Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ACQUISITIVE
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"ACQUISITIVE"
Meaning:
Acquisitive people are greedy and obsessed with acquiring stuff (getting and keeping stuff).
Pronunciation:
uh QUIZ id iv
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.”
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in “an acquisitive corporation.”
2. After a linking verb, as in "The corporation was acquisitive.”)
Other forms:
acquisitively, acquisitiveness
How to use it:
Usually you'll talk about acquisitive people and personalities, or acquisitive groups of people. For example, acquisitive companies are eager to buy out other companies as a way of expanding their influence and wealth.
But you can also talk about acquisitive things: an acquisitive appetite, their acquisitive agenda, acquisitive crimes, our acquisitive series of negotiations, an acquisitive sparkle in her eye, this acquisitive approach to ruling a nation, etc.
As a more specific word for "greedy," "acquisitive" usually carries a negative, judgmental tone. But you can put a positive spin on this word by saying people have acquisitive minds or acquisitive curiosity: they want to have lots of facts or information.
The point of the video game seems to be to steer your acquisitive little character through an imaginary world, snatching up the most possible gold, or supplies, or experience points.
Richard is blessed with an acquisitive mind and a tenacious memory. He once read our chemistry textbook from cover to cover, for fun.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "acquisitive" means when you can explain it without saying "grasping" or "possessive."
Think of a product for sale that you'd never want, and fill in the blank: "Maybe someone in our acquisitive society will buy _____, but not me."
Example: "Maybe someone in our acquisitive society will buy this interior purse organizer, but not me. I love containers, but I might draw the line at containers for containers."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
Playing With Words:
Last month, we played with some fascinating thematic word lists assembled by Stephen Chrisomalis, an English language expert over at The Phrontistery who kindly gave permission for me to use his work. (Check out his site; you will definitely enjoy it!)
Yesterday's question:
Let's look at words about words! :) Here are four terms and five definitions. Your knowledge of word roots will help you match them up and nix the oddball definition that I just made up:
- Catachresis is...
- Cacology is...
- Hadeharia is...
- Dysphemism is...
... a bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation
... the replacement of an inoffensive by an offensive word
... the incorrect usage of a word
... the overuse of onomatopoeic words like "blam"
... the constant use of the word “hell”
Answers:
Catachresis is the incorrect usage of a word.
Cacology is a bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation.
Hadeharia is the constant use of the word “hell.”
Dysphemism is the replacement of an inoffensive by an offensive word.
And if you overuse onomatopoeic words like "blam," there's no particular word for your issue, as far as I know!
Now, a new game for February!
This month, we'll play with song lyrics that include words featured in issues of Make Your Point. I’ll give you a few lines from the song, with a blank where our word appears, along with its definition. See if you can come up with it! You can follow the link to see the right answer right away, or just wait until the following day’s issue. Have fun!
Try this one today:
Artist: Mos Def
Title: Casa Bey
Lyrics:
Magnetic, the flows are athletic
Dimensions are perfected
But the static and ______ is power
Past pressure, and mass beyond measure
Definition: related to movement and motion, or dynamic and animated
Peek at the answer...
A Point Well Made:
George Chapman: “Promise is most given when the least is said.”
1. The opposite of ACQUISITIVE is
A. GENEROUS
B. FORGIVING
C. OPEN-MINDED
2. Her acquisitive mantra is "_____"
A. I came, I saw, I conquered.
B. Leave no man behind.
C. Lean in.
Answers are below.
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Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. A
Exploring the archives:
Today's word is all about greed, so let's balance that out with a look back at these selfless, giving words: l____sse, meaning a large, generous gift given freely, and m_______ous, meaning big-spirited, generous, and willing to forgive.
"ACQUISITIVE"
Pronunciation: Part of speech: Other forms: How to use it: |