KAL-um-nee
(noun) A false and damaging statement meant to harm someone’s reputation.
The candidate sued his rival for spreading calumny during the campaign.
Fun Fact
In ancient Rome, calumny was actually a punishable offense under the law. The word’s legal roots make it a favorite in political and journalistic commentary when false accusations fly.
uh-SET-ik
(adjective) Practicing severe self-discipline and avoiding all forms of indulgence, often for spiritual or philosophical reasons.
He adopted an ascetic lifestyle, giving up comforts and focusing on meditation, study, and simple living.
Ascetic comes from the Greek askētikos, meaning “practicing training or exercise,” originally used for athletes. Over time the term shifted toward spiritual discipline, describing people who trained their minds and bodies through restraint, simplicity, and renunciation of physical pleasures.
Fun Fact
Throughout history, ascetic communities have existed in nearly every culture—from Buddhist monks and Christian hermits to Stoic philosophers and Hindu sadhus. Researchers studying these groups have found that extreme simplicity can sharpen focus and reduce certain kinds of stress, suggesting that ascetic practices may influence the brain’s ability to regulate attention and emotion.