A.Word.A.Day Archives from https://wordsmith.org/awad -------- Date: Thu Jan 1 00:03:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--google X-Bonus: Familiarity is a magician that is cruel to beauty but kind to ugliness. -Ouida [pen name of Marie Louise de la Ramee], novelist (1839-1908) This week's theme: New words (relatively speaking) google (GOOG-uhl) verb tr., intr. To search for information online using a search engine, especially Google. [From the search engine Google. Earliest documented use: 1998.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/google If Google were a guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuOBzWF0Aws Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B759dzymyoc Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJD1Iwy5lUY NOTES: Tracing evolution of the term google takes us on a fascinating trail of how words are coined, change meaning, and get established in a language. Google, the search engine, was named after googol, a word coined by a nine-year-old boy. A googol is the number one followed by hundred zeros. Larry Page and Sergey Brin used an alteration of the word googol to name their search engine, Google, and later Larry suggested its verb form: "We plan to have a much bigger index than our current 24 million pages soon. ... Have fun and keep googling!" Larry Page; Google Friends Mailing List; Jul 8, 1998. Interestingly, the verb google has been around for more than a hundred years, though in a different sense. In a game of cricket, to google is to throw a googly, a ball that changes direction mid-air. googly (cricket, 1901) -> to google (cricket, 1907) googol (math, 1940) -> Google (search engine, 1997) -> to google (to search, 1998) "To google is now in broad usage as a verb for retrieving information from the Internet. If the tech giant has its way, 'I Googled' will become a standard reply to the question, 'How did you get here?'" In the Self-Driving Seat; The Economist (London, UK); May 31, 2014. http://www.economist.com/news/business/21603029-google-miles-ahead-its-rivals-race-autonomous-motoring-self-driving-seat -------- Date: Fri Jan 2 00:03:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--anthropocene X-Bonus: Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. -Isaac Asimov, scientist and writer (1920-1992) This week's theme: New words (relatively speaking) Anthropocene (AN-thruh-puh-seen) noun The geological period marked by a significant human impact on climate and the environment. [From Greek anthropo- (human) + -cene (denoting a geological period), from Greek kainos (new). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ken (fresh, new, or young) which also gave us "recent" and Sanskrit "kanya" (young girl). Earliest documented use: 2000.] NOTES: The Anthropocene is regarded as the time from the start of the Industrial Revolution onward. Eugene F. Stoermer, an American biologist, coined it and Paul Crutzen, a Dutch atmospheric chemist (and a Nobel laureate), popularized it. For more on the Anthropocene, see http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/age-of-man/kolbert-text . "Nature as we know it is in constant flux, and even more so in the era of the Anthropocene. Humanity's impact on nature and biodiversity is far reaching and pervasive." Art With a Message; Castlegar News (Canada); Oct 16, 2014. -------- Date: Mon Jan 5 00:03:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--bildungsroman X-Bonus: Fear prophets and those prepared to die for the truth, for as a rule they make many others die with them, often before them, at times instead of them. -Umberto Eco, philosopher and novelist (b. 5 Jan 1932) According to the American Time Use Survey http://www.bls.gov/news.release/atus.nr0.htm , an average American watches about three hours of television a day. As I rarely turn on the TV, there must be someone somewhere who is making up for my slack by watching six hours a day. Whoever this person is: Thank you! According to the same survey, average reading is less than an hour. Well, maybe there's a way I can pay back this person. This reminds me of my childhood when my mother used to scold me, "Don't read so much, you'll ruin your eyes! Go watch some TV instead!" This week we'll look at five words related to books. May you never be without books in the new year. PS: I'm not such a TV slacker if you include watching the occasional Daily Show clip online. bildungsroman (BIL-doongz-roh-mahn, -doongks-) noun: A novel concerned with the maturing of someone from childhood to adulthood. Example: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. [From German, from Bildung (education, formation) + Roman (novel), from French roman (novel). Earliest documented use: 1910.] Cover of the 1st edition of Huck Finn: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/bildungsroman_large.jpg "Divided into three parts, the bildungsroman follows Lizzie from her teenage years in a Catholic boarding school to a summer in Paris as an au pair, to her first year of freedom as an adult in Dublin." Sarah Gilmartin; A Woman's Take on Chauvinistic and Grim 1970s Ireland; The Irish Times (Dublin); Dec 6, 2014. -------- Date: Tue Jan 6 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--longueur X-Bonus: He who listens to truth is not less than he who utters truth. -Kahlil Gibran, poet and artist (6 Jan 1883-1931) This week's theme: Words relating to books longueur (long-GUHR) noun: A long and dull passage in a work of literature. [From French longueur (length), from Latin longus (long). Ultimately from the Indo-European root del- (long), which also gave us lounge, lunge, linger, longitude, long, belong, and along. Earliest documented use: 1791.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/longueur https://wordsmith.org/words/images/longueur_large.jpg Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/worak/169038682 "Even the sainted Douglas Adams wasn't above the occasional infuriatingly indulgent longueur, such as basing the whole of his least good book on an extended metaphor involving cricket." Euan Ferguson; And Another Thing; The Observer (London, UK); Oct 11, 2009. -------- Date: Wed Jan 7 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--peripeteia X-Bonus: There are years that ask questions and years that answer. -Zora Neale Hurston, folklorist and writer (7 Jan 1891-1960) This week's theme: Words relating to books peripeteia or peripetia (per-uh-puh-TEE-uh, -TIE-uh) noun: A sudden or unexpected change of fortune, especially in a literary work. A classic example is Oedipus learning about his parentage. [From Greek peripiptein (to change suddenly), from peri- (near, around) + piptein (to fall). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pet- (to rush or fly), which also gave us feather, petition, compete, perpetual, pterodactyl, helicopter, pterodactyl, propitious https://wordsmith.org/words/propitious.html , pinnate https://wordsmith.org/words/pinnate.html , pteridology (study of ferns) https://wordsmith.org/words/pteridology.html , lepidopterology (study of butterflies and moths) https://wordsmith.org/words/lepidopterology.html , pencel (flag at the end of a lance) https://wordsmith.org/words/pencel.html , and impetuous https://wordsmith.org/words/impetuous.html . Earliest documented use: 1591.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/peripeteia "Dr. Farhad feels the glaring eyes of one of the machine-gun-toting officers on him and smiles bitterly at his fate. ... This selfless doctor, even at this daunting moment of peripeteia, is worried about the critical condition of one of his poor patients whom he is scheduled to operate on tomorrow. " Shahriar Mandanipour, translated by Sara Khalili; Censoring an Iranian Love Story; Knopf; 2009. -------- Date: Thu Jan 8 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--locus classicus X-Bonus: 'Respect for religion' has become a code phrase meaning 'fear of religion'. Religions, like all other ideas, deserve criticism, satire, and, yes, our fearless disrespect. -Salman Rushdie, writer (b. 1947) This week's theme: Words relating to books locus classicus (LO-kuhs KLAS-i-kuhs) plural loci classici (lo-KI KLAS-i-sy, -ky, -kee) noun: An authoritative and often quoted passage from a book. [From Latin locus (place) + classicus (classical, belonging to the first or highest class). Earliest documented use: 1853.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/locus%20classicus "Controversy still rages over what is perhaps the locus classicus of such accounts, given by T.E. Lawrence." Joan Smith: The Ancient Fears Stirred by Women at War; The Independent (London, UK); Apr 2, 2007. -------- Date: Fri Jan 9 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--litterateur X-Bonus: The easiest kind of relationship for me is with ten thousand people. The hardest is with one. -Joan Baez, musician (b. 9 Jan 1941) This week's theme: Words relating to books litterateur (lit-uhr-uh-TUR, lit-ruh-) noun: An author of literary or critical works. [From French littérateur, from Latin litterator (teacher of letters, grammarian, critic), from litterae (letters, literature), from littera (letter). Earliest documented use: 1806.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/litterateur "No major English cemetery would be complete without its poets and litterateurs." Carolyn Lyons; A Visit to London's Cemeteries; Los Angeles Times; Mar 17, 2013. -------- Date: Mon Jan 12 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--apricate X-Bonus: People's memories are maybe the fuel they burn to stay alive. -Haruki Murakami, writer (b. 12 Jan 1949) Every reader who unsubscribes receives a brief survey form. Readers mention all sorts of reasons for unsubscribing in their feedback. The most common is: information overload. Sometimes a reader suggests sending a word a week instead. I hear them. I, too, feel information overload from everything that pours in over the ether. But to me, one cannot have too many books in one's library, too many dictionaries among one's books, or too many words in one's vocabulary. A large vocabulary is like an artist having a large palette of colors. You don't have to use all those colors in a single painting but it helps to have just the right shade when you need it. Each word brings its own shade of meaning. Each word helps us to describe our world just the way we see it. With that, I present to you five more colors to add to your verbal palette, words that might make you say: I didn't know there was a word for it. apricate (AP-ri-kayt) verb intr.: To bask in the sun. verb tr.: To expose to the sun. [From Latin apricari (to bask in the sun). Earliest documented use: 1691. Despite a similar spelling, the word apricot has a different origin. It's from Latin praecox (early-ripening).] https://wordsmith.org/words/images/apricate_large.jpg Photo: Fadzly Mubin https://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterhack/1183844537 "I was also biting into that part of his body that must have been fairer than the rest because it never apricated." André Aciman; Call Me by Your Name; Picador; 2007. -------- Date: Tue Jan 13 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ascesis X-Bonus: To move freely you must be deeply rooted. -Bella Lewitzky, dancer (13 Jan 1916-2004) This week's theme: There's a word for it ascesis (uh-SEES-is) also spelled as askesis noun: The practice of severe self-discipline or self-control. [From Greek askesis (exercise or training), from askein (to exercise or work). Earliest documented use: 1873.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ascesis "There are many adults who develop a rigid black and white dress code as a form of ascesis." Galina Stolyarova; Local Queen of Fashion Releases Her Second Book; The St. Petersburg Times (Russia); Feb 8, 2012. See another example http://www.theonion.com/articles/humble-ascetic-declines-inflight-beverage-service,37709/ -------- Date: Wed Jan 14 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--senary X-Bonus: The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up. That is possible for him who never argues and strives with men and facts, but in all experience retires upon himself, and looks for the ultimate cause of things in himself. -Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobelist (14 Jan 1875-1965) This week's theme: There's a word for it senary (SEN-uh-ree) adjective 1. Relating to the number six. 2. Having sixth rank. 3. Having six parts or things. [From Latin senarius (consisting of six). Ultimately from the Indo-European root s(w)eks (six), which also gave us semester, siesta, and Sistine (named after Pope Sixtus IV). Earliest documented use: 1661] "'Your father married six wives. ... You talk of this scandal. How can it compare with your father's senary adventure in matrimony?'" Jean Plaidy; The Complete Tudors; Broadway Books; 2010. -------- Date: Thu Jan 15 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--arenicolous X-Bonus: It is not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. -Moliere, actor and playwright (15 Jan 1622-1673) This week's theme: There's a word for it arenicolous (ar-uh-NIK-uh-luhs) adjective Living, growing, or burrowing in sand. [From Latin harena/arena (sand) + colere (to inhabit). Earliest documented use: 1851.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/arenicolous https://wordsmith.org/words/images/arenicolous_large.jpg Photo: Tarboat https://www.flickr.com/photos/93173492@N00/438924910 "'Where have you disappeared to? Where have you been living?' I asked Tariq. ... 'Are you trying to tell me that he lives like arenicolous worms?'" Jamal S. Jumah; The Artistic Visage of Dalia; Xlibris; 2010. -------- Date: Fri Jan 16 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--pregustator X-Bonus: Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young, / Who loved thee so fondly as he? / He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue, / And joined in thy innocent glee. -Margaret Courtney, poet (1822-1862) This week's theme: There's a word for it pregustator (pri-GUHS-tay-tuhr) noun A person whose job is to taste food or drink before it's served. [From Latin pre- (before) + gustare (to taste). Ultimately from the Indo-European root geus- (to taste or choose), which also gave us choice, choose, gusto, ragout, and disgust. Earliest documented use: 1670.] https://wordsmith.org/words/images/pregustator_large.jpg Illustration: Michael Paglia http://www.michaelpaglia.com/ "When poison was often secreted in meats and drinks and was much oftener feared, a pregustator, or a foretaster, was the most important servant in all great households." Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters; Vol 13; 1900. -------- Date: Mon Jan 19 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--ultracrepidarian X-Bonus: On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone. -Janis Joplin, singer-songwriter (19 Jan 1943-1970) I dream of a world where we can sort out our differences by calling someone names instead of pulling out a gun and shooting. I dream of a world when people would carry a dictionary -- you never know when you might need it -- to find the choice word, just the right word, for someone who has offended you. The bigger, the saltier, the better. I dream of a world where people would salivate over the upcoming edition of their favorite dictionary. One that has even more powerful words. Carrying the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary, well, that would be a military-grade weapon. One might need special vetting before one would get a license to acquire it. I can dream. Until it becomes a reality, I give you some fine artillery in the form of this week's words. Use them with judgment. Only when needed. And only as a last resort. ultracrepidarian (uhl-truh-krep-i-DAYR-ee-uhn) adjective: Giving opinions beyond one's area of expertise. noun: One who gives opinions beyond one's area of expertise. [From Latin ultra (beyond) + crepidarius (shoemaker), from crepida (sandal). Earliest documented use: 1819.] NOTES: The story goes that in ancient Greece there was a renowned painter named Apelles who used to display his paintings and hide behind them to listen to the comments. Once a cobbler pointed out that the sole of the shoe was not painted correctly. Apelles fixed it and encouraged by this the cobbler began offering comments about other parts of the painting. At this point the painter cut him off with "Ne sutor ultra crepidam" meaning "Shoemaker, not above the sandal" or one should stick to one's area of expertise. https://wordsmith.org/words/images/ultracrepidarian_large.jpg Art: Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574) "The authors of Freakonomics ... could be accused of displaying ultracrepidarian tendencies themselves, after eschewing the strictly economic analyses of their earlier mega best-sellers to publish what is more or less a self-help tome." Tim Walker; The Freak Show Goes On And On; The Independent (London, UK); May 23, 2014. -------- Date: Tue Jan 20 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--mythomane X-Bonus: Is it [hunting] really a sport if you have all the equipment and your opponent doesn't know a game is going on? -Bill Maher, comedian, actor, and writer (b. 20 Jan 1956) This week's theme: Insults mythomane (MITH-uh-mayn) noun: One having a tendency to exaggerate or lie. adjective: Having a tendency to exaggerate or lie. [From Greek mythos (myth) + -mania (excessive enthusiasm or craze). Earliest documented use: 1954.] "[Laura Cumming's portrait] ... of the mythomane, egomaniac, and relentlessly self-promoting Gustave Courbet, who somehow nonetheless remains true to himself through all the lies, is hilarious and oddly heart-warming." Simon Callow; On Self-Portraits by Laura Cumming; The Guardian (London, UK); Jul 25, 2009. -------- Date: Wed Jan 21 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--libertine X-Bonus: In those parts of the world where learning and science have prevailed, miracles have ceased; but in those parts of it as are barbarous and ignorant, miracles are still in vogue. -Ethan Allen, revolutionary (21 Jan 1738-1789) This week's theme: Insults libertine (LIB-uhr-teen) noun: A person who is morally unrestrained. adjective: Unrestrained by conventions or morality. [From Latin libertinus (freedman), from liber (free). Ultimately from the Indo-European root leudh- (to mount up or grow), which also gave us liberty, livery, and deliver. Earliest documented use: 1384.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/libertine "Revolving around the salacious adventures of the Spanish nobleman and libertine of the same name, the opera [Don Giovanni] is the second of a trilogy Mozart wrote with Italian librettist Lorenzo da Ponte." Calendar; The Korea Herald (Seoul); Feb 28, 2014. -------- Date: Thu Jan 22 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--homunculus X-Bonus: Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves. -Lord Byron, poet (22 Jan 1788-1824) This week's theme: Insults homunculus (huh-MUHNG-kyuh-luhs, HO-) noun 1. A diminutive human being. 2. A fully formed, miniature human being that was earlier believed to be present in a sperm or an egg. [From Latin homunculus (little man), diminutive of ho-mo* (man). Ultimately from the Indo-European root dhghem- (earth), which also gave us allochthonous https://wordsmith.org/words/allochthonous.html , autochthonous https://wordsmith.org/words/autochthonous.html , chameleonic https://wordsmith.org/words/chameleonic.html , chthonic https://wordsmith.org/words/chthonic.html , disinter https://wordsmith.org/words/disinter.html , and inhume https://wordsmith.org/words/inhume.html . Earliest documented use: 1656.] * Split the word because email filters at some sites think it's a slur and reject the email. What happened to context? See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/homunculus A tiny human inside a sperm https://wordsmith.org/words/images/homunculus_large.gif Drawing: N. Hartsoecker, 1695 Source: Wikimedia "'I'm a well-educated, contributing member of society!' this shameless homunculus yelled." Rachel Chang; Feeling Second-Class First Hand; Straits Times (Singapore); Jun 30, 2013. "Self-aggrandizing homunculus Bono says love of money is the root of Mick Jagger." Liz Braun; Bono's views on Jagger; Sault Star (Canada); Jul 27, 2013. -------- Date: Fri Jan 23 00:01:04 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--vacuous X-Bonus: If you don't love me, it does not matter, anyway I can love for both of us. -Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle), novelist (23 Jan 1783-1842) This week's theme: Insults vacuous (VAK-yoo-uhs) adjective Lacking ideas or intelligence. [From Latin vacuus (empty). Earliest documented use: 1651.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vacuous https://wordsmith.org/words/images/vacuous_large.jpg Self-portrait: John Lund http://johnlund.com "A beaming, vacuous Hollywood wannabe sashays into the ring." Dan Hill; Sometimes When We Punch; Maclean's (Toronto, Canada); May 23, 2011. -------- Date: Mon Jan 26 00:01:03 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--scurvy X-Bonus: Sometimes you can't see yourself clearly until you see yourself through the eyes of others. -Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, TV host, actor, and writer (b. 26 Jan 1958) I've learned that there are hospitals dedicated to treating kids, appropriately named, "Hospital for Sick Children". Well, good to know. You don't want to take the wrong turn and reach a "Hospital for Healthy Children". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospital_for_Sick_Children http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hospital_for_Sick_Children_(disambiguation) The hospital here in Seattle is called "Children's Hospital" which seems rather straightforward to me, but I can see that it can lead to confusion. If a Doctors' Hospital https://wordsmith.org/words/costive.html is named so because it's owned or run by doctors, what does it say about a Children's Hospital? Who said language was made to communicate? I hope you never have to go to a hospital, but if you do, at least your language would be richer for it. This week we'll see five words related to diseases that are also used metaphorically. PS: Well, this is a grim topic, so I have included an image with today's word to lighten the mood. Can you come up with lighthearted images for the rest of the words this week? Send them to words@wordsmith.org. scurvy (SKUHR-vee) adjective: Mean or contemptible. noun: A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, characterized by swollen and bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and weakness. [From Old English scurf, probably from Old Norse. Ultimately from the Indo-European root sker- (cut), which also gave us decorticate https://wordsmith.org/words/decorticate.html , excoriate https://wordsmith.org/words/excoriate.html , hardscrabble https://wordsmith.org/words/hardscrabble.html , incarnadine https://wordsmith.org/words/incarnadine.html , scrobiculate https://wordsmith.org/words/scrobiculate.html , and caruncle https://wordsmith.org/words/caruncle.html . Earliest documented use: 1529.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/scurvy Scurvy Crew Ahead: https://wordsmith.org/words/images/scurvy.jpg Photoshop: Kevin Trotman https://www.flickr.com/photos/kt/2158376676/ "When a scurvy band of outlaws rides up, Jake, to his surprise and certainly theirs, eliminates them in short order." Peter Rainer; Daniel Craig Stars in Cowboys & Aliens; The Christian Science Monitor (Boston, Massachusetts); Jul 29, 2011. -------- Date: Tue Jan 27 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--apoplectic X-Bonus: Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that! -Lewis Carroll, mathematician and writer (27 Jan 1832-1898) This week's theme: Words for diseases, used metaphorically apoplectic (ap-uh-PLEK-tik) adjective 1. Extremely angry. 2. Relating to or affected by apoplexy (stroke). [From Latin apoplecticus, from Greek apoplektikos (relating to a stroke), from apoplessein (to disable by a stroke). Ultimately from the Indo-European root plak- (to strike), which also gave us plague, plankton, fling, and complain. Earliest documented use: 1625.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/apoplectic "Union bosses' reactions to Mr Miliband's speech ranged from cool to apoplectic." Ed's Big Chance; The Economist (London, UK); Jul 13, 2013. -------- Date: Wed Jan 28 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--jaundiced X-Bonus: Sit down and put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it. -Colette, author (28 Jan 1873-1954) This week's theme: Words for diseases, used metaphorically jaundiced (JAHN-dist) adjective 1. Exhibiting prejudice from envy or resentment. 2. Having jaundice: a disease that makes the skin, white of the eyes, etc., to be yellow, caused by an increase of bile pigments in the blood. [From Old French jaunice (yellowness), from jaune (yellow), from Latin galbinus (yellowish), from galbus (yellow). Earliest documented use: 1640.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/jaundiced "Let me leave posterity to judge this one as my defence will be jaundiced." Pusch Commey; 'How Do You Write on Death When You Haven't Experienced It?'; New African (London, UK); Dec 2013. -------- Date: Thu Jan 29 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--metastasize X-Bonus: Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell. -Edward Abbey, naturalist and author (29 Jan 1927-1989) This week's theme: Words for diseases, used metaphorically metastasize (muh-TAS-tuh-syz) verb intr. 1. To spread or escalate in an undesirable manner. 2. (Of a cancer) To spread to other parts of the body. [From Latin metastasis (transition), from Greek methistanai (to change), from meta- (beyond) + histanai (to set). Earliest documented use: 1907.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/metastasize "A disruption here could metastasize quickly and lead to a general uprising." Myron Curtis; The Seventh Reflection; iUniverse; 2013. -------- Date: Fri Jan 30 00:01:02 EST 2015 Subject: A.Word.A.Day--scabrous X-Bonus: Without books the development of civilization would have been impossible. They are the engines of change, windows on the world, "Lighthouses" as the poet said "erected in the sea of time." They are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind, Books are humanity in print. -Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher (1788-1860) This week's theme: Words for diseases, used metaphorically scabrous (SKAB-ruhs) adjective 1. Rough: having small raised dots or scales. 2. Salacious. 3. Difficult to deal with; knotty. [From Latin scaber (rough). Earliest documented use: 1585.] See usage examples in Vocabulary.com's dictionary: http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/scabrous "There is nothing heartwarming or syrupy about Filth, a brash adaptation of Irvine Welsh's scabrous 1998 third novel." David Archibald; Why There's More to Scottish Cinema Than Dour Miserablism; Financial Times (London, UK); Sep 27, 2013.