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Jul 24, 2001

This week's theme
Less-known counterparts of everyday words

This week's words
epizootic
anile
estivate
thegosis
trilemma

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anile

anile (AN-yl, AY-nyl) adjective

Of or like an old woman.

[From Latin anilis, from anus old woman.]

"The desire of AngloSaxon Australians to avoid `giving offence' through the spoken word is amply seen in compulsory speech codes in the ABC and the universities. They are, in (Robert) Hughes' words, `the anile priggishness of the Puritan marm, lips pursed, seeking nits to pick.'"
Andrew McIntyre; PC? Non Merci!; IPA Review (Melbourne, Australia); 1996.

"Before she is able to act, a bell tolls. The anile amah brings her a card."
Ruth Eshow Upton; 42 Across Meets 18 Down; The San Francisco Chronicle; Feb 5, 1989.

Senile is the male equivalent of today's word.

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