buck

Consider the variety of meanings and applications that live in a four-letter word!

As a noun, 'buck' refers to the male in some animal species. These include goats, deer, kangaroos and rabbits and hares. It is also the generic term for the wide range of antelope and deer found in Southern Africa. In this case, the word applies to the species rather than the gender of the animal.

As a verb, it refers to the movements of animals that are leaping about or vigorously rocking their entire body in order to get rid of their riders (as in horses) or, as a desperate means to release themselves from their tethers.

An archaic use of the word was applied to spirited young men. In this context, the word has negative connotations in some countries, particularly in the U.S.

Like many four-letter words it serves as a metaphor as in 'buck the system' and 'buck the trend', where it means that a person or people are going against the norm.

lagoon

There are many words that relate to 'body of water' and this is one of them.

A lagoon is a body of water that has been cut off from the open sea by a coral reefs or sand dunes.

The word also serves to describe a small body of water that is adjacent to or adjoining a larger body of water.

Its origin lies in 17th Century Italian laguna, from the Latin lacuna which translates as 'pool'.

adverse/averse

This unrelated pair can cause confusion and thus are used inaccurately.

Adverse is an adjective that carries degrees of antagonistic, hostile or unfavourable comments or actions that relate to a person or situation.

Additional words arising from adverse include adversary (noun) adversarial (adjective)

Averse is also an adjective. It means against, or opposed to. The usage of the adjective is accompanied by the preposition to; that may be the clue that alerts you to accurate usage.

fractious

Here is an adjective that serves the speaker well, if the word 'grumpy' comes to mind.

While the word is now obsolete as a noun, it survives as an adjective and is universally applicable to situations in which people are irritable or unruly - its alternative meaning.

When you use it, remember to value the audible impact of the sound on the ear - the vowel and consonant combinations clearly carry its meaning.

sartorial

As another seldom-heard word, this one carries clear impressions of dress and carriage.

Referring in the Latin to tailors and the art of tailoring, the adjective describes a person who is well-dressed.

Interestingly, from the context in which the word is used, there can be cynicism or exaggeration of dress, carriage and demeanour within the written or spoken piece.

This is an excellent example of the meaning and intention needing to be clearly understood to avoid error and embarrassment.

repository

While this word is not often heard or said, it has value in the resonance of its meaning. From 15th Century Latin, via repositorium, from the original Latin, reponere - to place, the application varies.

As a noun, repository is a place or container where specific items can be safely stored. The definition can apply to artifacts like those found in a museum, or goods in a warehouse.

With specific meaning implied in context, a repository can be a sepulchre, a burial place or a dedicated receptacle that holds relics of the dead.

The word can also refer to a person who holds a secret secure, as a confidant.

taint

Arising out of the Old French 'teindre' from the Latin meaning 'to dye', this evocative word can be used literally and figuratively.

Its literal meaning communicates contamination or pollution of a substance.

As a metaphor, it can be applied to people, circumstances and ideas.