Lesson 25: NOUNCE / NUNCI
The Root
NOUNCE and NUNCI come from Latin nuntiare, meaning "to announce" or "to report."
When you see these roots in a word, think about delivering news, making declarations, or speaking something into official existence.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| announce | AN- (to, toward) + NOUNCE (report) | to make publicly known; to give notice of |
| pronounce | PRO- (forth) + NOUNCE (speak, announce) | to say words in a particular way; to declare officially |
| denounce | DE- (down, against) + NOUNCE (announce) | to publicly criticize or condemn |
| renounce | RE- (back) + NOUNCE (announce) | to formally give up a claim, title, or belief |
| enunciate | E- (out) + NUNCI (announce) + -ATE (to do) | to speak clearly and distinctly |
| announcement | AN- (to, toward) + NOUNCE (report) | a public declaration or statement |
| pronunciation | PRONOUNCE + -IATION (act or result of) | the way a word is spoken |
| denunciation | DENOUNCE + -IATION (act of) | a public condemnation or accusation |
| renunciation | RENOUNCE + -IATION (act of) | the formal act of giving something up |
| annunciation | AN- (to) + NUNCI (announce) + -ATION (act of) | a formal announcement, especially of something important |
| nuncio | NUNCI (messenger/announcer) + -O (agent suffix) | a papal ambassador to a foreign government |
| pronunciamento | PRO- (forth) + NUNCI (announce) + -MENTO (Spanish/Italian suffix) | a proclamation or manifesto, especially a political one |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The principal will __________ the winners of the science fair at the assembly.
a) denounce
b) renounce
c) pronounce
d) announce
- The activist __________ the company's environmental practices in a fiery speech.
a) announced
b) denounced
c) pronounced
d) renounced
- After losing faith in the party, she decided to __________ her membership publicly.
a) announce
b) denounce
c) renounce
d) enunciate
- The speech coach reminded the students to __________ each syllable clearly.
a) denounce
b) renounce
c) enunciate
d) announce
- "I now __________ you husband and wife," said the officiant.
a) announce
b) denounce
c) renounce
d) pronounce
- The __________ of the new CEO was made during the shareholders' meeting.
a) pronunciation
b) announcement
c) denunciation
d) renunciation
- His __________ of worldly possessions prepared him for monastic life.
a) pronunciation
b) denunciation
c) renunciation
d) announcement
- The senator's __________ of corruption made headlines nationwide.
a) pronunciation
b) annunciation
c) renunciation
d) denunciation
- The correct __________ of the author's name eluded most English speakers.
a) announcement
b) pronunciation
c) denunciation
d) renunciation
- The papal __________ arrived to establish diplomatic relations with the new government.
a) annunciation
b) pronunciamento
c) nuncio
d) announcement
- In Christian tradition, the __________ refers to Gabriel's news to Mary.
a) denunciation
b) renunciation
c) annunciation
d) pronunciation
- The general issued a __________ declaring independence from the colonial power.
a) pronunciation
b) pronunciamento
c) nuncio
d) announcement
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: announce, pronounce, denounce, renounce, enunciate, announcement, pronunciation, denunciation, renunciation, annunciation, nuncio, pronunciamento
I need help with the __________ of this Italian surname.
The rebel leader's __________ declared a new government.
The priest served as __________ to three different countries during his diplomatic career.
The president will __________ the new policy at tonight's press conference.
Critics __________ the novel for its stereotypical characters.
When speaking to large crowds, it's essential to __________ your words.
The __________ of the engagement appeared in the Sunday paper.
His __________ of violence made him a symbol of the peace movement.
The king's __________ of the throne shocked the nation.
In art, the __________ is a common subject showing the angel and Mary.
How do you __________ this word? I've heard two different versions.
Her fiery __________ of the policy shift energized the opposition.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
When Maria Torres decided to renounce her position as district attorney, the announcement made national news. For years, she had been known for her denunciations of corporate crime, standing before cameras to denounce fraud and corruption with perfect enunciation that left no word unclear.
But private doubts had grown. She began to question whether the system she served truly delivered justice. Her renunciation was not made lightly—it was the culmination of years of internal conflict.
At her final press conference, she did not merely announce her resignation. She pronounced a verdict on her own career: "I have done some good," she said, "but the system remains broken."
Critics were quick to denounce her as a quitter. Supporters celebrated her honesty as a kind of annunciation—the speaking of uncomfortable truths.
In the months that followed, Maria taught law students to enunciate their arguments clearly, to pronounce legal terms correctly, and most importantly, to question whether announcing victory was the same as achieving justice. Her pronunciation of the word "integrity" became legendary in classroom recordings: slow, deliberate, emphasizing every syllable as if it were a pronunciation guide for how lawyers should live.
Questions
- What does "renounce" mean in the first sentence?
a) To continue with determination
b) To formally give up a position or claim
c) To criticize publicly
d) To announce loudly
- Maria was known for her "denunciations." This means she:
a) Made quiet observations
b) Publicly condemned wrongdoing
c) Avoided controversy
d) Announced good news
- The passage says Maria had "perfect enunciation." This means:
a) She spoke unclearly
b) She spoke with careful, clear articulation
c) She had an accent
d) She whispered
- Supporters called her honesty "a kind of annunciation." This suggests:
a) A minor comment
b) A quiet resignation
c) A significant declaration of truth
d) A denial of responsibility
- What does it mean that Maria "pronounced a verdict" on her career?
a) She misspoke
b) She formally declared a judgment
c) She mispronounced words
d) She refused to speak
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- d
- b
- c
- c
- d
- b
- c
- d
- b
- c
- c
- b
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- pronunciation
- pronunciamento
- nuncio
- announce
- denounce
- enunciate
- announcement
- renunciation
- renunciation
- annunciation
- pronounce
- denunciation
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- b
- c
- b