GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

affiance

/əˈfʌɪəns/
verb
literary - be affianced - Be engaged to marry.

Origin
Late 15th century from Old French afiancer, from afier ‘promise, entrust’, from medieval Latin affidare ‘declare on oath’, from ad- ‘towards’ + fides ‘trust’.

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Soon after their initial glance,
Ben decided to take a chance
And asked sweet Barbara to the dance
Which bloomed into deep romance.
Tonight he plans to affiance.

[Algot Runeman]

sanctimonious

/ˌsaŋ(k)tɪˈməʊnɪəs/
adjective
derogatory
Making a show of being morally superior to other people.

Origin
Early 17th century (in the sense ‘holy in character’): from Latin sanctimonia ‘sanctity’ (from sanctus ‘holy’) + -ous.

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Speaking entirely for myself, Sundays are perfect for being sanctimonious.

[Algot Runeman]

dovetail

/ˈdʌvteɪl/
noun
1 A joint formed by one or more tapered projections (tenons) on one piece which interlock with corresponding notches or recesses (mortises) in another.
1.1 A tenon used in a dovetail joint, typically wider at its extremity.
verb
1 with object Join together by means of a dovetail.
2 Fit or cause to fit together easily and conveniently.

==========

As an amateur woodworker, Bob practiced hand cutting dovetail joints for his drawers.

[Algot Runeman]

laureate

/ˈlɒrɪət/ /ˈlɔːrɪət/
noun
1 A person who is honoured with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement.
1.1 short for Poet Laureate
adjective
1 literary Wreathed with laurel as a mark of honour.
1.1 (of a crown or wreath) consisting of laurel.

Origin
Late Middle English (as an adjective): from Latin laureatus, from laurea ‘laurel wreath’, from laurus ‘laurel’.

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It is not enough to be aureate, merely the color of gold. To be truly important, you must be judged a laureate.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

laureate

Often when I cook Arrabiatta sauce with ground beef to go with capellini, I somehow need to remind myself to add laureate leaves, origami powder and dried balsamic.

Spoiler: show

(I hate it when people keep drilling their fork in a paper plate.)

[Algot Runeman]

stringent

/ˈstrɪn(d)ʒ(ə)nt/
adjective
(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.

Origin
Mid 17th century (in the sense ‘compelling, convincing’): from Latin stringent- ‘drawing tight’, from the verb stringere.

==========

The customs agency imposed new, more stringent rules.

[Algot Runeman]

utter

Definition 1
/ˈʌtə/
adjective
attributive
Complete; absolute.

Origin
Old English ūtera, ūttra ‘outer’, comparative of ūt ‘out’; compare with outer.
Definition 2
verb
[with object]
1 Make (a sound) with one's voice.
1.1 Say (something) aloud.
2 Law
Put (forged money) into circulation.

Origin
Late Middle English from Middle Dutch ūteren ‘speak, make known, give currency to coins’.

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Earle uttered a string of curses in utter disregard of the young families surrounding him.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

utter

"I'm awbully sorry. When I habe a bad gold, my dose glogs ub and I gan't udder gonsonands gorregtly!"

[Algot Runeman]

"I'm awbully sorry. When I habe a bad gold, my dose glogs ub and I gan't udder gonsonands gorregtly!"

All is forgiven.
Get well soon.

[Algot Runeman]

variance

/ˈvɛːrɪəns/
noun
1 mass noun - The fact or quality of being different, divergent, or inconsistent.
count noun - ‘the stylistic variances of classical dance’
1.1 The state or fact of disagreeing or quarrelling.
1.2 Law - count noun A discrepancy between two statements or documents.
1.3 Statistics - A quantity equal to the square of the standard deviation.
2 US Law - An official dispensation from a rule or regulation, typically a building regulation.

Origin
Middle English via Old French from Latin variantia ‘difference’, from the verb variare (see vary).

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Variance from the norm is common. That does not mean being "different" is accepted. Groups have their rules, written and unwritten. We face peril if we defy expectations.


It is at variance with IBDoF WotD Thread rules for me to re-use a word previously used as a focus. I would not be exculpated if I tried.

[Algot Runeman]

footer

/ˈfʊtə/
noun
1 in combination A person or thing of a specified number of feet in length or height.
1.1 A kick of a football performed with a specified foot.
2 variant of footy
3 A line or block of text appearing at the foot of each page of a book or document.

==========

As a six-footer, I overlook many. Um, I mean I stand above them. Er, Hmm. Sorry!


Words are a game. Sometimes I play alone, but you are welcome to play, too.
(Here at IBDoF, signature lines serve as a post footer.)

[Algot Runeman]

mosaic Definition 1
noun
1 A picture or pattern produced by arranging together small pieces of stone, tile, glass, etc.
mass noun - ‘the walls and vaults are decorated by marble and mosaic’
1.1 A colourful and variegated pattern.
1.2 A combination of diverse elements forming a more or less coherent whole.
1.3 An arrangement of photosensitive elements in a television camera.
2 Biology - An individual (especially an animal) composed of cells of two genetically different types.

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Molly made mosaics from abaculi of all sorts. Not all were permanent installations.

[Algot Runeman]

leafy

/ˈliːfi/
adjective leafier, leafiest
1 Having many leaves or much foliage.
1.1 (of a plant) producing or grown for its broad-bladed leaves.
1.2 Resembling a leaf or leaves.

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Louis leapt about in his leafy long johns.
His team had won the weekly palm fronds.
But his joy went completely unremarked
By the ducks and fish in the local ponds.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

leafy

If all the LMB-books I have would be bound together, it would be an extremely leafy LMB-oeuvre.
But in real life I collected all the stories in digital form. Just as many pages, but not so unwieldy.

PS. LMB = Lois McMaster Bujold.

[Algot Runeman]

musing

/ˈmjuːzɪŋ/
noun
usually musings
A period of reflection or thought.
adjective
Characterized by reflection or deep thought.

==========

Maudlin Morning Musings

A shallow breath,
Perhaps another.
How close to death
Dear, sweet brother?

Bizarre thoughts
For a morning,
Of graveyard plots...
Perhaps a warning?

Maybe only maudlin
Rhyme-filled ideas
As I sit dawdlin'; my
Mind sets free; as

One word flows out
And another one comes;
So full of weird doubt
My psyche hums.

Turn attention away
To ideas more happy,
To dawn and bright day
Not midnight, all crappy.

Get the car washed.
Buy some new clothes.
Dark rhymes, be quashed!
Write some bright prose.

[Algot Runeman]

beacon

/ˈbiːk(ə)n/
noun
1 A fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration.
1.1 British - often in place names A hill suitable for a beacon.
1.2 A light or other visible object serving as a signal, warning, or guide at sea, on an airfield, etc.
1.3 A radio transmitter whose signal helps to fix the position of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.

Origin
Old English bēacn ‘sign, portent, ensign’, of West Germanic origin; related to beckon.

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GPS satellites and ubiquitous, even handheld receivers have effectively replaced beacons, though lighthouses are still common and tall antennas continue to warn aircraft with flashing lights.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

beacon

If I'm not mistaken, there are also laser and radar reflecting beacons.
Even one or more planted on the Moon.

All cars have at least two visible-light reflecting beacons (red). Not noticeable by day, but very prominent by night.
In Belgium all bikes must have a red reflecting beacon on the rear end, but also a white one on the front.

Spoiler: show

[Algot Runeman]

incidental

/ɪnsɪˈdɛnt(ə)l/
adjective
1 Happening as a minor accompaniment to something else.
1.1 Occurring by chance in connection with something else.
2 incidental to - Happening as a result of (an activity)
noun
usually incidentals
An incidental expense, event, etc.

Origin
Early 17th century originally from medieval Latin incidentalis, from Latin incident- ‘falling upon, happening to’ (from the verb incidere).

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The illustrations added to these definitions are incidental, in spite of their frequent use.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

incidental

Do remember that incidental has absolutely no connection with either incisors or with dentistry.

Though you might say that Fernandel has an incidental grin. His horse-like teeth became part of his trademark.

Fernandel: French actor. Especially famous for his "Don Camillo" character.

Spoiler: show

[Algot Runeman]

wondrous

/ˈwʌndrəs/
adjective
literary
Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvellous.
adverb
archaic as submodifier
Marvellously; wonderfully.

Origin
Late 15th century alteration of obsolete wonders (adjective and adverb), genitive of wonder, on the pattern of marvellous.

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To eliminate recriminating fights
And other such terrible blights,
Limit your wondrous delights
To three consecutive nights.

[Algot Runeman]

stockpile

/ˈstɒkpʌɪl/
noun
A large accumulated stock of goods or materials, especially one held in reserve for use at a time of shortage or other emergency.
verb
[with object]
Accumulate a large stock of (goods or materials)

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When an individual stockpiles things, it is often called hoarding.

[Algot Runeman]

proffer

/ˈprɒfə/
verb
[with object]
Hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance.
noun
literary
An offer or proposal.

Origin
Middle English from Anglo-Norman French proffrir, from Latin pro- ‘before’ + offerre ‘to offer’.

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Bill proffered his dog some food. Dog, of course, was happy about it.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

proffer

Wouldn't a prof, teaching other profs, be proffer than the others?

[Algot Runeman]

Wouldn't a prof, teaching other profs, be proffer than the others?

[Algot Runeman]

thicket

/ˈθɪkɪt/
noun
A dense group of bushes or trees.

Origin
Old English thiccet (see thick, -et).

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The real trick is how a male moose copes with the copse AKA, the thicket. Make your own path!