ab-STROOS
The professor’s lectures were so abstruse that only a few students could grasp the intricate concepts.
Fun Fact
Abstruse topics often challenge our minds, but they also help develop critical thinking skills. The term is frequently used in philosophy or science, where unraveling complex ideas can lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
THESS-pee-uhn
(noun) An actor or actress; someone who performs on stage or in dramatic works.
Even as a child, Maya showed thespian talent, turning every living-room corner into her own private stage.
Thespian comes from Thespis, a Greek performer from the 6th century BCE who is often credited as the first actor in theatrical history. Before him, performances were sung or spoken collectively, but Thespis introduced the idea of stepping out from the chorus to speak as an individual character — a shift that shaped all of Western drama.
Fun Fact
In ancient Greek theater, actors wore masks not just for visibility but for amplification. The carved, open-mouthed masks acted like early megaphones, projecting the actor’s voice across huge outdoor amphitheaters that held thousands of people. Modern acoustic studies show these masks genuinely enhanced sound, helping early thespians reach the back rows without any form of technology.