Mixed-Up Months
Though March comes third in our modern calendar, the
Roman calendar originally had only ten months, running
from March to December. ( January and February were
added later.) That’s why September, October, November,
and December are named for the Latin septem (“seven”),
octo (“eight”), novem (“nine”), and decem (“ten”).
- odyssey (b)
long journey. My
five-minute errand
turned into a day-long
odyssey. - nemesis (c)
archenemy. “Ah, my old
nemesis—we meet
again!” the supervillain
cackled. - delphic (a) ambiguous.
Danny was unimpressed
by the fortune-teller’s
delphic predictions. - vestal (c) chaste.
The ancient ritual
required vestal maidens
to dance in a circle
around the fire. - narcissistic (c)
self-obsessed. Does
posting five selfies
a day make me
narcissistic?
Vocabulary Ratings
9 & below:mortal
10–12: demigod
13–15: Olympian- mercurial (a)
changeable. “New En-
gland weather certainly
is mercurial,” Meg said,
peeling off her heavy coat. - aurora (a) dawn.
The hikers paused to ad-
mire the beautiful pink
aurora before continuing
on the mountain trail. - cornucopia (a)
abundance. “What can I
get you? We have a cor-
nucopia of craft beers on
tap,” the bartender said. - calliope (c) steam-
whistle organ. What’s a
circus without a calliope? - ambrosial (a)
delicious. An espresso
milkshake would taste
ambrosial about now! - paean (b)
song of praise. Mom
composed a paean for
us to perform for Dad’s
birthday.
12. venerate (c) worship.
Juliana goes to every
single Packers game—
she practically venerates
the team.
13. myrmidon (b)
loyal follower. The
emperor’s myrmidons
cater to his every
whim, no matter how
outlandish.
14. lycanthrope (b)
werewolf. My boyfriend
always disappears when
there’s a full moon;
do you think he’s a
lycanthrope?
15. plutocracy (a)
government by the rich.
“Only the wealthy can af-
ford to run for mayor—this
town has become a plutoc-
racy!” Jim complained.
Word Power
ANSWERS
130 march 2019
Reader’s Digest
matthew^cohen