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"CADAVEROUS" Pronunciation: kuh DAV er us 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 cadaverous model” 2. After a linking verb, as in “The model was cadaverous.”) Meaning: Something or someone cadaverous reminds you of a cadaver (a dead body). That is, something or someone cadaverous is really pale, or extremely skinny, or very worn-out and tired-looking. More loosely, you can use "cadaverous" as a dramatic synonym for "deathly." It's a good word to have at your disposal when you need to emphasize just how awful, disgusting, or creepy a certain sound or image or smell is. Other forms: cadaver, cadaverously, cadaverousness How to use it: Concretely, talk about a cadaverous fashion model, a cadaverous villain, a cadaverous face, etc. Abstractly, talk about a cadaverous old city, a cadaverous smell or sound (such as a cadaverous voice), a cadaverous shade of gray, and so on. You can get very abstract and talk about a cadaverous company, a cadaverous idea, etc., when you mean that it seems worn-out and near death. Does anybody else get really creeped out by cadaverous fashion models? To my surprise, I recently found out that AOL isn't dead, it's just cadaverous. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "cadaverous” means when you can explain it without saying “haggard” or “deathly." Think of the last time you smelled something really, really gross, and fill in the blanks: "The cadaverous smell of _____ was enough to make me gag when _____." Example: "The cadaverous smell of the waste processing plant was enough to make me gag when my environmental science class went on its mandatory field trip there." 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: Messages that go through an automated translator into several languages and back into English again often end up sounding funny and garbled-- but still somehow meaningful. We’re having fun with that phenomenon this month as we play our game: Guess the moral from Aesop’s Fables after it has been translated into a few foreign languages and back again by a computer program. Some of the morals may be very familiar to you, others not so much. You don’t need to quote Aesop verbatim but rather just understand the message being conveyed. Try it out each day and see the right answer the following day.   Yesterday’s answer: The translation-babble said, “Who preceded adapt to changing times, allowed.” Aesop said, “Those who adapt to the times will emerge unscathed.” Try this one today: “When you're so much words it was better to show that.” A Point Well Made: Carl Sagan: "For small creatures such as we, the vastness is bearable only through love." 1. The opposite of CADAVEROUS is A. VIVACIOUS B. PALLID C. BLITHE 2. The new energy drink sample tasted cadaverous, so I _____ A. took an extra one for my friend. B. stood for awhile trying to figure out what it reminded me of. C. quickly excused myself to go and spit it out in the bathroom. 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. Or A, if you're a rascal.