Week 5 Vocabulary root: flam / pyro meaning: fire

flammable (adj) Definition: Easily set on fire. Example: Because all of my clothes are cheaply made and imported from China, I keep away from open stoves because they are extremely flammable.

pyre (n) Definition: A pile of wood used for burning a dead body. Example: Vikings often used funeral pyres by setting boats onto water and then lighting them with flaming arrows.

flamboyant (adj) Definition: Showy; with flame-like curves (architecture). Example: The church’s flamboyant architecture inspired me to become a priest. Her flamboyant personality was cute at first, but it was too much after a while.

pyrotechnics (n) Definition: Fireworks. Example: Katy Perry had to change up her lyrics, because “baby, you’re pyrotechnics !” didn’t really rhyme.

inflammatory (adj) Definition: Tending to fire up emotions. Example: Mr. McManus’ inflammatory remarks about our vocabulary quiz grades inspired us to drag him out behind the school and beat him to death.

pyromania (n) Definition: Persistent impulse to set fires. Example: Drake’s pyromania got the better of him one time, and he wound up setting the entire forest on fire. Smokey was visibly displeased.

inflammation (n) Definition: Infection marked by redness and heat. Example: The inflammation in my fingernail finally burst and let forth a volley of yogurt-like pus onto the floor. No big deal, my dog cleaned it up.

pyrite (n) Definition: Fool’s gold; mineral that can strike fire. Example: Stranded on a desolate island, Miguel tried to summon a passing ship by starting a fire with a small pile of pyrite. They didn’t see it.

pyrophobia (n) Definition: The fear of fire. Example: We all questioned Jane’s dedication to become a firefighter because, well, we all knew she suffered from pyrophobia.

pyrography (n) Definition: Art of wood-burning, usually done on wood or leather. Example: I thought wood shop would be an easy A, but then they introduced pyrography into the equation. I can barely write with a pencil!

associate (v) Definition: To connect one thing with another. Example: Some people associate dark clouds with depression. When I see dark clouds, I associate it with a potential harvest.

organize (v) Definition: To give structure or a system to something. Example: When I organize my thoughts, or put them in a specific order, it is easier for me to get things done.