130 july 2019A Fistful of Words
To impugn someone is to verbally attack his or her
character. This aggressive word comes from the
Latin pugnare (‘to fight’) and pugnus (‘fist’).
A boxer is a pugilist whose attitude may be
pugnacious—spoiling for a fight. If something
offends you, call it repugnant, a word that once
meant ‘hostile’.
- jejune (B)
immature. My childhood
diaries seem so jejune to
me now! - doubloon (C)
gold coin. As the ship’s
first mate, I earn two
doubloons a week. - importune (C)
urge. The home crowd has
been known to importune
the referees to reverse a
questionable call. - dragoon (B)
soldier on horseback. The
dragoons charged toward
the enemy palace. - festoon (A)
decorate. Aunt Morticia’s
creepy attic is festooned
with spiderwebs.
Vocabulary Ratings
9 & Below: no buffoon
10–12: word tycoon
13–15: over the moon- picayune (A)
trivial. I can’t be bothered
with your picayune facts! - boon (B)
blessing. “The new bridge
will be a boon for drivers,
shortening their com-
mutes at rush hour,” the
mayor promised. - clair de lune (A)
blue porcelain glaze.
“I can’t believe you got
this antique clair de lune
vase for only a dollar!” - saskatoon (C)
Juneberry shrub. When the
saskatoons bloom, it’s
a sure sign that spring
has arrived. - tribune (A)
Roman official. If you ple-
beians have a complaint,
take it directly to your
tribune. - harpoon (B)
barbed spear. The whaling
museum’s permanent
collection includes har-
poons from the 1700s.- opportune (C)
timely. My ex-wife couldn’t
have arrived at a less
opportune moment. - galloon (B)
lace trim. Margaret’s
wedding gown has hand-
stitched galloon on the
bodice and pearl buttons
on the back. - rune (C)
mystical writing. The stone
tablet is inscribed with an
ancient Icelandic rune. - maroon (B)
leave stranded. Wasn’t
that scientist marooned
on Mars for a year?
Word Power
ANSWERSReader’s DigestTaTiana PoPova/ShuTTerSTock