Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OBLIQUITY
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"OBLIQUITY"
Pronunciation:
uh BLICK wit ee
Part of speech:
Often a 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 obliquity or multiple obliquities.)
You can also treat "obliquity" as an uncountable noun and talk about "the obliquity," "such obliquity," "no obliquity" and so on.
Meaning:
First, an obliquity is something that strays away from what's morally right.
Second, an obliquity is something that's said, written, or done indirectly and is often confusing or misleading on purpose.
Consider how these meanings relate to the concrete definition of "oblique:" slanting, at an angle, or tilting away from a straight line.
Other forms:
obliquities, oblique, obliquely
How to use it:
Talk about "moral obliquity," "an obliquity," "obliquities," or just "obliquity:" "The company is often criticized for its moral obliquity." "The group suffers from an obliquity of purpose." "I won't tolerate your verbal obliquities any longer!" "Seemingly harmless obliquity is the downfall of many relationships."
You can also talk about someone being oblique, talking obliquely, or doing anything obliquely: "Her obliquely flirtatious comments went right over his head."
If you speak in obliquities for five minutes before getting to the real point, I'm going to lose my patience.
I haven't actually unfriended him on Facebook; I just try to ignore his posted stories when they show any degree of moral obliquity.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "obliquity” means when you can explain it without saying “slanted” or “immoral."
Think of the last time someone wouldn't get to the point while trying to tell you something or ask you something, and fill in the blanks: "(Person) approached the issue of _____ obliquely and just kept talking about _____."
Example: "She approached the issue of her incomplete homework obliquely and just kept talking about how busy her schedule was."
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 content is protected by a copyright, so I can't reprint the trivia questions here--but check out the challenging, endlessly entertaining game; it's called Moot!
A Point Well Made:
H. P. Lovecraft: “At night, when the objective world has slunk back into its cavern and left dreamers to their own, there come inspirations and capabilities impossible at any less magical and quiet hour. No one knows whether or not he is a writer unless he has tried writing at night.”
1. The opposite of OBLIQUITY is
A. UNDERSTATEMENT
B. MUSCULATURE
C. FORTHRIGHTNESS
2. An oblique way of asking for your age is to say, _____
A. "What year were you born?"
B. "When did you graduate from high school?"
C. "How long did you stay at your last job?"
Answers are below.
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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. C
2. B
"OBLIQUITY" Pronunciation: uh BLICK wit eePart of speech: Meaning: |