Welcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday, hosted by Kathy at bermudaonion.net. Every week, several word nerds and I get together to share new and/or interesting words from our reading or everyday life. Come learn with us!
Today I’m highlighting another great word from The Good American, by Alex George, an epic story that begins at the turn of the 20th century with two German lovers who flee to America to pursue their dreams. Here’s the context:
…with that humiliation came a new, unfamiliar suspicion of those around him- now he saw a rapacious glint in the eye of every native, an unscrupulous trick lurking up every foreign sleeve.
rapacious \rə-‘pā-shəs\ adj, from Latin rapere to seize; excessively grasping or covetous; 
ravenous
I’m thinking wanting, with a predatory and sinister overtone.
Word Nerd Workout
Think of a character that you could describe as rapacious. And if you’re really feeling smart today, give a synonym for rapacious too!
For example,
Gollum watched the ring around Frodo’s neck with rapacious eyes.
Other word nerdy words
Click on the words below to learn new vocabulary.
Thanks for stopping by!
Julia
I was awaiting this blog post rapaciously. 😉
Rapacious….perhaps Vicomte de Valmont as played by John Malkavich in Dangerous Liaisons as he lusts after Michelle Pfeiffer’s virtuous Madame de Tourvel.
Another great example. Thanks for playing!
Gollum does have a rapacious look in his eyes! 8)
Rapacious was used to describe the wife of Rochester in Jane Eyre, Blanche. It’s a word that sounds like its meaning, isn’t it? To me, it means bottomless or unending, usually used in a negative way.
Oops–I meant to say Bertha, not Blanche. 🙂
Great example!
Julia,
You’re example of Gollum is perfect! Oh, he just creeps me out! But then I feel sorry for him.
I’m going to think more on this word — I think it’s one I could easily incorporate with my boys. 😉
Love, Hester 😉
Ooh, I like that word! “Rapacious” I’m going to ponder that. At first I thought of Julia Roberts’ character in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” but I think she was more catty than rapacious.
The most rapacious characters I can think of are the bargain shoppers on Black Friday!
Thanks! for sharing .
I found your blog via your twitter follow-it looks lovely and the I so enjoy learning new vocab. Love the Gollum example. I haven’t written any rapacious characters yet.
Welcome Robin!
Gollum is a great example for rapacious. I am thinking of several covetous characters — including one of my own — but rapacious doesn’t seem right for any of them. Some of them are quite sly about their coveting; others develop long-term and sinister plans to get what they want. There is something about the word “rapacious” that suggests a connotation of transparency — everyone can see that grasping nature. Which is why Gollum is so perfect for it!
Thanks Dianne! And good clarification of my word today.
Love this description, Dianne! Good word, Julia. I’m going to start using it…