Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

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

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#63304 04/02/02 12:25 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
SYLLABICATION: fil·o·plume
NOUN: A hairlike feather having few or no barbs, usually located between contour feathers.
ETYMOLOGY: Latin flum, thread; see gwh- in Appendix I + plume.

As per Dr. Bill, I found this word in a book I am reading and thought I'd pop it in here and see if it flies.
The phrase, for context, is as follows:

"Lowering her filoplume lashes until they almost swept the blush from her cheeks..."
-Tom Robbins Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates


#63305 04/02/02 12:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Dear consuelo: remember of troy suggested this way of making posts. I wish many others would do likewise, as they easily could since they can read so much more than I can.
In this instance I find it hard to applaud the author's choice. I doubt that filoplumes are sturdy enough to give the vital protection to the cornea that eyelashes do. Undoubtedly it was intended as a poetic evaluation of her eyes, which also fails to please me. The beauty men see in women's eyes has very little to do with eye make-up. I have no talent for describing it.


#63306 04/02/02 01:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
It wasn't the make-up he was commenting on, Dr. Bill, but the featheriness of the lashes as they touched her cheek. I should have started with a different example from this book. Darn!
http://books.guardian.co.uk/firstchapters
Scroll down a little more than halfway. When you encounter a picture of the front cover of The Paymaster, look to the bottom left and click on the link to this book. Or, for that matter, any that catch your fancy


#63307 04/02/02 01:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
W
wwh Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
W
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Dear connie: I am sure your lashes are prettier than hers. I can't imagine "feathery" lashes. I have had many anxious moments trying to remove "ingrown" lashes. Feathery ones would be hazardous.
The first girl I ever dated, I met by hitting her in the eye with a wild drive playing tennis. When I looked at her eye to see if there were any injury, I saw something else. Alas, after a couple years she told me she had decided she did not want to be a doctor's wife. I never saw her again.


#63308 04/02/02 02:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Been there, done that.
Guess she was smarter than me
But maybe with you, it would have been a different story. I'll bet it was.[smooch-e] Her loss.


#63309 04/02/02 02:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 688
A
addict
Offline
addict
A
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 688
When I looked at her eye to see if there were any injury, I saw something else.

Oh, what a romantic way of putting it! You are truly a joy, Dr. Bill. [batting my eyelashes at you-e]


#63310 04/02/02 02:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
.[smooch-e] ...Dr. Bill. [batting my eyelashes at you-e]
Hey, now--paws off, girls! At least give me a chance first!

Consuelo--I like your "see if your feathery post flies." Good one!



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 (), 442 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