sources. The ideal setting to say this word in is the classroom, because it is definitely a trait that you would want to posess in your schoolwork. Also, your teacher would be impressed that you know the word, let alone that you actually are eclectic.
 
Synonym: A word that has a similar meaning is selective. Both words mean that you dont just go around picking things all willy-nilly, but rather that you have a system and you only select the best of the best.
 
Antonym: The opposite of eclectic could be described as indiscriminating. This means that you do not make a distinction in favor of one thing over another, and that you do not choose between them. This opposes "eclectic" because doing something eclectically means that you are discriminating a lot and that you choose the elements that you think are the best.
 
Usefulness: I would give thi word 3 out of 5 stars. On one hand, it is very descriptive and could be used often since many people are eclectic. On the other hand, it is not used as much as it should be unfortunately because many people find it difficult to understand and use in the right context.
 
 
I used a picture of a collage to describe the word eclectic because that is a quality that you must have when you are making a collage. You have to search through many sources for your favorite pictures and the ones that you think are the best, and be very selective about choosing the pictures. Also, there is no specific form  or system that you must follow, and you can just be creative about how you make it.

aloof

Aloof (uh-loof) -adjective

Dictionary.com Definition: at a distance, esp. in feeling or interest; apart.

Translated Definition: being far away from someone/something emotionally or in interest

Forms:
aloofly- adverb
aloofness- verb

Original Sentences:
1. The foreign exchange student was aloof from his host family; he wasnt a fan of football.
2. The second place girls soccer team was aloof from the first place girls volleyball team.

Best time of use:
The best time to use aloof would be when you are talking about something that you are not very involved in. Also, if you are talking to someone who you are not very interested in or are not very close with you could use the word aloof to describe your relationship and understanding of that person and the things that you two talk about.

Synonyms:
Some synonyms would be either "detached" or "distant". Distant  and detached is a lot similar to the word aloof because distant can mean to be somewhat of a distance away from something/someone, and detached means to not be connected to something/someone. But its also not so much like it because aloof means more to be distant from someone either emotionally or physically or in interest so aloof is more specific.

Antonyms:
The word "near" means the exact oposite of aloof because if you are near you are close to someone/thing and being aloof to someone means you are far from or distant from so therefore they are oposites.

Usefulness: I give the word aloof four out of five stars. Aloof is a god word, but its not something that you can use in that many situations, because it's kind of complicated and hard to understand exactly what you're meaning by saying it. I think some of the synonyms for the word aloof are better to use at many given times.

Picture: This picture is a very good example of aloof because the cat is being far from anyone and not interested in other people's business.

abstain

Abstain (ab-stay-n) -verb

Dictionary.com Definition: to hold oneself back voluntarily, esp. from something regarded as improper or unhealthy.

Translated Definition: to not let yourself do something.

Forms:
overabstain -verb
nonabstaining -adjective
abstainging -adjective



Original Sentences:
1.  I decided to abstain from sugar for the entire month, hopefully this will help me lose weight.
2.  Abstaining from gossip is one of my best traits, I don't really find interest in talking about people behind their backs.


Best time of use:
The best time to use the word abstain is when you are going on a fast for church, like oftentimes you abstain from something for a certain amount of time. For example, you can abstain from eating sweets for a month. This would be a very good time to use the word abstain, to explain what you're doing to others.

Synonyms:
A synonyms to abstain is "cease".  It means to stop, similar to abstain.    It isn't exactly alike because abstain means to hold back, not totally stop.  Cease means to stop or put to an end; discontinue. 

Antonyms:
The word "indulge" is the antonym to abstain.  It means the exact opposite to abstain, to allow onself to follow ones will.  It also means to gratify, to satisfy. Abstain is to hold onself back form someone or something or doing or enjoying.

Usefulness:
I give the word abstain five out of five stars. Abstain is very useful and it's a fairly common word that you can almost always use no matter who you are talking to.

Video:
This video shows the correct use of the word abstain, and it shows a common circumstance where the word abstain can be used.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/08/26/triarsi.tx.facebook.fast.khou

empathy

Empathy (em-puh-thee)- noun

Definition:
the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this (merriam-webster.com)

Translated defintion:
to be able to identify with how another person feels and fully understand and be sensitive to them and help them through it

Other forms:
empathetic (adjective)
empathist (noun)

Original sentences:
1. People try to be sympathetic, friends try to be nice and help you through problems, but to be truly empathetic you need to have somehow experienced the same feeling and fully understand what the person is going through.
2. When people have been through a lot and they are very good at helping others that are going through tough times they are truly empathists.

Best time to use:
A good time to use the word empathy is when you are telling a story on a time when somene you knew or were close to was going through a tough time in their life and you were empathetic towards them and you helped them through this rough time. Also, you can use the word empathy when you are in an interview process and you have to describe things about yourself and what kind of person you are, because a lot of times people ask you about your personality.

Synonyms:
The word sympathy is similar to the word empathy but there is a very big difference. Sympathy is when you care about someone else's feeling whereas empathy is when you can really identify with the feelings of that person.

Antonyms:
An antonym of the word empathy is the word "misunderstanding", these words are pretty much complete opposites. Empathy is an act of true understanding of someone else's feelings and misunderstanding is the complete opposite of this, like misjudging someone's feelings and not knowing what they are.

Rate its usefulness:
I give the word empathy five out of five stars because it is a very original word, it cannot be exactly replaced by any other words because of its one of a kind definition. Also, it is a very useful word, because using it is an easy way of telling someone that you 100% understand and can identify with what they're feeling.

Picture:
This video shows the word empathy being used in correct context by someone on ABC news, and a real issue surrounding empathy.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=12750376

Monday, January 3, 2011

Tedious

Tedious (tee-dee-uh s) -adjective

Definition: Tiresome by reason of length, slowness, or dullness; boring.

Translated Definition: if something is tedious, it seems endless and pointless, like you are dealing with a bunch of unnecessary details.

Forms:
tediously - adverb
tediousness - noun
overtediousness - adjective
overtediously - adverb
overtediousness - noun
untedious - adjective
untediously - adverb

Sentences:
1.The math homework my teacher assigned was very tedious, because it just had us repeat the same concept over and over, without anything new or challenging.
2. The lecture in my history class was untedious; we learned many different and useful things about Europe, and my teacher made everything seem exciting.

Use of the word "tedious":
The best time to use the word tedious is probably when you are talking to you teacher about an assignment. You should say it if you think the assignment was too much repetition of something the class already understands, and it just seemed like pointless busy work. However, you would have to be careful because tedious is a fairly strong and opinionated word, and it could come off as offensive and disrespectful if you use it in the wrong way.

Synonyms:
The word tedious is similar to the word boring, but it is not exactly the same because tedious describes something that is an extreme kind of boring.

Antonyms:
The word tedious is basically the exact opposite of the word exciting. Something exciting is one of the farthest things away from something boring.

Rating:
I give the word tedious five stars because it is a very good describing word that you can use instead of "boring" since boring is such a common word. Also, tedious is a word that you could use in most situations and most people would understand what you were saying, it's not one of those word that no one knows what it means.

Picture:

This picture is a good visual description of the word tedious because studying and doing homework can be a very long and boring task, epecially when you have a lot to do like the boy in the picture.