naiad, etymologicum, ochlocracy, deontology, ergophobia: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 188. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. naiad · noun/ˈneɪ.əd/

   a water nymph in ancient Greek mythology who presides over bodies of fresh water

   The naiad emerged from the crystal-clear lake, her shimmering presence captivating all who beheld her.

   Synonyms: water nymph, freshwater nymph, river nymph

   Origin: from Greek 'naiadēs', derived from 'naiō' meaning 'to flow'

2. etymologicum · noun/ˌɛtəˈmɑlədʒi/

   a treatise or study of the origin and historical development of words

   The professor's etymologicum provided profound insights into the evolution of language, tracing the roots of common words back to their ancient origins.

   Synonyms: etymology, lexicon, glossary

   Origin: Derived from the Greek word 'etymologia', which is a combination of 'etymon' meaning 'true sense' and 'logia' meaning 'study' or 'discourse'.

3. ochlocracy · noun/ɑːˈklɑː.krə.si/

   government by a mass of people or a mob rule

   The sudden shift toward ochlocracy during the protests led to widespread chaos and uncertainty in the city.

   Synonyms: mob rule, popular rule, mass rule

   Origin: from Greek 'okhlokratia', from 'okhlos' meaning 'mob' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' or 'rule'

4. deontology · noun/diˈɑn.təˌlɑ.dʒi/

   an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of rules and duties in determining right action

   According to deontology, telling the truth is not just about the consequences but about adhering to a moral duty to be honest.

   Synonyms: duty ethics, rule-based ethics, obligation-based ethics

   Origin: from the Greek 'deon' meaning 'duty' and 'logia' meaning 'study of'

5. ergophobia · noun/ˌɜrɡəˈfoʊbiə/

   fear of work or the workplace

   Her ergophobia became increasingly evident as she struggled to even step inside the office building each morning.

   Synonyms: work aversion, job phobia, employment anxiety

   Origin: derived from the Greek word 'ergon' meaning 'work' and 'phobia' meaning 'fear'