Tuesday, May 12, 2020

May A-Z Challenge: A Pair of Favourite English Words [I]

Blog entry #37

Iambic | Integumentary


Iambic
We learnt this word in the ninth grade, when we were introduced to Shakespeare. Iambic pentameter refers to the metric line used in poetry. The root word 'iambus' is a meter comprising one short, unstressed syllable followed by one long, stressed syllable. The rhythm of the meter goes: "da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM." Shakespeare's sonnets had 10 syllables per line. Below is an example from his play As you like it, which we studied in English Literature in grades 9 and 10. Try reading it out loud by stressing on alternate syllables.
ORLANDO: What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue?
CELIA: O my poor Rosalind, whither wilt thou go?
ORLANDO: Thou art not for the fashion of these times
ROSALIND: Sell when you can; you are not for all markets.
ROSALIND: Cry the man mercy, love him, take his offer.

Integumentary
We learnt this hexasyllabic word in grade 7 Biology. That was my favourite year of Biology because we were introduced to all the ten systems in the human body. Circulatory, digestive, excretory, endocrine, integumentary aka exocrine, muscular, nervous, renal, reproductive, and respiratory. When I learnt all of this, it made me realize the amazing manner in which our bodies are built and the way they cohesively function, without one system interfering with another. While all the other words seemed normal, this was an interesting, new word to learn. I also clearly recall the diagram we had to label - they always asked us to label the cross-section of the layers of the skin. Apart from the name of the system pertaining to the skin, I am also fascinated by how the skin heals itself after a wound - the layers grow back and make it look as if nothing happened! Let's all take good care of this beautiful, magical structure, shall we?

Image courtesy: Google © 

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