Not much going on with my writing or publishing so I thought I'd share a couple of words I ran across that I liked. I like running across new words and analogies in my reading and used to keep a bookmark with new words on it so I could look them up later. One reason I like the Kindle so much is that I get an instant definition whenever I want. I have to do something with all these words, ergo this post and new series of posts.
Charles Dickens - Oliver Twist comes:
Antimonial - containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal; "a metallic compound"; "metallic luster"; "the strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"- Ambrose Bierce
- I've never heard this word before, but I sure look forward to using it.
Nankeen - a hard-wearing buff-coloured cotton fabric
- This one I had heard before and probably in my high school senior vocabulary book. Makes me think that Chino's are nankeen.
Alex Berenson - The Faithful Spy comes:
Chicane - To trick; deceive.
- I know, I know, this one is so oft used, particularly in terms of chicanery that it shouldn't be on the list. I like it if only because it was used in a manner which is so little used.
Agatha Christie - The Mysterious Affair at Styles:
Benignantly - 1. Favorable; beneficial. 2. Kind and gracious.
- Like the word above, this one is used a great deal, particularly in regards to tumors, that it shouldn't make the list. But having seen it used outside the medical field makes me think I might want to consider using it. How bout a passive character named Ben Ignant?
And from that same book I found this great description. A good one to end this post on:
"She hesitated, and suddenly there swept across her face a strange expression, old as the hills, yet with something eternally young about it. So might some Egyptian sphinx have smiled."
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