Set 181 · Study 1 / 5

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atrabilious

adjective/ˌætrəˈbɪlɪəs/

marked by a gloomy or irritable temperament

His atrabilious nature made him difficult to be around, especially during the dreary winter months.

melancholy,morose,irritable
word origin — from Latin 'atrabiliousus', meaning 'black bile', derived from 'atrabilis', which refers to a humoral theory of temperament

Word Ultra — Set 181

Set 181 of Word Ultra covers 5 words: atrabilious, oleaginous, nyctalopic, pantagruelian, combinatorial. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. atrabilious · adjective/ˌætrəˈbɪlɪəs/

    marked by a gloomy or irritable temperament

    His atrabilious nature made him difficult to be around, especially during the dreary winter months.

    Synonyms: melancholy,morose,irritable

    Origin: from Latin 'atrabiliousus', meaning 'black bile', derived from 'atrabilis', which refers to a humoral theory of temperament

  2. oleaginous · adjective/oʊˈliːədʒɪnəs/

    excessively flattering or ingratiating

    His oleaginous compliments seemed insincere and were clearly meant to win him favor with the boss.

    Synonyms: sycophantic, insincere, fawning

    Origin: Derived from the Latin 'oleaginus', meaning 'oily', which in turn comes from 'olea', meaning 'oil'. It reflects a sense of slipperiness or grease, metaphorically relating to flattery.

  3. nyctalopic · adjective/nɪkˈtæl.ə.pɪk/

    relating to or having the ability to see in dim light

    Many animals are nyctalopic, allowing them to hunt effectively during the twilight hours when light is low.

    Synonyms: nocturnal, scotopic, night-vision

    Origin: The term 'nyctalopic' comes from the Greek words 'nyx' meaning 'night' and 'opolus,' meaning 'sight,' indicating the ability to see in low light conditions.

  4. pantagruelian · adjective/ˌpæn.təˈɡruː.əl.jən/

    of enormous size or quantity

    The buffet offered a pantagruelian feast, with an endless array of dishes that could satisfy any appetite.

    Synonyms: gigantic, colossal, immense

    Origin: The term 'pantagruelian' derives from the character Pantagruel in Rabelais' novels, who was described as being extraordinarily large and gluttonous.

  5. combinatorial · adjective/kəmˈbɪnəˌtɔːrəl/

    relating to the combination of items or elements in specific arrangements or selections

    The combinatorial analysis of different patterns in the data revealed new insights into consumer behavior.

    Synonyms: combinative, combinatory, collective

    Origin: from the Latin 'combinatorius', from 'combinare' meaning 'to combine'