Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ULCER

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"ULCER" Pronunciation: "ULL sir" (The "U" is short, as in "UP.") 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 one ulcer or multiple ulcers.) Meaning: Literally, an ulcer is a kind of sore on or in the body where the tissue dies and pus forms. (Gross, yes, and really painful.) Figuratively, an ulcer is like that: it's something that interrupts and ruins something else, more and more, as it gets worse. Other forms: ulcers, ulcerous, ulcerate, ulceration How to use it: Talk about something being an ulcer on something else, as in "The constant fog was an ulcer on the townspeople" and "All this litter is an ulcer on the public park." You can call a bad feeling ulcerous when it grows and grows and makes everything worse, as in "His ulcerous resentment bubbled up" and "Her jealously grew ulcerous." You might experience an ulcerous conflict, get into an ulcerous habit, or say that something has entered an ulcerous state if it's getting worse and worse. The thought of having to research and prepare a history project by Tuesday was an ulcer on my spring vacation, made worse the longer I put it off. Lincoln Park on Kino'ole Street would be a lovely place were it not for the ulcerous presence of James Borden, who sits there daily next to his large display of anti-Isamic, anti-gay, and generally hateful signs. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You'll know you understand what "ulcer" means when you can explain it without saying "rotting" or "ruining." Think of something great that gradually got ruined by something, and fill in the blanks: "_____ was/were an ulcer on _____.” Example: “Endless worksheets, comprehension questions, and essays were an ulcer on my enjoyment of reading in high school.” Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now; let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month's game is "Guess the real pop song title when I give you a long-winded, highfalutin version of it." All the answers this month will be titles of popular songs released no earlier than 2012. Try it out each day and see the right answer the next day. We're playing this in order to appreciate the simple, precise vocabulary of pop song titles, despite how often they are criticized for being sappy, trite, and simplistic.   Yesterday’s answer: “Arrive and Obtain It” is really “Come & Get It” by Selena Gomez.   Try this one today: “Proceed Blissfully in a Non-Laborious Manner” A Point Well Made: James Clear: "Mastery follows consistency." 1. The opposite of ULCER is A. BLESSING B. STAGNATION C. FINALITY 2. Her leadership proved ulcerous, and the club eventually _____. A. received the funding it desperately needed. B. won a quiz bowl in the state capital. C. fell apart. Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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