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#65187 04/11/02 09:07 PM
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of troy Offline OP
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there are some words i know, but never use except in a cliche, or trite phrase..

like sunder which is one of those words that seems to go back to IE, meaning away from, seperate.

i never use the word sunder by its self. it always torn asunder--some might remember we discussed the a prefix, that is often used as an intensifier, some months ago, and we can go off on that tangent if every one wants... (speaking of tangents, sunder is related to the latin sine..)
but i thought we might explore other words, not often used by them selves, but only in common (or not so common!) expressions.


#65188 04/11/02 09:32 PM
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About the only use of the word I can think of at the moment is conclusion ofmarriage ceremony:
"What God has joined together let no man put asunder." But I think "sunder" could be a useful, rather formal word, for instance: The Slavery issue threatened to sunder the Union."


#65189 04/11/02 09:37 PM
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'kilter' (also 'kelter')

I found myself using this one today, for the first time in ages. It's a very useful word - but only when used in conjunction with 'out of....'

'Out of kilter' - to put everything off-rhythm and out of timing.


#65190 04/11/02 09:46 PM
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of troy Offline OP
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lickety.. is it every used with out its partner split?

split has a life of its own, but lickety, is like a parasite, no life at all with out split!


#65191 04/11/02 10:00 PM
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#65192 04/11/02 10:21 PM
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>What's ruth without less?

well, ruth proved very worthful to me in defining ruthful.

(http://home.mn.rr.com/wwftd/)

#65193 04/11/02 10:43 PM
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#65194 04/11/02 11:04 PM
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I was surprised to find "ruth" related to "rue" a very old Germanic word for sorrow, etc.


#65195 04/12/02 12:08 AM
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> What's ruth without less?

And what would 'buff' be without 'in the'?


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