RD20190301

(avery) #1

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”).



  1. odyssey (b)
    long journey. My
    five-minute errand
    turned into a day-long
    odyssey.

  2. nemesis (c)
    archenemy. “Ah, my old
    nemesis—we meet
    again!” the supervillain
    cackled.

  3. delphic (a) ambiguous.
    Danny was unimpressed
    by the fortune-teller’s
    delphic predictions.

  4. vestal (c) chaste.
    The ancient ritual
    required vestal maidens
    to dance in a circle
    around the fire.

  5. narcissistic (c)
    self-obsessed. Does
    posting five selfies
    a day make me
    narcissistic?


Vocabulary Ratings
9 & below:mortal
10–12: demigod
13–15: Olympian


  1. mercurial (a)
    changeable. “New En-
    gland weather certainly
    is mercurial,” Meg said,
    peeling off her heavy coat.

  2. aurora (a) dawn.
    The hikers paused to ad-
    mire the beautiful pink
    aurora before continuing
    on the mountain trail.

  3. cornucopia (a)
    abundance. “What can I
    get you? We have a cor-
    nucopia of craft beers on
    tap,” the bartender said.

  4. calliope (c) steam-
    whistle organ. What’s a
    circus without a calliope?

  5. ambrosial (a)
    delicious. An espresso
    milkshake would taste
    ambrosial about now!

  6. 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


ma

tt

he

w^

co

he

n
Free download pdf