February 11, 2013
AFFINITY
(uh FIN i tee – noun)
Definition:
a natural attraction or liking; kinship; similarity;
relation or connection
Sentences:
Max had an affinity for sports and excelled at
football, basketball, and tennis.
The affinity between the two musicians lasted through
their lives, and they performed together on many
occasions.
In chemistry, the affinity between particles is what
causes them to bind together.
Synonyms:
compatibility; rapport; attraction
Antonyms:
aversion; dislike; repulsion
Memory Clue:
Affinity comes from the Latin affinitas, which
means “related by marriage.” Having an
affinity for something indicates a strong
relationship or connection, even without a
marriage.
February 18, 2013
BADGER
(BAJ ur –verb or noun)
Definition:
1. to tease, annoy or harass
persistently; to pester or nag (verb)
2. a carnivorous, burrowing
mammal with short legs and long
claws on the front feet (noun)
Sentences:
“Don’t badger me,” Lou scolded. “I will
take you to the mall when I finish.”
It’s common for teenagers to badger their
younger siblings.
We had to badger Jona into coming with
us, but she admitted she had a great time.
Synonyms:
annoy; bother; hound; goad
Memory Clue:
Think of this cartoon that shows
“A BADGERING BADGER”
February 25, 2013
COPIOUS
(KOH pee us - adjective)
Definition:
abundant; plentiful; exhibiting
fullness; large in quantity or
supply (adverb form –
copiously)
Sentences:
Thanks to the copious notes Julie
took at the meetings, I know
everything that happened while I
was on vacation.
It rained copiously day and night,
leaving the streets flooded
Farmer Brown was overjoyed with
his copious crop of tomatoes.
Synonyms:
ample; bountiful; extensive
Antonyms:
lacking; meager; scant; scarce
Memory Clue:
Let yourself see the word COPIES within
COPIOUS, and think “lots of copies.” This leads
to the defining ideas of abundant and plentiful for
COPI0US.