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Word of the Day: echelon

November 5, 2016

Word of the Day: echelon

Echelon (noun) ESH-uh-lahn

Definition

1 : a steplike arrangement (as of troops or airplanes)

2 a : one of a series of levels or grades in an organization or field of activity

b : a group of individuals at a particular level or grade in an organization

Examples

“And I think that … there are more conservatives in Hollywood than one would think in all echelons, even among the actors.” — Jon Voight, speaking on the Fox News Network, 9 Sept. 2016

“There were those in the upper echelons of network news who caught a bit of that altitude sickness and thought it was their job to massage the news on behalf of a greater good only they could see.” — Dalton Delan, The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 23 Sept. 2016

Did You Know?

Echelon is a useful word for anyone who is climbing the ladder of success. It traces back to scala, a Late Latin word meaning “ladder” that was the ancestor of the Old French eschelon, meaning “rung of a ladder.” Over time, the French word (which is échelon in Modern French) came to mean “step,” “grade,” or “level.” When it was first borrowed into English in the 18th century, echelon referred specifically to a steplike arrangement of troops, but it now usually refers to a level or category within an organization or group of people.

My Take

We’ve heard the term, the top echelon. From its use, we can figure out approximately what it means. Like the top .5% having the top 99% of all wealth in America, most people in this class consider themselves the top echelon in the country. Me, with several exceptions, I despise.

Looking beyond the normal meaning, I was astonished to note in

Drafting in Formation — Source: echeloncopy.com

its definition that there are other meanings of the term. One is the step-like arrangement as in airplanes. Think of airshows where military jets fly in tight formation over the airfield. It’s thrilling to watch, as they fly wingtip to wingtip, temerariously (yesterday’s word of the day) tempting disaster.

Another meaning is the series of levels or grades within an organization or activity. Bike races are a perfect analogy to the term. You see them race in tight formation, drafting off each other, and allowing the team member to the rear take point so that the leader may fall back and rest a bit. Derailleur gears are another form of stacked levels.

I love learning the different contexts of these words of the day. Don’t you? Please share your comments. I’m sure we would all like to read them.

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Word of the Day: temerarious

November 4, 2016

Word of the Day: temerarious

Temerarious (adjective) tem-uh-RAIR-ee-us

Definition

marked by temerity : rashly or presumptuously daring

Synonyms

adventurous; bold; brash; daring; foolhardy; heedless; rash; venturesome

Examples

“Nissan execs are proud of their new ‘flagship crossover,’ as they call the 2015 Murano, throwing around further clichés like ‘concept car for the street’ and talking about how much the interior resembles a ‘lounge on wheels.’ Which is by an appropriate measure less temerarious than the concept’s press release, which proclaimed that designers had drawn inspiration from ‘the futuristic allure of hypersonic travel.'” — Jeff Sabatini, CarandDriver.com, December 2014

“More important still—and here he is perceived as either temerarious or feckless—[Pope] Francis has departed radically from his predecessors in that he actively encourages his bishops … to speak boldly when addressing him and in assembly….” — Michael W. Higgins, The Globe and Mail, 13 Mar. 2015

Temerarious mutt — Source: wordinfo.info

Did You Know?

If you have guessed that temerarious may be related to the somewhat more common word temerity, you are correct. Temerarious was borrowed into English in the early 16th century from Latin temerarius, which in turn derives from Latin temere, meaning “blindly” or “recklessly.” Temerity, which arrived in English over a century earlier, also derives from temere; another descendant is the rare word intemerate,meaning “pure” or “undefiled.” Temere itself is akin to Old High German demar, Latin tenebrae, and Sanskrit tamas, all of which have associations with darkness.

My Take

Temerarious is an interesting word, and in my estimation, will fall by the wayside in the decades to come. A shame but if no one uses it, bye-bye!

Donatella Versace Wore Jennifer Lopez — Source: Getty Images

How can it be used? Of course, the examples given by Merriam-Webster work okay but really, does anyone really talk like that? I rather doubt it.

The related images I found pretty well describe the word. From the bold colors and taste of a Japanese Hot Pot to the tiny little dog, recklessly holding off the much bigger dog with its bark. We’ve all seen this, at least I have. A large dog, who could eat the small one in one bite, is kept at bay by the brazen attitude of the smaller one. Interesting, I’d say.

JLo wearing Donatella Versace’s presumptuously daring green dress with the oh so deep plunging neckline that reached right to her groin at the 2000 Grammys is a perfect example of a temerarious dress. It implied more than it showed but who cares. JLo was the talk of the globe for months.

I didn’t know this, but apparently she wasn’t the first to wear that dress. Geri Halliwell, a former Spice Girl, wore it at the NJR Music Awards in France one month earlier. However, JLo made it look GOOD!

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a sexier image related to the word. My gift to you.

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Gravid Gift, naked man holding pregnant nude woman

Word of the Day: gravid

November 3, 2016

Gravid Gift of Love — Source: jansdal.dk

Word of the Day: gravid

Gravid (adjective) GRAV-id

Definition

1 : pregnant

2 : distended with or full of eggs

Synonyms

abundant, anticipating, big, carrying a child, expectant, expecting, fecund, fertile, fraught, fruitful, gestating, heavy, hopeful, in a family way, in family way. pregnant, productive, prolific, replete, teeming, with child

Examples

“We know by intuition and study that great books approach a condition both above and below human … and our job is to place ourselves somewhere on the continuum between those shifting poles, to welcome a gravid agitation …; to have our person-hood both threatened and amplified.” — William Giraldi, The New York Times, 26 Jan. 2014

“Her laugh overtakes her.… It’s restorative; it brings light into her eyes and her high, round cheekbones into sharp relief. She has a radiance sometimes, almost gravid, and it’s usually when she’s been laughing.” — Tom Junod, Esquire, 1 Feb. 2016

Did You Know?

Gravid comes from Latin gravis, meaning “heavy.” It can refer to a female who is literally pregnant, and it also has the figurative meanings of pregnant: “full or teeming” and “meaningful.” Thus, a writer may be gravid with ideas as she sits down to write; a cloud may be gravid with rain; or a speaker may make a gravid pause before announcing his remarkable findings.

My Take

Pregnant, distended or full of eggs, that’s what the dictionary defines the word Gravid. I admit, this is not a word I had ever heard of but does that make it a little-used word, one that might be on its way out from our language. Probably not. My research showed many uses of the word.

I’ve included a pic of tropical fish, called a Molly. It’s a female whose belly is completely distended. When I was young, I didn’t understand pregnancy in humans. I never saw my mother pregnant. But, I did raise tropical fish. Mostly, I focused on breeding Beta’s, commonly called Siamese Fighting Fish. Maintaining my tank for all those years, I could tell which fish was pregnant and which wasn’t.

In Molly’s and Guppies, it’s easy to tell. Their bellies get huge in comparison to their bodies. In researching this topic, I discovered that the females can store viable sperm inside their bodies for up to six months, delivering upwards of 20 fry per month until the sperm is consumed. Introduce a male and it starts all over again. Fascinating. In Beta’s I found it harder to tell, but I would figure it out when the breeding couple would build a bubble nest just before depositing the fertilized eggs.

When it comes to humans, unfortunately, I’ve never had the pleasure to be a part of the pregnancy process. That could be a good thing; I do admit. Nevertheless, I always wanted to share the experience with the love of my life. It was not to be. I did get a taste when my youngest sister allowed me to share a little of her last pregnancy. Perhaps that is why I have a special connection to my niece. She’s a terrific artist, now studying graphic gaming art in her final year of college. Yup, she animates and paints the skins (is that the right word these days?) on the characters.

Enjoy the day and kiss your extraordinary gravid partner as soon as you can. She is carrying a very personal gift.

Brought to you by Merriam-Webster, Word of the Day.

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The storm in my head waiting to get out

November 3, 2016

The storm in my head waiting to get out

As many of you know, I suffered a severe concussion over the summer. I’m still working out the issues. The good news is that, for the most part, my creative stream of imagery returned. Early last week, a new story idea flooded my brain, demanding attention, and looking for a way out.

Much to my girlfriend’s chagrin, I write the story, searching for every opportunity to get it out of my head and written down.

The last storm, maybe — Source: patheos.com

Within the past week, I’ve written approximately 40,000 words. Little by little, the words get out but the pressure to finish remains. Right now, I have such a clear understanding of where the story needs to go, that any delay stresses me that I might forget.

Alas, I keep on writing and beg forgiveness of my girlfriend who needs me.

This is Richard Verry, writing to you during a break in the action. Now, back to my writing.

Word of the Day: sepulchre

October 31, 2016

Word of the Day: sepulchre

Sepulchre (noun) SEP-ul-ker

Definition

1 : a place of burial : tomb

2 : a receptacle for religious relics especially in an altar

Examples

“The secrets of business—complicated and often dismal mysteries—were buried in his breast, and never came out of their sepulchre save now….” — Charlotte Brontë, Shirley, 1849

“He had begun making plans for his sepulchre soon after his election to the papacy in 1503, ultimately conceiving of a memorial that was to be the largest since the mausoleums built for Roman emperors such as Hadrian and Augustus.” — Ross King, Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling, 2002

Did You Know?

Sepulchre (also spelled sepulcher) first appeared in Middle English around the beginning of the 13th century. It was originally spelled sepulcre, a spelling taken from Anglo-French. Like many words borrowed into English from French, sepulchre has roots buried in Latin. The word arose from Latin sepulcrum, a noun derived from the verb sepelire, meaning “to bury.” Sepultus, the past participle of sepelire, gave us—also by way of Anglo-French—the related noun sepulture, which is a synonym of burial and sepulchre.

My Take

Sepulchre, today’s word of the day, instantly brought me back to my childhood. Huh? Yes, my childhood. The childhood where my parents and my community tried in vain to instill within me the beliefs of what I consider the biggest snow job done to humanity. I’m not going to go into it. I’ve said enough.

So, let’s see if I can apply the word to something other than the obvious. Being that today is Halloween, the night to celebrate the dead, scaring us into treats, it is only fitting. One of the meanings of sepulcher is a tomb. Where do you think Count Dracula’s coffin resides when he is waiting to get up? There are countless ways to apply the word. I’ll let the images I’ve included speak for themselves.

Happy Halloween everyone. Be safe and watch out for the Michael Myers. Somehow, they think they killed him, only for him to come back and resume his nightmarish killing spree. You know who has to be the most afraid of Michael? Young adults who are looking for a place to hook up. Careful people. You may just find yourselves in your own sepulcher before the night is over.

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a gruesome image related to the word. My gift to you.

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Word of the Day: titivate

October 30, 2016

Word of the Day: titivate

Titivate (verb) TIH-tuh-vayt

Definition

: to make or become smart or spruce

Examples

“It was instantly clear, however, that she had not been idle, but busy titivating: painting her nails, washing her hair, doing her face….” — Rosamunde Pilcher, September, 1990

“I came here as a student …, but I spent more time in Cannon Hill Park two miles from the city centre. I clearly remember watching the gardeners titivate the flower beds and strolling past the lake through the many choice trees.” — Val Bourne, The Daily Telegraph (London), 21 May 2016

Did You Know?

Titivate, spruce, smarten, and spiff all mean “to make a person or thing neater or more attractive.” Titivate often refers to making small additions or alterations in attire (“titivate the costume with sequins and other accessories”), but it can also be used figuratively (as in “titivating the script for Broadway”). Spruce up is sometimes used for cosmetic changes or renovations that give the appearance of newness (“spruce up the house with new shutters and fresh paint before trying to sell it”). Smarten up and spiff up both mean to improve in appearance often by making more neat or stylish (“the tailor smartened up the suit with minor alterations”; “he needed some time to spiff himself up for the party”). The origins of titivate are uncertain, but it may have been formed from the English words tidy and renovate.

My Take

Titivating or sprucing up the makeup — Source: verbalberbal.com

Today’s word, titivate, confused me for a moment. When I read it, my mind automatically processed the word, ‘titillate,’ which is something completely different. However, I did so because I use the word frequently. In my writings, I try to titillate the reader.

Titivate, now that I learned of its existence is a term that I can and will probably add to my vernacular. Why? It’s cool. Besides, it strings together letters of one my favorite things. Can you guess?

When I researched the word, I found hundreds of images, all related to women elegantly dressed, putting on makeup, or just sprucing themselves up. I’ve included a couple of those images in this post, including a special one you will find if your share this on Twitter from this page. However, I wanted to see if I could relate it to something different.

And then it hit me. A couple of weeks ago, I test drove a 2016 Camaro 2LT RS.

OMG, what a sweet ride. I currently drive a 2014 Camaro 2LT RS. I must tell you, Chevrolet, without a doubt, spruced up this car. I intend to buy one. They upgraded the instrument package, making it even easier to read the gauges, which I found difficult in the 2014 version. Its drivetrain is improved, its road handling divine and oh, the sound from its tailpipes. Just perfect.

The long and the short, this titivated car titillates me. Yes, I’m in love.

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a sexier image related to the word. My gift to you.

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Word of the Day: osculate

October 29, 2016

Word of the Day: osculate

osculate (verb) AHSS-kyuh-layt

Definition

: kiss

Examples

“One thing I forgot to ask the guy in the bar: When his significant other ended their relationship, did she at least osculate him goodbye?” — Mike Royko, “Love Lost in Lingo,” 3 June 1981

“Attorney Dan Bailey was the officiant-with-a-sense-of-humor, advising the groom, ‘You may now osculate your bride.'” — Business Observer (Sarasota, Florida), 24 May 2012

Osculate, not oscillate — Source: wordsmith.org

Did You Know?

Osculate comes from the Latin noun osculum, meaning “kiss” or “little mouth.” It was included in a dictionary of “hard” words in 1656, but we have no evidence that anyone actually used it until the 19th century—except for scientists who used it differently to mean “to have contact with.” Today, osculate is used in geometry for the action of a pair of curves or surfaces that touch so that they have a common tangent at the point of contact. When osculate is used to mean “kiss,” the context is typically humorous.

My Take

Well, osculate is another new word for me. After researching it, it appears to be a little-used word. After all, why would I say ‘Waking up, the first thing I do is osculate my girlfriend good morning.’ It just doesn’t have the right connotation to me. It doesn’t sound natural. I’d rather say, ‘Waking up, the first thing I do is kiss my girlfriend good morning.’

Osculate means kissing or to kiss. Let me tell you; I love kissing. The partner I choose in life has to be a good kisser. Let me be the first to announce, she is. When we go at it, it’s like heaven in a moment. The connection in our osculation (see what I mean?) kiss is without comparison. In many ways, it’s better than sex. As we kiss, I can feel her excitement build, her mouth open, and her breathing going deeper and fuller. I can feel the heat build not only in her lips but throughout her entire body. It’s like we’re melting. It’s a behavior that I find hard to describe using words. Stringing together thousands of words to describe it, does not do justice to kissing. You have to experience it for yourself in order to understand.

Then, of course, is the ultimate osculation.

There we go again, what the fuck does that mean. Let’s try that again.

Then, of course, is the ultimate kiss.

You know the kiss I mean, oral sex between consenting partners. When two lovers kiss each other this way, expresses the ultimate act of passion, giving to the other and sharing pleasure on a completely different realm. For me, it’s better than sex but it will never be better than osculating lips to lips, I mean kissing lips to lips.

I urge you to osculate with your favorite partner and lover today. Right now even. Why do you think the ballparks have the ‘Kiss Cam’ during breaks in the action. People love to kiss and be kissed. Please, do it today. Do it now.

Please share your comments. I’m sure we would all enjoy reading them.

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a sexier image related to the word. My gift to you.

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Word of the Day: variegated

October 28, 2016

Variegated leaves of a Coleus — Source: unknown

Word of the Day: variegated

variegated
(adjective) VAIR-ee-uh-gay-tud

Definition

1 : having discrete markings of different colors

2 : various, diverse, varied

Examples

The flower has bright variegated petals.

“Everyone of significance in the region has multiple agendas and variegated geopolitical interests.” — Robert Robb, The Arizona Republic, 21 Aug. 2016

Did You Know?

Variegated has been adding color to our language since the 17th century. It is used in botany to describe the presence of two or more colors in the leaves, petals, or other parts of plants, and it also appears in the names of some animals (such as the variegated cutworm). It can be used by the general speaker to refer to anything marked with different colors (“a variegated silk robe,” for instance) or to things that are simply various and diverse (“a variegated collection”). Variegated has a variety of relatives in English—it is ultimately derived from the Latin root varius, meaning “varied,” which also gave us vary, various, and variety.

My Take

Variegated is another word that I know very well. I learned it decades ago with my parents garden. We had all sorts of variegated varieties, including Hosta, one of my favorites.

In researching this word, it suddenly occurred to me that I could use the term in a number of different ways, for in a number of different subjects, such as animals (the vast variety of people comes to mind), people (race, nationality, sex, social groups, and subsets such as tattoo fans), plants, well, the picture in the post and my earlier comment affirms that.

I recommend that you think about the word and come up with your own interpretations. I have added one to this post, but in order to see it, you will need to share the post on Twitter using one of the Twitter buttons on this page.

Please share your comments. I’m sure we would all enjoy reading them.

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a sexier image related to the word. My gift to you.

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Word of the Day: myriad

October 28, 2016

Word of the Day: myriad

myriad (noun) MEER-ee-ud

Definition

1 : ten thousand

2 : a great number

Examples

“After sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles, Rise will make its debut in Boston with a myriad of hand-carved jack o’ lanterns that will light up a trail that people can walk on as music plays in the background.” — Matt Juul, Boston Magazine, 21 Sept. 2016

“The robust and metallic nest-like venue, which is the first ever arena to be run entirely on solar power, features additional popular local restaurants, grab-and-go fresh fruits and vegetables, a touch of Sacramento history with their refurbished neon signs, and a myriad of local microbreweries.” — Michael Morris, The Vallejo (California) Times-Herald, 28 Sept. 2016

Did You Know?

In English, the “ten thousand” sense of myriad mostly appears in references to Ancient Greece, such as the following from English historian Connop Thirwall’s History of Greece: “4000 men from Peloponnesus had fought at Thermopylae with 300 myriads.” More often, English speakers use myriad in the broad sense—both as a singular noun (“a myriad of tiny particles”) and a plural noun (“myriads of tiny particles”). Myriad can also serve as an adjective meaning “innumerable” (“myriad particles”). While some usage commentators criticize the noun use, it’s been firmly established in English since the 16th century, and in fact is about 200 years older than the adjective. Myriad comes from Greek myrias, which in turn comes from myrioi, meaning “countless” or “ten thousand.”

My Take

I love the word myriad. I use it frequently. I’ve always known it to mean a great number, a large number, or an uncountable number. Less than infinite but large enough that it might as well be infinite.

What I did not know was that it also meant a specific number, ten thousand to be exact. I found that interesting. So, the next time I have a need to use a word for ten thousand, I’ll be sure to use it.

Happy trails everyone. Thanks for reading.

Please share your comments. I’m sure we would all enjoy reading them.

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woman enjoying a blissful soak in a tub full of bubbles

Word of the Day: beatific

October 27, 2016

blissful soak — Source: rednotebotanica.com/

Word of the Day: beatific

beatific (adjective) bee-uh-TIFF-ik

Definition

1 : of, possessing, or imparting a state of utmost bliss

2 : having a blissful appearance

Synonyms

angelic; blissful; cherubic; delightful; divine; elated; ethereal; euphoric; happy; heavenly; joyful; lovely; rapturous; saintly

Examples

“She was Italian, funny, a beatific tomboy, with just the hint of a lazy eye, and wore a pair of glasses that made me think of the wonders of the library.” — Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run, 2016

“Maybe it was the unexpected warmth of the gesture…. Maybe it was his response, the beatific expression on his face, eyes almost closed, head tilted toward her shoulder.… But when Michelle Obama hugged former President George W. Bush … at a ceremony to open the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the image quickly took flight online.” — Mark Landler, The New York Times, 26 Sept. 2016

Did You Know?

Beatific—which derives from Latin beatificus, meaning “making happy”—has graced the English language as a word describing things that impart consummate bliss since the 17th century. In theology, the phrase “beatific vision” gained meaning as an allusion to the direct sight of God enjoyed by the blessed in heaven. Today, the word more frequently describes a blissful look or appearance. A closely related word is beatitude, which can refer to a state of utmost bliss or to any of the declarations made by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

My Take

In researching today’s word, I found a plethora of religious images. While I do consider myself spiritual and I talk to him/her all the time, I am not religious. Filtering out the Judeo/Christian symbology was daunting. I think I managed it. What do you think?

When I think of this word, I think of the happy couple on their wedding day. The bride especially, wearing her emotions on her face and in her light-footed gait. I think of soaking in a deep hot bath, surrounded by bubbles, candles, and a glass or wine. Sharing the bath with a companion is optional. I think of lying in bed, post-coitus, reveling in the contentment permeating within every cell of your body. I think of standing over the crib or bed of your sleeping child. The child content in the instinct that no matter what, you will protect them and take care of them. I think of a quiet, summer morning, the air still, and dew just about to disappear for the day.

I could go on and on. Is there something you would like to share? I’m sure we would all enjoy reading the contributions.

If you share this post by clicking one of the twitter buttons, I will treat you with a sexier image related to the word. My gift to you.

Brought to you by Merrian-Webster, Word of the Day.

Opening the mind to what is possible.

Word of the Day: echelon

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Word of the Day: temerarious

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Word of the Day: gravid

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The storm in my head waiting to get out

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Word of the Day: sepulchre

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Word of the Day: titivate

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Word of the Day: osculate

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Word of the Day: variegated

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Word of the Day: myriad

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Word of the Day: beatific

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