epistle, turpitude, cloture, amelioration, maelstrom: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Word Master set 8. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. epistle · noun/ɪˈpɪsəl/

   a letter or written communication, often formal or didactic

   The teacher asked us to read an epistle from an important author about friendship.

   Synonyms: letter, message, communication

   Origin: From the Greek word 'epistole', meaning 'a letter' or 'something sent'.

2. turpitude · noun/ˈtɜr.pɪ.tud/

   vile or wicked behavior

   The man showed great turpitude when he hurt innocent people for his own gain.

   Synonyms: wickedness, depravity, immorality

   Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'turpitudo', meaning 'baseness' or 'vileness'.

3. cloture · noun/ˈkloʊ.tʃɚ/

   the procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote in a legislative assembly

   The senator called for cloture to end the long debate on the new law.

   Synonyms: closure, end, termination

   Origin: From French 'clôture', meaning 'closure' or 'fence', which comes from 'clore', meaning 'to close'.

4. amelioration · noun/əˌmiːliəˈreɪʃən/

   the process of making something better or improving a situation

   The government is working on the amelioration of the city's traffic problems.

   Synonyms: improvement, enhancement, betterment

   Origin: from Latin 'ameliorare', meaning 'to make better'

5. maelstrom · noun/ˈmeɪlstrəm/

   a powerful whirlpool in the sea or a situation characterized by confusion or turmoil

   The ship was caught in a dangerous maelstrom and began to spin wildly in the rough sea.

   Synonyms: whirlpool, vortex, turbulence

   Origin: from the Dutch 'maalstroom' meaning 'grinding stream' or 'grinding current'