Limn

Use this forum to suggest Good Words for Professor Beard.
Perry Lassiter
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Limn

Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri Sep 28, 2012 10:23 pm

Back in '06 skinem brought up the word "limn" in reference to a typo. Today I ran across the word while reading and decided I had never pinned it down. The word goes back to the 15th century where it appeared as a back-formation from illuminate in reference to manuscripts. Late in the 16th century the word had evolved to "painting" descriptions with words. I get the feeling the word may be used today with the same imprecision I feel about it. Sometimes it clearly refers to painting, other times verbal description, and I fear also used increasingly as synonymous with writing.
pl

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Slava
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Re: Limn

Postby Slava » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:36 pm

This one has actually been done, but as we can no longer search for words pre-downgrade, you can't find it.

Here is the Good Doctor's treatment from 2/1/10.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Perry Lassiter
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 3333
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
Location: RUSTON, LA
Contact:

Re: Limn

Postby Perry Lassiter » Sun Sep 30, 2012 2:54 pm

Two comments: First, I have a different sense of beauty in words from the Doc and others. No words with one or more short vowels make my list. A as in ah is the most beautiful sound, therefore Carlotta or Charlotte come to mind when I first think of beautiful words. Classic Spanish long vowels make words beautiful if no harsh consonants intervene. One exception comes readily to mind, sussuration. I'm sure there must be others.
Second, I wonder if Andrew is working on our ability to word search more effectively.
pl


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