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Jun 21, 2000
This week's theme
Feminine and masculine forms of words

This week's words
caryatid
telamon
lamia
warlock
gynarchy
androcracy
nymphomania

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lamia

Pronunciation Sound Clip RealAudio (LAY-mee-uh) noun

noun: 1. In Greek mythology, a monster represented as a serpent with the head and breasts of a woman and reputed to prey on human beings and suck the blood of children.
2. A female vampire.

From Middle English, from Latin, from Greek.

"Finally, dare to be different. Does the world really need another vampire novel? How about a lamia instead?"
Elizabeth Hand; Writing the Supernatural Novel; The Writer; May 1996.

X-Bonus

Infidel, n. In New York, one who does not believe in the Christian religion; in Constantinople, one who does. -Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914), [The Devil's Dictionary, 1906]

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