Word Ultra — Set 289

Set 289 of Word Ultra covers 5 words: psychopomp, cunctation, languor, ananym, ineluctability. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. psychopomp · noun/ˈsaɪ.koʊ.pɑmp/

   a guide of souls to the afterlife

   In ancient mythology, the psychopomp would often be depicted leading the souls of the deceased through the underworld.

   Synonyms: guide, escort, conductor

   Origin: Derived from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning 'soul' and 'pompos' meaning 'guide or escort'.

2. cunctation · noun/kʌŋkˈteɪʃən/

   the act of delaying or procrastinating

   The team's cunctation on the project deadlines led to significant delays in the overall timeline.

   Synonyms: procrastination, delay, putting off

   Origin: from Latin 'cunctatio', from 'cunctari', meaning 'to delay'

3. languor · noun/ˈlæŋɡər/

   a state of pleasant mental or physical tiredness or lack of energy

   After the long, exhausting hike, we all sank into the soft grass, embracing the languor that enveloped us under the warm sun.

   Synonyms: lethargy, fatigue, languidness

   Origin: Latin 'languor', from 'languere', meaning 'to be faint, weak or languid'

4. ananym · noun/ˈænəˌnɪm/

   a word or phrase that is spelled by reversing the letters of another word

   The ananym 'stressed' reveals the word 'desserts' when its letters are reversed.

   Synonyms: reversal, palindrome, backword

   Origin: The word 'ananym' is derived from the prefix 'ana-' meaning 'again, back' and the suffix '-nym' meaning 'name.' It is a relatively modern term coined in the late 20th century.

5. ineluctability · noun/ˌɪnəˈlʌktəˌbɪlɪti/

   the quality of being inescapable or inevitable

   The ineluctability of fate left the characters in the novel grappling with their predetermined destinies.

   Synonyms: inevitability, inescapability, certainty

   Origin: from Latin 'ineluctabilis', meaning 'not to be avoided or escaped', comprising 'in-' (not) and 'eluctabilis' (to emerge or struggle out)