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A.Word.A.Day--teetotal Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio teetotal (tee-TOT-l) adjective 1. Of, relating to, or practicing complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. 2. Total; absolute. [Probably partly tee (pronunciation of the first letter in total) + total (abstinence), and partly reduplication of total, coined by R. Turner, of Preston, England, in 1833, in a speech advocating total abstinence from alcoholic drinks] "His wife's uncle, John Preston, described Dilorenzo to the commission as a virtual teetotal. `He's not a drinker mate,' he said." Accused policeman alleges death threats at PIC, AAP General News (Australia), 2 Nov 1999. This week's theme: coined words. X-Bonus All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. -Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

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