Word Ultra — Set 278

Set 278 of Word Ultra covers 5 words: viraginous, nucamentaceous, filiopietistic, surreptitious, quaggy. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. viraginous · adjective/ˌvɪrˈædʒ.ɪ.nəs/

   having a strong or aggressive personality typically associated with women

   Her viraginous demeanor often intimidated her colleagues during meetings, where she was known to assertively voice her opinions.

   Synonyms: assertive, strong-willed, domineering

   Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'virago', meaning a woman with masculine qualities, combined with the suffix '-ous'.

2. nucamentaceous · adjective/ˌnu.kə.mənˈteɪ.ʃəs/

   relating to or resembling the nut or seed of a plant

   The artist's latest painting was inspired by the nucamentaceous texture of various seeds, highlighting their intricate designs and patterns.

   Synonyms: nutlike,nutshell,nutty

   Origin: From the Latin 'nucamentum', meaning 'nut or kernel'

3. filiopietistic · adjective/ˌfɪliəˌpaɪəˈtɪstɪk/

   excessively devoted to or reverent about one's ancestors or family traditions

   His filiopietistic attitudes often led him to dismiss modern ideas in favor of outdated family traditions.

   Synonyms: ancestral, familial, traditional

   Origin: The term 'filiopietistic' is derived from the Latin 'filio' meaning 'son' and 'pietas' meaning 'piety' or 'devotion', combined with the suffix '-istic' to form the adjective.

4. surreptitious · adjective/ˌsɜrəpˈtɪʃəs/

   kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit

   She had a surreptitious glance at her neighbor's notes during the exam, knowing that cheating was prohibited.

   Synonyms: secret, furtive, clandestine

   Origin: from Latin 'surreptitius', from 'surripere' meaning 'to seize secretly'

5. quaggy · adjective/ˈkwæɡi/

   soft and boggy or marshy ground

   The hikers struggled to navigate through the quaggy terrain, as their boots sank into the soft earth with every step.

   Synonyms: soggy, marshy, muddy

   Origin: late 16th century, of uncertain origin, possibly from the dialect word 'quag' meaning 'a bog or swamp'.