Words

A fact about me: I love words. 

I love the many sounds they have, the subtle shades of meaning they can convey, and the wonderful way these two aspects can come together in some wonderful circumstances when their sounds support or show their meaning. (Onomatopoeia is the word for that occurrence, if you are interested. Think of words such as stutter or mumble.)

Some examples of my word-love:

-I’m learning German simply because I think German words sound cool (if you tell me that French sounds more lovely and refined . . . well, you may be correct but I’d rather pronounce German).

-Reading a dictionary is, to me, an excellent source of entertainment for a lazy Sunday hour. The older and fatter, the better.

-I keep a running list of unknown words I stumble across while reading (which, besides teaching me new words, doubles as a method of measuring an author's vocabulary). I love the sheer volume of lovely words in the English language, and it’s comforting that there will always be more to be discovered. 

That last fact leads to the point of this post. My desk drawers are littered with sheets of ruled yellow paper, bearing tiny definitions squeezed to fit between hastily-jotted words. I have an impulse to hoard them, to not let the words escape. (Partly so they will remind me of my seldom-fulfilled resolve to memorize the more interesting words and use them skillfully in daily life.)

Finally I figured, why not put them here? Thus is born this ongoing series of posts. Some of the words may be archaic British slang, some may be non-English, and many will hopefully be fascinating. The only thing I can promise is that they will be oh-so-random. Pay attention, because you never know when these words may come in handy. Enjoy!

Note: all definitions, unless otherwise specified, are from Webster’s Dictionary of 1910.

Quotidian, adj. 1. Of or occurring every day; daily. 2. Ordinary or every day, especially when mundane. “his story is an achingly human one, mired in quotidian details” (Definition from Google—an appropriately quotidian source.)

Ineluctable, adj. Not to be overcome; irresistible; inevitable.

Tumescent, adj. Slightly tumid or swollen. (Like my library fines—very swollen.)

Steeplechase, n. A race across country between a number of horsemen; --supposedly so called from the goal being some conspicuous landmark, as a church steeple; hence, a race over a prescribed course obstructed by such obstacles as one meets in riding across country, as hedges, walls, etc. (Fun fact: Winston Churchill often went steeplechasing in his youth.)

Tintinnabulation, n. The ringing of bells; a tinkling or jingling sound, as of a bell or bells.

Tiffin, n. Luncheon, especially at midday (obscure).

Peroration, n. The concluding part of an oration; esp., a final summing up and enforcement of an argument; also, any conclusion to a speech.

Quiddity, n. 1. The essence, nature, or distinctive peculiarity, of a thing; that which answers the question, Quid est? or, What is it? 2. A trifling nicety; a cavil; quibble. (Don’t ask me how one word managed to gain two nearly opposite meanings.)

Apotheosis, n. 1. Act of elevating a mortal to the rank of, and placing him among, the gods; deification. 2. Glorification; exaltation, as of a person, principle, or ideal..

Perquisite, n. A gain or profit incidentally made from employment in addition to regular salary or wages, esp. one of a kind expected or promised; also, pay for work; income.

Panache, n. 1. Dash of flamboyance in style and action. (Webster's, but not 1910) 2. A plume or bunch of feathers, esp. one on a helmet; any military plume, or ornamental group of feathers.

I tried to make a sentence with all eleven of these words, and failed miserably. If you can do it, you have my respect.