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A patina is a thin layer of something: either a beautiful or respectable one acquired over time, or a false or superficial one.
That latter meaning can also be expressed with these two words: fac___ (a false front for a building, or a fake appearance of anything) and var____ed (coated with a glossy protective layer, or covered up with something to as to appear nice).
make your point with...
"PATINA"
A literal patina is a thin layer of anything, but especially the encrustation that builds up over time on metal and stone. (In case you're unfamiliar with this, it's beautiful: check out "patina" on Google Images.)
Figuratively, a patina is either a built-up layer of some quality or a superficial appearance of some quality.
Pronunciation:
puh TEE nuh
Part of speech:
Countable noun.
(Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions."
Likewise, talk about a patina or multiple patinas.)
Other forms:
patinate (verb), patinated (or "patinaed" if you prefer), patinating, patination
How to use it:
We'll focus on the two figurative meanings. The first is "a built-up layer of some quality," which is usually a good one: you talk about someone or something having a patina of age, a patina of history, a patina of chivalry, a patina of resistance to petty criticism, a timeworn patina, a venerable patina, etc.
The second meaning is "a superficial appearance of some quality." When you say something has a patina of some good quality--like a patina of diversity, a patina of respectability, a patina of legitimacy, a scientific patina, a scholarly patina and so on--you usually mean that it has only a thin, insubstantial, or even false appearance of that good quality. (You can also talk about something having a patina of a negative quality, like a patina of racism.)
Either way, keep in mind that because a literal patina grows naturally (or is made to grow artificially) on the surface of materials, you often talk about figurative patinas that accumulate, build, develop, grow, spread, or thicken on or around someone or something. (Or, the patina can chip, dissolve, be scrubbed away, etc.)
examples:
Older schools like Dartmouth have that patina of tradition, of character, that's sadly lacking in others.
If you're citing sources to support your conspiracy theory, perhaps nix the ones from YouTube; they aren't exactly helping your theory take on a scientific patina.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "patina" means when you can explain it without saying "outer layer" or "accumulated quality."
try it out:
Think of someone or something that became even better in some way as time went on. Fill in the blanks: "With (age/time), (someone or something) grew a patina of (some specific quality)."
Example: "With time, Star Trek shed its campiness and grew a patina of wisdom."
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 "You Know, That Thing!"
This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.)
Ready? Go!
1. A weight that swings freely back and forth, like the one inside a clock, is a…
2. A hard-to-say string of words, often attempted as a game, is a…
3. The failure of a second thing to be as good as the first is a phenomenon called…
review today's word:
1. A close opposite of PATINATED is
A. BARE
B. BRONZED
C. ARTISTIC
2. _____ her cordial patina was a seething irritation.
A. Around
B. Beyond
C. Underneath
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, 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. C
Answers to game questions:
1. pendulum
2. tongue twister
3. the sophomore jinx or the sophomore slump
A patina is a thin layer of something: either a beautiful or respectable one acquired over time, or a false or superficial one.
"PATINA" A literal patina is a thin layer of anything, but especially the encrustation that builds up over time on metal and stone. (In case you're unfamiliar with this, it's beautiful: check out "patina" on Google Images.) Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Older schools like Dartmouth have that patina of tradition, of character, that's sadly lacking in others.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "patina" means when you can explain it without saying "outer layer" or "accumulated quality."
Think of someone or something that became even better in some way as time went on. Fill in the blanks: "With (age/time), (someone or something) grew a patina of (some specific quality)."
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. A close opposite of PATINATED is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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