There have been a number of words so far that I have thought I knew, until I read the definition and discover that there are shades of meaning or more precise meanings of which I have been completely unaware. This is another.accolade1. a. Properly, an embrace or clasping about the neck; technical name of the … Continue reading Shades of meaning.
Month: April 2007
An interesting connection
I did not suspect the first couple meanings at all, and, having read them, would not have suspected that the word was related to "cloy".accloy, v.Obs. or arch.The development of meaning is fully seen under CLOY.1. To drive a nail into a horse's foot when shoeing; hence, to lame. lit. and fig.2. To pierce, stab. … Continue reading An interesting connection
Are you so inclined?
Another nice little word, and another of those interesting instances where the root word is obsolete and the derivation is not.acclive, a.Obs. rareRising with a slope, sloping upward, steep; = ACCLIVOUS, ACCLIVITOUS.----------acclivityThe upward slope of a hill; an ascending slope.
Consequential reading
I've posted 5 excerpts from Ideas Have Consequences, which may seem like quite a few considering that the book is only 187 pages. But I have fully 20 other quotations that I have typed up to save for myself and future reference that I have not posted. Truly, a quotable book. It reminded me a … Continue reading Consequential reading
The unknowable
"For modern man there is no providence, because it would imply a wisdom superior to his and a relationship of means to ends which he cannot find out. Instead of feeling grateful that some things are past his discovering (how odd it sounded when Churchill, the last survivor of the old school, declared that the … Continue reading The unknowable
Another cool word.
Quite a number of excellent words in the "acci-" section. I've had to skip several that were interesting simply in the interest of keeping things moving along at a respectable pace.accismusRhet.A feigned refusal of that which is earnestly desired.
How awesome is it?
About four kinds of awesome. The word and the definition are pretty simple, but check out the etymology. (I've replaced the Greek script that Blogger won't display asterisks for each character. Sorry to any Greek scholars that were interested.)accidie[a. OFr. accide, acide, ONormFr. accidie, acidie; ad. med.L. accīdia, corrupt. of late L. acēdia, a. Gr. … Continue reading How awesome is it?
And now, on with the opera
"Let joy be unconfined. Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor."Thank you, Groucho. A musical note for Friday. ("Note", hah!)acciaccaturaMus.An ornament or ‘grace’ in Music, consisting of a small note (or two at a distance of not more than a minor third from each other) performed … Continue reading And now, on with the opera
Not posting late!
Huzzah. On time with a post for the first time in about a week. Another word for a specialized Catholic practice.accessit1. With reference to French examinations: = PROXIME ACCESSIT.2. A secondary vote given in the election of a Pope: see quots.
Shared Belief
"The problem which disintegration places in the lap of practical men, those in charge of states, of institutions, of businesses, is how to persuade to communal activity people who no longer have the same ideas about the most fundamental things. In an age of shared belief, this problem did not exist, for there is a … Continue reading Shared Belief
Neh 