A.Word.A.Day Archives from https://wordsmith.org/awad -------- Date: Thu Dec 1 00:03:02 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--tantalus X-Bonus: Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. -Lily Tomlin tan.ta.lus \'tant-*l-*s\ n [L, fr. Gk Tantalos] cap 1: a wealthy king and son of Zeus punished in the lower world by being condemned to stand in water up to the chin and beneath fruit-laden branches with water and fruit receding at each attempt to drink or eat 2: a locked case or cellarette with contents visible but not obtainable without a key -------- Date: Fri Dec 2 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bowdlerize X-Bonus: I never said it was possible. I only said it was true. -Charles Richet, Nobel Laureate in Physiology bowd.ler.ize \'bo-d-l*-.ri-z, 'bau.d-\ vt [Thomas Bowdler -1825 E editor] : to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate -------- Date: Sat Dec 3 00:04:23 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--spoonerism X-Bonus: Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? spoo.ner.ism \'spu:-n*-.riz-*m\ n [William A. Spooner -1930 E clergyman and educator] : a transposition of usu. initial sounds of two or more words (as in tons of soil for sons of toil) : -------- Date: Sun Dec 4 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--plangent X-Bonus: After silence, music comes closest to expressing the inexpressible. plan.gent \-j*nt\ aj [L plangent-, plangens, prp. of plangere to strike, lament] 1: having a loud reverberating sound 2: having an expressive esp. plaintive quality - plan.gent.ly av -------- Date: Mon Dec 5 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--connubial X-Bonus: Mobius strip - see other side for instructions. Cross references: 1. matrimonial con.nu.bi.al \k*-'n(y)u:-be--*l\ \-.n(y)u:-be--'al-*t-e-\ \-'n(y)u:-be--*-le-\ aj [L conubialis, fr. conubium, connubium marriage, fr. com-)X + nubere to marry - more at NUPTIAL : of or relating to marriage or the marriage state : CONJUGAL - con.nu.bi.al.i.ty n -------- Date: Tue Dec 6 00:03:06 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mountebank X-Bonus: By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. -Socrates moun.te.bank \'mau.nt-i-.bank\ \-.ban-k(*-)re-\ n [It montimbanco, fr. montare to mount (fr. - assumed - VL) + Xin in, on (fr. L) + banco, banca bench - more at BANK 1: a person who sells quack medicines from a platform 2: a boastful unscrupulous pretender : CHARLATAN - mountebank vi -- now for a few words that you may find handy while flaming. (-: -------- Date: Wed Dec 7 00:03:04 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--psittaceous X-Bonus: I have had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it. -Groucho Marx psit.ta.ceous \s*-'ta--sh*s, si-\ aj [L psittacus parrot] 1: PSITTACINE 2: resembling a parrot {~ chatter} -------- Date: Thu Dec 8 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--flagitious X-Bonus: My life has a superb cast but I can't figure out the plot. -Ashleigh Brilliant, writer (1933- ) Cross references: 1. vicious fla.gi.tious \fl*-'jish-*s\ aj [ME flagicious, fr. L flagitiosus, fr. flagitium shameful thi]ng; akin to L flagrum whip : marked by outrageous or scandalous crime or vice : VILLAINOUS - fla.gi.tious.ly av -------- Date: Fri Dec 9 00:03:10 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--misology X-Bonus: A lost ounce of gold may be found, a lost moment of time never. mi.sol.o.gy \m*-'sa:l-*-je-\ n [Gk misologia, fr. mis- + -logia -logy] : a hatred of argument, reasoning, or enlightenment -------- Date: Sat Dec 10 00:03:05 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--scurrilous X-Bonus: The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. -Mahatma Gandhi scur.ri.lous \'sk*r-*-l*s, 'sk*-r*-\ aj 1a: using or given to the language of low buffoonery 1b: being vulgar and evil : LOW 2: containing low obscenities or coarse abuse - scur.ri.lous.ly av -------- Date: Sun Dec 11 00:03:02 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--panjandrum X-Bonus: I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception. -Marx pan.jan.drum \pan-'jan-dr*m\ n [Grand Panjandrum, burlesque title of an imaginary personage in some nons]ense lines by Samuel Foote : a powerful personage or pretentious offical -------- Date: Mon Dec 12 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--rive X-Bonus: If you board the wrong train, it's no use running along the corridor in the other direction. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer Cross references: 1. tear rive \'ri-v\ \'ri-vd\ \'riv-*n\ \'ri--vin\ vb or rived; or riv.en; also rived also riv.ing [ME riven, fr. ON ri-fa; akin to L ripa shore, Gk ereip]ein to tear down, OE ra-w row 1a: to tear apart : REND 1b: SPLIT, CLEAVE 2a: to divide into pieces : SHATTER 2b: FRACTURE : to become split : CRACK -------- Date: Tue Dec 13 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--festinate X-Bonus: Patience is counting down without blasting off. 1. fes.ti.nate \'fes-t*-.na-t, -n*t\ aj [L festinatus, pp. of festinare to hasten - more at BORZOI] : HASTY - fes.ti.nate.ly av 2. fes.ti.nate \-.na-t\ vb : HASTEN -------- Date: Wed Dec 14 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--misprision X-Bonus: Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. -Malcolm S. Forbes 1. mis.pri.sion \mis-'prizh-*n\ n [ME, fr. MF mesprison error, wrongdoing, fr. OF, fr. mespris, pp. o]f mesprendre to make a mistake, fr. mes- mis- + prendre to take, fr. L prehendere to seize - more at PREHENSILE 1a: neglect or wrong performance of official duty 1b: concealment of treason MISUNDERSTANDING, MISTAKE 2. misprision n [misprize] : CONTEMPT, SCORN -------- Date: Thu Dec 15 00:03:04 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--fissiparous X-Bonus: Keep stress out of your life. Give it to others instead. fis.sip.a.rous \fis-'ip-*-r*s\ aj [L fissus + E -parous] 1: producing new biological units or individuals by fission 2: tending to break up into parts : DIVISIVE - fis.sip.a.rous.ly av -------- Date: Fri Dec 16 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--elide X-Bonus: This statement is in no way to be construed as a disclaimer. elide \i-'li-d\ vt [L elidere to strike out, fr. e- + laedere to injure by strik]ing 1a: to suppress or alter by elision 1b: to strike out 2a: to leave out of consideration 2b: CURTAIL, ABRIDGE -------- Date: Sat Dec 17 00:03:18 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--usury X-Bonus: Patience is counting down without blasting off. usu.ry \'yu:zh-(*-)re-\ n [ME, fr. ML usuria, alter. of L usura, fr. usus, pp. of ut]i to use archaic 1: INTEREST 2: the lending of money with an interest charge for its use 3: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest; specif : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money -------- Date: Sun Dec 18 00:03:05 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--thaumaturge X-Bonus: Resentment is one burden that is incompatible with your success. Always be the first to forgive; and forgive yourself first always. -Dan Zadra thau.ma.turge \'tho.-m*-.t*rj\ n [F, fr. NL thaumaturgus, fr. Gk thaumatourgos working miracles, fr.] thaumat-, thauma miracle + ergon to work - more at THEATER, WORK : THAUMATURGIST -------- Date: Mon Dec 19 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--copemate X-Bonus: Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself. cope.mate or copes.mate \'ko-p-.ma-t\ \'ko-p-.sma-t\ n [3cope + mate] obs 1: ANTAGONIST obs 2: PARTNER, COMRADE -- Now for a weekful of fence-sitters -- words with a set of opposite meanings. -------- Date: Tue Dec 20 00:03:09 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--cleave X-Bonus: Even if you're on the right track, you still get run over if you don't keep moving. Cross references: 1. stick 2. tear 1. cleave \'kle-v\ \'kle-vd\ \'klo-v\ \'kla-v\ vi or cleaved or clove also clave; also cleav.ing [ME clevien, fr. OE clifian] : ADHERE, CLING 2. cleave \'kle-vd\ \'kleft\ \'klo-v\ \'klo--v*n\ vb or cleaved also cleft also clove; also cleaved; also cleft; also clo.ven also cleav.ing [ME cleven, fr. OE cle-ofan; akin to ON klju-fa to spli]t, L glubere to peel, Gk glyphein to carve 1: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : SPLIT 2: to separate into distinct parts and esp. into groups having divergent views 1: to split esp. along the grain 2: to penetrate or pass through something by or as if by cutting -------- Date: Wed Dec 21 00:03:05 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ravel X-Bonus: To live is so startling, it leave little time for anything else. -Emily Dickinson 1. rav.el or rav.el.ler \'rav-*l\ \'rav-(*-)lin\ \-(*-)l*r\ vb or rav.eled or rav.elled; or rav.el.ing; or rav.el.ling [D rafelen, fr. rafel loose thread; akin to OE rfter] rafter 1a: to separate or undo the texture of : UNRAVEL 1b: to undo the intricacies of : DISENTANGLE 2: ENTANGLE, CONFUSE obs 1: to become entangled or confused 2: to become unwoven, untwisted, or unwound : FRAY - rav.el.er n 2. ravel n : an act or result of raveling : as : something tangled : something raveled out; specif : a loose thread -------- Date: Thu Dec 22 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--impregnable X-Bonus: STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backward. 1. im.preg.na.ble \im-'preg-n*-b*l\ \-ble-\ aj [ME imprenable, fr. MF, fr. in- + prenable vulnerable to capt]ure, fr. prendre to take - more at PRIZE : incapable of being taken by assault : UNCONQUERABLE; also : UNASSAILABLE - im.preg.na.ble.ness n 2. impregnable aj : capable of being impregnated -------- Date: Fri Dec 23 00:03:02 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--adumbrate X-Bonus: Formula for success: Underpromise and overdeliver. -Tom Peters ad.um.brate \'ad-*m-.bra-t, a-'d*m-\ \.ad-(.)*m-'bra--sh*n\ \a-'d*m-br*t-iv\ vt [L adumbratus, pp. of adumbrare, fr. ad- + umbra shadow] - more at UMBRAGE 1: to foreshadow vaguely : INTIMATE 2a: to give a sketchy representation or outline of 2b: to suggest or disclose partially 3: SHADE, OBSCURE - ad.um.bra.tion n -------- Date: Sat Dec 24 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--fungible X-Bonus: The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter. 1. fun.gi.ble \'f*n-j*-b*l\ n : fungible goods - usu. used in pl. 2. fungible aj [NL fungibilis, fr. L fungi to perform - more at FUNCTION] 1: of such a kind or nature that one specimen or part may be used in place of another specimen or equal part in the satisfaction of an obligation 2: INTERCHANGEABLE -------- Date: Sun Dec 25 00:03:03 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--effulgence X-Bonus: May you live all the days of your life. -Jonathan Swift Xmas-Bonus: I wish you all the joy that you can wish. -Shakespeare Xplus-Bonus: Thy own wish wish I thee in every place. -Shakespeare ef.ful.gence \i-'fu.l-j*n(t)s, e-, -'f*l-\ \-j*nt\ n [LL effulgentia, fr. L effulgent-, effulgens, prp. of effu]lge-re to shine forth, fr. ex- + fulge-re to shine : radiant splendor : BRILLIANCE - ef.ful.gent aj -- Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year to all who love the music and wonder of words! from the foggy shores of Lake Erie, Anu -------- Date: Mon Dec 26 00:03:05 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--prolepsis X-Bonus: If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would ever get done. pro.lep.sis \pro--'lep-s*s\ \-'lep-.se-z\ \-'lep-tik\ n or pro.lep.ses [Gk prole-psis, fr. prolambanein to take beforehand, fr. pro-] pl before + lambanein to take - more at LATCH : ANTICIPATION : as : the representation or assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished : the application of an adjective to a noun in anticipation of the result of the action of the verb (as in "while yon slow oxen turn the furrowed plain") - pro.lep.tic aj -------- Date: Tue Dec 27 12:38:19 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--redolent X-Bonus: Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. -Ralph Waldo Emerson red.o.lent \-*nt\ aj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L redolent-, redolens, prp. of redole-re]to emit a scent, fr. re- + ole-re to smell - more at ODOR 1: exuding fragrance : AROMATIC 2a: full of a specified fragrance : SCENTED 2b: EVOCATIVE, REMINISCENT - red.o.lent.ly av -------- Date: Wed Dec 28 09:03:32 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--labile X-Bonus: A hammer sometimes misses its mark; a bouquet, never. la.bile \'la--.bi-l, -b*l\ \la--'bil-*t-e-\ aj [F, fr. MF, prone to err, fr. LL labilis, fr. L labi to slip - mo]re at SLEEP 1: characterized by a ready capability for change : CHANGEABLE, ADAPTABLE 2: readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown : UNSTABLE {a ~ mineral} - la.bil.i.ty n -------- Date: Thu Dec 29 00:03:37 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--comity X-Bonus: If I had finished this sentence. -Douglas Hofstadter com.i.ty \'ka:m-*t-e-\ n [L comitat-, comitas, fr. comis courteous, fr. OL cosmisX, fr. com- + -smis (akin to Skt smayate he smiles) 1a: a courteous code of behavior 1b: COMITY OF NATIONS 1c: the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decision of another 2: avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denomination -------- Date: Fri Dec 30 00:03:36 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bibulous X-Bonus: Innovation is hard to schedule. -Dan Fylstra bib.u.lous \'bib-y*-l*s\ aj [L bibulus, fr. bibere to drink] 1: highly absorbent 2a: inclined to drink 2b: of or relating to drink or drinking - bib.u.lous.ly av -------- Date: Sat Dec 31 00:03:38 EST 1994 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--subreption X-Bonus: Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it. sub.rep.tion \(.)s*b-'rep-sh*n\ \.s*b-.rep-'tish-*s\ n [LL subreption-, subreptio, fr. L, act of stealing, fr. subreptu]s, pp. of subripere, surripere to take away secretly - more at SURREPTITIOUS : a deliberate misrepresentation; also : an inference drawn from it - sub.rep.ti.tious aj