Weekly Words 21

Retrograde (ADJ / V)

• DEF: moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction; contrary to the normal order, inverse

• SYN: backward, reversed, rear

• ANT: forward, modern, improved

• OFOS: None

• ETYM: Latin, retro (backward, reverse) + gradi (to go, step)

• SEN: She had to retrograde back to her last class when she realized she forgot her book.

Rhapsodize (V)

• DEF: to speak or write in an extravagantly emotional manner;

• SYN: (to) drool, rave, gush

• ANT: (to) condemn, belittle, critique

• OFOS: rhapsodic (adj), rhapsodist (noun), rhapsody (noun)

• ETYM: Greek, rhapsōdos (reciter of epic poems - literally, one who stitches or strings songs together)

• SEN: Mr. Collins rhapsodized about the excellent boiled potatoes.

Rusticate (V)

• DEF: To go into or reside in the country

• SYN: (to) relocate, exile, evict, away

• ANT: (to) welcome, remain, stay

• OFOS: Rustication (N), rusticator (N)

• ETYM: Latin, rus (open land, country)

• SEN: He wished to escape from the city and rusticate peacefully.

Sacerdotal (ADJ)

• DEF: of or relating to priests, priesthood, or
  clergy

• SYN: Pastoral, priestly, divine, papal

• ANT: Secular, lay, temporal, nonclerical

• OFOS: Sacredotally (ADV)

• ETYM: Latin, sacerdos (priest)

• SEN: His sacerdotal spirit spread hope throughout the room.

Sardonic (ADJ)

• DEF: disdainfully or skeptically
  humorous; derisively mocking

• SYN: Sarcastic, acidic, cynical

• ANT: polite, gentle, mild

• OFOS: Sardonically (ADV)

• ETYM: Greek, sardonios gelōs (of bitter or scornful laughter)

• SEN: Chandler Bing’s sardonic jokes always leave me laughing.