fabulosity, enallage, ophiolatry, clairsentience, bruxism: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 167. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. fabulosity · noun/fəˈbjuː.lə.ti/

   the quality of being fabulous or enchanting

   Her fabulosity shone through every outfit she wore, captivating everyone at the gala.

   Synonyms: glamour, allure, enchantment

   Origin: The word 'fabulosity' is derived from the adjective 'fabulous', which comes from the Latin 'fabula' meaning 'fable' or 'story'. The suffix '-ity' is used to form nouns indicating a state or condition.

2. enallage · noun/ɪˈnælədʒi/

   the use of one grammatical form in place of another to create a stylistic effect

   The poet's use of enallage enhanced the emotional impact of the verses, as a single moment was described using the past tense instead of the present.

   Synonyms: metaplasm, grammatical substitution, stylistic variation

   Origin: from Greek 'enallagē', meaning 'interchange' or 'substitution'

3. ophiolatry · noun/ˌoʊ.fiˈɑ.lə.tri/

   the worship of snakes

   In ancient cultures, ophiolatry was often practiced as a way to honor deities believed to have serpentine forms.

   Synonyms: serpent worship, snake worship

   Origin: From the Greek 'ophis' meaning 'snake' and 'latreia' meaning 'worship'.

4. clairsentience · noun/klɛrˈsɛnʃəns/

   the ability to perceive or feel things intuitively without using the traditional senses

   Her clairsentience allowed her to sense the emotions of those around her, providing insights that words often could not convey.

   Synonyms: extrasensory perception, intuitive feeling, heightened perception

   Origin: The word 'clairsentience' comes from the French 'clair' meaning 'clear' and 'sentience' meaning 'feeling' or 'sensation'.

5. bruxism · noun/ˈbrʌksɪzəm/

   the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth often during sleep

   Many people are unaware they suffer from bruxism until a dentist notices wear on their teeth during a routine check-up.

   Synonyms: teeth grinding, jaw clenching, nocturnal teeth grinding

   Origin: Derived from the Greek word 'brychein' meaning 'to grind' or 'to crush.'