A WORD A DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 8

A WORD A DAY.

VIVACIOUS. One might quite literally define vivacious as “lively” since it comtw from the Latin word meaning “living,” vivus, allied to vivere, “to live.” Its earliest use was to characterize a condition ‘of natural vigor which was tenacious of life, longevity. As one who is vigorous is naturally active, the secondary meaning has gradually - displaced the primary. . A vivacious person naturally has a zest for life which makes, him alert and sprightly. He is opposed to indolence and consequently is the “life of the party” or of the school or office. Vivacious does not indicate inadequacy or frothiness; in fact, it is the vivacious one who is usually prompt, prepared and wideawake.

“Vivid,” a word akin to vivacious and from the same root, is more often applied to things which are clear, strong or striking, and yet may also rightly refer to personal characteristics like imagination, colourings of skin, etc. Vivacious is applied to manner or disposition and is much desired as an attribute in friend and companion. Vi-va-cious is stressed on the second syllable. The first vowel is preferably long, as in ice, as as in way, cioiis as shus, in which the u is as in circus. “Snubs is * vivacious pup.”