DarkRavie Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 What's the Word: NOCTURNE pronunciation: [NAHK-tərn] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. (Music) A short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano. 2. (Art) A picture of a night scene. Examples: "Chopin's nocturnes were specifically composed to evoke the ethereal feeling of the night." "Vincent Van Gogh is best known for his beautiful nocturne 'The Starry Night.'" About Nocturne Nocturne developed in French by way of the Latin word "nocturnus," meaning "of the night." Did you Know? There's something so peaceful and even romantic about the night sky. Use the poetic noun "nocturne" to describe any art you produce inspired by the evening and midnight hours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 5 Author Report Share Posted January 5 What's the Word: SOUBRETTE pronunciation: [soo-BRET] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-18th century Meaning: 1. An actress or other female performer playing a lively, flirtatious role in a play or opera. Examples: "She brought a natural playfulness to the role of the soubrette." "Ana was a triple threat, skilled at singing and dancing and playing the soubrette." About Soubrette Soubrette used to refer to a particular character played for comedy relief but can now also describe a young woman who behaves flirtatiously. This makes sense, as the word originates from the French word "soubreto," which means "coy." Did you Know? In opera and other theatrical performances, the soubrette traditionally has been used for comedic relief. A flirty young woman was played as a source of humor, as her intense actions were often considered inappropriate for the time period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 What's the Word: TERRINE pronunciation: [tə-REEN] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, early 18th century Meaning: 1. A meat, fish, or vegetable mixture that has been cooked or otherwise prepared in advance and allowed to cool or set in its container, typically served in slices. 2. A container used for a terrine, typically of an oblong shape and made of earthenware. Examples: "The special of the day was a salmon terrine served with rice." "The chef carefully arranged the vegetables in a ceramic terrine." About Terrine In its original French, "terrine" was written as "terrin," and referred to a large earthenware pot where food items were stored. Think of it as an ancient version of your favorite mason jars. Did you Know? A terrine can also be referred to as a pâté. This French word translates to "paste," and the dish is made by grinding materials into a spreadable paste that can be served with bread, crackers, or whatever the diner prefers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 7 Author Report Share Posted January 7 What's the Word: SUBITANEOUS pronunciation: [sə-bə-TEYN-ee-əs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. That occurs or is manifested suddenly, spontaneously, or in haste; sudden, hasty, unexpected. 2. Of an egg (of certain invertebrates): Hatching very soon after being laid, without a period of dormancy. Examples: "He woke at 3 a.m. with a subitaneous solution for that nagging problem." "The pop star's arrival was subitaneous but still excited the crowd." About Subitaneous This noun comes from the classical Latin word "subitāneus," which means "sudden." Any situation, thought, or action that is unexpected can be considered subitaneous in nature. Did you Know? Mathematician Archimedes is the master of the subitaneous idea. Archimedes was struck by sudden inspiration for a difficult math problem. Overjoyed, he ran through the streets of Greece shouting "Eureka!" — Greek for "I have found it!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 8 Author Report Share Posted January 8 What's the Word: GRIMOIRE pronunciation: [grim-WAHR] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. A book of magic spells and invocations. Examples: "The witch's grimoire featured heavily in local legend." "The wizard chanted some lines from his grimoire to create a protective shield." About Grimoire This noun comes from an alteration to the French word "grammaire," or "grammar." Could grammarians be wizards? Their mastery over language might indicate that they are. Did you Know? Grimoires have been present throughout much of ancient and modern history. These books — a mixture of spells, conjurations, and secret knowledge — are closely entwined with religion, the growth of printed media, and a burgeoning interest in science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 9 Author Report Share Posted January 9 (edited) What's the Word: PERSONAGE pronunciation: [PəR-sən-ij] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid-15th century Meaning: 1. A person (used to express importance or elevated status). 2. A character in a play or other work. Examples: "She carried herself as a personage of great importance." "Daniel received praise for how easily he slipped into various personages — humorous, serious, and tragic." About Personage Personage developed in Old Middle English by way of Old French, but it can be traced back to the Latin word "personagium," which means "effigy." Then the representation gained the meanings of "honorable" and "eminent" — raising the word to an elevated status all its own. Did you Know? A personage is a person of high rank. World leaders may be considered personages, for example, but A-list celebrities also are personages. Anyone who is notable in their field may be a personage. Edited January 10 by DarkRavie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 What's the Word: RATOON pronunciation: [rə-TOON] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. A new shoot or sprout springing from the base of a crop plant, especially sugar cane, after cropping. Examples: "Rei loved giving clippings of her favorite plants' ratoons to her friends." "We're struggling with weeds in our backyard — for every few we pull, several more ratoons spring up." About Ratoon Ratoon comes from the Spanish word "retoño," which means — simply enough — "a sprout." Did you Know? If you plant the spiky top (sucker) of a pineapple in the dirt, it grows several new ratoons around it. Why grow one pineapple when you can grow several? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 11 Author Report Share Posted January 11 What's the Word: NOSEGAY pronunciation: [NOHZ-gey] Part of speech: noun Origin: Middle English, 15th century Meaning: 1. A small bunch of flowers, typically one that is sweet-scented. Examples: "Her daughter picked a nosegay that was mostly weeds, but she still loved it." "Each of the bridesmaids received a small nosegay wrapped in lace." About Nosegay Nosegay is a uniquely English term. "Nose" is the part on the face used for smelling and breathing, and "gay" meant "ornament" in the 15th century. You could technically call a sparkly stud in someone's nostril a "nosegay," but we'll stick with a small bouquet of flowers. Stay traditional and wrap the bouquet in a lace doily or a silver nosegay holder. Did you Know? A nosegay is a small bunch of flowers often used at weddings, and it used to be a common and useful accessory elsewhere, too. In the 15th century, hygiene wasn't up to our modern standards, and people were quite a bit smellier. A sweetly scented nosegay held to the face helped to avoid the most noxious aromas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 12 Author Report Share Posted January 12 What's the Word: AVANT-GARDE pronunciation: [ah-vant-GARD] Part of speech: adjective Origin: French, early 20th century Meaning: 1. Favoring or introducing experimental or unusual ideas. Examples: "The student art show was sure to include many avant-garde pieces." "The fashion show was a little too avant-garde for my tastes." About Avant-Garde Avant-garde is used as an adjective to describe something unusual or experimental. It can also be used as a noun to refer to certain out-there ideas, or the people introducing them. You might meet the avant-garde at an avant-garde art gallery. Did you Know? The adjective "avant-garde" — commonly used to refer to the arts — can also describe cultural change. Social change and shifting values can be considered avant-garde in one decade, then accepted as the norm in the next. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted January 13 Author Report Share Posted January 13 What's the Word: MERINO pronunciation: [mə-REE-no] Part of speech: noun Origin: Spanish, late 18th century Meaning: 1. A breed of sheep with long, fine wool. 2. A soft woolen or wool-and-cotton material resembling cashmere, originally of merino wool. Examples: "The merino grazed peacefully on the side of the hill." "Frank wears that merino wool sweater every time the weather gets chilly." About Merino While "merino" comes from 18th-century Spanish, its exact origins are a mystery. You can use the word "merino" to refer to a sheep or your sweater and be completely correct in both cases. Did you Know? A single merino sheep produces a lot of wool in its lifetime — around 227 pounds, in fact. The wool is not only cozy for sweaters and blankets, but also wicks up to 30% of its weight in moisture without getting damp, so it's perfect for socks, scarves, and other outerwear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Wednesday at 09:40 PM Author Report Share Posted Wednesday at 09:40 PM What's the Word: EDIFY pronunciation: [EH-də-fi] Part of speech: verb Origin: Middle English, 14th century Meaning: 1. Instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually. Examples: "The new professor was eager for the chance to edify students." "My parents wanted to edify me in multiple languages from an early age." About Edify Edify came from the Latin words "aedis" ("dwelling") and "facere" ("make"), which, combined, mean "building a structure." One's moral structure may not be a physical building, but it's no less sturdy. Did you Know? A clergyman's sermon attempts to edify an audience, usually by instilling moral ideals in a congregation. However, anyone instructing on a moral or intellectual concept is practicing edification (the noun form of the verb "edify"). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Thursday at 05:30 PM Author Report Share Posted Thursday at 05:30 PM What's the Word: DISQUISITION pronunciation: [dis-kwə-ZIH-shən] Part of speech: noun Origin: Latin, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. A long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject. Examples: "Lucian submitted a disquisition of poetry inspired by Shakespeare for his thesis." "I don't just love cheese — I wrote a disquisition on the origins of cheesemaking." About Disquisition While "disquisition" developed in French, it originally comes from the Latin words "disquisito" ("investigation") and "quaerere" ("to seek"). Did you Know? True crime has been having a moment in pop culture. This genre is finding new life on podcasts and streaming services, media that allow for a deep disquisition of a particular case or famous figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Friday at 03:35 PM Author Report Share Posted Friday at 03:35 PM What's the Word: ANOMALOUS pronunciation: [ə-NAM-ə-ləs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. Deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected. Examples: "The instrument's readings were anomalous, so the captain decided to radio for help." "The results were anomalous, leading the scientists to revise their experiment from the beginning." About Anomalous Anomalous comes from the Greek word "anōmalos," which translates to "not even." Did you Know? Anomaly is the noun form of the adjective "anomalous." If you call something an anomaly, it implies that it's out of the norm. To dig a little deeper, use the adjective to describe exactly what is anomalous. Is it the color? The way it makes you feel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Saturday at 08:12 PM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 08:12 PM What's the Word: RETROJECT pronunciation: [reh-trə-JEKT] Part of speech: verb Origin: Latin, mid-19th century Meaning: 1. Project backward. Examples: "He presented a hypothesis that retrojected onto the previous learnings." "He was reminiscing about his youth, retrojecting with his past accomplishments." About Retroject Retroject originated in the mid-19th century from the combination of the Latin words "retro" ("backward") and "project" ("to throw forth"). It's a bit of an oxymoron, but as a portmanteau, it works. Did you Know? Have you heard of the psychological term "projection"? It means to attribute your feelings or opinions to someone else. "Retroject" means to apply current beliefs or learnings to the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted Sunday at 04:19 PM Author Report Share Posted Sunday at 04:19 PM What's the Word: OPUSCULE pronunciation: [oh-PUH-skyool] Part of speech: noun Origin: French, mid-17th century Meaning: 1. A small or minor literary or musical work. Examples: "While this book could be considered an opuscule, it means a lot to me personally." "The opuscule doesn't even sound like it was written by the famous poet." About Opuscule This noun originally comes from the Latin word "opusculum," a dimunutive of the word that means "work." If you are working on a project, no matter how big or small it is, you can refer to it as your "opus." Did you Know? A magnum opus is the complete opposite of an opuscule. The former term refers to the most important work of an artist's career, often one that they are most recognized for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkRavie Posted 9 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 9 hours ago [HAUS-rite]What's the Word: HOUSEWRIGHT pronunciation: [oh-PUH-skyool] Part of speech: noun Origin: North America, mid-16th century Meaning: 1. A builder of houses, especially those constructed largely of timber; a house carpenter. Examples: "After working with Habitat for Humanity, Rachel felt like a bona fide housewright." "We hired a housewright to help us rehab our 19th-century wooden cottage." About Housewright Housewright developed as an American word in the 16th century through the combination of the words "house" and "wright" (an old Germanic word that means "maker or builder"). Did you Know? You could hire a handyman to do general repairs around your house, but if you have a historic wooden home, you'll want a housewright. This term was popular in 18th-century colonial America to refer to craftsmen who cut timber and assembled it into houses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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