Oh Language –15
Over the last few months we have been discussing ‘polysemes’-words that
offer different meanings for different contexts. In fact, English language is
rich in such terminological advantage that it simultaneously triggers the
thrill to learn as much as it dampens the effort, infusing a sense of fear in
the learner for any inadvertent error, lending credence to his/her inept skill
in employing words. For the sake of a
variety, this time, some words not too frequent in use are presented. If the
reader is familiar with [m]any of them, please recognize the ineptitude that I
suffer from [in handling the language].
VERY, VERITABLE, VETERATE, INVETERATE, INVIGORATE, VITUPERATE
Very = extreme or high The term 'very' attempts to emphasize an attribute
Being so, by itself ‘very’ does not carry a meaning of its own. It functions as an ‘enhancer of another word’s meaning. That way it can be used as an adjective as in “The very end of the hero was pathetic” or as in ‘The very statement of the key witness was proved to have been fabricated” The term ‘very’ in the above instances tries to emphasize that the key factor was not of any serious impact and had to be 'emphasized'.
A mote of caution:
Incidentally, native speakers of
English feel inconvenient over the way, we in India choose to prefix ‘very’ as
a means of emphasis -rather an unwanted one , for, a statement without ‘very’
is nearly the same as in ‘Rose is beautiful’ or ‘The dinner was well organized’
. In our zeal to emphasize [provide higher value], we choose to add ‘very’
wherever possible. Let us avoid using ‘very’ unless it helps to confer a
necessary value to our observation.
Veritable = The term helps to suggest features ‘comparable’ to something
else known for high quality as in “His achievements as a researcher are
veritable indeed”.
Venerate =showing deep respect to something/someone of high value
Students always venerate teachers who genuinely strive to impart knowledge.
Such teachers are said to be ‘venerable’. The act of high respect shown is
named ‘Veneration’.
Veterate = an old expression to mean ‘long standing’. It refers to some
old practice or bygone activity that has turned obsolete and the term [veterate]
itself is obsolete now.
Inveterate =long established, deep rooted habit or attitude, unlikely to
change. Certain families share feelings of hatred /enmity over generations and
are said to be inveterate enemies. They share mutual enmity
Invigorate = efforts to make someone healthy, confident and willing to
face odds ‘Invigorate’ implies the
efforts of someone to help another recoup health or mental fortitude to face
harsh realities. Some powerful oratory can also ‘invigorate’ listeners to fight
against tyranny. In all ‘invigorate’ suggests rendering strength –physical or
mental to those who are ‘weak’.
Vituperate= abuse someone in harsh language with an intention to insult ‘Vituperation’
[n] refers to the act of using bitter terms of abuse causing insult to the
recipient. Such outbursts are termed ‘vituperative attacks’.
Though a deviation, I believe the present compilation would in some way
help to build our repertoire of words that may at first look appear a little
perplexing; the explanations thereof may be useful. I trust all these are intelligible.
