mnemosyne, déjà vu, peccadillo, pettifoggery, neuston: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 142. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. mnemosyne · noun/nɪˈmɑsəni/

   the personification of memory in ancient Greek mythology

   In ancient Greek mythology, Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory, was revered as the mother of the Muses, inspiring creativity and the arts.

   Synonyms: memory, recollection, remembrance

   Origin: from Latin 'Mnemosyne', originating from Ancient Greek 'Μνημοσύνη' (Mnemonic) meaning 'memory'

2. déjà vu · noun/ˌdeɪʒɑː ˈvu/

   the feeling that one has lived through the present situation before

   As she walked into the café, she experienced a strong sense of déjà vu, as if she had been there before on the same day.

   Synonyms: illusion, familiarity, recognition

   Origin: French, meaning 'already seen'

3. peccadillo · noun/ˌpɛkəˈdɪloʊ/

   a minor or slight offense or sin

   Her tendency to arrive late to meetings was seen as a mere peccadillo rather than a serious flaw in her professionalism.

   Synonyms: misstep, faux pas, transgression

   Origin: from Latin 'peccadillum', from 'peccare' meaning 'to sin'

4. pettifoggery · noun/ˈpɛtəˌfɑɡəri/

   the practice of placing undue emphasis on trivial or minor details

   The lawyer's pettifoggery during the trial led the jury to become frustrated with his constant nitpicking over trivial evidence.

   Synonyms: quibbling, nitpicking, triviality

   Origin: The term 'pettifoggery' originates from the 17th century, combining 'petty,' meaning trivial or minor, and 'foggery,' a term for trickery or deceit, possibly derived from 'fogg,' an old English dialect word.

5. neuston · noun/ˈnuːstən/

   organisms that live at or spend a significant amount of time at the surface of a body of water

   The neuston community in this pond includes various insects and microscopic organisms that thrive at the water's surface.

   Synonyms: plankton, surface-dwelling organisms, aquatic surface organisms

   Origin: Derived from the Greek 'neustos,' meaning 'to swim,' combined with the suffix '-on,' which is often used in biological terms.