ALACRITY

Use this forum to suggest Good Words for Professor Beard.
tcward
Wordmaster
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ALACRITY

Postby tcward » Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:55 pm

I was reminded of this word whilst reading an article in Car & Driver, about the new Alfa Romeo 159 Q4, wherein the author was praising the alacrity and quality of the successor to the 156.

From EtymOnline.com:
alacrity
c.1510, from L. alacritatem (nom. alacritas) "liveliness," from alacer (gen. alacris) "cheerful, brisk, lively;" cognate with Goth. aljan "zeal," O.E. ellen, O.H.G. ellian.
Obviously related to the Italian musical term allegro... But I thought from the looks of the O.E. relative ellen that it would also be related to French élan -- but no!
elan
1877, from Fr. élan, from élancer "to rush, dart," from O.Fr. elancer, from e- "out" + lancer "to throw a lance," from L.L. lanceare, from L. lancea "lance."
So no relation to alacrity. Oh well.

But alacrity is still an interesting word.

-Tim

M. Henri Day
Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 1141
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Location: Stockholm, SVERIGE

Postby M. Henri Day » Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:58 pm

Or the alacrity with which we all hop on each other's perceived errors - but that is, indeed, a part of this forum's raison d'être and done all in good fun - pop goes the weasle !...

Henri
曾记否,到中流击水,浪遏飞舟?


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