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A.Word.A.Day--procrustean Procrustean (pro-KRUS-tee-uhn) adjective Producing conformity using harsh means. [After Procrustes, a giant in Greek mythology, who stretched or cut his victims to make them fit his bed.] "Why don't you go on a diet, dear, instead of throwing this dress away,' the old Mr. Parsimoni gave his wife the procrustean advice." If words could take any shape they wished, what would they look like? This week's words show my vision of some of them. When you are immersed in words for most of the day, even your dreams are filled with dancing words. Words come and talk to you, and do their own show-and-tell. These visual forms are what I call wordpix. Check out the other wordpix that have appeared here in the past. This week I've concocted usage examples myself instead of quoting from newspapers or magazines. -Anu X-Bonus Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. -Susan Ertz, author (1894-1985)

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