How is the word `exorcism’ pronounced?

The `ex’ is pronounced like the letter `x’, and the following `o’ is like the `ou’ in `ought’, `sought’ and `fought’. The final `ism’ sounds like the `ism’ in `prism’. The main stress is on the first syllable.

When you `exorcise’ a ghost or an evil spirit, what you do is to drive it away by making use of magic or prayers. This act of driving away an evil spirit is called `exorcism’.

Example: The witch doctor tried to exorcise the evil spirit from the library.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) –November 13, 2006.

How is the expression `sotto voce’ pronounced?

The first `o’ in `sotto’ is like the `o’ in `hot’, `got’, and `pot’; the second is like the `o’ in `go’, `so’, and `no’. The `o’ in `voce’ is pronounced like the second `o’ in `sotto’. The `c’ that follows is like the `ch’ in `child’ and `chips’; the final `e’ is like the `i’ in `bit’, `pit’, and `hit’. The main stress is on the first syllable of `voce’. The word comes from Italian; `sotto’ means `under’ and `voce’ means `voice’.
When you say something `sotto voce’, you say it in a soft voice. Whatever you say is spoken in a low volume; you speak softly out of the corner of your mouth, so that you are not overheard by anyone. The word is considered literary, and is mostly used in formal contexts.
Example: During the principal’s speech, several students made snide remarks sotto voce.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 30, 2006.

`weary’ and `wary’

The two words are pronounced differently. The first syllable `w..a..r’ in `w..a..r..y is pronounced like the word `where’ and the final `y’ is like the `i’ in `it’, `bit’, and `sit’.
The `ea’ in the first syllable of the word  ‘weary’ sounds like the `ea’ in `dear’, `near’, and `fear’ and the final `y’ is like the `i’ in `it’, `bit’, and `sit’.
In both `weary’ and `wary’, the stress is on the first syllable.

When you say that someone looks `weary’, what you mean is that the person looks exhausted. For example, after swimming non-stop for seven hours, the young boy looked pale and weary.
When you say that you have become weary of something, what you mean is that you have become tired of it. In other words, you have lost your enthusiasm for it.
Example :  Many people have become weary of the war in Iraq.

When you are wary of something, you are unsure of it, and therefore you are cautious of it. It could be dangerous or it may cause problems for you.
The word can be used with people as well.
For example, most parents teach their children to be wary of strangers.
It’s also possible to `keep a wary eye’ on someone or something.
When you keep a wary eye on someone, you watch them very carefully to see what they are up to.
Examples: The shareholders kept a wary eye on the developing story.*  I don’t think I’ll be able to keep a wary eye on anyone right now. I’m feeling sleepy.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 16, 2006.

`braggadocio’

Braggadocio is a literary word and is mostly used in formal contexts. A `braggadocio’, as the word suggests, is someone who brags about himself quite a bit. He is vain and therefore talks about his achievements in a rather proud manner. Most of the time, it is only empty boasting. The word comes from the name of a boastful character (Braggadocchio) in Edmund Spenser’s poem `Faerie Queene’.

The first syllable is pronounced like the word `brag’; the `a’ in the second is like `a’ in `china’. The `o’ in the third and final syllable sounds like the `o’ in `no’, `so’, and `go’. The `ci’ is like the `shi’ in `ship’ and `shin’. The main stress is on the third syllable `do’.

Examples: *Tarun came across as a braggadocio that deliberately tried to make others uncomfortable.
*According to reporters, the Chairman’s braggadocio at the meeting was a sign of weakness, not strength.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 23, 2006.

‘Capish’

Capish means `understand’. It’s a word mostly used in informal contexts.

Pronunciation:  The `a’ is like the `a’ in `china’; the following `i’ is like the `ee’ in `fees’, `bees’, and `knees’. The final `sh’ is like the `sh’ in `ship’, `sheet’, and `sheep’. The main stress is on the second syllable.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – October 09, 2006.

How is the word `emaciated’ pronounced?

The `e’ in the first syllable and the `i’ in the third syllable are pronounced like the `i’ in `sit’, `bit’, and `kit’. The `ma’ sounds like the word `may’; the `c’ that follows is like the `sh’ in `ship’, `shin’, and `show’. The `ated’ at the end rhymes with `hated’, waited’, and `fated’. The stress is on the second syllable `ma’. This is one way of pronouncing the word.

Someone who is `emaciated’ is very weak and thin.
Example: The emaciated child was unable to walk for more than a minute.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – September 18, 2006.

How is the word `Renaissance’ pronounced?

The `e’ in the first syllable is like the `i’ in `bit’, `sit’, and `hit’; the `ai’ is like the `ay’ in `day’, `bay’, and `say’. The `a’ is pronounced like the `o’ in `lot’, `got’, and `hot’, and the final `ce’ is like the `ce’ in `dance’, `France’, and `chance’. The `ss’ sounds like the `s’ in `sit’, and the main stress is on the second syllable `nai’. This is one way of pronouncing the word.

The period between the 14th and 16th centuries is usually referred to as the `Renaissance’. The word means `rebirth’, and during this period, people in Europe began to take an active interest in art, literature, and science.
Renaissance is now used to talk about a rebirth of interest in some activity. For example, if you say that letter writing is experiencing a renaissance, what you mean is that people are taking an interest in it; letter writing is becoming popular again. Someone who shows a great a deal of interest in the arts and sciences and has a wide range of interests in other things is called a `Renaissance man’. He/she is someone who does a lot of different things very well.

* Ramanan is a writer, director, painter, and musician — a real Renaissance man
Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – September 18, 2006.

How is the word `embarrass’ pronounced?

The first syllable is like the `im’ in `him’, `slim’, and `Kim’; the following `a’, which has the main stress, is pronounced like the `a’ in `cat’, `bat’, and `hat’. The final `a’ is like the `a’ in `china’. When you do something that you are ashamed of, you say that you are embarrassed by what you did. The word can also be used to mean nervous or uncomfortable.

Examples: Shantha gave an embarrassed smile when she spilt orange juice on her friend’s new carpet. *The questions that the psychiatrist asked embarrassed Jai’s daughter.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – August 21, 2006.

`Okey dokey’

Pronunciation: The `o’ in the two words is pronounced like the `o’ in `go’, `no’, and `so’. The following syllable is pronounced like the word `key’. The stress is on the first syllable of the two words.

 `Okey dokey’ is a very informal way of saying O.K. When someone says, `please give me Rs. 50′, you can respond by saying, `Okey dokey’.

 The expression is not used in formal contexts.

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ (The Hindu) – July 31, 2006

How is word `cuisine’ pronounced?

The first syllable `cui’ is pronounced like the `qui’ in `quit’, `quiz’, and `quick’. The `s’ that follows is like the `z’ in `zip’ and `zoo’; and the final `ine’ is like the `een’ in `seen’, `teen’, and `keen’. The main stress is on the second syllable.

The word comes from French and is mostly used to talk about a particular style of cooking – the way in which an item is prepared. When you refer to the cuisine of a restaurant, you are talking about the different varieties of food served there.

Example: The new restaurant on M.G Road offers excellent traditional Thai cuisine.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 24, 2006

How is the word `schism’ pronounced?

There are different ways of pronouncing the word. Some people pronounce the `sch’ like the `sch’ in `school’, `scholar’, and `scheme’. Others pronounce it like the `s’ in `sit’, `sip’ and `sat’. The `i’ is like the `i’ in `bit’, `hit’ and `sit’, and the following `s’ is like the `z’ in `zip’, `zoo’, and `zero’. The sound that follows the `s’ is like the `a’ in `china’, and the final `m’ is like the `m’ in `monkey’ and `money’. The main stress is on the first syllable.

Schism is a word mostly used in formal contexts. In India, we often see political parties splitting into two. This breaking up of a party or organisation due to differences in beliefs is referred to as `schism’. The word was originally used to refer to a split within the church.

Example: This report says that differing views caused a schism among the members.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – July 10, 2006

How is the word `poignant’ pronounced?

The `oi’ is like the `oy’ in `boy’, `toy’, and `joy’; the following `g’ is silent. The first syllable `poign’ therefore rhymes with the word `coin’. The sound following the `n’ is like the `y’ in `yes’, `yell’, and `yellow’. The `a’ that follows is like the `a’ in `china’, and the main stress is on the first syllable.
When you say that something is `poignant’, what you mean is that it affects you very deeply and makes you feel rather sad.

Please change the channel. I am not in the mood to watch a poignant love story.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 26, 2006

How is the word `loquacious’ pronounced?

The `o’ in the first syllable and the `iou’ in the final syllable are pronounced like the `a’ in `china’. The `qu’ sounds like the `qu’ in `quit’, `quiz’ and `queen’. The `a’ that follows is like the `a’ in `way’, `say’, and `bay’, and the `c’ is like the `sh’ in `sheep’, `ship’, and `sheet’. The stress is on the second syllable.

When you say that someone is `loquacious’, what you mean is that the individual talks a lot. The word is mostly used in formal contexts.

*The normally loquacious Malar chose to remain silent at the meeting.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 12, 2006

`busman’s holiday’

If you get a day off and you end up spending it doing what you normally do on any working day, then you call it a `busman’s holiday’. Instead of going out and enjoying yourself, you spend the day as if it were any other working day — doing office work. By the way, the `a’ in `man’ is pronounced like the `a’ in `china’.

The expression comes from the time when buses in London were pulled by horses. Every driver was given his own team of horses, and man and animal worked together every day. As it usually happens in such circumstances, a close relationship developed between the driver and his team. Whenever the driver went on leave, a substitute was hired to `drive’ the bus. Very often the regular driver would sit in his bus all day as a passenger just to make sure that his horses were being properly treated by the substitute. Since the driver ended up doing what he normally did on any working day, these rides began to be called `busman’s holiday’.
*I thought I would make it a busman’s holiday and finish writing the report.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 29, 2006

‘Latino’

Pronunciation: The `a’ in the first syllable is like the `a’ in `cat’, `bat’ and `hat’, and the following `i’ is like the `ee’ in `fees’, `bees’, and `knees’ and the final `no’ is pronounced like the word `no’. The main stress is on the second syllable.
A `Latino’ is someone from Latin America who has settled down in the U.S. It’s a term mostly used in American English.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 22, 2006

How is the word `esoteric’ pronounced?

The first syllable is pronounced like the letter `s’ and the following `o’ is like the `a’ in `china’. The `e’ is like the `e’ in `set’, `pet’, and `bet’, and the final `ric’ is like the `ric’ in `electric’, `eccentric’, and `metric’. The main stress is on the third syllable `ter’. This is how the Americans pronounce the word.
The British, on the other hand, pronounce the `e’ in the first syllable like the `ee’ in `bee’, `fees’, and `geese’, and the following `o’ like the `o’ in `so’, `go’ and `no’.

When you say that something is `esoteric’, what you are implying is that it can be understood and appreciated by only a few people. The word is usually used in formal contexts.

Example: Venkat takes interest in esoteric subjects

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 15, 2006

`cul de sac’

First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. The `u’ in `cul’ is like the `u’ in `cut’, `but’, and `hut’; the `e’ in `de’ is like the `i’ in `it’, `bit’, and `hit’. The final word is pronounced like the word `sack’. The main stress is on the first syllable.

A cul de sac is a short road which is blocked off at one end. In other words, it’s a dead end.

*Rahul lives in a beautiful house in a quiet cul de sac.
Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 15, 2006

Is it `confidant’ or `confidante’? Which is the correct spelling?

Both are correct. A `confidant’ is someone you confide in. You trust this person implicitly and you tell him everything that is going on in your life. In other words, you pour your heart out to him.

A `confidante’, on the other hand, is a woman whom you tell your problems to. There are a few words in English where the addition of the letter `e’ changes the gender: blond (man) and blonde (woman) is one such example.

*Shruthi was her uncle’s only confidante.

Both words are pronounced the same way. The first two syllables are pronounced like the first two syllables of `confidence’. The `a’ in `dant’ is like the `a’ in `pants’, `ants’, and `apple’. While some people put the stress on the first syllable, others put it on the final syllable.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 08, 2006

How is the word `content’ pronounced?

It can be pronounced in two different ways, and the pronunciation depends on how the word is used.

If you use the word as a noun, then the stress is on the first syllable. For example, if you are talking about the `contents’ of a suitcase or a book, then the `o’ is pronounced like the `o’ in `con’, `continent’ and `confidence’. The second syllable is pronounced like the word `tent’; the stress is on the first syllable.

If, on the other hand, you use the word either as an adjective or a verb, then the stress is on the second syllable. For example, if you are talking about how happy or content you are with life, then the `o’ in the first syllable is like the `a’ in `china’. The following syllable is pronounced like the word `tent’.

*There was no content (CONtent) in any of the presentations the students made. *The students were content (conTENT) to sleep in the veranda. *Mariam contented (conTENTed) herself eating peanuts and drinking milk.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – May 08, 2006

gen - birth

generate - to produce / breed or engender or spawn

genealogy - family tree, dencend or ancestors or forebears or pedigree

genre - kind or variety (french , pronounced as zonre)

gender - sex (In french every single word is neutral) eg. - shoes - masculine, sleepers - feminine

homogeneous - of same kind, uniform, identical, standardized, harmonized

genetics - science of heredity / inheritance

genesis - origin, start

degenerate - This is not used when something bad happens but when something immoral happens.
eg. a degenerated society will get engage in eating, drinking etc

progeny - off-springs, children, descendants

progenitor - an ancestor in direct line