erythema, nescience, joie de vivre, clowder, concinnity: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Ultra set 82. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. erythema · noun/ˌɛrɪˈθimə/

   reddening of the skin typically caused by increased blood flow to the capillaries

   The patient presented with erythema around the affected area, indicating a possible allergic reaction.

   Synonyms: redness, inflammation

   Origin: from New Latin, derived from the Greek word 'erythros' meaning red

2. nescience · noun/ˈnɛʃəns/

   lack of knowledge or awareness

   His nescience about the complexities of the scientific method was evident during the discussion.

   Synonyms: ignorance, unfamiliarity, inexperience

   Origin: Derived from the Latin 'nescientia', meaning 'ignorance', which combines 'n-' (not) and 'sciens' (knowing).

3. joie de vivre · noun/ˌʒwɑ ˈdə ˈviːvɚ/

   a cheerful enjoyment of life or a spirit of living life to the fullest

   Her joie de vivre was infectious, inspiring everyone around her to embrace life more fully.

   Synonyms: zest for life, enjoyment of life, spiritedness

   Origin: French

4. clowder · noun/ˈklaʊdər/

   a group of cats

   The clowder of cats lounged lazily in the sun, each one taking its turn to groom itself.

   Synonyms: glaring, clutter

   Origin: The word 'clowder' originates from the Middle English term 'clodder', meaning a group or cluster. It is related to the word 'clutter'.

5. concinnity · noun/kənˈsɪn.ɪ.ti/

   harmonious arrangement of parts or elements

   The architect's designs are celebrated for their concinnity, as every element is thoughtfully integrated to create a visually striking and functional space.

   Synonyms: harmony, elegance, order

   Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'concinnitas', which means 'skilfulness' or 'fitness', stemming from 'concinnus', meaning 'well-proportioned' or 'harmonious'.