pro bono, halcyon, abulic, atramentous, perfidious: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 257. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. pro bono · adjective/proʊˈboʊ.noʊ/

   denoting work undertaken voluntarily and without payment

   Many lawyers take on pro bono cases to help those who cannot afford legal representation.

   Synonyms: voluntary, unpaid, altruistic

   Origin: Latin phrase 'pro bono publico' meaning 'for the public good'

2. halcyon · adjective/ˈhælsiən/

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

   During our summer vacations at the lake, we often reminisce about those halcyon days spent swimming and exploring the woods.

   Synonyms: peaceful, tranquil, serene

   Origin: from Greek 'alkyōn', which refers to a mythical bird, suggesting calmness and peacefulness

3. abulic · adjective/əˈbjuːlɪk/

   lacking the ability to make decisions or act independently

   After years of abulic behavior, he struggled to make even the simplest decisions about his future.

   Synonyms: indecisive, vacillating, irresolute

   Origin: From the Latin word 'abulicus', from 'ab-' meaning 'from, away' and 'aliquis', meaning 'someone'.

4. atramentous · adjective/ˌeɪ.trəˈmɛn.təs/

   having the qualities or color of ink; dark and murky

   The atramentous waters of the river reflected the shadowy figures of the trees lining its banks.

   Synonyms: inky, dark, obscure

   Origin: from Latin 'atramentum' meaning 'ink' or 'dark liquid'

5. perfidious · adjective/pərˈfɪd.i.əs/

   deceitfully untrustworthy or disloyal

   His perfidious actions during the negotiations revealed his true loyalty was to his own interests, not to his team.

   Synonyms: treacherous, deceitful, disloyal

   Origin: from Latin 'perfidus', meaning 'faithless' or 'treacherous', where 'per-' means 'through' and 'fides' means 'faith'.