GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

commence

verb
com·​mence kə-ˈmen(t)s 
commenced; commencing
transitive verb
to enter upon : begin
intransitive verb
1 to have or make a beginning : start
2 chiefly British : to take a degree at a university

-==0==-

I hope you are glad you're here
At the start of this new year.
Today is when we commence
To find out what 2023 presents.

[Algot Runeman]

precocious

adjective
pre·​co·​cious pri-ˈkō-shəs 
1 exceptionally early in development or occurrence
2 exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age

-==0==-

There is a stage of development,
Which I think we should find eloquent,
When we are no longer precocious,
And can relax, and stop our early rush.

[Algot Runeman]

hesitate

verb
hes·​i·​tate ˈhe-zə-ˌtāt 
hesitated; hesitating
intransitive verb
1 to hold back in doubt or indecision
2 to delay momentarily : pause
3 stammer
transitive verb
to hold back from (doing or saying something) in doubt or uncertainty

-==0==-

When a tickle is the cause,
There is often a brief pause.
I hesitate, pre-sneeze.
Do not berate me, please.

To avoid an explosive chuff,
If there is time enough
I will quickly grab a hankie
For that you should really thank me.

[Algot Runeman]

genius

noun
ge·​nius ˈjēn-yəs ˈjē-nē-əs
plural geniuses or genii ˈjē-nē-ˌī 
1a an attendant spirit of a person or place
1b plural usually genii : a person who influences another for good or bad
2 a strong leaning or inclination : penchant
3a a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit
the genius of our democratic government
3b the associations and traditions of a place
3c a personification or embodiment especially of a quality or condition
4 plural usually genii : spirit, jinni
5 plural usually geniuses
5a a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude
5b extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity
5c a person endowed with extraordinary mental superiority
especially : a person with a very high IQ

-==0==-

Genius is only recognized in those who put it to some visible use. When unexplored or unexpressed, it will go unnoticed.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

commence

Why is it debutante and never commenceante?

[Algot Runeman]

eligible

adjective
el·​i·​gi·​ble ˈe-lə-jə-bəl 
1a qualified to participate or be chosen
1b permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass
2 worthy of being chosen

-==0==-

It is always gratifying
One might say, satisfying
When a word is eligible
To post. It's pleasurable.



[It is also good that there are alternative words, as occurs today with Merriam-Webster's selection of fortuitous.]

[Algot Runeman]

garner

verb
gar·​ner ˈgär-nər garnered; garnering ˈgär-nə-riŋ ˈgärn-
transitive verb
1a to gather into storage
1b to deposit as if in a granary
2a to acquire by effort : earn
2b accumulate, collect

-==0==-

To merely garner riches in a vault
Is, to me, a harmful social fault.
Without intent to benefit a community,
Trying to just be rich is theft without impunity.

By contrast, you should try to lead,
Not to grasp the work of others. That is greed.
To lead, you teach. You show the way.
You seek to make things better every day.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

garner

One of my favourite actors was James Garner.

His demise still makes me feel sad. Not to say old ...

[Algot Runeman]

nemesis

noun
nem·​e·​sis ˈne-mə-səs 
1 capitalized : the Greek goddess of retributive justice
2a one that inflicts retribution or vengeance
2b a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent
3a an act or effect of retribution
3b bane

-==0==-

Humans greedy acts accumulate
Until, for us it's far too late.
To restore a balanced, natural state,
Gaia calls on Nemesis to adjudicate.

Though the chemistry of life remains,
Another species picks up the reins.
Dominion passes to other DNA chains,
Eons pass. What trace of Man remains?

[Algot Runeman]

xenial

adjective
xe·​nial -nēəl, -nyəl
of, relating to, or constituting hospitality or relations between host and guest and especially among the ancient Greeks between persons of different cities

-==0==-

A hotel can be swell
As a temporary place to dwell.
But some prefer the B+B style
With xenial smiles for brief domicile.

[Algot Runeman]

grievance

noun
griev·​ance ˈgrē-vən(t)s 
1 a cause of distress (such as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance
2 the formal expression of a grievance : complaint
3 obsolete : suffering, distress

-==0==-

I would like to file a grievance, but my grief is already razor sharp and needs no further work. (pun intended)

[Algot Runeman]

pompous

adjective
pomp·​ous ˈpäm-pəs 
1 excessively elevated or ornate
2 having or exhibiting self-importance : arrogant
3 relating to or suggestive of pomp or splendor : magnificent

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Paulo rode the open pampas,
Saddle festooned with polished brass.
Though it took a bit of extra fuss,
He considered it a net plus.
His compadres thought him pompous.

[Algot Runeman]

luscious

adjective
lus·​cious ˈlə-shəs 
1a having a delicious taste or smell : sweet
1b archaic : excessively sweet : cloying
2 sexually attractive : seductive, sexy
3a richly luxurious or appealing to the senses
3b excessively ornate

-==0==-

Be it known, I refer to my wife of 56 years as "Luscious Lady".

[Algot Runeman]

accept

verb
ac·​cept ik-ˈsept ak-, also ek-
accepted; accepting; accepts
transitive verb
1a to receive (something offered) willingly
1b to be able or designed to take or hold (something applied or added)
2 to give admittance or approval to
3a to endure without protest or reaction
3b to regard as proper, normal, or inevitable
3c to recognize as true : believe
4a to make a favorable response to
4b to agree to undertake (a responsibility)
5 to assume an obligation to pay
also : to take in payment
6 of a deliberative body : to receive (a legislative report) officially
intransitive verb
to receive favorably something offered
—usually used with of

-==0==-

When asked to accept an apology
Avoid responding with frivolity.
It isn't right to seem too vivacious
When someone's attempting to be gracious.
In other words, it is a social gaff
To respond with a resounding laugh.

[Algot Runeman]

glimmer

verb
glim·​mer ˈgli-mər 
glimmered; glimmering ˈgli-mə-riŋ 
ˈglim-
intransitive verb
1a to shine faintly or unsteadily
1b to give off a subdued unsteady reflection
2 to appear indistinctly with a faintly luminous quality
noun
1a a feeble or intermittent light
1b a subdued unsteady shining or sparkle
2a a dim perception or faint idea : inkling
2b hint, spark

-==0==-

Into a wall he stumbled.
He thought the dirt crumbled.
He sensed a dusty shimmer,
Though barely a glimmer.
Forward he groped
Toward freedom, he hoped.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

glimmer
...
Into a wall he stumbled.
He thought the dirt crumbled.
He sensed a dusty shimmer,
Though barely a glimmer.
Forward he groped
Toward freedom, he hoped.

Is he a Carpal Tunnel Victim?

[Algot Runeman]

Is he a Carpal Tunnel Victim?

I believe it's a "car pool tunnel syndrome", an attempt to reduce traffic headed to the city.

[Algot Runeman]

far-fetched

adjective
ˈfär-ˈfecht 
1 brought from a remote time or place
2 not easily or naturally deduced or introduced : improbable

-==0==-

Hannah often kvetched
That Tom's ideas were far-fetched.
What she has not seen with her own eyes
Are typically things which she denies.

[Algot Runeman]

antithesis

noun
an·​tith·​e·​sis an-ˈti-thə-səs 
plural antitheses an-ˈti-thə-ˌsēz 
1a the direct opposite
1b(1) the rhetorical contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangements of words, clauses, or sentences (as in "action, not words" or 1b(2) opposition, contrast
1c the second of two opposing words, clauses, or sentences that are being rhetorically contrasted
2 philosophy : the second stage of a dialectical process

-==0==-

Is an antonym the antithesis of the word against which it stands opposed?

[Algot Runeman]

hoodwink

verb
hood·​wink ˈhu̇d-ˌwiŋk
hoodwinked; hoodwinking; hoodwinks
transitive verb
1 to deceive by false appearance : dupe
2 archaic : blindfold
3 obsolete : hide

-==0==-

I shall not try to hoodwink you by dressing as a judge, just so I can judge you!

[Algot Runeman]

transient

adjective
tran·​sient ˈtran(t)-sh(ē-)ənt ˈtran-zē-ənt, ˈtran(t)-sē-; ˈtran-zhənt, -jənt
1a passing especially quickly into and out of existence : transitory
1b passing through or by a place with only a brief stay or sojourn
2 affecting something or producing results beyond itself
noun
1 one that is transient (see transient entry 1): such as
a) a guest or boarder who stays only briefly
b) a person traveling about usually in search of work
2a a temporary oscillation that occurs in a circuit because of a sudden change of voltage or of load
2b a transient current or voltage

-==0==-

In spite of our expectations, we are transients in this world.

[Algot Runeman]

philanthropist

noun
phi·​lan·​thro·​pist fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist
one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy

-==0==-

When a misanthrope reverses direction, do they become a philanthropist?

[Algot Runeman]

vulpine

adjective
vul·​pine ˈvəl-ˌpīn
1 of, relating to, or resembling a fox
2 foxy, crafty

-==0==-

When they say "She's a fox!" I don't think most men mean "She has the furry persona of a fox."
I, also, don't think I have heard it said "She is vulpine!"

[Algot Runeman]

accomplish

verb
ac·​com·​plish ə-ˈkäm-plish -ˈkəm-
accomplished; accomplishing; accomplishes
transitive verb
1 to bring about (a result) by effort
2 to bring to completion : fulfill
3 to succeed in reaching (a stage in a progression)
4 archaic
a to equip thoroughly
b perfect

-==0==-

Goals

What does krill fulfill?
What does an earthworm perform?
What does a fish accomplish?
What does a crane attain?
Life. Let that suffice.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

accomplish
...
What does krill fulfill?
What does an earthworm perform?
What does a fish accomplish?
What does a crane attain?
Life. Let that suffice.

What does an accomplice accomplish?