Verb – Abate This word has Latin roots that mean “to beat to,” as in “to beat back, to make less powerful, or to become smaller.” “To become smaller” is the meaning that survived as the Latin abbatere became the Read More …
Verb > Abate
Tag: Intransitive
Verb > Dissemble
Verb – Dissemble The roots inside this word literally mean “to completely imitate,” or more abstractly, “to conceal, to disguise.” To dissemble is to lie, usually because you’re hiding your true thoughts or intentions. Pronunciation: diss EM bull Part of Read More …
Verb > Slacken
Verb – Slacken Something slack is slow, loose, weak, or not strict. So, to slacken something is to slow it down or make it looser. And when something slackens on its own, it becomes slower, looser, weaker, or less strict. Read More …
Verb > Bloviate
Verb – Bloviate This word was coined in the US in about 1845, probably from the word “blow,” as in “to blow hot air:” to lie or exaggerate as you brag or make claims or promises. To bloviate is to Read More …