What new words did you come across while reading?

[Laure]

I always like to make a note of new words I meet while reading.
Let's share them!
Last week I came across this one:

to lour - to look angry or sullen / (of the sky or landscape) to look dark and threatening

The inflamed sky loured over the thatched huts ...
from 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth

[Haaze]

Is that the opposite to "to Laure"? ; -)

I have been intending (forever) to have a little notebook to jot down the new "words" I come across in my reading journeys. Unfortunately, I procrastinate, so the list is not materializing. Your post makes me think twice though as it is a fantastic idea. Victorian literature has an ocean of vocabulary. Sometimes I wonder if 19th century people actually used them in their daily conversations. Ok, I will dig up a notebook and have it as a constant companion....

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "Is that the opposite to "to Laure"? ; -)

I have been intending (forever) to have a little notebook to jot down the new "words" I come across in my reading journeys. Unfortunately, I procrastinate,..."

I have just started using this amazing service called 'workflowy' - it is a website that allows you to keep lists. I use it to keep track of the work on my novels and such. I just made a list with the words I come across as I am always within reach of a laptop! Quite handy.
I have tried notebooks before but they are never there when I need it, lol.

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "Is that the opposite to "to Laure"? ; -)

I have been intending (forever) to have a little notebook to jot down the new "words" I come across in my reading journeys. Unfortunately, I procrastinate,..."

Haha, just noticed your pun. Loved it!

[Haaze]

Laure wrote: "I have tried notebooks before but they are never there when I need it, lol. ."

My experience exactly! Thanks for the tip about "Workflowy". I will check it out....

[Haaze]

Laure wrote: "I always like to make a note of new words I meet while reading.
Let's share them!
Last week I came across this one:

to lour - to look angry or sullen / (of the sky or landscape) to look dark and t..."

Interesting word, Laure. I didn't know that 'lour' was a variant of 'lower'.

[Lost Planet Airman]

It's been a few years since I came across these, but two have really stood out for me:

cynosure - a person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.
(from the fascinating 80's comic book "Grimjack")

cerulean - deep blue in color like a clear sky
(from one of the later Stephen R. Donaldson "Thomas Covenant" novels)

[Laure]

Mike wrote: "It's been a few years since I came across these, but two have really stood out for me:

cynosure - a person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.
(from the fascinating 80's comic..."

I like 'cynosure' - never heard about this word before!

'Cerulean' is a great word. I like 'azure' too - easy for me to remember as it is a French word too. :)

[Lost Planet Airman]

Laure wrote: "I like 'cynosure' - never heard about this word before!

'Cerulean' is a great word. I like 'azure' too..."

"Cynosure", as a proper noun, was a city that evolved, or was perhaps created, in the "Grimjack-verse" at the junction of multiple dimensions, so stories could involve magic and technology, swords-and-sorcery and sci-fi.

Highly recommend this for vocabulists and lexiophiles:
Crazy ABC's - Barenaked Ladies (original version)

[Mark]

I've been reading a lot of Joyce criticism lately. One book, called Strandentwining Cable, by Scarlett Baron uses, repeatedly, the word
"adumbrate". It's a real word, but I'm sure I could have gotten through the rest of my life without ever feeling the need to use it.

[Laure]

Mike wrote: "Laure wrote: "I like 'cynosure' - never heard about this word before!

'Cerulean' is a great word. I like 'azure' too..."

"Cynosure", as a proper noun, was a city that evolved, or was perhaps crea..."

Very clever to make the noun, the name of the city.

[Laure]

Mark wrote: "I've been reading a lot of Joyce criticism lately. One book, called Strandentwining Cable, by Scarlett Baron uses, repeatedly, the word
"adumbrate". It's a real word, but I'm sure I could have gott..."

This is the thing with rare words ... they must be used rarely to keep their effect. Many writers, I think, make the mistake to use the same little known word several times in their novel - only used once for maximum effect. :D

[Haaze]

But if you use them rarely it is difficult to remember them... ; -)

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "But if you use them rarely it is difficult to remember them... ; -)"

True!

[Haaze]

I have the lofty goal of studying my word "list" on a regular basis. A new year's resolution of mine!

[Mark]

I agree. We are suppose to be impressed by the author's erudition but really we're just annoyed to be having to go get the dictionary, again. :-)

[Haaze]

Hmm, I have never seen this word before....

prolix
1
: unduly prolonged or drawn out : too long
2
: marked by or using an excess of words

Error after error was laid bare with merciless prolixity. 

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "Hmm, I have never seen this word before....

prolix
1
: unduly prolonged or drawn out : too long
2
: marked by or using an excess of words

Error after error was laid bare with merciless prolixity. "

'Error after error was laid bare with merciless prolixity. '
That is a nice sentence.

[Haaze]

Courtesy of Anthony Trollope .... ; -)

[Haaze]

It's from The Way We Live Now. A good starter Trollope is probably Dr. Thorne, but you definitely need to enjoy Victorian style novels. Trollope is a partially acquired taste IMHO.

[Haaze]

Manda wrote: "I will be starting with He Knew He Was Right "

Great choice! I haven't read that one (yet), but it is definitely viewed as being in his top tier. Besides (as I'm sure you already know) it is not part of a series. Interesting that Trollope is mostly know for those. Trying to read Trollope feels like a five year project! LOL

[Mark]

I came across an interesting word last night: "lucifericiously"
from the phrase, "...his gnose's glow as it slid lucifericiously within an inch of its page..."
finnegans wake
pg.182

[Haaze]

Mark wrote: "I came across an interesting word last night: "lucifericiously"
from the phrase, "...his gnose's glow as it slid lucifericiously within an inch of its page..."
finnegans wake
pg.182"

Ahh, such a beautiful word, Mark. I just don't see how Joyce is using it in that sentence. Gnose as in gnosis (knowledge?)? So the word means bringing light or insight? Here - his "knowledge" brought insight by sliding close to the page....????
Joyce is a tricky man - it would probably take me years to read his main works!

[Mark]

I decide to copy the whole paragraph from which this sample came, and posted it under funny quotes.

[Mark]

Haaze wrote: "Mark wrote: "I came across an interesting word last night: "lucifericiously"
from the phrase, "...his gnose's glow as it slid lucifericiously within an inch of its page..."
finnegans wake
pg.182"

..."
Yes, as much as gnosis is implied so maybe nose. It may help to view the whole paragraph to give the sample context.

[Haaze]

Thanks, the whole quote definitely changes the perception. It seems as if it is a symphony of words!

[Mark]

Manda wrote: "Haaze wrote: "Mark wrote: "I came across an interesting word last night: "lucifericiously"
from the phrase, "...his gnose's glow as it slid lucifericiously within an inch of its page..."
finnegans ..."
No,no,no...no headslaming!
Joyce's 3 books, Dubliners, Portrait and Ulysses are accessible to anyone who likes to read. They are not easy reads, but some feel strongly that they are worth it.
FINNEGANS WAKE is for no-one! It's beyond the pale. Way beyond! Infinity beyond!
(i guess i sort of did it as a prank? a glimpse into the future...) :-)

[Mark]

Manda wrote: "Mark wrote: "Manda wrote: "Haaze wrote: "Mark wrote: "I came across an interesting word last night: "lucifericiously"
from the phrase, "...his gnose's glow as it slid lucifericiously within an inch..."
Cool! :-)

[Haaze]

meretricious

meretricious |merəˈtriSHəs| adjective
1 apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity: meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade.
2 archaic of, relating to, or characteristic of a prostitute.
DERIVATIVES
meretriciously adverb.
meretriciousness noun
ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Latin meretricius (adjective from meretrix, meretric- ‘prostitute,’ from mereri ‘be hired’) + -ous .

I came across it in the Guardian:
"The political triumph of Donald Trump shattered the establishments in the Democratic and Republican parties – both wedded to the rule of Big Money and to the reign of meretricious politicians."

[Mark]

Haaze wrote: "meretricious

meretricious |merəˈtriSHəs| adjective
1 apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity: meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade.
2 archaic of, relating to, or ..."
'...the reign of meretricious politicians."
very cool! nice turn of phrase,
thank you, Haaze. :-)
that made my day!

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "meretricious

meretricious |merəˈtriSHəs| adjective
1 apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity: meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade.
2 archaic of, relating to, or ..."

Now, that is such an apt adjective in this context. Great example. ;P - it also made my day. I feel this is one work I 'll be using soon. Do you think you could use it to describe 'syle' and 'prose'?

[Haaze]

Hmm, why not? E.g. one of those fancy descriptions of items for sale in a brochure? It's a pretty crazy word, isn't it?

[Laure]

That word is so 21st Century - could become really popular. :D

[Haaze]

I suspect that I should know this word by now, but it didn't emerge from my memory banks....

intestate

1
: having made no valid will
2
: not disposed of by will

Middle English, from Latin intestatus, from in- + testatus testate
First Known Use: 14th century

"Little is known about her last 20 years except that she died penniless and intestate in Calcutta."

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...

[Fab]

Knavery:

unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest dealing; trickery.

[Fab]

Martinet:

- a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.

- someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules.

[Hugh]

Callipygian. But that was a crossword not a book...

[Hugh]

... but it reminded me of a Julian Barnes character (from Talking It Over) - the steatopygous Stu...

[Laure]

Haaze wrote: "I suspect that I should know this word by now, but it didn't emerge from my memory banks....

intestate

1
: having made no valid will
2
: not disposed of by will

Middle English, from Latin inte..."

Check! I knew this one for some reason. Might vaguely remember it from a Dickens' book ... I think. This is what I like about this thread is that not only we get the word, but in which book it has been seen. I like that. :)

[Laure]

Fab wrote: "Martinet:

- a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one.

- someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules."

Now, I can bring more light on that word. It is a French word and it was also the name of the small whip like instrument that was used to discipline children in the good olden days. To be applied liberally on legs and bottoms. Ouch :P

[Laure]

Hugh wrote: "Reminded me of a Julian Barnes character - the steatopygous Stu..."

Define steatopygous: an excessive development of fat on the buttocks that occurs chiefly among women of some African peoples ...

Wow, lol. 'Chiefly among women of some African peoples' - I think there are enough fatty bottoms in the Western world to people Africa.

[Laure]

Not an expression that people would not recognise but I thought it was so lovely I am adding it up to the list:

'stones mantled with moss'

from 'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury
So many beautiful sentences in that book. :)

[Mark]

Got a good one here from brother Nabo.
Page 279 of my Vintage: "anticomedoist"
Roughly translated - pimplepopper!

[Haaze]

thesmothete

: lawgiver, legislator; specifically : one of the six ancient Athenian junior archons

Greek thesmothetēs, from thesmos law + thetēs one who sets, lays down, from tithenai to put, lay down
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...

I have never seen this word before, so I presume I need to brush up on my ancient Greek political history. I came across it in one of Thomas Hardy's novels.
"Then this small thesmothete stepped from the table and surged out of the kitchen, her black silk dress licking up a few straws and dragging them along with a scratching noise upon the stone floor." [from [book:Far from the Madding Crowd|31463]]

[Hugh]

I have been reading the Gregory Rabassa translation of Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar. About halfway through I started noting down and looking up unfamiliar words, and my list is already getting quite long (over 30 words), and I still have over 100 pages to go. Some of these would be very difficult to use conversationally, for example catoblepas, which defeated my Chambers dictionary but is apparently a legendary creature from Ethiopia. I quite liked cuniculture (rabbit breeding) too...

[Haaze]

Hugh wrote: "I have been reading the Gregory Rabassa translation of Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar. About halfway through I started noting down and looking up unfamiliar words, and my l..."

Always interesting to encounter words that make the dictionary crumble and hide in the corner! Is Cortázar known to be a wordsmith? Obviously, Rabassa has his part to play in this matter!

[Mark]

From page 3 of Ulysses: "jejune" from the Latin meaning empty, dry, barren. And then my dictionary says that maybe by "confusion with the word juvenile" it also means childish. It's not that uncommon to see, but I don't think I'll ever use it. I like "puerile".

And from page 189 of Finnegans Wake: "scribblative". which isn't in the dictionary, but I think it's cool! Joyce does use the word "scribble" rarely, but significantly. There is an on-going debate amongst Joyce scholars as to whether in the second story in Dubliners, "An Encounter" when the priest confiscates the boy's comic book, whether he says, "some wretched fellow" or "some wretched scribbler" "writes these things for a drink."

[Haaze]

Mark,

On a similar note (considering all the unusual words in Ulysses): did you incorporate any of those into your regular vocabulary after reading the book so many times?

[Mark]

Haaze wrote: "Mark,

On a similar note (considering all the unusual words in Ulysses): did you incorporate any of those into your regular vocabulary after reading the book so many times?"
It's not so much as Joyce introduced me to new words, as he has shown me how to get more out of ordinary words. A wonderful word like current: not only do we use it to describe the motion we see in water, but when it became relevant we decided to use the same word to describe a "motion" we can not see, of electricity moving through wires. And, so he draws my attention to the ambiguous/mysterious nature of these phenomena and to the sameness and curious differences in the many meanings of the word.
As far as Finnegans Wake, it is more on the surface: exotic spellings, rather than new words, that you might understood, which I don't.

[Mark]

I think what I have taken more from Ulysses rather than words are phrases.

"...like his own rare thoughts a chemistry of stars." pg. 20

"...beneath a reign of uncouth stars." pg. 48

-)