Word Master — Set 34

Set 34 of Word Master covers 5 words: pyre, penury, stratum, daguerreotype, repast. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. pyre · noun/paɪr/

   a structure for burning a body as part of a funeral rite

   The villagers built a large pyre to honor their fallen leader during the funeral ceremony.

   Synonyms: funeral fire, cremation pyre, bonfire

   Origin: from Old French 'pir', from Latin 'pyra', from Greek 'purā', meaning 'fire'.

2. penury · noun/ˈpɛn.jʊr.i/

   extreme poverty or destitution

   The family lived in penury, struggling to find enough food to eat each day.

   Synonyms: poverty, destitution, hardship

   Origin: From Latin 'penuria' meaning 'lack, want, scarcity'

3. stratum · noun/ˈstreɪ.təm/

   a layer or level in a system or hierarchy

   The students were divided into different strata based on their grades.

   Synonyms: layer, level, tier

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

4. daguerreotype · noun/dəˈɡɛr.əˌtaɪp/

   a photographic image produced on a silver-coated copper plate

   The old daguerreotype showed a family from long ago, with their faces clearly visible.

   Synonyms: photo, picture, image

   Origin: The word 'daguerreotype' comes from the name of the inventor, Louis Daguerre, combined with '-type', which means 'a kind' or 'a mode'.

5. repast · noun/rɪˈpæst/

   a meal or the food served at a meal

   We enjoyed a lovely repast on the picnic blanket under the trees.

   Synonyms: meal, feast, nourishment

   Origin: From Middle French 'repas' meaning 'a meal', from the verb 'repastier' meaning 'to feed, nourish'.