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Difficulty: Very hardGreek Roots

The cultural critic described the internet celebrity's sudden fame as ephemeral. Which of the following best defines the word ephemeral?

  1. Lasting for a very short durationAnswer
  2. B
    Spreading rapidly across a large population
  3. C
    Existing only on a superficial or outer level
  4. D
    Enduring permanently throughout time

Answer

Lasting for a very short duration
The correct answer accurately defines the target word. Derived from the Greek roots 'epi-' (upon) and 'hemera' (day), 'ephemeral' describes something that is fleeting, transient, or lasting for a very short duration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context to determine the potential meaning of the target word.
The phrase 'sudden fame' suggests a rapid rise, but the context logically allows for fame that is either short-lived, widespread, or superficial.
Context clues alone are insufficient here; all of the provided options could plausibly describe internet fame.
2
Break down the target word using Greek morphology.
The word contains the Greek prefix 'epi-' (meaning upon or over) and the root 'hemera' (meaning day).
Structural analysis is required to differentiate the correct definition from the plausible contextual distractors.
3
Synthesize the roots to determine the literal translation and modern definition.
Something that exists 'upon a day' means it is fleeting or short-lived, matching the definition of a very short duration.
This confirms that the word describes the brevity of the fame, not its physical scope or depth.

Key Concept

Using Greek Morphology for Advanced Vocabulary
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Greek Roots

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