GAME: Word of the Day (WOTD)

[Algot Runeman]

citation

/sʌɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1 A quotation from or reference to a book, paper, or author, especially in a scholarly work.
1.1 Law A reference to a previous case, used as guidance in the trying of comparable cases or in support of an argument.
2 A mention of a praiseworthy act in an official report, especially that of a member of the armed forces in wartime.
2.1 A note accompanying an award, describing the reasons for it.
3 North American A summons to appear in court.

Origin
Middle English (in citation (sense 2)): from Old French, from Latin citatio(n-), from citare ‘cite’.

==========

When that scholarly quote is done, is it considered and ex-citation?

[Algot Runeman]

nourishment

/ˈnʌrɪʃm(ə)nt/
noun
mass noun
1 The food necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
1.1 The action of nourishing someone or something.

==========

Sustenance and nourishment
Cannot be merely lent.
Given freely or can be earned
E'en by emulation, it's not returned.
While that's repayment of a sort
Paying forward is the best resort.

[Algot Runeman]

adjuration

/adʒʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
formal
See adjure

==========

Since the esteemed lexicographers have seen fit to effectively bypass this word, who am I to second guess them; I adjure you to go look at the definition yourself.



[Sometimes, it is absolutely thrilling, trying to sidestep the rules of this forum topic!]

[Algot Runeman]

astringent

/əˈstrɪn(d)ʒ(ə)nt/
adjective
1 Causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.
2 (of taste or smell) slightly acidic or bitter.
3 Sharp or severe in manner or style.
noun
An astringent lotion applied to the skin to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions or as a cosmetic to make the skin less oily.

Origin
Mid 16th century from French, from Latin astringent- ‘pulling tight’, from the verb astringere, from ad- ‘towards’ + stringere ‘bind, pull tight’.

==========

Stringent rules of the WotD topic shrink our options to new words only. We are not astringent in our adherence to the rule, but we are not lax in its application in spite of our contracted skin.



[If that sentence is clear to you, you are far better than the person who wrote it.]

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

astringent

Put a lump of the astringent alum (in a small glass, porcelain or plastic bowl) in the display case or cupboard of your silverware.

The alum absorbs the trace gasses that cause the silver to tarnish.

The metal will remain bright and shiny a lot longer.

[Algot Runeman]

whilom

/ˈwʌɪləm/
adverb
archaic
Formerly; in the past.
adjective
archaic
Former; erstwhile.

Origin
Old English hwīlum ‘at times’, dative plural of hwīl (see while).

==========

I guess formerly we might have said whilom, but hey, not today!

[voralfred]

adjuration

/adʒʊˈreɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
formal
See adjure

==========

Since the esteemed lexicographers have seen fit to effectively bypass this word, who am I to second guess them; I adjure you to go look at the definition yourself.



[Sometimes, it is absolutely thrilling, trying to sidestep the rules of this forum topic!]

To find the relevant definition not just whilom, but six years ago, to the very day (of your post, not mine) !
What a great nourishment to the intellect this thread has been ! Not a mere trifle, to bring to our cognition a new word every day.
Algot, if anyone deserves a citation (meanings 2 and 2.1 above, not 3 of course!!!) you do !

[Algot Runeman]

unhand

/ʌnˈhand/
verb
archaic, humorous with object, usually in imperative
Release (someone) from one's grasp.

==========

It does not seem particularly humorous that, according to historical record, thieves were unhanded for their crimes. Of course it did become more difficult to use handcuffs during subsequent detainment.

[Algot Runeman]

complicit

/kəmˈplɪsɪt/
adjective
Involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong.

Origin
1940s back-formation from complicity.

==========

Choose your "crowd" carefully because you will be complicit in their actions. It is difficult to deny your "friends" when they act badly. A shrug does not cut it.

[Algot Runeman]

pedantry

/ˈpɛd(ə)ntri/
noun
mass noun
Excessive concern with minor details and rules.

==========

Persnikety Paula was perpetually perturbed by the presence of an Oxford comma. Yet, as she exhibited profound pedantry, she was kind when correcting her students' perceived mistakes.

[Algot Runeman]

scullion

/ˈskʌlɪən/
noun
archaic
A servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks.

Origin
Late 15th century of unknown origin but perhaps influenced by scullery.

==========

After the customers leave, short order cooks become little more than scullions. A small business does what it needs to survive.

[Algot Runeman]

hassock

/ˈhasək/
noun
1 A cushion for kneeling on in church, while at prayer.
1.1 North American A footstool.
2 A firm clump of grass or matted vegetation in marshy or boggy ground.

Origin
Old English hassuc (in hassock (sense 2 of the noun)), of unknown origin.

==========

Harvey used his hassock by the hour. He really wished he had one in his auto, man.



[Apologies for the long stretch for the pun, especially for those whose native language is not US English.]

[Algot Runeman]

quell

/kwɛl/
verb
[with object]
1 Put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force.
1.1 Subdue or silence (someone)
1.2 Suppress (a feeling)

Origin
Old English cwellan ‘kill’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kwellen and German quälen.

==========

Stop and think, now, for a spell
Pause. Take the time to dwell
On whom you choose to quell.
Do you think of them as "others"
Who are, in fact, all brothers,
And sisters, daughters, mothers?
And if it turns out it's the case
That you block them off by race
Reconsider your own place.
So, let me clearly state:
You'll never make things great
If you start with thoughts of hate.

[Algot Runeman]

post-operative

/pəʊstˈɒp(ə)rətɪv/
adjective
During, relating to, or denoting the period following a surgical operation.

==========

Bob did not return to his job as a postal operative after his post-operative recuperation was over.

[Algot Runeman]

potation

/pə(ʊ)ˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
noun
1 archaic, humorous An alcoholic drink.
1.1 mass noun The action of drinking alcohol.
1.2 often potations - A drinking bout.

Origin
Late Middle English from Old French, from Latin potatio(n-), from potare ‘to drink’.

==========

Proud purveyor, Paul, produced a perfect potation, passing it to the persistent patron. Perversely, Paul did not personally partake in alcohol.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

potation

Pernod (France), Port (Portugal) and Pisco (Chile) are three of the many potations starting with a p, though not with a pee.

[Algot Runeman]

Pernod (France), Port (Portugal) and Pisco (Chile) are three of the many potations starting with a p, though not with a pee.

I suspect if one imbibes enough of any of those potations things just might "end" with a pee.

[Algot Runeman]

stint

/stɪnt/
verb
with object, often with negative
1 Supply a very ungenerous or inadequate amount of (something)
1.1 Restrict (someone) in the amount of something, especially money, given or permitted.
1.2 no object Be very economical or mean about spending or providing something.
noun
1 A person's fixed or allotted period of work.
2 mass noun Limitation of supply or effort.

Origin
Old English styntan ‘make blunt’, of Germanic origin; related to stunt.

==========

Please do not stint when it comes to adding the chocolate chips to your cookie mix.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

stint

Are bonsai stunted because their watering was stinted?

[Algot Runeman]

ytterbium
(also Yb)

/ɪˈtəːbɪəm/
noun
mass noun
The chemical element of atomic number 70, a silvery-white metal of the lanthanide series.

Origin
Late 19th century modern Latin, from Ytterby, the name of a Swedish quarry where it was first found.

==========

Oscar wanted the group to name their metal band Ytterbium. Nobody else thought it was a good plan. They decided on Polycraze instead.



[W-A-A-A-Y inside chemistry/geology nerd joke in play. Check polycrase on the Web.]

[Algot Runeman]

marmalize
(also marmalise)

/ˈmɑːməlʌɪz/
verb
[with object]
1 British informal Beat (someone) up.
1.1 Defeat heavily.

Origin
1960s of uncertain origin; perhaps humorously from marmal- (in marmalade) + -ize (perhaps after pulverize).

==========

Bob has the good fortune of never having been marmalized. He has been soundly defeated in several controlled sports, but that's not the same thing at all.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

marmalize

I must admit that marmalize at very first made me think of oranges, zest and jam.
And immediately next of Turkey's white marble from its Sea of Marmara.

[voralfred]

ytterbium
(also Yb)

/ɪˈtəːbɪəm/
noun
mass noun
The chemical element of atomic number 70, a silvery-white metal of the lanthanide series.

Origin
Late 19th century modern Latin, from Ytterby, the name of a Swedish quarry where it was first found.

==========

Oscar wanted the group to name their metal band Ytterbium. Nobody else thought it was a good plan. They decided on Polycraze instead.



[W-A-A-A-Y inside chemistry/geology nerd joke in play. Check polycrase on the Web.]

I don't know whether it will help to quell the dispute between Oscar and the others of his metal band, but I find the name Polycraze just as multiply crazy as I find the name Ytterbium ytterbly weird.

To follow on your [W-A-A-A-Y inside chemistry/geology nerd joke ], I could have said I find the name Polycraze titanically crazy !

[Algot Runeman]

disinfectant

/dɪsɪnˈfɛkt(ə)nt/
noun
mass noun
A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.
adjective
Causing disinfection.

==========

Bernie blew across the top of his bottle. He had finished using the vodka as a disinfectant on his wound, but he had saved a swig or two for himself.

[E Pericoloso Sporgersi]

disinfectant

Whether there was any disinfectant in it or not, Bernie Goodman couldn't care less.
His clarinet was no pan flute, he blew straight through it, not across its top.