Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#159005 04/22/06 05:12 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
I am reading P.D. James “Death in Holy Orders” (New York: Ballantine, 2001), which is excellent. In it, she uses the adjective "tenebrous" to describe a chapel which is poorly lit. Having only recently made reference to the Holy Week liturgy of Tenebrae on this board, I was comfy with the baroness' use of the term.

#159006 04/22/06 11:14 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
I've been told she's really good. Is she?

#159007 04/22/06 11:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
F.S., in French, tenebrous (ténébreux) has also come to describe situations that are cryptic, difficult to read or understand. You are figuratively "in the dark"

#159008 04/23/06 01:49 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,788
Jackie asks: "I've been told she's really good. Is she?"

I am a poor judge of this (as well as a variety of other things), as I am not a frequent reader of mysteries. This one was recommended to me because it is set in an old Church of England seminary on a remote coast and involves all sorts of issues of church politics. I am enjoying it thoroughly. P.D. James could have written, methinks, in any genre and done well.

BelMarduk amplifies: "in French, tenebrous (ténébreux) has also come to describe situations that are cryptic, difficult to read or understand. You are figuratively 'in the dark'."

The way in which the Baroness uses this adjective carries both the physical sense of darkness and the sense that the person in the chapel is, in terms of the plot, "in the dark." Clever author!

Fun word. I now need to figure out ten ways to use it in conversation, a spot for it in a sermon (maybe not until next Holy Week) and at least one written opinion into which it may be inserted.

#159009 04/23/06 11:15 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Ten ways!!

I usually keep the new words I like in my back pocket until I see the perfect situation to use them. I've never gone out and tried to specifically create opportunities to use them.

Hmmm. It must be easier to remember them after that.


Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5