Section 1
CADO, CADERE: To Fall, To Come to an End
Let's explore words that 'fall' into place, describing everything from rhythmic sounds and moral decay to the direction of the setting sun.
Key Words
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| cadence (n.) | A rhythmic flow of sound, as in poetry or oratory, or of movement, as in marching or dancing. |
| casuistry (n.) | 1. The use of moral principles to reason out what is right or wrong in everyday situations. 2. Subtle but misleading or false application of reasoning. |
| decadent (adj.) | Declining or decaying (applied to a condition, things, or people). |
| Occident (n.) | The parts of the world that lie west of Asia, especially the countries of Europe and the western hemisphere. |
| recidivism (n.) | A relapse into a former habit, especially criminal or antisocial behavior. |
📝Example Usage:
- In ancient myths, the entrance to the land of the dead is often placed in the Occident, the direction where the sun 'falls' or sets each day.
- Historians debate whether the empire's downfall was caused by moral decadence or by external pressures.
🧠Memory Trick:
- The decadent philosopher in the Occident used confusing casuistry to justify his recidivism, all while speaking with a strange, falling cadence.