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A.Word.A.Day--hemidemisemiquaver hemidemisemiquaver (hem-ee-dem-ee-SEM-ee-kway-vuhr) noun A sixty-fourth note. [From Greek hemi- (half) + French demi- (half) + Latin semi- (half) + quaver (an eighth note), from Middle English quaveren (to shake or tremble).] "The rest of the event offered carefree virtuosity, musical probing and Levinson's breathtaking intelligence. Bartok's Dance Suite uncovered all the colors and kinetic irresistibility of its parts; the Schoenbergpieces were handsomely sculptured to a hemidemisemiquaver." Daniel Cariaga; At 26, Levinson Shows He's a Versatile Force at the Keyboard; Los Angeles Times; Dec 16, 1998. Why does it take the longest to pronounce the word for the shortest note? This week's theme: words that go out of their way to not apply to themselves. X-Bonus Have more than thou showest, / Speak less than thou knowest. -William Shakespeare

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