campaniform, halcyon, chatoyant, pachydermatous, sesquipedalian: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 221. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. campaniform · adjective/ˈkæmpənɪfɔrm/

   having a bell-shaped form

   The campaniform petals of the flower added a unique beauty to the garden, resembling tiny bells swaying in the breeze.

   Synonyms: bell-shaped, campanulate, cup-shaped

   Origin: from Latin 'campana' meaning 'bell' + '-iform' meaning 'shaped like'

2. halcyon · adjective/ˈhælsiən/

   denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

   We often reminisce about those halcyon days of our childhood when we played freely in the sun.

   Synonyms: serene, tranquil, idyllic

   Origin: Derived from Latin 'halcyon', which refers to a mythical bird said to calm the sea during its nesting period, originating from Greek 'alkyōn'.

3. chatoyant · adjective/ʃəˈtɔɪ.ənt/

   having a changeable luster like that of cat's eyes

   The jeweler showcased a stunning chatoyant gemstone that shifted colors beautifully under the light.

   Synonyms: lustrous, shimmering, iridescent

   Origin: From French 'chatoyant', from 'chat' meaning 'cat', derived from the cat's eye stone.

4. pachydermatous · adjective/ˌpæk.ɪˈdɜr.mə.təs/

   having thick skin or a thickened epidermis

   The pachydermatous skin of the elephant provides excellent protection against environmental hazards.

   Synonyms: insensitive, thick-skinned, tough

   Origin: From Greek 'pachydermos', where 'pachy-' means thick and 'dermos' means skin.

5. sesquipedalian · adjective/ˌsɛskwɪpɪˈdeɪljən/

   characterized by long words or using long words

   His sesquipedalian speech left the audience bewildered, as he peppered his talk with obscure terminology that most could not comprehend.

   Synonyms: polysyllabic, long-winded, verbose

   Origin: from Latin 'sesquipedalis', meaning 'a foot and a half long', from 'sesqui-' meaning 'one and a half' + 'pedalis' from 'pes', meaning 'foot'