anathematize \uh-NATH-uh-muh-tyze\ (verb) 1 : to solemnly pronounce an ecclesiastical ban or curse upon (one who is being excommunicated) 2 : to denounce as accursed Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
heterodox \HEH-tuh-ruh-dahks or HEH-truh-dahks\ (adjective) 1 : contrary to or different from an acknowledged standard, a traditional form, or an established religion : unorthodox, unconventional 2 : holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
tare \TAIR\ (noun) 1 : a deduction from the gross weight of a substance and its container made in allowance for the weight of the container; :also, the weight of the container 2 : counterweight Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
maunder \MAWN-der or MAHN-der\ (verb) 1 : to wander slowly and idly 2 : to speak indistinctly or disconnectedly Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Before the 18th century, clocks were uncommon enough that most people didn't know which way they turned, nor was a common direction established until well into the 17th century. For some reason (snobbishness, perhaps?) English-speaking people decided to use "clockwise" just about as soon as a common direction for clocks was established. Most other languages use the equivalents of deasil and widdershins, which in English is only used when trying to sound mediaeval.
Edit:
I apologise if this post seems maundering.
[This message has been edited by Snorri (edited November 07, 2001).]
quote:“I have heard frequent use,” said the late Lord Sandwich, in a debate on the Test Laws, “of the words ‘orthodoxy’ and ‘heterodoxy;’ but I confess myself at a loss to know precisely what they mean.” “Orthodoxy, my Lord,” said Bishop Walburton, in a whisper,—“orthodoxy is my doxy; heterodoxy is another man’s doxy.” --Priestley: Memoirs, vol. i. p. 572.
The man was deasil to my widdershins: faint at heart, I had to lie down.
posted
In a futile attempt to ingratiate herself with her hosts, Marva lifted the plate to her face and licked it clean! Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I just want to say that I love this thread. Bob Scopatz and Dobie, you rule! <laughs>
The one thing I miss is etymological information. Like, how on earth did they come up with the word widdershuns? I can always remember and make sense of a word better if I know where it came from. Do they tell anything about that in the place (whereever it is) that you're getting these from?
posted
Widdershuns -- see thread on pet names for significant others.
Alternative etiology -- Old English. Compound word from "Widow" and "Shun" -- On St. Widowshun's day (3rd Sunday in Lent), the towns elderly widows were rounded up and paraded through the streets while people threw rotten fruit, vegetables, mud, and animal dung at them. Later, the practice was modified by the church into almsgiving and quilting bees. In America, the practice gave rise to the Salem witch trials and canning fruits and vegetables to preserve them.
posted
I think my biggest problem with "deasil" was that it was an adverb (it describes how something moves). But I think I've risen above it. Thanks all.
[This message has been edited by Irami Osei-Frimpong (edited November 11, 2001).]
posted
Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary does give etymological information for their "Word of the Day" (although they don't give that information in their regular dictionary entries), but I don't include it out of concern for copyright restrictions.
Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
scarify \SKAIR-uh-fye\ (verb) 1 : to make scratches or small cuts in (as skin) : to lacerate the feelings of 2 : to break up and loosen the surface of (as a field or road) 3 : to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
cryptic \KRIP-tik\ (adjective) 1 : secret, occult 2 a : having or seeming to have a hidden or ambiguous meaning : mysterious 2 b : marked by an often perplexing brevity 3 : serving to conceal Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
beleaguer \bih-LEE-gur\ (verb) 1 : to surround with an army so as to prevent escape : besiege, beset 2 : to hem in : bottle up 3 : to subject to oppressive or grievous forces : harass Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Word of the Day for November 17 is: quiddity \KWIH-duh-tee\ (noun) 1 : whatever makes something the type that it is; essence 2 a : a trifling point, quibble b : crotchet, eccentricity Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
rankle \RANK-ul\ (verb) 1 : to cause anger, irritation, or deep bitterness in 2 : to feel anger and irritation Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
etymology \eh-tuh-MAH-luh-jee\ (noun) 1 : the history of a linguistic form (as a word) shown by tracing its development and relationships 2 : a branch of linguistics dealing with etymologies Posts: 1127 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
the word nik has quite an etymology because i think this was the first forum i posted on here at hatrack! haha! not that it was that long ago..
Posts: 180 | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
