6:3 - Capricious

When & Where: I was reading a different short story titled "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov to possibly use for class when I came across the word capricious. The sentence was, "The banker, who at that time had too many millions to count, spoiled and capricious, was beside himself with rapture."

Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word so many times and I still don't know what it means. It's usually used to describe someone's personality or behavior. Because it's used with the term 'spoiled' I'm going to assume that it's somewhat negative.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior."

Reflective Commentary: I definitely want to start using this word because I feel as if I have a good understanding of it and what it means. I also looked the word up on Google and there were a lot of examples of capricious behavior, so there are a lot of contexts I could use it in. I also think it's just a useful word to know. It's a common SAT vocabulary word, so it's also good for students to know.

6:2 - Auspices

When & Where: I was reading the same article, "The Clarks: An American Story of Wealth, Scandal, and Mystery" when I came across the word auspices a few minutes later. The sentence was: "No married couple ever started married life under more brilliant auspices."

Level of Familiarity: I think I've heard this word before. I think it has something to do with style and reputation because the article was discussing how notorious the family was.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two definitions:
1. Patronage; support; sponsorship
2. A sign or omen, especially one that is favorable

Reflective Commentary: Based on the context the word is used in I believe the second definition makes more sense. However, it is surprising to me that it usually is referring to a favorable omen because the article was very critical and somewhat negative about the Clark family. Also, the family lived in scandal and bad fortune, so I'm not sure how true that statement is. I can't see myself using this word in the future because I'm still not very comfortable with what it means.

6:1 - Denuded

When & Where: I was at work reading an informational article about an old and notorious American family called, "The Clarks: An American Story of Wealth, Scandal, and Mystery." The article said: "Criticized for the sulfurous smoke and denuded landscape from his mines, he said, 'Those who succeed us can well take care of themselves.'"

Level of Familiarity: I believe I've heard this word before, although I don't know what it means. Based on context clues it seems to be something negative, meaning maybe "ruined or damaged." I know that the prefix de- means to take away, so I think it also has something to do with that.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "to make naked or bare; strip." As in the storm completely denuded the trees.

Reflective Commentary: That was not the definition I was expecting at all. I suppose it makes sense although I don't know what other context I would use it in, other than talking about damage to landscape. I don't know if I will really use this word in conversation, because I'm still not sure on other ways to use it.

5:2 - Parsimonious

When & Where: I was reading Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King (2012) before bed when I came across the word parsimonious. The author uses this word multiple times throughout the book, but the first time she used it was on p. 10-11: "My parsimonious father doesn't understand that a senior in high school shouldn't have a full-time job...Instead, my parsimonious father launches into a ten-minute lecture about how working for a living is hard and kids today don't get it because they're given allowances they don't earn."

Level of Familiarity: I've seen this word so many times, and I've looked it up before but I can never remember what it means. For some reason whenever I think of this word I immediately get a vivid image of a righteous priest in my mind (I think I may be confusing it with sanctimonious).

What it Means: www.dictionary.com says that parsimonious means, "unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal."

Reflective Commentary: I would like to try and use this word because I believe it's a word that can describe a lot of people, or apply to a lot of situations. I now have a better understanding of Vera's father, and why he makes her work so hard in this story.

5:1 - Undergirds

When & Where: I was reading an article for LTED 626 by Doug Buehl, titled "Scaffolding." He was describing his experiences growing up on a farm and the gradual release of responsibility that his parents gave him. He then applied that idea to teaching and said, "Students need plenty of opportunities to see an expert -- the teacher -- at work, as you interact with texts and showcase the thinking that undergirds doing a task well."

Level of Familiarity: I have never seen this word before, and I find it a very odd sounding/looking word. Based on the way it's used in this sentence I would guess that it means "coincides/goes along with" because that would make sense with what he's talking about.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two similar meanings:
1. Secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath.
2. Provide support or a firm basis for.

Reflective Commentary: I definitely think the second definition makes more sense in this situation. I have a better understanding of what the author is talking about. I will probably never use this word in conversation or in writing. I chose it just because I thought it was a strange word and had never come across it.

4:2 - Indelible

When & Where: I came across the word indelible almost immediately after stumbling across guileful. I was reading An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (2006) before bed when the main character, Colin, says "I won a...game show a year ago? That's my indelible mark on human history?" (p.39)

Level of Familiarity: I have seen this word so many times and I have never known what it means! I never stopped to look it up until now, though. I usually just keep on reading.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "Making marks that can never be removed."

Reflective Commentary: I definitely want to try and use this word. I feel as though I've heard it enough times over the years so that I will actually remember what it means and can therefore use it.

4:1 - Guileful

When & Where: I read the word guileful while reading An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (2006). The sentence is: "She had the sort of broad and guileful smile in which you couldn't help but believe -- you just wanted to make her happy so you could keep seeing it" (p. 31).

Level of Familiarity: I have definitely heard this word before, but I'm not quite sure where. I think it has something to do with being exuberant or not shy.

What it Means: www.dictionary.com defines it as "deceitfully or treacherously cunning."

Reflective Commentary: This makes sense because the main character is describing a country girl from Tennessee, who's got a bit of mystique surrounding her. She seems like a plain and simple girl, but it turns out that she is quite mischievous and the other characters find this out immediately after. I can't see myself ever using this word; however, I do think it's important to know because it adds to the description of the character and can be used to describe a lot of characters in literature. If I was teaching a novel to the class I would want to teach them about descriptive/characterization words, and I believe this would be a useful one.