Meaning: A noun, zeitgeist means the general mood, quality or cultural climate that is representative of an era.
Origin: Zeitgeist derives its origin from German, combining the terms ‘Geist’ (spirit) and Zeit (time or historical period). Thus it means the spirit of an era.
Usage: The Woodstock was a poignant moment in history and also represented the zeitgeist of the 1960s America.
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Meaning: The word ovation corresponds to a sustained and enthusiastic show of appreciation from a gathered audience, especially in the form of applause.
Origin: The Roman historical sense of the word denotes a processional entrance into Rome by a victorious commander, which is of a lesser honour than a triumph. The word has been around since the 1530s in the Roman historical sense and is from French ovation or directly from Latin ovationem. The figurative sense of an audience bursting into enthusiastic applause is attested by 1831.
Usage: The student received a standing ovation when she completed her speech on the subject of compassion.
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Meaning: Soporific is used as an adjective as well as a noun. It refers to something that tends to induce drowsiness or sleep.
Origin: Soporific comes from Latin sopor meaning “deep sleep” and fic, an adjective forming suffix meaning “making or producing”. That root is related to somnus, the Latin word for “sleep.” Remember words such as “somnambulism” and “insomnia” also have their roots in somnus. The term soporific has been in use in English since the mid-17th Century.
Usage: The motion of the bus has a soporific effect on some commuters.
A glass of warm milk at bedtime is considered a soporific as it induces sleep
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Meaning: This verb means to make someone or something neater or more attractive. It is a fancy way of saying smarten up or spruce up.
Origin: This word entered the English language in the early 19th Century and is said to have been derived by combining the terms tidy and renovate.
Usage: Her morning routine includes a few minutes spent titivating in front of the mirror.
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Meaning: This noun refers to a round, flat hat made of soft material.
Origin: This cap was originally worn by Basque (a European ethnic group) peasants. Since 1827 it has been referred to as a fashionable accessory, and is derived from the French word beret, which, in turn, is from an older French word berret, meaning cap. It is pronounced beh-ray.
Usage: She wore a beret, set slightly off-centre.
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Meaning: The word volition denotes the faculty of using one’s own will or the power to make your own decisions.
Origin: The word has been around from 1610s-early in the 17th Century. It is derived from French volition (16th Century), from Medieval Latin volitionem, noun of action from Latin stem volo, meaning “I wish”.
After steadily sliding out of favour for a little over 150 years, the usage of the word has slightly increased in the last couple of decades.
Usage: The player decided to step down from the position of captaincy of his own volition.
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