calumniate, gambol, deracinate, felicitate, ossify: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 139. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. calumniate · verb/kəˈlʌm.ni.eɪt/

   to make false and defamatory statements about someone

   The rival politician decided to calumniate his opponent in order to gain an advantage in the election.

   Synonyms: slander, defame, malign

   Origin: Originates from the Latin 'calumniare', which means 'to slander, deceive, or make false accusations'.

2. gambol · verb/ˈɡæmbl/

   to run or jump in a lively or playful way

   The children loved to gambol in the park, laughing and chasing each other around the swings.

   Synonyms: frolic, caper, romp

   Origin: Late Middle English from the Old French 'gambol', meaning 'to leap' or 'to skip'.

3. deracinate · verb/ˌdɪrˈæs.ɪ.neɪt/

   to remove or separate from a native environment or culture

   The forced assimilation policies aimed to deracinate indigenous communities from their traditional ways of life.

   Synonyms: uproot, displace, eradicate

   Origin: from Latin 'deracinare', where 'de-' means 'down from' and 'racine' means 'root'

4. felicitate · verb/fəˈlɪs.ɪ.teɪt/

   to congratulate or express good wishes to someone

   We gathered to felicitate the newly elected mayor on her remarkable victory in the election.

   Synonyms: congratulate, commend, 祝贺

   Origin: from the Latin 'felicitare', which is derived from 'felix' meaning 'happy' or 'fortunate'

5. ossify · verb/ˈɑː.sɪ.faɪ/

   to turn into bone or bony tissue or to become rigid and unable to change

   As the embryo developed, the cartilage would gradually ossify into hard bone.

   Synonyms: calcify, harden, petrify

   Origin: from Latin 'ossificare', from 'os' meaning 'bone' and 'ficare' meaning 'to make'