Vocabulary Energizers II - Stories of Word Origins - Chapter 2

Oct 1, 2026

Vocabulary Energizers II: Stories of Word Origins by David Popkin, Ph. D. presents an origin-focused vocabulary program organized by chapters and master exercises. The text introduces featured words and provides word-meaning definitions alongside cultural or historical narratives that explain how usage evolved. In Chapter 2, the section list highlights terms such as Spartan, gadfly, and homage, then expands each entry with etymology, background examples, synonyms, related words, and contrasted words to reinforce comprehension and recall.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

To the Instructor

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Master Exercises

Bibliography

Index

[For more info visit HadaPublications.com](For more info visit HadaPublications.com) Vocabulary Energizers II: Stories of Word Origins by David Popkin, Ph. D. Contents Preface / vii To the Instructor / viii Chapter 1 • Achilles' heel • stentorian • mnemonic • fathom • serendipity • desultory • pariah • tawdry • pecuniary • impecunious /1 Chapter 2 • Spartan • gadfly • homage • spurn • pedigree • pittance • preposterous • macabre • farce • bombast /13 Chapter 3 • chimerical • asinine • bellwether • limbo • plagiarize • titanic • irony • effete • hyperbole • diabolic / 25 Chapter 4 • dunce • charlatan • sycophant • anachronism • draconian • plummet • fatal • nefarious • vindicate • vindictive / 37 Chapter 5 • venerate • sadistic • malapropism • pragmatic • disparage • vegetate • adamant • conjugal • abominable • ominous / 49 Chapter 6 • despotic • gullible • guile • exonerate • cliche • trite • melancholy • choleric • phlegmatic • sanguine / 61 Chapter 7 • maverick • esoteric • undermine • alleviate • bacchanal • hedonist • nihilist • somnolent • diatribe • tribulation / 73 Chapter 8 • paradox • admonish • penitent • accolade • nonchalant • banal • iridescent • cajole • urbane • stymie / 85 Chapter 9 • recalcitrant • pinnacle • siren • Adonis • inexorable • tally • bizarre • remorse • spurious • fervent / 97 Chapter 10 • harbinger • opportune • skeptical • cardinal • trivial • meretricious • lampoon • fetish • zenith • nadir /109 Master Exercises/119 Bibliography/139 Index/141 Chapter 2 1. Spartan 6. pittance 2. gadfly 7. preposterous 3. homage 8. macabre 4. spurn 9. farce 5. pedigree 10. bombast 1. Spartan (SPAR tun) adj. severe, rigorous, disciplined Life in Sparta, an ancient Greek city-state, was much like boot camp or basic training. Spartans survived on simple food and the barest minimum of clothing and shelter. Their daily routine included vigorous exercise and military training. To eliminate weaklings, Spartans even killed deformed or unhealthy infants. An early Spartan king demonstrated his extreme self-discipline when he and his soldiers were about to die of thirst. The king promised to give over his entire treasure to the enemy's leader provided that the king and his men all receive water from a spring guarded by the enemy. Before allowing his men to quench their thirst, the king declared that anyone who refrained from drinking would be the new king. So parched were his men that none could resist gulping the water. However, the king himself passed the stream without tasting one drop of water. True to the narrowest interpretation of his agreement, the king—who had not drunk—therefore refused to yield his treasures to the enemy's leader after succeeding to refresh his warriors. This king's famous great-grandson Lycurgus, known as the creator of Sparta's laws, also revealed his capacity for self-control when he made the Spartan citizens promise that they would obey his laws until he returned from a visit to the oracle of Delphi, a place where the god Apollo presumably answered one's questions. After arriving at Delphi, King Lycurgus refused to eat, starving himself to death and thus insuring that his fellow citizens would perpetually observe his laws. Because of their reputation for discipline and enduring hardships, the Spartans lent their name to describe vigorous selfdenial and a severely simple lifestyle. By following a Spartan regimen of diet and exercise, I managed to lose thirty pounds in a month. Rocky Marciano, the only heavyweight boxing champion to retire with a perfect record (49-0, with 43 knockouts) would isolate himself weeks before fights so he could Spartanly train to reach his peak. "Spartan"can also be a noun as when we say a brave, uncomplaining person is a true Spartan. Synonyms: self-denying, plain, spare, restrained, strict, stern, austere (aw STEER) Related words: abstemious, abstinent, ascetic, stringent, frugal Contrasted words: lav

FAQs

What is the goal of Vocabulary Energizers II: Stories of Word Origins?

It builds vocabulary by explaining word meanings through stories of how words developed from original roots and cultural references. Each entry connects definition with origin and usage examples.

What types of information are included for each vocabulary word in Chapter 2?

Each word includes a definition and origin or background narrative, followed by reinforcement materials such as synonyms, related words, and contrasted words when provided.

Which chapters and supporting sections are listed in the book’s contents?

The contents list includes a preface, instructor notes, chapters 1 through 10, Master Exercises, a bibliography, and an index.

Oct 1, 2026

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