1. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 1) Word: chimerical (adj.) Synonym(s): imaginary, fanciful, quixotic Etymology: From the Greek mythological creature known as the Chimera – a fire- breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. 2) Word: asinine (adj.) Synonym(s): foolish, mindless, idiotic, inane Etymology: Latin asinus ("ass" or "donkey"). Since these animals have a reputation for being stubborn, "asinine" acquired the meaning of stupid like a donkey.

2. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 3) Word: bellwether (n.) Synonym(s): pacesetter, vanguard, pacemaker Etymology: An old word in English referring to a castrated male sheep ("whether") that had a bell around its neck and would lead other sheep. 4) Word: limbo (n.) Synonym(s): transition, oblivion Etymology: Latin limbus ("border"). Limbo referred to a region that borders hell, but without hell's agonizing punishments.

3. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 5) Word: plagiarize (v.) Synonym(s): copy, steal, rob, purloin Etymology: Ancient Romans called a sea raider or plunderer plagiarus, from the Latin plaga ("net"), for these raiders seized booty and victims in their nets. 6) Word: titanic (adj.) Synonym(s): gigantic, huge, enormous, prodigious Etymology: Greek mythology recounts how the Titans – giants with incredible strength – lorded over the universe. They were eventually replaced by Zeus and his pantheon.

4. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 7) Word: irony (n.) Synonym(s): contradiction, mockery, sarcasm Etymology: The Greek eiron was a traditional character in ancient Greek drama who feigned ignorance and used his tricks to outwit his bragging opponent. 8) Word: effete (adj.) Synonym(s): unproductive, exhausted, feeble Etymology: Latin effetus ("worn out by childbearing"). This word entered the English language to first describe livestock being worn out after childbearing.

5. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 9) Word: hyperbole (n.) Synonym(s): overstatement, rhetorical Etymology: Greek hyperbole ("exaggeration") from hyper ("beyond") + bol ("throw"). 10)Word: diabolic (adj.) Synonym(s): evil, fiendish, demonic, satanic Etymology: Greek diablos ("slanderer"). A word for the devil that conveyed the idea of the devil throwing slimy lies across the path of his victim.

6. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 11) Word: dunce (n.) Synonym(s): blockhead, simpleton, fool, dolt Etymology: The brilliant philosopher John Duns Scotus (1265-1308) challenged another philosopher of his time. His followers were ridiculed for their narrow-mindedness. 12) Word: charlatan (n.) Synonym(s): swindler, quack, chest, mountebank Etymology: Italian ciarlatano ("babble," "phony"). This word comes from the Italian village of Cerreto which was known for its cheaters and swindlers.

7. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 13) Word: sycophant (n.) Synonym(s): sickeningly humble, self-seeking flatterer Etymology: Greek sykophantes ("one who makes the sign of the fig") were trying to gain the favor of a judge with flattering or insincere talk. 14) Word: anachronism (n.) Synonym(s): something out of its historical time Etymology: Greek ana ("back") + chronos ("time") refers to something "back-timed" or "out of time."

8. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 15) Word: draconian (adj.) Synonym(s): severe, harsh, cruel Etymology: The Greek Athenian statesman Draco codified a system of rules in 621 B.C. that punished nearly every crime with the death sentence. 16) Word: plummet (v.) Synonym(s): fall rapidly straight down Etymology: Latin plumbum ("lead"). Sailors used to measure the depth of the water with a plumb line or plummet – a string whose end was a lead weight.

9. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 17) Word: fatal (adj.) Synonym(s): causing death or destruction Etymology: The three goddesses in Greek mythology who spun out, measured, and cut the thread of life were called the Fates. Consequently, whatever they decreed, came to pass. 18) Word: nefarious (adj.) Synonym(s): extremely wicked Etymology: Latin ne ("not") + fari ("speak") meant something that couldn't be spoken because it was unholy.

10. Words of the Day - 2nd Sem. Unit 2 19) Word: vindicate (v.) Synonym(s): clear from blame, charges, criticism Etymology: Latin vindicare ("revenge" or "set free"). One way of settling disputes in ancient Rome was for two contestants to take rods and cross them as if to fight. The judge would then render his decision, and the winner would break the loser's rod or vindiciae. 20) Word: vindictive (adj.) Synonym(s): revengeful Etymology: See above.