Words for Wednesday

fromskilledhands — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:24:14 +0000

The sun is rising over the hillside, it’s light a welcome sight in my Valley. Birds are at the feeders; the woodpecker reminds me that I must replace the suet, as he hangs upside down eating the last bits.

Spring is always a special time. Our winters are gray and cold and, for the past few years, very snowy. The snowdrops have emerged; the scilla will be next. We may get more snow, but chances are it won’t last. Such is Spring.

Pages from the word-a-day calendar remind me of days gone by; each page represents a word. Here are some of this week’s gems:

**Adulate: A verb. To flatter or admire excessively or slavishly

**Denigrate: A verb. 1. to attack the reputation of: defame; 2. to deny the importance or validity of: belittle

**Litotes: A noun. Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary

**Pilgarlic: A noun. 1a: a bald head; b: a bald-headed man; 2. a man looked upon with humorous contempt or mock pity

**Mordacious: An adjective. 1: biting or given to biting; 2: biting or sharp in manner or style: caustic

**Chin-wag: A noun, slang. A conversation or chat

**Kakistocracy: A noun. Government by the worst people

There seem to be plenty of opportunities to use these words these days. I look forward to having a chin-wag with you.

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Words for Wednesday

fromskilledhands — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:35:24 +0000

The quality of the light has changed in my Valley. The heavier tones of Winter are being replaced by the lightness of Spring. That does not mean that the 24″ of snow on the ground won’t have a topping of more white stuff. It does, however, signify that there is plenty of mud underneath just waiting to be caked on the dogs’ feet.

Nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, tufted titmice, chickadees, finches and brilliant red cardinals are visiting the feeders, singing the songs that suggest that Spring is on it’s way.

My Word-A-Day calendar has brought pages of words to me, some new, others, old friends. Here’s a sampling:

**Conventicle: a noun. 1. An assembly of an irregular or unlawful character. 2. an assembly for religious worship, especially a meeting for worship not sanctioned by law. 3. a meetinghouse

**Fulgent: an adjective. Dazzingly bright: radiant.

**Parry: a verb. 1. To ward off a weapon or blow. 2. to evade especially by an adroit answer.

**Infix: a noun. A derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word

**Clepe: a verb. To name or call

**Rectitudinous: an adjective. 1. Characterized by straightness or moral integrity. 2. piously self-righteous.

**Harbinger: a noun. 1. A person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another, herald. 2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign; 3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train etc., to provide secure lodgings or other accommodations.

As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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From Skilled Hands » Words for Wednesday

Words for Wednesday

The sun is rising over the hillside, it’s light a welcome sight in my Valley. Birds are at the feeders; the woodpecker reminds me that I must replace the suet, as he hangs upside down eating the last bits.

Spring is always a special time. Our winters are gray and cold and, for the past few years, very snowy. The snowdrops have emerged; the scilla will be next. We may get more snow, but chances are it won’t last. Such is Spring.

Pages from the word-a-day calendar remind me of days gone by; each page represents a word. Here are some of this week’s gems:

**Adulate: A verb. To flatter or admire excessively or slavishly

**Denigrate: A verb. 1. to attack the reputation of: defame; 2. to deny the importance or validity of: belittle

**Litotes: A noun. Understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary

**Pilgarlic: A noun. 1a: a bald head; b: a bald-headed man; 2. a man looked upon with humorous contempt or mock pity

**Mordacious: An adjective. 1: biting or given to biting; 2: biting or sharp in manner or style: caustic

**Chin-wag: A noun, slang. A conversation or chat

**Kakistocracy: A noun. Government by the worst people

There seem to be plenty of opportunities to use these words these days. I look forward to having a chin-wag with you.

Words for Wednesday

Nuthatches, woodpeckers, juncos, tufted titmice, chickadees, finches and brilliant red cardinals are visiting the feeders, singing the songs that suggest that Spring is on it’s way.

My Word-A-Day calendar has brought pages of words to me, some new, others, old friends. Here’s a sampling:

**Conventicle: a noun. 1. An assembly of an irregular or unlawful character. 2. an assembly for religious worship, especially a meeting for worship not sanctioned by law. 3. a meetinghouse

**Fulgent: an adjective. Dazzingly bright: radiant.

**Parry: a verb. 1. To ward off a weapon or blow. 2. to evade especially by an adroit answer.

**Infix: a noun. A derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word

**Clepe: a verb. To name or call

**Rectitudinous: an adjective. 1. Characterized by straightness or moral integrity. 2. piously self-righteous.

**Harbinger: a noun. 1. A person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another, herald. 2. anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign; 3. a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train etc., to provide secure lodgings or other accommodations.

As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.