Hunky-dory is an American term with an uncertain origin. It is a reduplicated word, which is a word in which part of the root word is repeated in another word. Reduplicated words are formed because they are pleasing to the ear; often, reduplicated words are coined by children on the playground. Reduplicated …
Onomatopoeia is an interesting category of word, often popular with children. We will examine the definition of onomatopoeia, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. An onomatopoeia is a word that is formed by imitating the sound of the thing or action being described. Such …
Abhorrent means disgusting, horrifying, repugnant. Abhorrent is an adjective, the adverb form is abhorrently, the noun form is abhorrence, the verb forms are abhor, abhors, abhorred, abhorring. Abhorrent enters the English language in the early seventeenth century to mean in a position or condition to recoil, derived from the Latin …
Singly means one at a time. Singly also means separately, apart from others, individually. Singly is an adverb, it dates from 1300 and is derived from the Middle English word senglely. Singularly is an adverb which means in an outstanding or remarkable way. Singularly may mean in a wonderfully outstanding …
Groupthink is decision-making made as a group. Groupthink ideas are formed in an atmosphere that encourages conformity and harmony, and discourages creativity and personal responsibility. Groupthink is a psychological and sociological phenomenon, groupthink rarely yields the best solution to a problem as the desire to keep the group cohesive is …
Gestalt is a composition of elements that can only be appreciated as a whole rather than as a sum of its parts. The plural forms are gestalts and less frequently, gestalten. The noun forms are gestaltism and gestaltist. Gestaltqualität was introduced as a philosophy by Christian von Ehrenfels in 1890, …
Intramural means operating within the walls of a single institution or community. In North America, intramural sports are competitions arranged within one school or institution. Intramural may also refer to a normal course of study at a university. In biology, intramural means within the walls of a body cavity or …
A minuet is a ballroom dance with short, dainty steps. The minuet is a dignified dance for a group of couples, first popular in seventeenth century France. Music for this dance is also called a minuet, often part of a sonata, symphony or suite. The beat is in 3/4 time. …