truculent, laterigrade, rhadamanthine, mordacious, oryzivorous: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 46. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. truculent · adjective/ˈtrʌkjələnt/

   eager or quick to argue or fight

   His truculent demeanor made it difficult for anyone to approach him without fear of conflict.

   Synonyms: combative, belligerent, aggressive

   Origin: Latin 'truculentus' meaning 'fierce' or 'savage', from 'truc' meaning 'savage or cruel'

2. laterigrade · noun/ˈleɪtərɪˌɡreɪd/

   an animal that moves with a sideways, crawling motion like a crab

   The laterigrade scuttled across the sandy beach, its pincers waving as it searched for food.

   Synonyms: crustacean, decapod, crab

   Origin: from Latin 'lateralis' meaning 'side' + 'gradus' meaning 'step'

3. rhadamanthine · adjective/ˌræd əˈmæn θin/

   rigorously just or inflexible in judgment

   The judge was known for his rhadamanthine principles, ensuring that every verdict was fair and impartial.

   Synonyms: strict, unyielding, stern

   Origin: The word 'rhadamanthine' is derived from the name Rhadamanthus, a figure in Greek mythology known for his stern judgment and fairness in the afterlife.

4. mordacious · adjective/mɔrˈdeɪ.ʃəs/

   having a biting or caustic quality especially in speech

   His mordacious wit often left others feeling uncomfortable during meetings, as his comments frequently cut deep.

   Synonyms: caustic, biting, acrimonious

   Origin: from Latin 'mordax', meaning 'biting', from 'mordere', meaning 'to bite'

5. oryzivorous · adjective/ˌɔːr.ɪ.zɪˈvɔːr.əs/

   feeding on rice

   The oryzivorous insects invaded the rice fields, causing significant damage to the crops.

   Synonyms: rice-eating, rice-loving, rice-feeding

   Origin: The word 'oryzivorous' comes from the Latin 'oryza' meaning 'rice' and the suffix '-vorous' meaning 'feeding on' or 'devouring'.