Smart Words to Use in a Conversation: Dynasty

Dynasty (noun – pl. dynasties) |ˈdīnəstē|

• a line of hereditary rulers of a country: 

the Tang dynasty.

• a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field:

 the Ford dynasty.

 

DERIVATIVES

dynastic |dīˈnastik| adjective.

dynastically |dīˈnastik(ə)lē| adverb

 

ORIGIN late Middle English: from French dynastie, or via late Latin from Greek dunasteia ‘lordship, power,’ from dunastēs (see dynast) .

Smart Words to Use in a Conversation: Tenuous

Tenuous (adjective): |ˈtenyo͞oəs|

• very weak or slight:

the tenuous link between interest rates and investment.

• very slender or fine; insubstantial:

a tenuous cloud.

 

DERIVATIVES
tenuously adverb.
tenuousness noun
ORIGIN

late 16th cent.: formed irregularly from Latin tenuis ‘thin’ + -ous.