Power of Words: Understanding Diction & Verdicts

1. UNIT 7SPELLING dict- = speak

2. contradict • Verb • To speak against; to say the opposite (not polite to do this to parents) • He will contradict what I say by saying the opposite.

3. dictation • Noun • What is written down as someone says it (secretary) • The secretary took dictation and wrote down exactly what her boss said.

4. dictator • noun • A leader who speaks and rules with total power (rule by force) • The dictator had total power over the country.

5. diction • noun • The manner in which something is expressed in words (written or spoken) – people have an accent • The student had good diction because he expressed himself well when he spoke.

6. dictionary • Noun • A reference book in which spoken or written words are defined (meanings) • We had to use a dictionary to determine how to pronounce a word.

7. dictum • noun • A judge’s ruling or statement • The dictum the judge handed down was his ruling.

8. edict • noun • Public words issued (announced) by an official that explain a law or command • The official issued an edict that explained the new law.

9. indictment • noun • Formal words spoken or written by a jury that charge a person with a crime (result is a criminal trial) • The jury handed the person an indictment and charged him with a crime.

10. predict • verb • To say what will happen before it occurs (what people expect) • I will predict that he will get hurt on the snowmobile because of his reckless driving.

11. verdict • noun • The decision a jury makes in a trial; the decision said by the jury • The jury made a verdict, or decision, of guilty in the trial .