APRIL SHOWERS bring WORD POWERS: Days of Literacy for Kids!

X marks the spot. (This idiom means the exact location of something, and has nothing to do with our WORD OF THE DAY except that our WORD begins with the letter X).  I, simply, love this idiom!

Today’s WORD is one of those few words that begins with the letter X: xiphias… a noun meaning swordfish, especially of the genus characterized by the upper jaw prolonged into a sword-like weapon, pronounced zi-fi-us. Xiphias is also the name of a constellation in the southern sky, also called Dorado, but known as the Sword-fish since the 17th century.

April Showers bring work powers

Way back on Day 55 of 365 Days of Literacy for Kids, we learned about the adjective *xiphioid  –

Do you recall the meaning of the word xiphioid?

*(xiphioid  – resembling the genus xiphias;  belonging to or having the characteristics of the family xiphide. What to love about this word? Everything.  First, xiphioid (zi-fi-oid) sounds awesome.  Second, xiphioid begins with the excruciatingly uncommon X.  Third, xiphioid refers to the genus of fishes characterized by having the upper jaw prolonged into a sword-like weapon… like the swordfish.  It’s just kind of exciting to know this word!  Gotta love xiphioid.  Will your children need xiphioid or ever use xiphioid?  Maybe not.  But may-be!  Try using xiphioid in a sentence.  Example: Pinocchio is most known for his xiphioid nose. Wouldn’t it be interesting if xiphioid became the one adjective of the 56 to remember?!)

Now you have both the noun xiphias and the adjective xiphioid.

X seems to mark the fish!

Join us each day here on 365 Days of Literacy for Kids for fun, easy and do-able words, poems, tidbits to share with your kids!

 

 

 

 

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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