gustatory, cantankerous, lignicolous, ebullient, troglodytic: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 290. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. gustatory · adjective/ɡʌs.təˌtɔːr.i/

   relating to the sense of taste

   The chef experimented with various herbs to enhance the gustatory experience of his dishes.

   Synonyms: tasting, flavorful, sapid

   Origin: from Latin 'gustatorius' meaning 'of or pertaining to taste'

2. cantankerous · adjective/kænˈtæŋkərəs/

   bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

   The cantankerous old man shouted at the kids for playing too close to his garden.

   Synonyms: grumpy, irritable, quarrelsome

   Origin: The word 'cantankerous' likely originates from the early 19th century, possibly derived from the Middle French word 'cantancire', meaning to sing or chant, but its exact origin is uncertain.

3. lignicolous · adjective/ˌlɪnɪˈkoʊləs/

   growing or living on wood

   The lignicolous fungi decomposed the fallen tree trunk, returning valuable nutrients to the soil.

   Synonyms: wood-dwelling, wood-loving, wood-inhabiting

   Origin: from Latin 'lignum' meaning wood and 'colere' meaning to inhabit or dwell

4. ebullient · adjective/ɪˈbʌl.jənt/

   cheerful and full of energy

   The ebullient crowd cheered wildly as the team scored the winning goal.

   Synonyms: exuberant, enthusiastic, vivacious

   Origin: from Latin 'ebullientem', the present participle of 'ebullire', meaning 'to bubble out'

5. troglodytic · adjective/ˌtrɑɡləˈdɪtɪk/

   resembling or characteristic of a cave dweller or one who is reclusive and uncivilized

   The villagers described the hermit as having a troglodytic lifestyle, spending most of his days hidden away in his cave with little contact with the outside world.

   Synonyms: primitive, reclusive, uncivilized

   Origin: Derived from the Latin 'troglodyta', which comes from the Greek 'troglodutēs', meaning 'one who dwells in caves', from 'troglē' (cave) and 'dūō' (to dwell).