noun

Definition: a musical or dramatic performance or social or public event held in the daytime and especially the afternoon

source: www.merriam-webster.com

French matinée, literally, morning, from Old French, from matin morning, from Latin matutinum, from neuter of matutinus of the morning, from Matuta, goddess of morning; akin to Latin maturus ripe.

I found its origins very intriguing becaus eof its very diverse source which keeps jumping form one language to another, from one form to the next.

Part of Speech-Noun

Definition-An aggressive or truculent attitude,atmosphere or disposition

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belligerence?show=0&t=1387333661

Encountering of Word-In a reading, i read “British belligerence withered the cause of reconciliation with congress and the colonies.”

Understanding-I know see that this meant that the British people’s aggressive attitude prevented them from making amends with congress and the colonies.

Part of Speech-Noun

Definition-A situation in which people do not have enough food to eat

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famine

Encountering of Word-While reading a textbook i came upon: “White immigrants were fleeing lives torn by famine, warfare, and religious persecution.”

Understanding-I see that the authors were stating that the lack of food was one of the causes to why the white immigrants had to flee from their normal original lives.

transitive verb

Definition: to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone

Source: www.merriam-webster.com

Most celebrity magazines slander celebrities in order to make a very shocking story, so more people buy their magazine VS another.

I already knew what slander was from seeing it used in school environments, however, I always thought that it was more like gossip or straight up lies.

Part of Speech-Noun

Definition-Something or someone that is useful or valued

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commodities

Encountering of Word-“..this existing slave culture by turning captives into prized commodities.”

Understanding-I know see that the textbook was stating that slaves were of great valued to the traders as they were clearly of value to them.

Part of Speech-Noun

Definition-The act of keeping someone or something

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retention

Encountering of Word-In our speech class, we learned that we used to visual aids to aid in retention for our audience.

Understanding-Now i understand that this means to keep the visual aid/message in the audiences memory basically.

Part of Speech-Adjective

Definition-Made up or done without special preparation

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extemporaneous

Encountering of Word-We learned that being extemporaneous was an effective way of public speaking. This was said to be conversational.

Understanding-Now i understand that we were actually learning that to be effective we have to be conversational with the audience instead of reading straight off manuscripts during speeches.

noun

Definition :a wealthy or influential supporter of an artist or writer

Source: www.merriam-webster.com

I first came across this word when studying the Italian Renaissance and then multiple times when going to various different plays and operas in the Metropolitan Opera.

From context I understood what patron was, however, I didn’t know the specific requirement to be called a patron VS supporter of the the arts.

Part of Speech-Adjective

Definition-Not using or giving a lot of something

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sparingly

Encountering of Word-I was reading a history book about Frederick Douglass and came upon this: “..he dealt sparingly with his words, and bountifully with his whip,”

Understanding-I know understand that he was using this word to characterize the character as someone who didn’t use his words a lot, instead he used his violence.

Part of Speech-Adjective

Definition-Too great, powerful, beautiful/ to be described or expressed

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineffable

Encountering of Word-“The hearing of those wild notes always depressed my spirit, and filled me with ineffable sadness.”

Understanding-I know understand that the author was saying that the sadness was too great to be describe or expressed. It was basically unexplainable.