Thursday, April 15, 2010

Inconceivable

This word sounds much better when spoken with a lisp ala Princess Bride

Websters 1828 Dictionary
Inconceivable INCONCE'IVABLE, a. [in and conceivable.]
1. That cannot be conceived by the mind; incomprehensible. It is inconceivable to us, how the will acts in producing muscular motion.
2. That cannot be understood.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Five-and-ten

FIVE-AND-TEN

English Language Idioms
five-and-ten n. phr. A store that sells things that cost little. Charles bought a pencil at the five-and-dime.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003)
five-and-ten noun Etymology: from the fact that all articles in such stores were formerly priced at either 5 or 10 cents Date: 1880 a retail store that carries chiefly inexpensive merchandise (as notions and household goods) — called also five-and-dime

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hereditament

Websters 1828 Dictionary
Hereditament HEREDIT'AMENT, n. [L. haeres, haeredium. See Heir.]
Any species of property that may be inherited; lands, tenements,any thing corporeal or incorporeal, real, personal or mixed, that may descend to an heir.
A corporeal hereditament is visible and tangible; an incorporeal hereditament is an ideal right, existing in contemplation of law, issuing out of substantial corporeal property.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Ostentatious

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Ostentatious \Os`ten*ta"tious\, a. Fond of, or evincing, ostentation; unduly conspicuous; pretentious; boastful. Far from being ostentatious of the good you do. --Dryden. The ostentatious professions of many years. --Macaulay. -- Os`ten*ta"tious*ly, adv. -- Os`ten*ta"tious*ness, n.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Hygrophorus Marzuolus

WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005)

Hygrophorus marzuolus n 1: a grey fungus frequently found near melting snow banks

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Rune

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rune Rune (r[udd]n), n. [AS. r[=u]n a rune, a secret, a mystery; akin to Icel. r[=u]n, OHG. & Goth. r[=u]na a secret, secret colloquy, G. & Dan. rune rune, and probably to Gr. 'ereyna^n to search for. Cf. Roun to whisper.] 1. A letter, or character, belonging to the written language of the ancient Norsemen, or Scandinavians; in a wider sense, applied to the letters of the ancient nations of Northern Europe in general. Note: The Norsemen had a peculiar alphabet, consisting of sixteen letters, or characters, called runes, the origin of which is lost in the remotest antiquity. The signification of the word rune (mystery) seems to allude to the fact that originally only a few were acquainted with the use of these marks, and that they were mostly applied to secret tricks, witchcrafts and enchantments. But the runes were also used in communication by writing. 2. pl. Old Norse poetry expressed in runes. Runes were upon his tongue, As on the warrior's sword. --Longfellow. Rune stone, a stone bearing a runic inscription.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Epiphany

Epiphany:
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003)
epiphany noun (plural -nies) Etymology: Middle English epiphanie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Late Greek, plural, probably alteration of Greek epiphaneia appearance, manifestation, from epiphainein to manifest, from epi- + phainein to show Date: 14th century 1. capitalized January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ 2. an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being 3. a. (1) a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure b. a revealing scene or moment

Friday, April 2, 2010

Jardiniere

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jardiniere Jar`di`ni[`e]re", n. [F., fem. of jardinier gardener. See Garden.] An ornamental stand or receptacle for plants, flowers, etc., used as a piece of decorative furniture in room.


Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jardiniere Jar`di`ni[`e]re", n. (Cookery) A preparation of mixed vegetables stewed in a sauce with savory herbs, etc.; also, a soup made in this way.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Aspergill

WordNet (r) 3.0

aspergill n 1: a short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge; used for sprinkling holy water [syn: aspergill, aspersorium]


Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Aspergill As"per*gill, Aspergillum As`per*gil"lum, n. [LL. aspergillum, fr. L. aspergere. See Asperse, v. t.] 1. The brush used in the Roman Catholic church for sprinkling holy water on the people. [Also written aspergillus.] 2. (Zo["o]l.) See Wateringpot shell.