Xe·no·bi·o·lo·gy (ˌzɛnəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒi):
origin: from Ancient Greek (xenos) "foreign, strange" + biology (bios, "life" and -logia, "study")
noun
1. the study of the biology of alien life forms (a branch of astrobiology).
It's important to note a related word, exobiology, whereupon a fine line shall be drawn. Exobiology examines life outside of planet Earth, as well as the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living things (like humans) -- whereas xenobiology takes into account that not only could alien life be among us now, but could hypothetically be synthesized in the future, and therefor can be clarified as, "biology based on foreign chemistry"*.
REMINDER- annular solar eclipse today!
origin: from Ancient Greek (xenos) "foreign, strange" + biology (bios, "life" and -logia, "study")
noun
1. the study of the biology of alien life forms (a branch of astrobiology).
It's important to note a related word, exobiology, whereupon a fine line shall be drawn. Exobiology examines life outside of planet Earth, as well as the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living things (like humans) -- whereas xenobiology takes into account that not only could alien life be among us now, but could hypothetically be synthesized in the future, and therefor can be clarified as, "biology based on foreign chemistry"*.
REMINDER- annular solar eclipse today!
- Music:Life On Mars - David Bowie
I noticed that there was an extreme dearth of "z" words, so, I thought this obscure word would help even out the scales a bit.
( Using numerology for everyday decisions... )
zenzizenzizenzic: / ZEN-ziz-EN-ziz-en-zic / noun, German. the eighth power of a number.
This word is obscure, and carries on mostly as a curiosity. It is a word that was used by 16th century mathematicians, and has the distinction of being the word in the OED with the most number of "Zs" in it. The root of the word, "zenzic" is related to the Italian "censo," which means "squared," and is the root of our word "census."
This word is obscure, and carries on mostly as a curiosity. It is a word that was used by 16th century mathematicians, and has the distinction of being the word in the OED with the most number of "Zs" in it. The root of the word, "zenzic" is related to the Italian "censo," which means "squared," and is the root of our word "census."
From the "scholarly insults" category: (thanks to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.7)
capt_facepalm for the word! ;)
Witling: 1 : a would-be wit
capt_facepalm for the word! ;)Witling: 1 : a would-be wit
2 : a person of little wit
First known use: 1693
First known use: 1693
"A beau and witling perished in the throng,
One died in metaphor, and one in song."
(from Alexander Pope's Rape of the Lock [a poem about the theft of a lock of hair])
Continuing on the Shakespearean Wednesdays theme by ![[info]](http://l-files.livejournal.net/userhead/40?v=1320914051)
uniquepov, here is a word not by Shakespeare but very much connected to Shakespeare. It is one of those words with a story behind it, a word derived from a person's name:
Bowdlerize: 1: to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
Etymology: Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), English editor
Bowdlerize: 1: to expurgate (as a book) by omitting or modifying parts considered vulgar
2: to modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content
Etymology: Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), English editor
First Known Use: 1836
Thomas Bowdler was the editor of The Family Shakespeare, first published in four volumes in 1807. It was edited by Mr. Bowdler's sister; he himself edited the 1818 edition. There were several subsequent editions and reprints; this "version" of Shakespeare was quite popular.
“I acknowledge Shakespeare to be the world's greatest dramatic poet, but regret that no parent could place the uncorrected book in the hands of his daughter, and therefore I have prepared the Family Shakespeare." (Thomas Bowdler)
It is famous as THE "expurgated" Shakespeare, "in which nothing is added to the original; but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read in a family." The word "bowderlize" was invented in 1836 carrying a pejorative sense, meaning to edit out offensive content prudishly.
Example "bowdlerizations":
You can read more about the topic in this excellent essay, which contains more examples, Bowdler's own explanation of the reasons for his editing, historical information, and links to full text of several of the bowdlerized plays.Thomas Bowdler was the editor of The Family Shakespeare, first published in four volumes in 1807. It was edited by Mr. Bowdler's sister; he himself edited the 1818 edition. There were several subsequent editions and reprints; this "version" of Shakespeare was quite popular.
“I acknowledge Shakespeare to be the world's greatest dramatic poet, but regret that no parent could place the uncorrected book in the hands of his daughter, and therefore I have prepared the Family Shakespeare." (Thomas Bowdler)
It is famous as THE "expurgated" Shakespeare, "in which nothing is added to the original; but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read in a family." The word "bowderlize" was invented in 1836 carrying a pejorative sense, meaning to edit out offensive content prudishly.
Example "bowdlerizations":
- Ophelia's death in Hamlet is referred to as an accidental drowning, not a possible suicide.
- Lady Macbeth's "Out, Damned spot." is changed to "Out, Crimson spot."
- Mercutio's "the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon” is changed to "the hand of the dial is now upon the point of noon"
Well met, friends!
It's Wednesday, which means another installment of our new themed posts about Shakespeare and his extensive wordplay. We're delving into words the Bard is credited with coining - at least in as far as their current meanings are concerned!
And as I am literally leaving for the airport as soon as I hit "post", off to far-flung, far-off lands, it seems only fitting that today's Shakespearean Imagination word of the day should be:
luggage : lug·gage : \ˈlə-gij\ (n): something that is lugged; especially: suitcases for a traveler's belongings.
Synonyms: baggage - trunk - valise
The Oxford English Dictionary says that the word's meaning hasn't changed much since the 16th century; the original meaning denoted inconveniently heavy baggage.
First seen in Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Part I (written 1597-1598). The full text of the play may be found here.
Cheers until next week!
It's Wednesday, which means another installment of our new themed posts about Shakespeare and his extensive wordplay. We're delving into words the Bard is credited with coining - at least in as far as their current meanings are concerned!
And as I am literally leaving for the airport as soon as I hit "post", off to far-flung, far-off lands, it seems only fitting that today's Shakespearean Imagination word of the day should be:
luggage : lug·gage : \ˈlə-gij\ (n): something that is lugged; especially: suitcases for a traveler's belongings.
Synonyms: baggage - trunk - valise
The Oxford English Dictionary says that the word's meaning hasn't changed much since the 16th century; the original meaning denoted inconveniently heavy baggage.
First seen in Shakespeare's King Henry IV, Part I (written 1597-1598). The full text of the play may be found here.
Cheers until next week!
fusillade, noun, verb
FYOO-suh-leyd
or
FYOO-suh-lahd
noun:
1 - a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms
2 - a general discharge or outpouring of anything
verb:
3 - to attack or shoot by a fusillade
Origin French, 1801, from fusiller (to shoot) and fusil (musket)
In the context of military tactics, the term is generally used to refer to a type of organized and concentrated gunfire from a military unit armed with small arms, and initiated by a command from a commanding officer.
FYOO-suh-leyd
or
FYOO-suh-lahd
noun:
1 - a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms
2 - a general discharge or outpouring of anything
verb:
3 - to attack or shoot by a fusillade
Origin French, 1801, from fusiller (to shoot) and fusil (musket)
In the context of military tactics, the term is generally used to refer to a type of organized and concentrated gunfire from a military unit armed with small arms, and initiated by a command from a commanding officer.
cephalophore, noun.
1. A person - usually a saint - depicted as carrying his or her own head. For a saint, the depiction often refers to martyrdom by beheading.
2. (medical) a cephalostat designed to take in-sequence-oriented facial photographs and gnathostatic models. (I think that definition refers to a head-stabilizing mechanism and camera usually used to take dental photos.)
Etymology: Greek, "head carrier", from kephale, head, and pherein, to carry.
Saint Denis, patron saint of Paris, was said to have walked six miles with his head in his hands, while preaching a sermon.
Although the word is traditionally used in reference to saints, it can refer to any head-carrier;
non-saint cephalophores include the Headless Horseman, and the Green Knight from Arthurian legends.
Chhinnamasta, "she whose head is severed", is a self-decapitated goddess recognized by both Hindus and Buddhists. She is often depicted with (among other things) her own severed head drinking one of the jets of blood that spurts from her neck.
On a lighter note, They Might be Giants wrote a song about cephalophores:
"The way you swing your head while strolling fancy free,
Or melting down some army guys to make green tea,
Though there are millions of cephalophores
That wander through this world,
You've got something extra going on...."
1. A person - usually a saint - depicted as carrying his or her own head. For a saint, the depiction often refers to martyrdom by beheading.
2. (medical) a cephalostat designed to take in-sequence-oriented facial photographs and gnathostatic models. (I think that definition refers to a head-stabilizing mechanism and camera usually used to take dental photos.)
Etymology: Greek, "head carrier", from kephale, head, and pherein, to carry.
Saint Denis, patron saint of Paris, was said to have walked six miles with his head in his hands, while preaching a sermon.
Although the word is traditionally used in reference to saints, it can refer to any head-carrier;
non-saint cephalophores include the Headless Horseman, and the Green Knight from Arthurian legends.
Chhinnamasta, "she whose head is severed", is a self-decapitated goddess recognized by both Hindus and Buddhists. She is often depicted with (among other things) her own severed head drinking one of the jets of blood that spurts from her neck.
On a lighter note, They Might be Giants wrote a song about cephalophores:
"The way you swing your head while strolling fancy free,
Or melting down some army guys to make green tea,
Though there are millions of cephalophores
That wander through this world,
You've got something extra going on...."
Mat·ri·cide (mætrɪˌsaɪd):
origin: from Latin- mātrīcīdium (the act), mātrīcīda (the agent). See matri-, -cide
noun
1. the killing of one’s mother.
2. a person who has killed his mother. — matricidal, adj.
Plus a handy list of additional words under the cut, so that you can keep all your murders straight~!
( HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! )
origin: from Latin- mātrīcīdium (the act), mātrīcīda (the agent). See matri-, -cide
noun
1. the killing of one’s mother.
2. a person who has killed his mother. — matricidal, adj.
Plus a handy list of additional words under the cut, so that you can keep all your murders straight~!
( HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! )
- Location:Oedipus Rex
It's May, which is a time when many folks turn their thoughts to the garden. Let this story be a warning to anyone looking to add that "certain something" to their cultivated areas.
( Danger lurking in gardens )
noctivagant / noct – EH – vague – ant / adj. Latin. wandering by night
"Nocti," of course, comes from the Latin for night, and we have a number of words with that root, "nocturnal" being the most obvious. It's added to "vagent" which is also Latin, for "to wander around."
Eleemosynary: of, relating to, or supported by charity
Etymology: Medieval Latin eleemosynarius, from Late Latin eleemosyna alms, from Greek eleēmosynē pity, alms, from eleēmōn merciful, from eleos pity.
Etymology: Medieval Latin eleemosynarius, from Late Latin eleemosyna alms, from Greek eleēmosynē pity, alms, from eleēmōn merciful, from eleos pity.
First Known Use: circa 1616
"In Soapy's opinion the Law was more benign than Philanthropy. There was an endless round of institutions, municipal and eleemosynary, on which he might set out and receive lodging and food accordant with the simple life. But to one of Soapy's proud spirit the gifts of charity are encumbered. If not in coin you must pay in humiliation of spirit for every benefit received at the hands of philanthropy."
(O'Henry, "The Cop and the Anthem")"In Soapy's opinion the Law was more benign than Philanthropy. There was an endless round of institutions, municipal and eleemosynary, on which he might set out and receive lodging and food accordant with the simple life. But to one of Soapy's proud spirit the gifts of charity are encumbered. If not in coin you must pay in humiliation of spirit for every benefit received at the hands of philanthropy."
Profile
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=91.7)
1word1day- Word of the Day!
- 1word1day on Facebook
Page Summary
theidolhands : Xenobiology [+1]
- k8cre8 : zenzizenzizenzic [+6]
- med_cat : Friday word: Witling [+2]
- med_cat : Thursday word: Bowdlerize [+3]
- skittles22088 : fusillade [+0]
- ersatz_read : cephalophore [+6]
- k8cre8 : noctivagant [+1]
- med_cat : Friday word: Eleemosynary [+2]
Syndicate
