Oh Language –15

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 It refers to some old practice or bygone activity that has turned obsolete and the term [veterate] itself is obsolete now.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.