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Level 6
VERBAL ADVANTAGE
To this day, when I think of the word levity I think of what that teacher said,
and with a chuckle I remember that levity means foolishness, frivolity, a lightness or lack of seriousness that is inappropriate or unbecoming.
Word 46: EQUANIMITY (EE-kwuh-NiM-i-tee)
Composure, calmness, evenness of mind and temper.
Equanimity comes through French from the Latin aequanimitas, calmness,
which in turn comes from aequus, which means "even" or "level," and animus,
which means "mind" or "spirit." By derivation equanimity means precisely what
it does today: composure, calmness, evenness of mind and temper.
Synonyms of equanimity include poise, self-possession, serenity, tranquility, placidity (pla-SID-i-tee), imperturbability (IM-pur-TUR-buh-BIL-kee), and
sang-froid (saw(n)-FRWAH). As I imagine you can tell from its peculiar spelling
and pronunciation, sang-froid comes from French. Although sang-froid mean
literally "cold blood," it is used figuratively to mean coolness of mind.
Equanimity and composure are close synonyms, but they differ slightly ir
their use. Composure implies self-control. We maintain our composure under
trying circumstances. Equanimity suggests an inherent mental and emotional
balance, and applies to a person who stays calm and collected under all circumstances.
Word 47: STRICTURE (STRiK-chur)
A criticism, critical comment, especially an unfavorable or hostile observation
or remark.
Synonyms of stricture include reproof, censure (word 28 of Level 3), condemnation, disapprobation (DIS-ap-ruh-BAY-shin), castigation (KAS-ti-GAYshin), objurgation (AHB-jur-GAY-shin, word 12 of Level 7), and animadversion
(AN-i-mad-VUR-zhun). Antonyms include praise, compliment, commendation,
acclamation (AK-luh-MAY-shjn), and plaudit (PLAW-dit).
Plaudit, applause, and applaud all come from the Latin plaudere, to clap
the hands, express approval. A plaudit is an enthusiastic expression of approval or praise. It's always pleasant to be on the receiving end of a plaudit,
and it's always unpleasant to be on the receiving end of a stricture, an unfavorable crjticism or hostile remark.
Stricture comes from the Latin strictus, the past participle of the verb stringere, to draw tight, bind, the source also of the English words strict and stringent. Stringent (STRIN-jint) means tight, constricted, or rigorous and seven
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We often speak of stringent laws, stringent measures, stringent regulations, or
a stringent economic policy.
In medicine, stricture is used to mean a contraction or narrowing of a duct
or passage in the body. Stricture is also sometimes used as a synonym of limitation or restriction, as "to place strictures on imported goods." Most often,
though, stricture is used to mean a sharply critical comment, especially one
that passes judgment or points out a fault in an antagonistic way: "During the
debate, he displayed admirable equanimity when responding to his opponent's
strictures."
Bear in mind that stricture is a noun, not a verb. In other words, you cannot stricture something, but if you have an unfavorable opinion of a person or a
thing, you can express your strictures, sharp criticisms or hostile remarks.
Word 48: OPULENT (AHP-yuh-lmt)
Rich, wealthy, very well-to-do, having substantial means.
Antonyms of opulent include indigent, destitute, and impecunious, which
are discussed under indigent, word 39 of Level 3.
The adjectives opulent (AHP-yuh-ljnt), affluent (AF-loo-int—stress the first
syllable), and prosperous all connote wealth and success. Prosperous often is
used interchangeably with wealthy, but in precise usage prosperous means
marked by continued success, thriving, flourishing. A prosperous business is a
successful, thriving business, and because successful businesses are profitable it is also likely to be an affluent business. Affluent, which comes from the
Latin fluere, to flow, suggests a constant flow or increase of wealth accompanied by free or lavish spending.
Opulent comes through the Latin opulentus, rich, wealthy, and opis,
power, might, ultimately from the name Ops (rhymes with tops). In ancient
Roman mythology, Ops was the goddess of the harvest and the wife of
Saturn, the god of agriculture who presided over the sowing of the fields.
Because of this etymological connection to agricultural abundance, opulent is
sometimes used to mean ample or plentiful, but in current usage opulent most
often applies either to a person who possesses great wealth and property or to
a luxurious or ostentatious display of great wealth. If your lifestyle is affluent,
you are making and spending large sums of money. If your lifestyle is opulent,
you already have plenty of moolah and you enjoy showing off what it can buy.
The corresponding noun is opulence, great wealth or a display of great
wealth. A couplet from the eighteenth-century English satirist Jonathan Swift
nicely illustrates this word: "There in full opulence a banker dwelt / Who all the
joys and pangs of riches felt."