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Pensive might remind you of Pensieves, the magical basins from the Harry Potter stories that hold and store your thoughts, simultaneously relieving you of their weight and allowing you to weigh them more objectively. Feeling pensive? Visit the Pensieve. Very appropriate, because pensive is based on the Latin pensare, meaning "weigh, or consider."
Speaking of Harry Potter, back when we studied the word patronize, I mentioned that, in the stories, you conjure a "Patronus," a magical creature, to protect yourself. But patronize doesn't mean protect. What gives? Why does patronize look so much like "Patronus," and what does patronize mean? If you're not sure, you can find out here.
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"PENSIVE"
Pensive people and things are deep in thought in a serious or gloomy way.
Pronunciation:
PEN sive
(just like "expensive" without the "ex")
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a pensive thing" or "a pensive person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was pensive." or "He was pensive.")
Other forms:
pensively, pensiveness
How to use it:
Notice that "pensive" isn't an exact synonym of "thoughtful." To be pensive is to be not just thoughtful but also sad, gloomy, or very serious.
Talk about pensive people, eyes, faces, and expressions; pensive moods, hearts, minds, and spirits; and pensive music, poetry, art, etc.
examples:
Driving to Granddad's funeral, we were silent and pensive.
The Lemony Snicket stories come to life in Patrick Warburton's pensive, deep-voiced narration.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "pensive" means when you can explain it without saying "melancholy" or "lost in thought."
try it out:
Fill in the blank: "_____ puts me in a pensive mood."
Example: "'Fixing Her Hair,' that sad, beautiful song we always sang on our way to school, puts me in a pensive mood."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we're playing with lines of poetry that include words we've checked out together in previous issues. I’ll give you a few lines from the poem, with a blank where our word appears, along with its definition. See if you can come up with it. Each answer will appear in the following issue. Enjoy!
From the previous issue:
From James Galvin's poem "On First Seeing a U.S. Forest Service Aerial Photo of Where I Live:"
"I live on a needle of a branch
Of a cedar tree, h___-b_____,
Striving in six directions,
Rooted in rock..."
Definition: tough, gruff, and not easily giving up.
Answer: hard-bitten.
Try this last one today:
From T. S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:"
"I should have been a pair of ragged claws
______ing across the floors of silent seas."
Definition: moving along with quick little steps. (Hint: starts with S.)
review today's word:
1. Some opposites of PENSIVE are
A. VACANT and BLISSFUL
B. RIGID and MORALISTIC
C. COSTLY and TIME-CONSUMING
2. On her album cover, the singer _____ and assumes a pensive stare.
A. flashes a grin and a peace sign
B. peers out from behind thickly-lined eyes and dark heavy bangs
C. in six-inch platform shoes sits on marble steps, cuddles three Corgis,
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. B
Pensive might remind you of Pensieves, the magical basins from the Harry Potter stories that hold and store your thoughts, simultaneously relieving you of their weight and allowing you to weigh them more objectively. Feeling pensive? Visit the Pensieve. Very appropriate, because pensive is based on the Latin pensare, meaning "weigh, or consider."
"PENSIVE" Pensive people and things are deep in thought in a serious or gloomy way. Part of speech:
Driving to Granddad's funeral, we were silent and pensive.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "pensive" means when you can explain it without saying "melancholy" or "lost in thought."
Fill in the blank: "_____ puts me in a pensive mood."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. Some opposites of PENSIVE are
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
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