Proficient — Set 37

Set 37 of Proficient covers 5 words: pyre, penury, daguerreotype, repast, stratum. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. pyre · noun/paɪr/

   a large pile of wood for burning a dead body as part of a funeral rite

   The villagers built a large pyre to honor their chief after his death.

   Synonyms: funeral pyre, burning pile, stake

   Origin: from Old French 'pire', from Latin 'pyrra', meaning 'fire' or 'burning'

2. penury · noun/ˈpɛn.jʊr.i/

   extreme poverty or destitution

   After losing his job, he faced a life of penury and struggle.

   Synonyms: poverty, destitution, lack

   Origin: from Latin 'penuria' meaning 'lack, want'

3. daguerreotype · noun/dəˈɡɛr.əˌtaɪp/

   a photographic process that captures images on a polished silver plate treated with iodine and developed with mercury vapor

   The museum had a beautiful daguerreotype of a famous landscape from the 1800s.

   Synonyms: photo, picture, image

   Origin: The term 'daguerreotype' is named after Louis Daguerre, a French artist and photographer, who developed this early photographic process in the 1830s.

4. repast · noun/rɪˈpæst/

   a meal or feast

   After the long hike, we sat down to enjoy a delicious repast with friends.

   Synonyms: meal, feast, banquet

   Origin: From Old French 'repast', meaning 'meal', derived from 'repaitre', meaning 'to feed'.

5. stratum · noun/ˈstreɪtəm/

   a layer or level of material or structure

   The soil has several layers, each stratum features different plants and animals.

   Synonyms: layer, level, tier

   Origin: from Latin 'stratum' meaning 'a layer, bed'