ruminate \ROO-muh-nayt\ verb
*1 : meditate, muse
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period
Example sentence:
After meeting with her counselor, Meg passed the afternoon ruminating on the question of what to do with her life.
Did you know?
When you ruminate you chew something over, either literally or figuratively. Literal rumination may seem a little gross to humans, but to cows, chewing your cud (that's partially digested food brought up from the stomach for another chew) is just a natural part of life. Figurative ruminating is much more palatable to humans; that kind of deep, meditative thought is often deemed quite a worthy activity. The verb "ruminate" has described metaphorical chewing over since the 1500s and actual chewing since the early 1600s. Our English word derives from and shares the meanings of the Latin "ruminari," which in turn derives from "rumen," the Latin name for the first stomach compartment of ruminant animals (that is, creatures like cows that chew their cud).
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Firebrand
firebrand \FYRE-brand\ noun
1 : a piece of burning wood
2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agitator
Example sentence:
John views himself as a relentless firebrand who stands up for his beliefs even when they are not popular.
Did you know?
The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his deserted island and saw "by the light of the firebrand... lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful old he-goat.") But the burning embers of the wooden firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th century, "firebrand" was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed passions.
1 : a piece of burning wood
2 : one that creates unrest or strife (as in aggressively promoting a cause) : agitator
Example sentence:
John views himself as a relentless firebrand who stands up for his beliefs even when they are not popular.
Did you know?
The original firebrands were incendiary indeed; they were pieces of wood set burning at the fire, perhaps for use as a light or a weapon. English speakers started brandishing those literal firebrands as long ago as the 13th century. (Robinson Crusoe held one high as he rushed into a cave on his deserted island and saw "by the light of the firebrand... lying on the ground a monstrous, frightful old he-goat.") But the burning embers of the wooden firebrand quickly sparked figurative uses for the term, too. By the early 14th century, "firebrand" was also being used for one doomed to burn in hell, and by 1382, English writers were using it for anyone who kindled mischief or inflamed passions.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Fortuitous
fortuitous \for-TOO-uh-tus\ adjective
1 : occurring by chance
2 : fortunate, lucky
*3 : coming or happening by a lucky chance
Example sentence:
How fortuitous it was that the day before the rattlesnake bit little Jessica, her Dad had completed a first aid course!
Did you know?
For some 250 years, until the early part of the 20th century, "fortuitous" meant one thing only: "happening by chance." This was no accident; its Latin forebear, "fortuitus," derives from the same ancient root as the Latin word for "chance," which is "fors." But the fact that "fortuitous" sounds like a blend of "fortunate" and "felicitous" (meaning "happily suited to an occasion") may have been what ultimately led to a second meaning: "fortunate." That use has been disparaged by critics, but it is now well established. Perhaps the seeds of the newer sense were planted by earlier writers applying overtones of good fortune to something that is a chance occurrence. In fact, today we quite often apply "fortuitous" to something that is a chance occurrence but has a favorable result.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
1 : occurring by chance
2 : fortunate, lucky
*3 : coming or happening by a lucky chance
Example sentence:
How fortuitous it was that the day before the rattlesnake bit little Jessica, her Dad had completed a first aid course!
Did you know?
For some 250 years, until the early part of the 20th century, "fortuitous" meant one thing only: "happening by chance." This was no accident; its Latin forebear, "fortuitus," derives from the same ancient root as the Latin word for "chance," which is "fors." But the fact that "fortuitous" sounds like a blend of "fortunate" and "felicitous" (meaning "happily suited to an occasion") may have been what ultimately led to a second meaning: "fortunate." That use has been disparaged by critics, but it is now well established. Perhaps the seeds of the newer sense were planted by earlier writers applying overtones of good fortune to something that is a chance occurrence. In fact, today we quite often apply "fortuitous" to something that is a chance occurrence but has a favorable result.
*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
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This is id-en blog...since we need a blog to publish some important treads on mailing list to public...I think this is a perfect media.
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This is id-en blog...since we need a blog to publish some important treads on mailing list to public...I think this is a perfect media.
I hope you can enjoy...
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