Building a Better Vocabulary

z We can use the related-word strategy to remember tendentious. This

word is related to tendency, which comes from the Medieval Latin

noun tendentia, meaning “inclination, leaning.” When you lean too

far toward one viewpoint, you may become biased and tendentious.

z The ten in tendentious also reminds us of another word, tenet, which

is a principle, belief, or doctrine held to be true, often by members

of a group or profession. In fact, tenet comes from the Latin verb

form tenet, which literally means “he holds.” In your vocabulary

notebook, you might write that a tendentious person has a tendency

to hold to his or her bias or purpose.

Tintinnabulation (noun)

A ringing, tinkling, or jingling sound, particularly the sound of bells.

Susurration (noun)

An indistinct whispering or rustling sound; a murmur.

Harrumph (verb)

1. To make a pretentious show of clearing one’s throat.


2. To offer brief critical comments.

z Tintinnabulation, susurration, and harrumph are all onomatopoeic;

that is, they sound like the sounds they refer to: ringing bells,

whispering, and ostentatious throat-clearing.

Trenchant (adjective)

Forceful and clear; penetrating, keen, and incisive.

z You often see trenchant used to describe people and language, as in

a trenchant argument, a trenchant analysis, or trenchant criticism.

Trenchant can also imply caustic and cutting.