optimism

optim( from L. optimus ;best )-ism

n.樂觀主義 [A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation]

ex. He was still full of optimism for the future despite his many problems.
他儘管有許多問題, 但對未來仍十分樂觀.

字源：

optimism這個字是Leibnitz(數學家兼哲學家)所coin出來的，這個主義的(當時的)概念是the actual world is the "best of all possible worlds"，白話一點來說，我們處在的是world是所有可能的world最好的，創造者具有最大的善，最小的惡。

Leibnitz是用L. optimus = best而coin出來的

c.f.

相對的pessimism n. [A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view]

就是說，我們的world是最糟的。之後我們在更詳細來討論這個字吧

ps. optim-ize v.使完美, 優化

..你在一些號稱可優化的軟體中都可以看到這個字

optimist

optim( from L. optimus ;best )-ist

n. [One who usually expects a favorable outcome.]

optimum (也可以寫成optimal)

optim( from L. optimus ;best )-um

adj. 最適宜的

ex. the optimum temperature for the growth of plants

optional

opt(to choose))-ion-al

adj.可選擇的, 隨意的 [left to one's choice; not required or mandatory]

ex. Formal dress is optional.

ex. A holiday isn't an optional extra. In this stressful, frantic world it's a must.

ps. optional tour = 自費旅程

字源：from L. optionem (nom. optio ) "choice, free choice,from PIE base *op - "to choose, prefer."

family word

option

n. 選擇權 [power or freedom of choosing]

n. 選項

opulent

adj.豐裕的, 豐饒的 [having or showing signs of great wealth]

ps. Opulent things or places look grand and expensive.

ex. an opulent suburb
富裕的市郊

ps. 歐沛樂( opulent)它是個 機能性蔬食狗食...素的狗食

oracle

ora( 與pray有關 )-cle

n.神諭處 [ (in ancient Greece) holy place where the gods could be asked about the future]

ps. the oracle at Delphi 在德爾斐的神示所

n.神諭 [The response given through such a medium, often in the form of an enigmatic statement or allegory(which was often ambiguous or obscure)]

n.傳達神諭的祭司(也可以比喻成能提供可靠意見的人)

ex. My sister's the oracle on beauty matters

字源：late 14c., "a message from a god, expressed by divine inspiration," from O.Fr. oracle (12c.), from L. oraculum "divine announcement, oracle," from orare "pray, plead"

or- 這個輔音有代表與嘴巴mouth有關係的意思

ps. oracle也是一家很大的軟體公司的名字

oration

n.演說, 致辭 [A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.]

ps. 比方說228週年紀念日的致辭就是個oration

ex. a brief funeral oration.

oratory

n. [(M-W)the art of speaking in public eloquently (review p.170) or effectively]

ps. Oratory is the art of making formal speeches which strongly affect people's feelings and beliefs.

oratory既也是一種art，也有跟skilful use of  expressive language有關。

oratory比較像是 elocution (art or style) 與 eloquence (expressive language) 的綜合體

ex. Some politicians are famous for their powers of oratory.
有些政治家以辯才著稱.

n.私人禮拜堂 [small chapel for private prayer or worship ]

ps. oratorio(下一個字)就是由oratory的這個字義所創造出來的

oratorio /ˏɔrəˋtɔrɪo/

n. 神劇 (通常以《聖經》內容為主題)[musical composition for solo voices, chorus and orchestra,usu with a Biblical theme]

ps. oratorio是一種以宗教為主題的音樂，它同時也帶有戲劇性。在早期的神劇中，會有位說書人的角色，比方說歷史家，然後敘述到某個角色的時候，那個角色就會站出來唱自己的部份，而歌者不穿戲服、也沒有舞台動作。

oratorio 一般是由序曲、獨唱曲、重唱曲、合唱曲所組成的，且經常搭配管絃樂團一起演出。

韓德爾的神劇「 彌賽亞 」 ...其中有大家很熟悉的 哈利路亞 ～

Messiah - Handel ( 1 )


Messiah - Handel ( 2 )


Messiah - Handel ( 3 )

orchard

n.果園 [An area of land devoted to the cultivation of fruit or nut trees.]

ex. Her orchard has become a demonstrative base of scientific research in the country.

字源(參考就好)：orc(= w ort ; vegetable)-hard( PIE ghor ; enclosure , yard)

orchestra /ˋɔrkɪstrə/

n.交響樂隊 [A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including strings, woodwinds, brass instruments, and percussion instruments.]

ps.orchestra裡面有絃樂、木管、銅管、打擊樂器

字源：orchestra原來是指在希臘時代半圓型的戲劇舞台，前面的orches(from GK. orkheisthai to dance), -tra (place)， Meaning "group of musicians performing at a concert, opera, etc." first recorded 1720。

為你選撥的是Benjamin/布列頓的作品，特別寫給青年供給認識orchestra的編制

The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Part1


The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Part2

ordain

ordo(=order)-ain

v.任命 [make somebody a priest or minister; confer holy orders on.]

ex. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1982.

v.頒佈命令 [=enact, to establish or order by appointment, decree, or law]

ex. Fate had ordained that he should die in poverty.
命中注定他得死於貧困.

更正：這邊的 minister不是指首相 囧rz..

在天主教的制度中， Pope (教宗)--> Cardinal (樞機主教，全球178人)--> Archbishop (大主教，大城市or主要教區的主教)--> Bishop (主教=a minister of church government)--> Priest (牧師/神父;在基督教中的些分派也稱 minister )--> Deacon (執事;學習當牧師的人)

The rite of ordination

ordeal

n.嚴酷的考驗 [=trial, A difficult or painful experience, especially one that severely tests character or endurance]

ps. trial by ordeal 就是讓人經歷個嚴酷的考驗來決定他是否是有罪還是清白的，通常這個考驗是滿危險，可能會致死，如果考驗者的傷口復原的，那表示他是清白的(相反地，沒復原那就死了)。但也有些情況下，只有死掉才表示情白的。

n.痛苦的經驗

ex. He came successfully through the ordeal.
他成功地經受了考驗。

音：惡地阿

English Pronunciation - ORDEAL